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23:00 Hours – Previous Night

President Griff nodded to five men, who were seated at a large oval table. The room that they were in was spacious, with windows lining one wall. The table had six chairs set around it, with each place in front of the chair emblazoned with a different symbol. The place at the head of the table was emblazoned with the traditional scorpion symbol of the Sovereignty. Griff took his seat there. As Griff sat, he looked toward the corner of the room, opposite of him. There was a tall, silent human-looking person. He was standing calmly, and said nothing. Griff trusted he would be told soon enough who he was.

Five men seated themselves as well, after saluting to the President. Each an held the rank of Legion-General, the highest rank within the Sovereignty military. Each was entrusted as the President’s military advisors, and gave him counsel on the military side of the government. Each Legion-General was entrusted a portion of the Sovereign military, which included ships, ground forces, fighters, special forces, intelligence bureaus and the like.

“Okay gentlemen, let us get started, as I am short on time today.” Griff said.

All but one of the five men had lived past the age of fifty. And all but one of them had a shock of silvery-gray hair growing from their heads. As such, all five Legion-Generals were humans.

The first, and most trusted, was Griff’s closest and most trusted friend, and newly promoted Legion General Telius Keyan. The man was well past fifty, unlike Griff who was at least thirty years younger then the older man.

Next came Legion General Adama Jakob, a man of about fifty-two. Jakob had had a long and illustrious career with first the New Republic, and then the Outer-Rim Sovereignty. During his tenure with the Republic, he had served in several encounters, as well as with the Yevetha, Empire, Ssi-Ruuvi, and Chiss.

Sitting next to Jakob, was another trusted friend, Keyn Nechyev. The man was most notably affiliated with the aging and retired Joren Logan. And had come with Logan during the old Admiral’s brief service to the Sovereignty. When Logan left, Nechyev stayed, eventually raising in rank to Legion-General.

Next to Nechyev, was a thin tall man, Legion-General Darmak. The man was originally from Bakura, and had served first in the battle with the Ssi-ruuvi, then had been one of the directors in creating the massive Bakuran Defense Fleet. When Bakura had joined the Sovereignty, he had transferred to the ORS military.

Last, sitting opposite Griff, was the youngest of the Legion-Generals. His name was Marc Grissm. He was the son of the infamous Councilman Grissm, Grissm’s father had led a group of loyal supporters (which included most of the Federation Council) and had removed Griff from office. With the help of Marth Meer, then director of the shadowy Intelligence Agency Black Hand, Griff escaped and had led the Black Hand in a civil war against Grissm. The rogue councilman had been summarily executed for treason, just before the official drafting of the Constitution and the creation of the Outer-Rim Federation, under a new name: The Outer-Rim Sovereignty. Grissm’s son had loyally served in the ORS military and rose in rank, finally being appointed to his current position, by Griff himself.


“Mr. President,” Began Legion-General Keyen, “The creation of a new patrol group for the Bakuran sector just needs your approval.”

“What kind of patrol group?” Griff asked, searching for the document within his notes.

“The Bakuran people are getting angry that their defense fleet, half of which was destroyed by the Saccorian Triad, has been removed.”

“The Sentinel and Defender were removed and placed under our control…” Jakob said,

“And the Bakurans are protesting that.” Keyen finished.

“What does your patrol group do?”

“Replaces the old Bakuran ships with new ones. We have been building the Bakura-class Destroyers, and the Bakurans want some to be watching over the world.”

“Absolutely, a complete restoration of the Bakuran Defense Fleet…I think they will like that.” Griff mused, “You have my approval.”

He signed the document Keyan handed him, “What is next?” Griff asked, looking around the table.

Neychev leaned forward, “The base on Hoth has been going without adequate supplies or troop reinforcements for a few weeks, as has Ison.”

“We should set up a steady stream of supplies, ships and troops through the Corridor, it could help us in the long run.” Darmak said, nodding.

“I agree.” Griff said, “Do it.”

Neychev nodded.

So the meeting progressed in this manner, until when it was close to 01:24 the usually quiet Legion-General Grissm spoke up.

“I have spent the last few years developing new projects for our Clone Soldier programs.” He said eyeing each Legion-General, “And for a time, research progressed easily, as most of you know. We have been hard at work with creating newer and better clones. But as made apparent by the Kathol Sector, our clones are not doing enough. We lost thousands in the fighting on Kal’shebbol.”

Griff nodded, motioning for Grissm to go on.

“So instead, I have ordered our best slicer and information gathering droids to look out in the galaxy for new ideas, new things as to which we can build upon. First we thought that a melding of several animal species will give us the proper DNA sequence that we needd to create a new type of clone soldier. One that can lift a starfighter as if he is lifting a blaster. This soldier can run, jump, and fight better than any human being.

“But we have been continuously met with failure. We could not find what we needed. But we kept looking, until we stumbled upon this fellow.” Grissm said, gesturing to the tall silent man Griff had noticed earlier. At Grissm signal the man, who seemed a simple human, walked forward smoothly.

“He does not have a name, or so he claims. His species does not believe in the concept of family. They call themselves the Quay. And they have many… valuable attributes that I think, Mr. President, you will find… most useful.”



Griff, as well as the rest of the five, looked up, inquisitively, at the tall human.

Grissm smiled and stood sharply, “If you will all come with me.” He said, heading toward the door, along with the human-like being.

They headed down hallways and down turbolifts until they came to the research level. On this level was a huge training facility. The tall human headed into the facility as Griff and the others stood behind reinforced transparisteel. As Griff watched, several assassin droids entered the facility where the tall human stood calmly.

Grissm, who stood near Griff, spoke, “The Quay have a type of natural telepathy. They can feel each other’s emotions.”

Griff watched as three other tall humans – or Quay – stepped into the facility. The droids moved closer to their four unarmed opponents.

Grissm spoke again, “They also have no bone structure whatsoever. They are actually…” He said as the Quay struck. Their body seemed to melt, and instead of a solid mass, they became a goo-like substance. “Liquid. Their natural state is liquid.” Grissm finished.

The four liquid beings reformed. One became a massive fist, and slammed into one of the droids. One became a hammer, and destroyed another. One’s arm became a blade, and it cut down yet another droid.

Griff watched as the four Quay easily destroyed twelve top-of-the-line assassin droids. Grissm smiled at the sight. The four then resumed their former calm positions.

Griff turned to Grissm, “Where did you find them?’ He asked.

“They were found by the port authorities. Apparently the Quay are nomads. Their home planet, they do not know. They drift from place to place, but are constantly persecuted by others because of their natural ‘gift’. They have an extreme distrust of ‘solids’ as they put it.” Grissm said.

“Then why are they here? With us?” Griff asked.

“Because I told them that if they show us where the rest of their people are, we might be able to help them.” Grissm said.

Griff frowned, “That is a pretty serious promise, Legion-General.”

“I know, but it was the only way they would come.”

“You lied.” Griff stated flatly.

Grissm was adamant, “It was necessary. They could prove to be very useful spies.”

“That was unwarranted. What if their people are stranded upon an Imperial world? How would we possibly get them out? Our relationship with the Empire is strained, if you know what I mean.” Griff said, slightly sarcastically.

“Their people are not on an Imperial world.”

Griff had had enough, especially since the other Legion-Generals were watching the exchange between the President and Grissm with great interest, “My office.” He said simply.

A little while later, Grissm entered the President’s office, and immediately saluted. Griff noted with some disdain that one of the Quay followed the Legion General into the office.

“Legion-General Grissm. Please explain this situation very carefully.” Griff said, keeping an eye on the tall, silent being that stood behind Grissm.

“Mr. President, this is Zhou. He is the leader of the Quaywho were detained at Bakura Port Authority. He is here to tell you of his people’s plight.” Grissm said, as the Quay stepped forward.

Griff nodded, reluctantly, to Zhou to go ahead.

“We are nomads,” He said in a heavily accented voice, “All but the elders remember our home. They tell us that many centuries ago, we lived in peace on our home world. We were free from the oppression, free from the fear that follows us wherever we go. Many centuries ago, the solids came to us. Their vessel had crashed, and they needed assistance. My people had had spaceflight technology for years, and we helped them repair their vessel. They then left, but many more solids came after, and some wanted us for warfare. We did not want to fight, we were a peace loving people. So we told them no, but in return, they tried to kill us all.” Zhou said. Griff winced slightly, knowing all too well what had probably transpired.

“Some survived by flying off in our home ships, and escaping the mass murder. But most of our people died that horrible day. Now there is only one Home Ship left, and it has crashed on a distant world. But unlike us, these solids will not help us repair our home ship. They will not give us the parts we need to fix it. We helped solids many years ago, and we were devastated. Now when we ask for the same thing, we are rejected.”

Griff was completely aghast at the story. Such horrible genocide…

“I sympathize with you, Zhou, I really do. But I am not sure what you want from me.” Griff said.

“The four of us managed to stow away onboard a transport ship, and we arrived here. We had intended to try and get the parts we needed.” Zhou said.

Griff nodded, “Well, allow me to speak with Legion-General Grissm here and I will speak to you later.”

Zhou nodded, and a guard entered and escorted the Quay out of the office. Griff turned to Grissm.

“What planet did their ship crash on?” He asked, almost wishing he hadn’t.

“A planet in the Hapes Cluster. A planet called Reboam.” Grissm said.

Griff nodded, “Good. I am glad it was not somewhere else… but I am sure Hapes would not want us nosing around their space.”

“I have already spoken to the Hapan Ambassador here, and she has agreed to speak to the Prince about this. She will get back to me. But we should be able to receive passage through the Cluster.”

“What about the people of Reboam? They racist for a reason?” Griff asked.

“As far as I know, no. But unlike other Hapans, they believe themselves superior, and they carry the attitude with them well.” Grissm responded, “It is curious.”

“Yes. Also curious to why the Hapan Government hasn’t done something about the Quay.” Griff said.

“Perhaps they don’t know. Reboam does have a reputation as being slightly independent from Hapes. They do not readily obey the Queen Mother’s commands. And Hapes has been getting some trouble from them.” Grissm said.

“Well then, let us get the Quay off of Reboam.”

“I assume we will attempt to utilize them in some…tactical way?” Grissm asked hopefully.

“No. We will simply help them get back on their feet. Get the parts Zhou needs and put them onboard the Legacy.” Griff said.

Grissm frowned, “You’re going?”

“Yes.”

The other said nothing.

“Where do you want to go, after we repair your ship?”

Griff watched intently as the alien Quay known as Zhou frowned at the President’s question. He seemed a bit confused.

“We… we do not know… all I have thought about is getting the parts for the Home Ship.” Zhou said.

“But where will the Home Ship go?” Griff pressed, “After the Home Ship is repaired.”

“We … do…not know.” Zhou said, greatly confused.

“Ah. So who is the Quay leader?” Griff asked.

“The Quay are all connected. We all have a great link to each other. But we do have a Spokesman.” Zhou said to the President.

“Spokesman?” Griff asked.

“Yes. He speaks for all of the Quay. He would be you, if you were a Quay.”

“Why do you always refer to yourself as ‘we’?” Griff asked, hoping the other wasn’t offended by his curiosity.

“We are all one, we are all a part of the link.” Zhou stated.

“Link?”

“We are telepathic to a certain degree. We cannot hear each other’s thoughts, but we an feel each other’s emotions. It aids us in battle.” Zhou said.

“And how did you become so proficient at battle?” Griff asked.

“Unlike solids, we are not confined to the form flesh. We have no bones.” Zhou replied.

“I noticed your natural state aids you in your combat… it is a very interesting style…” Griff said.

“We are who were are. I am Quay, you are human.” Zhou said, as if it was the only thing that every needed to be known.

“Tell me more about how you came to be stranded on Reboam.” Griff said, trying to get some details.


”The Home Ship needed repairs, and had been needing it for some time. We approached the place known as the ‘Hapes Cluster’. At first, they welcomed us, thinking that we were probably merchants or perhaps tourists. But only after we showed them our true form, did they begin to reject us. We needed to refuel and more parts for the Home Ship… but they did not want us there. But we had no choice, we could not turn away…” Zhou said, his voice finally trailing off. He still seemed confused.

“I have another question… can you feel the emotions of the others, on the Home Ship right now?”

Zhou merely nodded, looking about Griff’s personal quarters within the Legacy. He seemed far more interested in it, now, than Griff himself.

“Well then…” Griff said, not knowing what exactly to say. Thankfully, he was rescued by the chime of the commlink.

“President Griff to the bridge.”

Griff stood, Zhou matching his move. Three guards moved forward and escorted the freakishly tall Quay out of the room, along with Griff. As Zhou was taken the stateroom where the other Quay were being kept, Griff headed to the bridge, followed silently by a temporary unit of three Defel.

He entered the bridge, where Captain Maxwell, commander of the Legacy stood and saluted smartly. Griff returned the salute and requested an update.

“We are approaching the Hapan border…” Maxwell said.

“Good. Everything in order?” Griff asked.

“Yes, “Maxwell replied, “We have spoken the Hapan Ambassador, and she has obtain a pass for us, for forty-eight hours, into Hapan space.”

Griff nodded, “As good as we are going to get.”

“Hyperspace reversion in ten seconds!” The Helm offider called out from the fore of the bridge. Griff took his seat as the count down commenced. The reversion from hyperspace occurred smoothly, and the Home One class Cruiser and its escorts of four Bakura-class Destroyers and a host of star fighters all reverted back to real space.

The Hapan Ambassador to ORS stepped onto the bridge after the reversion. Griff turned to her and smiled, “Ambassador Odurin.” He said respectfully.

“Mr. President.” Odurin said, stepping over to the commlink. It had been a part of the deal to provide the ambassador transport to the Hapan border, where a Hapan Consulate ship would take her to Hapes as the Legacy made it’s way to Reboam.

Two Hapan Battle Dragon’s suddenly reverted from hyperspace and Odurin pressed a button on the comm. console, “This is Ambassador Odurin on the ORS vessel Legacy.” She said. A female voice instantly responded.

“Ambassador, this is Captain Asaka. Your request for the Legacy’s passage to Reboam has been granted. But the ORS vessels must disengage at the border.” The voice stated. Griff nodded to Odurin, who acknowledged.

The transfer of the Ambassador to Asaka’s ship was completed smoothly and the ORS escorts dropped back as the Legacy reentered hyperspace, on it’s way to Reboam…





“There it is.” Zhou said from the bridge of the Legacy as the planet Reboam came into view, “The other Quay welcome us.”

“Make sure they know we are here to help.” Griff said.

“Captain,” One of the executive officer’s said to Captain Maxwell, “We are receiving a transmission from the planet.”

Maxwell nodded, “Put them through.”

The face of a Hapan female suddenly came into view on the bridge’s main holoscreen. She ignored Maxwell and looked straight at Griff.

“Mr. President, your visit has been expected but I must warn you it is not welcome.” The woman said. Griff was unfazed. He had been in the political business for a long time and he knew that the woman would probably try to portray herself as superior.

“You seem to know me, but may I have your name?” Griff asked politely.

“I am the Prime Minister of Reboam, my name is Ciela.”

“Prime Minister, we are only here to rescue some people that are stranded on your planet.” Griff said.

“The Quay, yes I know all about them. They are pests, and we have been trying to get rid of them ever since they arrived.” Ciela said.

Griff looked back at Zhou, who held his emotionless stare. He was perfectly calm, Griff couldn’t have said the same if it were he in Zhou’s position. Griff looked back at the Prime Minister, “I request that you allow us to begin evacuating the refugees…” Griff started until Ciela interrupted him.

“I am sorry but we do not answer to you. You will not be permitted to land on Reboam’s soil. Please leave the system, now.” Ciela said angrily.

“You said you wanted them gone…” Griff started until he was again interrupted.

“We are dealing with them now. In our own way. We do not need your help.”

Suddenly, Zhou lurched forward toward Griff, and fell to his knees beside the President’s chair. The three Defel bodyguards were there, by Griff’s side. Griff got out of his chair and knelt by Zhou, who seemed to be in a great deal of pain.

“What is it?” He asked.

“We… we…are…losing…ourself…” He muttered, “Pain… too...much…pain.”

Griff was confused for a moment, until he realized. Standing slowly he turned back to the live feed with the Prime Minister, “What are you doing to them?” He asked.

“They have broken more laws than I can count,” Ciela said, her face emotionless, “They are a band of roving criminals. They are being punished.”

Griff signaled for the comm. officer to mute the transmission and turned to the sensor operator, “What do your scans show?”

“We have located the Quay Home Ship. But I am picking up traces of blaster fire. The scan is a bit hazy, but I believe there are several attack vessels converging on the Home Ship.” The sensor operator said. Griff unmated the transmission and glared at Ciela.

“Cease your attack, Prime Minister, or I will inform the Consortium…” He said, but was yet again interrupted.

“Save it. We are not a part of the Consortium. We do not follow Darksword or his band of fools. We are our own people, and we reserve the right to punish criminals in any way we see fit.” She said.

“Fine. You don’t answer to the Consortium? You will answer to me. Stop your attack, or I will.” He said, threateningly.

Ciela’s calm demeanor faltered for one moment, and she gave in. The Legacy was a presidential cruiser, but it was also armed to fight, and both knew it. Griff could do whatever he wanted and there was nothing Ciela could do about it, “Very well. But I expect you to leave this system in one hour, or else.”

The holo of her faded, and Griff turned back to Zhou, who stood up, helped by the Defel guards. “Are you okay?” Griff asked.

“Yes, we are. Mr. President… we know what you just did for us… it will not be forgotten.” He said.

Griff nodded and headed off the bridge.

Later

“What we will do about Ciela?” Maxwell asked.

“She will not attack the Legacy. Her rule over Reboam stands upon the edge of a knife. It can go either way, with her losing the world to Hapes, or gaining Reboam’s independence from the Consortium.” Griff responded, looking over some battle readiness checks. With Ciela’s threat, the Legacy had been ordered to prepare for all contingencies, and was readying for battle.

“What will we do about her?” Maxwell continued.

“Nothing. But if she attacks, we will destroy her forces and hand Reboam over to the Consortium, allowing us to retrieve the Quay and be on our way.” Griff replied.

Maxwell nodded and Griff continued, “How is Zhou?”

“Fine, at last report. We took him to the medical ward, where he recuperated. Apparently he suffered telepathic trauma…”

Griff’s eyes narrowed, “He experienced the pain of the other Quay through their bond?”

“That is what the doctors believe.”

“Interesting…”

“Sir… have you considered where we will take the Quay?” Maxwell asked.

“No. But I assume it will be a Sovereignty world, where they can benefit from us.” Griff said.

“Do they want that?”

“I am not sure… but I am going to suggest to Zhou that it is in his people’s best interests.” Griff said.

“Ah.”

They were suddenly interrupted, “Captain Maxwell, this is McNeil. I just wanted to warn you sir, the hour limit is approaching, approximately two minutes and counting.”

“Very well, Commander.” Maxwell said as he and Griff stepped onto the bridge from Griff’s personal office. As the clock ticked down to zero, Prime Minister Ciela’s holo once again appeared.

“President Griff, you have obviously not left the Reboam system, and your hour is up.”

Griff nodded, “I trust the hour was enough for you to arrange the Quay to be turned overe to me….”

“Wrong. You have trespassed into the wrong affairs this time. I apologize.” She said, and then the holo disappeared.

“Reboam attack vessels are taking off from half a dozen sites across the planet. I am detecting a little over a hundred small fighters, and a few gunships.” McNeil said, leaning over his console, where battle reports were beginning to form.

“Launch fighters, and transports. Get the Quay off the planet as quick as possible, it is time for us to go. We have overstayed our welcome.” Maxwell said, beginning to order his crew to their battle stations.

The first flickers of fire started to erupt against the forward shields of the Legacy as B-Wing starfighters and Tie Advanced starfighters launched from the Legacy’s launch bays.

The Reboam fighters were all of the Miy’til line, but were of much older vintage. They had probably been scrounged around from across the Consortium. All were second string pieces of equipment. The ‘gunships’ McNeil spoke of were modified – and old – Skipray Blastboats.

The Sovereignty fighters and the Legacy’s own weapons systems were easily a match for the outdated, and undertrained Reboam force. Nevertheless, Griff had insisted upon only disabling shots at the enemy. He wanted know deaths of any Hapan citizen that was caused by the ORS forces. Such a thing would look bad for Griff.

Meanwhile, several transport craft descended to the surface. They immediately headed to the capital city, laden with special forces who were under orders to apprehend Ciela. She would be held on Reboam until Hapes was notified about the situation and sent additional occupying forces to the planet. After dropping the forces off, the transports headed to the crashed Home Ship, which was in bad shape. It was also under attack again from Reboam’s ground forces. After a few strafing runs, they were able to set down and begin evacuating the Quay refugees, who shifted their form a bit to allow for more and more people to get onboard. The commander of the transports realized it would take a few trips and headed back into orbit to drop the people off at the Legacy before heading back down.

The space battle was raging overhead, with ORS becoming dominant.

“Sir… we are getting a transmission from Reboam…” A communications tech said. Griff frowned, “From the evacuation teams?”

“No sir. Somewhere else. It is on a coded channel…audio only.”

“Put it through.” Griff replied.

“Sovereignty forces, my name is Herje Diton, I am the leader of the White Stone resistance cell on Reboam.”

“I am President Griff of the Outer-Rim Sovereignty. What can I do for you?” Griff replied hesitantly.

“I believe we can do something for each other, sir. I have a force of fighters ready to take the capital, and Ciela. We can finally rid our planet of her.”

“What do you want me to do?” Griff asked.

“We need precise surgical hits on two key defense installations near the capital in order for our plan to be successful. For that, we need you.” Diton said, the voice audio starting to fade.

“Get him back!” Griff shouted.

“We are sending the locations to you, please help us…” Then the transmission was lost.

“What shall we do?” Maxwell asked.

“We make the hits, turbolaser banks…” Griff said, beginning to issue orders.



*






It was night time on Bakura, a particularly cold and rainy night. But the Hapan Ambassador felt none of it as she relaxed in her estate, in the Bakuran capital of Salis D’aar. She lounged on a repulsor cushion in her personal chambers.


“Ambassador.” A voice suddenly said, breaking into the silence. Ambassador Odurin jumped slightly and spun around, her self-defense techniques flooding into her mind all in an instant. She frowned to see a tall man standing at her desk, glancing down at some of the documents she had stacked. He was dressed in a simple black trench coat, that was remarkably dry, considering the pouring rain outside.

“Just who are you?” She asked, getting off the floating cushion.

“My name is Jorai Kovel.” He said, “I am a member of the Sovereignty government.”

She nodded knowingly, “I know who you are. You are the ringleader of that Black Hand.”

“I prefer “Director” Kovel to “Ringleader Kovel, if you mind. Oh and by the way, you shouldn’t leave important documents out like this. There are dangerous men abroad.” He said.

“Indeed, “Director Kovel.” She said, snatching up the durasheets and heading over to her security case.

“Voiceprint three-one five.” She said and the case opened up, “What can I do for you?”

“You can deliver a message to the Prince and the Queen Mother.” He said, looking around her living quarters, not bothering to clarify just what that message was.

“Which is?” She pressed, not enjoying this little meeting.

“That the government of the planet Reboam has been toppled and Hapes can step in to stake their claim.” He said, picking up a decorative statue that she had placed on a table and examining it.

“What do you mean?” She asked.

“I mean that the dictator there, someone named Ciela has made a very grave mistake.”

“What is that?”

“Griff’s personal craft, the Legacy was attempting to evacuate a species known as the Quay from Reboam. You already know the story but the Prime Minister of Reboam decided that she didn’t want us there and attacked the Legacy. We defeated her in battle and handed her over to a few of Reboam’s freedom fighters, who we aided in order to stop the battle and successfully evacuate the Quay. With our help, the freedom fighters were able to capture Ciela, and without their leader, the “military” she had cobbled together fell apart.” Kovel said.

Odurin was in shock, “You were in Hapan space for three days…” She said incredulously.

“It is all it took. But the freedom fighters have expressed their wishes to petition Hapes for membership in the Consortium.” Kovel said, replacing the statue.

“Why doesn’t Griff just tell the Queen Mother himself?” Odurin asked.

“Because we have no wish in being connected to Reboam. We do not want to be in the spotlight. The only reason we were there was to evacuate the Quay. All we were doing was defending ourselves. And Griff is afraid that if someone doesn’t act, then Reboam will develop another dictatorship.” Kovel said.

“So what do you want me to do?”

“That decision is up to you. I am here to deliver a message. Do what you will with it.”

She looked down for a moment, trying to decide what to do, “Kovel…”

When she looked up, the Black Hand Director was gone.