Circe awoke with a sweat. His head burned with an intense fury of pain and what he assumed was from a lack of sleep. He sat up, his aging body loathing every motion. He reached over to his nightstand, tapping the luminance bars bringing a dim light to life. With the light he rummaged through the draw and found a bottle of pain relievers. He swallowed two of them dry.

Standing up and stretching, he pulled back the light-film off the view port and was caught of guard by the rays from the system's dawning star. The Captain wiped his face before he stumbled into his closet preparing to put on the only article of clothing he had aboard the Skullprey. A grey uniform that had an olive tint. It was freshly washed and pressed as he had requested. It was good to see Imperial directive was still lively in his absence.



"Captain!" Lieutenant Brody Lorn called from behind Circe as he walked the halls. "We have orders from Imperial Centre."

Brody had recently transferred onto the Skullprey after Circe had been placed back into circulation. A fresh-faced kid, he was determined and brilliant. Circe imagined he might one day be an Admiral in the Empire, something the old man hoped he could have done. But he had fouled up when he got caught and imagined the Empire looked at him as some sort of casualty now. But Circe pushed the thoughts of this from his mind, trying to focus on the Lieutenant.

"And what are they?" Circe said as Brody paused waiting for him to respond.

"We're ordered to Metropolis Prime, they've been suspected of harbouring several Coalition fugitives. The local government isn't budging on democracy either. The Executive Major has demanded Imperials stand down and closed the 'borders' of the system."

"Well any intelligence reports?" Circe asked skeptically.

"No, sir." Brody answered.

"So you're telling me I won't be able to search the planet, I have no evidence that the Executive Major is harbouring these fugitives and I must force my way into the system?" Circe questioned Brody sarcastically.

"Yes, sir."

"Beautiful." Circe blurted with a smile.

This seemed more like a propaganda mission, rather than a search for terrorists. Standing up against the Empire was bad press for them, so why not just pound some star destroyers down their throat and show them who's boss? Circe smiled at the thought of it all.

But hell, at least he was getting orders from High Command again.



They exited Hyperspace early, just as Circe expected. Instead of a pleasant greeting on Metropolis Prime they were met with some rather unwarranted hostility at the Border. Twin Dreadnaught-class cruisers and almost half a dozen Old Republic Venator-class destroyers awaited their arrival. Circe ran a hand through his greying blonde hair. But, he was smart enough to expect something of the sort.

Behind the Skullprey three other Imperator-class Destroyers exited. Because of the lack of staging areas around the Brak Sector, he was forced to rely on the forces he brought with him, rather than what help he could call for.

Quickly in response he noticed the commander of the Venator that stood out front of the others contacted him. The face he saw, wasn't one Circe expected. It was a Falleen, green skin and a devilish smile one his face. Circe rolled his eyes.

"Iz zer zomething ze Emipre doezn't understand about 'clozed' borders?" The Falleen said with a thick Metropolian accent.

Circe understood that many Falleen had migrated to the system after the viral infection that Lord Vader had caused, but Metropolis Prime had a strict humanist doctrine that often kept soldiers like the Falleen before him from reaching any such level. Certainly not a Captain, so either their policies had drastically changed in a few decades or this Falleen was very, very skilled.

Circe didn't like either.

"Yes, in fact, there is. Especially when your government refuses the Empire to search for known terrorist fugitives. I suggest simply allowing us to pass through to Metropolis Prime and do our job."

The Falleen was silent as he jugged with a datapad, what appeared to be a cup of stimcaf, and a private comlink.

"There are no fugitivez in these borderz. And thoze that are, are our problem, not the Empire's." He responded bluntly.

"I'm afraid I cannot leave until you allow me to search Metropolis Prime. I am under direct authority to use force if necessary. I suggest you stand down..." Circe counted the blocks on the Falleen's uniform before continuing with a bit less enthusiasm. "...uh.. Admiral."

"Zhat is out of ze question." He responded.

"Well Admiral, opposition against the Empire is not smart. I have to say that if necessary I can have a massive invasion fleet here to destroy half the system in the search for these criminals. They are terrorists and low-life scum. You have no need to shield them from us and if your not doing so you have nothing to hide. Now I demand you allow us to pass or I will fire on your men." Circe bluffed.

"Zen we have a war on our handz don't we?" The Admiral spat, closing the channel.

Circe leaned back. This was not what he needed. After Formbi he wanted some downtime, but that he supposed was a benefit to Imperial Service. As he prepared to order measures to attack, the image of the Falleen came back on screen.

"You may prozeed into the system, Captain."

Circe looked dumbfounded he was sure.

"And why the sudden change of heart, Admiral?" Circe asked wearily.

"I have orderz from ze Executive Major to allow you to search Metropoliz Prime. But he demandz an audience from you or zer is no deal. Savvy?" The Admiral asked with some measure of disdain. Apparently he didn't like the idea of being undermined, even if it was from his superior.

"It is granted, then." Circe responded.

As the channel cut, Circe turned to his intelligence officer that sat below in the pit of the engineers, communications and such area of the bridge.

"Use images from that conversation to identify that Falleen Admiral, I recognize him from somewhere and something about him isn't right." He ordered.

Then he turned to the other side where Brody sat at one of the pilot's consoles.

"Proceed to Metropolis Prime."

Pellaeon Blaison had a long line of service with Admiral Xion Renzon. Only until a few months ago when he 'unlawfully' attacked the office of the Executive Major. Blaison is a brilliant pilot and had earned the respect for his entire homeworld before he made his move to remove the corrupt leader of his home. But there were many foolish people in his way, men like Admiral Renzon, a man who did not deserve the rank he so 'honourably' upheld especially with his past.

Blaison raised a hand through his ever longer hair as his adjutant in this whole mess, one very displeased twi'lek named Griff walked into the silence of the dark room. He face was gnarled with age, a scar across his mouth and a patch over his eye, he was not the best looking of aliens.

"They've arrived in the sector." Griff said.

"And?" Blaison repled.

"Renzon gave 'em some trouble, but he let 'em through ta Prime. We've just got ta be sure we can get this Imperial Captain ta think we're on Prime. I've made sure some intelligence reports were released so he'll be gettin' some new info on us soon." The twi'lek said rather rushed.

"Good, zhen we can get to ze zecond part of our plan." Blaison retorted.





"Captain we've gotten word from Intelligence, new information on the terrorists. It seems one of them is ex-Metropolis Navy goes by the name of Blaison, he tried a coup a few months back and was exiled when he failed." Brody spoke up from Circe's side.

"And any word on the Falleen?" Circe asked brushing the information he had just received aside.

"Ah.. no, sir. But Blaison may be more of a challenge that you think." Brody replied.

"Why is that Lieutenant."

"He is brilliant. And he commands the loyalty of most of the Metropolis Prime fleet. He managed to fight his way from outside the city wall all the way to the Palace and was stopped when he brother, who helped command the siege turned on him."

"Let me guess he found a better job with the Metropolis Navy?" Circe quipped.

"No, actually he tried to kill Blaison and he found himself dead." Brody returned.

Circe leaned back. "So we have a stone cold killer somewhere on the surface on that planet?"

"That about sums it up, sir." Brody said with a hint of sarcasism.

Circe rubbed his eyes. Something wasn't right about this whole thing. If Blaison attempted to kill the Executive Major then there was no reason to hide the man. Unless was all a clever plan to get them here. But then there was no bloody gain in having an Imperial fleet in your sector if you were trying to do something against Imperial policy. He slammed his balled fist against his command chair. Circe hated puzzles.

"Prepare a shuttle for me. I want to speak with the Executive Major as soon as possible."





Circe and several stormtroopers traveled lightly as they made their way up the brisk steps toward the capitol building. Circe turned to the two ends of his entourage, troopers in their white pastisteel armour surrounded them, but Brody and a few corporals were to his left and on his right was the greeting team from the Executive Major.

"Ahh Captain.." The Executive Major said standing at the entrance the the main hall.

He was a fit human male, from the look of it about mid-thirties and seemed as though he were once a former soldier. Circe got the impression he was military because of his stance and walk, he was very organised with both.

"I am Executive Major Corvin Brant. I am pleased to meet.. you..." Corvin began to trail off as he searched the perimeter with his eyes.

He suddenly stood back and Circe's stomach dropped.

"Arrest these men!" Corvin shouted, quickly the stormtroopers were overwhelemed by sniper fire that dropped them in an instant. Circe didn't flinch, he only closed his eyes and shook his head in dismay.

"I'm getting too old Lieutenant."

Lieutenant Danvers was having a bit of trouble. He was under attack. With a Venator-class baring down on the aft and twin dreadnaught cruisers to his starboard side. He was at wits end. Danvers was nearly fifty - as of next month he would be - but had never command a vessel during combat, nor had shown any promise for it. Perhaps thats why he was a mere Lieutenant aboard a Star Destroyer at his age. His black hair was disheveled as the Skullprey jolted from yet another onslaught from the Capitol Venator that held the Falleen Admiral he had seen on the viewer screen at the border ordeal.

"Christ!" Danvers shouted over the claxons. "Will somebody please get some supressive fire on that damn cruiser?" He half-ordered and watched as two ensigns at the communications panels began ordering turbolaser fire to them.

A few moments later green fire exploded from the aft side of the Skullprey. The exchange between fire was instantaneous and almost unseen. In short bursts the two ships fired back and forth at one another, causing who knows how much damage. Danvers wasn't doing sucha hot job, but at this point there was little he could do.

"And will someone tell me where the hell our Captain is?"





"This is not what I thought was in store for me when I returned to the Navy." Circe laughingly told Brody.

"Alright enough for me." Circe said standing up, the stuncuffs still tight on his wrists.

"C..aption?" Brody said watching as Circe dropped to the floor in what seemed like a siezure.

"Captain! Guard!" Brody shouted frantically as he saw Davian's eyes roll back into his head and the old man's body shake violently.

The guard peered over and quickly shut down the bars to the cell and ran in to check the Captain. He stood over Circe and held his shoulders while Brody grabbed his head. The guard leaned in trying to find a heartbeat somewhere, but a leg planted into hia crotch and his eyes watered up with quite a bit of agony.

Circe quickly stopped shaking and then began taking in deep breaths.

"I didn't think that would actually work Lieutenant. This must be one of the drop outs from guard school. But then I guess you fellows owe me one for that whole trap thing you have here."

"Sir?" Brody asked confused.

Circe panted and grabbed his chest. That had knocked quite a bit of his breath out. He was surprised he was still trying to catch his breath.

"I am getting too old for this.."





Captain Radim Kebron sat at his console yelling into the headset trying to get a squadron of TIE fighters out from the direct line of fire from the leading Venator cruiser. And at the sametime he was trying to give orders to a now commandless Skullprey. The young Captain threw the headset off his face and rubbed his temples.

"Captain, we have a transmission on the secure channel." An ensign shot from behind him.

"Put them through." Rad answered.

On screen a very haggard man appeared, probably a little older than Kebron and looking almost homeless.

"I can get your Captain back to the commanding ship for you." He said.

"And why would you want to do that... Mr..?" Rad asked.

"Call me Blaison. And my reasons should be of no concern to you. Just know I can get the job done."

"Uh huh and how did you get access to this channel? You realize that's Hacking Stage four and carries a fifty year prison sentence in Imperial space." Rad spat.

"Again its no concern to you. Just make sure you make a few surgical strikes against the capitol building. I'm sure the Executive Major is planning on fleeing the sector."

"Oh don't worry Mr. Blaison, he wouldn't get far. We'll have Mr. Brant in custody before you know it."

Blaison paused for a moment. A smile passed over his face. But it wasn't anything devious, just as if he had heard a joke.

"Like I said the Executive Major will be attempting to escape. Be ready for me." Blaison said before cutting the conversation short.

Rad turned to his intelligence officer who sat looking rather bored, staring at a communications screen trying to decipher the code the Metropolis fleet was using.

"Search the database for Blaison and compare it to Metropolis Prime and tell me what you get."

The officer was quiet for a moment while he complied and then a smile lit his face.

"Pellaeon Blaison. Exiled from Metropolis Prime for treason and attempting to cause rioting. It seems he tried to overthrow the Executive Major. But before that.." The officer tapped at the screen and pulled up more information as Rad stepped behind to read the screen. "...he was a highly decorated soldier, an honour to his homeworld."

"Maybe he's just the kinda guy we need right now."

Circe pulled the guard's body into the cell and grabbed the rather small blaster pistol off his side. Grabbing the repeator rilfe and handing it to Brody he leaned around the edge of the cell and looked to his left and right. Four total guards.

"Alright three left and one right. We need to take them out and then get the hell up into the main area before they lock the area down. Got me Lieutenant?"

"Uh.. ya I got ya." Brody told him with a bit of a shaky voice.

"Alright.. Go!" Circe said leaning over the threshold with a grunt.

He fired two shots into the chest of the guard that came rushing over at the sudden noise. Circe jumped as blaster fire shot at him from behind. As he turned he saw Brody in the corner of the cell, stunned and with a mortified look plastered across his face.

"Lieutenant?!" He shouted.

Circe rolled his eyes and with a heavy sigh grabbed the repeator out of the young officer's hands. He leaned against the wall holding up both weapons as the three guards turned the corner into their cell. Circe fired into them and with some luck managed to get them without being hit. He dropped the blasters and turned to Brody, who was standing in a puddle of his own urine. Circe shook his head. Although he couldn't blame the twenty-something Lieutenant and damn sure was going to try.

"What the hell were you thinking? If you couldn't have done it you should have told me so." Circe scolded.

"I- I can't shoot someone, sir. I'm n.. numbers and tactical. Not s..shooting." Brody gave a shaky reply.

"Didn't you go through basic training?" Circe asked a little more calm this time.

"Yes, but, my father paid off my instructors because I couldn't pass marksmenship."

Circe couldn't help but say it again.

"You should have told me. No come on we need to get out of the Holding area before they notice their guards are down."

The two reached the entrance before a dozen men swarmed them. Circe raised the repeator, but figured it was to no avail when it was knocked out of his hand all too quickly.

"Captain." A deep voice called from behind him.

As Circe turned around he noticed something was different, they weren't the same as the guards that arrested them. And something didn't seem right about the bunch. The old man's stomach felt weird. And when that happened it usually meant something was very wrong with what a person was saying or a decision Circe made. But at the time neither thing had happened. Circe began to think there was something that stunk about the whole situation.

Circe turned around to a bearded human male, with black hair slicked back. And standing next to him a twi'lek who had obviously seen better days. The old man could help but wonder what had caused the rather imposing scar on his face or why he had lost an eye. Faces told Circe many things.

"And you might be?.." Circe questioned.

"Call me Blaison. I'm working with the captain of one of your ships to get you back up there." Blaison said pointing to the ceiling.

"Uh huh. And how will you be doing that. Haven't you seen the outside of this building? It's swarming with Metropolian Police and Military."

"I got in here undetected didn't I? Now let's move, you need to get control of this situation quickly." He snapped.

Circe played along. What other choice did he have?





Circe boarded and Brody followed behind, but Blaison nor any of his men came with him.

"You'll have to wait till Brant clears himself for exit so you can escape without being shot down."

"And why aren't you coming?" Circe asked him.

"I've got to finish something else. Just watch the computer's proximity alert. Knowing Brant he'll clear himself to take off a few minutes before he actually gets on board."

"And what about Brant?"

"He'll be stuck here. This is the last shuttle. Send down a team and you'll be able to capture him before he gets far. It's not him I'm after." Blaison responded.

"Good luck." Circe said.

Whatever Blaison was up to, it was clear it wasn't against Imperials or he would have killed Circe then and there.

So then it really didn't concern the Captain.





Circe took in a breath of fresh air as the doors to the bridge slid open. He was more than happy to be here than down there. Despite what a muck Lieutenant Danvers had made of the situation. As he approached his command chair, Brody just behind him, several officer approached him with updates. The damage so far had been minimal, with the exception of the aft port. It had appearantly been beaten pretty bad after going head to head with the lead Venator.

"Lieutenant, you are relieved of command." Circe said sternly to Danvers.

Danvers shook his head and moved to the corner of the bridge just after handing the Captain a report.

"Sir, Captain of the Dusk wishes to speak with you presently." An ensign spoke.

"Put him on."

The image appeared and Radim Kebron of the Dusk smiled at Circe despite a jolt on his ship.

"Captain, is this Blaison character with you?" He asked.

"No.. why would he be?" Circe quipped.

"He informed me that he would be coming aboard with you. I was under the impression he would be staying somewhere on the Skullprey."

"He insisted he stay behind on Metropolis Prime, Captain." Circe countered.

Circe sat back pondering a surgical strike. He felt it was his only option to draw out Corvin Brant, but the downside was the deaths of most of the guards and palace workers that weren't caught up in his corruption. His hands were really tied. He layed his head back and then leaned forward, noticing a red flash indicating he had an incoming call. No image though.

Circe put it through to his personal headset.

"Go ahead?" Circe said wearily.

"I'm taking control of the palace. As soon as I secure Corvin Brant and the Royal guard, I will inform you."

"And what good does that do me, I still have the matter of this Falleen Admiral?" Circe whispered.

"He'll be taken care of."

The channel cut. Circe never felt like more of an idiot in his life. This Blaison was running circles around him and the Executive Major and Circe knew it.





Blaison's green eyes stared as his technician picked one by one through the massive series of locks. He turned to his men.

"They've maybe got eight guards left. From what I'm guessing they've probably got Corvin covered in the far end of his office."

They nodded in response.

"When we're done with this, we need to get the fire codes. We've got friends in high places that need our help." He said with a gesture toward the ceiling.

"It's open, sir." The technician said after a click came from the door.

"Alright, everyone get ready."

The soldiers loaded their weapons and checked them. Forming up against the door they prepared to enter.

"Open it."





Circe sat watching as turbolaser fire went back and forth between the Skullprey and leading Venator. They were on the lat percentage on their shields and were almost victorious over the Falleen Admiral.

Alerts exploded on the bridge of the Skullprey as fire from the ion cannons outside the palace slammed into the venator. Circe's eyes were wide open.

"There is no way they missed." Circe said in amazement.

"Blaison must have control of the Palace."

The Venator was in terrible shape now. The hull shattered as it tried to limp away. The ship broken into pieces and would soon fall victim to gravity as it fell to the surface of Metropolis Prime.

Circe looked down as he noticed the red flash again.

"Can you confirm the destruction of the Interloper?" Blaison asked.

"Yes. It has been destroyed, completely."

"Good then with the Executive Major dead, someone has to step up."

"And how do you plan to do that?" Circe asked.

"It's been arranged, don't worry about it."

"Well there is still the matter of the fugitives, that started all --"

"Those fugitives were my associate and myself. We released the information to get this whole operation going."

"I had thought so." Circe countered trying to seem as in the dark as he was.

"I plan on having extremely good relations with the Empire, Captain, I assure you this. Out of an act of goodwill, I will make Metropolis Prime a staging area against Coalition worlds."

"Then I suppose you've covered all bases."

"This time, I have."

The transmission ended. The other ships that were attacking quickly broke off during the next few minutes. Circe ordered his men to stand down. The old man rubbed his greying blonde head. Blaison was a genius. He had managed to dupe Imperial High Command, his own government and even Circe, a man who isn't so easily tricked. His entire involvement in the situation was controlled like a marionette on a string.

Brody approached holding a datapad with the Falleen's face on it.

"I found out why you recognize him, sir." He said. "He is Executive Major Xion Renzon of Metropolis Prime."

"And Corvin?" Circe asked.

"His personal aid and chief of staff." Brody replied.

Circe sat the datapad down, recalling the time before his imprisonment.


"Before I was captured on Formbi even before Endor, I heard of some terrible killings in the Brak Sector. It seemed to be an utter massacre. The Executive Major ordered the killings of hundreds of rebel civilians and protestors against his rule. The Empire intervened, but after Endor..."

"So he's been planning this since he was a child?" Brody asked bewildered.

"Maybe. Maybe." Circe said in a tired tone.

"Return us to Falleen, Lieutenant."

"Yes, sir."

Several months ago....



Pellaeon Blaison, broard shoulders, bright green eyes, muck covered face stared out at the Palace walls. Inside awaited a wonder of enemies and hazards for him and his men. So far he had managed to use his military influence to gain control of the grounds, but the Palace was the hard part. The Executive Major would not be surrendering, so it was a matter of blasting his way in.

He turned his brother Trepp Blaison, who was loading his blaster with another pack.

"You think you can handle taking the southside?" Pellaeon said with sarcasm.

"I don't know, what can I blow up?"

Pellaeon laughed for a moment.

"Just secure the southern portion of the Palace, I'm going to rush the North and capture the EM in the escape chamber that we collapsed back there." Pellaeon said throwing a thumb backwards.

"You got it." Trepp replied.

As he moved out, Pellaeon realized how much he had asked of his brother in this mission. Both were former soldiers and damn good ones too. The question had burned in Pellaeon all day since he started his besiegement. Had he made the right choice in involving his brother? What if he failed? Could he live with knowing they might be killed for treason?

Pellaeon called to Trepp as he ran along the wall.

"Trust and love brother!"





The green skinned Xion Renzon spat a mouthful of saliva in Pellaeon's direction.

"You all are dizgrazes!"

Looking around suspiciously Pellaeon stepped forward and grabbed Xion by the collar, ruffling his suit.

"Enter the emergency broadcast codes into the computer!"

"And what iz thiz for?"

"You're announcing your resignation as Admiral and Executive Major, effective immediately."

"You are crazy, I will do no zuch thing."

Pellaeon slammed the Executive against the wall.

"You'll do it or I will kill you."

"Zhat will zolve nothing! Even if you got control of zhis planet, ze Empire would take over because of ze civil war zhat would erupt!"

"I have a plan for them too, don't you worry." Pellaeon replied.

Blaison's communicator buzzed and he let Xion go, answering it. A frantic and somewhat unclear voice came over the communicator.

"Pellaeon.. its.. ambush! Help!" Came the voice of Trepp.

"Christ! Team one, come with me." Pellaeon said before pointing at Xion. "Team two, secure him and await my return."

Before Pellaeon could get out of the chamber though, blaster fire over came them. Trepp and team three were tied up and pretty badly beaten behind somewhere between ten and fifteen Royal Guards.

"Watch your shots! They've got hostages." Pellaeon called as he shot the commander standing in the back.

He muttered something about being a coward before he continued firing into the crowd of guards. As team one fell back, team two secured Xion and joined them in firing. As the guards slowly dropped one by one they funneled out of the chamber, retreating.

"Move!" Pellaeon said chasing after them, Trepp still in his sight.

His men behind him, Pellaeon rushed toward the exit. His stomach roared with warning, but as he reached the exit he was ignoring it. He reached Trepp and they stood up, with no kind of restraint present at all and at once Pellaeon realized how stupid he was.

"What have you.. -- ah!"

A blaster bolt tore through his left leg and he fell to his knees. Fire came from snipers sitting comfortably in the recesses of the balconies and catwalks of the main hall. His men were all killed behind him, only he and maybe two others were left alive. Xion came walking out briskly, rubbing his sore wrists. He shook hands with Trepp and planted a strong kick in Pellaeon's side.

"You were stupid to ever try something like this Pellaeon. I'll see what they can do for you because your my brother."

"You little fuck." Pellaeon responded, his eyes red with anger.

"I'm a soldier, just like you, I have no alliegance to blood only to my home. Isn't that what dad taught us?"

Pellaeon jumped up in a fury and grabbed his brother's blaster that was held loosely. Turning it upwards he fired, placing a bolt in his chest. A guard kicked the gun away and several proceeded to restrain him, while beating him.

Trepp fell to the ground next to Pellaeon, who's face was pushed into the hard tile flooring as stuncuffs where placed around his wrists.

"B..ut..?" Trepp started to say.

"I'm a soldier.." Blaison finished.





Aid to the Executive Major, Corvin Brant stood with a relatively calm look on his face as he approached Xion.

"What will you do with him?" Corvin asked.

"I am going to exile him from Metropolis Prime. He zays he lovez zhis world? Zhen I will take it from him."

"But wouldn't it be easier to just kill him?"

"And make a martyr out of him? Ludicrous! Ze military still allies with him, we must not make it look like he waz right about us." Xion said with total disdain.

"Bezides, he iz a broken man. He failed hiz mission and hiz brother betrayed him. He haz nothing else to live for. He iz no longer a threat to me. We are safe."