The Rebel Faction

*Major Strine sat in a chair in the lounge of the YT-1300 - Silver Streak. Opposite him sat Lieutenant Hevik and Sergeant Arel. All three of them were studying a holographic screen containing data on the mission.*

*Lieutenant Gorel entered the lounge a few minutes later, having set a series of jumps into the nav-computer. She took her seat next to Strine and confirmed that the ship was now travelling in hyperspace.*

"Ok, thats good." Strine said. "Now that we are underway I can let you in on a few detais of this mission. First off we have to make contact with this Rodian..." he touched a control panel on the screen and the face and bio of an ageing Rodian female appeared on the screen. "Her name is Yari Rapier, one of the leaders of the Gormak tribe who we are tasked with helping."

*He paused for a few moments, allowing the team to digest the information on the screen.*

"So thats who we are meeting with. Apparently, according to latest information, the Gormak have quite an impressive military structure. The problem however is that the opposing faction, the Chattza, have the upper hand. The Chattza have been attacking the Gormak on a regular basis, and with their superior weaponry and ships the Chattza are beating them hands down. Because of this the Gormak have been forced out of their lands and into hiding."

"So what kind of resistance are we expecting there sir?" Sergeant Arel asked.

"That is what we are to determine." Strine replied smiling. "We are to make contact with the Gormak, and determine what we can do to help. We will have four days before the task force arrives in system. The day before they are due to arrive we are to start causing a few distractions and send a message to the task force informing them of the extent of the forces that they are facing."

*For the next hour Strine went over the details of the misson, explaining the intricacies and importance of what the team had to do. He knew that they already understood of course, but this was his way of doing things*

*****************

*Back on board the Razorback Commodore Darkel had called a final meeting of his commanders. All the task force ship captains now had their orders and were now only four hours away from leaving for the mission. As the Captains left the conference room, Sterik transmitted a message to the Imperial Class Star Destroyer- Heir of Ratkus requesting confirmation that the landing forces had been boarded.*

"Yes sir." The reply came back from commander Kastis, "All forces have now boarded the Heir of Ratkus. We report that two thousand Droidekas have been loaded, and Aegis Class Carriers - Carmens Steed and Formidable also report five hundred per ship. The task force has also been assigned two thousand infantry, the last of those are now boarding Strike Class Cruiser- Nova and Strike Class Cruiser- Slicer."

"Excelent commander." Sterik reached over and closed the transmission. Moments later he was heading up to the bridge. "Not long now," he thought to himself as he walked onto the bridge. "Captain, inform command that we will be ready to leave the system in three and a half hours, then have all sections file reports. I do not want anything to go wrong here."

*Captain Varees salutes and turns to the communications officer, telling him to send the order to all ships tomake readiness reports. Then watches as Commodore Darkel walks from the bridge and into his ready room.*

Nemesi unbottons the top two buttons of his stylish uniform as he enters his ready room in his Nebulon B Frigate 'Xion.'

The room was modestly furnished. A large desk central in the room with a comfortable looking chair behind it. A data terminal could be seen embedded into the desk, now rising as Nemesi entered the room.

Rounding the desk he flopped down onto the chair, throwing his feet up onto a corner of the desk. Leaning an arm over the chair he typed a passcode into the terminal and began reading over various documents. A beep sounded from the door, signalling that someone wished to enter.

Without looking up Nemesi simply said, "Enter."

Another Bothan of middle years entered and waited for recognition.

Nemesi looked up from his reading and asked somewhat sarcastically, "What can I do for you Captain?"

The man smiled a toothy grin, "We're received word from the Task Force that all is in order. The reinforcements have been loaded into the MC90a 'Calidus,' The fighters are all in tip-top shape and the crew is eager to kick some ass..." He pauses a moment the adds, "Commodore."

Nemesi nods, "Good job Captain."

He then chuckles and waves a hand, "Sit down Keln, care for a stick?" Nemesi offers a stimstick from an open pack on his desk.

The man nods then sits down. Silence reigns supreme for a moment before the man speaks again, "So... I wonder what working for the Hapes will be like?"

Nemesi smiles, "I think it will be a good experience Keln. Besides, we never had problems working with Sterik before, and the Prince seems like a good man. I don't foresee any problems. Speaking of Sterik, though, I have to send a transmission, let him know we're on our way."

Keln nods, "I'll be on the bridge."

Nemesi nods, "No smoking on the bridge."

Keln smiles and butts out the stimstick he lit only moments before then walks back onto the bridge, the door sliding shut behind him.

Turning to the terminal Nemesi punches a few keys and prepares to record his message to Commodore Darkel.

Finally he hits a key and sits back.

"Hello Commodore, long time no see. Obviously you might be slightly surprised that I'm wearing this uniform, however alot has changed since my mercenary days."

Sitting up slightly he continues, "To get the the point, I'm on my way to your location with reinforcements. I have more information regarding the mission that'll have to wait until we meet in person."

Nodding he finishes, "Commodore Nemesi, out."

Sitting back he sends a comms transmission to the bridge, "Captain, take a head count and lets get moving shall we?"

The Captain replies, "As you say, sir."

Nemesi sat down in the co-pilot's seat just as "Agile" exited hyperspace. Accessing the sensor panel he said, "Right bank 84 degrees, 10 degree incline. They're about a hundred thousand kilometers from our current position."

The young human simply nodded and turned the craft, pushing the throttle to maximum as he did.

"Not too fast now, Liuetenant. They might think we're unfriendly."

Backing the throttle down the Lieutenant smiled, "Yes sir. I thought you wanted them surprised though?"

"Yes, I said surprised, not hostile. I think Sterik will be surprised enough to see me. I timed the signal strength just right in order for us to appear just after he read the message." Laughed Nemesi as he accessed the comms.

Leaning forward towards the audio receiver he said, "This is the firespray 'Agile'. Transmitting security codes..." He transmitted the code and awaited authorization.

"Permission to dock with the 'Razorback' granted. Welcome Commodore. We'll prepare your rooms."

Nemesi chuckled, "Don't worry about my rooms, I'll be along to see Commodore Darkel as soon as I'm aboard."

As they neared the dreadnought he received the end of the conversation, "Yes sir, as you say."

Nemesi nodded then turned the comms unit off. Turning to the Lieutenant he said, "Easy lad, I want Sterik to marvel at the modifications, not laugh at paint scratches."

The Lieutenant grinned, "Yes sir."

Grinning Nemesi chided the boy, "Just because we're wearing new uniforms doesn't mean you have to call me 'sir,' Ralfen."

Still grinning the man simply said mockingly, "Yes sir."

Nemesi shook his head and strapped himself in as the ship began to tilt backwards into it's landing pattern. Moments later the freighter settled into the docking bay.

Quickly Nemesi gathered a few things and strode out of the back of the ship, only to be greeted by another Hapan uniformed Lieutenant...

----------

Starry streaks flew past a viewport aboard the Nebulon B Frigate 'Xion,' the reflection a never ceasing pattern. Through the viewport the middle-aged bothan face of Keln Nemsien D'yla looked out into the depths of space. His stargazing came to an end as his comms unit beeped loudly.

"This is Keln." He said simply into the unit.

"Sir, evening reports are in. We're showing green across all sections. Astrogation confirms our ETA as being in three days, seven hours." Came a voice from the comms."

"Good work. Let me know if anything changes. Keln out." He replied, tossing the comms unit on his desk after he was finished.

He took a moment to look around the room.

The room was a decent size, considering the overall size of the ship. The Captain's Quarters sat in the head of the ship, along the right side, looking out into the vastness of space. Simple furnishings lined the room, some with bothan designs etched into the endoran wood. A large bookshelf stood near the door into the living chalmber brimming with old volumes, most in near mint condition. A wide bed sat in the back of the room to Keln's right, flanked on either side with night stands. A desk sat at the front of the room to Keln's left beside the bookshelf, a few datapads and his discarded comms unit making a clutter atop the data terminal which was embedded in the desk's surface, ready to pop up at the slightest verbal command. Several frames of digital canvas added a style to the room, all showing pictures of scenery on his home planet of Bothawui. The outer wall, now behind his back was lined with viewports, providing a splendid view into space.

Keln made his way over to the desk and sat in the plush chair in front of it. Sliding his legs under the desk he activated the data terminal and began sifting through old records that he kept on a data card.

He opened a digital photo album and began sifting through family photos. Pictures of his X wife, their child who he saw seldomly. He came upon a photo taken seventeen years before of his immediate family. Four generations of Nemsiens looked back at him. His mother and father, his two sisters and brother. Their families, their children, and their children's children. His eyes settled on a his nephew, Nemesi, and his wife Dahlia.

Smiling, he pulled the terminal forward, folding it back into the desk.

"Nephew, what have you gotten me into this time..." He said as he made about getting ready for rest.

----------

Nemesi thought of his uncle as he exchanged pleasant greetings with the Razorback's Captain. He then walked the short distance to the Commodore's ready room and pressed the entry request panel and awaited an answer.

Smiling as he entered Commodore Darkel's ready room he was greeted with, "You old rogue," Sterik smiled. "Welcome back to the action."

Smile dominating his bothan face Nemesi approached his old friend with a handshake and a manly hug, "It’s good to be back in it my friend. Damn it’s good to see you again Ster. How've you been? Sorry for not contacting you too much lately, but after Dahlia passed on I lost sight of things for awhile, then I was so busy I had no time to talk..."

His eyes haze over a moment before he continues, "Whats it been, four years since we took that job hunting down that band of pirates? And years before that, before little Nemesi was born. He's quite grown now. Fifteen years pass quickly...."

-------------------

Nemesi sat at the desk in his quarters aboard his newly acquired Marauder, 'Halcyon,' typing out a transmission bound for Bothawui.

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Dear Dahlia, I miss you. It’s been months since I've been home, and for that I'm sorry. Business has been good. I've just acquired my first real Capital ship worth note. It’s a Marauder Corvette, and it’s in top shape. We've retrofitted a lot of the systems with more up to date ones. I planned on selling it for a massive profit, but the damn thing has kinda grown on me. Keln doesn't much like it. Thinks I need a bigger ship. A BIGGER SHIP he says. I couldn't believe it when he said it, but he kept going on about other ships like the Nebulon B. I told him that if I got one he could Captain it, but for now he has to deal with this. It’s a nice ship, if a bit cramped at times. I've got more men than I know what to do with.<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

He sat back in his chair long enough to light a stimstick before continuing...

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> I recently merged a smaller Corellian team with ours. We've been working almost non-stop, although I can't go into details of our employer or the job itself, but needless to say it has been very profitable. We've went a long way since flying around in Sterik's old Firespray. I've got twelve ships in the fleet right now, this one is the only cap though, although a couple of the freighters are pretty hefty, and pack quite the punch. Recently we took out a nice little freighter with our ion cannons, and then refitted the insides. Works like new. I'll bring it back to Bothawui when I come back, you'll like it. Its one of those Nubian types that the rich folk travel around in, although I think this one was likely stolen, cause it was just a bunch of thugs aboard. Could be some of the Hutts' men I suppose, but I doubt it.<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

Nemesi sat back again, puffing one his stimstick with a small smile on his face. The smile slowly melted as the alert sounded across the ship. Putting on his jacket he left his quarters to see what was amiss...

"What is it Keln?" asked Nemesi as he walked onto the bridge, "Imperials?"

Keln looked from an instrumentation panel, his hair a salt and pepper brown, "No, pirates by the look. They have some sense at least, look."

Keln pointed out the viewport to a Nebulon B frigate that was headed in their direction, escorted by a variety of freighters and fighters, adding “Told you we shoulda got one of those things.”

A rodian at the comms station spoke to the two bothans as they looked at the oncoming ship, "They're hailing us guys."

Nemesi nodded without taking his eyes from the ship, "Patch them through."

The rodian nodded and activated the communications terminal.

As Nemesi turned from his gazing and approached the terminal a voice could be heard through it, "Surrender your Corvette now and we'll let you flee. We just want the Marauder."

Nemesi looked into the terminal, seeing a young human staring back at him, "Do you know what you're doing child?" asked Nemesi in an arrogant voice.

"Taking your ship, surrender or accept your doo--"

"You think I'm gonna hand over my ship?" Nemesi asked, and then began laughing loudly.

"You do! You actually thought I'd hand it over?" He continues laughing, then turns to the others in the bridge, "He actually thinks we're gonna roll over for him!"

The bridge crew begins laughing with Nemesi, drowning out the human being displayed on the comms terminal, his face growing angrier by the moment.

Suddenly Nemesi's expression turns serious, "Arm laser banks, load the proton torpedo launchers, launch the fighters. Aim for their shield generators and weapon pods. I want that ship intact dammit!"

Turning back to the comms terminal Nemesi leans in and begins speaking in a very low and dark tone, "You want a fight? Oh yea, we'll give it to you. This is YOUR chance to surrender. Take it or leave it, either way I get what I want."

The human snarls as he says, "You are making a huge mistake. You will die today."

Nemesi shook his head slightly and turned off the comms panel.

"Get my spray ready! I'm going out....."

.....

Several hours later Nemesi returned to his quarters to continue his message.

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> New development dear, I just got that Neb B frigate Keln wanted. Cost me dearly, but it’s ours. Thirty of my men died today, but we saved our butt and got profit... We're going to come home for repairs and vacation. See you in a few days. I love you...<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

______

Four days later Nemesi landed at his ranch on Bothawui. As he stepped onto his native soil he smiled, breathing in deeply as he made his way towards the house a hundred meters away.

As Nemesi neared the house an older bothan stepped out the front door onto the deck and waited.

Nemesi grinned as he strode up the steps, "Father, I wasn't expecting to see you here."

The silvered bothan smiled back at his son, his eyes slightly moist.

Nemesi chuckled as he topped the final step, "Don't get all teary-eyed pops, it’s not your style."

"Son... I'm happy to see you, but it’s not that..." The old bothan placed a hand on his son’s shoulder, “Its Dahlia, son. She isn’t well…” A tear falls from the old man’s eye, “She had the baby, but there were complications. Your sister is at the hospital with the baby, but we brought Dahlia home…”

All expression drained from Nemesi’s face as he left his father, walking into the house.

He walked through the house blind, making his way back to the master bedroom where he pushed open the doors to find his mother, holding the hand of his bed-ridden wife.

His mother stood from the stool she was sitting on beside the bed, placing the younger woman’s hand on the bed, “I’ll leave you be son. Just call if you need anything.”

Nemesi’s mother left the room only after placing a soft kiss on his forehead.

Nemesi, face still devoid of emotion sat on the stool and took up his wife’s hand.

“Dahlia…” He said softly, stroking her face with his other hand, “Dahlia, its me… Its Nem.” He reassured her in a soft voice, his face now filling with sadness.

Dahlia stirred slightly under the blankets, her large eyes blinking open, struggling to focus. Slowly she turned her head to look upon her husband.

Her dry voice slowly picked up strength as she spoke, “Nem? Why do you look so sad? Is there something wrong with the baby?”

Nemesi’s breath caught slightly as a tear streaked from his eye, “No dear, no, Anliyana is taking care of the baby…” He finished with a sob, liquid streaming from his eyes in a constant flow. “My love, what has happened?”

Dahlia’s eyes blinked as if she was remembering some crucial information, “Oh… oh…”

Nemesi ducked his head, wiping his eyes on his shoulders without use of his hands.

“What happened?” He asked as he brought his head back up.

Dahlia started as if coming out of a trance, “Problems during child birth the doctor said. He said something about some obscure virus that entered my system during the pregnancy.” She didn’t look sad as she spoke, only reciting what she had heard, “The baby is fine though, the doctor said that my immune system protected the baby, but it got to me all the worse, cause my system was protecting the womb…” She smiled, shifting her hand to take her husband’s, “I’m dying Nem… but the baby is alright.”

Nemesi gasped a sob as he nodded and smiled at his wife, “I don’t want you to die. You can’t die… What will I do?”

She turned her head towards him, “Live on. Take care of the baby. I haven’t named him yet. I wanted you to be here. I tried to contact you when I went into labour, but you were still in hyperspace. You should get a better communication system.”

Nemesi smiled, chuckling softly he said, “I’ll do that.”

A silence fell over the two until Dahlia said, “I want you to stop being a mercenary.”

Nemesi’s eyes cleared as he looked at his wife in surprise, “Why would I do that?”

Dahlia’s other hand slowly raised and tapped Nemesi’s hand, “The baby, stupid.”

Nemesi smiled, “Right. I will, I promise.”

Dahlia smiled, “Good… I’m tired. Let me rest for a bit Nem. I can’t sleep with you hovering over me like that.”

Nemesi chuckled, “Yes dear, if you need anything… Let me know…”

She smiled and nodded, “I will. Now go. Go see the baby. I was thinking of naming him after you. Nemesi Jr.”

Nemesi chuckled, “Nemesi Jr? That sounds like something a human would do.”

She mocked an upset expression, “You don’t like it?”

Nemesi chuckled louder, “Its fine, whatever you want dear.”

She smiled, “Go tell the hospital then. I’ll be here when you get back.”

Another tear fell from Nemesi’s eye as he asked, “Promise?”

She simply nodded, then shooed him out with weak hands.

Nemesi pulled the double doors closed behind him, then turned to his parents, “How long?”

His father simply said, “A couple weeks the doctor said. A month at the most.”

Nemesi nodded, “I’m going to see my son. Nemesi Jr, Dahlia says.”

Nemesi’s father nodded and his mother smiled saying, “I like it. He looks like you when you were a baby.”

Nemesi smiled, nodded, and then made his way out the door. Taking his speeder from the garage he made his way to the hospital…

_____

Three weeks later Dahlia Nemsien D’lya died.

-------------------

Nemesi snapped out of his reverie to add, “I brought your old firespray, as you likely already know. Made a few modifications to it. I should really say <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> my<!--EZCODE ITALIC END--> old firespray, since you did give it to me.” Nemesi chuckled as he finished, then waited for his old friend to reply.

Nemesi nods as he responds to Sterik, "You too my friend."

Calmly he sits back in his chair and takes another haul from his stimstick.

He quietly mutters to himself as he exhales, "Here we go again..."

Nemesi takes another quick puff and butts the stimstick, his actions still very calm and deliberate, as if not phased by the importance of the battle ahead.

Standing, he straightens his uniform, then with one last look at the data on his terminal, he heads out onto the bridge.

Captain Keln Nemsien D'yla nods to Nemesi as he exits his Ready Room and announces, "Commodore on the bridge."

Nemesi smiles as he stops beside the Captain, "Thank you Keln."

Turning to the tactical officer Nemesi issues an order, "Open a channel to the Task Force please."

The man nods, "Channel open sir."

Nodding, Nemesi steps forward to the holoprojector, the faces of several other officers staring back at him, "Greetings gentlemen, we are faced with an important task today. I've been notified that the planetary defenses are down. That leaves us a wide boulevard in which to start our assault."

He takes a breath and continues, "Task Force at full alert. Scramble fighter squadrons, half with the landing force, the other half will follow the battle group in for a Hammer maneuver. We'll crush them swiftly, then support our forces that will be landing as we fight here."

His face takes on an intense look as he finishes, "Men, tonight we eat on Rodia. Make it happen."

A chorus of Yes sirs and Yes Commodores meets him as each of the men salutes, and the transmission ends.

Turning back to the Captain, Nemesi says, "You know what to do from here. Take us in."

Nemesi sat down in the command chair as the ship emerges from the dark side of the planet, the heated space battle already in progress becoming larger in the main viewscreen as they neared.

Sitting next to Nemesi, Keln punches a few keys into the inset control panel in the arm of the chair.

Shortly after swarms of fighters and a few small freighters pulled ahead of the slower capital ships as commanded, joining into the battle.

----------------------

Lieutenant Schlem sighed as the fiery glow left his landing craft as they breached the atmosphere of the planet. A hundred men stood in the compartment behind him, waiting for their chance at glory in the name of the Hapes Consortium.

"Bogeys on vector Zero-Four. Landing Craft watch those uglies."

Lieutenant Schlem sighed, checking his scopes, spotting the squads of fighters.

"Sir, they're coming this way, should we veer?"

Schlem shook his head, "No, we have our orders. We don't want to miss the LZ."

Turning his head he shouted through the open door, "Hold on back there, we might take some hits."

Several Miy'Til fighters streaked by the landing craft to intercept the incoming attackers.

The co-pilot smiles, "That aughta do them."

Schlem nodded as well, knowing the competence of the pilots of the Hapan Miy'Tils.

Suddenly a bright flash erupted in the midst of the formation of Miy'Tils. Schlem rubbed his eyes against the brightness of the flash and looked for the Miy'Tils.

"Sir! They're gone!"

Shlem cursed, his co-pilot correct. Fragments of ships careened towards the surface of the planet, the group of enemy fighters still incoming, if a few members smaller.

Schlem turned to his co-pilot, "Hold on Jon, this isn't going to be pretty."

Activating the comms Schlem spoke with a hint of fright in his voice, "This is Lieutenant Schlem, Landing Group A-E-2 under attack. Our escort has been destroyed-" The ship shuddered as the assemblage of fighters loosed on the ship. "-We're taking fire..."

Beads of sweat began to form on the man's brow as the group of uglies wheeled for another pass.

"Request permission to take evasive actio---"

---------

Nemesi listened to the transmission as it came through...

"This is Lieu----- Schle--, La---ng Grou- A---2 under atta-- - --- escort has be-- -estroyed- -----------------"

Frowning Nemesi turned to his tactical officer, "See if you can clear that up please. Make it quick."

The tactical officer nodded, a look of concern mixed with concentration dominating his face.

"Request permission to take evasive actio---"

The transmission became static as it cut out abruptly.

Nemesi frowned again, "Whats happened to our communications Sergeant?"

The Sergeant shook his head, "I cleared it up sir. They're not there anymore."

Sighing Nemesi turned forward again, accessing the comms, "Fighter Group D2, break off as soon as you can and assist the landing craft."

Punching a few buttons he sent another message, "Attention IPVs, Launch immediately. Theres some uglies smiling at our landing craft. Deal with it."

A quick response came, "Yes sir, we'll mop them up."

Nodding, Nemesi sat back and watched the show as Keln continued commanding the ship in battle.

***************************

A mere fourty minutes later the space battle was finished, and resistance on the planet was reduced from an army, to groups hiding in whatever shelter they could find, the thousands of Hapan troops making short work of the resisting clans' ground forces.

***************************

Night had fallen on the area controlled by the Gormak clan. Nemesi stood on a balcony high above the other buildings of the city, smoking a stimstick and sipping on what the locals liked to call a refreshing drink.

Keln emerged from the lavish room behind onto the balcony, himself with a drink in hand as well.

The sounds of their comms units still reporting the continuing battle to purge the planet of resistance made a slight chatter as Nemesi spoke, "What do you think my father would think about what we did today?"

Keln whistled softly, "Hard to say... I imagine he would have a number of things to say. One being that we should have taken this planet through diplomacy... All in all..."

He paused a moment taking a sip of his drink and grimacing, his voice slightly raspy as he continued, "All in all I think my brother would be somewhat displeased..."

Nemesi nods, looking out over the city, saying nothing more.

Keln smiled at his nephew, then leaned forward on the railing surrounding the balcony, matching his nephew's posture.

After a moment the older bothan asked, "When is Sterik arriving?"

Still looking over the city Nemesi responded, "Soon I believe. Soon."

Keln nodded, and together they looked over the city, admiring the planet they had just helped conquer.