Admiral Dawara did his best to keep his face straight as he heard the news. However inside he was cringing. Major Bassk had done something to stop the rebel attack heading towards the Imperial headquarters for the moment. Depending on the rebels' resources it could be hours before they managed to continue the attack. While this was good news for the Imperial and Cren Alliance side it was bad news for Dawara. Major Bassk had enough time to call Dawara and demand an explanation for his delay in attacking the Sapuni Alliance. He was about to respond when the Major offered him a way out.

"I can assure you we are not at the stage of using nuclear weapons yet. Right now I am sending fighters are on route to the planet. They will be in the atmosphere momentarily and will begin defeating the rebel forces through a variety of means. As well troops are loading onto transports right now and will be heading into the atmosphere once they are full. The first force will be sent to great an extra layer of defence between your headquarters and the advancing horde of rebels. And don't worry, we aren't wasting time on getting the heavy equipement down, we are mainly concentrating on the lighter stuff, such as the troops. I believe you'll agree that this is a wise decision because the rebels don't really have much heavy equipement..." As he droned on about preparing fighters and troops for battle others were rushing to carry out the orders. Before long fighters were blasting down into the atmosphere and shuttles soon followed. Sentinel shuttles were the first ones to launch from the Cren Alliance fleet.

As the fighters roared down into the atmosphere they centered in on various locations. With each group of fighters there were also a few shuttles. These shuttles all carried megaphones and speakers ont he outside, which allowed them to broadcast messages to the rebel troops. Immediately once they were within good hearing range of the troops they did so.

"This is Admiral Dawara of the Cren Alliance. Please lay down your weapons and return to your houses. You will not accomplish anything by rebeling in this manner. The Imperials have defeated your force heading for the Imperial headquarters. They have been scattered and their equipement ruined. However, if you continue to rebel against the Imperials they have warned me that you will face nuclear weapons. No one wants to see this happen, but the choice is yours. Lay down your weapons and return home or face the Imperials' nuclear arsenal. As well if you continue your rebellion the Cren Alliance will be forced to become involved as it is a threat to the peace of this system. We don't want this to happen, so please lay down your weapons and return home. A peaceful solution can still be found for this situation."

The message began repeating itself from the speakers of the shuttles.

In numerous areas these messages worked, because the vast majority of the Cren involved in the rebellion were just average citizens and not radicals. As well they felt they still had something to live for and didn't want to be killed needlessly. The idea of nuclear weapons terrified them. Therefore entire rebel armies laid down their arms and left. In these places the shuttles landed and picked up what weapons they could and then left. However at other times there just wasn't enough time or there were too many weapons so they marked the spot and planned to come back later. After that the fighters and shuttles assigned to that area moved to search out more rebel armies. However in other places the entire army did not choose to abandoun the cause. In this areas some of the radical Cren would shoot the other less radical ones from behind and then fierce firefights would break out between the Cren who wished to leave and the radicals. And even some of the ones who didn't choose to leave came into the fight against the radicals because they didn't want to have the leaving Cren slaughtered. In these areas the Cren Alliance forces were forced to watch helplessly as the army essentially wiped itself out. In numerous cases they Cren Alliance forces wanted to become involved but couldn't for fear of hitting the wrong Cren.

Green Squadron was one of the SAB/SSF squadrons assigned to fly protection for the shuttles over the mass of rebels that included Crinium and J'apol. Once Crinium saw them he began issuing orders. Quickly troops began hiding themselves from the fighters and began preparing chip missile launchers. Then when the shuttles had stopped to hover over head a group stood up and fired. Nearly 40 missiles flew up into the air in the first wave, most aiming for the 3 shuttles, but another 10 spread out amongst the fighters.

"Missiles! We have missiles inbound!" screamed Green Leader. Immediately the fighters hit the accelerator to try to get away from the missiles. Most succeeded but Green Five was a little slow in accelerating and was hit by three missiles before exploding. The shuttles didn't stand a chance. With 10 missiles aimed at each one it was obvious that they couldn't get away, but they tried anyway. One of them managed to shake a couple of the missiles but the rest did the job and brought the shields down. Then a second group of troops stood up and fired a salvo of missiles, which succeeded in destroying the shuttles completely. Unfortunately for the troops the shrapnel from the shuttles came down and showered the edge of the army. Numerous Cren were injured or killed.

"Gernon Control, this is Green Leader. We came under attack by chip missiles. All shuttles are down and so is a SAB/SSF. No survivors in any of them. Do we have permission to engage?"

Up in the Cren Alliance headquarters an aide rushed up to Dawara.

"Excuse me Major Bassk, I have just received pressing news from my forces in the atmosphere. I'm afraid I'm going to have to cut this conversation short."

Dawara then muted the conversation and cut visual.

"What is it?"

"One of our forces just came under attack. All shuttles are down down and so is a SAB/SSF."

"The Sector Alpha 5?"

"Yes sir."

"All forces are not released to engage the enemy. They will avoid contact, not matter what! However troops on the ground can engage rebel forces who are advancing towards them with weapons ready. Understand?"

"Not really sir."

"You will. Now carry out my orders!"

"Yes sir."

As the aide rushed of Dawara was just about to turn back to his conversation with Major Bassk when another call came in. It was Admiral Wer'tor.

"Admiral, what can I do for you?"

"I noticed your forces have entered the atmosphere. I was simply calling to see what your intentions were."

"My intentions were entirely peaceful. The forces were sent down to defend the Imperial headquarters from the rebels, but were not going to fire until fired upon. My fighters were simply warning the rebels of the possibility of the Cren Alliance being forced to enter into the fight and telling them to wait for us to negotiate a peaceful solution with the Imperials when they were then fired upon by the rebels. You might want to make your decision quickly. The rebel forces are beginning to fight amongst themselves, we even have holographic proof to back it up." The visuals taken from the shuttles and fighters were quickly transfered to the Sapuni fleet. "As well the Imperials are demanding action on my part. Do you really want to be allied with the rebels who are even united and who fired on my forces for no reason? Do you Admiral?"

"I'm sorry, I'm going to have to cut this conversation short, but stay on the line."

"Oh course, Admiral."

On the Sapuni flagship Admiral Wer'tor turned to address the holographic figure of J'apol that had materialised before him.

"Admiral Wer'tor, I have a request to make of you."

"What is it?"

"Could you please send down some transports for my forces so we can move to attack the Imperial headquarters? And could you get around to attacking the Imperial space stations? I mean, seriously man. You've been here for a fairly long time and you have yet to accomplish anything!"

"I have yet to accomplish anything? You have yet to accomplish anything! You ask for my transports, but don't mention that the only reason you need them is because you're vehicle depot has been wiped out. Your expect me to attack the Imperials when in doing so I'd have to fight of the Cren Alliance fleet at the same time. And you would probably have me believe that your forces are united."

"My forces are united!"

"That's not what I've heard. I've seen holos of your troops fighting each other and off entire armies laying down their arms and leaving, even though they aren't even under fire. Now I find out that you fired on the Cren Alliance. Do you realise what you did by doing that? You just declared war on a government that was trying to negotiate a peaceful solution for this crisis. To hell with you J'apol. All you have accomplished is to turn everyone against yourself."

With that Admiral Wer'tor cut the communication and then turned back to the one of Admiral Dawara.

"This is Admiral Wer'tor. I formally request that the Sapuni Alliance and all it holdings be allowed to join the great and esteemed Cren Alliance."

"On behalf of the Cren Alliance, I Admiral Dawara, accept."

With that the Sapuni Alliance joined with the Cren Alliance. In those few moments Dawara had just made the greatest alliance yet to happen to the Cren Alliance.

Dawara then turned and re-actived his converstation with Major Bassk. He was visibly angry that he had been cut off and that the Cren Alliance hadn't done anything.

"Major Bassk, my apologies for the delay. However I have excellent news. Entire rebel armies have laid down their arms and left the field of battle. Other rebel armies have begun fighting amongst each other have have essentially wiped themselves out. Further more the Sapuni threat has been neutralized. The Sapuni Alliance has officially agreed to join with the Cren Alliance, but only if a solution that doesn't involve nuclear weapons can be reached. As well, because a group of rebels has fired upon my fighters, I can now persue them without fear of being tried for murder. We will begin transporting down out heavy equipement and moving in frigates and other atmospheric craft to help you wipe out the rebels, but only on one condition. Once we have put down the rebels the Empire will turn over control of Farquak and Farquak Junior to the Cren Alliance. We will deal with the rebels and ensure that they never threaten to peace of the galaxy again. You and your forces will be given time to remove yourselves from the system and any citizens who wish to leave to go to the Empire will be given transport to the system of their choice. Otherwise I will withdraw my troops from the planet and get my fighters out of atmosphere. At this point the rebel threat will be in your hands. Oh, and one more thing. The Sapuni Alliance has joined the Cren Alliance yet, so if you do decide that using nuclear weapons is the only way to win the war, I can guarantee that the Sapuni Alliance will use its military to destroy your force in system. As well, since you don't know where they came from, they will be free to engage in skirmishes against the Empire across the galaxy, without fear of retaliation. The decision and its consequences are in your hands Major."

Dawara waited for Major Bassk's response.

OOC: Sorry about the delay. However I think this has cleared up most of the threads details and that its almost done.

Imperial Center - A week ago...



Grand Marshall Simon Kaine looked at the Intelligence Reports as the massive swirling holographic projection of the galaxy spun overhead.

"You are sure your information is correct?" he looked up, gauging Isard's minion before him. It would not be the first time Isard tried disinformation.

The man stiffened, "Sir, I was there two days ago. The Referendum was moving to vote and the Loyalist Party was a favorite. Our war efforts and our press was a good play to swaying their minds. They will vote for Imperial Annexation..."

"So the question is, will the Coalition buy it?" the Grand Marshall mused.

"That sir, is the question."

"Well, we could do the Bhindi Drayson approach and go in guns blazing with their voting results as justification." Kaine grinned at the unflappable gumption of his Admiral-soon-to-be-Grand Moff.

"But, in this case it would be counter productive. The Core is ours and the Coalition knows it." But what would give them incentive to honoring the the political decision of Abregado-Rae?



Another report scrolled by and Kaine's humor left. Major Bassk was doing a terrible job keeping the natives in line. The aliens were as relentless in their fanatical efforts to fight as anyone Kaine had seen. If they weren't warring between themselves, they were warring with us.

The former Coalition world of Farquak and it's moon were of no real value other than "spoils taken during the last war with the Coalitoin". So far, the occupation had cost the Empire more than what little value it brought.

But with Abregado-Rae's decision coming up, an idea suddenly put the value of those worlds a little bit higher.


I'll have to prepare a convoy and hope we are not too late.




*


Farquak System.... Present Time



Major Bassk nearly shouted at the holographic figure of the alien Admiral. The gall of the bloody nip to have me run with my tail between my legs!

"Now see here...." he had started to say when a powerful transmission interrupted what he was going to say, overpowering the broadcast between the Cren and the Imperials on Farquak.

"Major Bassk, this is Grand Marshall Simon Kaine. You will stand down and prepare to receive your orders personally."

The Major struggled to control not only his explosive anger but a silver of fear as to what the truth behind those future orders might well represent.

Kaine's transmission, continued: "Admiral Dawara, On behalf of the Empire, I thank you for your aid to the Empire in quelling the open rebellion taking place on Farquak. Rest assured, if the rebellion would have continued, the options the fanatics would have left the Empire with would not have been palatable.

Take pleasure in the knowledge that you have averted great harm to your world as the Empire does not take kindly to terrorist acts.

However, your revealing of your Cren Alliance has you all as operating outside the strictures outlined by our ownership of this system by right of conquest. The very existence of your Cren Alliance labels you as a rebel against the authority and power of the Empire.

As such, we cannot deal with you in good faith as to the fate of your world. The help your Alliance has shown does put the Empire in your debt, but it does not excuse your refusal to abide by the stipulations of the Coalition Cease-Fire Agreement with the Empire.

In fact, you put the Coalition on vary precarious terms with us.

The rebels were not beat back just so you could walk in and take the world from yourself. Such an open act of war would put the Cren Alliance, and by association, the Sapuni, into conflict with the Empire.

The Empire does not negotiate with terrorist nor do they cave under threats.

If you remove your forces then the Empire will see this rebellion to the bitter end and I can guarantee to you that Farquak will undergo great damage as we rid ourselves of these terrorists."


The voice paused.


"However, there is another way to stabilize the region once again. Given your constant state of civil unrest and warfare among yourselves, the Empire cannot, in good conscience, allow such an aggressive species such as yourselves to seceed and form your own self government.

However, it has been noted that your association with the Galactic Coalition has proved to be a stablizing influence with your people.


Therefore, this is what you will do. You will complete the final disarmament of these rebels and then you and your Sapuni counterparts will go meet with High Lord Regrad of the Galactic Coalition and declare your intent to pass sovereignty of your planet over to them for safe-keeping.

You shall inform Regrad that the Empire would be willing to honor such an agreement made between the Cren and Sapuni Alliance and the Galactic Coalition on one condition:


On the planet of Abregado-Rae, the Loyalist Party has won the vote for control over their government and are petitioning to join the Empire. Should High Lord Regrad and the Coalition recognize this, then the Empire will also formally recognize the appeal of the Cren Alliance and will grant succession of the planet into Coalition hands where, ideally, their influence will be a stabilizing one for your people and the region.

Should that happen, the Cren and Sapuni are prohibited from taking arms or supporting in any way action against the Empire. Should diplomatic relations between the Coaliton and Empire fail, this is still to be honored.

Any action taken not honoring this will not go well when the system will fall to us by right of conquest again.

If your talks go well, then the Empire will begin removing men and materials for a period of one month.

After that, your fates are in your hands."


A silence followed.


"What say you, Admiral Dewara?"




OOC: see pm Jan and forward to Dolash for review.

OOC: K, I'll forward it. And Gernon is part of GC ICly, but the planetary government is called the Cren Alliance. So when the Sapuni joined the Cren Alliance they joined GC at the same time. But your post will work. I'll try to get one up once I hear confirmation from Dolash.

OOC: Dolash approved it so I'll try to get a post in soon (though probably not until tomorrow at the earliest).

"I accept your offer Grand Marshall Simon Kaine. My forces will aid the Empire in the disarmament of the rebels and we will then send an envoy to the Galactic Coalition."

With that Dawara gave a signal to one of his aides who was out of the view of Kaine. Immediately the troops, shuttle pilots and fighter pilots received an order to engage and they did so. The Cren Alliance fighters dove into the atmosphere, providing cover for the shuttles that were descending to finish off the rebels.

The Sapuni fleet began getting their troops onboard shuttles. But before they launched them they had another thread. The rebels' Rapier fighters and Saber Assault Bombers were still near them and would destroy their shuttles before they got into the atmosphere or reached Farquak Junior. So the Sapuni Alliance fleet opened up with all their guns on the enemy fighters and their swarms of fighters also moved in to engage the enemy fighters. Once this was done the capital ships pulled back away from Farquak and the shuttles were launched. Many of them were sent down to Farquak but a few were also sent to Farquak Junior to make sure the rebels there didn't put up a fight either. Shuttles from Gernon were also sent to Farquak and Farquak Junior. The rebels on Farquak Junior didn't put up much of a fight as they were mostly workers who had rebelled against the Imperials, but didn't mind the Cren Alliance.

On Farquak there was some small skirmishes spread across the world, but not really any full scale battles. Except for at one spot. The army under the control of Crinium and J'apol put up a fierce fight. However despite this the casualties were much higher on the rebels side because the Cren Alliance forces had better weapons, tactics and training. As well some of the rebels with Crinium and J'apol wanted to surrender, but were often forced into fierce blaster fights amongst themselves. Soo all the fighting was over Crinium and J'apol were both captured, to be put on trial at a later date.

Meanwhile some rebels had disappeared and it was feared they would launch more attacks. Therefore the Cren Alliance troops were kept on a high alert across the planet for a few weeks, though no major incidents occured.

The Cren Alliance sent an envoy to Regrad and he accepted them and the Sapuni into the Galactic Coalition. Abregado-rae left the Coalition and everyone was happy in the end. Well...everyone except J'apol and Crinium. Both were still waiting for their trials in two isolated cells while the Cren Alliance worked out the details of the trial.

OOC: I think we're done here. Sorry about the kind of crappy post but I wanted to get it done before I left for vacation.