<!--EZCODE BOLD START--> Providence...<!--EZCODE BOLD END-->



The gravitational effects of the gas giant Kendra and Providence's proximity were playing havoc with the <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Blaze of Glory's<!--EZCODE ITALIC END--> instruments.

Scipio let out her breath slowly at the celestial sight, the brightness of Kendra, reflecting off the dense atmosphere of Providence.

Adalric Cronus was going through the motions of locating the colony on the planet and reviewing the shipwide repair reports leaving the Capricians to contemplate their next move.

The gravity fluxuations was hindering any communications from taking place between the SSD and Capricia...but Scipio wondered if Providence might not have word of what was going on.


She hated being blind.


Before the SSD had left Minos, Scipio had received via private communication from the Caprician Cruiser sent to investigate the blockade in the Outmarches.

According to the Captain, it looked like the blockade was over for they came across no enemy vessels.

This also disturbed Scipio for if the invaders were no longer blockading the system, <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> what did that mean?<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

She had ordered the Captain to relay to Adalric Cronus that the system was indeed still under blockade so even the "idea" of skipping out might not come up.

Adalric seemed to be a formula fleet mathematician. Why throw assets away in a cause already lost?


<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Are we already lost?<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->


Achinta had been silent for most of the way, which seemed to be his way. She was growing used to that and welcomed the chance to get her muddled thoughts in order.

"We women are an emotional bunch aren't we, Achinta?" she said softly to the Vinda Corp. android.

"One moment we are weak and crying, the next we are angry and strong, and even after that we are cold and manipulating."

A sudden curiosity overcame her, "Tell me, In your travels for Mr. Vinda, have you come across many women?"


A slight voice irritatingly popped up in her mind:<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Be careful what you ask for Scipio, the answer may be one you won't like..<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->


She clamped down on that rather irritating thought as women are prone to do and gave Achinta a look of intense interest in what he'd say next.

'You know, you'd think by now they'd have tried to retreat...' Of course, with Negotiator putting out a massive gravity well, escape was impossible. But an attempt would have reassured the VC Admiral.

'Sir, the enemy has lost fully half their fleet. The remaining vessels are regrouping... they appear to be after the yards, sir.'
'Stop them,' Isstal said simply. The VC fleet came around, the Super Star Destroyer engaging several of the enemy cruisers at once.

Soon... you now learn the idiocy of attacking Vinda Corp!

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

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





"...Sir , you'd better come and take a look at this..."


*Vinda, sighing heavily, reached for his commlink...*

"..on my way..."

*After failing to get any rest, he had gone over at least dozens of scientific reports, as well as damage reports, etc, ...he rubbed his temple, wincing slightly as he read through the list of MIA and deceased employees...

Standing up straight, he caught sight of himself in the mirror...*

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> ...not getting sentimental in your old age now are we?...<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

*A cold harsh stare was thrown back at him...*

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> ...this is not the time to grow a conscience...<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

*He paused for a moment as if reflecting on this thought, stared back at the man before him, then glanced down quickly at the small lighter he was still holding...
and made his way to the bridge...*



* * * *



*...As the doors slid aside, he stepped through briskly, Omar joined him at his side, and handed him a data-pad...*

"...thats the inventory we have, also, I think you should see this..."

*..and before Vinda had a chance to digest it all, Omar had ushered him over to a console, flicking a couple of switches he bought up a view onscreen of the atrocity happening just outside of the Vinda-Corp vessel...

Vinda's eyes widened as he saw the Victims slain brutally, before him...*

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> ...murdered like animals...this is madness....<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

*switching it off, he glanced towards Omar, reading his face...*

"..theres more?..."

*Omar nodded...*

"..yes , the suspected command ship appears to have closed in on our position, its currently holding just above...and they sent us this message..."

*Vinda's eyes narrowed , his face turning into a scowel as the message was played back, Omar shifted slightly, as he spoke, a small grin appeared ...*

"..I was about to to give them our response..."

*Vinda shook his head...*

"...not yet, don't say or do anything, keep them guessing, it might buy us some time..."

*Omar looked quizzickly towards Vinda...*

"...time for what?..."

*Vinda's voice seemed to lower, as his eyes scanned the data-pad in front of him ...*

"...I have thought of a second option, since its obvious we can't stay here...what about self-destruct"

*Omar looked at him, considerably alarmed...*

"...er no chance, our power levels have dropped well below what would be needed to reach critical mass....not only that sir, but there are still about five thousand personnel onboard..."

*Vinda snapped back...*

"..I'm well aware of that Captain..."

*His eyes seemed to suddenly stop ,as if focusing in on something in particular on the data-pad...He looked back up to face Omar, his face thoughtful....*

"...we are certain we have this much of this ?..."

*He showed the data-pad towards Omar, and Omar's eyes widened a little as if suddenly following Vinda's trail of thought...*

"...to the last pound...but we've just spent the past hour sealing the ship!"

*Vinda nodded...*

"...yes , and its done the trick, the Vong think we are here to stay, and they have moved in closer..."

*Vinda glanced over to the screen , where the image of the Vong's Command ship could be seen...*

"...which is exactly what I wanted..."


*Turning around he addressed the whole crew once again...*

"..Listen up gentlemen, standby for evacuation procedure , all personnel are to take the life-pods, ready the troops , and open me a channel to the fleet in orbit...briefing in ten minutes time..."

*Omar, shifted slightly, as if sensing things were going to get worse before they got better...Vinda joined Omar once again, and handed Omar back the data-pad he had given to him...*

"...spread this all over the ship, I want every square inch covered,...any more fire-power would be useful, we need as much as can muster, any thoughts?..."

*Omar's face lightened a little ...*

"...well, we still have hundreds of unsed Proton Torpedo's and Concussion missiles..we could remove the warheads..."

*Vinda, nodded in agreement...*

"..yes, very good, gather all the technicians you need ..."

*with a quick nod, Omar relayed the orders...and Vinda gestured for a technician , who sidled up beside him...*

"..what is the range of the escape pods?.."

*The technician paused briefly as he considered the question...*

"in space, pretty much as far as you like, under atmospheric conditions, the initial launch would send them about ....(he paused again, calculating quickly in his head...)...about five hundred metres..."

*Vinda's eyes narrowed...*

"...thats not far enough, I want them as far away as possible....is there anyway we can increase their range..."

*Once again the Technician was silent, as he pondered the possibilities...*

"..well, we <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> could<!--EZCODE ITALIC END--> increase the amount of detonite used in the launch procedure...(his mind raced through more calculations)...we could probably manage about a Kilometre safely, without heavy winds......
(as he spoke he noticed a small smile appear at the corners of Vinda's mouth)...

...however , its risky, <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> very<!--EZCODE ITALIC END--> risky, if we use too much we could end up destroying the pod altogether..."

*Vinda put a hand on the man's shoulder...and spoke...*

"..good...how long to make the adjustments?.."

*The Technician , scratched his chin...*

"...a couple of hours..."

*Vinda, smiled broadly..."

"..you've got <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> one<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->...take as many people as you need..."

*The Technician nodded, his face a little bewildered at the task he'd just been set, and ran off the Bridge...

...Vinda gestured for Omar once more...who obliged..*

"...we need to find a suitable rallying point, any suggestions?..."

*Omar, indicated for Vinda to follow him to the Comms console..*

"...we've been picking up a substantial amount of Comms traffic in this location...
...(he walked over to his station and bought the area up on a holo-feed)...
..It appears to be a town of some description, at the base of the highlands ..."

*Vinda rubbed his top lip with his hand as he considered it...and Omar continued...*

"...it does appear as if some Caprician forces are converging..
also, if this virus is airborne, with the weather patterns it would be the safest place to hideout, and thats not including its strategical importance..."

*Vinda glanced up at Omar..*

"...strategical?..."

*Omar nodded..*

"..if I was a Caprician , thats where I'd be headed..."

*Vinda smirked at this comment...*

"...then that shall be the place, brief everyone..."

*looking back over to the screen and the haunting image of the Vong Command ship hovering close by...Vinda took Omar to one side once more...*

"..have our Science dept , found anything of use to us?.."

*Following Vinda's gaze, Omar's face didn't look too confident..*

"...well, something but not as much as we had hoped..we know their ships are living, and everything they use is organic..."

*an Ensign came beside them and interrupted the two...*

"..Sir the fleet are on comms..."

*Vinda lifted his hand and acknowledged the aide with a nod...*

"..tell them to standby Ensign..."

*The Aide sped off , as instructed..and Vinda turned his attention back to Omar...*

"...I want you to target whatever is or powers that ships engines...and send the Co-ordinates to the fleet..."

*Omar interrupted him..*

"..Sir, at their range, they would have to use missiles, and if they miss, they could hit us!...and with all due respect, I wouldn't know where to start..."

*Vinda raised his hand, his voice reassuring...*

"..best guess, Omar, best guess..."

*walking up to address the crew again, he gestured to be broadcast over comms...*

"...Listen up people, time is of the essence...I want confirmation the moment everyone is ready...and ...

...good luck..."

*..signalling to be cut off , Vinda took a moment to glance around at the blur of activity that had suddenly erupted, and gripped the rail that ran along the front of the Bridge.
His eyes focused on the screen in front of him...The Vong Command ship seemed to be hovering in front of him, almost as if gloating...

..His eyes narrowed in annoyance...*

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> ...surrender...the sheer arrogance!....


...you'll know our reply , soon enough...


....soon enough....<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

<!--EZCODE BOLD START--> Religious Command Ship.... Capricia..<!--EZCODE BOLD END-->


//Have the infidels responded?// he asked as he entered his control room. He had just taken a small tour of his ship, confident in it's ability to handle anything thrown at them.


//No, Master Shaper//


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


//Very well.//

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> The appointed time approaches. They will either live or die.<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->


//It's in Yun-Yuuzhan's hands now//

<font color=grey>

Never before have I seen such a enemy

...The CSA attack came without warning...

...And ended with the deaths of thousands...

...These people are not, cannot be, human...

...They never once showed signs of giving in...

...Even in the face of defeat...

...They pressed the issue...

...And they were destroyed for it...

...Of dozens of ships that attacked us at Bonaden, not a single one remains...

...The CSA fought to the death here today...

...Their death...

The flaming remains of the CSA's armada float in space. Vinda Corp had been successful... destroying all the opposing forces with a calm ruthlessness.

Supreme Commander Isstal stands on the bridge of The Negotiator, surveying the dead ships.

'Have you ever seen anything like it, sir?'

'Like what, Colonel?'

'They never gave up... they fought until the end, even when they knew they stood no chance.'

'They believed in their cause, Colonel. They are of the belief of that what they did was just... and that death was a better alternative than retreat.'

The Colonel nods.

'But still... it's unsettling...'

Roonadan

Orbital status

It's amazing the things you don't notice until you look really close....

Miles had never noticed Andersan, well at least not up until now. Sure, he'd seen him around Vinda-Corp, just as he had seen everyone else. However, he didn't really notice him until his adventures with Yana had started...and even then, he still knew nothing about the man, just his name and where his place was. He silently scolded himself for never taking more time to notice more, he realized looking back at Andersan, that there was much he missed at Vinda-Corp. If he had noticed more...maybe none of this would have happened in the first place...

Pay attention to detail....and it will pay attention to you....

He had not noticed Yana as she walked up to him, too engrossed in his own thoughts to notice much of anything. His gaze slowly fell on to her, his face drew to a face of emptyness. He questioned her with a question of his own

"Why not?"

He paused, as if letting her try to come up with an answer.

"Why does anyone do what they do, Yana?"

His face grew hard, serious. He knew she could not answer, no one could.

To do is to live...

To live is to breath...

To breath is to have life...

His face went soft, he knew he could not go without giving her an answer. They both had come this far, together, he knew she deserved an answer.

"No one said I had to do this, I'm doing this for all the right reasons, Yana. I'm doing this because I want to. I'm doing this because I care."

He paused, glancing out toward the viewport for a moment.

"Two wrongs don't make a right, Yana..."

Yana had done wrong once already, but Miles did not hold that against her. He could have easily just as well made her pay for her actions, make her suffer for her consequences for the bad things she had done, but he went by that saying...That two wrongs don't make a right.

"I'm giving you a second chance, Yana, because everyone deserves a second chance. Perhaps not a third or forth
chance, but a second chance, those are much deserved..."

Miles could just barely see the spaceport coming into view, but as he looked on all he could do was smile. He didn't want to express himself any other way. He only wanted to express himself in the best way he knew how to bring hope....

"...I did it because I believed, and still believe, that the risk was worth taking..."

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

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Varleen City Spaceport<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->




Andersan had caught most of the conversation between Yana and Miles as the Vessel docked in the Spaceports landing bay...he reached out on a rail to steady himself as the craft shuddered a little.

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> ...second chance!?...<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

This woman had almost brought disaster to Vinda-Corp, yet Miles was prepared to give her a second chance...

His thoughts slipped back to Vinda-Corp, as he wondered what had happened in the short time they had been away...

was it still there?....or had this Isstal failed?...

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> ...I'll guess we'll find out...<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

The voice of the Special forces team Commander , <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Torm Gabriel<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->, caught everyone's attention...

"ok..people , before we move out, remember, this is supposed to be an undercover operation, so be discreet, don't all go out at once...in fact I want just ten..., that includes Miles, and Yana...the rest stay here, and secure a parimeter, in case the worst should happen..."

Andersan , face grew concerned...

"..what about me?..."

The commander looked at him , as if noticing him for the first time..glanced over to Miles, who nodded..then replied in kind to Andersan...

"...very well, but keep your head down and follow my lead...don't get in my way"

Andersan Bit his lip ,as the Commander had already moved on before he could reply...a thought flashed through his mind instead...

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> ...how about you don't get in the way of mine...<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

He pulled a small blaster from out of his uniform pocket, checked it...and slipped it back into his inside pocket, whilst Glancing over to where Miles , and Yana were readying themselves....then back to where the commander had gathered the people he needed...

"...we've pin-pointed the location of what is believed to be the source of the mastermind attack on VC...it appears to be a Government installation of some kind...
despite various recon and intel reports we really don't know what is waiting for us out there , so ....<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> stay frosty<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->..."

Andersan rolled his eyes as he listened to the Commander speak..

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> ...where did they get this guy from!?...<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

Torm continued...

"..we'll have your Children back in no time, Miss Okani...

(he turned back to his men)...

....MOVE OUT!"

..and the entourage followed his lead...

As Andersan walked past Miles his eyes narrowed slightly, as he cut him a glancing coment over his shoulder...

"...lets hope this Admiral of yours jammed those ships transmissions ,or this is gonna be <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> one<!--EZCODE ITALIC END--> short trip...

...and with that, followed, the men off the ship and into the Spaceport...

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

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



*Vinda paced backwards and forward along the deck, waiting....

...he hated this part...

he glanced over to the screen where he could make out the swarm of Coral Skippers gathering , readying....*

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> this is going to be close...<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

*A voice thru the Comms bought his thoughts back to the now...*

"..go ahead..."

*...it was the voice of the Technician he had discussed with earlier...*

"..Sir your personal ship! it appears to be intact!..."

*a look of suprise, came over Vinda's face as listened...*

"...can we use it?... "

*there was a slight pause on the other end...*

"...all the launching areas are completely cut off, we can't actually get it outside..."

*Vinda scowled, getting a little impatient, he looked around for the data-pad he was given earlier, as he picked it up he glanced back over the inventory, his eyes stopped on what he was looking for...*

"...we've got D-Tape, right?...use it..."

*..the Technician continued..*

"...you mean breach the hull!?, that would cause major damage sir..."

*Vinda looked a little confused..*

"...I hardly think that matters now, <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> does it?<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->..."

"..pack it with as much supplies as you can...but...<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> hurry<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->.."

*As the Technician acknowledged and signed off...Vinda shook his head...and glanced at his Chrono...*

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

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> ..Orbital status...<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->



*Richter and his crew had witnessed the events unfold, in almost disbelief, everything had happened at such a rapid pace...They had watched as Vinda-Corp's Eclipse Star Destroyer had unleashed its superweapon against the flotilla of ships , with devastating conseqeunces...

Although joining the battle relatively late, they had cleared away the remaing fighters, which had seen them as a soft target...

Richter , couldn't help but feel , both shocked, and happy , shocked at the ferocity of the attack, but happy at the Admiral who had Commanded VC's fleet...It had appeared to come almost out of nowhere...

During the course of the battle, he too, had recieved the communicae from Mr Soom.....and one other, from another source altogether...

The CSA had been duped... they had learned about the Star Destroyer, and had sought to annhilate it before it could be built... it had been a good plan, but they hadn't counted on one thing...

..their information was wrong...

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> ...It had already been completed...<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

Richter imagined what the Commander leading the CSA fleet must have thought seeing the huge vessel suddenly come into life...

...Richter smiled satisfied...

The CSA had their operatives.....but so had Vinda-Corp...

..they had underestimated , and had lost...

This last thought perplexed him slightly though...as when they had left VC had no Admiral, except Vinda himself...

He was curious to see who this <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Isstal<!--EZCODE ITALIC END--> was...

He turned to face Tellum...*

"..dock at Kyoto Station, and send a transmission to Admiral Isstal ...I want to meet our new commander..."

*the Captain obeyed, and the VSD slowly made its way to the orbiting station...*

<!--EZCODE BOLD START--> Orron III <!--EZCODE BOLD END-->

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> CSA Data-center<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->



Kaneda, moved swiftly through the darkened halls of the Data-center, his pace was interrupted by the footsteps of security guards coming his way...Glancing around quickly, his eyes widened noticing what appeared to be an office of some kind.

Sidling up to the door, he cursed slightly after realising it was locked....Retreiving a small fist sized unit from his belt, he pressed down on a switch to the side, and with a small buzz it clamped itself upon the keypad-lock to the door...

A sudden hum , and whirring indicated the device had come to life...

Kaneda glanced in the direction of the footsteps....

they were getting louder...


<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> ..C'mon damnit!...<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->


The small red light on the device changed to green, and the unit beeped...

Kaneda sighed in relief , and pressed for the door to open, as it did so slowly, he slipped in quickly , before the door even had a chance to open properly, he had pressed the switch to close it again...

Locking the door from the inside, he leant up against the door, and listened for the Guards to hurry past...

As their footsteps faded from earshot, he glanced around the office, his eyes scanned across the small room, it was neat, and well kept...his gaze stopped and focused on a computer console upon the desk...

..he smiled...


Switching the console on,and as he waited for it to boot up properly, took his laptop back out of his back-pack, and connected it via the scomp at the side of the computer...

..once more his fingers raced across the keys..accessing databanks...

...files...

...profiles...

...Kaneda had been chosen as an operative not only for his ability to disappear quickly, but for his exceptional hacking skills...

his eyes scanned down the screen, and a sly grin started to from across his mouth...





<!--EZCODE BOLD START--> Security level Omega<!--EZCODE BOLD END-->

Authorised Personnel only.


<!--EZCODE BOLD START--> Ref:<!--EZCODE BOLD END--> 1z238462 B334

<!--EZCODE BOLD START--> Cross-Ref:<!--EZCODE BOLD END--> 2290871Beta

<!--EZCODE BOLD START--> Sub Folder designation:<!--EZCODE BOLD END-->

Security Agent listings






....Retrieving a small data-disc from within his backpack, he inserted it and started to copy the entire file data-base...

As the disc whirred , he browsed further....


<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> ...profiles...should be interesting...<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->






<!--EZCODE BOLD START--> Security level Delta<!--EZCODE BOLD END-->

Authorised Personnel only.


<!--EZCODE BOLD START--> Ref:<!--EZCODE BOLD END--> 6x187942 B333


<!--EZCODE BOLD START--> Sub Folder designation:<!--EZCODE BOLD END-->

Profiles





...As he browsed through the Data-base he grinned after getting no result on his name...

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> ...still anonymous...thats good to know...<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

He typed in Vinda-Corp, and a wealth of information sprung up before him, faster than he could take it all in...he decided to copy that too...

..noticing the cross-reference file number , he checked it out, and was confronted with a profile on his own employer...

..his eyes scanned the pages in interest...

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> ...my, my, Vindy....you've been busy...<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

..he smirked at this thought, and was about to see what else he could find when something caught his eye...

...another cross reference..

more out of curiousity he checked it out...

...as the computer hummed and cast its light across Kaneda's face, his mouth opened slightly, and his eyes narrowed, as he tried to take in the information that had just made itself apparrent...



<!--EZCODE BOLD START--> File Ref:<!--EZCODE BOLD END--> 592b333X

<!--EZCODE BOLD START--> Subject:<!--EZCODE BOLD END-->

Natalya Severina Vinda

<!--EZCODE BOLD START--> Status:<!--EZCODE BOLD END--> <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Classified<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->


<!--EZCODE BOLD START--> Mother:<!--EZCODE BOLD END-->

Natalya Severina Amaraya

<!--EZCODE BOLD START--> Status:<!--EZCODE BOLD END--> <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Deceased<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

Ref: D 667-x333


<!--EZCODE BOLD START--> Father:<!--EZCODE BOLD END-->

Sethian Vinda

<!--EZCODE BOLD START--> Status:<!--EZCODE BOLD END--> <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Active<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

Ref: 1z667-333x 89562





....Kaneda seemed to freeze for a moment, as if in shock...


<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> ...Vinda has a daughter?.....<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->



...Transferring her file to his computer, he continued browsing further....


...he had to know more....