Tissuss:Orbit

Fleet Admiral Fikan Jen looked out the window of the shuttle and toward the Flagship Cresnoya, he marveled at the size and length of the ship. “Huh, the ship yard was finally able to complete it’s construction after 7 years”, he said. The shuttle flew under the large capital ship, turbo laser batteries and ion cannon battery’s zipped by them. The ship was also moving

“With all due respect sir”, the pilot asked. “It’s an Aegis MK2, what’s so different?”

The Admiral chuckled. “It’s armor is thicker, and carry’s a ‘modified’ weapon’s package”, he said. “Pretty much this thing is capable of staying alive in very intense combat

“But what about the Sovereign?”, the pilot asked

“She’s to big and a very easy target even though she’s powerful. She is the main flagship, but at the moment she’s currently away on assignment else where so until then this is our flagship… just like False Hope was”, Fikan said

The pilot nodded and returned to his flying

Merendez was watching the sensor view, although she really had nothing to worry about. With an Aegis in the system the odds of the enemy attacking them was scarce at best

As they cleared the under carriage of the ship massive ship they came into view of the Hanger Bay, the pilot lined up the shuttle and began landing procedures. The admiral instantly noticed that the turbo laser batteries spun around and targeted a ship behind them

“Open a channel with the captain”, Fikan ordered

“Yes Sir… channel open”, The pilot said

“Captain, don’t fire, you do and I’ll have you shot”, Fikan said.

~Yes Sir~

He watched as the turret’s spun right back into there default positions he then sighed. The shuttle flew into the hanger bay and toward the far end, crewmen and other officer where lined up rows and marine’s littered the walkway’s. The admiral watched as a squad of x-wing departed from the hanger bay and flew out to perform a patrol, a final sweep of the area before they jumped.

There shuttle’s landing structs came out and came in contact with the metal surface of the hanger bay, after 10 second’s the shuttle came to a complete stop. Fikan nodded and walked over to the ramp, he looked around and made sure everything was ok, the two marines’s who where with him and nodded and one of them proceeded with opening the ramp

As the ramp touched the metal surface, an officer walked up. “Welcome about Fleet Admiral”, he saluted.

The Fleet Admiral walked down the ramp, and returned the salute. “At ease”, he said soon after and made his way down the row of soldier’s and other crewmen. He smiled, “Crisp, clean uniforms and everything… you’ve done a good job in keeping these men in line”, he said.

“I’ve done my best sir!”, He said

“Indeed you have”, Fikan said.

“Anyway Captain, where are we going?”, The captain asked

“Set a course for HQ”, Fikan said.

“Yes Admiral!”, The captain saluted and walked off. The crew then saluted the admiral and the admiral saluted back. After a couple second’s went by the staff officer stepped. “The admiral’s on ship, get to work men. I want security team’s 1 through 6 to guard these shuttle’s until our arrival, Fighter squadron Gold and Copper will escort the shuttle’s to the base.. DO I MAKE MYSELF CLEAR?!”, he yelled

“YES SIR!”, Yelled every crew member in the hanger bay. The hanger bay was so small that Fikan almost placed his hand over his ear, but refrained from doing such a gesture

As he walked back aboard the shuttle he looked over at his Marine guards. “Upon arrival at HQ I want you to check that captain’s background..”

“Yes Sir”, The marine said

“And stop with the sir thing.. you make me feel old..”, The admiral said and walked off. The marine stared at him blankly his buddy just laughed at what the admiral said.

Several minutes went by as he watched Gold Squadron return from their patrol, the pilot stayed in their cockpits and ran several system checks. He remembered the day when he had issued the formation of an elite x-wing squadron to help in the defense of high ranking officers.. Gold Squadron was formed and their mission was just that, escort high ranking official’s anywhere and by any mean’s are they to accomplish their task. It’s a known fact that the pilot’s are hard assed officer’s and that they are serious with their job, they don’t take @#%$ from no one and never joke, it’s also known that they belittle everyone else except those within there class, which in this case is Elite. The only officer’s who have ever earned there respect was Lavality, Fikan and another, unnamed officer. The only group’s that have ever earned there respect was the 476th Spec Op’s infiltration squad, 287th Assassin Brigade, and the 405th Bomber wing.

He felt the ship enter hyperspace and laid back in his chair, it only take a couple minute’s to get there.

~Sir, our exit point is near a battle that’s currently taking place.. I have asked Gold Squadron and the 405th Bomber Wing to escort you all the way to the base. The battle is intense and I’ve gotten report’s of MORE pirate ship’s incoming~

He sighed. “Roger that… just tell them to keep our path clear, I won’t hesitate to use this shuttle’s weapon’s”, he said

~Roger that~

“Oh yea, one last thing… let command know that we have a couple Trandoshan ship’s with us.. they are not to fire on these ships.. got it?”, Fikan said

There was a long pause before a response was given, ~Aye Aye sir~

“He better tell them.. the last we need is for those ship’s to get attacked”, he said

Asteroid Field:Defense Line, Delta

Joshpl continued to monitor the battle from his command shuttle, thing’s had turned intense.. first it was Trandoshan’s.. now pirates.. what next?

His sensor’s picked up a vessel coming in, it was large and didn’t display any Friend or Foe acknowledgement. He was about to report in the new ship when it came out of hyperspace

“Oh man.. talk about timing”, he said

The captain of Cresnoya, stared at the screen.. Fighter’s and small cruiser’s where everywhere. Both Trandoshan and Pirate factions.. although there where more Pirate’s than Trandoshan’s, one pirate ship turned it’s gun’s to bare on them but was quickly cut down by the Cresnoya’s own weapon’s package

~It’s hot out there sir, good luck~

“Thanks for the ride”, Fikan said and nodded at the pilot. The pilot disengaged the docking flaps and the shuttle lifted into the air, he aimed the shuttle at the blackness of space and fired the engines. It failed through the air out of the hanger, the other shuttle’s and one fighter trailing them. Gold Squadron and the 405th Bomber Wing quickly joined them on their flanks

The admiral’s shuttle flew into the asteroid field, an enemy fighter wing attempted to follow them but failed to navigate the field and soon found themselves in more trouble than they bargained for.

He chuckled, “Idiots… you can’t navigate this field without a laser navigation cite from the base”, he grinned. He checked the status of the Gory Teeth and smiled as the ship was still with them.

(ooc: BTW....background threads: -...establish Justice...-, -Separatist: Beginnings-, -Separatist: Isolation-)


Asteroid Field: Bloodfang

“The shuttles are entering the asteroid field Captain. Should we attempt to follow?”

“No.” Tiosk said, realizing it would be crazy to try to take a ship as big as the Bloodfang in there. “We hang here along side the Cresnoya and wait for further word. And if any of those pirates even look at us wrong feel free to blow them away.”

“Aye sir. Should we help them with eliminating the pirates?”

Tiosk thought this over a moment. “Only if we are forced to. We can’t risk our new allies forces mistaking us for the enemy. They are already likely nervous with us being here, with only the Admiral’s word keeping them from turning on us.”

“Aye sir.”

“Sir!” The sensor officer said. “One of the T’Doshok destroyers is heading our way!”

Tiosk was about to give the order to fire upon it, but he found himself hesitating. How many Trandoshan lives have been needlessly lost in this? Too many. He thought. Maybe, just maybe he can prevent this destroyer from being slaughtered.

“Open a broad channel.” He said.

“What?” The Comm Officer looked up at him with a confused expression.

“Just do it!”

“Yes sir…comm channel open.”

“T’Doshok destroyer, this is Captain Tiosk of the Rynok Destroyer Bloodfang. I suggest you stand down your weapons and leave this area at once.”

~The word of a traitor to the government has no authority here.~ Hissed a reply. ~Surrender or be eliminated.~

Tiosk nearly burst out laughing. “Look past your damn pride and blind devotion to the government to see what you are up against lad.” Tiosk said. “If I wanted to I just open up on your ass with our main gun, wiping your ships existence off the face of the galaxy. In fact I don’t even need to use Bloodfangs main gun, the combined weaponry of the Bloodfang, Fanggore, and RedClaw will be more then enough to kick your tail to the other side of the galaxy. Consider this a chance to save your hide!”

The ship on the viewscreen seemed to assume an almost nervous pose in the emptiness of space around it. ~So we are no challenge to you…that is why you are doing this?~ The speakers voice had a very nervous edge.

“Not so much the lack of challenge as the lack of desire to needlessly add the lives of more fellow T’Doshok to the death toll.” Tiosk answered honestly. “It goes against the very thing we stand for.”

~But killing is what we do!~

“Is it right to kill recklessly and without good reason? Even we have our standards lad. Recently your fleet attacked a convoy full of innocent women and children. All because our dear Council of Elders feared it was @#%$ full of Separatists: they didn’t even bother to verify that suspicion!”

~You have no proof…~

“Nor do you have any proof there were any Separatist on that convoy.” Tiosk countered. “Let me ask you…who do you think did the attack on Sakkh?”

~We still don’t know…” The speaker confessed. ~We just know it wasn’t…oh gods…~

“Finally sinking in isn’t it?” Tiosk said. “Face it lad, the council’s actions of late is driving our people to the fate Naosha warned them about. If you don’t want Naosha’s prediction to come true…leave now.”

There was a tense silence. No doubt their allies were listening in on the exchange and Tiosk had been careful not to mention anything that would complicate their likely allegiance. He had the conversation on an open channel so they would know what he was trying to pull.

Time seemed to suspend, the gunners on the three rogue Trandoshan Destroyers were tense, wondering if they’ll be forced to blow this destroyer away. Then in a slow half pirouette the destroyer turned around and moved away from the battle. They watched as the ship jumped to hyperspace a moment later.

Tiosk breathed a sigh of relief as he sank back into his chair. He sounded young… He thought. Like he had only just graduated from the naval academy and was thrust into that position. That meant that the fleet’s situation must be really dire indeed if they were putting newly graduated recruits in the Captain position of a destroyer. I hope he survives any reprimand that will likely be heading his way…

“Sir, another of the T’Doshok destroyers is leaving. Looks like your little speech had an affect on the Captain of that ship as well. You should go into politics sir…”

Tiosk chuckled. “No thank you…I hate politics…”

Trandosha: Hssykor Prison

His head throbbed with a mild headache as he finally regained consciousness. The last moments he remembered where but a blur to him right now, but he remembered enough that it wasn’t a pleasant experience. As his senses reoriented themselves and became more aware of his surroundings, Besk got the sinking feeling something was terribly wrong and when his vision was finally clear, the first thing he saw was the force field of a jail cell.

He jumped up with a start, the feeling of panic starting to creep into his mind: was he captured by the Separatists? No…can’t be. He thought, his logical mind taking hold before panic completely set in. If the rebels had the resources to do this we would have found their hideout by now. But that didn’t explain why he was in a jail cell, stripped of everything but his underwear. Maybe the Council had him put here for his own protection while he recovered? If so a jail cell was an unusual choice for a safehouse. Then again…since when did Besk need a safehouse? He was always fully capable of taking care of himself, Hyossk knew this. If anything…he should have been placed in a hospital or a normal apartment.

Another question, one based on his last memories creeped up: who was it that did the airstrike on the Merc HQ? Again the thought if it being the Separatists came to mind, but that didn’t make since for they have been largely more annoying then violent, being made up of mostly pacifists. They did have military craft, thanks to the defection of the Captains of the Bloodfang and two other destroyers, but they were around Tissuss and too far away for their fighters to accomplish an airstrike without being detected. Maybe Rissonik managed to get his hands on a couple of fighters from the military base.

No…security is so tight there now that even I have trouble getting in. He thought. Plus any planned strikes like that had to go through so many channels that it would have been impossible for a Separatist sympathizer to organize such a strike. The only exception to that would be if the Speaker Above All ordered the strike himself.

That had to be it, it was the only thing that made sense at this point. The military knew about this group and knew they were allies to the government. They only reason they would attack his compound without question was if Hyossk ordered it. But why would Hyossk order an airstrike on the compound? The Separatists… He thought. They must have spliced a recording of him somehow and used it to give the order. Rebels tended to be resourceful enough to pull such a thing after all. But something else didn’t make sense: him being in jail. Surely the military would recognize he was an ally and that Hyossk would vouch for him: this could only mean he really was in a jail cell built by the Separatists.

Everything was confusing…and conflicting, he needed to talk to someone to get more information to sort out this mess. Seeing a guard walk by, he called out to him.

“Oh, so the traitor is finally awake.” The guard said, mockingly.

The comment threw him: him a traitor? “What is going on here?” Besk demanded. “Why am I in a cell?”

“Why? You mean you can’t figure it out?” The guard chuckled. “You’ve been arrested for high treason by association with the Separatists.”

If the guard had been looking at him directly, he would have seen Besk’s genuinely shocked expression. “Do you not know who I am?” Besk said, stunned and flabbergasted by the accusation.

“Of course…you’re Besk. Former member of the K’Satikur Clan…mercenary for hire…and former leader of the Mercenary group we just blew up.”

Besk ignored the comment about the Merc HQ. “And supporter of the Council….as I have always been.”

“You say that now…now that you’ve been exposed for the traitor you really are.” The guard said, sneering. “Don’t think for a moment Councilor Hyossk will be easy on you for claiming that now.”

“But!”

“Look I don’t have time to talk to riffraff…I got a patrol to finish…ta.”

Besk watched helplessly as the guard walked away, completely shocked at what was just revealed. Shaking he sat down on the cot, trying to make sense of it all.

An elaborate hoax… He thought after a few moments of thought. To get me to turn against the government…that has to be it. Very clever Rissonik…you had be going for moment…

His mind set on the reason behind all this, he turned his thoughts another problem: getting out of here.

Warehouse

Rissonik flipped the blank holodisk in his fingers, thinking over what he was going to record. The recent events was encouraging and he wanted to inform Naosha about everything that has happened: he knew she must be worried. All he knew was that Lissuss’ organization was in contact with her and this was the prefect opportunity to get an update to his beloved on the happenings on Trandosha.

Finally he slipped the disk into the recorder, brushed himself off and started to speak…

About an half hour later he approached Lissuss. “I know you should be getting back to your organization soon. When you do…” He held out the disk. “Could you do me a favor and pass this on to Naosha? It’s a report on all that’s gone on here since she’s been off planet.”

Lissuss nodded. “I will, in fact I best get going anyway, I know of an area of town where my organization has stashed a small ship, it’s a non-aligned craft that we use. More like a civilian craft”, she said and walked toward the door. She then stopped and looked at her son, “Wish I could take him with me… but it’s best I don’t”, she said then left

Asteroid Field : Deep in the field

The admiral’s shuttle continued to fly up and over each asteroid it came across.

“Careful son”, Fikan said as the shuttle shook a bit when the pilot scratched the surface of the roid he had just flown under

“Yes Sir, Sorry Sir”, the pilot said. He continue to monitor

Fikan watched the sensor screen, every now and then an enemy fighter tried to chase them but always ended up painting the side of an asteroid with it’s fighter’s dull black color.

“Sir, Base is requesting our clearance code”, The pilot said

Fikan nodded and walked over to the console, he tapped in his clearance code. Several minutes passed before they got clearance.

“Fly her in”, he said.

“Roger Sir”, the pilot said

~Sir, this is as far as we take you.. the defense satellite’s and gun platforms should be more than enough protection, where heading back to deal with the pirates. Please take care, when you’re ready to return to the flagship please let me know~, the squad leader of Gold Squadron said over the comm.’s

“Thanks Squad Leader. Take care”, Fikan responded

As the base came into view Fikan could literally hear a couple jaw’s hitting the ground. “Lady’s and Gentleman… Welcome to the Sarendevis HQ”, he said

The base came into full view, and the full features of the base appeared.

“The base look’s like it has some sort of shield”, Said a Trandoshan Engineer

“It does, the base itself is into the large asteroid in front of us”, Fikan said. “One half of the asteroid is pure rock, while the other half was constructed when the base was being built”

“What keep’s the base together though?”, The engineer asked.

Fikan laughed. “The base is kept together by a series’ of gravitation drive’s that our engineer’s reverse engineered from a couple interdictor class star destroyers”

The Trandoshan engineer stood there, impressed. “Smart idea, dangerous though”

“It is, but it’s the only way”, Fikan said. “The base is half asteroid, half executioner. From what the data file’s on the command bridge clam is that this executioner tried to make the flight through the asteroid field but failed and ended up ramming into the side of the asteroid. All hand’s where reported lost because the ship’s hull was breached”

“Then how is there oxygen?”

“Simple… life support on the ship wasn’t destroyed.. just the hull was severely damaged”, He smiled and then looked at the engineer. “Look”

The shuttle cleared the last asteroid marker, the engineer went wide eyed when he saw how busy this half of the base was, or rather the dark half

Fikan switched on the open comm.’s

~Supply shuttle to base, requesting clearance to land~

~This is squad Alpha, everything in sector 5 is clear~

~Roger that supply shuttle you are clear to land, please use docking by 94~

~This is the Barloz Freighter R-34, carrying supplies from a trade outpost on the edge of the asteroid field, requesting clearance to land~

The air way was filled with different type’s of chatter, the base turret platform’s tracked every single craft. As the shuttle’s approached the base a large squad of non-aligned fighter’s came up alongside the shuttles

~Fikan, how are ya you old man?~, came a message across the fighter to shuttle comm. line

Fikan smiled. “Nikolie, you wind bag you, where ya been these past years?”

~Oh yea know… annoying the hell out of the new order, making sure they don’t try, so what’s the occasion?~

He stared at the vastness of space, he couldn’t exactly tell him why they had several shuttle’s heading toward the base, and why they where given priority, “Just something to do.. that’s all, ya know? Admiral privileges?”

~uh huh… yea… well, we better get going. I hear there’s some action on the other side of the asteroid field, my men and I are going to pay em a visit and see what help we can be~

“Good luck”, Fikan said

“Sir, we’ve been given permission to land in docking by 2”, the pilot said

“Continue”, Fikan said.

“Sir, their wondering about the fighter behind us.. every gun turret is tracking them”, the pilot said and stared at the turrets. After awhile the turrets returned to there normal task, “Guess the gunner’s decided that it not a threat”

“Varca would be insulted”, Fikan grinned.

The admiral’s shuttle made a banking turn and into the docking bay, the bay began to fill with marine’s and other officers. The shuttle’s landing struts came out and it slowly touched down on the metal surface, the shuttle’s behind it did the same.

The boarding camp opened and Fikan walked down it.

“Welcome aboard sir”, The base commander said and saluted

“Nice to be back”, Fikan said and returned the salute. Then dropped his hand, ”At ease”

Asteroid Field

Varcanna, despite flying a different ship then she is used to and needing to pay close attention to her surroundings, was miles away mentally and flying purely by instinct. What Silliss had revealed to her about himself and his affections toward her were coming back to her now that things weren't so heckitic and her mind was swirl of mixed emotions and thoughts.

He doesn't look that much older then me...one or two years at the most. She thought, glancing back at him. Silliss was partly reclined in the seat beside her, watching the asteroids and stars go by and looking to be as lost in thought as she was. She had to admit he was rather good looking by Trandoshan standards. Yes he was a bit on the thin side, but she could tell underneath that lanky frame was nothing but muscle, his body finely tuned toward the fighting style he had chosen to specialize in. His personallity reminded her a bit of Trazu...at least, the Trazu she used to know: honorable, more concerned about others welfare then his own...

Still, his admission about his immune disorder was like a bit lead weight in her mind. She could hardly fathom to go through what he has, knowing your time was limited and that each day may be the one that ultimately ended your life. In that sense, she could understand why he was taking at extreme risk of being a fighter: to die on the battle field was far more dignifed to a Trandoshan then wasting away in a hospital bed due to a bug your body was incapable of fighting off.

Doubtful he'll live to make middle age... She thought. That's just over ten years... IT seemed like a long time, but in reality it wasn't...not to a Trandoshan, many of which don't even get a chance to die of old age, which is around the age of sixty. While she desperately wanted to settle down with someone, she feared losing that someone before she was ready for it. Trazu...was far from ready when TZosha died...and she feared the result of his grief may doom them all.

"Why?" She asked.

"Hmm? Why what?" She heard Silliss respond, seeing him look at her out of the corner of her eye.

"Why are you bothering to find someone to settle down with...knowing their time with you will be so short?" Varcanna said. "Isn't that in a sense...conflicting with your reasoning for not having kids?"

She heard him sigh, not with annoyance but with an air that told her the same question had crossed his mind before.

"In a sense it is..." He said finally. "But an adult can move on from such a loss and a remember the times they had together. A child...has to live with it all of his or her life. If there is one thing I've learned Varca...it's that it's not how long one lives...but what you do with the time you have.
"I literally tempt death everytime I take a breath, knowing that each breath I take could carry an ailment that could kill me far easier then it would someone else. The important thing...is that I accept that fate, to deny it will not happen is foolish. My 'unique' situation has enabled met to learn not to fear that which will eventually come to all living things...but to respect it." He paused, then hesitantly added. "I know you must be worried that you'll suffer the same fate as your brother. But the difference between you and him is that you will be expecting it and have the time to prepare. It is...however...up to you to take that chance. You know how I feel, but it's up to you to decide if you want to pursue it."

Varcanna mulled over this a moment, but got distracted by the radio catter. She noticed the base turrets tracking them, then return to their default positions: she assumed Fikan told them to not even try it. The ship needing her full attention now, pushed back any distracting thoughts as she guided the Gory Teeth in after the Admiral's shuttle. Her mind suddenly went blank: which button was it for the landing gear? Silliss, recognizing her suddenly distress, gently guided her hand to the right button. However he didn't remove his hand immediately and Varcanna gave him a look.

"Sorry..." He said, flushing as he pulled his hand away.

Varcanna sighed and shook her head as set Gory Teeth down and shut off the engines.

....

Naosha stepped out of the shuttle, tightly holding Trissan's hand. She wasn't about to let the troublesome youngster run off, not on her watch at any rate. The older Trandoshan knew how curious he was about the new surroundings by how he was pulling, trying to break away from her. Letting him wreck havoc here would be not be a good idea she knew, so she fully intended to keep a very short leash on him. Trissan's three sisters were behind her, staying close to their grandmother like perfect angels. While they too were curious, they knew better then to run off.

"Naosha." The Admiral said as she approached. "I will have arranged accommedations for you and your supporters and someone will be here shortly to show you to them. Tomorrow I will be having a meeting between all the delgates of the races and organizations we have alliances to as well as a couple that are considering joining us. It would be benifical I believe if you attended."

"It would Admiral, thank you." Naosha said politely with a slight head bow.

"Just to warn you, one of the races is Wookiee, so if you don't know their language you may want to bring along someone who does, or I can arrange for a protocol droid if you wish."

"Thank you for the warning Admiral, my daughter knows the Wookiee's tongue." Naosha said, glancing at Varcanna and Silliss, who had disembarked from Gory Teeth and was approaching her position. "So I'll bring her along."

"What are you volunteering me for this time mother?" Varcanna said, whom hadn't hard all of the conversation.

"Just to translate for me dear. There's going to be Wookiee's at the meeting the Admiral invited met to."

"Ah, a chance to gain more Wookiee support maybe?"

"I can only hope..."

Trandosha: Hsskhor Prison

She had to fight hard to keep from laughing. Cloaked and just around the corner, she was listening to Besk arguing with the guard.

"Just you wait...Separatist scum...when I get out of here you'll be wishing you never hatched!" She heard the pissed off mercenary growl.

"Oh so now you are saying I'm a Separatist?" The guard laughed. "Oh that is rich. Keep trying to lie your way out of this...no one is listening."

"Don't you think for one moment I believe you're not a Separatist!" Besk snapped in return. "You're a damn good actor I'll give you that....but you ain't fooling me!"

The guard just kept laughing, which no doubt just irritated Besk even more.

...

Oh this is so perfect... She thought. The fact that he thinks he is imprisoned by the Separatists will make his escape far more damning to him when she engineered his escape. Boy what a shock he will get when he discovers he really was being held for treason by the goverment. With a broad smile she move silently back down to cooridor and headed for the power room.

The source of power for the cell force fields were on a different line then the power for the building itself, a fail safe in a sense. However she discovered during her scouting earlier the switches for both were in the same room...stupid. Yes there were cameras in there, but cameras can't reveal what they can't see: she was loving this cloaking device more and more each day. She could only imagine the puzzled looks on the security guards faces as she threw the first switch...

...

Besk was still arguing fruitlessly with the guard when the lights went out, stopping his shouting and the guards mirth short.

"What the hell?" The guard said, then watched in horror as the force fields flickered, then died.

Besk didn't waste any time and with a roar lept at the guard the moment his vision switched to infravision. He knocked the guard to the ground before he even had a chance to raise his weapon. The now dark cooridor echoed with the sicking sound of the guards neck snapping...

The newly freed mercenary relieved the guard of his weapon and started following the infrared emergancy lights that came on, resolving to kill as many 'Separatists' as he could on his way out...

She had enjoyed watching Besk, while she leaned up against the wall, reading a small book. She chuckled mentally to herself as she listened to Besk arguing with the guard

“This is grand”, she said in a low whisper. She then put her book away and began to walk away. “Let’s see… there should be some wat-“, she said before the light’s suddenly went out.

She made her way back to the cell and noticed the guard on ground. “Awwww…. Damn and here I was hoping the guard would’ve put up a fight”, she said in an almost childish tone and shrugged. “Oh well”, she said and smiled and followed the likely path that Besk took while still remaining cloaked

Sarendevis Head Quarters:Hanger Bay

One of the ensigns saluted Fikan, and watched as he left. Then turned and looked at Naosha, “Please follow me miss, We have some already prepared.. however for your own safety you’re accommodations will be two deck’s above where the wookie’s are”, she said and gestured for them to follow

…

Fikan continued his way down the corridor and noticed two other guard’s on the opposite side. “How’s he doing?”, he asked

“Who? Oh ‘Jinto’ ?”, the guard asked

“Who else? He’s the only Rancor we have on board… albient the only smart one anyway”, Fikan said

The guard looked at the screen. “He’s asleep, let’s just hope on decide’s to disturb his slumber”, he said

Fikan nodded and walked away.

….

Merendez stared at the Trandoshan engineer and how interested she was. “Please”, Merendez said the engineer and showed her the way to the engineering room. There trek through the many corridors was desirable, expically when she saw how large the reactor’s where.

“These aren’t standard imperial reactor’s aren’t they?”, She said and looked at them.. then at a schematic on the wall

“No there not”, Said the chief engineer who was climbing down a ladder. “There modified reactor’s, not the one’s used to move a ship.. one’s used to power a base like this without the need for constant refueling or rod’s”, he said. “I like it”, he smiled.

“Apparently”, Merendez said

Outside the asteroid field, Joshpl’s command shuttle

Joshpl continue to coordinate the defense efforts… at least until something gravely went wrong.

He spun around and looked at one of the sensor screens. “Crap… they must’ve traced the communication and sensor signal’s”, he said and noticed a large squad of fighter’s approaching him from the rear side, he powered up the engine’s and, using the near by asteroid’s as cover.. managed to lose them.. but it still wasn’t going to be enough.. the fighter’s where still on to him and he had no weapon’s to defend himself, “Gotta get close to our ships”, he said and spotted only a couple destroyers there.. one was the flagship while the other’s where, what he figured where ally’s or possible ally’s. He aimed his command shuttle at the nearest destroyer, and prepared to make a broad side brush, which would cause him to come dangerously close to the side of the ship

Asteroid Field: Bloodfang

"Sir there is a ship heading our way, being persued by several pirate ships." The sensor officer said. "The ship appears to completely unarmed and in distress."

"Well then...lets teach those pirates it's not nice to pick on someone that can't defend himself shall we?" Tiosk said.

"Aye sir."

The pirate ships didn't see the three Trandoshan destroyers as a threat, until they opened up on them. Caught in a deadly cross fire, they didn't last long...

"Tis not safe for unarmed shuttles to be nosying around here laddy." Tiosk said over an open channel. "You're lucky we are on your side. And please...don't fly so close to the ship next time: I was getting visions of a ruined paint job..."

There were a few chuckles on the bridge. Nothing wrong with a bit of humor after all.

Sarendevis Head Quarters

Naosha nodded and followed, agreeing that, until the tensions between their two races subside, the Trandoshans and Wookiees be kept far apart. Trissan by now was tired of being pulled around and was trying to break away. Naosha, not in the mood, picked the troublesome youth up and tucked him under her arm, making his struggles fruitless.

"Oh that hot shower I plan on taking is going to feel so good..." She heard Varcanna mutter behind her.

"Want any help?" She caught Silliss asking and the stone silence that followed told her that Varcanna no doubt gave Silliss a very nasty look. Chuckling she said. "A hot shower or bath will be good for everyone. Especailly the kids."

The three little girls squealed with delight: they enjoyed bathes. However a certain trouble maker wasn't very thrilled. "No wanna bath..." Trissan whined.

"You're getting one anyway Trissan. You're filthy."

"No I'm not..."

"You're still getting a bath."

"No wanna bath!"

Naosha felt him start struggling anew, but she held firm. He was going to get a bath whether he liked it or not...

Trandosha: Hsskhor Prison

Luck was on his side. Not only did he not come across any more guards, but he found the armory which had all his stuff. After getting himself dressed and rearmed, Besk continued on his way. The lights turned back on and he was momentarily blinded as his eyes switched back to the normal light spectrum. When he could see again he saw a small group of guards heading his way. With a roar of rage, he charged at them, his deadly K'Zuta swinging.

Limbs flew and blood splattered all over the walls. When it was over Besk was standing tall in the middle of a scene of carnage, around him was all that was left of those guards.

Separatist scum... He thought as he continued on, hoping more would be stupid enough to attack him.

...

This just kept getting better and better. Now not only was he accused of being a Separatists, he is killing his own side because he thinks they are Separatists.

Keep digging your own grave Besk. She thought with a slight chuckle as she watched Besk on the security screens: the guards in there didn't even know she was there. You're just making my task of ruining you even easier...

He still had friends on the outside though, friends that could clear him. She had already helped herself to what ever information he had in his pockets, before the guards went through it. As a bonus...she now had access to his credits and had the full intention of draining him dry.

When this was over...she will have it easy for the rest of her life...

Joshpl chuckled. “Nice to know”, he said and then repositioned himself near the flagship and began to coordinate the attack’s

Several more enemy fighter’s tried to make a run at the command shuttle, but where cut down by the flagship’s anti-fighter weapon’s package, or rather a few turbo laser batteries.

He looked around the screens.. the only one’s left where pirate’s and they kept on coming, “Commander, reposition Aegis Mk2 defense group A to blue sector C”, he said over the com’s

~Yes Sir~

“Defense Group D, move to Red Sector D and cover the transports”, He said over the com’s

~Roger that Sir~

~This is Gold Leader to Command Shuttle, is that Trandoshan destroyer behind you the one that pulled those tricks~, came a male’s voice

Joshpl looked through the recording, along with some recording from the previous battle’s, after a few minutes he reopened a comm.’s, “Yes it is, why?”, he asked

~May we open a comm.’s with the ship?~

“Go right ahead.. Just as long as you don’t try anything that’ll compromise any possible alliance’s”, Joshpl said

Joshpl lowered his head, “I worry…”


~Don’t worry~

…

Gold Leader and his large squad of fighter’s and bombers flew up to the Trandoshan destroyer, as Gold Leader looked over the destroyer and whistled. “Fine piece of work they’ve got there”, he said and then opened a comm.’s, “Sorry to sound rude here, but who’s the person who pulled off those odd and dangerous maneuvers both here and awhile back?”

Sarendevis Head Quarters

The lady chuckled. “Wild kid eh?”, she said. “Guess it come’s as no surprise, my daughter is a bit wild, but right now she’s at school”

“At this hour?”, came a Trandoshan’s voice

“Time has no bearings here, children are in class from 10 pm to about 8 am, depending on what they are studying”, She said

“How the classes… I mean… are there any restrictions?”

She chuckled. “If you mean, do we separate Trandoshans from Wookiee’s no, in fact we can’t teach wookiee’s here due to a little language problem.. but we are able to teach all other races”, she said and showed them to a corridor. On the top left of the wall where the words Guest Rooms/Ambassador living quarters, “By chance.. do you wish for the nursery to take care of you’re kid’s while here? The alliance talk’s from what I hear will most likely get heated”, she said.

A guard walked up to her. “Excuse me ma’am, please show you’re ID”, he said

She sighed and showed him his badge, “Oh.. pardon me fleet officer”, he said and took his position right by the edge of the corridor

“The living quarters are on both side’s, the nursery is down the hall and to the right. If you wish to give you’re kid’s a bath the bathing place is down the hall and to the left, it’s a private bathing area so you don’t need to worry”, she said and began to leave, then stopped. “The alliance talk’s will begin at 0900 hours… or 9 am, please be there early”

…

Fikan was reviewing several reports, he sighed and placed the reports down.

“21 Attendee’s at this meeting… and two of them just HAD to be trandoshan’s …”, he said.

“Are you worried that the two might recognize Naosha?”, A guard said

He nodded. “At the moment, the Trandoshan government has no clue we where the one’s who attacked one of there base’s in self defense”

“Will you bring that up at the meeting?”, The guard asked.

“Most likely”, Fikan responded and walked over to a hologram that showed the lush landscape of his home planet. “I want 6 guard’s there just in case”, Fikan said

“Done sir.. I’ll make sure my squad is there”, The guard said and walked over to Fikan. “What worry’s you more? The meeting.. or the fact that our fleet is ‘In Flux’ due to problem’s with the pirates?”

“Both…”, he said

Trandosha:Prison

She smiled as she walked over to a door that lead into one of the security room’s and opened it

One of the guard’s in the room heard the door open. “Huh? How’d that door open by itself”, he said

“Maybe a slight breeze?”, Said the other guard

“Perhaps”, his buddy replied. If either of them had been paying attention they’d have noticed something slip in while the guard was closing the door.

She watched the display’s with amusement, trying very hard to laugh. But managing to chuckle in her mind

Asteroid Field: Bloodfang

Tiosk watched the Gold Wing via viewscreen as they flew above his ship. He knew his gunners must be nervous with so many flying so close, but was glad none of them reacted by firing on them. From the way they were flying, they were just checking his ship out.

"Sir, one of the fighters is asking for the T'Doshok that pulled 'odd and dangerous maneuvers'." His comm officer said.

Curious little buggers. He thought with a chuckle, giving the comm officer the signal to go ahead and open a channel. "'Odd and dangerous maneuvers' eh?" He said with a slight chuckle. "The one that accomplished all those is me, Captain Tiosk of the Rynok Destroyer Bloodfang." He thought a moment, then added. "Well, most of them. I must give credit for the daring rescue of the False Hope's crew to my 2nd in command, Konik."

Out of the corner of his eye, Konik bowed in thanks, thankful that his Captain didn't take credit for that.

Sarendevis HQ

"We will, thank you." Naosha said as she made a beeline for the wash area, Trissan still struggling in her arms.

It was a fight, Trissan refused to stay still and kept trying to get out. Naosha was forced to hold him with one hand while washing the girls with the other.

How did you manage Varca? Naosha thought as she winced when the little brat managed to bite her. She responded by giving him a good tap on the nose and he behaved himself...for a minute. Naosha was finding him to be too much of a challenge for her.

"Varca." She called out. "When you're done in there could you give me a hand?"

Varcanna, who was using the shower poked her head out. "Trissan giving you trouble Mother? He usually only does that when he's being rebellous."

"Rebellous? More like being down right aggressive!" Naosha replyed, growling faintly when Trissan managed to bite her again.

She only had to endure him alone for a couple more minutes. Once Varca came to the rescue Trissan didn't stand a chance.

"Took you girls long enough." Silliss, who had been forced to wait outside, said.

"Well next time Trissan needs a bath...you give it to him." Naosha said, carrying a sulking, yet clean Trissan under her arm.

Silliss took one look at the rather unhappy Trissan and said. "No thank you..."

Naosha turned in right after tucking the kids in (thankfully Trissan didn't fight that as well). As she let sleep take her, she couldn't help but feeling that the meeting won't be a pleasent one...

Trandosha: Prison

After wiping out a few more guards, Besk made it to the exit. He didn't waste any time, he jumped into one of the speeders, hotwired it, and sped off. There was a certain Councilor he needed to talk to...

...

She smiled when Besk finally made the exit. Calmly she moved for the door, only to bump into something she couldn't see. "You again?" She said in a low whisper. "Better not get in my way..."

Ignoring the other cloaker, she exited the room and made her own way to the exit. She knew Besk will most likely head to Hyossk first, to attempt to clear up his name. In the mean time...she had some things to take care of. Namly, ensuring his remaining contacts remained silent...

Asteroid Field:Outside the Bloodfang

Gold leader nodded, “Still.. those where some hellish move’s, we could use a commander like you in the fleet”, he said and looked around. “Of course, you do have your own crew and-“

~You trying to go on a recruiting spree again Maclan?~, came Joshpl’s voice from over the wide band

“Uhh.. no sir.. just … well.. umm…”, Gold leader said trying to think up of something

~’Just trying to recruit sir’, is that it? I see… please forgive Maclan captain he tend’s to get ahead of himself~, Joshpl

“Hey! Shut up little man! I don’t see you in a fighter battling these things, hell I saw you run straight for these ships.. now who’s the coward?”, Maclan said with a grin

~Coward eh?~

Maclan didn’t like that ‘eh’ part to much and wasn’t expecting it when a beam of light flew over his cockpit, luckily his squad had drifted far enough away from the destroyer’s so that they wouldn’t be harmed.. but the ion beam would probably raise a few eye-brow’s and if there was any doubt that Joshpl was coward was now smashed to bits

~I have control over every gun platform in that field…~, Joshpl said. ~shall I prove just how ‘effective’ they are?, he grinned

“No sir.. not at all.. I get the point”, Maclan said while reading the temperature level in his cockpit, which was at 104 after that ion beam had narrowly missed them. “Point in question.. why didn’t you use that before hand?”

~Are you dumb as well? It’s a gun platform, not a moving ship… gun platform’s require a firing solution, there USELESS against fighter’s.. they move to fast, you on the other hand was still~, Joshpl checked his reading. ~Ahhh @#%$… INCOMING HYPER SPACE SIGNALS!~, he yelled out to all ships

Several hyper space window’s opened up, 5 captured republic destroyer’s and 2 Aegis Mk 2’s came out and started toward Joshpl and the other destroyers, on the side bared the pirate insignia

~Geez.. where the hell are they all coming from?~, Joshpl said over comm.’s while moving the defense group’s into position

Sarendevis Head Quarters

Hour’s later

Fikan walked into a large room, it had a dome at the top and was circular. 21 seats where arranged in a way that allowed the attendee’s to have a lot of room to move about. As he inspected every area of the room he made quick notice of the added security, several hidden cameras along with a few hidden surprises in case an uproar took place, which always happened between the Wookie ambassador’s and the Trandoshan ambassador

He took his seat at the end of the table, and studied a few report’s that he got from his boy’s in the different alliances… also an interesting report from a pilot who was over near Trandosha.

“Hmm so the spy accessed some information, and was able to buy some recorded council meeting tape’s from a black-market specialist, good”, Fikan said and looked at the lady on the far end. “Start letting them in”, Fikan said.

She nodded. “Most of the delicates have arrived but where still waiting on 4 and those are mostly the pirate ambassadors”, she said

Fikan sighed. “Pirate’s are ALWAYS late..”, he said. “Can’t be helped”

…

Trandosha:Prison

She grinned and followed the other cloakers. “In a hurry are we?”, she said. “I have no interest in you’re ‘Prize’ just want to see him get his just desserts”. She said in a low whisper, “Then again.. to make it more conceiving that he was responsible for all this damage”, she grinned and took off

Asteroid Field: Bloodfang

Tiosk chuckled at the exchange and was about to comment when Joshpl warned about the incoming signatures, his own sensor officer seconding that account.

Indeed...where are they coming from? Tiosk thought. They must have a base nearby for reinforcements to come so quickly. From his command chair he brought up the star charts on the screen on the console in front of him. Using the sensor data he marked where the newly arrived pirate ships came in. But that data alone didn't help any and he had a feeling they couldn't wait until another batch of pirates came in.

"Good sir, do you still have the cooridates from where the batch of pirates before this one came in?" Tiosk asked over the comm. "If I can tianglate the cooridates, I may be able to figure out where these bastards are coming from."

Sarendevis HQ

"Silliss."

Silliss looked up to see Naosha and Varcanna approaching him, the four kids in tow. "Yes madam?" He replied.

"Could you take the little ones down to the nursery? We are running a bit late for the meeting." Naosha said.

"That's what you get for sleeping in mother." Varcanna chuckled.

"I couldn't help it...it's been so long since I got to actually sleep in a comfortable bed."

Silliss chuckled politely. "I'll be glad to take the kids off your hands Councilor. I trust you'll want me to stick around to ensure Trissan doesn't run off?"

"Yes...please..." Naosha said, nodding vigerously. "I can already tell he's going to be rebellious today."

Trissan, who's hand was being held tightly by his grandmother, snorted, feeling slightly insulted.

...

A short while later Naosha and Varcanna arrived at the meeting room. Some attendees were already present, including two other Trandoshans. Naosha immediately felt her muscles tense and had to fight hard to keep her expression impassive.

"De yea rocegnizo thom?" Varcanna whispered in Clan Dialect.

"Ne." Naosha replied in kind. "Semothing is net right. Whon tho gevormont sonds un Ambassidor it is ulwuys tho Speaker Above All."

Varcanna nodded, understanding the situation. "Things mast bo protty bud buck hemo if Hyossk wen't cemo himsolf. Prohups Rissonik hus mudo pregross?"

"Eno thing ut u timo." Naosha said. "If theso twe rocegnizo mo thoro bo treablo."

As they took their seats, they watched the other two Trandoshans for any signs of recognization. To both their surprise and relief, when they spotted them there was none, only a look of puzzlement at them being there.

"Thoy mast huvo boon living andor u reck te net rocegnizo yea Mother." Varcanna said with a chuckle.

"Indood...bat wo cun aso this te ear udvuntugo." Naosha said with a faint smile. She had no doubts these two will start spouting propaganda about her and the Separatist Movement...boy will they be surprised to find out she was right in the room with them...