◊

There were sirens heard in the far off distance but they did not drown out the voices with in her head.

The voices were of an earlier time.

[font=Arial]
[font=Verdana]"..that there are certain 'rights' that cannot and will not be separated from a person. Rights that are inviolate and that no government, no leader ...noone! can take away!"[/font]


[font=Verdana]"And it is based upon that very principle that we come to you today, esteemed Clan Leaders. A right of people to defend themselves! More specifically, a Right to bear arms!"[/font]


[font=Verdana]"And the fact that your major consituents are themselves arms manufacturers makes never no mind to you?" [/font]


[font=Verdana]"Ms. Arien, they fill a need. A need that is dependent on the democratic process of our people exercising their Rights!"[/font]


[font=Verdana]"Sir, have you seen these reports regarding civilian shootings, the runaway crime in cities, the violence being visited by criminal elements who mean age is getting younger every year?!"[/font]


[font=Verdana]"Can you imagine, Scipio, if every family had the weapons they needed during the First Invasion? Their threat still hangs over us and if they return, our people will need those arms.."[/font]


[font=Verdana]There was a deep regret welling up inside of her as she listened to her friend's words. Are you going to throw up the First Invasion to push this militarization of Capricia?[/font]


[font=Verdana]"Gomorran, would your stance change if we did not have the imminent threat of invasion over our heads?"[/font]


[font=Verdana]"You still do not believe that the people have a right to bear arms? To defend-?"[/font]


[font=Verdana]"STOP RIGHT THERE!" Scipio was angry. "You link the two like snakes and oil, Gomorran and that is not right! Do people have a right to defend themselves? Yes, I agree. Everyone has that right to fight against those that would assault them. But that does not mean I support putting a heavy blaster in the hands of every household family! What if some people feel they need even larger weapons to "defend themselves"? What if they feel they need military grade weapons? Turbolasers? Nuclear Fission Weapons?"[/font]


[font=Verdana]"Well..." Gomorran drawled as if the very thought were foolish.[/font]


[font=Verdana]"You are linking arms and defending oneself giving the people the freedom to choose their method of protection. And that, my friend, is irresponsible!"[/font]


[font=Verdana]"You don't feel our people can make a reasonable choice?"[/font]


[font=Verdana]Scipio smirked, "Don't play that politician's game with me. There are various options a person can take advantage of to satisfy his right to defend themselves without handing out blasters!"[/font]


[font=Verdana]Then, softly, "Gomorran, handling or owning weapons is a privilege. Not a right. It is a responsibility that should be only entrusted to those that measure up to a standard. If this privilege is abused, then their weapons get taken away."[/font]


[font=Verdana]"To truly have the freedom.."[/font]


[font=Verdana]"Don't start that patriotic speech, Gomorran. Freedom is a flashy word that most politicians do not know the meaning of, much less civilians. There are certain freedoms a person can reasonably expect to have and I can tell you one of those freedoms is NOT the freedom to do whatever the heck you want. That kind of freedom usually encroaches on another's freedom to be free of such stupidity."[/font]


[font=Verdana]Gomorran looked at her, "Don't people have the freedom to decide?"[/font]

[font=Verdana]Scipio's expression turned hard, "Is it their freedom you are appealing too or their fear?"[/font]


[font=Verdana]Gomorran's face was set, "I am going to push it through, Scipio. If we were living in a different period, without this sword hanging over our heads.."[/font]


[font=Verdana]"I know... I know. You must do what you feel is right, Gomorran. And I will support you but know that in my heart, I think this is a bad move. Councilman Jorrum Gerrard will definately raise a stink over this. Expect it."[/font]


[font=Verdana]"Gerrard is a self absorbed, overbloated.."[/font]


[font=Verdana]"Do not underestimate him. He is in a position to do alot of damage."[/font]


[font=Verdana]"We'll be fine, Scipio. We have time. I mean, it's not like the invaders are on our doorstep."[/font]







[font=Verdana]The voices fade away.[/font]













[font=Verdana]Beep[/font]





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[font=Verdana]Beep[/font]








[font=Verdana]"I AM LOOSING HER!! SOMEONE GET ME A SCAPLE!! I'M GOING IN!"[/font]




[font=Verdana]beep[/font]




[font=Verdana]beep[/font]









[font=Verdana]beep[/font]









[font=Verdana]be---[/font]





[font=Verdana]"CARDIAC ARREST! GET THAT DROID OVER HERE NOW!"[/font]

































[font=Verdana]--------------------- b .. ------------be... .------ bee..... -----beep...[/font]








[font=Verdana]beep[/font]





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[font=Verdana]beep[/font]






[font=Verdana]"Damn.. that was close. Too close.."[/font]




[font=Verdana]"Doctor?"[/font]



[font=Verdana]"She's stabilized for the moment. She's lost alot of blood. If she makes it [/font][font=Verdana]through the night, I'd say her chances of recovering will have doubled."[/font]





[font=Verdana]"..and in other news, the new Representative Gomorran Kay representing the Antioch District of Capricia put forth before the World Council the establishment of armories within residential districts..."[/font]



[font=Verdana]"Nurse? Can you turn that holo-feed off? The patient needs to rest."[/font]





[font=Verdana]beep[/font]




[font=Verdana]beep[/font]




[font=Verdana]beep[/font]

[/font]

Far outside the Bonadan System



"Reversion in 5....4....3....2....1...."



"Hyperspacial Terminus"


The fleet of twenty warships had slowed from hyperspeeds and began to break off, their sublight engines carrying them outside the entry vector of the system.

Two Venerators and several standard Reign Class warships with multiple support ships began to position themselves on either side of the approach vector with Shrouds and fighters carrying out skirmishing duties far enough from the fleet proper but close enough to still be seen on sensors.

Many thought the Supreme Commander of the Imperial Armed Forces coming aboard one ship, albeit his flag and command ship, was simply a matter of hubris but Kaine was not one to dwell on what other's thought. However, he was also not one for taking unnecessary risks if he did not have too and a visit to a "status-undetermined" power could be considered an unnecessary risk. Hence, the hedging of his bets with the support fleet. If something untoward was to happen, he had options. If nothing happened, then the small fleet he had accompanying him would get uninterrupted drilling practice.




Bonadan



The Galactus came out of hyperspace just outside the mass shadow of the heart of the Corporate Sector and Headquarters of Vinda Corporation.

The first thing most noted was that the Galactus was not your usual Reign Class Star Destroyer. Typically, the warships measured two thousand meters of destructive power. The Galactus, however, as a result of it's year long refit had more than doubled it's size ranging at around five thousand meters. The only one of her kind and was Kaine's long time command ship for various operations.

The comm channels were loud with exclamations at the size surprise and everyone seemed to fidget nervously.

The flight path forwarded to the Galactus navigation and helm crews expected a much smaller vessel and so the Commonwealth Port Authorities had to quickly divert any and all traffic that might come crashing into the Imperial warship and inadvertently start an interstellar war.

"Let's help them out.." Kaine ordered, containing his amusement. "Launch fighters and position them on our flanks to turn away civilians. Ion weapons and batteries only.

Ensure that our shuttle is prepped and have Zell meet me in Hanger 2."







Kaine sat in the shuttle content to let the pilots do their job of navigating Bonadan's bustling shipping activity as Zell glared out a viewport.

"Looks like they brought their whole fucking fleet.." he growled.

"Your reputation preceeds you, Supreme Commander." a pilot added helpfully.

Zell scowled. "What about my reputation, you sack of nerf shit?"

The pilot shrugged rather good naturedly as the shuttle expertly slipped in and around the commerce traffic. "If you see no women when we land, you'll know yours has preceeded you as well."

Kaine smiled faintly and Zell's eyes narrowed. "You spoil your soldiers, Kaine. What sort of insolence are you bringing them up on?"

"Only the good kind, Zell." Kaine responded absently taking in the Bonadan Skyline with it's towering buildings trying to poke through clouds and blot out the sun.


"Receiving landing coordinates, Sir. Executing."


As the shuttle began it's landing approach, Zell asked, "So who the fuck are we supposed to meet?"


Kaine tapped his wrist and a line of type scrolled across the small display. "A...Terosk Cineburg Wilkar the Fourth." he answered.

"A...what the fuck?" Zell spat out. "His name is almost as long as fucking Desarias'! Fucking nobles!"

This time Simon did laugh. "Leave Telan alone."


Then after a moment, "Actually, Azrael, this Terosk fellow has a minor warrant issued for his arrest in the Empire."


Zell turned a questioning eye to Kaine and he elaborated, "The Vice Admiral is Kuati."

"Fucking Kuati. Then why isn't his name fucking Terosk of Terosk or some shit like that? Let me guess, he tried to fight nationalization?"

"That he did. I wonder what Mr. Vinda thinks about this Commonwealth employing a criminal as their Fleet's Admiral?"

Zell chuckled, "That Kuati fucker is probably shitting bricks right now. But he's probably got a record pure as virgin snow over here."

"But that opens an interesting political question, Zell. Do galactic borders exonerate a man of crime? If a murderer crossed into Coalition territory or here, would they be welcomed with open arms and considered pure as snow? What criminal elements do you draw the line at?"

"Fuck, in the Coalition, murderers are probably given medals for killing an Imperial citizen or something. Fucking animals."

"It is an interesting question, nonetheless. Ahh.. we are landing and it looks like quite a reception before us."



The sleek shuttle touched down softly and as the ramp descended, a pair of black boots could be seen taking steps..

Simon Kaine, Supreme Commander of the Imperial Armed Forces, dressed in a heavy black overcoat covering his black and grey uniform stepped before the Commonwealth masses assembled before him. He was flanked by a squadron of Spartans and they stood off to one side to allow the passage of the older man.

Retired Grand Moff Azrael Zell descended dressed in a white overcoat and over a white Grand Admiral's more familiar uniform. Smoke escaped as he breathed into the Bonadan air.

"It's fucking cold." he whispered staring not at Wilkar the Fourth ahead of them but at the young Captain off to his side. The way she looked at Wilkar and the way his eyes darted to her from time to time signaled something to the old man.

Drawing a bit closer to Kaine, "Two thousand credits says our nationalizing dodger Kuati is sleeping with that Captain underling."

Kaine stopped and quirked his head to the side as if contemplating Zell's words and, finding no way of classifying the intel, merely shrugged, "I suppose rank has it's privileges in this army as well as ours."

His face betrayed no emotion as he moved toward the leaders assembled before him. Being of a higher rank, he waited until their guests saluted before returning a salute of his own along with Zell.


"Simon Kaine, Supreme Commander, Imperial Armed Forces and Grand Moff Azrael Zell."

Kaine's voice had a kind of quiet quality and his prempting of the official announcer in introducing themselves indicated to many that the Imperial was not of nobility.

And yet, he held immense power which caused the gathered gentry a certain amount of confusion and so they turned to the greeting Admiral who represented the Commonwealth military to take their cue from him.

The Black Imperial Shuttle glided through peak Bonadan rush hour. The smooth lined ship landed with ease despite the high winds of a cold Bonadan Winter. The shuttle’s ramp descended and a group of men made there way across the landing platform.

Walker managed to keep back a smirk, as he saw, out of the corner of his eye, his Commonwealth Army counterpart flinch at the sight of the squad of the Imperial Spartan Stormtroopers.


Gods Damn army, no fuckin’ spine…


The Imperial Delegation moved closer. The contrast between the two lead Imperials was undeniable. One was old. The other was younger. Loud, reserved, what a pair.

Wilkar narrowed his eyes as his say the old, loud man in white snicker in Captain Tillis’ direction. He forced himself to remain civil. The Kuati made a mental note to watch himself around this… Zell.

Wilkar brought his cold, numb, ungloved hand up to his brow in a crisp salute. The Back of his hand out, facing Kaine and Zell, and elbow at a forty-five degree angle, even if they were Imperials, they still deserved a proper salute. As soon as Kaine and Zell returned, the salute, he released his hand immediately. They were Imperials after all.

The man in black began.

"Simon Kaine, Supreme Commander, Imperial Armed Forces and Grand Moff Azrael Zell."

“Supreme Commander Kaine, Grand Moff Zell, on behalf of the Commonwealth, I welcome you to Bonadan. I am Vice-Admiral Terosk Cineburg Wilkar, commanding officer of the Commonwealth Third Fleet. This is Major-General Tyon Rollins, commanding officer of the First Mechanized Infantry Division of the Commonwealth Army, and this is Captain Audrey Tillis, my executive officer.”

An unmistakable smirk made its way across Grand Moff Zell’s old, and weather face.

“I hope your voyage from New Order space was agreeable...”



Why the fuck are you guys here?



“This way gentlemen. Let’s move out of the cold,”

"I look forward to seeing you again Nat. I hope sooner than later, I'd suggest using the back door or I'll have to terrify another man in a bar today!!"


Natalya was in a dilemma.

As she said goodbye to her new friend, she found herself wanting to go after her, to go now….

No!...

...She can’t just up and leave!

Or could she? What was stopping her?

Her father for one, Natalya knew he wouldn’t like it one bit, of course not!

…and what exactly would she tell him anyway?…

…that because of some strange dream , probably caused by something she ate, she now had to travel to a strange planet , with a complete stranger that she had met in some bar…

To call it absurd simply did not do it enough justice…

Still…

The more she thought about it the more…right it felt…

If doing this meant she could find out more answers….

…but what of this new stranger?…

Natalya glanced down at the chip Ishara had given her before, now held in her hand, and examined it intensely as her thoughts flashed through her mind….

Was she trustworthy?…

Ishara seemed genuine enough, and Natalya had realized one of her strengths early on in life, was reading people…

She knew, instinctively whether should could trust them or not, and every fibre of her being was telling her to go to Brion….




Natalya absently bit into her lip as she made her decision…


I have to know!


Rising from the table, she ran out of the café to follow her new found friend…

Only to find Ishara already waiting for her outside…

Natalya let slip a wry smile…

“you knew I’d come out after you didn’t you?” She asked Ishara…

“something told me you might…” She answered in return…

“Ok, lets do it…but give me an hour, I have to take care of a couple of things first…”

“Ok, lets do it…but give me an hour, I have to take care of a couple of things first…”

Ishara was pleased Nat put some trust in her.

"I'll go prep my ship and meet you back here in an hour then. Bring whatever you would like along for the trip."

With that, Ishara knodded to Natalya and headed to the hangar her ship was docked at.

Ishara would get Natalya to Brion and help her new friend. She just hoped Nat would find what she was looking for as well.

ISC Building – Bonadan Capitol.


“He’s doing whaaaat?”

Vinda was furious…and he let the aide on the other end of the Comms know it…

“What on earth is he thinking!….of all the stupid!…” Vinda’s face reddened , as he struggled to understand why his Admiral had been sent to meet the Grand Marshal of the Empire…

“Does he not realize they still have a warrant out for him! What is he thinking!”

“He felt, that the Grand Marshal would appreciate the presence of a military man”

“A wanted criminal in the eyes of the Empire!…fantastic! lets open up the prisons and let everybody have a go! I’m sure the Grand Marshal would love that!”

The comms remained silent as the Corporate man continued his rant…

“What the hell am I going to say to him now? …This is probably one of the most important meetings the Commonwealth will ever have…and already it’s a mess…”

Vinda groaned as his mind raced with the repercussions, he was starting to get a headache…

Politics was never the Admiral’s strong point…He was a military man…


To ask Why Kaine was here, was a simple question…with a simple answer…

Change.


It was not something that Imperials liked…


Anyone who thought that the goings-on in the Corporate Sector would not be noticed by the Empire, were either pretty dumb or merely deluding themselves…

Evidently, the Empire had been watching very closely…



…they were worried…



THAT was why he now had to greet two of the most powerful men in the entire galaxy…


While this in itself did not worry Vinda, (he had met Kaine once before) he knew this was a delicate moment…

…and to discover that Kaine himself was taking a personal interest, made him realise the Empire, were concerned…

They wanted assurance…

…and presenting them with a wanted criminal (in their eyes) , an Admiral no less, was perhaps not the best first impression for this new Commonwealth….

As the Vinda-Corp figurehead fastened up his tunic, he gazed in the mirror, and took a long sobering look at himself…

Although he had dealt with Kaine before, he now felt a tiny chink in his armour…a momentary lapse in his normally closed facade...


…Achinta, I wish you were here…


He narrowed his eyes, dismissing the rueful thought as quickly as it had come, now was not the time for such things...

He took a moment to steel himself for what was to come...


...time for business...


...and exited his chamber in order to greet his visitors....

“Supreme Commander Kaine, Grand Moff Zell, on behalf of the Commonwealth, I welcome you to Bonadan. I am Vice-Admiral Terosk Cineburg Wilkar, commanding officer of the Commonwealth Third Fleet. This is Major-General Tyon Rollins, commanding officer of the First Mechanized Infantry Division of the Commonwealth Army, and this is Captain Audrey Tillis, my executive officer.”


Zell smirked when Captain Tillis was introduced. "An Executive Officer, no less." he murmured with a voice of one impressed.


Before Zell could offer to the young lady an opportunity to advance in a rank higher than her dodging Kuati fling, the Commonwealth Admiral continued.


“I hope your voyage from New Order space was agreeable...”


"We didn't run into anything if that's what you mean," Zell growled out in a bit of sarcasm brought on by the cold.


“This way gentlemen. Let’s move out of the cold,” and the Imperials began to follow the crowd, the Spartans following at a discreet distance.


"I did not expect all this fanfare of state in coming," Kaine remarked as they walked. "I submitted an itinerary to your appropriate government agencies indicating a visit to Mr. Seth Vinda, who I understand is giving up his private enterprise for a life of public service?"


"Fucking stupid if you ask me." Zell barked out but Kaine held up a restraining hand and the old man backed down. The cold was probably affecting his bones. It was a thought confirmed by the aging man's next words, "Still, by the looks of things, your government could do with a little bit of help in constructing an enclosed and heated landing platform."

Leave it to Zell to stick a barb somewhere.


The group of people following the Commonwealth Admiral and flanking the Imperials were showering Kaine and Zell with looks internixed with wariness, curiosity, hostility (see the Admiral leading them), as well as awe.

Kaine could see the changes brought to Bonadan in the changing from Vinda Corp's very capable hands to the Commonwealth's inexperienced ones.

Old ideologies under a new banners, new signs, new symbology and new faces.

The age-old adage, "Maybe I can succeed where other's have failed" caused Simon to smile inwardly. Like a blind man walking into a new room assuming he would be able to see.

He turned to Zell. "I hear Vinda has a daughter?"

"Is she cute, Admiral?" Zell inquired of the Kuati leading them.

Either the man responded so low under his breath or didn't hear it over the blowing wind but the old man wasn't really looking for one. He satisfied himself over musing to himself.

"What do you think? A Corporate Mogul's young thing and me?"

"No." Kaine answered deadpan not bothering to look at the Moff.

Zell scowled.

They entourage entered a building that presumably led somewhere were warm beverages at least could be served.

Or was this Kuati-with-a-chip-on-his-shoulder going to stiff them on a warm beverage just to make sure the Imperials understood he was unhappy with their presence.

As if his attitude was lost on them.

When the weak were pushed aside by their betters, they typically looked for any little advantage their present authority (such as it was) could grant them trying to rub the Imperial nose in whatever payback their puny minds could contrive.

Such were the actions of inferior and such were the actions the Imperials have long learned to ignore.

Quite simply, because they could.

"Well, Zell, they evidently went to quite a bit of trouble to entertain us but I must confess that I am interested in seeing Mr. Vinda. Perhaps you can continue with whatever tour our gracious host has no doubt intends to take us on?"


Zell grunted and turned to the Commonwealth Admiral, "Very well. Come on, you nationalization dodging son of a rancor's whore. Let's see if your defenses can impress me."

Bonadan.





"Whats her status Doctor?"

The small, but methodical and extremely professional medic turned around and almost dropped his guard at the unexpected sight of Achinta standing before him. The bodyguard pratically dwarfed the man...

The doctor's eyes broke his gaze away from the tall stranger through the plexi-glass observation window to the as yet still unconscious figure of Scipio in her medical bed...

"Ms Arien?..." He turned his attention back to the tall stranger...

"Are you Family?...Mr?..."

"Mr Vega, and No, I'm her boyfriend..."

The man blinked for a moment, then straightened his glasses...

"well, I won't lie to you Mr vega, its still touch and go, but she made it through the night, which gives us hope"

Achinta remained silent but nodded slowly, his eyes still firmly fixed upon Scipio…

The Doctor rested his palm upon the Android's shoulder…(a stretch for the diminuitive man)

“I’m sorry son… rest assured we’re doing everything we can…”

Achinta remained silent, but did not shift his gaze…

He had been initially unaware of the attempt upon Scipio’s life, what with all the chaos happening at the same time, not to mention the fact he had to be semi-rebuilt…

The moment he had heard of the incident, he had gone to be at her side, against the advice of the technical operators, who had not yet finished fine tuning Achinta’s replacement limbs…

The HRD was not in the least bit concerned…

He would stay here for as long as it took, and keep a vigil until she came around.


Scipio!…


The Doctor spoke again, bringing the android out of his thoughts…

“I’ll say one thing…


…She’s a fighter…”

…and with that, the medic left the bodyguard alone, with a small but recognisable smile spreading across his lips as his eyes settled their gaze back on the Caprician woman...


…I know.

Natalya’s Apartment…



With her thoughts still a blur, Natalya raced into her apartment, and started to pack her things…

The essentials, her clothes, etc… even a small medikit, she glanced at it for a moment, unsure about whether to bother taking it, then threw it in with the rest anyway…

…never know…

Satisfied, she had all she needed the young woman stopped and froze, as her eyes glided to the small metallic box on her dresser.

The urge to take its contents had inexplicably suddenly became overwhelmingly strong, drawing her to it.


…Will I learn more?….


Opening the box she took the elegant weapon out and held it in her hand for a while, feeling its weight within her grasp, as if weighing it.


…Perhaps the question should be…Do I want to know the answers?…


With a final decision made, Natalya placed it inside her bag, and left her apartment.












VC-HQ…




“Oh hey Nat…your father’s been looking for you, you know”

Zara , Vinda’s personal secretary said, matter of factly….

“Yes, Zara, I’m fine …is he around?” She replied quickly…

“No, I’m afraid he’s not, he went to the Trade Hall for a very important conference, he’s meeting with the Grand Marshal Kaine of the Empire himself no less!”

Natalya frowned, and appeared not sure about what to do…

The secretary perhaps sensed this …“Is everything alright?” She asked, out of genuine concern…

Natalya smiled quickly to set the woman’s mind at rest, perhaps a little too quickly…

“Yes, I’m fine will he be long?”

The woman shrugged… “I’m sorry Nat, but he’s only just gone, he’ll be quite a while yet I should imagine…”

It was at this moment Zara noticed the bag Natalya had strapped across her shoulder, the young woman appeared to be in a rush…

“Are you sure everything is alright Natalya?…” She asked again, with a frown beginning to settle itself upon the secretary’s brow…


“Yes, honestly, everything is fine, look could you give him a message from me please?”

(Zara nodded warily in response, unsure)

“Tell him I have to go for a few days, maybe more, I’m not sure yet, but I will be back as soon as I can, tell him not to worry, that I am safe, and I am not alone…”

Zara, started to voice her objections even before Nat had finished speaking…

“I think you should wait and talk to him yourself Natalya, he won’t like--”

Natalya’s reply was instant… “I don’t have the time Zara, please?”

It was at this moment, that Natalya had already started to back away…

“Wait, Natalya! Where shall I say you are going?”

…and before Zara could say anymore, the young woman had already turned away, leaving the secretary behind alone with her protestations…









Hanger 125…



As Natalya picked her way through the crowds, her gaze fell upon the Hangar, the ship held inside it, and of course, an anxious Ishara, who appeared to be already waiting for her…

Nat smiled to herself…


Then entered the hanger.


Ishara seemed pleased to see her, as if unsure about whether Nat would truly show up or not…

“well I’m here…”

“So I see…” She said with a grin…

Natalya glanced up at the ship and took in the shape, it looked like a sturdy vessel, (much to her relief)

“Ready to leave?”

Natalya nodded in acknowledgement…

“Last chance to back out” Ishara said with the grin still firmly planted upon her face…

Nat simply laughed…before walking onto the gantry leading up into the ship, sending her metallic sounding footsteps echoing around the hanger…


“Lets go…”

Ishara began to power up her Firespray Attack Ship. As the engines powered on, Ishara looked over to Natalya who was squeezing into her seat. Ishara smiled.

"I'm sorry the ship is so cramped Nat. I'm having a new freighter built so this will most likely be the last time I use it. It'll get us where we need to go so don't be worried."

Ishara noticed Natalya was preoccupied and began to think to herself. She obviously didn't see her father before leaving.

"Nat, if you don't want to do this, you don't have to."

Natalya simply again said "Lets go." Ishara replied "Ok, hang on Nat."

The ship began to rise from the ground and cleared the hangar. As it started to clear Bonadan's atmosphere, a warning light came on. Ishara reached to the navigational computer and reprogrammed their destination. She then looked back at Natalya.

"It appears The New Order is paying Bonadan a visit. I've just programmed the computer to change course multiple times before heading to Brion. I've never had any problems with Imperials before but don't like to take chances either."

Ishara's ship came about and she engaged the hyperdrive. They were on their way to Brion.





On the way to Brion, Ishara looked back to Natalya who was lost in her thoughts. There seemed to be a great deal on her new friend's mind.

"Hey, are you ok?"

Natalya knodded and smiled. Ishara returned the smile and realized there was some time to spare before they would arrive at Brion. She also noticed Natalya was starting to look around the ship.

"You've never asked what it is I do and we seem to have some time so maybe we can learn about each other. I work primarily as a bounty hunter, although I have been known to take other questionable work as well. It's a living, and it pays the bills."

Natalya looked up at a picture of Ishara along with some other miltary personel.

"I used to be in the Black Nebula Legion. I was taught a great deal on how to survive. They turned me into a very successful pilot, saboteur, and assasin. The men you see in the picture remain very close friends to me today..."

Ishara looked back to Natalya and smiled.

"...and like I told you when we first met, I have very few."

Ishara began to fill Natalya in on what equipment and weapons were onboard just incase they should see any action. She then gave Natalya a serious look.

"You haven't told me why you're going to Brion. What exactly is making you go on this trip?"