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




"They are moving over the cities!" a tracking officer shouted.


Tyscio Zier did not like the sound of that. Checking the holographic projections, the Caprician fleet was scattered by the "expansion" maneuver of the invaders and then were too slow in compensating as the enemy fleet suddenly dropped into the planet's atmosphere.

The planet's batteries could only do so much, and with the amount of energy they've been giving off they will be needing longer and longer recharge times.


"Get me Seth Vinda!" he ordered.




****



Tslah Vhess smiled wickedly as his warriors disembarked with little resistance. They had landed on the other side of the infidel capital city of Antioch.

The Caprician planetary batteries were mounted along an elevated faultline giving them tactical superiority.

He knew his warriors would be sacrificed needlessly with no infidel skulls in their grasp if they outright attacked it.

Already, he had trouble containing the Chazrach who were excitedly wanting to charge.

He touched a villip and an image of Tallien appeared.


//War Coordinator//


//Have the god's smiled on our conquest?// he asked.


Tallien's eyes danced with enjoyment at the question. //The planet is ours. It has been decreed. The seeds from Minos have hatched and the infidel fleet will no longer be a worry.//


//And their machines I face? I would dishonor my warriors to die from their heretical lights//


Tallien's face suddenly grew cruel. //Their machines will fall with trembling at the mere march of your warriors. It has also been decreed by the Gods//


Tslah nodded, satisfied. The villip choir sang the status of the Yuuzhan Vong invasion, as all their vessels began unloading their warriors, while maintaining their positions over extremely populated civilian centers.


<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> These Kapreessseeeans are weak to concern themselves with those that could not defend themselves.<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->




****



The escape pod from the <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Judicator<!--EZCODE ITALIC END--> carrying Tyscio Korban soft landed in a field. Upon exiting he could not really tell where he was in relation to the Capital or the attacks.


He wondered if there were any others from the <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Judicator<!--EZCODE ITALIC END--> who might be scattered across the land.

He vaguely felt Leia's presence ..very distant, and yet it assured him somewhat.



<!--EZCODE BOLD START--> <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> <!--EZCODE HTML START--> <font color="yellow">TYSCIO KORBAN?</font><!--EZCODE HTML END--><!--EZCODE ITALIC END--><!--EZCODE BOLD END-->



The strength of the thought made Tyscio stagger to his knees and he cried out in pain, holding his head.


"What is wrong with me?" he asked through gritted teeth.




****



"Mr. Vinda is on, Sir." and the white haired Tyscio Zier turned his attention to the monitor after gesturing to another officer to give him their regrouping status.


Capricia was going to need all the help they could get.


"Greetings, Mr. Vinda. As you can see, the enemy has entered our atmosphere making our bombardment from orbit extremely risky, with our own planetary defenses and civilians also under our guns. We are going to be launching our fighters to provide aid to our ground forces, achieve [if possible] air superiority...while striking at those monstrosities above our cities."



He leaned forward.


"Any fighter support you might be able to spare would be appreciated."




****


Gomorran Kay read the reports as the remaining satellites reported on the enemy troop numbers.


<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> 5,000,000 so far..<!--EZCODE ITALIC END--> Not necessarily that big of an army considering they faced a planet of billions but trying to ralley that big a number of Caprician Ground Forces would be an almost insurmountable task.


<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Good thing those enemy numbers are scattered... as ours are.<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->


"The local militia will fight for their homes..." Leantre interrupted.


"Yes, but will the civillian intervention help us or only get them killed?"



****



The transports under Jorrum Gerrard's control entered the atmosphere on the far side of the planet, heading straight for Gerrard's Estates.


As soon as the shuttles had landed, men came running up to unload the supplies from the New Republic.


"Two invader ships rest over Tessranda and Katani cities. They are unloading soldiers and we think they mean to hold those cities." a Parliament aide breathed out quickly, running up.


Gerrard's personal secretary concluded, "They will cut off the Minor Houses of the area if the invaders do hold those cities."


Jorrum grunted. "Those houses voted against me last season. Let them feel panic before we act [if we are able to act]."


He motioned to the them, "Come, let us head to the house and assess our options."


<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Politically, of course. How nice of Lady Skywalker to join our cause.<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->



****


"That is alot of troops," grunted Mathias to Leia.


The soldiers from the <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Judicator<!--EZCODE ITALIC END--> had landed in the perfect drop location, where other defending soldiers were gathering.


Behind them,the great Brakkis Faultline rested, the other side being at a slightly higher elevation, where the planetary defense batteries rested. If the enemy was landing to the west, the batteries to the east, and Leia's forces under the batteries on the plains, then Antioch was to the Northwest.

Fleeing civillians had come the soldier's way and they were directed to the massive connecting bridges that linked both sides of the fault or to landing platforms that carried them over.


"Ma'am?" a soldier came running up. "We've been instructed not to attack the enemy positions."


"What?" exclaimed Mathias. "Do they have an Ewok running their strategies? If we could attack now before they get situated.."

"..then our soldiers would be lying dead from all the mines laying out there between them and us." a Major, under Leia's command came up. "My Lady, we made a fortunate drop. This position (pointing to the planatary guns) has been fortified. If the invaders come our way in an attempt to hit the guns, they will pay dearly for it. First, with the mine field they will have to travel to reach us."

"Damned smart Ewok.." Mathias again grunted.


"The only areas we may move is back, over the fault and behind the guns, or North, towards the city of Antioch. The south and West have been mined."

".. of course, we might get the map and move through the field and flank them.." Mathias said thoughtfully.


The major turned to Leia. "Ma'am. The decision is yours."

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



"...the decision is yours..."

Leia sighed.

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> When wasn't it?<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

She noticed that a considerable number of the soldiers under her command had either been lending an ear to the conversation from nearby, or had come up into a growing group to listen.

"Flank them..." She echoed Matthias in a soft voice, but said no more.

She looked at the soldiers now, the grim yet determined faces, young and old alike. She saw the eagerness for action, that gleam in the eye of a soldier who is in his element. It was to them that she looked for an answer. Silently, her eyes queried as she waged a debate against herself.

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> We can stay, retreat, or advance. Two of the choices... safe, but boring or dishonerable, in a way. The third: dangerous, yet bold and cunning. Let them come to us, or go out and meet them. Which is the better plan? Which defines all of you? What are you willing to do, for yourself, for your comrade, for the better of the whole Caprician lot? What are your limits?<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

She saw what they wanted. They wanted Yuzzhan Vong blood. And they trusted her to give them the best chance possible to balance needs and wants, then come out in victory.

Well, then.

"Maps aren't good enough. You should have a full sensor readout of the fields depicting where all of the mines are... it's not that hard to do, even if you don't have one now. I don't want any 'missed mines' devastating an entire group of good soldiers by 'accident'."

Those around her only just realized that she was talking about Matthias' rather insane idea of moving through the minefield to flank the Vong, but none the less they spurred into action to quickly collect needed information.

That left Leia with nothing to do but wait... again. She looked out across the mine field to the Yuzzhan Vong forces massing on the other side.

"Hello..."

Bonadan

...VC-HQ...

I'm just a diplomat!

That was the thought that ran through Miles' own head as he quietly listened to the guard. His gaze settled onto the guard, Miles own face was set hard as he thought. Silence reached its way into the room. Miles diverted from the guard to Yana and then onto the guard again. He nodded his head up and down for a second, letting the guard know that he understood and he approved.

"Only if contact is met once again," Miles said softly, his eyes lowering to the blueprints.

Boy, this is something, isn't it?

Miles had found himself in a bad situation, then again, it was not as if he had not predicted it. He had...felt it.

Strange...

Miles took the blueprints and lightly tossed them onto the table next to Yana's comm link. His eyes fell across the table and then met Yana's gaze, a wry look stretching acorsss Miles' face.

"It seems I have found myself in a bit of a spot. Ms. Okani...and you, Ms. Okani..have a bit of a story to tell your contacts. You're very creative, I'm sure you can come up with quite the story. The second hail, I'm sure, will be made soon enough. I want you to stall them as best you can."

He motioned to the guard.

"You only get one chance, Ms. Okani, so remember that once the second hail is made."

Miles had no plan. He was the wrong man for the job, but he would handle it, Vinda Corp. depended on him and so did Mr. Vinda himself, wherever he was...

Well, Mr. Vinda, looks like I'm having about as much fun as you are now, I'm sure of it...

C4 gets in conntact with VC. The company must have taken him for dead long ago. But he thinks that they well be please with the data he has compiled on the vong. He exits orbit from his coorperate sector base. The new version of the Shadow hunter was a far cry from the original. The ship was now adorned with dovin basels. Subverted to do his bidding with cybernetics.

The droid was now armored in crab armor as well as metal armor. The cloned armor out fited him wonderfully. Aboard he had several samples of his cloned vong weapons. ready to be subverted to VC scruteny.

Sending a holo recording.

"Mr. Vinda I am pleased to report that I have not met my end but I have found many things that would be of interest to you in the near future if you are willing to see them."

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




*Vinda nodded in agreement as he listened to GomorranKay's request,a slight glance towards Omar was all that was needed ...*

"...You have your fighters Mr Gomorrankay ..."

*As Gomorrankay disappeared off-screen, Vinda observed the battle from the confines of his chair om the bridge...

The line of VC ships were holding against the Vong onslaught, they had even managed to push them back a little, at a heavy cost though. Ships immediately on the front-line were becoming heavily battered. All would need intensive repairs.

Vinda's eyes narrowed as he watched VC's fighters launch in waves of squads, heading for Capricia's surface, the turbolaser-fire had virtually stopped and as a result they were fighting ship to ship. The fight for Capricia itself, had now turned to ground combat. His thoughts were now with the population below.

Omar caught Vinda's attention...*

"Sir, we have another transmission, priority level 1..."

*Vinda raised an eyebrow...*

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> ..what now!?!...<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

"..patch it through..."

*Vinda's eyes widened as he heard C4...*

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> ...at last!...<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

"..not met your end?... glad to hear it!, where the Frell! have you been!?!..."

*calming down after his initial outburst, he sunk back into his chair...*

"...of course...anything that you can produce that can be of any help would be advantageous C4....(his voice sounded more concerned )...have you heard anything from Achinta?..."

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



<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> A hazy yet unmistakable face of Tyscio Korban appears..<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->



<!--EZCODE HTML START--> <font color="yellow">Greetings. My name is *untranslated* Korban, of Tyscio Province. I am the Clannus Prime of The Commonwealth Union of Worlds."</font><!--EZCODE HTML END-->



<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> A sad smile crosses his face.<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->


<!--EZCODE HTML START--> <font color="yellow">"That may mean nothing to you and if so, then we are truly dead. I apologize in advance, or belatedly (depending on your point of view), but this recording unit is not equipped with interactive sentience. There is simply too much information to cover...or uncover, to allow for new input algorithms. But I digress..


As I said, I am Clannus Prime of the Commonwealth Union of Worlds, or "Union", as we called it. Imagine! Every race of the galaxy living in peace. Imagine, every world linked by common bonds of understanding.. good will .. and mutual support.

Yes, my friends, a galactic utopia. Our science was at it's peak, our capabilities rivalling our very imagination."</font><!--EZCODE HTML END-->


<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> The figure's eyes were set as if seeing in his mind's eye the conditions he talked so longingly about. Then the light disappeared from his eyes.<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

<!--EZCODE HTML START--> <font color="yellow">So, you ask, 'What happened? Was Paradise Lost? Did Paradise Fall? This utopia?'"</font><!--EZCODE HTML END-->

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> The figure paused.<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

<!--EZCODE HTML START--> <font color="yellow">"It was pulled down by the most insidious of threats. Ourselves.

For you see, the Union existed outside the Nephys. The Union, <!--EZCODE BOLD START--> we<!--EZCODE BOLD END-->, rose and triumphed before the Nephys.

Our powers were our own.

At the time the Nephys were discovered, the Throne World of the Union sat on four cornerstones. For worlds of immense strength:

<!--EZCODE CENTER START--><!--EZCODE CENTER END-->

Know that this recording unit was placed on Elroodia; that you've stood on such a cornerstone world.

With these four worlds, the Throne commanded the galaxy. It was during this time that my grandfather, Stettin IV, of Tyscio Province, first discovered the Nephys threat. He was, however unknown at the time, already too late.

We, as of yet, still do not know exactly how or where the Nephys first originated from... whether even born from our galaxy or not. The popular belief was that the Nephys travelled the cosmos from another galaxy in search of something ...something found here. Acceptance maybe?

Whatever the case, we do not know.

By the time the threat was truly realized, the Nephys had settled itself into everything, as if being an integral part of our lives since the beginning.

Soon, the manifestations came signalling the start of unrest and the Fall.

Within these archives is our history, Our struggles and dreams."</font><!--EZCODE HTML END-->

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> The figure's eyes became distant.<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->


<!--EZCODE HTML START--> <font color="yellow"> The Union will rise..</font><!--EZCODE HTML END-->



The message seemed to garble and fade. Herridian looked at his fellow scientists as they contemplated the recording's words. "Korban, of Tyscio Province?" he spoke.


"Tyscio Korban," a fellow replied.

An eyebrow rose and Herridian contemplated this.

"The mines are dead," a soldier reported, interrupting the meeting. Herridian had asked for updates on their status.

"Damned Marzullos! Everythings Mines! Mines! Mines!" the soldier ranted.

"Not unlike Leantre's Scorpions." Herridian commented.

"What I don't get," another scientist interjected bringing the conversation back to the recording, "is who these 'Nephys' are? Sounds fierce to bring down something as reportedly as large as this Union?"

"Nephys?" the solder asked surprised.

"Yes. Some creature that destroyed an ancient civilization." Herridian clarified. "Maybe they died out.."

"Sir?" the soldier volunteered, "It's not a creature."

"What? How do you know?"

"Sir, my great grandmother spoke ancient Caprician. She was from a mountain clan."

"Go on," Herridian encouraged when the young soldier's voice broke at being the subject of attention by the academicians.

"Well, Sir, Nephys in standard means: 'force'."

"The Force?"

Herridian's other eyebrow went up.

"The force.. " he whispered.

<!--EZCODE HTML START--> <font color="yellow"><!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> It was pulled down by the most insidious of threats. Ourselves.

Our powers were our own.<!--EZCODE ITALIC END--></font><!--EZCODE HTML END-->


<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> The force..<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->


Then Herridian cleared his throat, "Best speed to Cuzzko, soldier."

The young man nodded.

"Aye Sir."

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



Mathias threw a grin to the Jedi politician. "How did you think we make our maps? Paper and pencil?"


He pointed to another soldier and bellowed, "Get that scanner over here, you!"


The soldier scrambled upon command and soon was tied into the Command Center for the area, located under the battery line.


"Downloading mine positions now, sir."


"Visors on!" shouted Mathias and everyone checked their utility belt.


Leia followed suite and noted a very thin receiver connected to the side of the visors.

The first thing she saw was that the visors cut down on the glare of the sun. A small adjustment button on her left (near her ear) seemed to make a section zoom in a bit.


Then the mine position information was linked to their visors and suddenly, Leia saw the deadly machines scattered about.


"Tread carefully," Mathias muttered.



The soldiers moved stealthily through the mine fields in an effort to harass the landing invaders.




****


"Great Clan Mothers! They are moving through the mine field!!"


Leantre Vio's rather tired looking face spread into a slow admiring smile at the tracking officer's outburst.

"That crazy Jedi witch!" Tyscio Zier shouted over the communications system also overhearing the outburst of the tracking officer. His visage turned to the Regent and grinned too, "Are you sure that woman doesn't have Caprician blood in her?"


Gomorran allowed the briefest of chuckles at the initiative the Jedi Master displayed. "Be prepared to cover their retreat. There's no way they will be able to hold that ground with the landing capitals ships nearby (which were still unloading) but they will be able to hurt the enemy."


The Regent turned to Tyscio Zier on the screen, "How's the fleet?"


The white haired young man sighed, running his hands through the short cropped hair, "We've taken a beating but managable. The Vinda Corporation's help has been invaluable. You should see relief fighters heading your way."


Gomorran nodded. "Do the same, Tyscio. I need all fighters planetside. See what you can do about bring their hovering ships down."

"Even if on top of our own cities?"

"Perhaps it may come to that. However, focus on those less...err strategically situated."

"Will do."

"How's the Judicator?"

"No response. We are t i g o ........"


The transmission suddenly went dark.


"Zier?"


"Sir! Something exiting from hyperspace! It's.. it's.. Clan's Ghosts, what the hell is that!?"




****


An orange cloud suddenly appeared as if projected from hyperspace....and thousand of slivers of yorik coral exited the orange haze moving quickly toward the fleet.


"Shield status?" Zier shouted as people gripped their stations in anticipation.


<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Never a bloody break...<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->


But these yorik coral objects were not ships in the classic sense. A Caprician destroyer moved to intercept and was immediately rammed by the slivers, exploding on contact. So many, in fact, that the destroyer exploded.


Tysico Zier shielded is eyes as the bright flash of the explosion shined through the plexiglass.


"Shockwave coming in!"


"Brace!" Zier shouted and people held on as the <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Tribune<!--EZCODE ITALIC END--> rocked.


Zier had no time to react as immediately following the wave, more yorik coral slivers...


<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> missles?<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->


..struck the fleet (including Vinda Corp's line).





****



//Master Shaper, I await your command// spoke Vuas.


//The sacrifices made from the first infidel colony was unsatisfactory, Vuas// Tallien spoke sharply.


The female servant of Yun-Harla, the trickster goddess, met his gaze..even through the villip.


<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Amazing how she accomplishes that.<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->


//Your yorik children are dishonored and therefore are being erradicated along with the human trash.//


She tilted her head admiringly.


//Your concern is beyond measure for those you create, Emminence. You allow them to grasp at honor by striking the infidel fleet and make their own sacrifice to Yun-Yammka.//


//The God of War will, of course, reject such a paltry sacrifice but the children will die happy.// Tallien concluded.


//Of course. Minos// her mouth crinkled slightly at the human name, //is abandoned.//


//When the infidel fleet lies dying at your feet, join me.// Tallien ordered.


//It shall be as you command, Emminence.//



****



Tyscio Korban had hitched a ride with a civilian driving his aircar like a madman.


"Sky is getting dark to the East." Korban noted.



"Bloody invaders! They think they can come back at us do they??" the driver patted his government issued rifle blaster propped against his leg.


"I need to get to Antioch.." Tyscio started but the man interrupted.

"There is no Antioch. Only the Front. Seems three battlegroups of those bloody invaders are all over the area. Another group is over Sealine, another reported near Natabb, one over Hestia, one over ummm.. Galatia. There are more on the other side of the planet but that's the latest I heard."


"Think they have enough soldiers?" he joked weakly. "I need to get to the Antioch Front then."


"No can do, Mister. Sealine is where we are headed."


"You've family there?"


"Yes.." the man replied.


"Then let's help them! My name is Tyscio.. Tyscio Korban."


The man took his hand, "Mescian Gant."


"Thanks for the ride, Gant."


"Don't thank me yet...looks like the darkness is closing.."


Tyscio looked up and a sudden fear shot through him.


<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Corralskippers! There must be thousands of thousands!<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->


"I think our situation just got worse."


"No.. the Regent's situation just got worse. Those birds are heading for the Antioch Front." the driver clarified and increased the aircar's speed.


Sealine City was in the distance.

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

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Negotiations...<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->




*After the feasting, Richter and Ordobis had retired with a few of the Sevari's other elders to discuss the joint future of both the Sevari, and Vinda-Corp itself. While these talks were being held the remainder of Richter's crew, had already made great steps in recovering all they needed to repair their floating debris of a ship.
The talks themselves had been slow , and heavy going, but fundamental progess had been achieved, the Sevari, despite their self-inflicted Primitive lifestyle, certainly were no fools. On the contrary, they had turned out to be a very shrewd species indeed, but if there was one thing Richter excelled at, it was negotiation.

The group had encircled themselves around a small table, and Richter had indeed had quite a job of convincing one or two of the more conservative Elders of Vinda-Corp's intentions, it was nothing personal, nor a reflection on Vinda-Corp itself. The Sevari were suspicious and wary of all strangers, especially those who used advanced technology.

Richter had listened to what had seemed like an endless tirade of precisely why the Sevari should not have anything to do with any strangers, including Vinda-Corp. Richter had learned the last remnants of the Empire's presence on Sevarcos had disappeared not long after the Battle of Endor, the Sevari themselves had not exactly mourned the loss.

However the disolution of the Empire had also bought the disolution of trade, the Sevari, although indeed resourceful and independent, just did not have the contacts or knowledge. Many of the Sevari had even suggested there was no need for them to ever associate themselves with the rest of the universe.
This was not the view of most however, including Ordobis himself, although tribe-like and akin to the simple life all of which that entails, he himself acknowledged the need for trade and commerce outside of their own planet.
Ordobis was also one of the very few Sevari to have ever set foot off Sevarcos itself, thus had a greater understanding of what both delights and dangers lay before them.

Richter waited for one of the Elders to finish, then after acknowledgement, stood up to address the company in front of him.*

"...Clansmen, Vinda-Corp has the connections and contacts needed to supply the universe with your product. I understand you do not wish for any more outside interference
than what is truly nessecary therefore I can guarantee Vinda-Corp will keep disruption down to the absolute minimum. We also understand your concerns for your workers, my suggestion here is that for the more dangerous operations, droids will be used.
We do not see your people as expendable..."

*As he spoke Richter gauged the reactions on each of the Elders present...*

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> ....hard house...<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

"...Bottom line is, you need someone with the network, knowledge, contacts, and muscle, we can provide that. In return Vinda-Corp can offer you Protection from foreign attacks, medicines, increased trade, and most importantly, the safe preservation of your rich, and cherished culture. The march of progress need not undermine your beliefs, but we do ask for sole trade rights..."

*A slight murmur fell across the room, an Elder whispered something into Ordobis's ear, nodding slightly he raised his hand indicating he wished to speak.*

"..Elegant words Corporation man, I know of Vinda-Corp, and its dealings within the Corporate Sector, so you need not play the salesman with us. After all if we did not feel we could trust you , we would have killed you the moment you set foot here...

(he smiled faintly)..

..but we are also not fools, we certainly have no love for the Empire, but it did provide us with protection. Our biggest issue is with Sovereignty, we would be happy to deal with you and only you,after all it makes our life easier.
However not at the cost of our own power to govern."

*The Elder looked at Richter straight in the eyes as he spoke...Richter took a moment to reflect on what the man had to say before answering carefully...*

"...This, and I speak on behalf of Mr Vinda himself , would not be an issue with us, what you speak of is only natural , Vinda-Corp would not wish to meddle in the affairs of your people or your Government. I propose that a representative from your people acting on your behalf shall be inducted to the board of directors, this way your people's concerns shall always be heard.
The only issue is that Vinda-Corp would not want to invest heavily in Sevarcos and your people, only to have the trade-link absolved. This is why I push for Sole-rights, otherwise it would not be commercially viable.
Your people , your Government, your way of life , shall remain unaffected, you will run things as you see fit, Vinda-Corp will only oversee the spice industry. I also propose that a comittee be instigated as a forum to discuss the immediate concerns of your people. Perhaps a re-establishment in sorts of the old Spice-lords..."

*Richter sat back down as he awaited a response, Ordobis, had listened intently throughout..*

"...whom shall head this......committee..."

*Richter leaned forward to reply...*

"..Elders from the clans involved, yourself, and myself..."

*Ordobis nodded in solemn approval...*

"..That is acceptable..
and as for sole - rights, you have our word, which is bound by blood.
Us Sevari are honour bound by both our law, and our own honour to keep our word. We shall not trade with any other, unless either ourselves or Vinda-Corp shall cease to be, or either party fails to keep each others word...."

*Ordobis's eye's narrowed and looked almost straight through Richter...*

"..and your word, Corporation man, had better be kept.."

*in almost an instant the seriousness from the Elder's face dissolved, and was replaced with a wry smile...*

"...we also have agreed to your proposition on the use of land, we have marked out our most sacred areas, as per our agreement, your people shall stay out of these...as long as you avoid building on these areas, you can build your precious spaceports..."

*Richter, looking somewhat relieved , sunk back into his chair..but straightened up again the second that Ordobis passed over the map , Richter studied it, then nodded in agreement...*

"...You have my, and Vinda-Corp's word, Sir..."

*The Elder nodded , then glanced over to two clansmen who had quietly made their way into the room unseen and unheard by Richter. One restrained Richter , while the other grabbed his hand...Panicking slightly, Richter glanced toward the Elder who had walked over to him.
Ordobis opened a small box, and retrieved a large, highly decorated ceremonial knife...

As he watched the preceedings, more than alarmed, Richter's eyes almost popped out of his sockets, and his breathing could suddenly be heard thru the breathing apparatus as Ordobis reached out to clutch his hand. The Elder slowly inflicted a small cut across the palm of Richter's hand. Richter winced as he felt the warm, small, scarlet trail trickle down his wrist.
Ordobis performed the same act on himself, then clasped Richter's Hand firmly within his....one of the Clansmen wound a rope around the mens hands, and Ordobis spoke...*

"..on this day we give our word, we are now honour-bound by our very own blood..."

*..and as Richter felt the sharp pain shoot through his arm, he smiled nervousley as his world seemed to spin, the amount of Spice in the Elder's blood was enough to send him into a state of near narcosis....all he could remember before he passed out.. was the same thought rushing through his head...*


<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> ...couldn't we just sign a contract?.....<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

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

The soldiers had almost reached the other side of the minefield, unnoticed. The Yuzzhan Vong were still preoccupied with matters within their own midsts.

Leia had figured the Vong would not be stupid enough as to charge blindly over the land containing the minefield, especially with the defenders so specifically not positioning themselves there, instead choosing a positon further back.

But now, maybe with their enemy appearing to walk freely around the death zone, the Vong would get antsy and careless in the heat of battle...

She stepped out of the minefield and smiled, partially from relief.

They took temporary cover behind a large, smoking hunk of debris that had fallen from the sky not too long ago.

Leia toggled the comm in her helmet on.

"There's a breach in the forming defense line where the landing craft right there hasn't finished unloading yet."

Matthias broke in, he had been looking the other way.

"Look how they're moving en masse coming off of those things, too."

Leia grinned as a hole formed in the back of the transport whose sector they were about to hit and Voung poured out in a great wave.

"Let's bang 'em"

"Got it" said a deep male voice from behind, and two of the larger men in the company unshouldered and assembled their burdenous shoulder fired launchers, and loaded them.

"....now"

The two men stepped out of cover, aimed, and fired high explosive(yet economically compact) rockets into the crowd of Vong coming off of the landing craft. Explosions ripped through the ship, decimating the Vong in the ship, injuring ones coming off of it, and throwing others nearby off of their feet.

That got their attention. They just didn't know from where the fire had come from.

Leia and the rest of the soldiers locked long range scopes onto the barrels of their rifles, began taking precise potshots at the swarming Yuzzhan Vong, individual Vong fell beside their partners, suddenly dead, further unsettling them.

The tracers on the blaster shots finally gave the Caprician's position away. It became telltale when another two rockets fired with a bright flare from the group and slammed themselves into another group of Yuzzhan Vong.

"Glad we found those!" Matthias' voice was almost lost over the din of the battle.

"Too bad they're antiques" Leia replied, then rose and hunched over, began to make her way down the line. Matthias spared a few seconds to look after her, since the Vong were still in an unorganized riot scene before them.

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Now where was she going?<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

" I have heard nothing of Vega since we parted was in battle. I have first hand information and a vong shaper. These are to coordinates of my base of opperations that I have been working from."

Planet: Thosa
System:D ostra
Sector:Corporate,
Environment:Barren rock

"The base is manned by droids that are refuges from vong planets. They maintain it for me. There you well find a vong prisonor. A shaper is what it is called. Find out what else you can. He may be more reasonible with organics."

"I am heading for Caprician space. I need to face the vong they seek to destroy all technology. The result being the destruction and extinction of all Artificial beings. And that I cannot allow. Stay in touch if you need any thing else. C4 out."