The Rebel Faction

Unlos Tagge, Tepasi

Deraggo stood quietly and watched from his apartment window as Uthar Tagge arrived at the Tagge Tower in Unlos Tagge. A cold smile crossed his clean shaven face as his icy blue eyes watched the the head of the Tagge Company very quietly. He was his target and he need to do what he could to note his movements. So far, Deraggo had gotten information from off duty security guards as well as members of Uthar's personal staff. So far, he was learning a good bit of Uthar's habits including how often he left his fortress of a corporate tower. Some of the time he went to Tagge Manor, but usually it was to go to business meetings at his favorite restaurant, The Red Dwarf.

"Heh."

"What's so funny?" a female voice demanded from the earpiece he was wearing.

"This guy is like a droid. He does everything in such predictable patterns. I thought you said this was going to be a challenge."

"Our client said this was going to be a challenge, 207. However, what the Union wants the Union gets. What the Union wants right now is for you make sure Uthar doesn't survive his upcoming business meeting with the CEO of Gazac Industries. You know what the Chairman wants."

"Yeah, yeah, nice and quiet."

"And no explosives. The body needs to be IDed if Edipus is to be named the new head of the company."

"No explosives," Deraggo said, almost sounding disappointed.

Deraggo watched for a bit more before leavinig his room and traveling to the building's roof top. He creeped quietly towards the edge and then pulled our his electorbinoculars. He then aimed then at the windows of Uthar's penthouse. A faint blue shimmer reminded Deraggo of the powerful defense system protecting the head of the massive intergalactic corportion. Deraggo just chuckled again because the man's habits would be his downfall. Even now, everything had already been set in place to bring about his downfall. Deraggo was currently a temporary employee of the Red Dwarf which put him close enough to carry out his dastardly and enjoyable little deed. Most people might not consider it enjoyable, but most people weren't ruthless assassins hoping to become integral parts of a growing organiztion in the shadows of the galaxy.

"Better get a move on, 207. The meetings is scheduled to happen in two hours and you need to report to work."

"Alright, I'm on my way," Deraggo replied calmly.

"Good luck," the female voice replied and then cut off.

Deraggo smiled and walked back to the stairs and went to his room again where he dressed in his server's uniform and then made for the turbolift. After a short ride, he made his way to the garage and got into his black speeder. He casually started the engine and made his way towards the Red Dwarf. Soon he spotted the large and very extravagent restaurant with its bright red star emblem blazing brightly. He pulled his speeder into an alley, activated the custom lock on it, and went to punch in for his shift. Soon, his manager was standing in front of him.

"You're five minutes late!" the angry looking duro shouted.

"Sorry, sir. Got stuck in traffic," Deraggo answered innocently.

"Well, it doesn't matter. I've got a special job for you tonight since Aeldov has gone missing. I need you to wait Uthar Tagge's table tonight."

Deraggo mentally smirked, knowing full well know one would find the Aeldov, who he'd just recently dealt with, until the entire incident was over. By then Deraggo would be gone and uthar dead.

Two hours later

Deraggo stood quietly in his uniform as he stood out back of the restaurant. A black speeder and tinted windows arrived shortly. Its driver's side window slid open and a female hand extended from it, handing Deraggo a bottle. Deraggo simply smiled and took it, pocketing it for use in his little assassination plan. He then proceeded inside just as Uthar Tagge and his entourage of bodyguards arrived. Deraggo stayed out of sight during that time. After Uthar and his men had gotten situated, Gazac Industries' CEO arrived. He was a plump, balding little man with a laughable comb over. Deraggo couldn't held but chuckle when he saw him. He then waited for the orders to be placed. When they came, Deraggo maned the repulsor cart and made his way towards Uthar's personal room where he had held these little meetings. As he moved down the staff corridor, he removed the bottle from his suit and emptied its contents into the soup that the CEO from Gazac had ordered. After that was done, he disposed of the bottle in a waste bin and then was stopped right outside of the entrance of Uthar's private room.

"Hold it buddy, we gotta check you for weapons," the burly, black suited security guard said coldly as he gripped a high powered blaster rifle manufacter by one of TaggeCo's subsidiaries.

Deraggo stood in a relaxed stance and waited for them to start. When they did, he made a few sharp remarks of protest on searching some areas just to sound inept. Once the guards were satified, they allowed him in where Deraggo positioned the cart to the side and served the two businessmen who didn't even look up at him as he served them. Once that was done, Deraggo stood to the side and served drinks from the small peraonal bar in the room as well as do any other needs of the businessmen. Halfway through the meal, the Gazac CEO started looking uncomfortable and began shifting in his seat as the laxative Deraggo had put in his soup began to take effect. Very shortly afterwards, the plump little man excused himself, leaving Uthar alone with Deraggo just as desert arrived. It was a thick frozen mint cream cake that Uthar always ate, as Deraggo easily knew.

"Would you like some dessert, sir?" Deraggo asked, knowing the answer already from the very predictable man.

"Yes, get on with it," Uthar said calmly.

Deraggo nodded and then took the knife from the cart and cut a slice for Uthar. He then placed the slice on a plate and brought it to him, the knife now hidden behind his back. Uthar soon dug into it after being served as Deraggo shifted behind him. After Uthar had taken his first bit and swallowed, Deraggo reached around and clapped his hand over Uthar's mouth. He then brought the knife around with the other hand and put it to Uthar's neck.

"Consider this your last meal, mister Tagge. The Union sends its regards."

With that said, Deraggo quickly drew his knife across Uthar's throat, slicing it from ear to ear. Shortly afterwards, Uthar relaxed and died just as Deraggo released his grasp and laid him down gently to keep the guards from hearing anything. He then wiped himself off and exited the room telling the guards he would be right back with Uthar's check.

As Deraggo made his escape, he based the bathroom and simply chuckled at the plump little man most likely still stuck on the can thanks to Deraggo's excessive use of the laxative in his soup. However, that didn't matter. What mattered was getting out before Uthar's body was discovered. Deraggo easily did that as he made as if to go out back for a break. Once outside, he went down the alleyway to his speeder and started it up. He sped off back to his apartment and as he passed the restaurant out front he could see paniced movement inside, telling him that they must have discovered Uthar's body. Deraggo just laughed as he drove on. They would never suspect Uthar's demise had been commanded by something so secret and sinister as the Union. Now all that mattered to Deraggo was waiting for this all to resolve itself so he could get off this boring planet.

Unlos Tagge

Deraggo calmly walked along the street as he followed a somewhat young man who happened to be a member of the Tagge Company board of directors. His orders were very simple; kill the target and make it look like a mugging. This would be very simple to do since the man obviously had an affinity for using alleys as short cuts during his daily journey to Tagge Plaza at the center of Unlos Tagge.

Why is it that I get all the easy assignments? These corporates yuppies don't know the first thing about security or self defense.

Deraggo sneered at that thought as he entered Tagge Plaze and bought himself a nice quick lunch. He went through it very quickly and checked his wrist chrono before departing the way he came. He then quietly slipped into a corner of a very specific alley and simply waited. About fifteen minutes later, he heard footsteps coming and knew that it was his target coming. The young man's pattern of walking had a distinct beat to it that made him easy to identify. As the footsteps drew closer, Deraggo slipped out his custom made vibroblade from its holster in his left sleeve and waited.

As the young board members passed, Deraggo moved at lightning speed, slipping the knife to man's throat. Deraggo quietly chuckled to himself as he pressed the blade in. The yougn board member trembled slightly as he felt the increased pressure from the very sharp weapon.

"Please, whatever you want, I'll give it to you! My wallets in my right pocket," the young man pleaded.

"Quit your whimpering and sign this," Deraggo said coldly as he thrust his left hand out to reveal an official looking piece of paper.

The board member looked down now and his eyes opened wide with panic as he saw what the paper said. It was a legal document that would leave all his stock to the House of Tagge which was currently ruled by Edipus Tagge.

"Are y0u mad! I won't sign this! I'll have Edipus' head for this too if you don't release me right now!"

"Let me put this in a way that you corporate types might understand better. There is going to be one of two things on this paper; your signature or your blood. Which would you rather provide?" Deraggo asked cold heartedly.

The young man paniced, unaware that his fate had been sealed whether he signed that paper or not. Perhaps he also thought he could contest the paper if he was alive. Deraggo just mentally chuckled at that for giving the young man the delusion that he was acutally going to survive this encounter.

"Alright, I'll sign it," the board member said as he pulled out a penn and placed his signature on the paper.

Before he had a chance to date the signature however, the paper slipped back behind in and then he felt the bite of cold metal as Deraggo plunged the vibroblade into his throat and proceeded to slice it from ear to ear in the Union's traditional style of execution. Deraggo then let the gasping and gurgling board member tumble to the ground as he bent down and wiped his knife off on the man's cloths before liberating him of his wallet and anything else valuable. With that achieved, Deraggo slipped the vibroblade back into its hidden holster up his sleeve and walked down the alley cooly as if he hadn't just slit a man's throat and left him to drown in his own blood. When the authorities found the body, all they saw was another mugging victim.

Tagge Tower, Three Days Later

The boardroom was buzzing with activity at the demise of the young board member. Many thought this was an act of corporate sabotage or a more vile business practice. Grol Knovic, who had yet to make the official announcement of his ascenion to head of the company was beside himself with anger that this would happen and also suspicious as to why it had happened right about now.

"This is insane, why would someone be mugged in broad daylight?" demanded one of the other board members.

"Well it was an alley," put in another.

"True, but in broad daylight? That just doesn't seem possible," the first replied.

"Gentlemen, will you please calm down," Knovic said very calmly as he regarded the other board members.

"We must remain calm and we must keep things in control. I admit the loss of Nelb is a sad thing, but we must keep this company running!"

With that said, the board meeting went on before Knovic excused himself to go use the restroom. As he did, a servant pushing a refreshment cart past him and watched him oddly with his icy blue eyes. Knovic dismissed the strange look and went to the restroom and took care of his needs. After washing and drying his hands, Knovic started back towards the boardroom where he passed the servant again, this time though he did have his refreshment cart with him.

Just as Knovic was about to reach the door the the boardroom, a massive explosion occured, ripping out the door and knocking Knovic backwards. When he got back up to his feet, Knovic approached the now charred board room where a number of burnt bodies now lay. The entire board of directors had now been practically wiped out except for himself. As he peered into the room, what was left of the refreshment cart opened to reveal a small holoprojector. The last thing Knovic ever saw was the projector emitting the phrase "Change is Coming" before a blade slipped around his throat and slit it from ear to ear.

Deraggo silently cursed the old man for not being in the board room when the detonite charge went off, but simply sighed and let Knovic's body drop to the ground and ooze blood. It would sitll look like the Galactic Liberation Front was behind this and that would please the Chairman greatly. All tracks were covered, now all that was required was for Edipus to officially seize control of the Tagge Company which he was already prepared to do. Everything was as it should be.

One Week Later, Undisclosed Location

The sterile looking meeting room was an all too familiar sight to the gathering that now sat within it. The men and women at this table held power within the organiztion called the Union and this was why they where known as the Committee. This single group controlled the umbrella of organizations that all served as unknowing extensions of the Union. The few who actually even knew about the Union though dare not betray it for it could do things to them far worse than any interrogator ever could. To betray the Union was to seal your fate.

"Let us congradulate and welcome our newest member to the Committee, Edipus Tagge," the Chairman said very calmly from his position at the head of the table where even now his face remained hidden in the shadows. All lights in the chamber seemed to aimed away from him on purpose.

The many beings that belong to the Committee clapped politely for their newest addition as Edipus Tagge stood their surprised at just what this organization might be capable of. He immediately recognized Rico Belgardi and nodded to him before taking his seat and the applause stopped.

"Now then, Edipus, what exactly are your plans with the Tagge Company?" the Chairman asked, his shadowed figure turning towards the nobleman.

"Well, uhhh sir, I did plan on beginning to reopen Tagge Company relations with the Empire," Edipus said half heartedly.

"Ah, a very good idea if I do say so myself. Especially since the Galactic Liberation Front just wiped out your current board of directors and left you in charge," the Chairman said now with a knowing tone as he seemed to look down the table.

Curious as to why the Chairman was apparently doing so, Edipus turned and felt his heart jump a beat as he saw Brutus Nogoth sitting several seats down at the table. Edipus just gaped in mystified horror as he realized just what he had gotten himself into.

What have I done?

That single thought ran through Edipus' head as he turned back towards the mysterious Chairman, wondering if perhaps the man hid in the shadows to hide the fact that he was obviously a merciless and unfeeling monster who would do anything to achieve his goals and bring the Union even further power and influence. It was no wonder this organization held such power even now. They would wipe out anyone who tried to get in their way. The Union was obviously going to be around for a very long time and Edipus knew that he was now stuck with it until the day he died which might be soon if he disobeyed or severly disappointed the Chairman.

I've made a pact with the devil himself...

"Now then, onto further business," the Chairman said calmly, pulling Edipus out of his thoughts and back to the present as a hologram became visible and the Chairman began to discuss the Union's next moves.