"I do not beleive I have ever seen a Reign-class Star Destroyer before. Perhaps I could come aboard and show you some of ComTech's future endevours, that are in the planning stages."



Captain Gordon Sveli raised his eyebrows.

A Tactical Officer indicated the course corrections the Restoration was making, turning away from the Galactus.

Interesting maneuverings, Kaine mused to himself.

"I would be delighted to have you come aboard the Galactus." Simon stated immediately, tapping several commands into a special consol near him.

After receiving the almost immediate acknowledgement, Kaine turned his eyes back to the holographic projection of Logan. "Being in less than warm waters, our flight crews are on alert status. Therefore, it so happens that we do have a shuttle ready and is being dispatched.

Please be prepared to receive your escorts and their...honorguard."

Kaine paused, smiling slightly.

"I look forward to meeting you."

The transmission was muted, and Kaine turned to the Tactical Officer. "Status?"

"Shuttle is launching, as are a dozen escort fighters."

"Good. Scanning is to maintain optimum ranges. We aren't exactly in Imperial territory."

"Yet." Sveli added. "The compliment of the shuttle would be..?"

"Standard flight crew and a skeleton support of six Spartans and six Stormtroopers."

"What do you think they are doing turning from us?"

"Giving us a good shot at their engines should we want it."

"Tempting but no. There's no reason too. This whole exercise is about Joren Logan.

Intelligence tipped us about the gravesite of his wife which gave us a location to find him. Though finding him now was blind luck, and though our operation can succeed successfully without him, I am curious about the man.

Much of what I find out is conflicting."


"Sleight of hand. A feint. It is working." Sveli handed Kaine the datapad indicating the translation of an encrypted databurst.


"Ciscero is on schedule." Simon turned to Sveli, "Send another databurst to the fleet. Center Control is a go."

"I would be delighted to have you come aboard the Galactus." Logan heard the other say.

Braxton's head came up sharply to look at Logan, who offered a slight smile.

"Indeed, Marshall Kaine. I look forward to it."

"End transmission."

"I am tracking a shuttle and a dozen escorts disembarking from the Galactus." One of the sensor officers said.

"They are transmistting, a closed databurst."

"Destination?" Logan asked.

"Unknown sir."

"Very well. Captain you have the Restoration." Logan said, standing up and walking into the turbolift.

***

"This is not good." Mahk remarked, as Logan exited the turbolift and walked down the corridor towards the hangar bay.

"No, it wouldn't be, would it."

"You never said they would actually accept your offer."

"It appears I have underestimated Grand Marshall Kaine." Logan stated flatly.

"Indeed."

"Relax, besides you are with me. And I am sure everything will be okay."

Mahk nodded, and reached down and secured his only weapon, a wicked looking blade within his tunic.

Logan stopped at the door to the hangar bay, and looked down at the Noghri.

"This is it."

Mahk looked up at him curiously. "Sir?"

"Mahk you have always been my faithful companion, all these years, all the battles..." His voice trailed off.

"It is my duty." Mahk said to him.

"You are better soldier than I am" Logan replied, smiling slightly.

"You know your duty as well."

"Do I? I lost my duty a long time ago, along with everything else."

"You did not lose everything."

Logan sighed, and walked into the hangar bay, where the Imperial shuttle was just landing.

"No, I suppose I haven't." He remarked as an honor guard of six or so Stormtroopers marched down the ramp. Mahk hissed slightly at the sight, Noghri were reknowned for disliking the Empire.

"CEO Logan, this way please." One of the stormtroopers said to him, indicating the ramp.

Logan nodded and walked up, Mahk close behind.

Aboard the Restoration


Spartan 1103 looked at the two people walking up the ramp, one human ..the other an alien identified as a Noghri.

Information on the Noghri race was very sketchy at best but they were very well known in high power circles as being one of the best natural assassins.

Spartan 1103 bit back his lip.

The alien's presence had been unforseen (at least to the soldiers on the transport).

But, being soldiers...better yet, being Spartans, they adapted quickly.

Spartan 1101 and 1102 took positions on each side of the two from the Restoration.

Spartan 1103 brought up the rear. Astromech Droid - R5-D9 lowered it's center wheel and proceeded to ride up the ramp as well.

The name designated Joren Logan seemed to take note of the droid's presence and turned a questioning glance to the closest Spartan, 1103 being that Spartan.

His helmet turned to Logan and briefly explained, "We are not a typical compliment of an escort shuttle. Being understrength, when landing in unknown areas, a scanning droid disguised as an astromech leaves the ship first to let out a scanning burst."

Once inside the shuttle, the two Stormtroopers guarding either side of the ramp on the hanger deck entered and pushed the commands for the ramp to rise.

Spartan 1103 pointed to a monitor which showed infrared and a digital layout of the hanger deck. "The scanning signal is sent here allowing us to determine if we are landing in an area that can turn hostile fast.

As it turns out, we were not."

Spartan 1101 looked up, and turned to 1103. "We think."

The shuttle began to rise and as soon as it exited the Restoration, it's shields went up.

The rest of the shuttle ride was in silence, as the image of the Galactus grew.

"Hanger Control, this is Envoy 4502 requesting landing clearance."

"Envoy 4502, lower shields for dock scan."

"Shields lowering." the pilot complied.

"Envoy 4502, we are showing one heat signature more than expected. Identify and classify."

"Alien, Noghri. Companion of Admiral Logan. Classification: Guard."

"Envoy 4502... hold."

"Holding."


After a minute and a half, "Envoy 4502, you are cleared for docking procedures."


"4502 Acknowledged."


*


Grand Marshall Kaine watched the holographic tactical projection of their course so far in and around the Almanian System.

Already they were off the beaten path when the exiting warships picked up on the Galactus' presence.

By that time the Galactus was making it's way outside the system and held a slow course outside the solar system until the Restoration caught up.

Two indicators blinked out of the holographic display. Those were the warships accompanying Logan.

The Restoration then abruptly redirected it's course heading.. away from the Galactus.

Something is up..

It seemed as if the Restoration was preparing to get under way. Make the jump to hyperspace?


"What are you doing?" Kaine murmured and motioned Captain Sveli over.

"Sir?"

"Activate the gravity well generators slowly, Gordon. We are far enough away from the typical shipping routes to grap an unsuspecting transport out of hyperspace."

"You think the ship is going to leave?"

"It gives every indication that it was preparing too.. In the middle of conversation too."

"You think Admiral Logan has an agenda?"

"Captain, everyone has an agenda." Simon remarked back.

"Have security take our guests to the conference room. I shall be there shortly."

"Yes, Sir."

"Captain Braxton, I am detecting elevated power levels in the Galactus." The sensor officer, Ensign Haniss, said.

"Weapons?" Braxton asked.

"No, it is within the ship. It appears to be gravity wells." Haniss replied.

"Odd. They must be getting a little ancy over there. Helm, are we drifting off course?"

"A bit sir, it was only a minor deviation, I will attempt to correct it." The Helm ensign said.

"Open a channel to the Galactus"

"Done"

"This is Captain Braxton of the Restoration, is everything okay over there? We are detecting the elevated power levels that may indicate the activation of gravity well generators" He said.

On board the Galactus

"Here sir, the Marshall will be with you shortly" One of the Spartans said, guesturing to a door.

Logan, followed closely by Mahk, entered the conference room.

"No one to meet us." Logan remarked thoughtfully as Mahk took up position next to the door, where he could see the whole room. Logan walked to the table and took a chair, opposite the door, much to the Noghri's dismay, which he did not express. though. Logan placed his folded hands on the table, waiting...


It is a strange fate that this should happen to me, on my last voyag

"Captain Braxton, this is Captain Sveli of the RSD Galactus. As you have noted, our Gravity Well Generators are indeed rising slowly. Expect the the generators to peak in about half an hour and then lower in intensity. We are running a series of tests on the system. Something that periodically has to be done with vessels whose capabilities are not solely limited to being an Interdictor Cruiser.

If you are desiring to leave, do let us know and the field will be lowered. Otherwise, expect the field to remain in place for approximately 30 minutes.

Galactus out."


Captain Sveli turned to a gaping Ensign. To the bridge at large, "Set the timer people. 30 minutes."


*


The conference room was located on the mid-deck making the distance nearly halfway between the bridge and the hanger.

Marshall Kaine made good time but his guests were already situated in the room by the time he arrived. Nodding to the two Spartan guards outside the conference room, Kaine entered briskly, his eyes taking in the two occupants at once.

Admiral Logan was seated and the alien had positioned himself nearby.

Simon Kaine was not what one would call flashy. In fact, his was of very ordinary height, dressed simply in the black fleet uniform with minimal to no rank pins. He wore no cloak or coats. About the only thing different was that he wore black gloves. His hair was of an ordinary light brown color.

He held out his hand to the alien first in greeting, "I don't believe I know you. I am Simon Kaine."

"Understood, Galactus" Braxton said.

The transmission was cut, and Braxton sat down in his command chair.

A test! Ha! He thought to himself.

"Prepare a course that will take us parrallel to the Galactus, lets not give off the impression that we are preparing somthing underhanded to our new friends here" Braxton said down into the starboard crew pit.

The Restoration reoriented itself, so it was traveling a few hundred kilometers off the Galactus' port side.





Mahk glanced at Logan, who could imagine what the Noghri was thinking, the Empire first under Darth Vader, then under Grand Admiral Thrawn had subjugated the Noghri homeworld, helping the Noghri repair parts of their broken world at an incredibly slow pace, in exchange for their services as assassins and bodyguards.

Logan inclined his head ever so slightly, Mahk did the same in return and took the Grand Marshall's outstretched hand.

"Mahk clan Bakh'tor" The Noghri said.

"And I am Joren Logan" Logan said, standing up and offering his own hand to Simon Kaine.

"Mahk.. Joren." Simon grasped each person's hand. Both handshakes were firm, of which Simon approved.

Sometimes alot could be told from a single handshake.


Simon took a seat opposite Logan.

"Your reputation precedes you Admiral. The battle strategies of the New Alliance were required reading from General Ming at the Carida Academy."

Turning an eye to Mahk, "There was also a mention of the Noghri at the Academy though little is known about you save your existence.

I must say that I have never met one of your race before.

Tell me, Mahk of clan Bakh'tor, how did you come to protect the Admiral? And.. I am curious, what your opinion is of the Empire."


Turning to Admiral Logan, Kaine smiled. "I am also curious as to what brings you and ComTech Industries to this neck of the woods?"

Logan nodded, when Kaine mentioned the Cardia Academy and the New Alliance.

Interesting

Mahk glanced at Logan, who gave him a small nod, before responding to Kaine's questions.

"During the days of the New Alliance, Admiral Logan helped my people overcome certain...problems that they were facing. I have sworn to protect him as long as I live. to repay that debt..."

He thought for a moment about the Grand Marshall's second question.

"The Empire is an efficient government...and I beleive they are making a genuine effort to help their citizens." He said, a little hesitantly.

Logan spoke up, to take the pressure off the Noghri.

"ComTech has been looking into some business oppertunities on Almania and Pydyr. Unfortunately we have not had much success. And their were some personal reasons for me to be here myself." He said, giving nothing away about his wife.

"Chief Executive Officer Logan must have done something very important to your people to warrant a 'life debt'." Kaine commented dryly.

Turning to the CEO, "ComTech seems rather well armed for a company with 'business interests' don't you think?"


Whether Logan answered or not was not important to the Marshall.

We are dancing..


Logan opened his mouth to speak when Kaine leaned back in his chair and interrupted, sighing.


"What the hell are you doing with yourself Joren?"

Unless ComTech is as large as Vinda Corporation, the level of firepower Joren had under his command could not come from a mere company. But sponsorship from whom?

Mahk was about to reply, but Logan made a small guesture. Mahk shut up and resumed his former position at the door.

"ComTech seems rather well armed for a company with 'business interests' don't you think?" Kaine asked.

Logan was about to say that ComTech had certain powerful suppliers, when Kaine sighed and interuppted.


"What the hell are you doing with yourself Joren?" The Grand Marshall asked.

Logan sat back, the hint of a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth.

"I am merely trying to survive, as I have always done. However, I don't always make the best choices when it comes to who I put my faith in, as is now evident with the New Republic. A sad reality, I'm afraid." He responded.