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


General Kaine stood at the gangway staring out at the massive construction project moving forward. The flagship of his battlegroup, the <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Galactus<!--EZCODE ITALIC END--> was starting to show form.

He knew every line of the great ship, had gone over every detail, and with Captain Chandler (the slated Commander of this great ship) talked with every and any person having to do with it's creation.

The Imperial Regent, in a show of great magnanimity, increased the military budget by nearly 200% thus making possible the project.

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Hyfe outdid himself this time<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->, he thought with a mere shadow of a smile.

The Admiral had spent many a night with the Imperial Research and Developement team in creating an improved design for the standard Imperial Star Destroyer.

Kaine held his normally gloved hands in a clasp behind his back as he waited for a transport to take him across to the shipyard. With engineers milling around, his flat black, plain uniform stood in stark contrast making several of the surrounding people jittery.

He could sense the relief when the transport ring locked with an audible "clang", sending reassurance to passersby that the General would be moving from his station.


As the craft moved once more, Simon felt the slight feeling of weightlessness as the transport's gravity compensator field interferred slightly with that of the docking ring. It was a slight design flaw in the area, but one he preferred.


<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Nothing like our imperfections to keep one sharp.<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->


He mulled over the feeling, remembering familiar sensations he experienced while accompanying his men on various ground assaults. The dropping of the assault shuttles, the tense moments before the final touchdown, the charging out, especially under enemy fire.


And the cold, sometimes brutal, subjugation of the enemy.


<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Sometimes very brutal.<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->


In the course of fighting for the Empire, there were times he had done things that he was not particularly proud of.

That instances such as these were a part of his character came as no real surprise. Anyone who's taken part in the visciousness of war long ago has committed unspeakable atrocities that their conscience refuses to let go of. War, in any form, is a dirty, evil business.


A necessary evil at times, but one nonetheless.


"What is that craft over there?" he suddenly asked the pilot, coming out of his reflective musings.


"Materials requisitioned for construction complexes on Belkadan." came the immediate answer.


<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Belkadan!<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->


He'd not thought about the planet recently, being distracted by rogue imperial movements in the Yaga Minor system and the usual New Republic mischief. The conquest of Belkadan had been a quick, quiet action.

The planet was immediately quarantined to avoid it's being included in the sphere of Imperial commerce and organization.


"You've been there, Sir." voiced the pilot and it took the General a second to realize that it was not a question.

"How do you know?"

"The almost imperceptible intake of your breath at the mention of it's name."

Simon's attention turned to the man in sudden curiousity. "You've a sharp eye. Sharper than most."

The pilot waited for the inevitable condescending threat regarding his observations.

None came.

"My name is Seargent Redgrave, of the old 84th, Galactic Empire, Sir."


A geniune smile came to Simon's lips. "The 84th. They were famous, that group. Hoth, correct?"

"That would be us, Sir!" the pilot intoned, warmed at the idea that Kaine remembered.

"I am sorry I missed it." Simon lamented softly.

"The rebels would never have gotten away, Sir.."

"Flattery seargent."

"The truth, Sir. When your entire division came back to the New Order, out of seemingly nowhere, I admit to some suspicious reservations. The 256th was one of the last groups formed under Palpatine. I didn't know what to make, but word of the way the 256th acts..."


"...1st Battlegroup, Seargent, attached to the Sentinel Fleet, 2nd Division," corrected Kaine.


"...and my grandmother was a Sith. Sir, the troops know that you are the 256th. I looked into the public records but could only find a vague reference to a planet named Sotel."


"My first command," confirmed the General.


The pilot suddenly grew quiet. "Sir, I just want you to know that it's an honor to meet you. Coming from a landlover of the 84th."


"You are going to Belkadan." Simon suddenly said, his own silent observations around the transport becoming obvious.


"Yes, Sir. First Run."


Simon looked at the older Seargent, his eyes betraying no emotion.


"You will hear some...bad things..about me." he offered quietly.


"Propoganda Sir. You can't let that get to you.." the soldier offered as Kaine shook his head in rueful amusement.


"Not this time Seargent. Not this time...."




<!--EZCODE CENTER START--><!--EZCODE CENTER END-->



<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Simon's settled into his chair, his mind calling to the fore the memory of Belkadan...


...the concerns of the Empire at the time..<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->


"It's strange how events can shape a person..", he murmured to himself.



<!--EZCODE BOLD START--> In the beginning....


When Coruscant had fallen and everything had gone to hell....<!--EZCODE BOLD END-->



<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Space can be a fickle mistress at times, not knowing the difference between those that would appreciate her and those who are opportunistic, self serving and unworthy of her attentions.

Therefore, after years of being used by factions such as the Old Republic, Galactic Empire, and the subsequent New Republic, the presence of The New Order illicited no special attention. It was simply another user in a long line of users that would briefly make it's mark and vanish in the night; space eventually exacting her price, turning to the arms of another.

But Fleet Commander Zell would have none of this. He (as well as TNO) had worked to long, fought too hard to simply watch this mistress frolic to others.

And so, following the pattern as with his real mistresses, he sought to possess space. He would not rest content and satisfied until he was master over every inch of her.

The fury over the New Republic's flirtation with that which was his overcame his frustration and it was at this point that the Regent of The New Order lifted his restricting hand.


The New Order savagely attacked any and all New Republic holdings that threatened their frontier worlds, it's downfall planned way in advance by the upper echelon of the Empire.

However, the New Republic (as much as the Imperials would have liked) was not ready to lay down and die. Their plan was bold in it's concept and wrought with risks in execution, but move forward it did.

Imagine the Empire's surprise when the planet Belkadan rebelled. When those once loyal to the Empire threw their responsibilities and duties to the winds.

Fleet Commander Zell, upon finding one of his mistresses in the hands of another man, would have had them both shot....

...but to find the man in his own bed?

The house would be burned!

Unfortunately, logistics could not quite make that happen. For not only had the planet disappeared from the Imperial Communications Network, it was rumored that the traitors would soon be reinforced by New Republic forces for a strike against Bastion itself.

...and while the New Republic knew not the location of the Imperial Capital, the former Imperial officers had a farely good idea!

The situation was a desperate one for it was a race. The New Republic racing to Belkadan for that critical piece of information that would determine their next move...and a race for the Empire to hold them at bay and make any leak dissappear.

The Imperial Fleet (Sentinel) was engaged on multiple fronts and while spread efficiently for their assigned tasks, it was spread too thin to be of any real aid to Belkadan.

In a daring plan quickly formulated by the Command Staff of the Empire, Admiral Hyfe took a single Star Destroyer
<!--EZCODE BOLD START--> Titan's Fist<!--EZCODE BOLD END--> to Bastion to pickup the only battle-ready group available under General Ming's command. The 256th (old Galactic Empire designation), recently of Sotel, under the command of Colonel Kaine had recently reestablished contact with the Empire and had been recalled to the Capital.

Much to the surprise of the Admiral (pleasantly so), the transfer of war machines, weaponry and supplies went quickly and efficiently. In no time, the <!--EZCODE BOLD START--> Titan's Fist<!--EZCODE BOLD END--> entered orbit around Belkadan jamming all local and system transmissions. The transports carrying the 256th left their berth within the Imperial capital ship and Simon Kaine watched the destroyer wink out of existence to meet whatever the New Republic had coming.

The race was on...<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

"Good hunting, Admiral.." Simon murmured.

He turned to his friend and fellow soldier Captain Chandler (once commanding the Combat Wing attached to the 256th) and acknowledged his resolve.

Once more into the fray...


His goal was threefold it seemed.


a. eliminate the rebels
b. reinforce control over Belkadan
c. (above all) protect Bastion's location


Simon quickly surveyed the report presented by Imperial Intelligence about the situation they were heading in. The transport rumbled as they met the atmosphere of the planet.


<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> ...covered with diversified geographic impressions including forests, open flats, and low-scale mountains ...


...to be charged with treason, and executed for crimes against the Empire...


...isolated forest city of Raschank, and is only accesable by small walkers and infantry ...<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->


The rebelling planet of the Empire presented a singular problem for the Colonel and the organized rebel resistance was an added catalyst for rapid deployment and action.


The kind of atmosphere that Kaine thrived in.

Images of the desert war on Sotel flashed briefly in his mind as he handed the orders to Chandler and watched the other man absorb the information.

Chandler looked up quickly. "forest city?" he commented.

A shadow of a smile came to Simon's lips as his mind opened with possibilities. "yes..." was all he managed to reply.

The transport's engines whined loudly as the atmospheric thrusters slowed the ship's descent.

"How can the entire planet rebel with only 500 soldiers?" a Group Commander asked as Chandler had handed the information to him.

"The rebels are probably expecting help." Chandler responded.
"If anyone can disappoint them, though, it's Admiral Hyfe."


The Group Commander grunted and retorted, "There won't be any rebels left to feel disappointment."

Simon listened absently to the exchange, his mind on Raschank.

He looked up at his two Group Commanders, both veterans of Sotel, and said, "These rebels are not going to just sit down and die. They were trained by the Empire. They may be addled in the brain, but they can still hurt. Keep your wits about you gentlemen. They know this ground. We only have pictures."


"Ground coming up!" came a shout originating from the pilot.


<!--EZCODE CENTER START--><!--EZCODE CENTER END-->



"There she is, Sir." the transport pilot whispered almost reverently.

Simon came back to the present and there, in the large berth, floated <!--EZCODE BOLD START--> Galactus<!--EZCODE BOLD END-->.


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

<!--EZCODE BOLD START--> <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> The Past...<!--EZCODE ITALIC END--><!--EZCODE BOLD END-->

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Touchdown!<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

The military transports from the Titan’s Fist landed amid no fanfare. The AT-RH’s lumbered down the ramps swinging their guns outward to cover any unintelligent move by the rebels to harrass the unloading of the 256th.

Simon Kaine emerged from a transport off center from the iddle vessel containing the Speeder Bikes..admiring the discipline his men showed.

Soon, the shadows of the transports fell over the Imperial Army as they lifted upward out and away from the field of battle.

The Colonel surveyed his surroundings thoughtfully. They were several miles from the a forest city accessible only by two small roads. The fact that the rebels chose such an isolated area as a base of operations perhaps indicated that they did not have, as of yet, the full support of the local planetary government. That could prove useful. The small force of the 256th found themselves in a very large clearing...the forest dense on all sides. Trying to move an army to this point would have been a tedious effort at best...however getting to the city would still not prove easy.


The 256th was broken into four groups.

Kaine turned to Chandler as the groups took their positions and said, “Captain, Open my eyes.”

The Captain grinned, “Yes, Sir!” and issued a series of orders sending ten Speeder Bikes on a scouting run. Kaine knew that the clearing they were in was directly south of the location of Raschank. The only roads that led out of the city were two, one moving Eastward and the other Westward.

He had issued orders for his flanks to reach those roads. He opened his comm unit to this Lieutenants and said, “Make me a road gentlemen.”

The forest came alive with weapons fire as the AT-RHs blasted away trees, uprooted vegetation and mulched the ground. The massive AT-RH on the left flank moved westward at a slight angle, it’s mighty blaster shots aimed to the right as much as possible. The AT-RH on the right flank did just the opposite, moving Eastward at a slightly advancing angle, it’s shots aimed to the left as much as possible.

Kaine turned his attention to the forest in front of him as the prilimary reports from the scouts showed no rebel presence. His eyes narrowed slightly.

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Where are you?<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

His AT-RHs were lined side by side facing the forest, themselves flanked by two AT-STs on either side, the last AT-ST patrolling their rear with the rest of the speeder bikes. Simon stared at the forest as if a simple glance could make it yield it’s secrets.

He uttered a single command. “Fire”

and all six machines opened up at the forest’s edge.


*

Captain Chandler grinned at the display of firepower.

“Imperials = 1, Forest = 0,” he murmured.

At 500 kph, he knew the first ten speeder bikes were well out of range of any friendly fire but he would not leave things like this to chance. He ordered two bikes to accompany each flank to report their position over coded channels. With the Rebels being of former Imperial service, the Colonel ordered every communication code changed.

He only hoped that the Rebels were confused with the efforts of the 256th to destroy the trees. With one glance back toward Kaine’s army of 250 men, moving about with a purpose, errecting temporary shelters in standard Imperial format, he suddenly sped off with twenty Speeders following. They would reach the roads well before the flanks and would test the resistance, if any, there.

The Imperial Captain held no illusions. Whether the rebels realized it or not, by this time tomorrow the fighting would be fierce.


*

Nagel Tass, formerly Sergeant Tass of the Imperial Army, Belkadan Regiment, watched with eyes narrowed. The opening shots of the Imperial army had instantly killed the scouts in the area.

In that unexpected move, the Imperials claimed first blood.

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Probably<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->, he mused, <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> without even realizing it.<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

He could tell from his vantage point that the firing was systematic as the trees fell left and right.

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> What the hell are they doing?<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

He radioed a quick report to Raschank and decided he had better move. As he was anticipating where the next volley would hit, he knew that the shots would eventually find him if he stayed.

The things he did know, though, were (he thought) inportant:

First: the Imperial force was slightly inferior and secondly, they were heading for the roads simultaneously.


Perhaps that knowledge would be enough

Simon awaited the launch with much anticipation. Save for the ESD, the <!--EZCODE BOLD START--> Galactus<!--EZCODE BOLD END--> would be one of the most advanced ships in the Imperial Fleet.


With the tempest raging all around the Empire.. a galaxy gone mad, it seemed to him, it was nice to have something tangible to root oneself in.

The Reign Class Star Destroyer had that odd silvery tint to it as the metal frame and light skin were prepped for the massive protective overlay...something greater than mere durasteel.

..and yet the shine of the vessel drew him back as he opened his orders.


The maiden voyage of the <!--EZCODE BOLD START--> Galactus<!--EZCODE BOLD END--> was to be Belkadan.


<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Strange<!--EZCODE ITALIC END--> he thought....He turned out to space.


<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Yes, so very strange...<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->




*



<!--EZCODE BOLD START--> The Past...<!--EZCODE BOLD END-->




Colonel Kaine looked at the leveled section of forest, different strategies playing out in his mind.

A Sergeant ran up to him and informed. "The firing has been sustained continuously for the past hour, Sir. The equipment has performed well within specifications."


Simon nodded at the report and the officer ran off to other duties. At least that was one worry off of Kaine's mind.

Fleet Commander Zell, in his haste to form some kind of response to the rebellion on Belkadan, had drafted machines straight from the factory production lines. The ATs were so new, that their outer skin was a shiny silvery color. Something so impractical that one of his first orders was to sandblast the luster off to a dull gray. That, though, was a minor point and one easily fixed. The other problem was that the machines were <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> too<!--EZCODE ITALIC END--> new, not having been put through the usual performance tests the Imperial weapons manufacturer does to maintain the equipment at the highest standard possible.

Therefore, the machines were immediately put to work. About the only things they were sure about was the Speeder Bikes.

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> So far, so good..


But how would they do in under actual combat conditions?<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

Admiral Hyfe had left a temporary transmission scrambler in orbit over Belkadan. It's sole purpose was to garble any transmission sent by the rebels to the New Republic indicating Bastion's coordinates.

But the scrambler wouldn't remain effective for long.

<!--EZCODE BOLD START--> Imperial Production Meeting: 23,502<!--EZCODE BOLD END-->


<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> "....With the gun ports, we really need to think about shielding against the power drainoff..."


Kaine's attention drifted in the midst of the technical reports of engineers; almost another language entirely.


And yet, isn't victory in the details?


With a sigh, he drew his attention back to the speaker....<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->





*





The plan had been simple enough. Colonel Kaine knew that their dropzone couldn't have been missed even if every rebel turned up blind.

Both wings were charged with taking control of both roads going into the Rebel haven. The constant firing served a two fold purpose of testing the new equipment under mission conditions as well as sowing confusion for a counter attack.


<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> And there would be a counter attack..<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->


Of that he was certain. It would be what he would do.


He ordered the engineers of the center guard to stop their tasks and cover their work over. The remaining mechanical support units took their flanking positions, making as if they would be travelling down the path cut by the earlier firing of the wings. The AT-RH's powered down and looked ominously dark as the sun began to settle.


And the Imperial camp looked neat and organized... the flickering of heating machinery seen at odd intervals.


From his vantage point, Kaine and the mass of soldiers under his direct command looked across at the empty camp. The large divots of ground melted and dug up at the forest's edge contained another nervous, waiting group of soldiers.


The transmission/scan jammers the engineers were all that really was between the soldiers and their blaster weaons.


It's amazing, when focused on a goal what one could miss...and the rebels would be focused on the detail of their camp.


He smiled grimly.


For was not victory held in the details?

Simon watched the launch of the Galactus with mixture of anticipation and some sorrow. Flanking the mighty Reign Class Star Destroyer was his own flagship, the Star Destroyer Victory, Captain Chandler?s ship.

He thought of the ship as "home" for so long he almost felt lost as his eyes took in the gargantuan Galactus.

But the ship was specifically ordered by him and use it he would..


<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> For the glory of the Empire?<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->



The musicians resident on the Imperial Capital were playing the "Marche of the Imperials" and "Empire Forever" anthems as the mighty Home Fleet gave a salute.



<!--EZCODE CENTER START--><!--EZCODE CENTER END-->


All other ships, civilian or otherwise were (of course) prohibited from even knowing where the Capital was located and were absent. Events involving the top officers of the Empire were always somber things.

Special dispensation was made for the Victory but all equipment (copying the standard for all vessels released from the shipyards of the Capital that <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> might<!--EZCODE ITALIC END--> leave the area to join another fleet) was adjusted with precision and care to reflect the anonymity the Capital liked to keep.


Stepping aboard the vessel, the air circulator's hum gave the atmosphere a slightly metallic taste and Simon smiled. <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> New ship smell permeated the vessel.<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

He felt nervous and excited though outwardly his expression remained coldly passive and unmoving.

The idle engines suddenly droned to life as the crew started to breath life into the new ship.

By the time Kaine reached the bridge, it sounded as busy as if the ship had been in the fleet for years.


"All power.. all levels.. all personnel awaiting your command." Captain Sveli (recently promoted) spoke. He turned to a panel, "<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Victory<!--EZCODE ITALIC END--> awaits your command."


<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> It is time...<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->


"Very well Captain. Has Imperial Intelligence and Engineering finished with the computer core and logs?"


"They left ten minutes ago."


He smiled thinking of a small moon of a salvage yard.


"Best speed to Bastion.."


"Yessir." And soon, the mighty Imperial Capital receded into nothingness.


It would be three hours of hyperspace travel to Bastion, the approach being exceptionally difficult due to the nature of Bastion's random drift (being starless).



Captain Sveli walked up. "And then?"



Simon sighed. "..and then we go back to the past.."


Sveli followed his General's gaze to the stars and murmured, "Belkadan.."

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Location - Arridia<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->


Set up by Imperial Intelligence...useful to Kaine when he travelled there from <!--EZCODE BOLD START--> Wayland<!--EZCODE BOLD END-->..during the attack on Muunilist. It's foundation started with Belkadan.


"Sir?" The Second Officer of the <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Galactus<!--EZCODE ITALIC END--> intruded.


"Yes, Nikkita, what is it?"

The rather serious woman stood straighter, her blue eyes attempting to pierce her commanding officer's mood.

"Belkadan, from all our reports seems to be a rather routine takeover."

"So it was." Simon whispered.

"But, Sir. It does seem strange for a maiden voyage of a Reign Class Star Destroyer to be launched to such a nondescript planet."

"Military High Command decisions are not to be questioned." was Kaine's seemingly cryptic reply.

"Yes sir. But then why do you seem so distracted about this.. and I've..heard stories about .."

"me?" Kaine's mouth twitched in amusement.

"and Belkadan. Sir, they fear you."

"Yes..." was Kaine's only reply at first.

Then he sighed and turned to the woman. "Nikkita, Belkadan is associated with much death. From our initial conquest to Muunilist to.. Arridia."

"Arridia?"

"In good time, Nikkita. In good time. The Empire's secrets are old and numerous. You'd be surprised what the Empire has done outside of Galactic Politics and advertised movements. To serve with me is to become aware of some of those secrets. And the burden is passed. I do trust for your sake and ours, you remember that."

The woman shifted uncomfortably at the tone her inquiry was taking.

"Yes Sir. When was the last time you were there?"


Kaine's mind drifted back, his eyes closing, as the screams of distant deaths were drowned only by memories of more destruction.




<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> The Victory hurled out of hyperspace in time to see the Jenova's final shot.


"NO!!" General Simon Kaine shouted as he lept off his command chair, as if somehow he could pluck the Rebel ships from space...


The Imperial ESD was no longer visible against the backdrop of Muunilist's shadow.


"My God... that looked like a direct hit." Captain Chandler softly spoke as the bridge crew watched multiple smaller flashes appear in the path and near the laser blast.


A bright flash occurred...


"The reactor core just exploded. Damn that shot must have pierced the heart.", someone lamented.

And suddenly many, many smaller flashes occured...like a chain reaction..and the bluish, marron haze disappeared.


"Looks like she's detonated."


Before Kaine could utter severe curses at the Rebels and bring his guns to bear in hatred, the enemy fleet, as quickly as it came...left.



"Pursue, General?"


Kaine was tempted.... beyond measure, oh he was.

"No." he said, with icy calm. "Let's tend to our wounded."


The Victory moved closer to Muunilist, noting the collapsed shipyard crumbling pieces drifting toward the planet.


"Bridge module on a direct course for the Muunilist's atmosphere. Should we?"


"Leave it.." murmured Kaine.


The Victory's bow pierced the floating mass of debris bits that glittered as they floated into the sunlight horizon that divided the "day" side and "night" side of the planet.



Finally, someone tore their eyes from the windows at the debris and toward the scanner consol. The officer's eyes went wide and he let out a yell.


Kaine turned in sharp displeasure, ready to reprimand the officer when his eyes too fell onto the holographic scanner.

"Hold position. External lights! Off the bow, about a thousand kilometers!"


and there, beyond all expectation, slowly rotating,


she was..



Kaine's eyes misted a bit and he turned sharply to Ciscero, standing nearby. "I want Intelligence on this immediately. The Eclipse died. Remember that. It's survival is classified at the highest level..that being, the highest levels are not told. Until we find the mole that betrayed us the first time."

The Imperial Intelligence officer nodded in understanding.

"Captain. Get Admiral Hyfe and Moff Cronus on tight encryption and get them over here. Activate our tractor beams to hold it's position and when they get here, we need to tow it to someplace safe..."

"Cicsero... find us that safe place.."

"Yes sir." he simply replied quietly.<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->



The place eventually settled on:


<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> MASSIVE REFIT RECOMMENDED; PROJECT: REVIVAL TIMETABLE BELOW... LOCATION: X - SECURE<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->


Simon remembered the report.


"You will have your answers soon...." he whispered.


Nikkita left the General to use unusual musings wondering how all the fragments of the puzzle fit into the rather ordinary planet of Belkadan.

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Arridia?<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->


Her mind was full of questions and she wasn't the only one.

<!--EZCODE BOLD START--> The Past...<!--EZCODE BOLD END-->



<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> The rebels were predictable and attacked a few hours after midnight coming right through the forest to strike the Imperial camp head on.


Not a soul stirred as the small personal lights made the orderly camp seem so out of place in the wilderness of forest.

The charge itself was not the wild yell charge of the courageous but the silent rush of a plan carefully being carried out.

Stealth was the key for quick kills..especially at night and with the monsterous machines of the Empire dark and silent a necessity.


The weapons of the AT-ST's and AT=RH's at base camp were turned up slightly.


They reached the camp and barrack after barrack was entered and when someone finally spoke out in confusion, "They are empty?"

Kaine grinned, hiding behind his camp within the forest. He picked up his commm and whispered, "Execute."

And weapons fire poured out from their hiding places catching the rebels offguard. The Imperials' weapons considered their own camp forfeit as blaster rifle shots downed the confused enemy and they began (with the element of surprise gone) to retreat back to their side of the forest when soldiers came out of the covered holes the engineers had built in the afternoon and their weapons stopped the rebel forces dead in their tracks.

In a matter of moments the rebel forces had all been killed.


Simon walked out and survyed the ruined camp. Raids were also made on the two wings sent out to secure the roads leading into the rebel stronghold but fared no better.


Simon's gaze looked at the forest.

"Colonel?" came Captain Chandler's voice over the comm. "Yes, Chandler?"

"Looks like this was a probing force. They may be gearing up for a strike come morning."

"And we are out in the open and can be worn down?" Kaine finished.

"We've faced enemies who tried that before."

"Yes, we have. Fleet Commander Zell wants these rebels stamped out before a New Republic warship arrives to relieve them. Swing your speeder wing around the rebel stronghold."

"Around, Sir?"

"They will be fleeing your direction. I want no prisoners."

"Yes sir."


The comm switched off and Simon walked back to the master engineer. "Is all ready?"

"Yes Colonel. At your command."

"Light it up, Seargent"

And the machines (AT-RH's) turned on and lowered their guns to the forest. Moving closer, the soldiers could see slight modifications done.

The soldiers moved out of the way and flames spit out of the gun barrels at the forest and soon the fire was blazing nearly out of control.

"Weather patterns exactly how you predicted Sir." came an minor officer.

"That's why I picked this drop point in the middle of nowhere." the Colonel replied.



The flames moved inward, kept in check by the large space provided by the trees falling inward due to the "wings" of Kaine's force shooting a path to the roads.

The AT-ST's shot into the burning forest to clear fallen trees and force the fires toward the city.

By dawn, the blaze was out of control as alarms were heard in the distance. The rebels had not thought to combat a fire, only Imperials.

The wings held their position on the roads stopping all traffic from coming or fleeing.

Chandler's speeders cut off the forest route behind the stronghold and by the afternoon, the sirens stopped (the blaze having reached the power generators outside the stronghold).

The Imperial force moved forward, following the fires until they soon came to the rebel hideout.


Screams were head as Simon watched the flames dance with erie delight, being fed a bounty unchecked and unhindered.

There were broadcasts of people wishing to discuss terms.


..terms soon turned to surrender..


..surrender soon turned unconditional..


..unconditional soon turned to pleas...


..pleas degenerated to desperation..


And the Imperial Forces held their lines shooting anything leaving the stronghold.

The forest city of Raschank burned to the ground, the inhabitant's screams of pain continuing on as the twilight settled once more.


The screams were broadcasted on what remained of Belkadan's civilian networks. The message was clear: Rebellion would not be tolerated and would be crushed mercilessly.



High Admiral Hyfe had dispatched the ship arriving for the secrets which died with Raschank.

As Engineers picked through the remains of the stronghold, something was found.


Something that surprised even Kaine.


Arridia<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->