"FIRE!!!!!" Captain Drall shouted as his crippled warship leveled itself once more towards the Victory Class Star Destroyer.


Victory Class!!!


The humiliation burned him and he had to shoot three underofficers before appropriate speed was implimented in the repairs. The fact that the VSD had not continued it's bombardment gave him a scent like an injured fawn to a jackal.

The turbolaser system was not designed to launch cannisters but only discharge the energy charge the cannisters held.

"They must have overloaded their systems." he remarked, an evil grin marking his features.


The forward batteries of his ISD began to hurl the death-dealing energies stored towards the waiting New Republic warship.


"PUNISH THEM!" he screamed in delight as the shots struck the enemy.






"INCOMING!" shouted Major Lars as his crews had abandoned the guns and were securing the charges.

The enemy shots struck the hull shaking three levels as the armored skin of the Iron Mantis buckled against the searing strength of the onslaught.

The fact that only three enemy turbolasers were firing did nothing to sooth the Major's fears as it only foreshadowed the destruction the Imperials would visit upon them when their repairs were completed.

"Ensign! Move your damned rear!" he shouted as the last crewman scrambled up and away running straight for the exit lifts.







"WE'RE BREAKING AWAY!" shouted the helm officer as Trajan took in multiple damage reports at a single glance.

"Sever the connection!" he shouted. He knew they could not hold the seal any longer. Not with an ISD shooting at them.

"Port pressurized!" came the critical report.

"Seal broken!" quickly followed the other.


The Iron Mantis slowly pulled away from the station marooning several of their soldiers on the prison station as the bow began to make a 180° turn to face their enemy.

"Shields!" Trajan snapped as the durafoam and connecting rings broke away floating away from the asteriod. "We shouldn't be taking a pounding like this!"







"The Mantis is leaving!" came the panicked report as the Marines rushed through the last holdouts of Section A. The leader of the insertion team stopped to digest the information as Sellis Sur walked past and on into the control center of the prison.

They were all shocked by the treatment of the prisoners. In fact, they were shocked by the personnel situation on the station itself.

The warden, bound after succumbing to the concussion grenades, shouted at the passing alien, "You think you're safe? Your ship is retreat! You're going to die and I will laugh at the sight!"

"Will someone shut him up?" Sellis growled as he accessed the station schematics. Without having a trusty astromech to navigate the system, he had to do it the old fashioned way, by the clickety clack of keys. Fortunately, the prison was not a complicated setup.

"Tell me some good news." came the order from the Team Leader who walked up behind the typing alien. "All teams are converging. We've got twenty more prisoners and the guards stationed in the docking ring are coming up. They got the hell out of there when the Mantis broke off."

The Team Leader was yammering away causing the White Knight to type faster in response.

"There!" he shouted in triumph and the Leader stooped forward looking over the diminutive alien's shoulder.

"Hanger," the Leader responded suddenly encouraged and stepped back turning to address the crowd. "Listen up people! New plan...."

Sellis was about to abandon the computer terminal to follow the Team hustling the prisoners down to the hanger of the prison facility when his eye caught a flashing silent button.

He scurried over to the flashing button his alien eyes widening at the mystery.

"What are ..." he started to ask, his basic reverting to his native tongue.

"What is keeping..?" came a voice intruding into the room as the Team Leader came back for the White Knight.

Sellis wide eyes got wider as he pushed the button causing the flashing to stop. Then the speakers in the control room caused static to burst into the room. If one listened hard enough, one could pick out a voice.

"A transmission?" the Team Leader asked moving over.

Sellis turned his head to a dark monitor. Switching it on, the display caused Sellis and the Team Leader to gasp.

"We gotta get out of here, NOW!" Sellis shouted.


The display showed the other ISD and it was on the opposite side of the asteriod.


The flashing button was an alarm system!


"FAK!" Sellis shouted as he and the Team Leader raced down the corridors of the prison towards the hanger.






Captain Zuras of the ISD Velocilator watched the signal end. The Zuras family was a political family and he wanted the glory that INS showered on the career of Grand Moff Zell, Bhindi Drayson, General Ming, and the like.

The beacon signal from the prison was an opportunity that he had been hoping for.

"Battle stations," he ordered calmly licking his lips in anticipation.

The shields formed into place as the few powerful blasts of the first Star Destroyer pounded into the Iron Mantis' hull.

Trajan ordered a steady stream of return fire hoping to hamper any damage control activities on their larger adversary but with an entire deck emptied on the port side, such return fire was not as effective as he would have liked.

"Where is the other ISD?" he murmured. They were already in a jam as they'd been severed from the prison facility thus rendering their mission just about over. The White Knight and the final boarding team were still trapped but he had no compliment of transports to get them.

Even if he had, to lower the shields now would be folly.

He had to make a decision now.


If the Mantis remained much longer, the odds of the second ISD catching them in a vice against the crippled ISD before them grew. And while Trajan's crew had found a way to incapacitate the Star Destroyer before them, there was no way they would be able to overcome it. Not slug for slug.

Even with it's offensive weaponry off the board for now, the giant vessel was heavily armoured.

Flee now and leave the Knight, his boarding team and whatever prisoners were left to the mercy of the Empire or wait?






"Asteroid targeted, Captain." the tactical gunnery station head officer announced stepping up to Zuras' attention.

The Captain grinned and clasped his hands behind his back.

"Let's end this tiring duty, then. All weapons, fire!"


And the Velocilator began to throw volleys of turbolaser fire against the asteriod that housed the prison complex.

They had not detected the intruding New Republic warship nor the plight of their sister ISD. And, if they had, the orders would have more than likely stood.






Sellis was thrown to the ground violently tripping the Team Leader as they ran down the last corridor that ended into the hanger. He screamed a curse in his alien tongue as his claws raked the floor as he scrambled to get up.

He noted that he was alone and turned to see the Team Leader grasping his knee.

"No time!" he screamed throwing a clawed hand at the shoulder of the Team Leader who cried out as the claws grabbed hard.

Sellis began dragging the injured comrade into the opening of the hanger noting the Warden's Shuttle sitting conveniently nearby. Several other soldiers exited the shuttle running over, each grabbing a side of the Team Leader hauling him up despite his cries of pain and amid wreckage beginning to fall.


"We are being blown up!" Sellis shouted scampering ahead of the soldiers dragging the Team Leader.

He pushed everyone out of his way in his attempt to reach the pilot's chair. Before he could even secure his seat, his thin fingers traveled over the control board firing the main thrusters.

They no longer had any time.

As the soldiers reached the boarding ramp into the shuttle the atmosphere seemed to change as the vibration and shaking of the shuttle (along with the prison) finally began to increase.

The asteroid was losing cohesion as it was being fired upon and somewhere, compression had been lost and everything was beginning to break apart.

Sellis briefly wondered if this is what Luke Skywalker felt as he escaped from the Second Death Star before Antilles and Calrissian blew it up along with Emperor Palpatine.

His fingers moved across a panel and the ramp began to rise as the thrusters found more power to begin the takeoff.

~

"Prepare to make the jump to lightspeed!" Trajan ordered knowing they were out of time.

"Tracking! I am picking up another vessel!" Trajan and his executive officer turned to the scanning officer as if he had announced Palpatine as his birth father.

"Location!" snapped Trajan nodding to others to continue the calculations for the jump to lightspeed.

The Mantis shuddered under the onslaught as more weapons came online from the damaged Imperial Star Destroyer ahead of them.

"From... the prison?" the scanning officer frowned at the readings.

"Shuttle from the prison!" he looked up excited.

Trajan spun around, "Send coordinates for the hyperjump to the shuttle!"

It was a gamble but he felt his odds good. The coincidence was too much and Sellis was a White Knight that could pilot!


Another shout stirred him to action, "Asteriod breaking up!!"


The puzzle locked into place. The second ISD! Shooting apart the asteriod from the other side!


His mind came to these conclusions in the split of a second.


"Jump." he whispered loud enough for the officers to carry out the action.




Time slowed.



The surge of the massive engines aboard the Iron Mantis channeled their power through the hyperdrive motivator as another bank of weapons on the ISD Belarius began to open up.


The asteriod exploded and the Mantis was hurled forward.


Captain Drall's eyes widened as the New Republic ship that had been targeted by the new bank of guns coming back online disappeared leaving in it's wake large pieces of the asteriod prison facility hurtling towards his crippled ship.

He turned to shout an order when the debris struck his ship sending damage throughout his vessel.

The bridge exploded as massive chunks of rock crashed against the armoured warship rendering it finally powerless as systems were knocked out.


The emergency power tried to kick in amid the structural damage but wouldn't until the debris from the exploding prison moved beyond the Belarius.





Captain Zuras turned to receive the verbal report.

"No enemy ships in sight, Captain." came the report from the scanning crew and he began to smile. "Massive damage to the SD Belarius."

"Send on all frequencies. Do they need assistance?" He knew that the pride of some Imperial Officers would require them not to ask for help. But by the looks of the other Star Destroyer he knew Captain Drall would take all the help he needed.







Unknown Location...Coalition Space.



"... I repeat. This is the Coalition warship, Iron Mantis. Is there anyone out there?" The comm officer turned to Trajan. "No response, sir."

Trajan sighed as he held up the medical ward's report on the state of the rescued prisoners.

Trajan mentally did the calculations in his head, "We'll give them one more.."


"SIR! Picking up a faint transmission!"


Trajan nearly dropped the report. "Let's hear it!"


"eat. This is Sellis Sur, White Knight. Calling any Coalition vessel in range.."


"Where are they?"


"Got them, Sir! Sector.."


Trajan's smile interrupted the verbal report. "Let's go get them then Lieutenant."


"Aye Sir."

The Iron Mantis had picked up the beacon from the shuttle White Knight Sellis Sur was piloting and moved to rescue the mix of prisoners and the boarding team. The Imperials could not stomach fleeing with the prisoners and so went to their doom when the second Star Destroyer pummelled the asteriod facility to dust.

The Mantis, having gone back to it's new Coalition IFF transponder had made the treacherous journey to the unofficial capital of the Coalition Military, Azguardia Prime.


Azguardia Prime


"Moorings locked, Captain Vespian." the Executive Officer reported as the great engines of the Iron Mantis powered down.

"Tell the engineering crews that the ship is theirs for the time being. Shore leave issued for all off-duty personnel." Trajan was snapping the buttons on his formal dress uniform, a rather stuffy garment.

"Sir, the doctor would like to speak with you about one of the prisoners.."

"Later, Garrick. We are already late for a meeting with the Prime Minister."

"Sir.." the Executive Officer's voice was soft. "The crew is behind..."

"None of that, Mister. This was done on my orders and I shall answer for them." Trajan interrupted almost harshly. Then his eyes softened, "But I appreciate the gesture, Garrick."






Chief Vallorum and Sellis Sur met Trajan as he was disembarking and the Captain could not contain his grin as his large, burley Engineer tried to fidget with this colar. Sellis was in a uniform that Trajan had not seen in person, which he concluded was a dress uniform for a White Knight.

"I swear, the uniform designers are sadists!" the Chief grumbled as they moved through the port and onto a shuttle that would take them to the governmental offices below.








The three individuals, standing at attention as Prime Minister Regrad walked back and forth in front of them pausing to read the report from the Military Command that Trajan had reported too.

He was immediately relieved of command of the Iron Mantis and ordered to the current meeting of high ranking officers of the Coalition and other Party leaders.


Whispers went back and forth and Trajan thought he heard remarks such as:


"reckless .."

"courageous.."

"commiting the Coalition too..'

"renegade officer.."


Trajan's eyes stared straight ahead though he heard the Chief's knuckles crack and knew his friend had heard the same remarks.


Regrad turned to the men standing at attention.

Regrad spoke not a word, instead, giving Trajan a slight nod of his head - it's meaning left unsaid.

Turning, he joined the panel of officials who had gathered about a long conference table, sitting in the middle as the meeting got under way. An attendant cleared his throat, and spoke.

"This meeting is called to review the conduct of one Trajan Vespian, and one Sellis Sur, with regards to the recent confrontation reported with Imperial forces. Representing the crew of the Mantis, Chief Vallorum has also been summoned. Presiding over the meeting, the Hon. Prime Minister Regrad." With that, he stepped back, and opened the floor.

No one spoke. Despite the whispers that had proceeded the meeting, when it came to actually speaking aloud, none were sure just where to start. It wasn't until at length, Marth Meer - a high-ranking ministry official in the House of Representatives, and experienced ex-Soveringty agent - lifted the report he had been handed idly with one hand, and glanced up at Trajan.

"It says here..." he said "That it was you who commanded your ship to assault the hidden Imperial facility? And that you did this relying only on the intelligence provided by a single Coalition operative - a Knight though he may be - that was both uncomfirmed and incomplete?"

The pause was quickly filled before Trajan could respond by Yolem, an Azguardian officer seen as Regrad's right hand in the military "That is hardly a fair manner in which to judge him, Marth, considering the intelligence turned out to be both accurate and adequete to the task. Surely we should consider the results of -"

Marth interrupted with a stern tone, leaning into his part of the table "This time, maybe, this time he was right, but one of the things you are forgetting is that the chain of command relies on men following their orders and not acting on a hunch. If we let this slide, then every captain who hears a rumour or gets a feeling about something will think it all right to take his men blindly into danger, and it won't take the Empire long to start leaving a few false trails for us to follow straight into a trap."

"This was no mere rumour, Minister." said Ruuvan, a Calamarian Knight representing the whole of the organization at this meeting. "Sellis Sur is in good standing and seen as both reliable and tenacious - if his word could not be trusted, then we give our officers a very narrow definition of trust to work with."

"Now that's not the point at all." said Marth, waving broadly "It is true that this one time, the Knight was right and the ship was able, and we're all glad prisoners were freed, but consider the reprecussions - the Empire might act on this, it could make reprisals or demand payback or who-knows-what else. We need to set a clear guideline to follow, not send mixed signals to our men about how it's okay to disobey orders so long as you do it right. Trajan, you are - if I recall correctly - formerly of the New Republic. That means you may have well let your emotions get the better of you out there, and taken on this dangerous mission and risked the lives of your men by blundering into a potential trap, or hell even finding the whole thing completely legit and failing to rescue the prisoners, they did outnumber you pretty badly according to your report."

The argument seemed to die down around the table, as Marth seemed prepare to deliver the gist of his opinion. "In brief, though his motives seem honourable, this officer before us acted without orders - a severe breach of Coalition naval protocol. He may have put us in a dire position with the Empire, and he definetly endangered the lives of his men in a reckless assault. Under any other circumstances, this alone would be enough to strip you of your command, but the decision lies with the whole meeting, not just I, so it is your perogative to make your case with us before we pass any judgement."

Strangely enough, despite his presiding role in this meeting, Regrad had not spoken a word. Instead, he sat back, appraising Trajan in silence and glancing at the report. The whole assembly went quiet as Trajan's chance to speak on his own behalf came.

Trajan Vespian, Captain of the Iron Mantis, clenched his jaw standing ramrod straight taking the brunt of Mr. Marth Meer's (high ranking Coalition Representative) remarks.

A former military leader turned politician.


Trajan hoped he could rekindle some of the old military honour being that they both fought in wars. In the end, it seemed that politics had triumphed.


The Prime Minister was mysteriously quite throughout the proceedings and Trajan had no idea which way the old Azguardian's mind would sway.


And so, into this somewhat hostile crowd Trajan spoke allowing for the pieces to fall where they may.



"You are entirely correct, Mr. Meer." he spoke initially and Meer seemed to puff up a little bit. The politician began to settle in his seat clearing thinking this decision would fall to him (of which there was a good chance it might).


"The report does say that I commanded my ship into the action which is reported in the briefs in front of you. I was not under any influence and was clearly aware of what I was doing."

He stepped out of line, hands clasped behind his back and began to pace turning his eyes to each of the gentlebeings seated.

"You see, I am a starship Captain. As such, it is my duty and my responsibility to command my crew as I see fit under the strictures of my oath as an officer of the Coalition Navy and under the Articles of the Galactic Coalition Confederation. As such we are trained and trusted to be able to handle situations that may be thrust upon us."

He eyed Meer.

"We are not trained to contact High Command at every emergency we encounter. However, we are trained to expertly and successfully handle each emergency that comes our way.

It has been stated that I should have asked for confirmation regarding Mr. Sellis Sur's report. If you had bothered to read the report, you would have noted that by the time we would have received said confirmation, our window of opportunity would have failed.

And how could somebody at the High Command confirm what Sellis Sur, a White Knight in the field, had or had not seen? Assuming the Military High Command did not trust Mr. Sur or his reporting abilities, they would have had to mount another mission; in effect, send another White Knight to go take a look and say, 'Yes, Sellis Sur did see this thing.'"

So disciplinary action cannot be taken because I acted on a report given to me by a being trained to relay such information without an umbrella. Otherwise, what are White Knights good for? If we have to run every little report back to Command before acting, we would get nothing done. Why would the White Knights report if no one is going to trust what they see and what they hear in the field.

I will not question the honour of Mr. Sellis Sur. There is no error in his actions for he acted within the regulations of his charter. His report was valid.

And his report indicated that there were prisoners still being held on a secret facility within Imperial space.

As Captain of the Iron Mantis, I know that I do not command a battle group. But I do know what my officers and crew can do and what their limits are. I felt, after considering what Mr. Sellis Sur reported, that the risks were worth it.

So am I being disciplined because of the tactical nature of my mission?

That my ship was outgunned and outmanned?!"

His eyes were incredulous and he stabbed a finger at a galactic map.

"We are living in the midst of the Empire! THE EMPIRE! We are living in the midst of the Black Dragon Imperium! Both nations are more numerous and outgun us ten-fold. Does this tactical situation compell us to lay down our weapons and bare our throats?"

He glanced back at Mr. Meer.

"Does it!?"

He continued to pace, "You say that my motivation was emotional? Because I was a former New Republic soldier and that the prisoners were New Republic?

Well, you are damned right! It was emotional. That years after the dissolution of the Republic the Empire still, STILL, held onto prisoners treated them with less mercy than animals. But I tell you this: That I would have been equally emotionally motivated had the prisoners been Coalition!

Do you really think that the Empire does not have other prisoners of the Coalition? Do you really think that they simply handed all of them over because of some agreement where they were clearly the stronger? And if we asked them to do so now, do you really think they'll say 'yes'?

When we find such situations, do we simply stand back, cross our hands and do nothing?

What do we fight for if not to defend those our oaths bind us too? Why take oaths if we are only to protect our people as long as they aren't captured?"

Trajan moved closer to Meer, "And yes, those prisoners ARE our people. The New Republic fought and bled for us to have a chance of living without the chains of tyranny. Those brave souls were not going to be left to rot!"

He backed away. "But you are right, Mr. Meer. The Empire may know of this small raid on a prison facility housing people they really could care less about. The prison itself was destroyed. One ISD did not realize we were there. The other who did discover us suffered so much damage that the story may never be known. But that is conjecture. They may know."

Trajan turned to the others. "But after Tynna, do you really care?"

"All in all, gentlebeings, the question boils down to authority. Mr. Meer would like starship captains calling to Command before acting. As Captian, I exercised my authority, granted by the Coalition Military, and on that initiative ordered the attack.

Gentlebeings, there was no order to disobey because there was no order preventing me from carrying out my duty as an officer and as a citizen in the Galactic Coalition."


Captain Trajan Vespian's features softened as he stepped back in line with Sellis and the Chief.

"Sir," he looked at the Prime Minister and then to Mr. Meer. "You state that this mission could have failed. That we could have been going into a trap. It wouldn't be the first time I or any Coalition Captain would have faced that circumstance and I do not think it would have been the last. You say that my crew was being endangered, their lives placed at risk.

With respect, Sirs, they are members of the Galactic Coalition Military and I am a Captain in the Galactic Coalition Navy...


..risk is our business."

Meer was flaberghasted, equal parts shocked and embarrased - perhaps surprised to realize that he was playing the role of the man he'd always despised, the armchair general who would criticise officers from the safety of a desk. He fell silent, and offered no rebuke.

The table seemed unsure how to proceed, until Regrad slowly leaned forwards, maintaining his eye-contact with Trajan as he did so. Gradually, everyone turned to see if he was ready to speak, and he did so.

"Captain Trajan Vespian of the Iron Mantis, formerly of the New Republic, present at the battle of Dantooine as well as during the fall of the Republic. When others surrendered or stood down or fled, you preserved the Republic and what it embodied in your ship and your crew."

The room was still silent, Regrad clearly not finished as he straightened and gently arranged his hands on the table in front of him. "I do not pretend to understand the difficulties you went through - or the pain you suffered - but because of them, I can think of no more capable a man in all the galaxy to have lead that rescue.

"You were the one to save prisoners of the New Republic, because in you I still see the New Republic itself. We may try to emulate it in part, or remember it in spirit, but we make no claim to that venerated organization. So far as I am concerned, what took place was not the Coalition freeing prisoners of forgotten wars, it was the New Republic taking back it's own." a smile split his worn face, and he added "Not only that, but it appears you arrived bearing New Republic transponder codes - thus making it official! The Coalition was nowhere near the prison and I'd shout down the first Imperial propaganda minister to suggest otherwise."

A brighter mood infused the meeting, as Regrad nodded to Trajan. "That is why I am glad to say you will remain captain of the Iron Mantis, and you and your crew are to receive commendations of merit for your actions. The Coalition is a risk, of that you are right, and we need those who are not afraid to take them when the cause is right. If there are no further objections, I think we can declare this meeting adjourned."

Everyone quickly filed out, satisfied with the end to the meeting, but Regrad gestured for Trajan to stay. The two remained until the room was completely vacant, and slowly, Regrad rose and walked around the table to where Trajan stood.

Regrad was a giant by comparison, twice the man's height, but leaning down the two were face to face. The Prime Minister said nothing, but instead reached into a pocked of his robe, taking out an unadorned box.

"This" he said "Is a relic I managed to find during a foray to Mon Calamari - I acquired it from the retired Emperor Teebo, who in turn recieved it from Ackbar." With that, he opened it, and there sat an old, tarnished medal. "It was from the Republic days of old - unsurprising to find such a thing on Mon Calamari, considering the rebels there during the Civil War had a great interest in Old Republic artefacts.

"It would be inappropriate for me to award a Coalition medal to a man of the Republic, saving soldiers of the Republic, on a ship of the Republic - I do not pretend that it would carry the appropriate significance and honour, coming from us. But this, perhaps, I can give you without fanfare or ceremony as a small token of my thanks.

"The Coalition needs men like you, Trajan, more then you know. It needs the Republic, it needs it's memory, and I am honoured to have met you today." With that, he gave the captain a firm handshake, then walked out of the room, leaving him alone.

Trajan made it a point to shake Mr. Meer's hand as he left to indicate no hard feelings. Mr. Meer was, after all, doing his duty as he saw fit and no one should be looked down on for merely doing his duty.

The Chief grinned slightly at the Prime Minister's opening statements but cast a look of concern as he and Sellis Sur were motioned out of the room with the rest of the officials that left only Trajan and Regrad.

Trajan gave his Chief a reassuring nod as the other left turning his full attention to his Prime Minister.

Regrad's earlier words ringing throughout his mind, calling to mind a decade of triumph and anguish...

"Captain Trajan Vespian of the Iron Mantis, formerly of the New Republic, present at the battle of Dantooine as well as during the fall of the Republic. When others surrendered or stood down or fled, you preserved the Republic and what it embodied in your ship and your crew."


Over a decade of constant fighting. Of fighting a cold war against an ideology that threated every free living being in the galaxy. The men he'd known and fought with who fell asleep in death along the way seemed to stand before him as spectres of a fight that he refused to let go of...


Captain Laskin, Xylon Hexyra, Gash Jiren...


Marlena....


The price for constant vigilance sometimes seemingly too high.


The Prime Minister stood drawing Trajan's attention away from his memories. As the Azguard rose, Trajan was immediately struck by how tall Regrad was. Nearly twice his size. The Azguard engineers were quite small and he got used to them forgetting that Azguard warriors were much much larger.

He stood in awe of a race of beings that held such diversity and while Regrad may think the Coalition would not measure up to the New Republic, he also knew that the Prime Minister was being modest.

The Coalition was the brightest light held by all free beings against the darkness of this galaxy.

The Prime Minister held out a medal. "This" he said "Is a relic I managed to find during a foray to Mon Calamari - I acquired it from the retired Emperor Teebo, who in turn recieved it from Ackbar." With that, he opened it, and there sat an old, tarnished medal. "It was from the Republic days of old - unsurprising to find such a thing on Mon Calamari, considering the rebels there during the Civil War had a great interest in Old Republic artefacts.


Trajan was speechless, his eyes widening in shock.


"It would be inappropriate for me to award a Coalition medal to a man of the Republic, saving soldiers of the Republic, on a ship of the Republic - I do not pretend that it would carry the appropriate significance and honour, coming from us. But this, perhaps, I can give you without fanfare or ceremony as a small token of my thanks."


The former Republic Commander had tears in his eyes as he gingerly accepted the symbol of honor.

"The Coalition needs men like you, Trajan, more then you know. It needs the Republic, it needs it's memory, and I am honoured to have met you today."


Trajan looked up moving to take the offered hand that his Prime Minister offered. Their handshake firm as if reaffirming the previous statement.

"Thank you, sir." he whispered, overwhelmed.

And then the Azguard began to walk out of the room, his back straight, his bearing dignified as befitting a leader of a great power with a just cause at his back.


Trajan stared at the desk alone in his thoughts until he drew his own back straight turning smartly to where the Prime Minister had retreated and saluted.





As Trajan made his way back to the starport and his ship, he found most of his crew overflowing in the waiting area as if refusing to take their shore leave without finding out the fate of their Captain.

As Trajan walked into the room the faces of those who had been with him from the beginning his mind seemed to single out. As if they held onto some special bond that united them against any sort of adversity. And as his vision widened, he saw the loyalty of those who joined his crew after becoming a part of the Coalition. A loyalty that spoke volumes as to the character of those that served under his command and he felt a knot form in his throat.

He straighted as he stepped to the middle, stepping up onto a chair to view the crew as they gathered all around him.

"Gentlemen... and ladies... gentlebeings. Prime Minister Regrad has seen fit to award us with a medal that at one time came from the hands of Admiral Ackbar himself. A fitting memorial given our last mission." his voice caught as his gaze took in familiar friends. Three little Azguardians stood off to the side, one munching down on some beans. The sight cause a grin to come forth, "This is as much yours as it is mine and I would be proud to have this displayed in a public area. I am proud to have you all as a part of my crew.."

The crew waited with baited breath...


Trajan's smile grew into an outright grin, "And I am proud to continue serving as your Captain."


The officers and crew alike cheered turning to one another finally able to celebrate the success of their mission. Their success at making a difference to their fellow man.


Trajan had stepped down joining in the comraderie when the cheers suddenly began to fall silent. Vespian turned to see a several people walking weakly into the area, the crew parting for them.

Trajan saw that they had just crossed over from the Iron Mantis.


More were coming into the room, some wearing their old Republic uniforms while others were wearing the typical crew jumpsuit of the Mantis.

"Captain Vespian?" A man asked of Trajan, clearly the elected leader of the group.

"I am he.." Trajan nodded moved by their quiet dignity.

"All of us would like to extend a thank you to you and your crew, Sir." the man worked to get that statement out willing himself not to break down. "You do not know how much your sacrifice means to us and we do not know how we will ever be able to repay you."

The man paused as tears began to stream down his cheeks. Some of the crew began to cry with them. "We were dead. And you've brought us back to life. All of you."

And the former Republic prisoners began to mingle in with the crew expressing thanks and everyone, as if each was a long lost relative, suddenly began to become absorbed in introducing themselves, sharing experiences, sharing questions and answers alike.... and sharing hope.






Chief Vallorum was setting the framed medal against a wall in the crew mess with Trajan calculating it's position entering figures onto a calculator.
"A little more to the left, Chief. A little more.. more... wait! Go back."


"Good hunting, Captain." came a voice behind and Trajan turned to see Sellis Sur with his duffel bag in hand.

"Leaving already, Sellis?"

"I have to report to WKHQ before shore leave."

Trajan walked over and shook the White Knight's hand. "It's been an honor to serve with you, Mr. Sur."

"Likewise, Captain." the tiny alien said in all seriousness. "Chief."

"Don't be a stranger, Knight. You'll always have a bunk with your name on it here." Vallorum stated, leaving the picture where he had set it.

"I will?" Sellis asked.

"Sure. Right under the starboard manifold piping. It's nice. It's cozy. All you'll need is a pillow..."

Sellis barked out a strange sound that signified laughter. Trajan smiled and the Chief shook the Knight's hand. "Steady sailing, Sellis."

And the White Knight was off.





"Doctor? You wanted to see me?" Trajan had finally come down to the Medical Ward aboard the Iron Mantis.

Old Doc Sammry looked up from his vials of whatever it was he was looking at. He gave a mock-irritated stare at his Captain. "I wasn't asking to give you a physical you know? Why is it you officer-types avoid the Medical Wing?"

"I had to get chewed out by the government." Trajan quipped.

"That's nothing like the chewing out I'll give you if you miss your next check-up."

Trajan's eyebrows raised. "Is that what you wanted to see me about?"

The Doctor huffed, "Oddly, no. I have a patient here that you might be interested in. They were too malnourished to be moved and have been resting comfortably the trip home."

"That's good, Doctor." Trajan continued confused, "Has there been any complications?"

"You might say so.." the Doctor continued as he began to walk to the Patient's Ward with the Captain in tow.

"Well?" Trajan prompted when the Doctor remained quiet as he reached the door.

The old man Doc turned to Trajan staring into his eyes with an almost fatherly affection. "The problem is, you are not by her side."

Trajan, confused by the comment, turned to the only occupied bed noting a tattered Republic uniform on the next bed. The insignia familiar.


Katana


"Trajan?" came a whispered voice like a ghost from his past out from the darkness surrounding the bed.

Trajan took a few halted steps inside, unable to think straight as a mess of emotions and memories overwhelmed his mind.


"Marlena?" he whispered.



How was it possible?

She was dead? Surely?

Killed by Simon Kaine!

Marlena?


A memory of his former Captain came to mind during the Battle of Bastion.

Captain Laskin had put his hand over Trajans and motioned for the him to put away his calculator.

“Sometimes the estimates do not take this into consideration.” He said, patting Trajan’s heart.


"Trajan?"


"MARLENA!" he cried out rushing to her side as she weakly called his name once more, wondering if he were a mere apparition of a delirious mind.


"TRAJAN!"


He tenderly kissed her feeling a decade of pain, sorrow and hatred drain from his heart..