Aboard the MBC Fall of the Ni'Korish, deep in Mid Rim space.
"Captain Ellian?"
The Royal Navy Captain stood stoicly in his private quarters, the holowall that allowed him an unprescedented view of the galaxy sat in front of him although it appeared as if there was simply no wall at all. His hair was trimmed down to the minimum allowed from a near flag officer, its rusty red colour evident also on his small van dyke beard.
Not turning, he replied with a simply 'yes'. He knew who it would be, Captain Kalen of RInt, and he knew exactly what he was going to say. Captain Ellian was always prepared.
"Its a beautiful view isn't it..."
Ellian was almost surprised by his compatriots comment, his previous experiences with the decorated intelligence officer had lead him to believe he was a man of business and business only, but he hid his surprise well. He had survived too long in the Per'Agthra's court to release his opinions through the use of emotion.
"It is indeed Captain Kalen. The Mid Rim does bore me though, i'd much prefer a foray into the Transitory Mists than to be sent on a glorified milk run."
Kalen laughed inwardly, accepting his superiors words as fact.
"Quite. Although this mission does have its merits..."
Ellian smiled openly as he continued to stare into space. NOW comes the mission talk... Kalen continued, uninterupted.
"We have, as you well know, identified that the Galactic Coalition has siezed Rodia in the confusion ensuing from the Wrath Virus and the collapse of the New Empire. The Coalition itself seems the equivilent of the Rebel Alliance, only in a more governmental state. Same relative agendas, anti-establishment bias coupled with the predominance of aliens in their politics."
Aliens have predominance?
Ellian voiced his thought and as it was answered, shuddered mentally.
"Indeed it would appear. While the group comes from a number of facets, including the New Rebellion (Ellian smiled at their mention), its primary funding comes from the former Mon Calamari Republic and another alien group known as the Azguards."
Captain Ellian turned his head slightly towards the RInt man before interjecting.
"Azguards?"
He had never heard of them before. Kalen continued on the new tangent.
"Indeed. A race we have only seen through a traitors eyes. When the dark Prince raided our datafiles on Hapes, prior to the return of the royal heirs, he was nice enough to provide us with information regarding them. Most of it was arrogent filth, but our xenobiologists and psycoanalysts worked in concert to decode the crap and succeded."
"And...?"
"And it would appear that they were allied to the Corporation the dark prince attacked in a pirate raid on Garos IV. Although they were outnumbered, they charged blindly on in an attempt to damage the princes ships despite the destruction of their own. It appears their intentions were to simply to be destroyed so that their explosion would damage the pirates ships."
Kalen paused to allow this to sink in. He watched Captain Ellian and waited for his reply.
"One could say that was courage in the face of overwhelming odds..."
The wizened captain turned to the junior officer, his eyes finally leaving the starscape that had previously covered his vision.
"... Or gross negligence which lead to the loss of their men."
Ellians face showed apparant displeasure at the tactic. He had long been known as the 'soldiers soldier', always taking his men into account first, everything else second and this was a direct affront to that.
"Should he have survived, i certainly hope he was court martialed as a result."
He nodded, indicating for the other man to continue, which Kalen did.
"As i was saying, it appears that the 3 groups maintain relatively equal control over the new entity, although the precedent as set by this coalition is worrying to say the least. It appears that they have no real political links outside the faction, although there remains growing concern over the links between our allies and this terrorist faction..."
Captain Ellians eyes were immediately raised.
"Terrorist faction? And i very much doubt that the Sovreignty would maintain such links, especially were they true."
Ellian turned again to look out the viewscreen while Captain Kalen replied.
"The terrorist faction is the label handed down by the Empire, since they have conflicting ideologies and since the GC PR machine has publically and openly admitted to being a number of less than normal things. In fact, they have admitted rather publically that they are 'murders' among other things."
"Sarcasm perhaps?" Ellian countered.
"Still something entirely irresponsable from a galactic entity." Kalen counter-countered. Ellian snorted in agreement.
"But i still don't believe President Griff would risk our alliance in such a haphazard manner. He is much too level headed for that. He himself would know that the Queen Mother would not accept such actions and would terminate the alliance immediately. Such an action would..."
He was cut short as a typed piece of paper landed on the chair behind him. Ellian moved quickly to read the document, upon which held a text version of an interview with Vice President Meer, head of the Black Hand. It was to the following transcript that Ellians view was drawn.
"It would appear they are using us as their shield from fallout in this instance. And while publically they are denying any links other than a common enemy to the Coalition, that is contrary to what our intelligence says. Already a large number of weapons and technology transfers have occured from these terrorists and the Sovreignty.
Even more startling is that in the course of Operation Cleansing Hand, a number of ORS operatives were captured..."
Ellian smiled.
"I always knew those guys weren't too bad."
Kalen continued, slight irritation evident in his voice.
"Well, that didn't help them much now did it?
As i was saying, a number of operatives were captured, including a coalition agent. Now our interrogation has revealed all that they know which, while mostly irrelevant at this point, indicated that not only were the ORS and GC working together, but the Royal House has come to the conclusion that ORS is the public face of the GC maneuvrings."
Ellians face was stony, its tones near ashen. Anyone who knew the Captain, and Kalen did, would know he was furious.
"Which means that we have been mislead, on all parts by all hands."
Captain Kalen nodded, unaware that a storm was brewing. While he had read reports on his compatriots status and political affiliation, he did not know that Captain Ellian was a staunch defender of the longstanding alliance, holding great respect for the Sovreigntys leadership having met Xander Griff during one of his diplomatic visits to Hapes.
Now it appeared to him that respect was illfounded and misplaced.
"I need no more of this background breifing. If you'll care to escort me to the bridge."
Kalen agreed and watched the Captain walk past him, just catching a glimpse of the Matriarchs escort, the Cyclone, begin to appear in the viewport before he too turned and left with a slight sigh.
On the Bridge.
"Officer on deck!!"
Captains Ellian and Kalen appeared from the turbolift at the same time, but it was Ellians purposeful strides that allowed him to be the first on deck. Ahead of him from the primary bridge lay a brilliant starscape as the ship cruised evenly through space. And although he always stopped to take in its beauty, this time Ellian did not.
"Is there a problem sir?"
Commander Ido spoke evenly, her tones calm and controlled.
"I have received part of my breifing for the mission, Ms Ido, and i am greatly displeased."
Ido shot Captain Kalen a distasteful look, her beautiful feline eyes showing a momentary ferocity that warned the army promoted Captain that he was in poor favour with the woman. By the time her eyes settled back on her Captain they were normal again.
"Captain, need i remind you of our mission parameters?"
"You need not remind me of anything, Commander."
His pointed and harsh return shook Ido to the core. Never had she seen her longtime CO in such an anguished state, and that had been ever since this ship was built.
"Are our recon teams prepared?"
Ido interjected.
"Sir, our launch schedule states that the first rotation will be launched when we arrive on station. And thats not for another 2 days."
Captain Ellian nodded, his face having slightly returned to its original colour.
"Orders have been changed. Have the relevant crews brought up to speed. RZ is changed for the first two days to reflect our not being there so that our ships will, if being pursued, procede with a jump to the nearest ORS planet or ship. RZ +2 will remain the same."
Ido knew now not to question her superiors actions and replied with a curt 'Aye Aye Sir.'
Ten minutes later, flight deck.
The Avenger Fighter Bomber was a powerful strike fighter in its own right, able to engage anything in space from a Griffen to an Eclipse and come out tops. But something it had also proven to be, despite its designers intentions, was a truly multi-functioning delivery system. Its twin laser cannons had been removed and replaced with high frequincy monitering equipment, along with its proton torpedo launcher and payload. Instead were massive databases for storing vast amounts of information. A subspace holocom receiver was also installed as was a number of other technological 'bells and whistles' to ensure that the modified Avenger CC is able to provide real-time tactical intelligence and targetting data back to a fleet as well as being capable of scanning entire systems by itself, a distinct advantage over smaller recon TIEs who previously filled this role for the Consortium Navy. In addition to its ability to moniter all aspects of subspace and holocom communications was the fact that due to the small dish embedded in the stealth fighters hull, it could also completely jam them, although on a much smaller scale.
What resulted from this construction and modification was something that was truly a masterwork of technology. Able to detect and prioritise targets from over 5000 kms, as well as moniter and track their targets communications, the Avenger CC was the embodiment of spycraft.
Now, standing behind the 19m Stealth Fighter were its crew, seasoned veterens of conflict, one and all. Nodding to each other in genuine respect, they boarded their craft. Moments later, they had breached the black abyss.
Two hours later, the edge of Coalition space.
"Reversion in three, two, one, mark."
The starstreaks disappeared almost as quickly as they had appeared to the crew of the first rotation, but it was something that none of them took any notice of. Seconds later, the CC01s wingman appeared and could be seen signalling with his hands. CC01A nodded and indicated the thumbs up. They were in perfect positions to complete their task, about 4500kms from Rodia. Activating their stealth sheild, CC01 began to move into orbiting position of a nearby planetary body as he was ordered.
To his left CC02 turned and made ready for another jump. It would go to the polar opposite position of its partner, to ensure everything received was verified. Meanwhile, CC01B turned to his partner.
"So, if we're in Rodian space, does that mean we're commiting an act of war?"
CC01A simply rolled his eyes as he activated the long range subspace transceiver.
"Captain Ellian?"
The Royal Navy Captain stood stoicly in his private quarters, the holowall that allowed him an unprescedented view of the galaxy sat in front of him although it appeared as if there was simply no wall at all. His hair was trimmed down to the minimum allowed from a near flag officer, its rusty red colour evident also on his small van dyke beard.
Not turning, he replied with a simply 'yes'. He knew who it would be, Captain Kalen of RInt, and he knew exactly what he was going to say. Captain Ellian was always prepared.
"Its a beautiful view isn't it..."
Ellian was almost surprised by his compatriots comment, his previous experiences with the decorated intelligence officer had lead him to believe he was a man of business and business only, but he hid his surprise well. He had survived too long in the Per'Agthra's court to release his opinions through the use of emotion.
"It is indeed Captain Kalen. The Mid Rim does bore me though, i'd much prefer a foray into the Transitory Mists than to be sent on a glorified milk run."
Kalen laughed inwardly, accepting his superiors words as fact.
"Quite. Although this mission does have its merits..."
Ellian smiled openly as he continued to stare into space. NOW comes the mission talk... Kalen continued, uninterupted.
"We have, as you well know, identified that the Galactic Coalition has siezed Rodia in the confusion ensuing from the Wrath Virus and the collapse of the New Empire. The Coalition itself seems the equivilent of the Rebel Alliance, only in a more governmental state. Same relative agendas, anti-establishment bias coupled with the predominance of aliens in their politics."
Aliens have predominance?
Ellian voiced his thought and as it was answered, shuddered mentally.
"Indeed it would appear. While the group comes from a number of facets, including the New Rebellion (Ellian smiled at their mention), its primary funding comes from the former Mon Calamari Republic and another alien group known as the Azguards."
Captain Ellian turned his head slightly towards the RInt man before interjecting.
"Azguards?"
He had never heard of them before. Kalen continued on the new tangent.
"Indeed. A race we have only seen through a traitors eyes. When the dark Prince raided our datafiles on Hapes, prior to the return of the royal heirs, he was nice enough to provide us with information regarding them. Most of it was arrogent filth, but our xenobiologists and psycoanalysts worked in concert to decode the crap and succeded."
"And...?"
"And it would appear that they were allied to the Corporation the dark prince attacked in a pirate raid on Garos IV. Although they were outnumbered, they charged blindly on in an attempt to damage the princes ships despite the destruction of their own. It appears their intentions were to simply to be destroyed so that their explosion would damage the pirates ships."
Kalen paused to allow this to sink in. He watched Captain Ellian and waited for his reply.
"One could say that was courage in the face of overwhelming odds..."
The wizened captain turned to the junior officer, his eyes finally leaving the starscape that had previously covered his vision.
"... Or gross negligence which lead to the loss of their men."
Ellians face showed apparant displeasure at the tactic. He had long been known as the 'soldiers soldier', always taking his men into account first, everything else second and this was a direct affront to that.
"Should he have survived, i certainly hope he was court martialed as a result."
He nodded, indicating for the other man to continue, which Kalen did.
"As i was saying, it appears that the 3 groups maintain relatively equal control over the new entity, although the precedent as set by this coalition is worrying to say the least. It appears that they have no real political links outside the faction, although there remains growing concern over the links between our allies and this terrorist faction..."
Captain Ellians eyes were immediately raised.
"Terrorist faction? And i very much doubt that the Sovreignty would maintain such links, especially were they true."
Ellian turned again to look out the viewscreen while Captain Kalen replied.
"The terrorist faction is the label handed down by the Empire, since they have conflicting ideologies and since the GC PR machine has publically and openly admitted to being a number of less than normal things. In fact, they have admitted rather publically that they are 'murders' among other things."
"Sarcasm perhaps?" Ellian countered.
"Still something entirely irresponsable from a galactic entity." Kalen counter-countered. Ellian snorted in agreement.
"But i still don't believe President Griff would risk our alliance in such a haphazard manner. He is much too level headed for that. He himself would know that the Queen Mother would not accept such actions and would terminate the alliance immediately. Such an action would..."
He was cut short as a typed piece of paper landed on the chair behind him. Ellian moved quickly to read the document, upon which held a text version of an interview with Vice President Meer, head of the Black Hand. It was to the following transcript that Ellians view was drawn.
"Why have you decided to ally yourself with the Galactic Coalition?"
"First off it was not my sole decision nor was it the decision of President Griff. There was a vote taken and it was supported by the Senate. Secondly, the Sovereignty has not allied itself with the Galactic Coalition. We are fighting the same enemy but we are not fighting with them. The Sovereignty has exactly one ally, The Hapes Consortium. We continue to maintain relations with them throughout this crisis. We have decided to fight the Empire because it serves the interests of the citizens of the Sovereignty that the Empire is dis-armed and defeated. Tomorrow it may serve the interests of the citizens of the Sovereignty to fight the Galactic Coalition. We will do what we must to defend our citizens and the citizens of the entire Outer-Rim."
"First off it was not my sole decision nor was it the decision of President Griff. There was a vote taken and it was supported by the Senate. Secondly, the Sovereignty has not allied itself with the Galactic Coalition. We are fighting the same enemy but we are not fighting with them. The Sovereignty has exactly one ally, The Hapes Consortium. We continue to maintain relations with them throughout this crisis. We have decided to fight the Empire because it serves the interests of the citizens of the Sovereignty that the Empire is dis-armed and defeated. Tomorrow it may serve the interests of the citizens of the Sovereignty to fight the Galactic Coalition. We will do what we must to defend our citizens and the citizens of the entire Outer-Rim."
"It would appear they are using us as their shield from fallout in this instance. And while publically they are denying any links other than a common enemy to the Coalition, that is contrary to what our intelligence says. Already a large number of weapons and technology transfers have occured from these terrorists and the Sovreignty.
Even more startling is that in the course of Operation Cleansing Hand, a number of ORS operatives were captured..."
Ellian smiled.
"I always knew those guys weren't too bad."
Kalen continued, slight irritation evident in his voice.
"Well, that didn't help them much now did it?
As i was saying, a number of operatives were captured, including a coalition agent. Now our interrogation has revealed all that they know which, while mostly irrelevant at this point, indicated that not only were the ORS and GC working together, but the Royal House has come to the conclusion that ORS is the public face of the GC maneuvrings."
Ellians face was stony, its tones near ashen. Anyone who knew the Captain, and Kalen did, would know he was furious.
"Which means that we have been mislead, on all parts by all hands."
Captain Kalen nodded, unaware that a storm was brewing. While he had read reports on his compatriots status and political affiliation, he did not know that Captain Ellian was a staunch defender of the longstanding alliance, holding great respect for the Sovreigntys leadership having met Xander Griff during one of his diplomatic visits to Hapes.
Now it appeared to him that respect was illfounded and misplaced.
"I need no more of this background breifing. If you'll care to escort me to the bridge."
Kalen agreed and watched the Captain walk past him, just catching a glimpse of the Matriarchs escort, the Cyclone, begin to appear in the viewport before he too turned and left with a slight sigh.
On the Bridge.
"Officer on deck!!"
Captains Ellian and Kalen appeared from the turbolift at the same time, but it was Ellians purposeful strides that allowed him to be the first on deck. Ahead of him from the primary bridge lay a brilliant starscape as the ship cruised evenly through space. And although he always stopped to take in its beauty, this time Ellian did not.
"Is there a problem sir?"
Commander Ido spoke evenly, her tones calm and controlled.
"I have received part of my breifing for the mission, Ms Ido, and i am greatly displeased."
Ido shot Captain Kalen a distasteful look, her beautiful feline eyes showing a momentary ferocity that warned the army promoted Captain that he was in poor favour with the woman. By the time her eyes settled back on her Captain they were normal again.
"Captain, need i remind you of our mission parameters?"
"You need not remind me of anything, Commander."
His pointed and harsh return shook Ido to the core. Never had she seen her longtime CO in such an anguished state, and that had been ever since this ship was built.
"Are our recon teams prepared?"
Ido interjected.
"Sir, our launch schedule states that the first rotation will be launched when we arrive on station. And thats not for another 2 days."
Captain Ellian nodded, his face having slightly returned to its original colour.
"Orders have been changed. Have the relevant crews brought up to speed. RZ is changed for the first two days to reflect our not being there so that our ships will, if being pursued, procede with a jump to the nearest ORS planet or ship. RZ +2 will remain the same."
Ido knew now not to question her superiors actions and replied with a curt 'Aye Aye Sir.'
Ten minutes later, flight deck.
The Avenger Fighter Bomber was a powerful strike fighter in its own right, able to engage anything in space from a Griffen to an Eclipse and come out tops. But something it had also proven to be, despite its designers intentions, was a truly multi-functioning delivery system. Its twin laser cannons had been removed and replaced with high frequincy monitering equipment, along with its proton torpedo launcher and payload. Instead were massive databases for storing vast amounts of information. A subspace holocom receiver was also installed as was a number of other technological 'bells and whistles' to ensure that the modified Avenger CC is able to provide real-time tactical intelligence and targetting data back to a fleet as well as being capable of scanning entire systems by itself, a distinct advantage over smaller recon TIEs who previously filled this role for the Consortium Navy. In addition to its ability to moniter all aspects of subspace and holocom communications was the fact that due to the small dish embedded in the stealth fighters hull, it could also completely jam them, although on a much smaller scale.
What resulted from this construction and modification was something that was truly a masterwork of technology. Able to detect and prioritise targets from over 5000 kms, as well as moniter and track their targets communications, the Avenger CC was the embodiment of spycraft.
Now, standing behind the 19m Stealth Fighter were its crew, seasoned veterens of conflict, one and all. Nodding to each other in genuine respect, they boarded their craft. Moments later, they had breached the black abyss.
Two hours later, the edge of Coalition space.
"Reversion in three, two, one, mark."
The starstreaks disappeared almost as quickly as they had appeared to the crew of the first rotation, but it was something that none of them took any notice of. Seconds later, the CC01s wingman appeared and could be seen signalling with his hands. CC01A nodded and indicated the thumbs up. They were in perfect positions to complete their task, about 4500kms from Rodia. Activating their stealth sheild, CC01 began to move into orbiting position of a nearby planetary body as he was ordered.
To his left CC02 turned and made ready for another jump. It would go to the polar opposite position of its partner, to ensure everything received was verified. Meanwhile, CC01B turned to his partner.
"So, if we're in Rodian space, does that mean we're commiting an act of war?"
CC01A simply rolled his eyes as he activated the long range subspace transceiver.