<font color=red>“Range?” <font color=white>enquired the Mere captain.

<font color=yellow>“One Kilometre and closing. Sir that Trade Federation ship has its weapons aimed at us. However they don’t have an acurate lock. An aggressive move I would say.”

<font color=red>“Indeed lieutenant, prime out Ion cannons, and instruct the fleet to do the same. They’ll be our only defense until we can drive them out of the Nebula.”

<font color=yellow>“500 metres and closing.”

<font color=red>“Steady.”


<font color=yellow>“400 metres.”

<font color=red>“Open Fire!”



<font color=white>Ren’s gaze was cast upwards, to 5 mere cruisers descending on his position, cannons ablaze.

The blue bolts of energy struck the Trade Federation shields, sending electronic disruptions through all of the ships systems knocking them offline.

The Feds were dead in space, slowly they started to drift.

<font color=red>“Unknown fighter, this is Captain Tidus of the Mere Cruiser Durago. Please state your identity.”

<font color=white>Ren smirked and breathed a sigh of relief.

<font color=lime>“Durago, this is Ren Janggar Jed. . .” Ren paused “Chief Exec of Sienar Corp, I was conducting some buisness as you may have heard on Maramere, well, actually I’m in pretty bad shape, and I’d rather tell you the whole story on board if you don’t mind?”


<font color=red>“We read you, we’ll tractor you in. Prepare for docking. “


<font color=white>...........................................


<font color=blue>“From what we could gather from the Havoc’s sensor logs, the Trade Federation force on Maramere, consists of 15 Heavy cruisers and 5 battleships as well as a droid control vessel. Assuming they are fully stocked they could have a force of well over 1 Million grounds, not accounting ground vehicle. And for space combat in addition to the cruisers they would have a battlegroup of fighters numbering somewhere in the tens of thousands.”

<font color=lime>“And from the looks of it, battle hardened and well trained.” <font color=white>Stated Ren

<font color=blue>"To be frank with you Mr Janggar, I dont think this is a force we can have any realsitic chance of overcoming. The Mere are few, we have no real army. Our military is made up of a small number of Capital ships and a ragtag collection of old relics.

Sir" <font color=white>Said the Commander, turning to the Captain, <font color=blue>"we are a peace loving people and we’ve not engaged in any real combat in over a century.”

<font color=white>Captain Tidus, who had been standing staring at the disabled Federation ship through the war room’s viewport, broke from his hypnotic gaze and began to speak.


<font color=red>“The trade federation may outnumber us, but they lack ingenuity and our resourcefulness in battle. They can programme all the tactics and special combat simulations into thier droids all they want, but the fact of the matter is that they simply cannot compete with the tenacity of our own people, commander.”


<font color=blue>“But sir! Be realsitic, assuming, by some twist of sheer luck, we topple the federation fleet in orbit, the minute we step onto the surface our forces would be cut down into tiny pieces.”

<font color=lime>“It is true that we can’t beat them head on, however I won’t and cant stand by and let them continue in thier invasion. Remember that we are dealing with a rogue trade federation outfit here. They are an angry, bitter and most of all vengeful group. An all out assault would most likely provoke a reaction that would endanger the lives of everyone on the planet’s surface. That is a risk I’m simply not willing to take.

Stealthier Tactics are needed.


Captain Tidus, how powerful is the Durago’s spacial transiever.”


<font color=red>“Well I believe that its,”

<font color=white>Before the Captain could finish, signals for high alert blurted out across the ship.

<font color=yellow>“Sir, the Trade federation vessel has activated it’s self destruct system. I’m reading one minute to detonation.”

<font color=red>“Helm, this is Captain Tidus, full power to the engines, get us out of here!”

Captain Tidus arrived on the Bridge of the Durago as fast as he could with Ren in tow.

<font color=red>“Time to detination?”


<font color=yellow>“30 seconds.”

<font color=red>“How long ‘till we’re out of range?”

<font color=yellow>“At least another 40 Seconds sir.”

<font color=red>“Damn, we’re not gonna make it.

Wait, that’s it.

Tactical! Fire at the pockets of gas closest to the federation vessel. Maximum Power!!.”



<font color=white>The Durago’s Turbolasers let off a barrage of laser fire towards the battleship. Gas ignited and flared once it met with the Turbolaser fire, rocking the ship into a spinning motion.

A flurry of small detonations racked the hull of the battleship before it was engulfed in one huge ball of fire.

<font color=lime>“Ingenius.<font color=white>” Stated Ren. <font color=lime>“Firing at the volitile gases so as to knock the enemy ship away, giving you more time to reach a safe distance. Very good, very good indeed.”

<font color=red>“Thank you Master Jedi, however that explosion would have certainly been noticed by the Rogue Trade Federation forces and they will be on thier way to this location as we speak.”

<font color=lime>“Then I suggest we make a hasty exit from this sector.”


<font color=blue>“And where do you suggest we go?”

<font color=red>“Helm set course for Niemoidia, we need the help of the Real Trade Federation.”


<font color=yellow>.............................................


<font color=white>The Niemodian borders where being heavily patrolled, due to thier recent conflicts with certain Galactic defense forces.

This would be a tense situation for a number of reasons.

Five well armed ships heading straight to the Trade Federation homeworld wasnt the most welcoming sight, and it was a know fact that ever since those sad days prior to the clone wars, the relationship between the Mere and the Neimodians was not a friendly one to say the least.

They were heading into the proverbial Gundark nest.


Ren sighed and turned to Captain Tidus.


<font color=red>“Open hailing frequencies with the security border outpost.”

<font color=lime>“Captain, If I may. I think it would be more prudent for me to conduct communications from now on, as you may know, any Niemoidian to Mere talks would undoubtadly fail due to your two peoples past issues. I do hope you understand.?”

<font color=red>“Very well Master Janggar”

<font color=white>The Captain then motioned towards the Viewscreen, prompting Ren to speak.

<font color=lime>“Trade federation outpost this is Rogue Jedi Knight Ren Janggar, I request an audience with Viceroy Galdra, it is of a matter of great Improtance to your organisation.”

<font color=yellow>“No response.They’re acknowledging us but, they aren’t wanting to talk.”

<font color=lime>“Hmm, send them our sensor data on what we recorded about the Rogues on Maramere. That might pursuade them.”

<font color=yellow>“Sending data now.

Data transfer complete.

Ha! It worked, they wish to speak.”

<font color=lime>“Onscreen.”

<font color=purple>“Ahh greetings I am Sergant Drudo of the Trade Federation Defense forces, I’m afraid the Viceroy is away on buisness of an urgent kind. However I believe that we can accomadate you somehow. You must bear with me while I contact the Secretary of State. I will inform him of your predicament right away. Please Stand by.”

<font color=white>The holoscreen cut off.

<font color=red>“I must commend you Janggar, without your help we might not have been able to convince them of our situation.”

<font color=lime>“It’s not over yet Captain, we still have to convince them in to helping us. That will be the hard part.”

Sergant Drudo stepped back, and breathed out a sigh.

"Prepare the boarding parties, we have visitors who may or may not be friendly."

He hit his com unit;

Have the secretary of State report to the com room.

------------------

The SoS walked in, his droid guards following behind.

"well?"

"Sir, we have some people wishing to speak to you. The seem to wish assistance, and have contact with the Trator Federation."

"Put them on... Put them on man."

The Com popped, and came alive.

"Well? What do you people have to say for your selves."

<font color=lime>"Greetings it is truly and honour to meet you."

<font color=white>Ren drew a deep breath.

<font color=lime>"Honoured secretary, a situation has arisen around the planet Maramere, involving the planet's occupation by a rogue Trade Federation force of substantial power.

They have already taken over a large portion of the planets surface and have blockaded the surrounding area with ships.


Now I'm sure you are all too aware of the tensions between the Mere and the Federation which date back to the days of the Old Republic. However I beg you not to turn a blind eye to this on racial grounds, because if you do, you would be turning a blind eye to a threat, a threat that grow if unoticed, and could very well destroy us all.

Explain to your Viceroy how his empire was destroyed by someone how was pretending to be him, and how this threat was left to bloom over a racial triviality.

I appeal to your Intelligence, I know you are not stupid, that is why you must help us. Both out peoples are under threat here your honour, and right now, only you can bring an end to this.

The choice is yours Secretary, but will you make the right choice, will you, seal the divide between the Mere and the Niemoidian people once and for all?"

The True Viceroy of the Trade Federation slowly entered the room as Ren Janggar, a close and esteemed friend and associate of his concluded his speech. It was true, a state of war had existed with the Mere people more than seventy years ago. It was true that hostility between the Trade Federation, and these people was well known throughout the Galaxy. But, it was also true that these people had done nothing to the resurrected Trade Federation. As the Viceroy entered, several of his Staff, and Military personnel fell into graceful bows, the Viceroy's billowing formal attire swirling around him. His distinct Neimoidian features stood out most of all under the shadows of the room.

"Welcome to Neimoidia, Mister Janggar. I assume you know that our borders are closed for the duration of the war, so I will merely assume that this is of some importance."

The Viceroy paused, raising his hand as Ren began to speak, indicating that he was not yet finished talking. He slowly made his way to a large command chair, taking a seat as he jestured for the others to take a seat around the long, metallic grey table as well.

"Gentlemen, I have already been informed of the Situation. You claim that a Rogue Trade Federation force of a somewhat powerful nature has invaded the Meramere System, forcing the Mere people into yet another war." The Viceroy paused, leaning back in his chair as a Silver Protocal Droid, flanked by two Droideka Destroyer Droids entered the assembly room, carrying a small tray of refreshments. The Viceroy was renouned for flaunting his wealth through expensive furnishings, decorations, and even refreshments, of the occasion called for it.

"Mister Janggar. I assure you that these Trade Federation forces are merely remnant forces of the old Trade Federation, starving for revenge, with a bloodlust for the Mere people. After our Humiliating defeat after the Clone Wars, I cannot blame them. But this goes against Trade Federation law, and the violators of this Rogue Federation will be considered a decisive enemy. Seinar Corporation is a key ally to the Trade Federation, Mister Janggar. I wouldn't dream of threatening that alliance."

The Viceroy slowly reached forward to pick up a tall glass of red liquid sitting before him.

"What can I do for your situation?"

<font color=lime>"Viceroy, not to put to fine a point on it, is frankly grim. The vast majority of the mere people have been captured and the segments that remain stand before you today, and at the present time are poorly equipped to deal with a situation of this magnitude even with the force on thier side."

<font color=white> At the mention of the word, an uneasy feeling creeped into the back of Ren's mind. A disturbance of some kind, something . . . a feeling, no, Ren dismissed it."

<font color=green>"Is something the matter mister Janggar?" <font color=white> Said the Viceroy, obviously concerned.

<font color=green>"You seemed a little distant for a moment."

<font color=lime>"No, uh no, I'm alright, its been quite frantic in the past 24 hours. I'll be fine. Where was I."

<font color=green>"I believe you were about to ask for my help." <font color=white> Smiled Nelix.

<font color=green>"It will not be a problem, we have a vast army at our disposal, our vessels are capable of a sustained orbital assault that will take care of these Rebels without even coming face to face with them."

<font color=red>"Viceroy, I do hope you are not suggesting that!? If you unleash a barrage of weapons onto the surface you will not only destroy the Rebel Federation forces but my people as well. This is one battle we cannot win with ships alone."

<font color=lime>"The captain is correct, orbital bombardment would not suffice in this situation. We must make a concerted attack on thier ships while simultaniously launching ground troops onto the surface. If we engaged the fleet alone they would no doubt order the destruction of the Mere on the surface. These rebels are ruthless and not to be taken lightly.

Viceroy, I ask you to gather what troops you have available and come with me to Maramere, if you wont do it for the mere at least do it for the sake of preserving your good name!"

The Viceroy nodded his head, standing slowly.

"Gentlemen, I have the perfect solution." His words seemed to fix on Ren as he sat, listening.

"Mister Janggar, surely you remember the revolutionary design of the Starlancer, a Battleship that Seinar Corporation designed on behalf of the Trade Federation. Recently, the construction of one of these vessels has been completed, and the ship is well stocked with Droid Armies. As you know, Mister Janggar, the vessel is able to defend itself against small arms assault. I believe that, if the Trade Federation Fleet were to engage the Rebel ships over Meramere while the Starlancer comes about on the opposite side of the planet, we can launch a full-scale blitzkrieg of the planet.

"These Federation tactics are not unknown to me. The same tactic was used in the Invasion of Naboo, some time ago. Would the Mere people accept this resoultion?"

Ren didn't hesitate in giving an answer.


<font color=lime>"I suggest we make a hasty move, and get underway. We will take the Mere cruisers and what ships you can spare, and attempt to penetrate the Rogue defences, getting an army through to take the capital.

This is very much like Naboo, except this time, we have more than an advantage.

Let us ride into the breach Viceroy, together, we will fight this."




<font size=4><font color=yellow><c>The EndTo be Continued . . .</c></font size=4>