Leia had remained completely silent ever since she had managed to climb out of the hospital bed and move about. Even the medical attendant poking and prodding at Leia as she stood next to Matthias on the platform could not prompt even the smallest noise from her.

The medical attendant was giving her a lecture on how she was not to take her arm out of the sling, as well as other things that her injuries rendered her physically incapable of doing.

Matthias was talking to some Commander about the status of the battle.

Leia was paying attention to neither. She had watched Hespante inconspicuously dissapear into the crowd, and for some reason she found he aroused suspicions within her. Her eyes narrowed as she took in the hustle and bustle of activity on the platform that he had dissapeared into.

Now where was he going? He probably belongs down here with the rest of us...

And why did he ask me about Tyscio?

Her own thoughts were interrupted as she heard Tyscio Korban's name mentioned and she caught the end of Matthias' conversation.

"...there's not been a report about his group lately"

"Tyscio is fine, he'll make it." She suddenly spoke up out of nowhere, causing both men and the medical attendant to suddenly turn and stare at her.

Matthias wore an expression of 'oh, you do talk huh' along with a mix of other various emotions. She knew what he would ask next.

"I just know. Trust me."

Capricia... the Long March..



"He'll make it but I'll be damned if I know how.." a medical officer muttered.

"I'll be fine.." Tyscio said dryly as he walked forward, passing row after row of the soldier/citizen that made up his army.

"And Grandmother Spacewarp came down and bestowed you the title of Clannus Prime.." another retorted as everybody's eyes seemed to take in the extremely damaged condition his personal body armor had sustained since coming..


home?


"You are definitely not fine!" the acting second in command said. "Doc said you were cut enough times to peel slabs of skin off.. you are bruised and exhausted.."

"I think we all are.." Korban interjected dryly. "Besides, there's a war on.."


Tyscio's good humor had slipped into the dark and cynical nature that usually remained buried.

Then again, war does that..


There was no getting away from the medic's words though. He was tired. Hell, they all were.

A forced march that had been kept up as the army moved across very dangerous.. very hostile territory.

Half their numbers had been cut the first day alone.. but were it not for stragglers and others running toward them finding security in numbers...

Tyscio would be hardpressed to find anyone who would have made it this far.


But make it they did.


But at what cost?


Silently his heart went out to those who simply could go no further. Men, women and even the children.

He kept his blade constantly activated these days.. being hardpressed to find a reason enough to silence it's comforting hum.


The shock of what had happened at the rail had lessened and he thought little about it, the responsibility of leading coming to the fore.


We're going to make it..


"Jak'Tol.." someone whispered as the sun rose over the grassy flatlands in front of them.


"Bout damn time.." another muttered and Tyscio couldn't agree more.


"I need forward and rear scouts. The enemy is massing to our rear and I want to know how far.... If they catch us it will be in this province, so I want forward scouts to find the Regent's Army."


The wind was getting cooler but not unpleasantly so.


He wondered about Leia yet, instinctively knew (somehow) that she still lived.


The girl is too ornery to die..


His lips smirked, the first in what seemed like days, and it felt good.


The Construction Yard was close... he could feel it..

Roonadan

Unknown Governmental Facility

Unlike Yana, Miles did not look away when it came time for Andersan to die.

Death didn't seem to bother the diplomat, and he realized that he was more than willing to sacrifice his own life for Vinda and for those back home.

Home...

He sure did miss being home...


Crazy thing was, he didn't doubt what would happen here and today, he knew, without a doubt, he'd make it home. He'd make it home, even if there was a price to pay to get home.

I bet you're realizing now, Andersan, wherever you may be, that none of this was worth anything.

Maybe it was like that for Andersan. For Miles though, despite all the bad luck he was having, he believed that all of it had been worth it.

So he'd come this far, what would happen now?...

That was Miles choice to make. He knew the odds were against him. Either way, he could die.

I'm not going to die today.

Miles slowly, yet confidently, turned his head away from Andersan to look at Yana. Their eyes met and a small smile tugged at his lips, fading away within a matter of seconds.

The look on your face tells me that you already know what is going to happen here.

No, he hadn't said it out loud to her, but he was sure Yana knew what he had decided to do. His smile on the other hand, he was sure that Yana had no idea what to make out of that smile of his.


Kalatan on the other hand, he wasn't too quick at figuring it all out. He just couldn't read Miles like Yana could. Miles imagined that if he was around Kalatan long enough, he'd be able to figure out Miles a little better.

The diplomat was sure to lock eyes with Kalatan as he answered.

"That's good, seems you and I have something in common then, because I'm still not changing my mind...."

Desperate maneuver… how vast could an understatement get?

Well, it had worked once before for a famous rebellion leader. Perhaps it would work for him as well. It had better.

“Prepare to drop shield power. I want all power shunted to the engines as fast as possible.”

Kas walked over to one of the control panels. He examined it, then selected “Emergency measures”. From there he navigated to “Escape Pods”, and then overrode the safety precautions. This had better work.

“On my mark gentlemen…

three
two
one
Mark!”

-----------

“Sir! The shuttle has ejected two escape pods, and the shuttle has dropped all shields. It…

It’s on a direct ramming course!”

Panic seethed into the air onboard the CSA owned ISD Tremor. Discipline kept the uninvited emotion from overcoming the tractor beam crew, but only by a thread.

“Reverse the beam on the shuttle, push it away as fast as you can colonel. Bring the other tractor beams in on the two escape pods. Pull them in.”

“Sir, no life is detected on the pods. There is, however, life onboard the shuttle.”

The commanding officer pondered this for a moment. They were not after any specific people, yet the ensnared shuttle acceded in a most unorthodox way. The CO may have been a captain of an ISD, but he certainly wasn’t in command because of his intuition. Rules and Regulations ran his mind, and the rules said to draw in escaping pods, and to avoid injury to his ship. Besides, there might be a droid or two in the pods. They could always gather the shuttle up later.

“You have your orders gentlemen.”

---------

Kas held his breath…
Would they take the bait?
Would they?

It seemed like forever…

The shuttle lurched, and began to accelerate away from the ISD’s hanger bay. The two escape pods however, began to accelerate toward the ISD.

“Don’t make a move captain… don’t change a thing…” Kas breathed.

His hand slipped into his pocket, and came up around something.

“Pods fifty meters to the ISD and closing Sir”

“Forty meters”

“Thirty”

“Twenty”

“Ten”



“Pods secured in hanger bay.”

-----------

Storm trooper squad 2E-45 marched toward the two escape pods. Perfect order, perfect step, perfect time.

Tick.

White flare, white heat, white sound. Perfect no more

-----------

Kas’s hand released from the detonator. Two proton grenades, and a good bit of emergency fuel makes a good storm trooper and tractorbeam stir-fry.

“Get us out of here Captain. Engage micro-jump to the battlefield. Shields full."

Emergency Transmission: - Priority One Communicae

Security Clearance: - Omega 13

Issuer:

Frontline Defence - Kir Division - Sector 7 - 7392 3450 6148

Commander Carnus Tobius , 22nd Regiment.

Recipient:

CSA High Command -Classified information.

Subject

Frontline report - Surrender of Kir


[Message Begins]


0515 Hrs (aprox)

Scanners and sensors pick up rapidly advancing enemy fleet. Planetary defenses put on standby, shields raised, fighters scrambled, Defensive fleet is put on a state of high alert . Advance is too quick to counter fully . Core fleet is unprepared , and undermanned due to huge recall by CSA high command four weeks previous, it engages the hostiles nonetheless.

1030 Hrs (aprox)

Kir's defensive fleet is routed in and around Kir's system by suprise attack thought to be perpertrated by Vinda-Corporation Fleet, all ships rendered useless by sheer numbers alone.

1055 Hrs (aprox)

Hostiles identity confirmed as Vinda-Corporation , as they broadcast a surrender message by Holo-feed. Estimated 12.billion people are to have heard the message.

1105 Hrs (aprox)

Enemy fleet breaks into two armadas. The smaller of the two's assault is attempted but Planetary defences holds the enemy fleet at bay for aproximately two standard hours.

13:05 Hrs (aprox)

The smaller armada of the hostile fleet takes up orbit above Kir. Planetary Shield Generator is destroyed by massive firepower from an unknown source. The Shield falls, and in direct follow-up the hostile fleet launches aerial assault upon Kir's defenses.

14:10 Hrs (aprox)

Turbolaser batteries are targetted and bombarded by enemy fighters. The batteries are destroyed.

17:15 Hrs (aprox)

Enemy fighters achieve air superiority. Reserves are called in , but enemy fighters continue their bombardment upon key military installations, including air-strips.

Due to efficient targetting ,unparrelled positioning , and sheer
speed of enemy advancement, it is clear the hostiles have considerably well informed and accurate intelligence resources.

18:30 Hrs (aprox)

Ground Assault started. Intel reports of many enemy divisions advancing at great speed , supported by air cover, all efficiently targetting key millitary resource installations. CSA troops try to hold the enemy back for as long as possible.

22:40 Hrs (aprox)

Several main Capital cities are overrun and taken by rapidly advancing hostiles. Many more key cities report revolts by insurgists taking advantage of Vinda-Corporations attack.
Martial law is declared.

Day two

03:15 (aprox)

Kir's Crystallene Vertex processing facilities are taken, including the Kir Mint , all held intact.

04:25 Hrs (aprox)

CSA Troops and CSA Kir High command rally at Kir's Capital.

07:45 Hrs (aprox)

Enemy begins seige at Kir's Capital city - (Rotunda)

17:50 Hrs (aprox)

Rotunda falls to the enemy, aided by civilian insurgists.

20:35 Hrs (aprox)

CSA Kir High Command surrenders in the face of massive enemy advancement. All requests for reinforcements have not been answered. No contact from CSA High Command has been recieved.

21:55 Hrs (aprox)

CSA security forces drop arms and surrender to Vinda-Corporation forces.

23:00 Hrs (aprox)

Kir is declared under Vinda-Corporation protection, and independant from the CSA. All remaining CSA presence is urged to disband.



[End of Message]









Kyoto-Station

Geo-synchronus orbit above Bonadan


Richter studied the intercepted message with a kind of pride, relief and bemusement...

He wondered why the CSA had not responded, but indeed relieved they had not. In the hours that followed confirmation came from Captain Alti and the Vinda-Corp fleet holding in station above Kir.

...Kir is now Vinda-Corp terrority...

He stared at the progress reports from the battles still ensuing, although pleased at the welcoming news, he still had grave concerns about Miles.

In truth he was deeply worried, they had tried what seemed like everything, but still no answer came from fifth fleet, the fleet sent to Roonadan. It was long overdue.
For all he knew things were going well, but until the CSA communications blackout from around Roonadan was stopped. They had no way of knowing. Richter did not want to send a reserve fleet in until he had some kind of feedback...

..they could all be dead...

He made a determined effort to push that particular thought to the back of his mind, though it kept resurfacing.
Scoweling slightly he gestured for an officer...

"...Send a recon squad to the last known co-ordinates of Fifth fleet , I want to know whats going on over there..."

As the officer nodded sharply and went about his orders, Richter turned to face the Tactical display in front of him, his eyes narrowing at the light it threw at him...

...Give me something Miles...let me know you are ok...

Mytus VII

Star's End - Inside the facility


Kaneda glanced down at the CSA uniform Natalya had been dressed in , and smirked a little...

Picking up on his amusement, she threw him a scowel...

"...I swore I would never wear a CSA uniform again.."

Kaneda nodded slowly, tempted to delve more deeply, but stopped himself , glanced towards Jarell, and replied...

"..its either that or freeze...and I didn't come all this way just to watch you do that"

Natalya paused as if giving considerable thought to the decision, she too glanced over to Jarell...

"...believe me, the decision is not as easy as it looks..."

Frowning in confusion Kaneda , shook his head...

"...we don't have time for this...deal with it.."

Glaring towards him, Natalya simply raised an eyebrow at his rather curt reply, as she slipped on a black leather jacket..

Kaneda turned his attention to Jarell once more...

"...we are leaving now..."

Jarell nodded gestured with all four of his hands for Kaneda to follow him again..

"...this way.."


Twenty-Five minutes later


"...whats going on!?, who are you?, who's she!?.."

Asked a dishevelled and confused Tumtun, who had been tied up and planted in the corner of the room where he had fallen unconscious. He had been trying unsuccessfully for the past two hours to untie himself from his bonds, but Kaneda had secured him well.

Tumtun wasn't a an escape artist , and he certainly wasn't exactly athletic or supple enough to contort his way out...

Jarell , threw him a cold stare, and shook his head, he too was now tied up, and had been plonked next to Tumtun..

Ignoring the incredulous noises coming from the large alien's direction, Kaneda guided Natalya into an Envirosuit, then operated the airlock. As the rush and hiss of air could be heard in the next room, Kaneda turned to face the two Espo's , and waved goodbye.



Mytus VII - System

Asteroid 279 - Orbital status

The commander of Tomahawk squadron looked out through his cockpit, as he heard a voice crackle through the comms static silence...

"...Tomahawk leader this is Agent 239, situation green, target aquired..."

The commander relaxed into his chair, and smiled to himself as he responded mockingly..

"...glad to hear it, what took you so long?...we were starting to get worried...not to mention bored"

"...perfection cannot be rushed commander..."

Came the response, and he laughed as he watched Kaneda's borrowed Sith infiltrator decloak amidst the darkness...
On cue the rest of Tomahawk squadron flew into formation alongside the vessel flanking it...

Kaneda smiled as he watched the ships form up, then turned to face the still shivering woman beside him. Natalya had wrapped herself in a blanket, and was gently sipping from what appeared to be a cup of caf.

He cocked his head to one side...

"..before , inside the facility you mentioned a name... Andersan I think....who is he?..."

Natalya paused mid-sip , and glanced up towards Kaneda...

"...someone who means a lot to me... "

Kaneda nodded a little, realising she still didn't trust him quite enough yet. Natalya looked down at her feet then continued..

"..he was supposed to go to Bonadan to warn Seth Vinda of an impending CSA attack...and..."

(Her voice trailed off)

Kaneda listened concerned, and was about to speak when she carried on...

"...I was supposed to go with him, but I got caught, while he escaped... we had learned of an infiltrator at Vinda-Corp, but were not sure who it was...I asked him to warn my father..."

She glanced up to Kaneda a worried expression on her face, it was that moment then, that he noticed her beauty, despite her obvious vunerablity , she seemed to radiate an inner strength.

"...Natalya, the CSA did indeed launch an attack upon Bonadan, but they have been thwarted...Vinda-Corp as we speak are retaliating..."

Frowning at receipt of this news Natalya rubbed her temple , as if trying to massage the worry away...

"...I see..."

Kaneda placed a hand upon her shoulder...

"...this must be very disorientating for you....try not to worry , you are safe now, and I am sure this Andersan is safe too..."

Turning around to face the controls he set a course back to Bonadan.

"...where are we going now?..."

Kaneda flicked a couple of switches and moved his chair to face her again, with a warm smile spreading across his face...

"...home..."

In the blink of an eye , the small entourage of ships seemed to stretch then disappear, as they made the jump to hyperspace...

Destination.... Bonadan...

Jak'Tol - Construction Yard


The Capricians were out in force.. or rather as much of a force that they could muster to reckon with the invaders for control over their world.

However, this time there were no "trenches" dug as had been done on Providence. This time the enemy would not be falling upon them from on high, as they waited in holes dug out of the cold of fear.


Small sections of walls made of duracrete lined the countryside. Walls that only stood about waist to chest high. The Capricians wanted to see their targets coming but have something between themselves and whatever fires the enemy threw at them.

The walls were broken into sections to allow easy movement and mobility for the armoured corps.

Borrowed from the Imperial design, AT-AT walkers thundered above as their armoured feet shook the ground near soldiers. Their were slight hills but for the most part, the terrain was level and visibility good. The cool wind parted sections of the knee-high grass over the plains as the soldiers waited expectantly for the arrival of the Yuuzhan Vong.


**

Leantre walked the lines encouraging the soldiers, intermixing civilians and soldiers. Everyone held onto a weapon of some sort as the sky in the distance was turning a dark amber color.

"The enemy approaches."

The fighter corps, launching from the platforms on the ocean, had sent a transmission to Leantre informing them of the enemy's closing position.

Leantre replied, "Bomb them. From the smoke, we'll see how far they are.."


That was two hours ago..


"Either our pilots are missing the lot of them or there are more invaders coming than... than.." Leantre mused to another clan leader.

"Scipio has admirers?" the other clan leader retorted dryly glancing at the Vinda Corp sections. The Capricians had turned their corporate logo into a banner of sorts and raised it to help people visualize the coming battlefield.


"Mr. Vinda is a mind to respect and he has damned fine Cigarras too." The Regent turned to the other clan leader, "Good thing you have your sense of humor, Mescian."


"It's the only thing that hasn't been destroyed by these beasts."

"Give them time. They are new to this galaxy after all." Leantre said sardonically.

Just then, Leantre's personal communicator beeped.

"Yes?"

"More reinforcements approaching. Tyscio Korban's people!"

"The invaders would not be far behind then."

"Sir! Transports are also on approach from the East!"


"Look!" Mescian pointed in the distance. "X-wing fighters!"

"Leia Organa Solo and her army from Providence is on that transport." Leantre told his fellow leader.

"So all the kids have come home."

"Hopefully, not to die..."




The Yuuzhan Vong were five hours away but already, a strange wailing sound could be heard being carried in the wind.

A distant future..


The rather tall figure, dressed in royal green walked about the area followed by 20 -30 young children, some Caprician…some not yet all seemingly protected by the shadow of the figure.


The area was flat and grassy, the winds cutting ravines across the plains digging in as the solstice drew closer.

A time of renewal was at hand.


A time of remembrance.


The Jubilee approached.


The celebration of individuality, the celebration of unity and of the brave sacrifices those of old made to protect what the present cherishes.


Not that the present really understands now…


"Teacher.. I am hungry. When are we going to eat?" said young Caprician boy.

"Always tinking wit your stomach, Tysssseeeeoo." Another girl, with a missing tooth complained.


"Children.." came the warning voice of the Teacher. It seemed, no matter the passage of time, no matter the rise and fall of kingdoms, empires, light and shadow… one thing remained constant…even throughout species.


And that was children.


"We are here." He said and the little group stopped, as kids started to move off in every direction.

Some went off to play in the tall grass. Some boys caught creatures of varying sizes to scare the girls of the group. Some girls were chasing boys with the very same creatures.


And the Teacher, noting it all, smiled to himself.


A sad smile.


One remembering greater times of bygone eras.



He stood before the remains of what used to be an ancient technological …what was the term? Ahh, yes.. Construction Yard.


Every child remembered the tales, remembered the individual stories of valor, sacrifice, and desperation.


The tale of the Invader's Second Coming.



Even now, centuries past, the story of the Second Invasion remained fresh on the minds of the people.


The Teacher let the children roam off, his perceptions aware of each child's movement and location…. And yet, his senses perceived something else as he walked toward the yard passing the crumbling remains of what was once walls.

His senses perceived something oddly familiar and yet distant.




Voices..



"Hold the line! Hold dammit!" came a rough voice from the past, explosions from plasma volleys striking everywhere.


"There's too many of them! Gather your men, swing around to the left! The Left!"


The snap-hiss of an ancient weapon and the hum of it's swing.


"Leia! Look out!"


The musky stench that filled the air as dead littered the ground.


Dirt, duracrete, steel and flesh broke apart on the massive battlefield as Capricians and their allies attempted to hold the creatures at bay.


"They are breaking through!!!"


"Leantre's been hit! The Regent is hit!!"


"We are lost." Came a whisper over the pounding of guns. A sudden twinge of humor crept into the voice of the one spoken too. "It's not over till it's over." The man's eyes looking behind the one despairing. "The entire west is shattering. Let's go reinforce them, now!"


"Bring the payloads down on us!"

"But sir, you'll be hit!"

"Soldier, do your duty and drop them!!!"


"Bombs away!"



*


The Teacher closed his eyes as the sun overhead suddenly flashed nearly as bright as the explosion the bombs wrought so long ago.




*



The heat of the battle had flared the Leveller to intensities unimagined as the tiny creatures sowing their destruction upon the flesh of soldiers and civilians alike felt the nearness of their Yuuzhan Vong creators.

But stubbornly hold the Capricians did, even under affliction and pain too intense to bear.

Rise they did to the occasion.


"Here they come again!"

"Do these @#%$ ever stop!"


"The first line has fallen!"


"Why? Why are they doing this?"


"They are passing the second line!"




*



The Teacher stopped at a shiny disc with a look of metal lying upon the ground, letters etched into its surface and a never-ending fire burning through the letters.

Though the symbol (as it is) is not used anymore, (a different incarnation taking its place as is the custom with all things that experience advancement and growth) the meaning of the disc remained unmistakable.


Vinda Corporation.


Who would have thought that one so dedicated to the acquisition of personal wealth and power would ever take a stand..especially one as precarious as coming to the aid of the Capricians?


*


"All lines have fallen!"


"Fall back! Fall back!"


"Mathias? You're still alive?"

"Try not to act so surprised," a grunting reply came. "Damn, those Vinda people fight like devils possessed!"

A pause, "Think of recruiting some?"

"I couldn't pay them what Vinda does. That plan of his split the enemy three ways but we didn't have the strength to capitalize on it."

"It's not us. It's those damned aliens. Where the hell are their masses coming from?"

"Oh hell, LEIA! Pull back!"


An AT-AT went down crushing both friend and foe.



"Rally to the Yard! All forces, RALLY TO THE YARD!!!"


The alien chanting became more fervent as they could smell victory within their grasp. Their voices drowned by the blood, sweat and tears that overlaid the battlefield of the dead.



*


"Rally." The Teacher whispered as his eyes fell upon the gaping holes throughout the structure.

The Last Bastion of Capricia.


Jak'Tol



"Teacher, What happened here?" intruded the little voice of Tyscio.


"I know! I know!" another little boy rushed up. "A big war! And then Tyscio Korban and his mistress Leia were married!"


"They were not!" a girl said, rather indignant. "Tyscio died here and she married Mr. Vinda."

"Mr. Vinda ate their babies!"

"He stopped that though because he was part Jedi! So he only ate their legs!"

"Liar!"

"Am not!"

"Then why are there still Vinda's in the galaxy with legs? I saw a commercial on…"

"You aren't supposed to watch the holochannels without mom and dad!"

"Well, who's gonna tell? You?"

"Maybe they're artificial."

"Maybe your brain is!"

"Teacher!?"


Giving a large mental sigh, the Teacher sat down on a nearby rock that had, at one time, served as part of a duracrete wall. Sensing a story coming on, as if with telepathy, the children seemed to pop up from the oddest places to gather and sit around the regal man dressed in royal green.


"The story of this battle started a long long time ago…. For you see, if it wasn't for what I am about to tell you, the invaders would not have come back."


Of course they may have won the first invasion but perhaps not..



He held out his wrist to reveal a metallic symbol (as if embedded into his skin).


"Cool." Several children whispered.


"This is the symbol of the Commonwealth Union of Worlds. We called it, "The Union" and it existed many many many years ago ….almost before the beginning of recorded history.


"Before the Empire?"


"Yes, even many millennia before the Republic." The Teacher's eyes seemed to glaze over as his voice took on a distant quality. "Even before the force."


"The Jedi say that the force has always been here."


The Teacher felt a scowl coming on. "The force has been around even before the Jedi were a twinkling in their parent's eye. The force is older than those damned "Darth" names. It is older than the Ancient Sith Empire. It is older than when the Sith from Korriban crawled out of the primordial soup to formulate a coherent thought to excrete wastes!"

The children giggled.

"What is the force channeled by? What do you need a high level of to be considered 'force sensitive'?"


"Midichlorians!" the children answered in unison.

"And every living thing in this galaxy contains midichlorian. But there was a time when not one was found in us. A long, long time ago."

The Teacher shifted in his seated position, "You see, children, how much of our brain do we use?"

"Our biology teacher said less than 10%." A girl in the back answered.

"Correct. In all our lives, with all our knowledge and experience, it seems that all creatures in this galaxy do not use their brain's fullest potential."


"What do you think you would be able to do if you could?" The Teacher's eyes sparkled at the possibilities. "Advanced telekinesis, telepathy perhaps? Enhanced memory and motor functions?" the Teacher's voice trailed off leaving the children's imagination to fill in the rest.

"It would be as if you had force powers without the force."

"You see, the galaxy at one time had this ability and the capacity," the Teacher tapped his head, "and there was no knowledge of the force. This was the galaxy of the Commonwealth Union of Worlds."

He smiled. "But this Union was not full of superbeings. The ability to use larger portions of your mind takes great effort, skill, and work. The best of the best were trained to be the Guardians of the Union and for a great many millennia, peace ruled.

The Capital world of Brindheir, the throne world, ruled the Union under the Clannus Prime. Under Brindheir, the galaxy was divided into four parts, each holding a "Cornerstone World": Coruscantes (before the caves of steel), Elroodia, Brayden, and Capricia. Brayden was destroyed long ago. Coruscantes is now known as Coruscant and Elroodia is known as Elrood (which housed a great Jedi Temple at one time).

Now the growth of the Union took many many years with their own wars, battles, envoys, and agreements until civilization reached it's pinnacle and all transcended beyond the desires of self.

During the last millennia of the Union's power, it was discovered that the full use of their minds was waining and scientists were at a loss to explain why. The Guardian's abilities began to slack and while things appeared as normal on the outside, behind the scenes panic was setting in because.. without full use of our brains, ability, memory, skills are dimished and culture begins to die.

The Union's culture was dying.


And at long last, they discovered the reason why. For you see, children, there were others in the Union who suddenly showed remarkable abilities (even abilities never seen before by any) that were not attributed to the proper genetic functioning of their brain..

In fact, it was found out that these people who showed so much ability used only less than 10% of their brains."


"Like us!" a boy exclaimed.

"Yes, like us. Those people had midichlorians in them and a frantic study of the entire Union uncovered a vast spreading of midichlorians into all living things. They embedded themselves into the cells of living tissue and during cell replication, they too grew fruitful and multiplied.

No one knows where exactly these midichlorians, called Nephys by the Union, came from. In fact, no one knows how they spread so quickly though it was theorized that perhaps they might have entered our life cycles as many as two thousand years prior.

What alerted the Union to these midichlorians was not their existence in cells but the effects their existence brought about in sentient living organisms.

People started cropping up more powerful than the Guardians. A Union General named Bane became obsessed with the power of the Nephys and attempted to seize power for himself by conquering the Union.

We don't know who led as master in Bane's case, the Nephys or Bane himself. That lack of knowledge led to suspicion of everyone who became "infected" with the midichlorians. But what no one realized was that the symbiotic midichlorians intended to enmesh themselves in all life and, by the last millennium, they had succeeded.

So everyone soon became suspicious of each other and the Union died."


"But," asked a girl confused, "What does that have to do with the invaders?"


"The Union is gone and forgotten though small remembrances continue to live here and there. The architecture of Coruscant, on it's lower levels, closely resembles that of Capricia because it was Caprician Artisans that first worked with the early inhabitants of that world. You still see the imagery and symbols of the old Union still used as Noble and Minor House banners on Capricia, though the actual meaning behind them is forgotten.

But most importantly, everyone alive still retains the ability, or the potential (rather) to use their minds to the fullest. It is just blocked by the presence of midichlorians. Why this is, I do not know. But those who held onto their ability the longest after being exposed to midichlorians told of great pain from one side or the other as one gained dominance. The inherent genetic ability refused to surrender to the midichlorians as they were becoming a part of life itself. As time passes, however, the inherent genetic abilities of old are forgotten and the Nephys, the force, becomes dominant while we remain content allowing it to guide our lives.

For the most part, the force is benign. But, according to the Jedi theology, there are light and dark sides to this force."

Then his teacher smiled, "But, in a few instances, when besieged by great despair, great anger, great love, great emotions, the force's hold weakens and our true genetic abilities are awakened.


It was during the First Invasion, when hope had fled that these abilities were awakened and the invaders drew back in fear."


"Why?" asked little Tyscio.


"Because, my boy, in all the galaxy, who's power is feared and respected?"


"The force!"


"And the force did not work on these cursed invaders. But the awakened abilities in some of the Capricians did because it was not from the Nephys that they drew their power."


"My daddy said the invaders came back to kill us all."


"And they nearly did, my girl. They nearly did finish off every last one of us. Their fear drove them to do unimaginable things that will not be uttered now or never. But once that relic, that ability had manifested itself in Capricia's darkest hour during the First Invasion, these invaders were not going to simply forget it.

For according to their beliefs, they would eventually reign supreme and victorious over all living things. This was their truth..their doctrine and a most devastating 'truth' it was to them. In the face of that lay only our will."


"Belief over Decision.


Doctrine verses Will."


The Teacher pivoted on his rock and pointed to the ruins of the old Construction Yard.


"This was where the last battle was fought.

This was where the Conquest of Capricia was decided."


The Teacher's eyes shifted to the faces of his audience.

"Never in all history has so little been measured by so much. That a single planet.. that a single united people fought tenaciously to the end."


"Did they win?"


The Teacher's eyes grew soft at the question and glanced at the landscape, different and yet familiar at the same time.




*



"We are lost, Tyscio! Mathematics of war say it! Our fallen shout it! The enemy knows it!"


"What do you want me to do Hespante?! Just lay down and die?" came an irritated response as the young man threw down his empty weapon and rearmed another.

"There is still time, my Lord. Leave Capricia to it's fate. You've been through too much, have seen too much to fall to this.. this ..barbarian horde!

"Hespante, the Union is gone. Nothing will bring it back. Hiding from that fact has not taken away the loss…"

The Caprician grabbed the taller retainer and turned him around. "Live or die, Hespante, our fortunes are changed with action!

So act!"

The Caprician swung a blaster over his shoulder and gave the ancient royal retainer a boyish grin before disappearing through a gaping hole in the structure….out into the fighting.."


"We are not indestructible, Tyscio." The retainer had whispered after the man and then he too gave one last final sigh and followed his Lord into the battle..


…ready also to test his mettle against the fortunes of fate and the ripples of chance."




*



The blowing wind struck the Teacher's face as it triggered a memory.



*


An injured, battered Tyscio Korban, a bleeding Jedi Master Leia Organa Solo her iron fists still clenching her glowing saber, a dirty and grimy Seth Vinda, his corporate seal still reflecting the fading sun as their hopes lie like dying embers upon the smoldering ash of total ruination.


Even after hours of fighting, borne along by uncommon courage and a stubborn refusal to simply die, they prepared themselves for one last stand.


A stand that would be made on their feet as the both the people of Capricia and Bonadan readied themselves to meet the alien charge head-on.

Two opposing forces charging each other with unrestrained emotion.


For every action there is an equal and opposite reaction but this time the Capricians hoped to hedge all their bets and with all their might summon a reaction greater than the onslaught brought to their world..


One last time!


The banners of the Regent swung forward and the massive guns began to blast at the invaders lines as, at the same time, in both the human tongue as well as alien, the same command was given.


"CHARGE!"



*


The Teacher looked at the child who had asked the question and replied, "Yes and no, son. Yes and no."


"Tell us what happened."


And the Teacher reached back into his mind and began to remember that day….

Kail

Last CSA stronghold – Kail Ranges


Kraken rubbed his chin thoughtfully as he studied the tactical situation projected in front of him, the harsh red haze eminating from it making him squint slightly.

Smiling , he shouted out in glee as the display depicted in glorious detail
the third attempt to storm the fortress by Vinda-Corp’s forces, fail , once more.

“…they might have caught everyone else off-guard, but they’ll have to do better than that for us!…”

The CSA commander glanced up at the comms officer to catch his attention…

“…patch me through to high-command…”

The officer shifted awkwardly, before replying cautiously…

“…I can’t they are jamming all our communications…”

“..well patch me through to planetary – Command…”

Once more the comm’s officer shook his head.

“…it doesn’t exist…all capital cities have fallen, intel reports are, at best, sketchy, but from what we can ascertain, we appear to be the last of the resistance…”

Kraken’s confident look seemed to sour a little…

“…nevermind, we can take whatever they can throw at us, troops no matter how well trained are no match for us in here…this fortress was designed to withstand a siege for years…”

The commander slapped the huge Durasteel, thick wall as he talked, almost as if to half-reassure and convince himself.

…it might be as old as the hills…but it was made to last…

“…we just have to sit tight and wait for reinforcements…”

Nodding to himself, he picked up his small cup of Caff, and took a sip, despite being
In the very low levels of the fortress, similar to a bunker complex, he could still hear the low distant sounding explosions of many Vinda-Corp fighter squadrons bombarding the Stronghold from the air. As they reverbed a little , and did little to damage the complex, the Commander smiled a satisfied smile, for he knew the shield would hold.






Onboard “The Khan”




Tellum glanced up at the ensign who had just appeared by his side expectantly…

“yes?…”

The aide delivered his report curtly…

“…Sir, the main capitals of Kail, are under our control , the assaults were brief , and casualties were low, as expected…except for the Kail ranges, there is still one CSA fortress offering resistance…in fact , the third attempt at seizing it , has just been ordered to fallback and regroup…”

Tellum scowled in the direction of the aide…

“…what about air-support?…”

The ensign replied quickly, his grating, monotonal voice starting to wear Tellum’s patience thin…

“…no effect, their shields are too powerful…”

Running his hand through his hair the Captain , nodded, and leant across the Tactical display , studying what he had at his disposal… a faint smile seemed to creep across his lips as he caught sight of the Loronar strike cruisers stationed in orbit along with the rest of the fleet…

“…evidently , they need persuading…”

Programming a data-pad , he handed it the ensign, who snatched it from him over-keenly …

“…this should help them…”





Kail

Last CSA stronghold – Kail Ranges – Eleven hours later




Commander Kraken , relaxed into his chair a little as the rest of his men cheered and joked with each other about the stopping of the aerial bombardment, and the advancement of the troops. That had been over nine hours ago, it seemed their stubbornness to give in had paid off, their morale was riding high.

…looks like we can sit this one out…

As the CSA commander took a sip from his cup he breathed a sigh of relief, and placed the cup of Caf beside him on the table, shut his eyes , and drifted off to sleep. Pleased that the respite had given him some time to catch some rest.



Three hours later




Kraken , found himself awoken suddenly, to the sound of a heavy rhythmical pounding, which seemed to have a slow yet distinctive pace, the sounds bringing him around from his lucid state. Blinking a few times at the bunker’s harsh strip lighting, his gaze caught sight of his cup, rubbing his eyes with his hands , he stared at it a little confused. With every thump, the liquid inside the cup shook , the Caf inside it picking up on every tremor… Kraken’s gaze soon turned into a cold hard stare as a grim realisation dawned upon him, which made his stomach churn in fear.

…they can’t have…

Before the CSA commander could react an officer burst into the room, his voice drenched with fear…

“…Sir! You’d better come and take a look at this!..”

Grabbing his coat, the Commander followed the officer’s lead, flying up the stairwell as if it wasn’t there, until he found what had made the officer so worried…

“….by the black bones of…”

Kraken’s voice trailed off finding himself dumbstruck, as his suspicions became cold, hard facts, his eyes narrowing at the huge column of AT-At’s lumbering towards them…Too many to count.
They were so close now , everything seemed to shake with every gargantuan footstep they connected with the ground, sending plumes of dust from the ceiling of the complex raining down upon its occupants. Each step forward, one step more to all but destroying any of the morale the men had left.

Kraken turned to face his worried men , and tried to shout above the thunderous noise of the advancing goliaths, in a last ditch effort to rally his troops…


“….STAND YOUR GROUND MEN! FIGHT TO THE LAST!…”







Kail

Geosynchronus planetary orbit – “The Khan” – Five hours later




”…go ahead Tellum…”

The burdened brow of Richter Bayern faced the Captain , the Holo-net signal flickering slightly as it overcame a few random interferences. It didn’t matter how Richter looked, despite his small size, he could not help but seem intimidating, but it was his manner Tellum had grown accustomed to a long time ago.

The Captain clasped his hands behind his back , and smiled…

“…you’ll be pleased to know, Kail has been secured , the last of the CSA resistance has been eliminated, we are establishing a more appropriate ground base, of sorts…”

Richter’s relief at the news could be seen even through the blue haze of the Holo-feed…

”…Good, very good, very efficient, as usual , Tellum…stay on standby and await further instructions…”

Tellum simply nodded in response, and watched as the image of Richter dissipated in front of him, his curt manner almost comforting to the Captain, who had spent a great deal of time stranded with the Vinda-Corp businessman on Sevarcos… Although Richter hadn’t shown it, Tellum, could tell he was pleased to see him alive and well.

This thought made him smile, as he turned to face out from the Plex looking out on the planet below… bemused , he contemplated this as he gazed upon the swirls of greens, whites and blues, all producing an eerie glow that made him squint his eyes in reaction. From above regardless of all the destruction that had taken place below, the planet was indeed beautiful to observe…

Loosening his top button on his tunic, Tellum allowed his thoughts to reflect upon the events that had led him to this point…and what ones may lay before him…
and a brief thought flashed through his mind…


…the more things seem to change, the more they seem to stay the same…

Roonadan

Unknown Governmental Facility




"That's good, seems you and I have something in common then, because I'm still not changing my mind...."


As the Vinda-Corp diplomat gave Kalatan his answer, the Exo's piercing blue eyes cut Miles a cold , emotionless glare. Slowly, he seemed to stiffen, and give a deliberate, grim nod as he raised his head to meet Miles's gaze...

"...I see..."

Exhaling deeply, he shook his head a little...

"...then I guess I was wrong about you, Miles, perhaps you did not inherit your parents intelligence, after all....

...its a shame..."

Kalatan's left hand reached to a control panel situated upon his desk, and flicked a small switch upwards. Immediately , part of the wall just to the side of the Exo, slid away to reveal a hidden door-way.... and a figure standing within it.

"...and...a waste..."

Steadily, the shadowy figure began to step forward, into the light...

"....as I said earlier, Miles, I have just brokered a deal that would ensure , Vinda would not come back from Capricia , alive..."

As the face of the stranger became apparent, there was a slight , sharp intake of breath from Yana...
There, standing before them , and only a few feet away from Miles, was...

himself...

Before the Vinda-Corp diplomat could take a moment to digest the situation , Kalatan continued...

"...I would have preferred to have had you Miles..."

The carbon copy of Miles , smiled a sinister grin, and began to circle him, almost sneering...

"...I gave you your chance....now ...you shall pay for your lack of vision...."

Kalatan's voice had become deadly serious...

"....Mr Johnson....may I introduce, Xael Vhaus..."

The familiar looking stranger, spoke vehemently in Mile's direction, in a language completely alien to his own. The figure stopped abruptly and clenched his fists, is if in great pain... slowly his face , his whole body seemed to contort and twist in what looked to be in the most painful way possible..

"...imagine my surprise, and delight, when our mutual friend here contacted us..."

Quickly, the figure's appearence began to change, he became taller, bigger, and as he mouthed what appeared to be a silent scream, deep scars and tattoos seemed to ripple across every ounce of his skin...

Until, standing before Miles, stood a Yuuzhan Vong warrior, his eyes burning with a rage and a hate indescribable....

As the alien clutched what appeared to be the head of a snake, it began to unfurl from around his body...


"...you see Miles.... there can only be one of you..."

No sooner had Kalatan's words escaped his mouth, the Vong warrior grinned evilly, and struck the diplomat across the face with his amphistaff. The blow sent Miles reeling back, and cut the left side of his cheek...

It had not been designed to kill...but to mock...and as the Vong laughed, Kalatan spoke...

"...now Mr Johnson...

...you will die..."