<!--EZCODE BOLD START--> Still on Capricia...<!--EZCODE BOLD END-->


Leia fumbled with the glass for a moment before drinking from it, momentarily ignoring the man standing in the doorway, forcing him to wait on her to finish.

The strict, serious expression on the little girl's face faded into a pleased smile as she found her task successfully completed, and she beamed. Leia smiled in return and handed the glass back. Without a word, the girl placed it on the bedside stand and climbed back into the chair she had previously occupied. Leia took a moment to reguard her thoughtfully. The girl was so well mannered... too innocent to be stuck in a situation like this.

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> There are too many casualties in this war... we can only hope the invasion can be stopped before the whole world is destroyed, taking all of these lives... so many of them like hers: innocent, undeserving.<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

More somber now, Leia turned her attention to the man standing in the doorway. His tall frame filled the doorway, and she squinted at him. Not recognizing the man, Leia didn't know what to think of him. Curious (naturally), Leia countered the man's question with one of her own.

"Who are you?"

The soldier of Scipio Clan continued to polish his sniper rifle and perched a bit higher, began to talk to the man called Omar.



"There was a man once who believed in a Caprician God. Very old, hardly thought of nowadays. He delved into the deeper writings and perceived what he thought was the "will" of this god.


Basically, it was a moral, upstanding, 'good' life that did not interfere with his conscience though perhaps it interfered with his perceived 'freedoms of choice'.


But that was ok. For he was not living for his own selfish desires but for those of his god. Self-sacrificing is synonymous with religion usually anyway (or should be).



The man had a wife, two children and a good life. Admired, respected, even by those who did not live by a code they thought was out-dated. The man was neither fanatical, obstinant nor condescending.


He had a zeal to be sure. But a zeal to lead as best a life as he could.


His beliefs told him that those who lived a way of life contrary to his "code" would eventually suffer for their choices in life.


He tried to tell others about it, acting as anyone else who identifies a danger to their fellow man would. Of course, with such dangers, it is up to others to give ear or not. But, in his living, he would feel remiss if he did not make the attempt. Some labeled him as self righteous, others as an overachiever, but for the most part, as a man who did a 'good work'.


What happened?"


The soldier looked up from polishing his weapon at the Vinda man.



"The First Invasion.


The man's family was killed by orbital bombardment and he was devestated. He thought his God had failed him....had failed to protect his own. The man cursed the ancient god and fell in line with the general thinking of the people of Capricia."



He smiled looking up at the mist gathering. Thessonia was at the base of the Highlands and the morning mists that the location was famous for were starting to coalesce.



"Mr. Omar, I have found that while people believe differently about things, <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> everybody<!--EZCODE ITALIC END--> has a religion. People devote themselves to a variety of things whether those things are animate or not.


The Capricians, though disdaining the belief in a 'superior entity', are no different for they ultimately worship themselves. They believe in self reliance and feel that their destiny is shaped by the powers they themselves possess.


I am not talking of the mystical powers of the Jedi, though there are myths. There are always myths."


The sniper, as he spoke these words became sad.


"It is this Caprician belief, this 'religion', that puts them in their current predictament, I feel. It is the reason why the war goes badly for us. The reason why our forces will stand for a while and then retreat.



<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Because they rely on themselves and <!--EZCODE BOLD START--> know<!--EZCODE BOLD END-->...<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->" the man stopped as if struck by a sudden thought. "<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> No.. and <!--EZCODE BOLD START--> recognize<!--EZCODE BOLD END--> nothing higher.


Unfortunately, what is facing them <!--EZCODE BOLD START--> is<!--EZCODE BOLD END--> so much more powerful..so much more greater.<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->


So, where does hope go when everything you put hope in fails?


In the First Invasion, the invaders smashed our world utterly. We were beaten and we knew it.


<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> We knew it!<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->


And with the fatalism and clarity that comes with total helplessness, we stood fast and fought to the end.


And in the end, the invaders left.


Outwardly, it seemed that the Caprician belief in self-reliance stood firm to the onslaught. Inwardly, though, everyone knew this was not the case for the invaders had left of their own volition.


The effects of that invasion were catastrophic on the Caprician and physically they were healed during the Reconstruction and the return of the Clans. But five years is too short a time to wipe away all the marks.


Too short a time to forget that gnawing of the conscience.


To forget that no matter how powerful you are, there is always something..<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> someone<!--EZCODE ITALIC END--> greater.


For all our gaining of knowledge and wealth, there is always someone with more."



The man chuckled softly.


"So the aliens have come back. Capricians had healed their land but not their minds and so were defeated mentally before the first enemy shot was fired.


They have what all those who claim to disbelieve in a god, in something greater than themselves have. They have that lack of hope that suddenly shows itself at the end of the most stout of evolutionist's life.

That ugly realization that this is "it".


This invasion is "natural selection" at it's finest.


Where are the higher critics now?


Where are the cynical witticisms that intellectuals pride themselves on?"


The man's smile turned slightly bitter.


"In the end, when all that you love is thrown down before your eyes, suddenly how hollow such 'lofty' thoughts seem.

Knowing that there is no greater meaning to anything..

Knowing that you have done your best, given your all, and, despite everything that you have failed to do or see in your lifetime, the simple truth dawns on you with shocking reality...


that..


<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> This is it and there is nothing more!<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->"


Dawn was approaching.


"A wife that no longer would feel love nor love in return. Children fallen before their natural time, never to live their lives to the fullest, never to fulfill their dreams, never having the chance..."


The man's voice became quiet.


"If the man were to die, tell me? Who would remember them? Of what would their life be worth with no one to recognize that they even drew breathe?


I ask the intellectuals, <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> <!--EZCODE BOLD START--> is there nothing more<!--EZCODE BOLD END--><!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->?


Is this the culmination of our "higher criticisms"?


What is the point of destroying "God" with our logical, if circular, reasonings if we replace it with nothing?


Where is the purpose to life?


And if life has no purpose.."


The soldier turned to the direction Mr. Seth Vinda had walked off too, "..why do we fight so hard to protect it?"



People were beginning to move about their location in readying their departure.


"Well, Mr. Omar, I hope your beliefs give you the strength to endure and the hope to overcome the dispair of what our logical minds and eyes tell us. My name is Marik, of Scipio Clan and I thank you for lending an ear."


The soldier jumped down from his perch, his rifle slung around his back.


"If the great God or gods were to look down on all of this, an atheistic people watching their views pulled down before their eyes even as they set out to tear heaven asunder and throw the God's well meaning purposes back into their faces, I would hope they would look upon us with pity."

The soldier started to walk.


"For we will surely have earned it."


He pointed to the activity not far away.


"It seems as if we are preparing to leave."





<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> And the Caprician military forces under the command of Regent Leantre Vio left the city of Thessonia for the Jaktol Province and the planet's largest construction facility. A large number of refugees and civilians accompanied them.


Infected soldiers and civilians remained in Thessonia to buy them time and protect the entrance to the Highlands, for reports were growing that the invader's capital ships had regrouped over the fallen Religous Command Ship and were once more on the move.

To the East the ground warriors poured over the lands of Capricia enroute to the Highlands intercepting and cutting off any of the population or military personnel who were trying to make it to the haven.


From the South the vessels of war moved from Antioch and Tallien's fallen ship, following the route the defenders of the destroyed turbolaser battery line had taken.

All routes would eventually take them to Thessonia.


Those remaining in the city knew it even if those in the Highlands ignored it.




<!--EZCODE BOLD START--> They rely on themselves and recognize nothing higher.<!--EZCODE BOLD END-->


<!--EZCODE BOLD START--> Is there nothing more?<!--EZCODE BOLD END--><!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

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

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Unknown Governmental Facility<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->




"...we have them sir.."

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> "excellent, send them in..."<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->


Andersan peered over the escorting Guard's shoulder as he overheard the voice that came through the man's Comm-link. The Guard threw him a threatening stare , and a wry smile followed it...

"...he's been expecting you lot..."

As the Guard chuckled hoarsely to himself, Andersan glanced back questioningly behind him, to both Yana and Miles who were following , all under the watchful eye of several security officers. The entourage stopped outside a large solid looking set of doors, and as the guard punched in the code, they slid aside slowly, with a low murmur, and the trio were ushered inside, leaving only two guards waiting patiently by the doors.

The large circular room was elaborately decorated, with fine silks and fabrics adorning both the walls , and the floors. Despite the dim lighting, one could still pick out the expensive , exotic looking ornaments that were strategically nestled in small alcoves that appeared at seemingly random points. Everything inside it seemed to focus, and lead the eye to a large grand-looking desk, which seemed to be made from some kind of black stone.

"...ah Mr Johnson....we meet at last.
... I wonder just how many paths have crossed for you to be standing here before me now...

....life's bitter sweet poetry, wouldn't you say?..."

The voice came from a dark figure seated behind the desk, his features barely visible, until he leaned forward , revealing a thin, dark-haired man with unusually, contrasting, piercing blue eyes. He looked to be in his fifties , the tired wrinkles, like tiny canyons seemed to be deeply embedded around his eyes. As he talked his clothing swished with the smallest of movement, a mass of regal-looking silks and well tailored apparel of deep blue and azure.

As all three all remained silent, the figure smiled a little, catching Miles's somewhat confused gaze, the man turned his attention to Yana...

"...I must congratulate you on a job well done, Ms Okani, once more you have proven yourself an exceptional operative indeed..."

Yana , glanced back towards both Miles and Andersan , then looked away before either of the two could read her face, she simply walked to the side of the table, nodding in acknowledgement towards the figure. A much angered Andersan shouted at her incredulosly.

"...you backstabbing piece of Krif! I knew it!..."

The moment the words escaped his lips , the seated man nodded once, sharply to one of the guards, who promptly ran up behind Andersan, and struck him hard against his head with the butt of his rifle. The force of which sent him reeling to the floor clutching his head with both hands, grunting in pain. A look of immense satisfaction seemed to radiate from the figure's face...

"..Mr Andersan....you have been both an annoyance and a worry , I don't mind saying...but you are too late, as usual"

As Andersan looked up towards the man , his face grimacing still hurting from the blow, he gritted his teeth, as he seethed in anger.

"...yes, thats right, I know all about your pathetic attempt to warn Vinda....
because of your interference all the time and effort I put into agent Silver's coaching, and training, has been wasted ...you were lucky to escape me the first time, but you shall not do so again...as for our "mutual friend", she will be terminated, like the traitor she is , once I have what I need..."

The figure turned back to Miles, and smiled faintly

"..forgive me Miles, I apologise for the vulgarity, and also for which the manner you were bought here. Allow me to introduce myself, I am Kalatan Aramaya, EXO of the Corporate Sector Authority, but before you judge me Miles, there is something important we must discuss.

...you see there is a great deal you do not know, and I suggest you take a seat , for it will not be easy for you to hear...."

Kalatan gestured to a chair opposite the desk, and as Miles stayed standing , he nodded a little....and paused for a moment, as if contemplating how to go about saying his next sentence...

"...very well...I shall come straight to the point....

...You were told your parents died in an accident, weren't you Miles?....I'm afraid that is untrue ...."

Flicking a small panel open upon his desk, Kalatan pressed a small switch , and with a slight whirring noise, a flat-monitor emerged from the ceiling, and as he went to activate it, he glanced back up to Miles for a second....

".... but don't take my word for it...see for yourself..."

With a flurry of static , several images from multiple camera sources appeared, and as Miles watched blankly in silence, the grainy black and white footage showed the inside of Bonadan South East II space-port. The mass of different races , inside its distinct interior, unmistakable. The date, burned onto the footage .... <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Mile's nineteenth birthday...<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

Kalatan selected one camera footage in particular, and as Miles studied it closer. he realised he was looking at a younger looking Vinda, a woman he did not know, and...

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> ..His parents...<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

As the footage ran on, Kalatan flicked to another camera source, which showed the small group , all <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> except<!--EZCODE ITALIC END--> Vinda, walk onto the gantry into a waiting shuttle...

..a few moments later the footage turned into just a bright white flash...

Some of the footage on several of the camera's stopped , probably due to their destruction , while others still carried on depicting both the panic, and the chaos that ensued throughout the entire spaceport, and many people with severe injuries could just about be made out stumbling through the smoke and debris...

Kalatan paused the footage, and leaned forward to look Miles straight in the eyes...

"...Your parents were murdered...


<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> ...by Vinda...<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->"

Roonadan

Unknown Governmental Facility

"...he's been expecting you lot..."

If the guard had been hoping to get any type of reaction, he was only met unsatisfied. The same could be said for Andersan as he glanced back at Miles and Yana. The two mens' gazes did not meet as Miles stared blankly at the solid set of doors.

Miles, though he did not show it, was impressed with the lavishly looking room that he had found himself entering into. Despite his interests to observe what was before him, Miles found that his eyes would not allow him to do any searching or exploring of any kind. Instead Miles found his focus to be centered on a rather large desk, which looked just as lavish as the rest of the room.


"...ah Mr Johnson....we meet at last.
... I wonder just how many paths have crossed for you to be standing here before me now...

....life's bitter sweet poetry, wouldn't you say?..."

The voice had obviously came from the man that was seatted behind the desk, but Miles could not see him. However, that did not mean that the young diplomat did not have his eyes settled on where they needed to be, right on Mr. Aramaya.

When the man leaned forward, Miles directly caught his gaze. It was a gaze that seemed to shift, but only for a moment as Miles took the time to observe the man in person.

A well off man, a man that perhaps wanted the finest of materials and the best of everything. Well groomed. A man of persistence no doubt. A man that expected nothing short of the best, and if that was not accomplished, all that did not please this man, were doomed.

This is what Miles had seen when he looked at Kalatan Aramaya. The man that wanted it all, the fortune, the fame, and the glory...

Aramaya's words were met with silence. That is until Mr. Aramaya let his attention fall onto Yana.

"...I must congratulate you on a job well done, Ms Okani, once more you have proven yourself an exceptional operative indeed..."

Miles immediately let his gaze fall toward Yana, who in turn, looked straight away. Miles gaze however, did not leave her presence.

Shame on you if you fooled me once, shame on me if you fooled me twice. Later on...you'll see.

Miles did not bother to react in the same fashion as Andersan. There was no point into reacting at all, he already knew what the consequences would be for doing so. Sometimes Miles was one step ahead of the game, and sometimes he wasn't.

He knew darn well though that Andersan would have his say. Bold and blunt Mr. Andersan.

"...you backstabbing piece of Krif! I knew it!..."

Miles never spoke out, silence was always met. Silence never followed in his thoughts, not once.


Why did you bother, Andersan? Is it really worth the effort? You should not have wasted your energy and your breath. You should have saved it for someone who cares. This man doesn't care, and neither does Yana. To them, we're just pawns.

Miles gaze fell onto Aramaya once again, and he watched the man nod. He knew what a slight nod of the head meant.

Miles never looked away from Aramaya, even when he heard the butt of the riffle strike Andersan's head. No, Miles was too busy looking at the satisfied look that drew onto Mr. Aramaya's face. He was still met with Miles' silence, his thoughts made perfectly clear what he did not express.

You're not good enough, Andersan. That's what he's trying to tell you. No doubt that blow will be followed through with words. Words to let you know just how little value you hold with him. To let you know how unsatisfied he is with you.

"..Mr Andersan....you have been both an annoyance and a worry , I don't mind saying...but you are too late, as usual."

Miles let his gaze waver away from Kalatan and onto the now pain stricken Andersan. He watched Andersan grimace, and grit his teeth, angry.

How lost are you, Andersan? Do you think he cares? You're wasting your time.

Kalatan's words to Andersan only seemed to stir up more confusion for the diplomat. He was puzzled by the mention of the "mutual friend", and he could not help but wonder if Kalatan was talking about Yana or someone else, someone that he did not know about.

Kalatan turned back to Miles, and what would follow next would be completely unexpected, and would very much catch Miles by surprise. Perhaps what would follow would even shatter what little good he had in this world for himself.

The world would cease to exist as Miles knew his world to be...

The man introduced himself to Miles, his first mistake...

He offered Miles a seat, his second mistake...

The third mistake, he mentioned Miles' parents. These mistakes would be followed through with complete devastation, though it would never show on Miles face. No, Miles had too much pride within himself to let Kalatan be satisfied.

Miles watched the flat-monitor emerge from the ceiling, his gaze immediately fell there, and locked onto the monitor. He closely watched the images that played before him, not missing any details, big or small.

The diplomat, as he watched, was not sure what startled him more...Seeing the footage of his parents fatal death, or recognizing the younger version of Vinda. It did not matter, he'd seen it all, and he had not wanted to. What choice had he had?

He felt like he was living in the moment, and he was there, in time, in history. This moment would be embedded in his brain forever....

And as Kalatan paused the footage, all Miles could think of to be was mad. He was mad at Vinda, yet for some reason, it was not because his parents were dead. No, those other reasons were planted firm in his mind.

He knew my parents. He never told me, and I never knew. They look just like me, and I, just like them...

After a moment, Miles turned his head to look back at Kalatan, looking him straight in the eyes. Miles eyes were full of emptiness, confusion, but Miles would never give Aramaya
the satisfaction of letting him see his suffering, nor his loss.

"...Your parents were murdered...


...by Vinda..."

He'd been lied to, or he was made to believe so....but who knew if what Kalatan was telling him were true or not. He did not know, and he was not going to take this man's word for it, no how, no way. He'd go to Vinda himself, and he'd talk. It was the only way.

Kalatan was given the silent treatment for several moments, Miles just staring at him, his gaze unwavering. His mind, busy at work.

It's not true! It's a set up...all of it!

Miles did not want to believe, he could not. Vinda was one of very few that meant something to him. Miles looked at Vinda like a son would look at their own father. A father that Miles did not have....


Miles let his body tighten up, his face settling hard as he continued to look at Kalatan. Miles reacted, but it was not a reaction that Kalatan himself would be expecting.

There was no emotion found in Miles voice as he spoke.

"What do you want from me, Mr. Aramaya?..."

<!--EZCODE BOLD START--> Mytus VII<!--EZCODE BOLD END-->

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Hyperspace reversion<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->



The stars seemed to leap forward momentarily, as the
infiltrator slipped seemlessly back into realspace, just outside the Mytus system. Followed in turn by <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Tomahawk<!--EZCODE ITALIC END--> Squadron.

As each pilot rang through over the comms, Kaneda shifted in his seat slightly as he listened to the squadron leader make his concerns known...

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> "...Mytus VII?...theres only one reason why we would come here, but with all due respect sir , Star's end facilty was destroyed some time ago..."<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

Kaneda smiled , and replied...

"...that <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> was<!--EZCODE ITALIC END--> correct Tomahawk leader, but time moves quickly, and so does the CSA, when their interests are at stake. Imagine my surprise when we found they had rebuilt it, check the intel I uploaded to your fighter....

It seems they considered the <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> project<!--EZCODE ITALIC END--> too useful to dismiss..."

(a silence came in reply as the squadron leader digested some of the intel Kaneda had collected...)

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> "...we could have prepared better had we been briefed beforehand..."<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

Kaneda nodded to himself as he heard the eventual response..

"..yes, I completely agree, but time is a luxury we do not have, believe me commander, had there been time for us to do so, I would have. Your concerns are noted..."

Kaneda skimmed through his navi-comp trying to find something of use in the system, he paused for a moment as he picked up on something that could be useful...

He transmitted the data to all of the fighters..

"...There are many spacewrecks and asteroids surrounding Mytus, this is to our advantage, since it would disrupt most scanning systems...
We could use these co-ordinates as a rallying point, its an asteroid roughly about twenty-six kilometres in diameter. You should be able to hide your presence there , until needed..."

Kaneda waited for confirmation, and as it came, he readied the ships cloaking device. The ship seemd to generate a low , barely audible hum as the cloak kicked in..

Glancing a final check at the co-ordinates, Kaneda broke off from the entourage of fighters, the commander of which rang through once more over the comms...

"...Good luck Sir..."

As he started to pilot his ship towards the small grey looking rock, Kaneda broke his concentration just long enough to nod slowly as he heard. Although he stopped short of replying,
he muttered under his breath, thankful for the comment nonetheless...

"...thanks...."



<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> ....something tells me, I'll need it...<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

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

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> The Victory (Vinda-Corp Victory-Class Star Destroyer) - Geo-synchronus orbit<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->



"...Incoming!, intercept vector, Zero, one eight, sector twelve, multiple targets, formation Sigma..."


Captain Asariat's face hardened as he heard the op's report, gripping the rail just above the bridge digout below. His eyes narrowed , as the image of several Vong cruisers, about four to five hundred meters long gained towards them...fast...

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

Speaking without moving a muscle nor shifting his gaze, he issued his orders...

"...Close up! lets get whats left of this fleet into defensive positioning, launch proton torpedos, lets see if we can get them to break formation... "

As the orders were duly obeyed, Asariat felt his mouth dry up.
He was now suddenly in command of the core fleet, until at least they heard otherwise from the surface...

They had certainly recieved some strange orders since <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> The Nostromo<!--EZCODE ITALIC END--> had descended onto the surface, if you could call it a descent...

They had all held their breath as they learned of its self-destruction, and after what had seemed like an eternity of waiting , they had finally heard from Vinda after setting up a base camp at <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Thessonia<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->.

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> ...just what in the hell is going on down there!...<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

Since then the fleet had been rallying itself, preparing, should the need for another sudden evacuation should arise, not to mention counting the casualties. Frantic on the spot repairs, rescuing stranded crewman and fighterpilots...the list was endless .

Although the bulk of the Vong's attack fleet had all descended upon the Caprician surface about the same time <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> The Nostromo<!--EZCODE ITALIC END--> had, they had all felt a little redundant since none of their ships could follow them.
Smaller pockets of resistance still threatened the fleet as it hung above Capricia, but generally they had been given a brief respite , which Asariat had used to measure exactly what the cost had been.

His eyes narrowed studying the advancing ships, as they broke off due to the sudden tirade of torpedos flung towards them...

Asariat turned his attention to a comms officer...

"...try to get through to any nearby Caprician ships, I want to know what shape they're in....."

"...Aye Captain.."


Turning his gaze back to the Vong vessels, he wondered where exactly they had appeared from...He spoke, once more without shifting his attention away from the aggressors...

"..Tracking officer!, trace back their trajectory , I want to know where these things are coming from!..."

Glancing around the bridge, he sighed, and his grip tightened....
...as the ships prepared to slug it out once more.

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

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> First-Fleet - The Negotiator<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->



*Captain Alti,now in command of First fleet due to Admiral Isstal's sudden departure, had now started to develop a headache. Its one thing to lead an attack against a major enemy world, but another when your commanding officer unexpectedly resigns.
He smirked inwardly at this prospect...

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> ...doesn't exactly imbue one with confidence...<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

Whatever his feelings, he kept them to himself, the crew were already a little concerned at this episode, why worry them more?

He stood watching the progress with his hands clasped behind his back, within moments of exiting hyperspace, First Fleet had already encircled the planet, and had encountered heavy resistance, before even advancing a single attack....Kir's defenses were already on standby...

This worried the Captain...

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> ..they have had time to prepare.....they must have known we were coming...<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->


The Captain gestured for the comm's officer...

"send a message to the surface , all frequencies"

...and as the request was fufilled, the Captain spoke direct to the population below...

"...This is Captain Alti of the Vinda-Corporation, in retaliation of an unprecedented CSA assault upon our homeworld of Bonadan, Kir is to be liberated from the clutches of the Corporate Sector Authority.
We do not wish the innocent of this act to be harmed in any way, so those who wish to be no part of this, my advice is simple, stay in your homes, and if you live near any military installations....leave the area immediatly.

..and for those of you who are sick over the CSA's rape of your homeworld, might I suggest now is the ideal time to make your feelings known, know that you have our full support in doing so.

To all those who represent the Corporate Sector Authority , your time here is at an end, surrender, now, or face the consequences..."

*With a quick slash-like movement of his hand to his throat , the Captain signalled for the broadcast to be cut-off. He turned to face the officer in the eyes...

"..what would you make of that?..."

(The officer looked a little puzzled, as if he'd been asked a trick question...)

"..theres no promotion in it man!, just answer the question..."

"...I'd ....be worried..."

*Alti looked upon him with a kind of glazed expression, unimpressed with his rather obvious reply...*

"...quite....nevermind, keep me informed..."

*As the words escaped his mouth , the ship seemed to rock violently as a heavy volley of turbolaser-fire struck against its shields. Placing his hands flat upon the console to steady himself, he launched a tirade of orders to the bridge, the crewmen scurried to their tasks...

As he oversaw , Alti caught sight of the Comm's officer signalling for his attention from the corner of his eye, he turned his gaze back to face him...*

"..yes?..you have something?.."

"..yes Sir!..they responded!"

"..well?..."

"..they said no..."

*The Captain bit his tongue, and rolled his eyes, turning away from the officer...*



<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> ...I figured that part out for myself...<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

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

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> The Narcissus<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->



<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> "...you had better come and take a look at this...<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->


*As Vinda, deep in thought made his way to where he had been requested, he virtually bumped straight into Omar, who had just come onboard. He appeared to be just as distracted.
Vinda stopped mid-stride and spoke, his voice gravely, a usual sign he was tired...

"...have the preparations been made?.."

"...yes sir, the troops have already moved out along with the Capricians, we are the last ones here..."

"..what about the injured?.."

"..we've set up some makeshift bunks, in the meeting lounge, its the only room big enough onboard to hold them, kind of field hospital , so to speak. Those that can walk have moved out along with the troops, those that can't , are here..."

*Vinda nodded, and ran his hand through his greying hair...*

"...well, we can't stay any longer, those that have not made it....well,

....it might be wise to pray for them..."

*Omar glanced up at Vinda with a puzzled look upon his face as he watched Vinda walk away

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

*The lower levels of the Cruiser had been sealed shut with a kind of modified energy shield, quarantined, in effect. Serving as a kind of lab where a few scientists and doctors could study several Vinda-Corp employees who had been infected with the virus.
As Vinda approached the doors, several doctors approached him...*

"...we have another.."

*Vinda didn't answer, he just raised an eyebrow...*

"...a child, , he's only eight, both his parents were killed onboard The Nostromo..."

*Despite Vinda's usual impassive exterior not giving away anything, the doctor's words cut straight through him....*

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

"..what the hell where they thinking bringing a child onboard for! of all the stupid..."

*He paused his outburst for a moment, as if realising where he was, sighing heavily, his eyes narrowed as his gaze fell upon them...*

"...what are his chances?..."

*The doctors glanced at each other , then to the room where the child was being kept, then back to Vinda...*

"...we have found a way of delaying it slightly, in order to perform some tests, though as a side-effect he is in great pain, but until we know more.....theres really nothing we can do for him..."

"..whats his name?..."

"..we haven't been able to get much from him , since he's been in and out of fever, but from what we can deduce, his name is Jacob..."

*Walking up to the door, Vinda peered through the small port-hole , and as he witnessed the child's visible injuries he felt sick to his stomach...

Oblivious to the man observing him, the boy screamed in agony, the skin on his face splitting from his contortions, the lesions seeping small trickles of blood.
A duo of enviro-suited nurses attempted to nullify the pain and as they put him under anesthetic, the boy murmured under his breath, and drifted under...

Vinda turned away, his face grimly set...*

"...we need your permission , as we want to run more tests on him...we believe that.."

*Vinda interrupted the doctor, as he realised what they were asking him, and as he spoke aloud in disbelief, he prodded the doctor who was speaking, hard with the end of his Cigarra...*

"..you want to do what!?... let me get this straight, the boy's parents have only just died, he has an untreatable virus killing him slowly, and painfully , and you want to prolong his agony further by performing more tests on him!..
Forget it!, leave the boy alone..he's a human being not a guinea-pig, your bedside manner leaves a lot to be desired..."

"..but sir!.."

"<!--EZCODE BOLD START--> ...I SAID LEAVE HIM ALONE!...IN THE NAME OF VADER!<!--EZCODE BOLD END-->"

*As Vinda's voice boomed through the hall, the doctors seemed to scurry away in all directions, over-apologising profusely as they suddenly found themselves something else to do...
taking a moment to calm himself, Vinda abruptly turned and walked away, muttering as he strode away...*

"..if his condition changes, I want to know... I shall be in my quarters..."



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



Omar sat gazing from the window with Marik's words still running through his mind.

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> "If the man were to die, tell me? Who would remember them? Of what would their life be worth with no one to recognize that they even drew breathe?<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

Behind him , countless makeshift beds had been made, all filled with the wounded and the sick, mainly those who could not make it on foot. A cacophony of coughs and moaning could be heard as those that treated them went about their business. Sitting amongst them seemed to strengthen his resolve...or was it maybe ...anger...

As the Cruiser's engines roared into life, Omar picked his way through the sick and the wounded, and as the vessel lifted itself into the sky, no-one noticed him praying silently under his breath....

Searing through the Caprician sky, <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> The Narcissus<!--EZCODE ITALIC END--> quickly made its way to the <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Jaktol Province<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->...

<!--EZCODE BOLD START--> <!--EZCODE CENTER START-->

Fall of the Highlands

<!--EZCODE CENTER END--><!--EZCODE BOLD END-->




Tslah Vhess' military command vessel slowed as it came closer to the Master Shaper's fallen vessel. The destruction was massive and hardly any evidence of the Vinda Corporation's vessel remained.

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Just as well...<!--EZCODE ITALIC END--> the Yuuzhan Vong Coordinator of the Caprician Campaign thought darkly.


The villip before him connected Tslah to the warriors on the surface as they prepared the rights to end the fallen vessel's life honorably. IF such a task was possible. Falling was one thing but falling at the hand of an infidel machine.. and abomination was something else altogether.


However an ill omen the Master Shaper's passing seemed for the campaign, the death cries of the grown ship tugged at the Coordinator's reverence for a life spent in the service of the gods.


And while the Master Shaper Talien was nowhere to be found (rankling him that he had noone else to blame for the infidel victory of sorts) he found himself compelled to carry out the extermination for while Talien's methodical preparations made tasking under him irritating, the cause was true.


Tallien had identified an obstacle that <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> could<!--EZCODE ITALIC END--> hinder the wishes of Yun-Yammka. Such identification could only come from the gods in their attempt to sweep away those whose existence stood as a mockery against all the Yuuzhan Vong held true.


<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Doctrine<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->, Tallien had called it.


Doctrine compelled Tslah to continue even in the light of villip signals travelling the distances of the galaxy telling him of the ill fortunes of his people elsewhere.

The Praetorite Vong had usurped the desired position of first blood when their leader claimed War Master status. Should the Praetorite had defeated the weaklings of this galaxy before the whole of Yuuzhan Vong military crossed the great void between galaxies, there would be...there <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> could<!--EZCODE ITALIC END--> be no contestation that the Praetorite held a position of honor among the gods.

But, as is true in the case of all ambitions that put one's selfish desires ahead of the gods, the Praetorite advance seemed to be slowing, dwindling and, uncharacteristic of the Vong, failing.


Such reports caused Tslah to punish the villip creature who carried such dire thoughts. But punishing as many villips as he wanted would still not alter the tide of the Yuuzhan Vong conquest of this galaxy.


He contemplated his situation in the Caprician system and came to a decision.


<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> It was time.<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->


The capital ships of the Yuuzhan Vong had gathered at the Master Shapers fallen vessel and as soon as the rites were performed that finally ended the vessels life, the strategy was laid before the other warriors.


Xin, a warrior whose abilities Tslah respected, had come to the Coordinator's chamber immediately upon receipt of his summons. He had been tasked with readying warriors for immediate dispatch to the Praetorite lines. Even if Tslah sent only a token of forces, he would send enough to bring him and his domain both honor and still retain enough to complete that which Tallien started.


Already, warriors were leaving the capital cities marching for the Caprician stronghold known as the Highlands. Many warriors and creatures were sweeping west from the ruins of major cities along the coast. Some had marched directly from the Antioch Front.

Corralskippers were also noting that the remains of the Caprician Army were also heading for the Highlands.

The Highlands bordered a rather green stretch of land the infidels called Jak'tol Province or something like that.


As Tslah reviewed Tallien's strategy, he realized that the Caprician Fleet had been all but ignored. What ships that did not leave with Xin, he would send up to bring a swift death to the infidel war machines.


Already, creatures aboard his vessel located an important site that Tallien missed. The Caprician shipyards, pulled out to a very far planetary orbit in hopes of not being spotted. The Capricians were working feverishly to complete vessels of war even with their depleted resources and in spite of their distance from Capricia.

Tslah's voice growled low at that.


<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> The Master Shapers should stick to their shaping and leave war matters to the warriors!<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->


He turned his attention to Xin and his features softened fractionally. Here was a warrior that knew his place, knew his task, and met challenge head on without fear.


//Xin. I send you forth to honor the gods and crush the infidel pride.//


//Coordinator, it shall be accomplished.//


//You've done well in the infidel city of Natabb, your sacrifices to Yun-Yammka glorious indeed.//


//The cries of these Kappp reeesssians were surely heard by the Homeworld.//


Tslah laughed.


//Indeed, Xin. Indeed.//


//Will the War Coordinator be well with the warriors and Chazrach left?//


If any other warrior had asked that Tslah would have slaughtered him on the spot for his impudence. Xin, though, Tslah knew, was offering his blood in exchange for his determined loyalty. He would sacrifice his own rewards to follow Tslah's orders in support of Doctrine to erradicate the Capricians.


//We will conquer// Tslah replied and Xin bowed his head.


//Leave immediately for the Praetorite hold on by the grace of the gods.//


//As you command, Coordinator.//



When the warrior had left, Tslah turned his attention to the situation he was facing. His fleet had descended upon the Caprician planet over many major cities and leveled them with the vessel's main plasma guns.

The descent was not without it's perils for the array of turbolasers the Capricians had set up gave them a long reach and a strong one.


<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Many ships were lost in the descent. More than Tallien ever realized.<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->



But the release of the Leveller of Empires had set in motion an earthquake that shook the very foundations of the Caprician defenders there.


The rumors his Yuuzhan Vong spies reported told of the loss of the Caprician leader...

If so then the gods were indeed good to their children.


With the Caprician reach chopped off, they were free to attack the planet's major cities. A surprising observation was that these defenders used very few fighters. He himself had seen the release of the defending fleet's fighters into the planet's atmosphere but where they went was anybody's guess.

He assigned certain corralskippers the task of finding them...but as of yet, the infidels proved crafty.


With most of the machine defenses of the major cities removed, the Chazrach warriors entered the cities to slay every man, woman and child of the Capricians...


..and while many of the planet's inhabitants did die by their hand, there were many that proved themselves slightly honorable in giving response to the Yuuzhan Vong challenge.


Sometimes more than an honorable response.


An irritating one.


But crush, prevail and move on the Chazrach and Yuuzhan Vong warriors did.


Even with some of the major cities taken by the Vong, there were groups of defenders everywhere.

It was as if Capricians infested the planet rather than inhabit. Knock down a wall or city and see thousands scurry around.


<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Infest!<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->



And now his spies had informed him where.


A place known as the Highlands.







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




Tyscio Zier walked on C-deck as the Tribune's systems came back online one at a time. The ships still functional in the fleet had floated inconspicuously among the debris of both friendly and enemy vessels.

The camouflage helped by Tyscio time to repair the systems that they could in relative peace, only having to worry about a hunter corralskipper or two that would patrol. The fleet remained unpowered externally and adrift to keep appearances up but coordination of all repairs with the rest of the fleet had been touch and go.

One unlucky vessel repaired a critical system causing it's engines to come back online alerting the hunter corralskippers of the danger it possessed. A Yuuzhan Vong cruiser had responded ripping the ship to shreds killing all aboard.

But find a way to communicate with the rest of the vessels was found. A way that wouldn't alert the invaders... the technology involved going back to the times when Capricia used war vessels under the surface of their homeworld's oceans.

Tyscio's timing though could not have been better. The debris field was starting to spread, some drifting out into the system and some drifting toward the planet only to burn in the atmosphere.

Several Caprician fighters were making their presence known as slowly the fleet was reestablishing itself as a power to recon with.

The Vinda fleet had moved around the planet attempting to be there for their own on the planet's surface but even they wouldn't remain unmolested for long.

The scanners were showing the invader fleet preparing to ascend.


"They are coming for us." he said to noone in particular but even then, he knew that was not exactly true. "They are coming for the yards."


Their vector back into space would take the invaders on an intercept course with the Caprician shipyards and if they lost those... Tyscio knew the war would be all but over.


<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> I wonder if the boys in the shipyards launched what they were creating? I wonder if they have anything?<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->


Tyscio Zier hated being blind.


"Sir?" came an engineer's voice through the hall toward Tyscio. "It is time."


The fleet would be brought online at once, taking defending positions until all ships were properly powered up. And then some ships would be dispatched to the surface to link up with any defenders there while the rest set their course for the yards.

Tyscio began to sweat.


<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> It would all come down to this...<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->





**



<!--EZCODE BOLD START--> The Highlands<!--EZCODE BOLD END-->


Jorrum Gerrard watched with fascination as the defenders of Thessonia fought bravely. The forces that the invaders threw at them told the House Parliament Member that these aliens meant business.


Still, the Highlands provided a natural defense, the terrain all but impossible to climb except through certain passes that were heavily fortified and defended.


Several hundred Capricians could hold off thousands at a time. If large scale weapons were used to pull down the fortifications, then the mountain sides would come down with them thus closing off all ground access into them.

The mountain tops were scattered with both heavy and light turbolasers if any small fighters were brave enough to brave the harsh winds of the altitude to reach them. A space drop would also be deterred by sunk/dug in planetary KDY's.


<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Leantre prepared well...<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->


Jorrum felt a slight twinge of guilt that the new Regent would more than likely not live to see his fortifications succeed.


The invader fleet had finally moved from the Antioch Front cutting a path of renewed destruction all the way to the Highlands.

Before Thessonia, the remaining ground forces of the invaders were dropped off as the enemy fleet took flight headed for space.

Jorrum did not know if there was something up there still giving fight or if the invaders though to harrass them from on high.

There were rumors of a similar ground force moving in from the East but there were also rumors of Caprician bands attempting to slow it down.


Jorrum smiled. An estimate of the enemy force put it at around 500,000 soldiers but it was just a rough estimate. The numbers could have been much smaller.


<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Even if the enemy held a million soldiers, the Highlands would hold!<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->


He thought to check the facility used as the KDY tactical command center just to make sure they were watching all points above them where the enemy could hurl their rain of plasma and fire.

Turning to his cheif aid, "Make sure the soldiers are prepared at the Gate."


The man nodded and trotted off. The Gate was their term for the fortification defenses set up on the paths through the mountains into the Highlands. The Gates were the key positions and Jorrum would not stint on anything the defenders needed.


The infected Capricians and the defenders in Thessonia might hate his guts, but he was no fool.






<!--EZCODE BOLD START--> Thessonia - At the base of the Highlands<!--EZCODE BOLD END-->


"Here they come!"


The Regent had taken his soldiers out of the city several days before. The Vinda forces also went with him. Secretly Leantre Vio had hoped that the invaders would have given them a bit longer time to prepare and perhaps entice them to attack the Caprician Army at Jak'Tol, home of the largest Military Construction Yard on the planet.


But the invaders had another timetable. One that was ticking down and they moved...

The invaders seemed to pour out of their dropships in masses too numerous to count.

The Capricians, infected and not, held their collective breath tightening their grips on the various weapons held.

Everyone knew that they stood before the true goal of the aliens. The bastion known as the Highlands.

The durasteel walls rose from the ground as the unloading was occurring surrounding Thessonia with a ring of metal. The aliens seemed greatly enraged by this and encouraged their fervor more.


Herridian Nath watched with a grim determination as he hit his hands a few times. The wind was growing cold and the invaders choose to unload in the twilight. It would be a night attack.


"You ok?" a female beside him asked as she hefted a rocket launcher over her shoulder. The weapon seemed too big for her but he did not question her use of it. Too many people were put into too many strange situations for him to question anymore.


Librarians leading small bands of militia, Actors grabbing a blunted object and placing themselves on the line to meet the alien charge.


"Peachy.." Nath said. "Just peachy.."


The female found that slightly funny and smiled.


Alien voices filled the night as the invaders called upon their gods for a sure victory.


"Here they come.." the female whispered, a slight bit of frost escaping her lips.





<!--EZCODE BOLD START--> The Outmarches...<!--EZCODE BOLD END-->



Xin took one last look at the debris of thousands of merchant ships ambushed when they first cut the system off from the rest of the galaxy.

The hunting grounds the corralskipper pilots had referred to it.

Taking one last look at the field he ordered the ships assigned by Tslah to set course for a Praetorite Vong stronghold.

The dovin basils reached out and found the appropriate celestial body and the yorik corral contracted as the vessels prepared to be hurled through space at an incredible rate of speed.

The ships had started to move when the ships illicited a warning.. An enemy ship had been detected but Xin could do nothing about it for their course had been executed.

Xin stared at the shrinking vessel noting it's strange design. One he's never seen before.



The yorik coral of his ships suddenly cracked, as if striking an impenetrable object in space. Vacuum fissures immediately sprung up throwing the crew into confusion and pandemonium for the vessels were still accelerating.

However, something seemed to be cutting through their hull like a razor bug to grass. Xin had little time to think and even less to act.

He did.


The acceleration was halted by the invisible barriers and the invader vessels broke apart, great chunks of yorik corral breaking away and drifting in many directions. Bodies instantly were frozen and shattered against pieces of their vessels as the invader's living ships bled their last.


The entire force was shattered before it could move away.


The Praetorite Vong were on their own.





The Caprician vessel recorded the phenomena and a collective cheer (though tired) went out. The Captain gave a self satisfied smile and ordered communications to go out.

"This is Section 4 reporting. Field test successful. All sections, note: test successful! Outmarches are secure."


The executive officer of the vessel turned to the Captain, "What did the R&D boys say this ship design was related too?"

"Something called an Abolisher, Commander. 'An Abolisher with a twist' I believe they called it."


"An Abolisher.." the Executive Officer whispered trying the word on for size.


He found that he liked it.


He liked it alot.





<!--EZCODE BOLD START--> The Gates - Highland Entrance<!--EZCODE BOLD END-->


"Do you think the invaders will get past Thessonia?" Jorrum's aide asked a bit timidly.

A soldier grunted. "Best case senario, no. But the people there are sick. They may not put up much of a fight after all."


"Poor @#%$." another commented.


"We could be next..." the aide replied.


"We are going to be next. But we have a better position than they did. We could hold off an every single one of 'em!"


Jorrum's aide smiled.

<!--EZCODE BOLD START--> <!--EZCODE CENTER START-->

The Fall of the Highlands

<!--EZCODE CENTER END--><!--EZCODE BOLD END-->





The assault on Thessonia lasted for three days as the massive war creatures of the Yuuzhan Vong sent volley after volley into the city. But hang on the defenders did to buy their Regent that much more time...


On the second day, many of the defenders found themselves cut off into small sections, each not knowing how the other was faring. The invaders had thought they would fall then and organized a massive push into the city.

The defending shield had crumbled at the end of the third day and as their charge toward the outer defense works continued, defending weapons fire became weaker and weaker.

Over the works the invaders came, pouring hundreds seething with excitement as they neared the interior of the city. But as they entered the outlying residential areas, small groups of defenders came out savagely pouring the wrath from their weapons into the Yuuzhan Vong hordes.

Civilians ran up to the invaders plunging anything that could be used as a weapon into the organic armors and alien protective coverings the invaders wore.

The Yuuzhan Vong were pushed back beyond the defense works as the Capricians gave a counter-push themselves.

And the massive war creatures once more began their relentless assault, their shots going farther and farther beyond the defense works in to the city.

And on the third day, to redeem the dishonor laid upon them, the invaders once again drove into Thessonia. There were too few defenders to man the works and so the invaders entered easily..passing the residential areas that had been deserted.

Into the city they drove farther and farther when the Capricians came at them again, in much the same way. The numbers of the defenders were rapidly dwindling and many Capricians had succumbed to the Leveller as the disease struck down thousands.


The invading warriors walked over the writhing bodies intent on the defenders still standing and found themselves in bloody fight after bloody fight as they moved from block to block into the city.

As massive war creatures moved into the city to set up their new radius of destructions, and the Vong had taken a foothold in Thessonia. Several Caprician groups tried to swing around the outside of the city and destroy the large creatures from behind as fierce fighting took place near the city government offices deep in the interior. They were partly successful in kiling two creatures but their groups were just too small. Chazrach patrols caught them and cut them down before more damage could be sowed.

As the Vong pushed to the other end of the city, they cut in half the defending groups and the Capricians became more desperate.


But by the end of the third day, the weapons fell silent.


Thessonia had died and the way into the Highland's mountain pass was now open.


The invaders smashed most of the machines they could and set a great fire inside. The defender's bodies were consumed in sacrifice to the all powerful vengence of Yun-Yammka.

Grimly, the Yuuzhan Vong warriors turned to the mountains and started up the inclining paths.


Tslah Vhess sacrificed 10,000 prisoners to the Gods in appreciation for the victory gained that day.


The third day.





*



The battered Caprician Army received the news with stoicism as they enterd Jak'Tol province and the home of Capricia's largest construction yard.

Already they found the location prepared and ready, as people from the surrounding areas gathered to the military strong point.



"No further..." Leantre whispered as his hand fell to a familiar defense work in passing through.


His trek across to JakTol was bought with more blood than he cared to know. "No more.."


Live or die, when the Invaders came, he would fight.


The Vinda Corporation men too looked both alert and yet tired at the same time. He was greatful they still had a home to go too.


<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> They are brave warriors in their own right.<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->



His eyes gazed upwards to the stars...


<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Zier! I need you to be alive! I need to know you still fight or we will surely fall. Scipio! Herridian! The great darkness of space as swallowed you both and I know not whether you live or die.

Gomorran!<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->


And Leantre's aging heart once more hardened.


"Colonel! Get me the platforms. Our fighters need to be ready to move at a moment's notice."





***


Jorrum Gerrard was in his office when the attack came. The mighty defending turbolasers came to life with a deafening roar that seemed to shake the very foundations of the Highlands. Civilians scrambled to find shelter within the buildings that led underground but Jorrum went to a window that overlooked a mountain path to the Gates. The Invaders were getting pounded into pulp by the massive guns that protected the area.

For when they reached the Gate, their advance stopped allowing the guns to continue their volley along the attacking line.

Yuuzhan Vong corralskippers suddenly dotted the skies above as well placed plasma lanced forth on critical areas of the shield. But hold the shield did.


The Parliament House member allowed himself a grim smile that no matter what the invaders threw at them, they were taking.

"Sir! I don't understand it! They have massive numbers of warriors and they are still being led up. They know they are not breaking new ground. Our guns will tear them to bits."


Gerrard laughed, "Who are we to fathom the mind of aliens. We just kill them..."


"Yes sir, but it is strange... "


"Nonsense----"


Gerrard's words were cut short with the exultant chant the aliens suddenly gave as, to his horror, the Gates were swinging wide open.


Jorrum took magnificaton lenses from a nearby soldier and saw a solitary figure coming out to meet the hordes.


<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Kass..<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->?


The aide to Gerrard suddenly reached over and pulled something off his head allowing the Parliament Member to see his true face.


An alien face..


An invader face...


<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> I sent him to the gates...<!--EZCODE ITALIC END--> Jorrum thought dumbly.


The turbolasers suddenly began to fire much more rapidly causing the military people began shouting for the gunners to remain calm.


But the guns soon fell silent as, one by one, their rapid increase in fire brought the gun's overall temperature to critical levels. The failsafes built in caused an automatic shutdown of the massive weapons and they stopped to allow time for them to cool.


That was all the time the aliens needed as more numbers drove up the path toward the open gates.


"THEY ARE GETTING IN!" someone screamed in panic.


Gerrard's eyes grew hard. "Major! Bring the mountain down on the path. Bury them all!"


The soldier nodded and the guns came back online....


"FIRE!"