The prelude

Amaer Kre' Fey had been in the Bothan Navy for many years, and risen slowly through the ranks of the somewhat dismal force. Bothan's had always relied more on the power of information rather than the power of the blaster, usually relying on someone else to provide the muscle they needed to do serious operations and act as a line of defense. Of course, many bothans didn't even think much of actual galactic defense- too caught up in the political manueverings and plots that were commonplace in Bothan society. Those in the bothan military were often outcasts, or using the position as a ploy- something to have to your name that you could use in the political game. Few bothans took the military seriously- considering the Spynet the most worthy Bothan organization and the main thing of galactic significance in bothan society.

Amaer Kre'Fey was different. He knew, like all bothans, the power that information had. He understood how vital the Spynet was to the bothan people, and was in awe of its power, reach and amazing sometimes godly ability. However unlike other, he often wondered why the Bothan could not have the best of both worlds- a shadowy intellegence gathering agency and a mighty fleet of warships and strong army. During the hyperspace travel he undertook as a member of the Bothan Navy, rising as high as captain of a Defender Class Star Destroyer given to the Bothans by the New Republic, he would often think about why his dream was often eluded. At first he blamed his own people- the fact that Bothans were too caught up in their own affairs to see that they could be powers on a galactic scale. However, as his travels took him to various other members of the New Republic, the bothan supposed ally, he began to gain a new impression. When he would come to human worlds, the most dominant and propserous, he saw the condesending attittude the humans put out when dealing with Bothans- especially one who was in command of a star destroyer. The crack jokes and often put down his species, except on the off chance that the topic of coversation turned to information, and the humans would comment how useful the Spynet was to their government, or the New Republic. He was respectful, although it was difficult- these humans were blatantly insulting his position, his willingness to fight and seemed only to be complimentary when speaking of the one asset the Bothan had that "benifited" them.

He changed his mind- the reason that his speicies was not the great power it should be was because of the power hungry, money-grubbing humans, and their desire to lord over all non-huma species; compounded by the Bothan complex to worry about domestic affiars and politics first, at the expense of galactic ones. He had vowed to change that- and he was getting his chance. He had stayed in the military but jumped into the muck of Bothan politics, and using his family name and fiery ideaology, re-kindeled the fire in the Bothan species. The Bothan progressive movment he had started in the Bothan military had helped lead to the design of the Bothan Assault Cruiser, and was energizing a new generation of outward thinking Bothans by combinding them with intellecutals who saw what sort of power that Bothans should have. Amaer knew this was only the start. Bringing Kothlis into the fray was just the first step. Other colony world would need convincing, but Amaer was leaving that to other in his movment. He had different plans...

Act 1: Hyperspace

The Subterfuge had left Kothlis after being assured by Arbitor Vri'kre that he had the situation under control. Amaer had confidence that by the time he had returned, Kothlis, with all of its political clout and critical position in the Spynet would be firmly alligned with his progressives. Meanwhile, Amaer would be laying th seed for something totally different, something that was far beyond the scope of the Bothans alone, which would be nesseccary for the galactic change that he was envisioning. He saw what power the Btohans could be- but even at their full potential, it would be difficult to challenge the many human groups which Amaer detested- unrightfuly claiming the galaxy as their own, and forcing their rule upon other deserving species. No, Amaer would change that he would make the humans pay for their injustcies. He would use the humans own atrocites and faults as his catylist and put thejm back into their place. The galaxy had seen enough of their tyranny, and this was hsi first stop on the path to their destruction.

His destination was the outer rim world of Ryloth.

Act II Arrival

The outskirts of the Ryloth's planetary system were dull and uninteresting, which was a way to easily describe most of the actual space in the galaxy. It's only virtue was its own largeness, for which one could place a 850 meter ship and feel relativly confident that it would not be discovered. Of course, random chance could throw a hydrospanner into those plans, but in that event the Subterfuge would merley have to play the role it was designed for in the galaxy, intercepting and either attacking or captureing any unfortunate vessel that happened to run across its position. Still, Amae hope tha no ship would be unlucky enough to find the current flagship of the bothan navy- his secrecy and utter non-involvment, at least provable was of paramount importance. The growth peroid would be too unstable and unpredictable, and Amaer was not going to allow the Bothans get caught up in a hopless struggle.

I'd pity the poor fool who do get caught in such a battle.

Amaer was preparing to lay the foundation for his great dream, a galactic spanning iniative with a pro alien/anti- human doctrine which would be the first step in reverseing the current situation in the galaxy, and if everything played out right, the begginnings of the Bothan rise to power. However, his species nature coming into play, he would not be connected with what he actually started until he was sure that the venture would at least survive- there would be a crucial point where a human boot would be able to crush the fledgling group without so much as a second thought, and Amaer did not want the Bothans to be a target for that boot. Of course it would mean acting through others, which would be dangerous, but it was better than acting openly and facing destruction.

He had just entered the cavernous hanger bay of the Subterfuge capable of holding 48 fighter craft, as well as support shuttles and the like need for personale transportation. For this mission however, Amaer would be traveling by way of a blocky Correlian transport whose make and model he couldn't quite make out. His cover was that of a independent merhcant available for cargo, in an attempt to attract some mild attention but none the less not stand out. He had his target in mind- the Spynet had produced the perfect group for what he was looking for- and in reality his freighter was not even close to be abailable for cargo. It was packed to the brim with cargo that would be instrumental in what he would need to accomplish on Ryloth.

He entered the freighters cockpit, his fur looking, much more diseveled than usual, an apperance he had conjured on purpose to fit the part, tucked into a worn flight suit. He taxied the ugly ship toward the edge of the massive docking bay, recived clearance to tale off almost instantly, and exited the bay. He hit the thrusters to put some room between himself and the large crusier he just left, and then hit his hyperdrive initator, making the micro jump to Ryloth...

The blocky corellian freighter made good time on the micro-jump, showing once again that the corellians seemed to be able to hide an extremly powerful hyperdrive in the bowels of any hunk of scrap they built. Amaer of course would rather have been piloting a more elegant bothan designed vessel knew that doing so would put him extremley out of character. No he had to be rough looking, if he didn't want to atract a swarm of Twi'lecks trying to rip him off at every corner. He looked out through the viewport toward the desolate planet toward which he was approaching. Ryloth was a world of extremes. Locked in an orbit which set half of the world in perpetual shade and the other in perpetual light, its to hemisphere's were exact opposites of each other. The shaded side was a frozen wasteland reminicent of Hoth, with nevermelting snow and ice. The light side was a desert to rival tatooine, with seering heat that never ceased. With these two horrid enviroments, it's amazing anything ever sprung to life on these planets, but the Twi'lecks did. They inhabit the only safe enviroment on the planet's surface, a strip of rocky mountainous terrian that ran along the planet's "prime meridian" and sat as a border between the oppressive heat and chilling cold. Most of the Twil'eck's lived in underground caves and tunnels that weaved through-out this habitable region.

As he approached the planet's atomosphere, he recieved a scratchy transmission directing him to coordinates of a landing site for him, assurred by the voice that he would have someone ready to give him cargo to transport. Amaer was'nt surprised that Ryloth didnt have a real defense force- government on the world was basically non-exsistant. You protected yourself, and most people of any power endevored to get off the planet, thus the diffusion of Twi'lecks across the galaxy. If Amaer had his way, things on the Twi'leck planet would change, at least to some degree. He clicked his comm in acknowledgement, and he began to change course for the docking sight, preparing himself to start his mission.

With a hiss, the landing ramp exteneded, and Amaer exited the blocky ship. The descent had been uninteresting, and he had put down in a large cavern converted into a landing bay. Various other ships also shared the cave, all of them as rugged and worn as his own ship. Along with the battered rust buckets, a few of their pilots were milling around, some making repairs, others just standin around talking to a passerby or a Twi'lek, trying to negotiate for passage off of Ryloth or a deal to move some cargo to various locations.

Amaer pushed his landing ramp up, and began walking idly toward the cavern's back wall, looking for a Twi"lek who wasn't preoccupied. The back wall had a round hole cut into it, and ladder extended into the hole, allowing people to move down into the lower caverns and tunnels that were home to most the planet's inhabitants. As he neared the ladder, a beige head tail poked up, and a Twi'lek emerged, looked up and gave a fleeting smile.

"You wouldn't happen to be the bothan that just landing, looking for some cargo?"

Like many of his species, he gave of an air of insecurity- but Amaer knew that some of those Twi'leks were very conniving and not a bit insecure.

"As a matter of a fact I am."

Amaer tried to sound warm and open- difficult for a bothan, in an attempt not to scare the skittish Twi'leck away.

He extended a furry hand.

"Askar Vri'krie" he said, using the name of the current head of the Bothan Spynet. Of course, no one knew Askar headed the Spynet but a select few in the high elchelons of Amaer's organization. He was sure that the Bothan, who he had left to cajole Kothlis into joining his movement would have been a bit annoyed if he knew his name was being used falsly- but Amaer wasn't going to tell him.

"Come to my ship and lets talk."

The Twi'lek's head tails twitched a little bit and Amaer saw his eyes search the cavern, and seeing nothing out of the ordinary began to follow Amaer. Amaer knew this Twi'lek's type- he was the type of character you'd send to check out the new arrivals, see if anything was interesting- he seemed innocnet enough but Amaer was sure he had plenty of connections, and that's what he needed at the moment. So far everything was going just as planned....

Once upon his "ship" the notion that he was a bothan merely looking for cargo to transport of off Ryloth was quickly dispelled, even when the skittish Twi'lek (who had introduced himself a Clievge Hintona) told him he could line up a valuable ryl ore shipment that could make a killing especially ina core region such as the Anthos Republic. Amaer had come around rather quickly to the point that his ship was not in a position to take on any cargo- because it was already stacked to the brim, it cargo space filled to capacity and more.The Bothan leader had looked at the Twi'lek and calmly revealed the conents of his ships cargo holds.

"500 BlasTech E-11 Blaster rifles, with 5 powerpacks per rifle. 1000 Thermal detanators, standard Imperial Military issue. 5 E-Web heavy repaeting blasters. And a few, how shall we say "special catylists" which will bring the mass use of these weapons in the immediate future."

Mr. Hintona had iimmedatly dropped his skittish personality. Although a it stunned, Amaer had kept his emotions to himself. He knew that Twi'lek's were excellent actors and manipulators- but the complete personality change was a shock to even to Amaer- who was on Ryloth for exploiting that very fact.

"I would know of three clients who would be interested in your cargo Mr. Vri'Kre. Prices will vary from....."

He proceeded to name of the 3 potential buyers- the offical Ryloth Governement, whose control rested on its claim to a judical system and so-called security in its controlled sectors- they were always in need of weapons, but were the best equipped of the three. A para-corporation, known as Ryloth Rising, who with the backing of influential off-world Twi'lek's and a few speculative investors wanted to completly re-engineer the pathetic excuse of a world Ryloth was, but their ideas were so radical that the offical government wouldn't support there expensive measures (which involved sheild ships, sunlight redirecting satelittes, scientific experimentaion, heavy mining and other far-put changes.) Amaer was not pleased with his first too choices- neither was the type of group he was looking for. He almost decided to leave right then and their, but he decided to listen to the final group.

They were called "The Advanced Gaurd" and were a pretty rag-tag operation. Hintona was only mentioning them because he was in their direct employ- and had been told to report the landings of any non human- non Twi'lek aliens. That peaked Amaers intrest.

"Well Mr. Hintona. Please lead the way- I would like to alk to your direct employers...

Act III Discovery

As you descended from the surface of Ryloth, the seemingly cramped space which was home to the Twi'lek's opened up into wide, open high-ceilinged caverns, with huge tunnels connected the many different areas that were frequented by the population and visitors. Not terrible crowded, Amaer did see a good number beige Twi'lek's walking around, occassional engrossed in conversation, lekku head tails making slight motions whose means held great sway on another Twi'lek. Amaer had always found the idea of the lekku fascinating- it seemed something more inclined to his own species, were subtle meanings and hints of held the greatest regard and attention- in a society were cloak and dagger were the rule. Then again, considering the problem such a society often caued, Amaer was thankful that Bothan never evolved with such alternate forms of communication.

To meet with the "Advanced Gaurd" however, Amaer and his guide had o stray from the well worn main tunnels, slowly branching off into smaller, rougher side tunnels, some designed for movement, some old ryll mining tunnels, or secret passages that were no longer secret. The tunnels became less straight, and turns chnaged from gradual to sharp sudden affairs. As they progressed further, their were less lights to illuminate the dark dank tunnels, and Amaer began to reply more and more on his guide, he seemed unaffected by the odd trail he was leading Amaer upon.

The thought that this was not the actual trail popped into Amaer's head- that the manipulating Twi'leck had been planning on this all along, leading the unknown bothan trader deep into the tunnels, eliminating him and claiming the good he carried as his own was somethig that began forming up at the back of his parinoid bothan mind, his hand moving slowly in the dark toward a blaster pistol on the inside of the flight suit. What a way to end his movement- the death of the Bothan Progressive leader in a dingy tunnel on the backwater worl of Ryloth- what an ignominous death. Myabe he was wrong about his theories- quite possibly the Bothans should be worried about everyone.....

Clievge Hintona's voice broke the still silience.

"We're nearly there, just around one more corner and we'll be at their meeting area. Just stay calm and everything will be fine. They're a bit parinoid because they're the real deal- have an ideology and all that bantha fodder and are really dedicated to their caue. Eh you Bothans know all about the parinoid bit. Anyway they should be quite receptive once they hear what you've got for them."

And with that he rounded the last corner, Amaer following, hoping that he could trust Mr. Hintona, and wondering why in the world he had decided to personally carry out his plan.

The went through a metallic door, which although archaic seemed out of place in the drab stone cut corridors. The entered a chamber that was much better lit than the previous hallways and passages, and the light shown down on a bunch of Twi'leks, sitting and standing all around a slightly raised platform upon which a Twil'ek was speaking quite forcibly. 2 Twil'eks toting blaster rifles as ancient as the metalic door which lead into the chamber stood at his side. Amaer listned to the forceful words coming out of the Twi'lek's mouth

".....opression! They like to lord over any race which they set their eyes upon, coming in a facade of freindship and mutual support only to discreetly assimilate the unsuspecting race, and use their resources for their own twisted purposes. Look at us- the Twi'lek! We pledged our support to the New Republic, and for what? Where are they now- where is the promise of trade and revitialized economy they promised! Where are their defensive forces we were promised? We will not be manipulated again! We are merely the advanced gaurd! The forefront of a thought that is lieing in the subconcious of every species which has been wronged by human greed! We a simply the vocal cords through which the opressed species of this galaxy will have their message heard. We are to be the example for all others to follow, the working living model which be more than just an example. We will be a spark, the advanced gaurd which will light and protect the path for the races of this galaxy who need only the smallest nudge and a guiding light to realize that the scourge of the galaxy is not war, nor diseaase, nor anything else the human propaganda claims it is; no it is humanity itself!"

A cheer that had been building for a while began to erupt, but it seemed as if the speaker barley noticed. He paused, gave a smile, but seemed eager to continue, ready to go on with his rant, his bashing of humans, gleefully shouting out their flaws and vices.

Amaer looked over at Clievge Hintona and let a smile break his furry face.

"I think I'm in the right place.....

The electricity in the atmosphere was what he fed upon. The way the crowd began to cheer and scream as he began building his up toward his climax. He felt so in control, so enthusized by his own oratory, it drove him to continue. He made his arguments, so simple, so clear but mainly so true. He began building up to a fever pitch, his voice raising to match pitch with his crowd. To an outsider, the power he gained from his rants was what drove him internally; it was evident if you knew him aside from those sessions that something inside drove him and allowed his tongue to flow freely and his arguments seem so simple. They assumed it that it was soley his ferverent beliefs and the power he gained that drove him, and they were partially right, he did fed upon his listeners. But what had started it all, what trully drove him was a simple yet powerful emotion:

Revenge

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The past

"Hurry up Cortex, or we'll be late!"

The subtle movment of his father's lekku stressed the point beyond words. Muttering under his breathe the young lithe body of Cortex Sinar got up, and tapped the small droid across from him, deactivating the old dejarik holoboard at which he had been sitting. He had been in an excellent position and thought that he might be ready to advance to the next difficulty level (he'd been trying for days) and was quite annoyed he'd have play the game all over again. All because of that stupid beauty contest.

A odd ship had landed the other day, a fairly large vessel, unusual since Ryloth lay so far away from any major shiping lines that ships of any size were quite a rarity. It had turned out to be owned by some Galactic Beauty Association, and contained all the neccesities for a beauty contest. Open free of charge to anyone who wished to enter, Cortex's sister had jumped at the idea and the last several days had been spent preparing her for her "big night". Cortex had spent most of the time trying to get out of the way, and since he was not a subject of attention he had been enjoying some free time alone, only a bit of jealopusy for all the attention and fuss his sister was recieving.

Still for all his griping the beauty contest would be an excuse for him to oogle all the best looking Twi'lek's in the area without recieving stares, scoffs and slaps in return. A good trade even if it involved having to deal with his sisters pampering for a few days.

He got up, and followed his father, who was talking idly with his mother, their lekku's moving quite quickly in sending off vibes of happiness and anticipation. They joined up with his sister, who's face was alive with a smile, and adorned in a skimpy yet classy outfit that had been hand picked and pruned to display her in the best light. Cortex silent noted she was pretty stunning, though he took care not to display any signs of thinking as much.

They took about 15 minutes to make their way to the large cavern which had been set up lavishly for the pagent, conveintly close to the docking bay where the ship had landed. Cortes and his family had bid good luck to his siter then taken their seats. The show had gotten started immediatly on time, and was quite an amazing show. The contestants had gone through various outfits, down spurts of dancing and other talents and everyone, contestants and audience inculded. Cortex had certainly enjoyed himself- only natural that a teenager of any species enjoys watching the most beautiful members of the opposite sex parade around in front of them- and was even more elated when it was announced that his siter was a finalist and would be given the oppurtunity to go off planet to a regional pagent.

Cortex and his family got to go 'backstage' to talk with there daughter, and discuss the offer of a regional trip. They celebrated and rejoiced and talked. Cortex asked, a bit of sibling animosity in his mind, if she (his sister) was planning on going off planet. She got a look on her face, and Cortex knew from her lekku she was scared. She was too sacred- and feared of being home sick. Cortex's dad suggested she go tell the pagent people, especially since it was announced that due to scheduling problem the finalist would have to leave tonight. She nodded and went off. The Sinar's continued celebrating, and when a pagent worker brought food and drink an impromptu recpetion materilized backstage. An hour passed, and Cortex's sister had not returned. Cortex made idle mention of this and the nightmare began.

He and his family began looking for any pagent personale, but none were around. The began asking other people celebrating, and then began to ralize none of the finalists were at the reception, just other contestants and familty members. Most said they had already said goodbye to their relations- who had left to go get on the ship. Cortex and his family rushed from the reception, and Cortex ran through a small side passage to the docking bay.

They saw Coretx's sister, being led forcibly by two humans toward there large ship. Cortex ran forward and by an amazing stroke of luck he tripped and fell face forward. He landed with a thud, and felt a sharp pain in his arm. He looked up and watched as his father raced forward, past him, yelling loudly. He saw a red bolt of energy flash out and hit his father, spinning him around and sending him cascading to the floor. His mother screamed out and ran forward, yelling at her daughter. Cortex saw his sister turn and saw the distressed look on her face as she struggled against the 2 human slavers. A torrent of blaster fire suddenly tore through his mother, dropping her in a pile, 20 feet ahead of her husband.

Cortex looked as his sister was pushed up the ships ramp, and thrown violently into the ship. Cortex saw a human holding a blaster pistol, a pair of tinted eyewear covering his eyes. Evidently a gaurd, he evily tipped his glasses at Cortex, and twirled his blaster, then walked up the ramp. Cortex tried to get up, without result, and watched painfully as the ship revved up its engines and took off......

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The present

He had wound down his rant, and an aide had approahced himn- one of his orginal members of the Advanced Gaurd.

"Mr. Sinar, the Bothan is here to see you."

Cortex nodded.

"Tell him I would be happy to speak with him immediatly."

Act IV The Finale

It had not taken long for Amaer to be recieved by the leader of the Advanced Gaurd, a certain Cortex Sinar, who Amaer had already taken affinity towards after hearing his fiery speech. Amaer had asked to speak in private, and Cortex had happily obliged, leading his Amaer away from the main meeting hall of the Advanced Gaurd, where the members were having a sort of social hour with provided refreshments, both to socicalize and discuss the finer points of Cortex's speech.

They went through a few corridors and side passages until they made their way to Cortex's office. They stepped inside, Cortex sat down, and Amaer decided to cut right to the chase.

"Mr. Sinar, let me get straight to the point."

Cortex's lekku straightened up with intrest.

"I am here on behalf of the Bothan Government."

Cortex started to say something but Amaer cut him off.

"I am here to offer you, free of monetary charge, a feighter full of blasters, blaster packs, thermal detantors and even several E-Webs. Consider it a gift from the Combined Clans, and we ask but one thing in return."

Cortex's face went from a look of surprise to one of very daunting suspicion.

"We ask for you to from up a galactic spanning initiative based here on Ryloth, who's purpose is to educate alien species about human oprression, and join them togather in a common group to provide strenght and unity."

Cortex's face changed to a warm smile. Amaer watched as the Twi'lek stood up, and with his white teeth gleaming extended his hand. Amaer returned the smile as he heard,

"I think we'll be able to do bussiness, Mr...."

Amaer finished his sentence.

"Just call me Askar- no need to remeber the name that Mr. Hintona give you, next time we meet I'll be using a different one."

They talked a while longer, about there plans, potential members, humans and other various peices of common interest. After a while Cortex told him he would send some of his group members to collect the weapons. Amaer said he would be waiting there to meet them. He gave out his docking number, then excused himself.

Cortex had his aide Mr. Hintona guide him back to the ship, and began to prepare the weapons to be picked up by the members of the advanced gaurd.

Everything has gone smoothly, which quite frankly was quite a surprise to Amaer. He found a group who's aims were perfect, leader he liked, and had avoided getting killed in the process. All in all, a good trip. The Advanced Gaurd team had transported the large crates with the help of a few ancient labor droids who none-the-less seemed very efficent. Amaer had ensured the wary Twi'leks that the weapons would work and were military grade- he had watched them personally take from a Bothan Military Armory on Bothuwai and if they didn't work there would be hell to pay, as well as a good number of newly unemployeed bothans. Not that that was likley of course, but you never knew what might foul up the best laid of plans.

With the weapons delivered and the contact made, there was really nothing left for him to do. He could stay, but the longer he was on Ryloth the greater chance the Subterfuge would be discovered by some unwary travelers and the secrecy and aloofness Amaer hoped to keep until he was sure the Diversity Alliance could stand firm would be long gone. No, it was best if he left Ryloth before the Revolution started.

The process of leaving Ryloth, at least at the current time was quite simple. You got your vessel ready, commed the control station that had guided you, and asked for permission to takeoff and wait. If no one had paid the controllers to keep you here (and that was not an unusual occurence) you were given permission to take off. No military escort, not escape vector, just a simple:

"Permission Granted"

And that was it. Amaer took off, leaving behind the desolate world behind, then putting in the preprogramed micro jump that would return him to the Subterfuge. As the stars outside his blocky vessel began to long white streaks, Amaer began thinking about what he was starting. His destiny was set, his die cast, along with that of hundreds of millions of peoples, billions throughout the galaxy. It all seemed so huge- but Amaer understood that it had to be done. He was bound by fate, held by his beliefs and he would not turn back.

He could only hope that his fate was destined to victory....