Capricia, recent news on the planet was scarce there was little action in or out of the system it was a curous anomally no one has yet confirmed any military action or claimed responsibilities for a blockade in the past well we shall now see what has been going on in the system.

Leia was nervous, but was managing to hide it under a mask of calmness. She stood on an unfamiliar world, in a grossly familiar situation, and nobody around her could relate the same as she. She would have to guide her own way, and perhaps the way of others.

Well, that was grossly familiar too.

She ran a mental survey, pulling all knowledge of the situation to hand.

Not much to draw from at all.

Those whom she now conferred with knew what there was to know, and even their knowledge was sorely in lacking. But it was the best that could be found, and it needed to be put to use, which she assumed they knew only too well, and had plans to do just that.

Leia nodded gravely in response to Leantre's comment. His statement held much truth, she decided.

"The question is, what do you plan to do about it? What does the Regency plan to do about the Yuzzhan Vong threat? You have told us of assets, recent happenings. And recent assignments. But what do you plan to do in the overall view?"

Gomorran narrowed his eyes at the Jedi but said nothing right away. He too felt the urge to smash his fist against something...anything.

He too craved action.


"Why aren't we sending everything we've got at them now?"
came Tyscio Korban's voice.


"Because... that's what we did last time." Gomorran almost whispered. Images of his dead wife and children came to him and he finished, "That's what happens, Korban, when you narrow everything down to a do or die variable. Sometimes, you lose... and we lost."

Leantre put a hand on the Regent. "We do not know the exact composition of the Yuuzhan Vong Fleet."

Then turning to Leia, in answer to her question, "We have sent the Imperial Republic's Super Star Destroyer with several of our support ships to Minos to find out.

So far, every ship that has gotton close to the Yuuzhan Vong Fleet to identify or determine it's size has met with ..dire circumstances. Therefore, we do not know.

If it turns out to be small enough, Adalric Cronus will engage and Scipio will call for backup and we finish it there.

If the force is overwhelmingly large, Adalric has the strongest ship here to get to a safe distance and report it's size, heading, and any other useful information."

Gomorran spoke up when the elder man fell silent. "Tyscio Zier, your Clan Leader Korban, is leading our fleet. His is heading to Tirus. Tirus and Providence are the only two other planets that Capricia, in the past, has settled and established a colony on (other than Minos). We assumed them deserted. Why? Simply because we've received no communications from them and any attempts at our communication have been met with silence.

How do we know that the Yuuzhan Vong are at Minos? Because the outermost tracking stations near that area have been destroyed. So far, that has not happened in any other area.

Their operations are much more methodical than the outright attack they did last time. That scares me. That scares the hell out of me."

Gomorran sighed. "Their attack on Minos puts forth the doubt that perhaps the colony planets are not uninhabited. Don't they deserve a chance to live?

Tyscio's Fleet is going to Tirus and you two (pointing to Leia and Korban) are going to Providence. You will have several regiments of soldiers backing you up. If there are colonists, they will need defending as well. You will errect defenses and pray that the enemy passes you by.

Otherwise, they will hit you next. Zier's fleet will not be on Tirus long. There are two likely targets that will be hit next, or so we think. Providence or Capricia. If the Yuuzhan Vong force is too strong, then Adalric will pull back to Providence.

We make our stand there. Otherwise, they come here and we hold them off until you get here. In that event, we make our stand here.

In any event, My Lady. That is the plan."

<!--EZCODE BOLD START--> Bonadan's Orbit.<!--EZCODE BOLD END-->
<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Corporate Sector...<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->



*...Aboard his command VSD, Vinda strode quickly down the Corridors towards the bridge Surrounded by advisors, who were struggling to keep pace...

Vinda, was half-listening, and half searching through his pockets for any more, "hidden" surprises....*

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> In the name of Vader! Mattimus!<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

*Still slightly disturbed, he patted himself down, checking for any more "villips"...(any more shocks like that, and he would need a stiff drink)...*

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Why can't he just use the damn Comms like everyone else!?..<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

*Still muttering under his breath, Vinda strode purposefully onto the Bridge , and as the doors slid open, the Voices and footsteps belonging to the entourage were drowned out by the sounds of the control room...

..An aide ran up alongside him, vying for his attention, Vinda stopped and looked at the young man ....*

"..what is it?.."

(his voice still showing traces of annoyance...)

*..The aide shifted slightly and promptly handed Vinda a data-pad, Vinda glanced at it briefly....*

"..Ahh!.. C4 has Joined Achinta, excellent..."

*his eye's narrowed slightly...*

"..I hope we hear from them soon...is Miles onboard yet?"

*The Aide nodded, still a bit too intimidated to speak to Vinda directly....(Vinda handed the data-pad back to the Aide...)*

"..good, then we depart, let us waste no more time, Captain Omar, let us take our leave...."

*...Captain Omar, saluted Vinda, then turned to direct the crew. Ushering away the small gaggle of advisors that were still crowding him, Vinda took his seat. This was more than likely where he would be spending most of his time from now on....
A front row seat.....
Vinda stared at the huge View screeen in front of him, giving a small sigh as he looked down at Bonadan...

..and hoped it wouldn't be the last time....

..a small cough , stirred him from his thoughts, Vinda looked round to see Captain Omar standing beside him...*

"...on your word sir....."

*..Vinda looked up at the Captain in front of him, the small unassuming looking man, looked quite benign...
...with a faint smile, Vinda simply nodded....*


The ships seemed to lurch forward, and stretch, as they made the jump to hyperspace....
...and the fleet disappeared in an instant....*

Leia nodded slowly as Gamorran spoke, attempting to draw out a mental tactical picture in her mind other than the ones displayed around the room.

"I suppose we should be departing immediately, then. What will we be given to work with?"

Leia felt like she was walking a tightrope blindfolded, but she continually shoved away the irritation that rose with it, reminding herself that she was far from alone in that department.

Apparently for the time being her own mind was going to be her worst enemy.

<!--EZCODE BOLD START--> Minos<!--EZCODE BOLD END-->


Huung Vuas watched in fascination at Tallien’s newest creation, nearly an inch long. The tiny creature’s sharp protrusions made short work of the small leathery “egg” it had been forming in.

She smiled as the tiny creatures moved around a bit getting their bearings.

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> The Yuuzhan Vong are the givers of life...and the offerers of sacrifice. Oh, we imitate the gods well..<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

The tiny creature ignored the small wimperings going on nearby as Vuas turned in irritation at their captives weakness. Their fright soiled and disrespected this birth of a new life and purpose.

The tiny rows of small leathery eggs also began to stir at the sounds.

A few centimeters away, the first tied Minos inhabitant struggled against her bonds. A woman with light brown hair. A few centimeters from the first lay the second..and so on, seventeen in all. All adults except the last. A youth of twelve.

Vuas turned her scarred face to the youth, impressed that the same wimpering sounds coming from the adults had yet to be heard from him.

The youth simply stared at the ceiling...a blank look his only expression.

The tiny creatures was moving, twitching it’s tiny protrusions and antennae periodically. It seemed to sense the first adult and made it’s way over, it’s sharp legs going through the woman's cloth like tiny needles as it crawled up onto her stomach.

The woman shuddered and the tiny “bug” seemed to turn around, though there was no discernable head attached to the body.

It began to move, it’s tiny pinprick legs felt by the person as they began to struggle fiercely the closer it came to her head. Soon the creature was resting on her chin for a bit and then crawled over to her cheek. The woman thrashed about as wildly as she could but the harder her head moved, the more pain was felt by the pinprickly legs. The creature’s grip could not be dislodged.

It stayed there until the woman could contain it no longer. She screamed and the creature moved, it’s two forelegs piercing her lip. It moved to rest over her mouth, the underside of the creature feeling soft, wet and cold.

Suddenly, the cold touched her tongue and she tried to close her mouth...but the legs of the creature pierced through the skin around the mouth, forcing it to remain open.

The ice cold secretion continued to slide down the woman’s tongue and into her throat.

..and soon all the captives were yelling and screaming...as more tiny creatures “hatched”..seventeen in all.


..all except the youth...who remained, to Vuas, strangely catatonic.


A nearby villip suddenly came to life as Tslah Vhess’ face showed strong...imposing..

..the very essence of a warrior.


//The infidels come. Prepare//





**


<!--EZCODE BOLD START--> Enroute to Minos<!--EZCODE BOLD END-->



“Joine? How are we doing?” asked Scipio to her aide as they walked down a rather typical corridor both dressed in Caprician battlegear, decorated with the maroon and black of Scipio Clan, and armed.

The military of Capricia, in an attempt to learn from the last invasion, created the battlegear (a type of personal armor comprised of a substance stronger than that used by the old Imperial StormTroopers). The invader’s preference in using edged physical weapons over plasma saw the need to protect those soldiers going up against them in hand to hand combat.


“This ship ...this ship is huge.” The younger diplomatic aide commented almost out of breath.


“Mr. Cronus has been kind enough to lend us a helper” she responded pointing to the tiny almost box like droid they were following.


Joine grimmaced. “I hate those squeaky things.” He handed her a report.


Scipio laughed lightly and started to read the datapad when the Super Star Destroyer suddenly vibrated slightly as the sublight engines were activated.


“We’ve come out of hyperspace...” Joine started, holding a hand out to steady himself. “Quick jump.”


“We are at battlestations so the shields should be activ...” Scipio was explaining as the great vessel lurched to one side.


Both Scipio and Joine were flung into a wall and sirens began to sound throughout.


“You were saying...” Joine muttered, as he clammored to his feet.





**



Out the windows of the bridge of the <!--EZCODE BOLD START--> Blaze of Glory<!--EZCODE BOLD END--> Adalric saw only unfamiliar vessels darting about.


“Sir! Caprician cruisers and frigates returning fire! What are your orders?"


<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> What the kriff happened?<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->, part of Cronus’ brain demanded. Still, intellectually he knew. He’d read the reports. A small black hole formed outside his shields effectively negating their effects for the surrounding enemy to take advantage of.


<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Now... no shields!<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->


The tiny alien fighters parted to reveal many larger, oval shaped alien support craft..and..command craft?


So far, only several small destroyer class ships and the fighters were engaging...


Sitting several hundred meters in front of the battle, yet between the planet were two 8 km alien ships surrounded by several smaller, though no less imposing, ships about 2 km in size.


Adalric was massively outnumbered...the planet of Minos barely registering on their scanners.



**


“What the hell happened?” shouted Scipio over the general commotion in the mighty vessels engine room.


“We..we were pulled out of hyperspace prematurely. The hyperdrive controls shutdown and .... “ The ship shook, “..and we are getting the stuffing kicked out of us.”


“My Lady!”


Scipio turned to see Joine at an alternate monitor watching the battle raging outside the ship.


Everywhere was the enemy..and memories suddenly rushed into her mind.


The ships were very familiar.


On their left flank, a Caprician Cruiser suddenly exploded..taking a number of alien fighters with them.


“We gave Cronus several squadrons of TIE Defenders...” Scipio murmured, stepping out of the way of the ship’s personnel frantically working to keep the ship going.


“Let’s get out of here, Joine,” Scipio called out.


The ship shuddered again as Scipio slid a door open to continue down a corridor. In front of her stood a Yuuzhan Vong.



**




“Report!” Shouted Cronus as he watched the Caprician support cruiser disappear from existence.


“Alien fighters dispersing... the larger alien command ships are not moving...wait!...wait.. Alien cruisers have taken point! They are firing!”


Plasma lanced through the vacuum but the Super Star Destroyer refused to budge, it’s own weaponry having taken out their second small alien destroyer.


“Why aren’t the big ships finishing us off?” Cronus’ voice escaped as his mind raced to come up with a plan.


A command consol on the bridge exploded, rocked by a plasma blast. The fact that their ship was heavily armored was the only thing that was helping their staying alive.


Bridge personnel were already putting the fire out.


<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Automated systems are going to be failing all over<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->


“Sir!” an excited Lieutenant called out, delivering a verbal report, “Intruders!”



****



The Yuuzhan Vong moved too quick knocking Scipio back into the Engine Room. Joine immediately rushed the alien, hoping the momentum of his run might put the invader on his back.


Scipio got up a bit dazed, realizing that she would now be wearing a large gash across her chest if it weren’t for the battlegear.


Engineering personnel had already responded to the threat.
Joine’s efforts did knock the alien back a few steps if not off his feet.


It was enough.


The Engineering Master’s hand went down on the controls and the blastdoors closed effectively cutting off the alien and Scipio’s aide.


“JOINE!!” she cried out as the door clamped shut.


“Lock down Engineering Section now!” someone shouted over the sirens.


Already blasters and rifles were being handed out among the staff and Scipio numbly took one.


It was happening all over again.


<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> She remembered five years ago screaming Gomorran’s name as he threw her into the escape pod, their command ship crashing down into Capricia’s atmosphere.<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->


“We keep the power going!” ordered the Engineering Master. “Cronus will keep us alive!”



Just then, over the shipwide intercom, "Intruder Alert... Intruder Alert.."


"Now he tells us." a secondary Engineer quipped as they hustled back to work.


Scipio held her rifle to her chest and closed her eyes...

<!--EZCODE BOLD START--> Transport Vessel <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Raze<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->...Caprician Convoy .... Corellian System<!--EZCODE BOLD END-->


“Corellian Authorization given to dock on landing bay 72. Welcome to the New Republic.”

Jorrum Gerrard smirked at the transmission wondering how many times that traffic controller had said that to new ships coming in. He paced nervously on the bridge of the ship as he contemplated the repercussions of not getting back in time.

He turned to his Acting Ambassador and asked rather sharply.


“Do you understand the nature of your assignment?”


“Yes, sir!” came the crisp answer. “Secure the purchase of relief items for Capricia. Food Items/Rations, Medical Supplies, Arms and Portable Temporary Military Grade Housing for refugees.”


Gerrard nodded, satisfied. “Capricia is depending on you.”


The Caprician Politician then held out a datapad. The one that the Jedi Master Leia Solo had signed, “Leia Skywalker”.


“Show this to noone but a Council Member. This is the proof to them that our plight is real. But only a New Republic Council Member will recognize it,” he paused, "..at least that is what the Jedi Solo informed me."


When the Ambassador nodded, Jorrum gave the younger man a pat on the shoulder and watched as he exited the transport.


<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> If I get back and the invaders have won, this will all be for nought...<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->


The politician shook his head dismissing the dismal thoughts.

Well it certainly wasn't any natural phenomenon that prematurely brought them from hyperspace. <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Dovin Basals?<!--EZCODE ITALIC END--> Struggling to his feet, Cronus brushed a sleeve over his weary forehead, wiping away pirsperation. Grasping the armrest of his command console, he shifted weight as well as preasure to his biceps and triceps, lifting himself off the gleaming deck. Gasping for breath, he horesly rasped.

"Khurgee... bring up BAC command grid, status report on damages?"

As his query seemed to delve into oblivion, he turned in puzzelment to see a bloodied Khurgee pacing up the command cat walks towards Cronus, a satin smeared hand brushing against the legs of his pants.

"CORE, bring up command grid, layout volatile sectors, point zero from Minos system."

A recognition chime muttered faintly, as compact holoprojector erected itself from the gleaming flooring in front of Adalric's command console, the oval pristine pyshce projecting a red grid of surrouding space orbiting the system of Minos, as well as objects realativly stationed in that surrounding orbit. Cronus was unable to grasp the potency of the situation, for the enemy appeared to far outnumber his meager task force seven to one... for the time being. As red signatures indicating enemy vessels sprang into a tight phalanx formation port side of Minos, two mamoth two kilometer ships arching in the center of the formation to their bow, Cronus sprang into action.

"Right, we've come into an opposing flight vector to the enemy, have navigation swing into a three sixty degree yaw starboard, and boost deflector shields to docking stations..."

He looked at Khurgee and eyebrow raised hesistantly.

"... I trust Docking issued commission to the pilots prior to our leave of Capricia?"

Khurgee nodded, issuing out orders to several commanding technicians of varying departments. The behemoth ship began cicular yaw on their right flank, several spawn fighter squadrons dropping into vector zero from the docking stations. The purpose of raising deflector systems to the assigended stations was to provide some cover for the fighters as they cleared from the command ship. Having done this, an alert rang from CORE's cerebrum, code yellow... intruder. As Cronus took in the full meaning of the message, a dull thud ereupted aft... and explosion, but not of a blast impacting at high velocity against the armored plating... a seige and boarding exlposive. He muttered disbelieving.

"What in frell? CORE, was that a hull breach? Have they gained ramp access?"

Recognition unfortunately chimed.

"Afmirmative High Admiral, red section, Maintenaice deparment as well as barracks compliment."

He thought momentarily... <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Amabassador's Scipio's quarters...<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

"CORE, phase an infared scan on the entire ship, locate Caprician signatures."

The automated computer began the compiled search, as Cronus barked our further orders regarding the presence of his foreign adversary.

"Navigation, swing us around in a one eighty degree yaw, starboard..."

The ship began to form a semi circular pattern, placing the left batteries facing the opposition.

"... relay, order our support cruisers to a cover formation dead aft, stay with us as we move into the yaw. Targetting, give the support craft cover fire while they move us into position."

Finally, after much relief from the notably smaller Caprician vessels, the <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Blaze'<!--EZCODE ITALIC END--> tremendous cannon banks began to trade vollies with the opposing ships, their own commanders realizing their mistake of allowing their cruisers and firgates to get within point blank firing range with the gargantuan Destroyer. They veered off to port, turning their bows in system to gain momentum for a hasty, yet breif retreat. Oh yes... the Vong may not have been able to anticipate the efficiency of their target's commander, but they would soon compensate for their lack of perception and strike... in full force. Cronus turned his attention back towards the inturder alert. CORE had printed out the results to the bio scan... <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Only the Caprician honor guard left defending the cooridors from the Vong raiders... unfortunately, he had a plan.<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

"CORE, decompress red section."

<!--EZCODE BOLD START--> Aboard the <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Blaze of Glory<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->... Minos ..<!--EZCODE BOLD END-->




The Clan soldiers moved swiftly through the corridors near Red Section. The fighting was rough but Red Section held.


Imperial Republican Guard and Clan soldiers stood shoulder to shoulder as the Yuuzhan Vong charged.

Nickoli watched as a Republican Guard was knocked off his feet..but not before firing a shot off at an invader's head.


<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> How the frell did they get on board?? This ship's armor was thicker than some planetary bunkers..<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

The question, though, was mute for the moment as he shot his rifle a few more times before drawing back with the group.


****

A Chazrach warrior chanted as he moved steadily toward the bow on a lower level, killing any infidel that would cross his path.


****

Hester looked at his portable sensing unit noticing that most of the Capricians were locked down on Red Section....


<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Dammit! Those were <!--EZCODE BOLD START--> our<!--EZCODE BOLD END--> quarters...<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->


He caught a few Clan soldiers stealing forward trying to help the Imperial Republican Guard but the majority had held...or at least, the enemy really hadn't pushed all that much.

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> or as much as he had thought they would...<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

He stopped at a maintenance hatch and whiped the sweat from his brow.

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> The air circulators were not working that well in this section..<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

Then, kneeling, he punched in a common release code and the hatch came up.

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Time to go under Red Section<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->, he thought as he stepped down and closed the hatch above him.

Republican Guards almost shot him dead before he was able to run over and give their group leader a status report.


****


//The infidel flees//


Tslah Vhess nearly turned his hideously scarred face aside so as to not even look upon such a cowardly act.


//That machine will be my greatest sacrifice...//


His great living vessel, before the enemy went out of range, fired another plasma weapon vaporizing an already critically damaged frigate trying to protect the SSD's aft.


*****


Joine's hand went to his stomach as he felt the trickle of blood inside his broken battlegear and winced.


He was cut... bad

As he shook the suit off he saw that it could have been much..much worse (without it).

He spit bloody saliva at the invader's body under him and started to crawl back to the Engineering Blast Door when suddenly he heard the computer CORE's warning.


<!--EZCODE HTML START--> <font color="yellow">"Decompression: Red Section, 5 seconds.."</font><!--EZCODE HTML END-->



*****


Certain plating blew apart as the vacuum of space rushed in.

The Caprician and Republican Guards holding the corridors in Red Section were caught and pulled outward.


The unorthodox move also caught the fighting Yuuzhan Vong warriors by surprise as well as they too were caught and carried along.



****



Power levels fluctuated all across CORE's matrix as the consequences of space exposure to unprotected wiring and systems were felt shipwide.


...and in the midst of the confusion...red dots were appearing and disappearing on CORE's holographic tactical display of their retreating/regrouping situation.



*****


Corral fighters breezed through the meager covering fire provided by the Caprician ships as they charged to target the gun placements of the SSD.


Plasma lanced out...



*****


"Sir!" came another weapons officer. "Shields are slowly returning the farther from those big ships (and their basils) we get!"


<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> There was some good news..<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

The <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Blaze<!--EZCODE ITALIC END--> and it’s counterpart support vessels swerved into a starboard yaw, bringing the massive Destroyers, bow incoming to it’s retreating offenders. Meanwhile, the Caprician cruisers and frigates moved into a cover phalanx formation dead on its keel, bristling with return fire from their cannon batteries. Finally, with the least bit of organization, Cronus felt a tad control of the current situation. CORE had faithfully and efficiently dealt with the intruders, an acknowledgment report composed from its databanks. Seated at the Tactical Command Console of the bridge, the BAC hologram tactical grid displayed the opposing forces swinging into a checkerboard diagram, multiple squadrons of fighters forming defensive globes around their command cruisers. He felt a trickle of anxiety form around the small of his back.

"CORE, the intruders?"

The mechanical voice chimed in grim monotone.

"Red section has been decompressed sir, bio scans are detecting zero life signatures."

"Good, and the Caprician assemblage?"

"The honor guard was inconveniently trapped through red section."

Guilt ate his conscience. <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> That is unfortunately the price of war.<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

"High Admiral."

Cronus turned to place his attention to Khurgee, the Lieutenant’s face in scorn.

"The Vong’s main line has pulled back into the drop zero vector of the flotilla, and they’ve formed an unusual defensive diagram pulling propulsion units to impulse speeds."

Cronus glared at the BAC hologram, considering his options. He rubbed his chin in curiosity, acknowledging his officer.

"Yes... a checkerboard defensive grid, to be exact. A maneuver that requires precision on part of the flotilla’s commander."

Khurgee concurred.

"Indeed, they must have a very competent leader..."

He gave sigh of dramatic pause.

"Relay reports the task force has positioned themselves in a cover formation at our bow vector sir, and requesting for further orders."

"Issue them standard defense commission. And feed these coordinates to the entire battle group, decrypt transmission."

Reaching his hand into his vest pocket, he pulled out a gleaming data crystal, palming it to Khurgee.

"Just in case we’re forced to retreat, I want a probable secure fall back location."

An alert siren sputtered with dismay. Hostile signatures on the BAC hologram began to shift... from starboard flank of Minos; the Vong line began to push it’s way towards the rag tag defense group. Cronus peered from the bow view screens, watching the enemy front pull from their checkerboard defense grid and split into two flanks, however, the pair of main command ships continuing on their present vector. They were trying to out maneuver him.

"Khurgee, split the taskforce in pair, assign each to one of the enclosing Vong flanks."

"Yes sir, and shall I report to Navigation to pick up sublight speed to intercept those approaching cruiser?"

"Make it so, Lieutenant."