Hapan Space…



A flash of white and a burst of ion energy lighting up the darkness of space from its roaring sublight engines announced The Narcissus’s arrival in Hapan territory.

And along with it, an announcement of arrival of its onboard passenger…

This arrival was not unexpected, in fact, it was long overdue.


As the shuttle reached closer to the planet Hapes, the seat of power of the Hapan consortium for more years than one cared to count, a flotilla of Hapan ships, Birds of prey, Battle dragons all displaying their colours moved in to greet , to provide escort and to herald this new arrival.


This was not going to be a low-key affair.








Vinda looked out of the ships view-port overlooking the now vast planet edging closer before his eyes. The blue hue of Hapes lit up his face casting harsh angular shadows across its features.

The businessman was dressed in his trademark purple tunic , with all the trimmings.

He smiled as he saw the Battle Dragons sidle up alongside, barely catching a glimpse of their round hull jutting out in front.

To be honest, Vinda loved all of it, the pomp of a state visit, he relished it and the Hapans always put on quite a show.

With a quick glance at his chrono, Vinda saw it was nearly time…

…so much to do still…

There was much to prepare, and double check.

He knew , this could be probably one of the most important decisions he had ever made, and he bit down on his Cigarra accordingly.


With that sobering thought hanging in his mind, he made his way to his ready room.







Hapes Capitol




With a thunderous roar the Narcissus streaked across the planet’s surface, its silver hull shimmering with reflections from everywhere, until coming to land at its pre-arranged landing point with a graceful elegance, displaying its pilot’s mastery.

As the engines whined down, and the gangway lowered, a flurry of activity erupted around the open square, as Mr Vinda and his entourage strode down the walkway to a a warm reception.

There to meet them, was the Hapan Royal family and their various emissaries and representatives.

Bowing in greeting , Vinda smiled warmly.

Newly promoted Vice-Admiral Wilkar stared out of the viewport of his flagship.
Commonwealth Task-Force 3.2 was holding positon just outside of the Hapes Space.

Wilkar looked to the flanks of the Rapier, his star destroyer. The Renown and the Veteran were both running scans on suspicious astroids. They were both well made ships. Wilkar would know, being a former ship designer himself.

Star Vipers paired with A-Wing escorts were sweeping the area looking for anything. Probe droids, satelites, anything. They would find it.

Nobody is going to crash this party on my watch.

In a former life, Wilkar had been at the helm of one of the most succesful core corporations. The New Order had taken that away from him. He would let none take away his new life or his mentor Mr. Vinda.
If anyone tried to 'interupt' the important procedings on Hapes, they would regret it. Wilkar would make sure of that.

"Captain, a report on local space please..."

The Fountain Palace, Hapes.



To a cursory examination, the Consortium was stagnate. Since the clusters reunification it had cut itself off. A downward spiral of galactic politics had seen to that, the twin whores of nationalism and ideology had spread their legs and with growing trepidation the Crowned Prince had closed the borders.

The all conquering Empire, now conclusively linked with the Princes darker side, were held at arms length. Meanwhile the Black Dragons expansion was bringing it perilously close to territory Hapes long considered a necessary buffer to the outside world. The Cree'Ar too, with their increasingly random yet spirited assaults, were another factor. Finally the galactically shamed New Coalition had done nothing to endear the Hapans to 'the good fight'.

And from this; only Hapan ships sailed Hapan space.

With one exception.

Vinda Corp, long held by the Hapans to be the only ones with the proper sense of duty and governance, still plied the Hapan skies. They supplied anything the cluster itself could not, as well as much that it could, thus ensuring safe and stable markets.

As the galaxy collapsed around them the groups got fat off each others efforts, enjoying a time of prosperity that defied the larger galactic picture.

That prosperity had given Dakkon the final weapon he needed to win his own little war. The liberalisation of the Hapes, in all aspects. Improvements in gender relations and equality had all but stopped the Hapan tradition of male piracy, their formerly anguished efforts now channelled productively into the armed forces. Market liberal economics now reigned supreme, the very thought of protectionist policies now sickened the public mind. Finally basic representative government had been set up, although with no official powers. All accepted legislation still had to be acquiesed to by the Crowned Prince.

And the Hapan people wouldn't have had it any other way.

The future is coming, we can't help but prepare...


All these thoughts collided at once, momentarily distracting the Prince from the vast sense of trepidation that dwelt in his gut.

We have accomplised so much...

The hiss and whine of the transports landing servos finally snapped Dakkon from his reverie.

...And yet so much to be done...

And despite all Dakkons fears the sight of the corporate head stepping down from the craft brought a smile to the Hapans face the likes of which only his wife and children had seen in the last few years. Eager to race up and greet his partner Dakkon held back, maintaining the royal aspects of his title despite all his efforts to have them removed. It seemed Hapes loved their king, whether he was or not.

As Vinda approached he could see Dakkon beaming, his longest serving aide, Provost Zakharov, by his side. Slightly behind that stood Dakkons four children, the triplets of his first love Vessana, along with his son by Jasmine. With them stood his new wife Andra Kaldaka, whose refusal to accept the title of Queen Mother had given Dakkon the opportunity to fix some of the structural problems with the monarchy that were indemically destroying it. Additionally there were minor aides and courtiers, but Vinda recognised all who were important.

Around the path he walked to the Prince was no real pomp or ceremony, simply the resplendant beauty of the natural planet, Andra had asked the initial meeting take place here, amongst her much loved gardens, to which Dakkon simply could not disagree. The simple red carpet a single shade in a kaleidescopic rainbow of flowers and trees.

As all that embodied the Vinda Corporation bowed before the Crowned Prince Dakkon smiled wider, gesturing him to stop the tomfoolery. Dakkon stuck out his hand, which was warmly accepted by his Cigarra wielding compatriot.

"Welcome Mr. Vinda, to Hapes!" Dakkon couldn't help his other hand swinging out, displaying the beauty around. As a Hapan, he was just as naturally proud of his planets looks as he was of his own.

A cheeky half smile appeared as if relaying a private joke.

"I believe we have much to discuss?" Barely a question.

As he spoke aides appeared as if from nowhere and began taking care of the delegations luggage and lodging needs.

The Transitory Mists


He stirred his drink absent mindedly, a quirk that, as hard as he may try, he would never truly erase. It was one amongst many. One amongst many that separated him from them. It had taken him almost a year of conscious understanding to realize that he was not like them. That he would never be like them. It had taken him almost two years more to come to terms with that, and try his hardest anyway.

He tried not to think about it. About them. Not just the old them, but the new them as well. Who were they? Where did they come from? Why were they here? A million questions fluttered about in his mind, and he had not the willpower to dispel them. He took another swig of the liquid he held as he was reminded of another thing that separated him.

The drink was non-alcoholic. It had no taste. It had no color. It was enough to sustain his needs, and that was all that mattered. His food was the same. Vitamins, proteins, fiber, calcium, etc. but never any taste. Just enough to keep him going. Just enough to keep him healthy. That was all. After all, what need did they need of delicious foods? Why would they want exquisite drinks or dishes that made your mouth water? He downed the glass.

“What is wrong with me?” Michael muttered to himself.

“Nothing is wrong with you, my son,” the other occupant of the room replied, either failing to notice or simply ignoring the fact that he was not being spoken to, “You are a perfectly healthy, physically fit human being.”

“You know what I mean,” Michael almost spat in reply, “And do not pretend you do not.”

“Pretend?” the other occupant echoed, “Pretend…”

“You know what that means, as well,” Michael hissed, “Just because it is not within your capabilities does not mean you do not know what it is.”

“There is no need to be rude, my son.”

Michael sighed. He was right, of course. He was getting mad at nothing and no one, so he projected it upon them. They had done nothing wrong. They had tried as hard as they could to give him everything he would ever need. Michael still didn’t know why. They would never, ever be able to provide him everything, but they had provided him with more than enough. And here he was, resenting them for it.

“I am sorry,” Michael said at last, “I am tired. I have not been sleeping normally as of late.”

“I know,” came the comforting response. Michael had no doubt that he did, “It happens to your kind. It is…proper.”

“Proper?” Michael echoed this time, “It is…difficult to believe that this could be anything but improper.”

“Yes, it does seem that way, does it not?” the voice said, “Your kind can be very confusing at times, and it takes a great deal of da…knowledge…to be able to understand even the smallest of their…oddities.”

“And do you know why I am behaving such as I am?” Michael asked, turning his head slightly to look at whom he was speaking to.

“I believe I do, however there is an unknown probability that I am incorrect,” was the reply.

Michael arched his brow at this. He did not know why he did so, it just came naturally. The other occupant, who had seen this look many times before, had come to understand its meaning, although it still confounded many of the others.

“Your kind is chaotic and unpredictable. No offense is meant,” the other occupant said, and Michael felt none, “Probability does not mean much when dealing with you.”

“I see,” Michael said softly, “Why, to the best of your knowledge, do I act in such a way?”

“I believe it is because of them,” was the reply, “I believe it is because of those who came.”

“You mean their presence effects me?” Michael inquired, “As the others presence affects you?”

“I am afraid it is more…complicated…than that,” the other occupant said after a pause, “It is not a direct affection, as is my kind’s. You are…anxious…I believe is the proper emotion. You have never met…another before. And you dearly wish to, whether your consciousness recognizes the desire or not. But you know that my kind will not instigate contact first, and that they must find us. You are afraid that they shall leave before that happens, and you shall never get another chance again.”

“And do you believe that they will find us before they leave?” Michael asked, his eyes wide.

“With an unknown probability of error,” the other said, “I do not believe they will leave.”


Hapan Space


The flotilla of Hapan ships was stunning and terrifying at the same time. The delegation from the Vinda Corporation was more regal than the arrival of a king. If a spectator had managed to get this far without being vaporized or arrested, it would be very doubtful that they would have noticed the third party present. That was the way they wanted it.

There had been much debate as whether or not to bring the Avalanche to their first meeting with the Crowned Prince of Hapes. The few surviving politicians argued heavily that a display of strength was key in first meetings with foreign powers and especially possible allies.

In the end, practicality had won out. The Avalanche was to stay at Helix to offer some protection if the Vong were to, somehow, return. None of them doubted for a moment that it was a possibility. Krauze had summed it up when he had said ‘what good is a display of strength when we have no strength to display?’.

The Hapans knew how weak they were, and it was likely that the Vinda Corporation did as well, or soon would. All sides knew how easily Helix could be wiped from the face of their new galaxy, and it was by the grace of the Hapans that they had survived even this long. Helixia was no more than beggars, and they could only hope that the Consortium and the Corporation were charitable.

A small, cramped transport shuttle from the Avalanche hangar bay was flanked by two Excalibur-class Interceptors, more for show than anything. They wouldn’t be much help if either of the two other parties decided they would like to blow them to pieces. Inside the transport shuttle were the two pilots, Doctor Daniels, Samuel Krauze, and Luis Chopin.

“We’re not in Andoz anymore,” Krauze whispered.

“You can say that again,” Chopin grunted, striking a match an holding it up to his cigarette.

“Isn’t that a little dangerous?” Daniels asked squirmishly.

Chopin just stared at him.

“ETA to Hapes in five minutes,” the pilot called.

“Alright everyone, game faces,” Krauze encouraged, “This could be the most important meeting our civilization has ever faced. No pressure.”

The Fountain Palace


The Palace was abuzz with self important servants concerned with their part of the whole in making sure the Monarch's guests were tended too. When the Imperials had visited a year before, Dakkon Darksword had wisely met them on Starhome and the servants were forced to attend to the needs of his guests in a place they rarely worked in.

Now, they were playing to their homefield advantage which the servants reveled in for these were grounds that they knew. No guest would turn away unhappy and no whim go unsatisfied.

Anya was bursting with excitement as she went about her daily duties which an energy greater than the simple routine. Mr. Vinda himself was to step inside these walls of the Royal Family and nothing less than perfection would greet the famous man.

"It is said he likes Cigarras!" someone shouted in the bustle as servants milled about in the rooms that would be set aside for Vinda Corp delegates.

"Put a fresh box on the desk," the Servant Taskmaster ordered. "Wait! Put two boxes, one of Hapan origin and one of Mr. Vinda's favorites." Such details could not be missed.

"What is his favorite brand?" a servant asked and the Taskmaster stared at him in horror.

"You don't know?"

The man began to tremble. "It was not included in the notes."

"Quick! Send a coded message to Mr. Vinda's fleet! Discreetly! Find out!" he ordered a group of servants who had entered. They were off in a flash.

"The Corporate man's shuttle would be landing soon!"


"Taskmaster, I have set the pillow arrangements." Anya said and she was motioned back to the servants quarters to shower and change. Servants had to look their best for the arrival and be on hand to attend to anything that...well.. needed attending too.


As she entered the Servants Section of the Palace, her friend Misha ran up to her. "Anya, Helixia is sending a group.."

"Does the Taskmaster know?" Anya interrupted.

"I don't think so.." Misha stammered.

"Quick! We must let her know!" And both girls ran back towards the Guest Wing.







Anya and Misha barely had time to ready themselves as the formal trumpets of the Royal Procession started and the two women ran down empty halls, their shoes clicking quickly across the ornate marble floors.

They rushed into line and Anya was thankful no one noticed her. The shuttle of the great Vinda was landing and everyone was anxious to see the legendary man in the flesh.

"I hear he has... appetites." someone whispered.

Anya shook her head gesturing for quiet.

The engines went quiet and a ramp was lowered. As the Vinda Corporation entourage walked down, Anya could not help but smile at the warm reception her fellow Hapans had organized for the them.

Vinda moved closer to the Monarch and bowed. Anya and Misha held each other's hands squeeling quietly with delight. Mr. Vinda was evidently a well cultured man.

The Monarch responded in kind and by his very response, Anya (and everyone) knew this guest was special.

"Welcome Mr. Vinda, to Hapes!"

Anya could not see but the back of her Monarch but she could tell that the men were well at ease with each other. There would be no tension here like there was on Starhome when the enigmatic Kaine visited.

"I believe we have much to discuss?" came the question that was hard for the servants, in back, to hear.

But there was a signal of some kind and Anya felt the Taskmaster's tug as they snapped to work, moving up to take the luggage from the Vinda Corp representatives and delegates. Anya silently prayed to the Gods that there would be no mixup between the rooms and delegates. Or they wouldn't get their correct clothing.

She rushed along grasping her particular piece of luggage hoping to make it back in record time. There were more shuttles coming and Anya wanted to be there to see everyone come in.

It was not often that the galaxy came to you!

Outside the Hapan System

Scipio Arien looked out the viewport of their vessel. The Commonwealth Vice-Admiral Wilkar was making sure there was nothing that would interfere with their final approach while Mr. Vinda simply went on ahead without fear.

It was not that Scipio and their crew feared anything from the Hapans, which in fact the Capricians were very excited to meet, it was that they were travelling on a new type of ship and she still didn't believe the designers claims.

It was called a Crystal Ship. With a hull that looked like transparisteel all over. One could walk the corridors and see various machinery and hardlight systems blended together with an artistic design.

Oddly enough, the ship was not as transparent as one might of though as the angles distorted one's vision leaving then to guess what was in each room passed. Crew and guest quarters could frost over turning the distortion to opaque.

It was a new design with new materials and it was said that the vacuum of space actually enhanced the strength the outer hull. At 200 meters in length, the ship was designed with hidden repulserlifts to land on land or sea. So far, the ships were designed without weapons as more of an experiment between creative artistry and shipbuilding.

But it was fast. Fast, sleek and plush.

And it was a gift from the Commonwealth to Hapes.

So it impressed the need to the crew to arrive in once piece.


Scipio could see that her view was somewhat magnified and what she saw took her breath away. "We are always moving, fighting to survive to really stop sometimes and look at how truly magnificent space really can be."

Leantre Vio set a hand upon her shoulder and smiled. Zier, his short cropped white hair having grown out long since the Conquest stood to the side reading a report about the ship's progress so far.

"Vice Admiral Wilkar has sent an 'all clear'." he said, silently approving of the measures the Admiral took to ensure his message.


Leantre nodded and the view shifted quickly, the planet of Hapes hanging in the darkness before them.

If anyone loved aesthetics as much as the Capricians, it was Hapes. The Capricians went through great pains to design their planetary based defense weapons to blend in, not having some clunky turbolaser or ion cannon just sitting out in plain view. It was obviously more work but the Capricians felt it worthwhile.

Those onboard were anxious to take their first looks at the Hapan culture, art and design.

"Take us in," Zier ordered and Scipio noticed Wilkar's ships in the distance.


Mr. Vinda would be taking the lead in these talks for it was he that forged the bond initially. Scipio was glad for the change and did not mind taking a backseat to the next few days of proceedings.

The planet loomed larger and Scipio could see that others had just arrived as well. Then they were gone as the vessel descended into the atmosphere and through the clouds.

When the clouds broke, what she saw took her breath away. Hapes was truly a jewel of the galaxy.

Leantre looked at it sadly, "But for the Conquest, Capricia would have been one to rival her.."

Scipio smiled, "We'll get there, Leantre. We'll get there."

And the vessel that looked as if made of glass shined in the sunlight giving off a beacon to anything within eyesight and began landing procedures to touch down near Mr. Vinda's shuttle.

As the Caprician descended from the craft, Scipio grinned, "We'll have to show them how to fly it."

"Judging from the Battle Dragons we saw coming in, I don't think they will have any problem flying weird looking ships.." Zier answered back.

"They may look strange, but there is something to be said for a 360° targeting range." Leantre quipped and before he and Zier could get back into a heated discussion about the design, they entered earshot of the public and moved into the procession line.

Mr. Vinda and the Monarch of Hapes were animated, talking about something or other and Scipio, knowing men, had a suspicion that it was the talk of old friends rather than of office state business.

"Boys" she mumbled to herself smirking and realized suddenly that she was at ease. They all were.

Most diplomatic functions were times of stress, of saying or not saying the right thing, of brokering a peace between fighting factions but here?

Here the order of the day was, 'Enjoy yourself."

On her lips a smile formed.




"Sir?" Zier stopped as the others moved forward.

"What is it Captain?"

"The Hapan servants will not enter the ship to retrieve your bags."

"What?" Zier turned suprised to glance over the Captain's shoulder to the ship. "Is is because the ship is going to be the property of their Monarch and they fear touching anything of his?"

The Captain shifted uncomfortably. "Umm.. No sir. It's because they feel they are going to break the 'glass ship' as they called it.."

Zier was tempted to ask for the Captain's sidearm and fire it at the ship to illustrate the fact that the servants could not break it. But, after second thought, that might not have been the wisest of moves in an official welcoming ceremony.

He sighed. "Very well. Take me to them."

And as they walked, he sighed again, "This was going to be a long day.."

The Captain grinned, "Yes sir."

Royal Port Authority station, high orbit, Hapes.



"Fucking hell..."

The male functionary on shift couldn't contain his awe, despite the immediate presence of his supervisor. She turned to him in chastisment, but was then herself struck.

"Fucking hell!"

The sight of the glass ship as it arrived in system was truly majestic to behold, and it was only with the maximum effort that the stations crew were able to provide its landing procedures without some kind of comment. Still, knowing their duty and this dates importance, they maintained their professional veneer.

Landing information sent, the crew was content to simply sit and stare...



The Gardens of Andra Ta'Chume, Fountain Palace.



As he and the galaxy's most esteemed entrepreneur exchanged warm greetings, another arrival sought his attention. Or rather, forced his attention with a glimpse of such momumental beauty.

And the ship wasn't bad either!

Seeing the Capricians arrival, Zakharov immediately siezed Vinda's attention, engaging him with a warm handshake and an intricately ornate cigarra box. Dakkon himself returned his full attention to the delegation before him.

The second thought that struck him was the smile on her face, not forced, not a product of years of diplomatic finese, but rather a warm smile of genuine amusement and mirth. Dakkon had wondered how the Capricians would handle this visit and it seemed that all had come with the same goodwill.

As Arien approached a firedrake flew past overhead, its shimmering wingfalls sending glorious sparks cascading down upon the carpet. It was to the credit of Provost Zakharov and his University of Planet that the Royal family was able to enjoy the reptilian bird, this being the only family of the species successfully transplanted off its home planet.

He spoke as the Caprician was only metres away.

"Ms. Arien, the rumours were true! Your beauty is almost a match of the Ta'Chumes of old!"

His inclusion of almost was paramount. Despite Hapes liberalisation their monarchical longings were still quite traditional, there would have been uproar in the Cluster had that prefix not been included. In Old Hapes, such a statement, almost and all, would have caused rebellion. Then again the Ta'Chumes beauty was not without base, eon upon eon of selective breeding had seen to that!

Now close, he again stuck out his hand in warm greeting.

Beside him Zakharov had noticed a problem with the Capricians baggage and had already sent a senior functionary to deal with the problem.

"Welcome to the Rainbow Gem of the galaxy, which reminds me..."

From behind him a servant stepped up carrying a box as ornate as Vinda had received. She was immensely beautiful, even by Hapan standards, but what she was to reveal eclipsed all fleshly desire.

Sitting snuggly inside the red silk interior was a silver platinum hairclasp, inlaided with the smallest and most delicate rainbow gems arranged in the star of Hapes. In the middle sat the 'capstone' as it were, a fully matured rainbow gem, the bright sunlight of Hapes setting off and explosion of colour and light that even the Ta'Chumes garden could not match.

"When she heard of your inclusion as the Caprician ambassador, Andra could not resist. No galactic beauty is complete without them..."

Accepting her hand in arrival he released it, allowing her to receive the box.

Hapan Space


“Well, that was pleasant,” Krauze muttered to himself.

“Mm,” Chopin grunted.

The pilot had gotten into a rather lengthy discussion over the prospect of being ‘tractored in’. For a while, it seemed as though the docking manager would not give in. What a disaster that would’ve been. Standard Hapan protocol decreed all ships were to be tractor beamed in, so as to prevent any accidents or ‘other incidents’, while the pilot insisted that being tractored in would be disastrous, for Helixian ships were not as flexible in landing as the ships of this galaxy.

In short, if they were tractored in it was very likely that they would crash and explode. And with the archaic engines the Helixians used, the explosion would be very, very large. And, of course, it would be very, very bad.

“Relax guys,” Sam offered a reassuring grin to his peers, “This isn’t exactly the Orilcian Summit. We’re all friends here. The Consortium bailed us out of a shitstorm they could’ve ignored. Obviously they’re not bad guys.”

“It’s not Hapes that concerns me,” Chopin furrowed his brow in a challenge, “It’s those Capricans and this…Vinda Corporation.”

“Uh, that’s Capricians,” Daniels offered meekly.

“Whatever.”

“Any friends of Hapes are friends of ours, Lui,” Krauze jabbed the man softly in the ribs, “I’m sure they’re fine.”

“That’s just it, though,” Luis countered, “They’re not friends of Hapes. Not yet, anyway. And don’t call me Lui.”

“Whatever you say, Lui,” Sam chortled, “I’m sure they’re fine anyway. Daniels said they’d be good buddies of us. Didn’t you Daniels? They’d be good buddies because…uh, why again?”

“They’d be…‘good buddies’,” Daniel began, pausing only slightly, “Because they’ve had they’re own issues with the Vong.”

Everyone in the shuttle grimaced at the mention of their old nemesis.

“Yeah, but like you said,” Chopin said at last, “Everyone in this galaxy has had their beef with the Vong.”

“Their ‘beef’?” Samuel asked, grinning, “You’re starting to take after me, Lui.”

“Maker save me if I am,” Luis grunted, “And don’t call me Lui!”

“No, no, no,” Daniels interrupted, “This was a separate situation. An isolated one…well, not so much. But this was not a part of the galaxy wide attempt.”

“What do you mean?” Krauze asked.

“The Yuuzhan Vong directly invaded the Capricia system,” Daniels answered, “Twice.”

“Freeow,” Sam mumbled, “And they won both times?”

“Well, not so much…” Daniels said, “The first time, the Vong had things won. Their colonies were ravaged, most of Capricia itself was under Vong control…frack, they were even using children to fight. One third of their entire population were killed.”

“Freeow,” it was Chopin’s turn, “What happened?”

“That’s the weird part,” Daniels’ brow furrowed, “They left.”

“The Capricians?” Chopin asked.

“No, the Vong. They-”

“Whoa, whoa, whoa, hold up a minute,” Krauze interrupted, “You mean to tell me that the Vong beat the Capricians, fracked them up, and then just left? No enslavement? No mass slaughter?”

“Yeah, pretty much,” Daniels said.

“Any idea why?” Krauze asked.

“None,” Daniels said.

“Huh.”

“What about the second time?” Chopin asked.

“Well, the second time the Vong were beaten back,” Daniels admitted, “But I would think twice about calling it a Caprician victory, especially when you’re speaking with their delegates. Capricia was ravaged again, the Vong almost had them. If it weren’t for…well, if it weren’t for the Vinda Corporation, I doubt they would have survived the second coming.”

“Wow,” Krauze whistled, “Gotta be one helluva story.”

“Just as good a story as Andoz,” Chopin muttered darkly.

The shuttle was silent.

“Point taken,” Krauze said at last.

“What the frack is that?!” Daniels’ eyes widened to an unbelievable size.

“I never thought of you as a swearing man, Daniels,” Krauze chuckled, “That’s the Hapan fleet. It’s amazing, we know. You must’ve missed that full ten minute conversation.”

“No!” Daniels almost shrieked, “Not the fleet! That!”

“Freeow,” Chopin whispered.

As Chopin and Krauze looked out the viewport, they had a very clear, very close up view at the Crystal Ship, the Caprician gift to the Hapan Consortium. For a very long time, the three delegates and the two pilots merely gawked at the amazing ship that floated through space in front of them.

“Is that…is that glass?” Krauze choked.

“It can’t be…” Chopin muttered.

The two looked back in mild interest as Daniels slumped back into his seat. Dazedly, he glanced up at Chopin.

“Got another cigarette?” he asked.


Transitory Mists


“Are you sure it is wise?” the voice asked, a hint of emotion almost audible, “What if it is discovered?”

“Then it is discovered, and it either escapes or is destroyed,” Michael replied, glancing back at the source, “They cannot possibly trace it back to us, unless they follow it, and you know very well the probability of that. Our sphere of current, detailed knowledge is very limited. This is the best way to find out more about those that came.”

“More information about humans, you mean,” the voice replied.


“I mean what I say,” Michael snapped, a hint of emotion very audible, “More information about humans, yes. More information about humans that may be the ones who were told of in days long past.”

“You speak as if we believe in some sort of prophecy that must be fulfilled.”

“You do not?” Michael quipped.

“We do not,” the reply was emotionless, but firm.

“You do not,” Michael whispered, turning away once more to look out the window, “But maybe I do…”


Hapes


The landing of the Helixian vessels was, in its own way, as mystifying to the Hapans as their fleet was to the Helixians. Obsolete, inefficient technology was viewed as dramatic and even a little frightening to the more skitterish hangar workers. If it were not for the Crystal Ship, all eyes would have been on the arriving Helixians.

All three ships bellowed smoke as if it was all that was inside. The vessels were completely silhouetted by the substance and almost enveloped entirely. But the Excaliburs…the Excaliburs put on the real show. What had long been the status quo for the Helixians took the Hapans completely off guard.

The two maneuverability-enhancing wings that rested near the back of the starfighters instead of in the middle (giving them their name in the first place), folded up as a Lambda shuttle might, the section of the wings that once connected to the vessel itself acting as landing gear, propping the ship up.

“Frack Luis, relax,” Krauze said, waiting in front of the shuttle door to open, “What could possibly be wrong.”

“Nothing,” Chopin replied, ignoring the sarcasm, “I’d just feel more comfortable if we had at least an honor guard or something. Something.”

“For the last time, Luis!” Krauze hissed, lowering his voice as the shuttle door opened, “We’re all friends here.”

“Yeah, that’s how every political meeting starts out,” Luis grumbled, “Laughing, smiling, we’re all friends here, and then they pull a lever and you get dropped through a fracking twenty foot chute, only to be locked in a room that’s filling up with who the frack knows what kind of deadly poison and men in black jumpsuits and shooting machine guns at you as you make your fracking escape.

“When has that ever happened?” Krauze asked him. Daniels just stared.

“I saw it in a movie once…” Chopin mumbled, his eyes darting back and forth nervously.

“No more talking for a while, Luis,” Krauze said after a few seconds, shaking his head.

The three men dismounted from the shuttle, straightening immediately. Suddenly, all too suddenly, the fates of thousands of people rested on their shoulders. Grimacing, Krauze desperately wished he bore the fate of millions more. Shaking old regrets from his thoughts, he focused on the future.

“Alright Daniels,” Krauze muttered, “You’re on. Names to faces.”

“I’m not sure who most of the Capricians are, but I think that might be Scipio Arien,” Daniels flicked his head toward the Caprician party.

“Wow, you were right, Daniels,” Chopin mumbled, “Those Hapan chicks are hot.”

“She’s Caprician, not Hapan,” Daniels took a chiding tone.

“So she hasn’t been selectively breeded for centuries to be as beautiful as possible?” Chopin asked no one in particular, “I think I’m gonna like this galaxy.”

“He remembers every word I say when it has to do with women or liquor,” Daniels mumbled.

“Focus, Daniels, focus,” Krauze interrupted his musings, “The others?”

“That is…wow,” Daniels’ eyes widened, “That is Mr. Seth Vinda himself, CEO of the Vinda Coporation. I thought they’d send a diplomat, I never thought that he’d…this must be one fracking important summit.”

“Right,” Krauze shook his head at the man, “And the one next to him can only be…”

“Dakkon Darksword himself, the Crowned Prince of Hapes.”

“Right, thanks Daniels,” Krauze nodded, “I hope you know something about their etiquette. How are we to approach him?”

“I, uh, I’m not sure…” Daniels’ eyes widened even more, “None of the others are taking a particular formal approach to it, but we certainly wouldn’t want to offend them. I…”

“Righto then,” Krauze nodded, “Its okay. When in doubt, overdo things. Follow my lead, boys.”

The two men struggled to keep up with Krauze’s swift gait without breaking into a full out sprint, and neither of them knew what to expect until it happened. A few meters away from the meeting parties, Samuel dropped into what first seemed to be a deep bow but turned into a full knee. Freezing for a few seconds, Chopin and Daniels quickly followed suit, flanking Krauze in a regal way without even realizing it.

“He’s good,” Chopin mumbled to himself, too low for any to hear.


Hapan Space


All was quiet on the western front. The eastern, northern, and southern, as well. The very dramatic, very organized, very overdone defense had made sure none would be eavesdropping on such an important meeting. None…except for maybe one…

Just far enough away from the defense fleet to be out of sensor range, and just far enough away from Hapes to be out of sensor range, a single, tiny ship was completely dead in space save two systems. The sensors, to monitor constantly the position of the defense fleet, and a system that the ship was built for. A very sophisticated system. A voice was heard in the ship, which was recording everything.

“When she heard of your inclusion as the Caprician ambassador, Andra could not resist. No galactic beauty is complete without them...”

"Galactic Maker, there isn't a frelling think out here," yelled Lane over the COM.

"Just shut the hell up Smit. Our shift is over in an hour," said Commander Tine.

Lane dropped the ARC-170-R into an ungainly spin to avoid hitting an asteroid.

If one were familiar with the ARC-170 used during the Clone Wars he, she, or it would barely recognize the ARC-170-R.

This ARC-170 variant was a one of a kind ship in use only by Vice-Admiral Wilkar's defense flotilla. The huge array of deadly weapons the fighter once carried has all been removed. In their place are an advanced sensor suite and a long-range communication system. The forward gunner's position had been turned into the radar officer's station. It possessed a wide range of scanners for collecting data of the area. The rear gunner's position had been converted into a communications station and a data processing center to assist the Radar Officer. All of the modifications forced the design team to update to an R7 series astromech droid. The official VCS Rapier designation for the recon ship had become the 'RARCKY.'

The fighter was bought off a junk lot and heavily modified to the expectations of the Vinda Corporation Recon Squadron attached to the task-force.

Since the arrival of the Vice-Admiral Wilkar, the fighter has been running nonstop recon sorties on the surrounding area. Since there was only one fighter of this type the recon ran four six hour shifts.

"Lane, could you steer clear of those nickel-iron based asteroids? They are bogging down the sensors," asked Commander Tine.

"No problem boss," answered Lane.

Lane brought the ship just outside of the belt and into open space. He peered out the viewport. He could barely see the running lights of the three ships from this side of the belt.

"God Damn! What in the Hell was that?" yelled Commander Tine over the COM.

Finally! What I've been waiting for! A little action! thought Lane.

"It appeared on the radar then it was gone," explained Tine. "Drop and tag the data pods for later pick up. All speed for this phantom's last coordinates," ordered Tine.

"Wait! Wait! Shouldn't we radio this in? asked Flight Officer Quih, the communications officer.

"And let them have all of the fun? Of course not Quih," said Lane.

Lane felt a slight vibration in the throttle as the engine began to fuse pure hydrogen gas.

The R7 droid fed the coordinates into the computer and then they were off.

The Gardens of Andra Ta'Chume, Fountain Palace.




The two men struggled to keep up with Krauze’s swift gait without breaking into a full out sprint, and neither of them knew what to expect until it happened. A few meters away from the meeting parties, Samuel dropped into what first seemed to be a deep bow but turned into a full knee. Freezing for a few seconds, Chopin and Daniels quickly followed suit, flanking Krauze in a regal way without even realizing it.

At such an illustrious meeting, the sight of a delegation dropping to their knees before him was something Dakkon found both deeply touching and highly unnecessary. Seeing their approach, Provost Zakharov quickly seized the Caprician delegates attention, bringing her into conversation with the personal manifestation of corporate power.

Dakkon stepped forward, breaking old (and thanks to Dakkon, discarded) traditions regarding royal status, and placed his hand on Krauze's shoulder.

"Come now Mr. Krauze, we are all friends here."

Krauze rose and was met with an outstretched hand which he promptly shook with warmth and vigour.

"Welcome to Hapes and for you, perhaps the most important gift of all..." He paused dramatically to remove a small holo projector from his pocket.

"Security."

The tool sprang to life immediately, the image of a ship coming into view. It was a Jewel of Hapes, the massive carrier-craft of the 3rd generation of Hapan design. The craft itself was, as all Hapan craft, none too shabby to look at, and ensconced within its hard walls were hundreds of robotic fighters and bombers, the elite in unmanned craft.

"Considering the damage done to your people we figured this would be the best way to assist while allowing you the freedom you deserve. Provost Zakharov will hammer out the details, but following personel training on Charubah this will be the first capital class ship in your arsenal, i believe?"

Smiling warmly and speaking now to all the assembled delegations, Dakkon gestured towards the Palace.

"Please, follow me into my home. The ushers will take you to each of your designated areas, where i believe we should rest up before we start anything serious."

Moments later the ushers were by their assigned delegates sides, moving them and their entourages into the Palace.