<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Jai stood on the bridge of the "Disruptor"...
She had already sent the rest of the squad home, so she alone remained to talk to Fearsons. They had accomplished thier mission, very successfully, and she was here to tell him so...she began paceing anxiously.
As she paced by a young private she grabbed the poor boy by the collar, "Look Kid, Here's a direct order: Tell Fearsons that Darklighter and the Disruptors have accomplished the mission." With that she let go of the young man and spun around, striding to her ship and departing.

The young private gulped haveing never seen Commander Darklighter under pressure, he knew his orders and ran to Fearsons's and exicuted a prefect---yet nervous--salute.
"S-s--sir, Mrs. Darklighter said to tell you that her and the squad are 'mission accomplished'. S<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

Fearsons quirked an eyebrow at the man's nervousness, and sensed something was wrong. He looked out of the bridge of his craft, simply to see Jaina's craft hovering through empty space.


"Jaina...?" he asked to no one inparticular, but a moment later he decided something else. He reached out with the Force, trying to contact her mentally.

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Jaina...what's wrong?<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Feels Fearsons's force messge...concentrates and sends him one back:
You wouldnt understand...family things.

With that, since her mission was finished, the MJF shot into hyperspace...<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

OOC: Just continuing the TNO envolvment on Garqi here.

*Garqi…*

Antilles stared at the purple tinted planet of Garqi from the bridge of the escort’s flagship, Herectic. En route to Garqi, Antilles got well acquainted with the intelligence files beamed to him from the supply frigates. It appeared that Garqi was once a major agricultural center for the galaxy. The purple tint of the planet’s continents was derived from how the plant life reacted from the soil it grew in. They were fairly prosperous during the times of the weak and feeble Old Republic and the Emperor’s first reign. In recent times, very recent, due to unnamed exploits of the Rogue Empire, apparently The New Order’s newest “ally.” Antilles was at a loss as to why he needed to clean up Fearsons’s mess, but he wouldn’t go over high commands head and question motives.

“Vice Admiral, transmission from the planet.”

Antilles looked down at the communications officer in the crew pit.

“They’re requesting we identify ourselves.”

Antilles responded with a slight edge in his voice.

“Have you done so?”

“No sir.”

“Then do it!”

“Right away sir.”

Antilles rolled his eyes. *Incompetent fool. Too bad his eval is within the next standard week.* He put it behind him and concentrated on the mission. The intelligence reports made note of an unstable political arena on Garqi. The Gargian ruling body was suffering from greedy and corrupt politicians. Most were receiving bribes from the major planters on the planet. Few honest representatives were left, but were quickly falling in the new bred of politics. He knew Imperial rule would solve that problem quickly and with harsh consequences for the tainted.

Antilles removed his private comm link from his belt, to contact the three supply transports.

“Have you received landing coordinates yet.”

“No sir, nothing yet. They seem to be ignoring hailing calls on all channels.”

Antilles left eyebrow quirked upwards, * Interesting…* He looked to the crew pit for the incompetent comm officer.

“Lieutenant!” he jumped in his seat, slightly startled from the powerful address. He allowed a smile curl onto his face. “Patch me through on the channel that we were hailed on.”

“Aye sir, right away…… Go ahead sir.”

The speaker bridge snapped as a husky voice spoke over some static.

*Very odd… Intel neglected to mention that they had inferior technologies.*

“Yes TNO, how may we help you?”

“You have neglected to give landing coordinates to our transports. They have been trying on all channels to get them.”

There was a momentary pause before the Garqian’s voice crackled over the speakers again.

“They now have them Vice Admiral Antilles.”

* “Vice Admiral Antilles…” I never introduced myself…something’s amiss here. *

“Thank you, our four transports will be planet side shortly.”

“My people would like to extend our gratitude to the Empire for their aid.”

“It is our pleasure…”

He gave a single to the comm officer to end the transmission. Antilles quickly switched to his private comm link, to talk with shuttle control in the hanger bay.

“Prepare a shuttle for me over to the Tsar, and notify them I shall be joining them.”

“Aye sir. The shuttle will be ready to launch when you arrive.”

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

On the ground, many Garqians waited for the supply convey to place down and being unloading. Main command hadn’t got any word from New Order ships. This puzzled them, the convey was over due by several minutes. The laborers were becoming inpatient, wanting to return to their failing farming to try a salvage what they have for crops. A sudden sonic boom was heard a few miles off. Everyone looked, trying to see where it had come from. The laborers scrambled as they saw the three large transports set down. The ramps of the transport extended, preparing to unload.

As the whirl of the engines diminished, a different sound replaced it. The men not unloading looked up, yet again, but they didn’t see more transports. A full squadron of Z-95 Headhunters approached the undefended landing pad and transports.

The laborers that saw the Headhunters were thrown into a panic. Chaos ensued on the landing pad. Many tried to find cover that didn’t exist. Crimson blots leapt from the weapons of the Headhunters, heading for the transports. The pilots must’ve been shocked when the shielding absorbed their attacks. In the distance, the whine of TIE Fighter engines could be heard. A wing of TIE Devils, launched from the Herectic, approached the landing pad. The Headhunters turned their attention to the menace.

Small units of three began breaking off from the main mass of Devils. The first three Headhunter pilots to respond were disposed with great ease by the swarm of Imperial star fighters. Three down, nine to go. A group of six surrounded another two Headhunters, if it was a piece of meat and they were piranha-beetles. Seven remaining. When a sixth Headhunter was shot down, half of the Devils began to retreat. One Headhunter pilot saw this and noticed his scopes were registering a fourth bulk cruiser entering the planet’s atmosphere. The pilot was beginning to relay this new information to his surviving comrades. Unfortunately, he neglected to see a group of three coming in for the kill. Seven down, five to go.

It was then the Tsar broke through the cloud cover. The Headhunter pilots were in shock to see a Victory-Class Star Destroyer, instead of the Quasar Bulk Cruiser signals it was broadcasting. The TIE Devils that had not retreated immediately began to when they had visual contact with the Tsar. In their withdrawal, the Devils managed to get one more enemy Headhunter. Blue blots of ionized energy darted down towards what was left of the assault force. The four Headhunters dropped like flies to the planet’s surface. A small detachment of AT-ST walkers and the feared Imperial Stormtroopers, were launched from the Tsar to recover any pilots that my have survived the crash of their disabled ship. With the detachment, a Lambda-Class Shuttle was launched, and headed to the landing pad.

Vice Admiral Antilles hoped there was a good explanation of what had happened. A voice from the shuttle’s cockpit told Antilles it was safe to disembark. With a small escort of two stormtroopers, Antilles walked onto the durasteel landing pad. A portly man, with two technicians, waddled towards him. The man appeared to be the head air traffic controller for the platform. The man snapped to attention before he spoke.

“Vice Admiral, is it? I am Kirant Lenacie, primary air traffic controller. We weren’t excepting you, you were in fact late.”

What Lenacie said struck Antilles as odd. From what he could tell, this wasn’t the same Garqian that had contacted the Herectic either.

“I’m afraid that were never got any word from you, Mr. Lenacie. But someone informed us to land here.”

“Likely the same person that sent the Headhunter squadron.”

“My thoughts exactly. From what you could tell were their any distinguing marking on them?”

“None that we could see. It possible they were sent from one of the minor political faction on the planet.”

Antilles just nodded. The reconnaissance team was likely to capture at least one pilot for interrogation. Antilles looked to Lenacie again.

“Let me take you to my boss, Ranren Midrtus. He’s the leader of the major political faction, and is the one who requested to supplies. We should take your shuttle. It’ll be the safest way for all.”

Escorted by TIE Devils, the shuttle carrying Antilles and Lenacie, made its way to Garqi City. Antilles and Lenacie talked much of the trip. Lenacie was a lieutenant in the Imperial Navy for the longest time, when he was much younger. He told Antilles that he was very lucky to have such a commission at his age, not many made it to Vice Admiral before their they were well into their declining years. Slightly bragging, Antilles justified he received his commission because of the superior tactical skill he displayed in the Imperial war games. Lenacie mentioned his son, Garien, being interested in joining the Imperial Navy once he was of age. Antilles assured Kirant that he would keep an eye out for young Garien application.

“Mr. Lenacie, if you don’t mind me asking, what was the Galactic Civil War like?”

Lenacie brow became wrinkled, his lips were pulled into a slight frown, and he had a sad look in his eyes. Antilles knew this would be hard for Lenacie to talk about, but the prolong pause showed he wanted to.

“I was not what I had expected for, and hope for the Empire. I can still remember where I was when the first Death Star was destroyed. I had many, many friends that died there, and I think one that died on the Alliance’s side. It was tough for the whole Empire after that. When they found the Rebels on Hoth, I remember telling myself what a minor victory it was. I was at the Battle of Endor, too, on the Chimaera. When Pellaeon called the retreat, my heart sank. I knew it was the beginning of the end.

“When Thrawn arrived aboard the Chimaera, I had a renew since of hope. But the white suit blinded me. I’m sure you studied the failures at Coruscant and Bilbringi. It was then I lost my faith in Pellaeon, and decided it was time for me to turn my rank indicator. Over all, I think the Galactic Civil War was just a growing experience for me. This is actually the first time I’ve talked about it. It was just so tough for us all.”

Lenacie’s eyes began to shimmer in the artificial light of the glow panels. Alec knew he shouldn’t have said anything about. Some how, though, he felt like he had helped Lenacie get years of pain off his chest. The shuttle had landed at Garqi City during their talk. Without saying a word, both men exited the shuttle to met with Ranren Midrtus.

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

“What do you mean the assault was a failure? I thought you said those transports would be sitting ducks?”

“They were supposed to be. Apparently, they were tipped off somehow and knew to send a back up.”

“You’ve screwed up again Maronice. First with the Rogue Empire, which I might add we’re still recovering from. Now with The New Order, who is TWICE as powerful as the Rogue Empire is. You had better start running before my assassins find you.”

“Not unless mine find you first. And trust me, Midrtus, they will.”

The holographic figure of Maronice disappeared from Ranren Midrtus’s desk. Midrtus slammed his fist down in anger that Maronice had failed him again. He hoped none of the pilots were captured, most of them knew the deal and couldn’t suffer the pain of an Imperial interrogation. Midrtus knew how this would end, but he pushed the thought aside. He looked down at his desk, trying to draw his attention away from the day’s events and back to his work. His eyes were immediately drawn to the blinking red light on his side console, signaling his secretary had either a call for him, or visitors.

“What?”

From Midrtus’s tone of voice, she could tell he did not want company. She continued anyways, her response coming through as weak and timid.

“Two gentlemen here to see you Mr. Midrtus. One says to be Kirant…”

“Lenacie,” finishing her sentence. “Send them in. And no interruptions.”

The doors to Midrtus’s office hissed open, in need of some minor maintenance. Midrtus stood several inches taller than Antilles and weighted a quite few kilos more. Antilles scanned Midrtus’s face, committing it to memory. One skill Antilles had picked up during training was the ability to read a facial expression and body language. It aided him greatly when playing Sabacc and it could be applied to the mock naval battled he was engaged in during drills. Antilles knew Midrtus was uneasy about something, but unsure of what.

Midrtus spoke a few words to them, offering them a seat. Antilles sat back and let Lenacie do the talking.

Lenacie introduced Antilles to Midrtus. Antilles extended his hand to shake Midrtus’s. A chill when up and down Antilles spine as the two men shook. He dismissed it as a nervous reflex. The three men took their respective seats, and began to talk.

Lenacie: “I’m sure you’ve heard of our misfortune at Pad 94.”

Midrtus: “Yes, and I’m sorry we weren’t alerted sooner. The party would have sent what military support they could.”

Lenacie: “I know they would’ve. Luckily, the Vice Admiral read who ever contacted them well.”

Midrtus: “Indeed. How, Vice Admiral Antilles, what does the Empire wish for in return for their generous offering.”

Antilles cleared his throat before speaking, knowing Midrtus wasn’t going to like what he was going to hear.

“In turn of our current support, and future support, it has been requested that all military and political power be in control of the Empire.”

As predicted, Midrtus, as well as Lenacie, were shocked at this request. Midrtus lost all posture and fell back into his chair. Antilles knew what this meant for Midrtus, and Lenacie didn’t want to see his employer lose his job. Midrtus swallowed hard, and straightened himself back up.

Midrtus: “I assume we hold no other options.”

“That would be correct. I’m not going to press upon you that a decision is right now, but one will need to be made, and soon I might add.”

Midrtus: “I will call a special hearing of the Planetary Senate today… all parties will need a vote on this.”

“Very good, I’ll be waiting the decision of the parties then.”

Antilles stood up to leave. Midrtus still had a distance look in his eyes. Antilles knew this was a decision that Midrtus did not want to make.

COMPLETE