Daalang system - five weeks after the battle at Sullust.

Colonel Jor Markus looked out over the dim ball in the distance. He and his regiment had been sent to scout the planet and report any and all activity there and within the system. The medium size planet looked for the most part like any other out of the way unimportant world. The cc9600 slowed then began to drift down into the atmosphere of the planet. The massive repulsors kicked in as the gravity of the planet progressively pulled on the frigate. The upper atmosphere was rough and storms seemed to rock the large ship as it broke threw to the lower atmosphere.
This was Jor's first mission as the 108th Marine Regiments commander. He was replacing Colonel Treinton who had died at Sullust the month before. Treinton was a good officer and friend of Jor's. Every man in the 18th respected him and would miss the man they come to know as Lighthouse.
Colonel Treinton was the type of man who's charisma was contagious. His energy and attitude effected the men around him and , in the words of many Lit the way in battle. There fore the name Lighthouse came about.
Now the burden of leadership fell to Jor. He was charismatic and energetic but nothing like his old friend.
He knew his job as well as any man and was not afraid of serving the alliance to the death, but like any man he was afraid of dying. The last five weeks had been rough. The battle played out in his mind night after night. he could still smell the mud deep in the tunnels of Sullust, like he had just climbed out of it.
The ship stabilized and slowed as it neared the surface. The small port there was barely big enough for the frigate. The deck plating below his feet rumbled as the repulsors fought the mass of the ship and set her down on the extended landing struts. The dust outside had blown up as maneuvering thrusters helped to slow and stabilize the ships landing. The view screen was now filled with a dim light from the sun above and the dust which had engulfed the ship. From behind him Captain Linyt walked up and handed Jor a data pad.

"This is all we have on the planet Colonel. It seems most of the population work for the Torgaigne Syndicate on Attahox. Those who don't farm, live out on the far plains in small pockets of human encampments. The main towns are Syndicate owned towns for their employees."

Jor looked over the data and handed the pad back to Captain Linyt. The syndicate might be a problem but one he was ready to correct. The ship had radioed ahead and cleared a landing permit. the port justicar had cleared them to land. unknowing the purpose of the ship. it seemed the authorities of Daalang thought the Frigate was a commercial freighter with replacement showers for the local brothel and guest apartments. 3rd fleet Intel might have had something to do with that. Jor smiled and walked to the turbolift with Captain Linyt at his side. The two men waited for the door to open in silence. As they walked into the small round container the Chief operations officer called out.

"Captain off the bridge."

Jor was surprised at the amount of discipline on Captain Linyt's ship. The fleet in general had discipline but the feel aboard Linyt's ship was more Imperial. This made sense, Linyt was a navy brat from birth. Like General Forlon Linyt was born on Anaxes to a predominate Fleet family, Linyt had Imperial training and served in the fleet for a number of years before General Forlon and the rest of his staff left the empire and joined the Rebellion. Linyt had served under Forlon for the rebellion then the new republic, and now the rebellion again. Over thirty years now and still Linyt had been an a member of the alliance and still he honed the men of his command like a fanatical Imperial.

The door to the lift opened and linyt motioned for Jor to walk out first. Jor did so and was shortly joined on the floor of the main assault deck by Linyt. the deck was quiet as most of the men were in secondary positions in case the locals had eyes ready to have a look in the main hold. The ramp popped and sqeeked with a loud metal on metal grinding sound then slowly lowered to the ports pad. The port was small but well equipped and built. No doubt the syndicate kept things in good shape and Jor know off in the distance a sniper was looking at him threw a scope. This almost un-nerved him as the thought crossed his mind for the firth time sine leaving the lift.

Out of place in the suit he wore, Jor was to play the part of the business man delivering showers from the family plumbing and tubing business. Linyt was wearing some type of civilian outfit fleet seen in a lot of planetary and commercial vessels.

"Good luck Colonel, We will off load the showers and close the ramp. IF you need us we will be ready to go in about two hours. Play it safe till then and don't get in trouble."

Jor looked at the captain and smiled. He intended on not getting killed today. but who knew. He was sure Lighthouse did not intend on dying on Sullust.

At the Base of the ramp stood three men. Jor knew two of them by pictures he had studied in the pre mission brief. The third he had no idea. Jor walked down the ramp with and met the men. The first to speak was the Mayor of the star port and governor of Daalang, Fernkin Grin. He was what most governor types were, crooked and greedy and this was the opening which allowed the 108th to get the contract from the man. Next to him was the local Chief Justicar Grig Tinner. He was a large man and had the look of a serious man, Jor knew the that he had no sense of humor. The third mas was dressed up in the finest business attire. Jor figures the mad was a Torgaigne associate.

"Welcome Mister Markus. It is nice to meet you finally."

Jor took the mans hand and shook it. The Juticar stood straight and made no move to great him. The third man however moved up next to the Mayor and smiled. Jor finished shaking the Mayors hand the took the out stretched hand of the third man.

"I think you know our local law enforcement chief Mr. Tinner."

The Man nodded slightly but said nothing to Jor. Ferkin Grin motioned to the third man.

"May I introduce Mister Conting. He is the Torgaigne chief financial officer. He was here for his monthly survey and heard you were coming and had to meet you."

Jor smiled and shook Conting's hand. The man seemed pleasant but jor knew he was more just as likely to be as much assassin as financial officer.

"It is a pleasure to meet you mr. Markus. Fernkin tells me you beat our old plumbing suppliers price by ten percent."

In reality the supplies which were being unloaded were diverted from another destination and the alliance had paid nothing for the goods. Jor smiled and replied.

"Really, I had no idea. I just do the meet and greats for Transpiping. The pricing is done by my brother and dad back at the factory."

Tranpiping was a false business front set up for this mission. Someone with connections on Denon had set up the front, cleared the paperwork, and pushed the order threw. Then redirected it to Daalang. As a family business Jor had to get familiar with a family he had never known. The syndicate man looked past Jor trying to get a look at the inside of the ship. Jor paid no attention to it. He expected as much from him. turning his eyes back to jor he continued.

"Ah yes You are the little brother. How do you like working with your family?"

"It is taxing sometimes, but we work together well. We each work with different aspects of the business so we don't work together much."

A short pause in the conversation was broken by Mayor Grin.

"Gentlemen, let us move to my office and talk more."

Grin motioned for the men to move to the repulsor car parked near the base of the ramp. The four men got into the car and sat down before the conversation started once again.

"I could not help but notice the vessel you arrived in Mr. Markus. How did your family acquire a war frigate for an freighter?"

Jor had expected this question. So had the higher ups. in fact most of the background he had to remember was n the ship itself. including a fake history mocked up by fleet intel.

"The 9600? oh yeah, As you may know my family business has been bought out by Stellar enterprises. Well he bought controlling interest. He left management and marketing up to us. basically he bought in and gets a percentage of our bottom line. In the acquisition Stellar Enterprises purchased two of these for Transpipe. It seems the new boss thinks pirates want to steal our pipping and toilets."

The men laughed slightly at the thought of someone stealing toilets. All but the Justicar. he sit next to the far door watching out the window as the car sped to Grins office. The short trip gave the men time to talk over Transpipe and Jor's family. Then talk of the local area and the activities on the planet. Jor convinced Gin to let the crew of the Transpipe freighter have leave to take in the sights and sins the starport had to offer. This had been part of the plan all along. playing on the greed of the man Jor knew he could get some of his men into the port where they could work into key locations. It took a bit more to convince the justicar but after a short conversation, Counting told the man to see to it the crew got full clearance to the ports leisure and business areas. Jor radioed back and gave the order then walked into Grins office. He was out of place and on his own. He had stuck with his cover well but he knew the Syndicate man was still suspicious. it was his job to be. Jor only hoped the next step of the plan went as well as the last part had.

Deep Space near Daalang system.

Reshmar sat looking over the remains of his dinner. As of last he had little appetite. Scenes of death and terror filled his mind. he had lost men and women at Sullust. People who he may or may not have known personally but they had been under his command all the same.The weeks since the battle had been filled with visits to the hospital ship Hope. Meetings of alliance officials attempting to blame each other for the Intel shortfall from Sullust. Inspections on various damaged ships to inspect repairs and readiness. The worst of all was the services for those lost.
Now more of his men were in harms way. The 108th had made contact with syndicate personnel and were now infiltrating the small star port town. The Town was not what Reshmar worried about. The small but well trained syndicate fleet siting above Attahox.
Six Ferret recon craft now watched Attahox and the Fleet gathered there. The live feed from those ship played on one or more of the twelve large displays around the command, intel and control room. Three ships had just returned from a mission to parts unknown. They had captured some small freighter it seemed. and the prize was being taken to the orbital star port above the trash filled planet below.
One other event which Reshmar had been a part of was the promotion of Gant Yorse. He had been a commander aboard the Kirov and when the ship was heavily damaged and the captain killed he had taken control of the battered old ship and seen to it that all non Essential personnel were evacuated and lead the ship in a last minute maneuver which not only saved the crew who stayed but saved the ship. He had been promoted to line Captain and at the recommendation by Raymond mosses, Reshmar offered the job of captain of the Hawkeye to him. he had proven an exceptional officer the last few weeks and seemed to have a way of motivating his crew. The repairs on the Hawkeye had been finished two weeks in advance. This helped to get Operation Hydra active and underway sooner than anyone expected.
The Hawkeye had been fully loaded for Operation Hydra and along with 3rd fleet moved into the mid rim to spread the seed of freedom. The fleet had been formed into separate battle groups again and now moved on key locations through out the area. along with the Nadlac which was on Daalang the Hawkeye was escorted by the Belarus Cruiser Kushka and the Corona Frigate Tiger. The small group was more than equipped for the small syndicate group but Reshmar hoped it would not come to a fight. The syndicate would most likely see that it did and if so Reshmar was ready to answer if they moved to stop the take over of Daalang.

"Admiral, Colonel Jor has signaled he is in place and all men are ready. The Nadlac will begin the attack in five local Daalang minutes."

Reshmar cleared this display and turned to commander Watts. the new officer of the watch had replaced Commander Stinj after his promotion to captain and his new command aboard the Trinity.

"Very well Commander, set our chrono to match and send the order to engage."

The large timer was set and the numbers began counting down. Reshmar looked over the tactical display once again then closed the screen and closed his eyes. This was a far better plan then the one at Sullust and was not near as dangerous, but he still could not shake the dreams and the thought of these proud and courageous men and women serving under him were in terrible danger. He knew it was just a dream and he knew people under him would dye. That was part of war. But when thousands dye while you look on helpless the idea of war changes from the advancement of justice and freedom to the murder. Though the murders was not by Reshmars doing his hands were still bloody from them.
The clock counted down and hit a line of zeros. Reshmar paused a moment then gave the order.

"Jump us in Captain."

Jor sat and listened to a story about some odd drink Conting had sampled on his last trip to the core. he knew the time was near and the small red light which had been constantly lit on his wrist chrono had turned green. He knew things were going to get interesting in about three minutes. The men laughed and the conversation switched to talk about the fake business front on Denon and all the details Jor had so time consumingly memorized. Jor had so calmly mentioned the family and life on Denon, all being lies. then Conting ask.

"So Mister Markus, How has your families business remained so profitable in these dark days? All other suppliers have been hit hard by the recent events in the core and imperial space."

Finally the man had come to something Jor had not been told about his front. It did not matter he would not get to answer. Justicar Tinners com link chirped and the man pressed the receive button on the ear piece. His eyes went wide and he stood suddenly. Jor know now was the time to act. He pressed the button on the side of his chrono and reached into his boot and removed the small hold out blaster he had hidden. out side the office a sudden thud was heard and Jor went to action. HE bolt up and jumped across the room as Chief Tinner pulled his blaster from his holster. He squeezed off three shots two of which struck the security officer dead in the chest. As he hit the ground the door slammed in with an explosion of force and four men came in with small holdout blasters. The two men still sitting were in shack. within the mater of a minute they went from telling stories to their chief of security being dead and them at gunpoint. Jor rolled over and looked out the now destroyed doorway at the two guards laying on the ground. His men had gotten into position and did their jobs well. In the distance alarm klaxons began to sound. The planetary security had been alerted and were now moving to defend their world.

Across town The small cantina was loud and busy. Three men sat quietly nursing drink they had ordered. They watched the doorway and the group of off duty guards who were meeting for a drink. When the light on their watches began to blink green they jumped up and pulled blasters from somewhere on their bodies. The table flew threw the air and the three men opened fire on the guards across from them. The first two guards never knew what hit them. hey fell silently to the floor as their bodies slumped over lifeless. The other guards however were far better at their jobs. They turned the table over and used it as a shield. One of the alliance men moved to flank the table but was brought down as he tried to clear a group of innocents who were cowered on the floor. The two remaining alliance commandos dug in behind a small outcrop of the bar and exchanged fire with the guards.

At the Star port the klaxons exploded with loud warning as the turbolaser cannons on the Nadlac came to life. The security booth was the first target of the gunners on the left flank of the Frigate. Red lances of energy shot out without warning and struck booth. It exploded into a cloud of dust and debris as the energy struck it. Next the gunners targeted the four Defensive lasers placed around the port. Each was destroyed as fire from the ship lanced and struck them within seconds of the first sign of aggression. Guards and others around the dock were shocked and were not read when both the forward and two side hatches opened and the ramps slammed down on the surface of the star port. From the darkened interior of the Frigate three V-wing assault speeders shot out of each side bay. They cleared the bottom of the ship and then banked into a climb and off into the distance to support the company of commandos which had already infiltrated the town. then with a loud roar two giant A5 juggernaughts learched out the forward section and down the ramp.

In space moments before the action began on the planet the normal traffic above Daalang was interrupted as the Hawkeye, Kushka, and Tiger reverted from hyperspace near high orbit. The small defense pickets which were monitoring traffic turned to intercept then seeing the ships before them turned and moved to seek shelter behind the planet and await reinforcements. Reshmar sat in the taccom chair and watched the chaos above Daalang as ships began to panic and move to escape what ever threat had fallen upon them. One of the pickets moving around the planet sent out a burst transmission which Reshmar expected. Now was a waiting game. The planets forces were fighting but it was only a matter of time before they were suppressed. It was the syndicate which had the next move.it and wait for them to make their move then finish the chore of liberating Daalang.

Reshmar watched from intercepted camera feeds from the town below as a group of Alliance commandos stormed the local Commerce office. He knew within minutes splicers would be working on securing the local trade accounts and locking out the syndicate back doors into the system. Another cam feed showed two T4b tanks rolling through the main plaza moving to take position out side the planetary security office. A large group of both planetary defense corp and Syndicate mercenaries had taken up position inside and had given any attempt to get near it with troops impossible. A voice from behind him broke his concentration.

"Admiral, Incoming ships."

Reshmar turned to acknowledge the chief operations officer then brought the image up on the main display. A small group of ships had jumped in and were forming up some one hundred kilometers to the rear of the Hawkeye.

"Captain, turn us to intercept and set condition red."

An alarm sounded and the lights dimmed. Red lights kicked on and filled the ship with dim illuminations. This directed power from the massive amounts of lighting on board to other systems like Shields and Weapons.

"Admiral, DFOF recognizes most of the transponder. They are defiantly Syndicate ships. We will have threat assessment in thirty second."

Reshmar did not need thirty seconds fo see the bulk of a victory star destroyer at the head of the group. They must make good money in phosovine salt. At least enough to man and upkeep a battered Victory destroyer. Beside here was yet a second surprise. A Dreadnaught sat on the right flank of the destroyer and looked to be in farly good repair. Unlike the Vic which had noticeable repairs and hull damage.

"Weapons, acquire a targeting solution and lock onto the dreadnaught. Hold all fire until I give the order."

The command crew went about working out the ordered tasks then waited for Reshmar to give the order to fire.

On the planet Jor had the two men tied up and sat in the office they had once been talking. The door was still destroyed and the sounds of running battle could be heard outside. Jor sat and smiled at the men.

"So Mister Conting, I have been given the task of offering you , as representative of the Torgaigne Syndicate, an offer. You see we don't really care about your operations outside the fair treatment of the workers here on Daalang. We only want to see the people of this planet free from the rule of your group and of Governor Grin."

The later mans face darkened at the mention of his name and of him being removed as governor.

"You see we want to make a sort of deal. You and your syndicate have full control of the salt trade. You will retain this control but pay the alliance a small handling charge for using Daalang as a distribution center. You also have to bring the pay of the workers here on Daalang up to galactic standards. Now I had my electronics specialist checked your books here and that is only a fifteen percent raise from current pay. Also all other trade and dealing made on the planet are managed by the alliance. Now this may sound bad for now but I promise you with a few other acquisitions we are making you would have had to pay this trade tax anyway."

The Syndicate man sat silent for a few moments. He had not really panicked when the commandos stormed the office or mad any aggressive movements since then. He had just been sitting and watching the goings on around him. After a moment more of silence he spoke softly and in a calm manner.

"What of my men stationed here on Daalang. Many of them have moved family here. Attahox is no place for family."

Jor thought for a moment then wondered as to how much play he had with his orders for the Syndicate. Conting was correct Attahox was no place for anyone let alone family. He knew his orders but somehow he also knew him giving a little in finding a peacful way to end the battle would be ok.

"After we have decided on a non aggression accord your people would have the right to petition for residence here. They would of course have to abide by out laws and rules when on Daalang. But we welcome any peaceful creature who would like to live a free life outside oppression."

The syndicate officer sat silently for almost two minutes. He looked of a man with the weight of two worlds on his shoulders. Jor could hear explosions outside. The battle was not fierce but some resistance was being made by the Syndicate and planetary defenses.

"May I remind you Mister Conting the longer you take to decide the more of your men and women will have died in vein. Here on Daalang and in space. I have been told the syndicate fleet has appeared overhead. I assure you they have no idea what they are up against with the Hawkeye up there. Now can we work this out or shall I have you gentlemen taken to the brig?"

Conting let his head sag a bit then looked up at Jor.

"I would have to talk to Attahox personally. I can not offer any type of deal without first clearing it with them."

Jor smiled and nodded. He handed Mister Conting a subspace transmitter and freed his hand. The Syndicate man sat for a moment then rubbed his wrists where they had been bound. He knew if he jumped up and tried to run he would be shot. there was no way around this. He had to call his boss and offer them the Alliance deal.

The smoke cleared and the two Commandos exited the Cantina. Most of the building had been shot up and the security guards had ran out the door and up an adjacent ally. Rather than chase the alliance soldiers fell back to the regroup point. Here they met up with the surviving members of their squad. three men were absent. A short stocky man ran up and gave one of the men a a heavy blaster.

"Here, Kent did not make it."

The man kneeled and looked around. The rest of the squad spread out and took up a defensive position.

"Sarge, Have you heard from command?"

The squads heavy gunner sat his blast cannon down on its tripod and set the power core next to it. He moved to take a smaller rifle from one of the other commandos and slung it over his back. HE grabbed a few grenades then returned to his cannon. the squad commander moved next to him behind a destroyed repulsorvan.

"They say we have control of the port and most of the town. its out here on the edge in the red district that we are experiencing the most resistance. Just hold this position I will be back. Soren, your with me."

The Sergeant and Soren run off into the dusty darkness back towards the main section of town. The remaining squad members dug in and waited for what ever was to come.

Above the planet Reshmar now stared down a small fleet of twelve ships. mostly small armed freighters but the dreadnaught and the battered victory star destroyer were a major problem. It was then a later launched a salvo of missiles and began firing. Green streams of energy impacted the forward shielding of the Hawkeye. Reshmar was not worried about the Destroyer but the Tiger and Kushka were not as robust as the Hawkeye.

"Commander, launch Avenger wing and have Kushka and Tiger move ingot a spear formation behind us."

The communications officer relayed the orders n to the escorting ships then went back to monitoring the comm channels. On the tactical halo display small icons filled the screen as the thirty six X-wing fighters launched and began moving to intercept the fleet bearing down on Hawkeye. Reshmar buckled into his chair and swung it to face the tactical display. small icons represented the incoming missiles. The first would impact any second now but some were bearing down on the Kushka. The commander was working to move the cruiser into the shield shadow of Hawkeye but it looked like they were not going to make it.
The first impact started a chain of twenty small explosions along the forward right side of the Hawkeye. The advanced kinetic shielding held back the energy of the missiles but the drain on the ships shield projectors was evident. four missiles impacted the aft of the Kushka and nearly over powered her shielding. the ship had escaped damage for now and was moving in behind Hawkeye and her more powerful shield umbrella.

"Chief, Return Fire!"

Reshmars orders were not out of his mouth when the first of the octuple barbette turbolasers lanced out at the Dreadnaught. this was quickly joined by the port battery. At this arch only the forward two batteries could target the smaller of the two capital ships but this was enough. The sixteen heavy turbolaser cannons pounded the dreadnaught. it was a good old ship but in her day no ship could bring the firepower against her as the Hawkeye now did with two of her eight main batteries. The two Syndicate ships continued their assault, both firing turbolasers at the advanced destroyer.

"Navigation, give us twenty degrees down bow and open fire with all weapons."

the ships thrusters came to life and slowly pushed the bow of the ship down. The ship now dove at an angle which would take it under the enemy ships. This allowed all eight of the main guns to Target the ships and fire. This however left the Tiger and Kushka open.
Lances of red energy struck out at the dreadnaught from all wight batteries. The shields which were being battered and beaten were no over powered and then gone. The turbolaser beams struck the hull of the old heavy cruiser and began scorching and burning their way into the ship. Within seconds the dreadnaught turned and began to move to the rear of the formation of small ships.

""Have all guns target the destroyer now Chief."

The giant turrets began to turn and target the larger of the ships. The Vic had loaded its tubes and fired a salvo of missiles once again. They were intercepted by the X-wings and nearly twenty percent of the missiles were destroyed before they reached Hawkeye. The fighters did not turn and give chase to the incoming projectiles they stayed their course towards the large enemy formation. Smaller fighter craft began to launch from the enemy ships. mostly odd tie series but at the head of the formation were four E-wing fighters. Reshamr assumed this was the elite of the Syndicates fighter pilots. As the enemy fighters began to engage the X-wings the Hawkeye had moved into position and all of her batteries were bearing down on the Victory Destroyer.

On the planet below Jor waited for Conting to finish his conversation with the syndicate leaders. he could tell it was not going well by the expression on the syndicate officers face. The man looked up at Jor and closed the com channel.

"Mister Markus, if it is in fact Markus, After much consideration, I think my employers are tempted by your offer but they fear reprisal at a later date. How do we know you will not move to attack Attahox Next?"

Jor smiled and sat in a chair across the room from the two who were now untied. The Governor had been in a state of shock for most of the last hour but he had finally started to talk.

"What about me? You said I was to be replaced. I have family here also where am I to go?"

The man looked defeated and on the verge of a break down. Jor wanted to laugh but he was not one to mock a man for fear.

"Mister Grin, you are more than welcome to petition for residence but you are removed from any responsibility or say in the government of Daalang. Once we have things settled here you can return to the port and alliance personnel there will help you do so."

The ex leader of Daalang sat up some but he still seemed like a broken man. he had used the people of Daalang and gotten rich from it. Now his accounts wee locked and he was just as poor as a vagrant in the street.

Above the planet the Reshmar received a message from Colonel Markus. HE had finalized the conditions of surrender and seen to it the Syndicate got the same message. The ships of the Syndicate fleet turned and began to move off. A short audio only transmission was received.

"Cease fire, We will move to exit the system."

Reshmar ordered all elements of the group to stand down and all the fighters to return to the Hawkeye. too many men and women died today but it was inevitable. The syndicate would never have swayed to politics alone. A show of force had to be shown and that it was.