Just as the morning dew was settling into the grass, as the gwha birds flew through the air, whistling as they went, as the chakla animals were roaming the fields, the ambushers waited in their hiding place. Their group was comprised mostly of hired thugs, but each of them had special skills. One of them, an expert sniper, surveyed the terrain through his scope. Another, an expert in explosives, prepared his grenades, while yet another, a scout, consulted his maps. They were all good at their jobs. And they were perfect for ambushing and killing the band of nomadic I’shi that was tending their flocks of chakla in the field approximately fifty meters away.. They were completely unaware of the imminent doom that awaited them. The leader of the ambushers, a former Imperial stormtrooper commander turned bounty hunter named Haer, smiled as he watched the I’shi through his macrobinoculars. Like most Imperials he shared an extreme dislike of all nonhumans.


But long ago he and his stormtrooper regiment were ordered to establish and defend a
garrison on a still nameless world. When the Star Destroyer in orbit left to continue it’s
patrol, the natives of the planet had struck. They were called the Shi’ido, he had found
out much later. They were a race of shapechanging freaks. That day, they had attacked,
and destroyed his garrison and all of his stormtroopers. They had killed one hundred and
fifty stormtroopers by changing their shape into deadly animals, he had been
shocked when suddenly Corellian sandpanthers, Geonosian reeks, and even a Wookie or
two. He had also learned later that the Shi’ido liked their privacy, and were not happy
when the Empire had set up shop on their home planet. Only Haer himself and two
officers escaped in a supply shuttle. They had located the patrolling Star Destroyer and
reported what had happened. The Star Destroyer returned to the planet and landed
hundreds of stormtroopers and reestablished their garrison there, this time with a lot more
force. Haer was reassigned to the Mid-Rim and never heard anything else from the
Shi’ido. But after the Emperor’s death at Endor, he abandoned the Empire and had struck
out on his own, seeking
fortune as a bounty hunter….and other things.


But he had just found out that another group of Shi’ido were living on the planet Esseles. But the shadowy oranization that he worked for had ordered him to establish diplomatic contact with the Esselian Shi’ido. He formed a team to go and find the Shi’ido, now impersonating a group of near-human primitives called the I’shi. But as they were heading to the only known ‘I’shi’ settlement, Haer had spotted a group of isolated I’shi herders. At once, the sight of the beings instigated a wave of revulsion. The shapeshifters were so arrogant that they could change their form and literally hide in plain sight. He felt anger rising in him, it sparked memories of his doomed garrison and all those men. Why couldn’t he take just one small fraction of revenge? And he had his target in his sights. Turning, he ordered his sniper, Olek Hersh to open fire on the nearest herder. An instant later his longblaster spouted fire and found it’s target. Haer then stood from his hiding place among a rock outcropping and ordered his other eight men to charge on their swoops. Haer then jumped on his own bike and led the attack.




He led his speeder bike attack in a triangular formation, himself at the head. There were five ‘Ishi’ herders all tending their flock of chakla. They were armed with nothing but short sticks, that they would use to prod their herd along. Haer smiled on his bike as he closed on his targets, this would be easy.

He and his other eight men fired the blasters built on the front of their speeder bikes. The Shi’ido didn’t even turn to look at them. Almost before the blasters fired all five Shi’ido herders’ skin began to crawl. One of them morphed into a Yavin 4 crystal snake, while another formed himself into a long dianoga. A third became an avian of some sort and shot off into the air. The fourth Shi’ido became a simple rock on the ground. The last Shi’ido seemed to melt away and was nothing more than a puddle of water on the ground. The eight blaster bolts that had been fired sailed over all of them. But by that time the nine attackers were about two meters from the Shi’ido position. Haer signaled and he and his group stopped their bikes and jumped off, spraying the area with suppression fire to do so. The dianoga suddenly became a rather large and angry Wookie and rushed in, picking one of Haer’s men and hurling him several meters in the air. The crystal snake morphed as well and became a shadow. Haer knew instantly he had become a Defel and began firing his blaster at random, hoping to catch the elusive Shi’ido.


His shots never hit home. The shadow inserted itself behind him and gave him a violent shove forward. Haer crashed to the ground and immediately spun around, expecting a follow up attack. The shadow kicked his blaster out of his hand and turned to the rest of his group. Haer dove for his blaster but the flying avian plucked it from the ground before he could get to it. The bird sailed into the air for a moment then landed, morphing into a human man. The man then began firing Haer’s blaster. The other two Shi’ido’s did not enter the battle, for in a moment it was all over. In the end, The Shi’ido decided to let Haer and the sniper, Olek Hersh live. They bound Haer and Hersh’s hands tightly behind their back and marched them off.

Admiral Xander Griff did not look up from the datapad he was reading as the two Captains and an Agent walked into his office. One of the Captains was a Faleen, while the other was Corellian. The Agent appeared to be human.

“Report” Griff said flatly.

The Faleen, Captain Xexes, spoke first, “Sir the shipyards are experiencing some… technical difficulties”

“Which shipyard?”

“Black One sir” Xexes said.

“Why?” Griff asked pointedly.

“Sir, the workers have formed some sort of ‘union’. They refuse to work until their pay is increased.”

“And what have you done to dissolve the situation?” Griff said, slightly annoyed.

“Nothing as of yet sir. I wanted to report to you first” Xexes said.

Griff sighed. “Captain, I have many things I need to focus on. Surely you can handle any squabble at Black One by yourself”

“Sir, you do not understand. The workers have also demanded that you yourself announce the wages will be increased” Xexes said.

“And what do you propose Captain?” Griff asked, finally looking up at the green alien.

“That we tell them their wages will be reduced if they do not work” Xexes said with certainty.

Griff snorted, “Captain, in case you haven’t noticed we are rather strapped for manpower right now. I need my workers. And if you decrease their pay, they will attempt to leave. And I cannot have them trying to leave. Too many witnesses, you understand what I’m getting at?”

“Yes sir” Xexes said.

“Good. Anything else gentlemen?” Griff said, looking back down at his datapad.

The other captain, Jones, stepped forward.

“Sir I have a report… from Esseles”

Griff froze visibly. His head came up, slowly.

“Let me hear it, Captain” Griff said carefully.

“Agent 013, Haer, has gone missing. He and the other mercs we hired for him are gone. His last report indicated he had found a Shi’ido settlement and was going to talk to them” Jones reported.

While Jones had been speaking Griff had called up the file on Agent 013 and began reading it. After a full five minutes he finally looked up.

“Haer hates the Shi’ido. Why was he chosen for this assignment?”

“Because his background was authentic. He had a good reason for hanging around Esseles. At least to the Shi’ido.”

“Bad judgment, Jones. Where is Haer now?”

“We believe he was captured, along with the sniper, Hersh” Jones answered Griff.

Griff sat back in his oversized chair and thought for a moment.

“Jones, do you think Haer might have sighted a couple of isolated Shi’ido, and decided to exact revenge?”

“Possible. But I doubt it. Haer is a Black Hand agent. He is a professional.”

“No Captian, he did attack the Shi’ido. And possibly destroyed my only avenue for diplomacy. I will go to Esseles myself and speak with the Shi’ido leader.”

He turned to the ‘human’ agent standing next to Jones.

“Aeon. Who is the leader of the Shi’ido settlement on Esseles?”

“They have no central leader. The settlement on Esseles is the largest concentration of Shi’ido off the homeworld. They have formed themselves into a republic. Out of the one hundred thousand Shi’ido there, they have made maybe ten separate large groups. Each group has one representative. All ten convene together on a regular basis to discuss matters within the community and threats to the whole. I believe they call it the Wise Council, because each representative is the most intelligent and educated of his or hers respective groups. I also remember each of the separate groups having a name and function in relation to the whole. One provides the food, another the schooling, and another is made up of highly trained soldiers”

Griff frowned. “I thought the Shi’ido were pacifists”

Aeon drew himself up. “We are who we choose to be” He said simply. “Each of us is allowed to choose our own path. It is no surprise that many of them have dedicated themselves to defending our species” He said.

Griff nodded understandingly.

“I agree with them”

He turned to Xexes.

“Have the Silencer prep itself for the journey to Esseles. I want to leave in two hours”

“Yes sir” Xexes said.

The three of them saluted Griff and left the room. Leaving him to his thoughts.


He did not know how he was going to resolve this. But he could start out by talking with the Wise Council of Shi’ido leaders. He had originally ordered Jones to select an agent to open talks with the Shi’ido population on Esseles. The Shi’ido, with their shapeshifting ability would make invaluable agents to further infiltrate worlds of various factions. He also wanted the Shi’ido as his allies for other more secret reasons.

Griff was also looking to expand his holdings. And Esseles was right on the Perlemian Trade Route in the Core Worlds. But he could not let it be known to other galactic factions that Black Hand had a presence there on the planet. Perhaps he would use the front company ComTech, headed up now by ‘CEO’ Logan on Wayland. But then again, he may not. Black Hand, after all, had plenty of front companies.

“State your names” The tall slightly gray-skinned alien said.

“Tomas Haer” Agent 013 said.

“Olek Hersh” Agent 0089 said

“Why have you come here? Are you just more Imperials who wish to see use dead?” The same gray Shi’ido said.

Haer took a second to look around before answering. He was in a small duraplast building. It was fairly modern looking from the outside, with fully-functioning glow panels, the guards had blaster rifles in their hands, the floor was a soft carpet.

And about ten Shi’ido, elderly by the way they spoke and looked, were sitting in chairs arranged in a semicircle with a long desk snaking it’s way in front of them all. Each Shi’ido wore different colored robes, so Haer assumed that each belonged to a different group. He had been briefed on the shapeshifter’s government structure. He also assumed he was handcuffed in front of the mysterious ‘Wise Council’.

“I was originally here on a diplomatic mission” Haer said.

“Interesting diplomace technique, attacking a couple of herders minding their own business.

Haer said nothing.

The Shi’ido, presumably the Council’s leader or spokesman continued.

“Just out of sheer curiosity, who sent you?”

“A highly secretive faction. I cannot divulge it’s name at this moment.” Haer replied.

“Of course. You must give you comrades time to rescue or bargain for your release” The Council Leader said.

“If they come” Haer said. “May I ask your name?”

“My name is Ylayic. I am the leader of this Council”

“And how may I address you sir?” Haer inquired.

Ylayic considered this, as if he had never thought about it before.

“You may address me and the rest of us simply ‘Councilor’”

“Very well Councilor Ylayic. If nobody comes for me in three days, I will tell you who sent me and the reasons for attacking those herders” Haer said, hoping to buy some time.

“If we do not kill you first” Ylayic said flatly.

Haer did not visibly react to this, but he had not expected it, “I thought the Shi’ido were committed peacelovers”

“Some of us are. But we must defend ourselves shouldn’t we?”

“Yes. Your herders’ skill was impressive”

“Why thank you” Ylayic said, pleased, “But that can be left for later. The council will grant you your three days. If your friends do not come, you will tell us all we want to know, and then we will debate if you should live or die for your actions”

“I understand” Haer said.

“Take him away” Ylayic said to the guards positioned behind Haer and Hersh.

And as he was being dragged off to his cell, he hoped that someone would come for him.

Admiral Griff, stood with his hands clasped behind his back, as the Silencer slid through hyperspace. He was in the conference room, standing in front of a life size hologram of Joren Logan. The former Admiral was just getting settled into his new position on Wayland, heading up the fake company ComTech that Black Hand used as a cover for their operations. After successfully winning the cooperation of the Noghri, and bringing gifts to the Psadans and the Meynerishi, and bribing the human colonists, Black Hand had full control of the planet. But Griff had declined putting shipyards into orbit. ComTech ships would bring the raw material from Wayland to Black Hand’s headquarters on a hidden planetoid in an unremarkable nebula codenamed ‘CN-1344’. The planetoid also served as Black Hand’s main shipbuilding facility. He nebula was perfect for hiding a large quantity of vessels. And nobody had any reason for going into the nebula. And if anybody did, Griff had installed a few surprises for any intruder.

“How is your cloning operation going Admiral?” Logan asked, bringing Griff out of his thoughts.

“We have begun building our first Spaarti Cylinders, though it will be many months before we have enough to begin creating clones en masse”

“Ah good. And where do you plan on housing them?” Logan asked.

“At a secure site” Griff said.

Even though he were using an encryption code that would give any black market slicer a run for his money for the transmission to Wayland, but he did not just want to announce the location for Black Hand’s best kept secret over a comm. transmission. Griff was also unsure weather he should even tell Logan where the Spaarti Cylinders would be kept. Logan was a good man, and an excellent tactician, Griff did not completely trust him.

“Ah” Logan said into the uncomfortable silence that lingered between the two of them.

“So what is the situation on Esseles?

“We lost contact with our man, Haer. We believe he has been captured. I am going there to negotiate for his release and get he Shi’ido to join us. I have another highly trained diplomat that will speak with the planet’s ruling council. We have been in contact with the Esselian government for several months and they have secretly proposed an alliance with Black Hand.” Griff replied.

“Quite a risk” Logan mused.

“Yes, but one that is well worth it” Griff said.

“Perhaps” Logan said.

Griff raised an eyebrow at him, “What is it?”

The hologram shifted slightly.

“I don’t know, your expansion is good and everything. But I want to urge you to be careful. Your primary weapon is secrecy. Very few people know about Black Hand outside of its employees and soldiers. If at any time someone catches wind of you, you could have the Empire, or worse, on you”

“What would the Empire want with Black Hand?” Griff said, extremely interested that Logan even mentioned the Empire.

“Black Hand is an efficient intelligence gathering organization.” Logan said.

“I doubt the Empire would have any interest in Black Hand. But anyway, it doesn’t matter. I should be arriving on Esseles in six hours. I must get some rest. As soon as the Silencer leaves hyperspace it’s nothing but diplomacy ahead.”

“I almost feel sorry for you…

…almost”

Logan chuckled and Griff cut the transmission.

Tomorrow was going to be a busy day.









Haer sat in uncomfortable darkness. He and Hersh had been separated, leaving him alone with his thoughts, and memories.

He closed his eyes, and drifted off to a dark sleep…


It was maybe three years after the death of Emperor Palpatine at Endor. Haer was on an isolated Outer-Rim planet running guns and occasionally smuggling goods to a small group known as the Outer-Rim Trade Inc. But he mostly worked as a contract bounty hunter, finding certain individuals for the fledging trade corporation, The organization itself was responsible for regulating trade from the Elrood Sector to the Anoat Sector. It’s total range was three sectors, no small feat. But the organization was much to small to be noticed by any larger groups such as the Empire or the New Republic. But just into four months of it’s existence and directly following the ‘Truce at Bakura’ as it was being called, the officials of Outer-Rim Trade Inc. had suddenly grown quite nervous and was busily contracting hundreds of gunrunners and shipyard officials to build or smuggle as many weapons as possible.


Haer was one of those who were contracted to smuggle guns or ships-any ships- to a small planet in the Anoat Sector. Haer had just entered the system with an heavily modified Ho-class Interceptor vessel. The ship was over fifty meters long and it’s small cargo hold were packed to the brim with crates holding black-market thermal detonators that needed to be delivered to the planet. But as he exited hyperspace he noticed three unknown identical capital-sized ships that hung in orbit, firing at the surface of the planet. A couple of lancer frigates and one Strike-class cruiser were firing at the unknown enemies. Dozens of snubfighters were engaged with other smaller ships around the three alien cruisers.

Quickly deciding that helping his new employers might get him something extra in his payoff, Haer zoomed forward to the fight…



“Wake up!” Said a dim, distant voice. Haer almost didn’t hear it, and he certainly didn’t obey. After a moment, he received a sharp jolt of electricity up through his arm, and he snapped awake. He opened his eyes to see a young grey-skinned female Shi’ido holding a stun baton over him.

“Stand up” She said, Haer complied.

She prodded him in the back, sending another electric jolt across his back, providing him for a reason to move quickly through the corridor. In a few moments they exited the detention building and crossed the courtyard to the Wise Council building.

“What is happening? It has only been a day”

“Shut up and keep moving” The female guard said. Haer sighed and entered the council building, and walked quickly through the corridor to a small anteroom. Do his right was the door that would lead directly to the council chambers.

“Into the chambers, move” The guard said, yet again shocking him with the stun baton. Haer turned to his right and entered the room.

Standing in the middle of the room, facing the council, Admiral Griff turned toward him.

The Bird of Prey Silencercame out of hyperspace smoothly and angled toward the blue-green planet that was Esseles.

Admiral Griff sat in the command chair, issuing orders to the bridge crew. Commander Cage, the Silencer’s XO turned toward the admiral.

“Admiral, scan of the area indicates no vessels in orbit of Esseles or anywhere in the system.”

Griff nodded, “There wouldn’t be. Esseles is in no way a trade center or a system of importance. It really has no strategic position except that it is on the Perleman Trade Route, which leads to Coruscant. But Coruscant is still far enough away from Esseles that it would not notice a new government.” He said.

“By the way sir, how are we going to take control of the planet?” Cage asked.

“Our legitimate front company, ComTech will do the honors” Griff said.

“But I thought Admiral Logan was in charge of that” Cage said.

“He is, and he will speak to the Esselian populace and current Prime Minister to gain control”
“But Logan is on Wayland” Cage said.

And at that, from the turbolift towards the back of the bridge, Admiral Joren Logan walked in. Cage’s mouth dropped open and the bridge crew froze and stared at Logan.

“Hello, Aeon” Griff said.

And even as Griff spoke, ‘Logan’s skin began to crawl and he morphed back into the Shi’ido’s grey-skinned form.

“Admiral Griff” Aeon said.

“So you have been able to duplicate Logan’s features adequately?”

“It took me two hours of scrutinizing his holo to get it right.” Aeon replied.

“The Esselian President will have no clue” Griff told the shapeshifter.

“I hope so, sir” Aeon said.

“Alright, let’s head to the hangar bay, we have a planet to take”

A few minutes later they exited the turbolift at the hangar level and walked through the corridors. Every crewmember they passed saluted Griff as he passed them. It gave him a feeling of pride to see his crew so loyal to him. It strengthened his resolve to continue his plans. They entered the very small hanger bay and headed for a Gamma-class assault shuttle. The shuttle already held a dozen commandos ready to escort Aeon through Calamar, Esseles capital. Also, two Noghri Griff had brought from Wayland would escort him through the Shi’ido compound.

They boarded the shuttle and soon it left the Silencer, first heading for Esseles.

“Alright Aeon” Griff said. “As you know, the city is divided into several ‘districts’ you have the Government District, Industrial District, Enviromental District and so on. We will land in the ‘Central Square’ of the Government District. Our emissaries have gotten the famous Joren Logan of ComTech Inc. a special lunch with Prime Minister Cris Petreson of Esseles. Try to make an agreement with him so that ComTech controls all commerce going into and out of the system. It will make Esseles dependant on us. Then Petreson will have to do what we tell him.”

“And if he refuses?” Aeon said, “He may want to remain independent of ComTech and the rest of the Galaxy”

“Subtly mention ComTech’s fleet of freighters and warships, and vaguely mention how ComTech has blockaded planets to restrict trade before” Griff told the Shi’ido.

Aeon just smiled.

“Sir” The pilot said from the front, “We are approaching the landing site, please secure yourselves”

Aeon and Griff did as they were told and strapped in. As soon as they had landed, the soldiers had filed out and were sweeping the area for any armed ambushers. It was all a show, Griff knew, to reinforce the charade of Logan actually being there. The soldiers were also a quiet show of force, and each wore the ComTech uniform. ‘Logan’ walked down the ramp, and with the soldiers in a column on either side of him, headed for the formal reception committee at the entrance to the government building.

The Gamma-class assault shuttle then lifted off and headed south, flying low first over Calamar and then over the wide-open plains. Within half an hour they were on the outskirts of the Shi’ido camp.

“Land near the settlement, just outside it’s perimeter.” Griff said to the pilot. “I had Aeon visit ahead and he got them to grant me an audience with the vaunted Wise Council.”

“Yes sir” The pilot said.

Griff stepped down the ramp of the assault shuttle with his two Noghri by his side. There was one tall humanoid standing a respectful distance away from the ramp of the shuttle. The humanoid was tall, with short, close-cropped dark hair. He also had gray skin . He wore simple brown robes and was smiling at them. Griff walked toward him and offered his hand.

The Shi’ido took his hand and shook it firmly.

“I am Admiral Griff of the Black Hand” Griff said, “I have been granted a meeting with the Wise Council.”

“I am Council-Aide Krant. I have been instructed to bring you to the Council.” The gray alien said.

“Lead the way” Griff told him.



Aeon let out a deep breath and mentally prepared himself for the task ahead. He had been surprised when Griff had told him of this mission. Having to impersonate an actual person for a prolonged period of time is a difficult task. It would have been easier if he had to simply shift into a nondiscript human form. He had had to spend hours staring at a recent photograph of Joren Logan until he had finally gotten it right. It was hard enough for Shi’ido to morph into any form.

“Hello, Joren Logan!” The centermost man told him, stepping down a step, “We are proud to host you today”

“I am happy to be here” Aeon lied.

“I am Ambassador Tol-jon, aide to Prime Minister Petreson. He is waiting for you in the comfort rom” Tol-jon said.

The ambassador led Aeon and his escorts through several corridors until coming to a door, which Tol-jon opened and led Aeon inside. The soldiers were told they had to wait outside. Aeon stepped through the door.

Prime Minister Cris Petreson stood up and smiled at Aeon. He was a tall human man with blond hair, a long angular face, and a muscular build. He was wearing a black robe with gold lining.

“Admiral Joren Logan” Petreson said, shaking his hand, “Welcome to Esseles. I have read so many things about you. I am pleased to finally meet you in person.”

Aeon smiled at him, “Prime Minister, it is an honor to meet you”

“The honor is all mine” Petreson said, smiling all the time, “Now. What brings you to Esseles?”

“Do not take this wrongly Prime Minister but I have had my eye on Esseles for quite some time. It has vast resources that have yet to be tapped.”

“Yes. We have begun some mining projects and are selling the proceeds, but they are small and almost insignificant”

“Well yes, I am aware of these projects. And I have come up with a large scale plan to begin some projects of my own. The profit gained from your ore veins alone will go a long way to establishing planetary defenses.”

Petreson stopped smiling for a moment. “Why would we need defenses?”

Aeon pretended to take a deep breath, as if preparing to tell the man some bad news.

“Prime Minister, I must be frank with you. When other galactic factions out there realize what Esseles has to offer they will want it for themselves. ComTech has vast resources and a large merchant fleet, as well as a military fleet. But we will be hard pressed to defend the planet if it falls under attack. If and when we reach an agreement for mining rights, I will need your complete cooporation”

Petreson sat back for a moment, thinking.

“How much will the government get if we give you mining rights?”

Aeon again made a show of taking a deep breath and preparing to give bad news.

“Prime Minister, if we do this, in order for the people to benefit, we will need to…merge our governments. So under one unified government we can reap in more profit than ever before”

Petreson was taken aback. “What?!”

“I am serious, Prime Minister”

“But…I cannot make such a decision without consulting the Esselian Congress”

“Take your time”

“I am Admiral Griff, leader of the Black Hand. I have come before you for two reasons, actually two requests” Griff told the six member Shi’ido council.

“I am Council-Head Ylayic” The foremost Shi’ido told him. “I am ruler of this Brendar, this settlement. I am also the Esselian Shi’ido Remnant’s elected leader and representative. You have come for Haer?”

“He is one of the reasons. He was sent to continue the negotiations that Black Hand had begun. Unfortunately he has several bad memories of the Shi’ido. We thought he would have a certain insight into your species. We were gravely mistaken and I want to extend my deepest apologies.”

“Nobody was hurt. I am a very understanding person, Admiral. And I am inclined to hear you out.”

“Haer will be reprimanded for his actions and demoted. And I thank you for your understanding, Council-Head Ylayic”

Ylayic nodded and then looked past Griff to the entrance. “Ah, Mr Haer, so nice for you to join us”

Griff turned around and stared at Haer. The man was in remarkably good condition. He did not appear to be hurt. But he looked nervous that the elusive Admiral Griff himself had come to Esseles.

“Agent Haer” Griff said. “Are you alright?”

“Yes Admiral.”

Griff guestured and one of his silent Noghri bodyguards drifted from his side and helped Haer out of the room, and to the assault shuttle.

“Now” Ylayic said. “The Council will reconvene in three hours.”

And that was it. The other five elderly Shi’ido shuffled out, leaving Griff , Ylayic and Griff’s Noghri bodyguard alone”

“Olmarhk, please return to the ship and make sure Haer is settled.”

The Noghri did not reply, instead he silently left Griff’s side and disappeared.

“Now, Admiral” Ylayic told him, “Will you accompany me on my morning walk?”

“Of course” Griff replied.

Soon they had exited the Council building and were walking along a dirt pathway leading through Brendar.

“:Now Admiral. I want to hear what you have to say before you tell the other five members.”

“Very simply I want to form an alliance with your people. I have a need for agents. One Shi’ido agent is equivilent of five regular agents. Black Hand is expanding itself. I need all the allies I can get. Even now my trusted Shi’ido agent, Aeon, is negotiating with the Esselians for control of the planet. Hopefully within three days, I will have control of the planet.”

“I see how you will benefit, Admiral Griff. But you have yet to mention what we will get out of all of this” Ylayic said.

“Well, the Shi’ido will not have to hide from the Esselians. It will bring you together. As Black Hand allies on a Black Hand planet, you will get unlimited economic, and technological aid. We will also extend every effort to help you get into contact with your home planet.” Griff told him, looking around at the Shi’ido settlement. He noticed two young grey-skinned children playing some sort of wrestling game, shifting into various shapes, each trying to get the upper hand.


“I see” Ylayic said, walking past he youngsters. What if your enemies come here, what will happen to us?”

Griff frowned. “If anyone attacks you or Esseles I will make sure they get repaid in kind”

Ylayic smiled at that. “I see”

They both kept walking.




“Our list of allies grows” Griff told the hologram of Joren Logan.

“The Shi’ido?”

“Yes. After their ruling council debated over the issue of allying with us, they voted. It was unanimous.” Griff said, smiling as he turned from the holo to look out at CN-1344’s rocky, lifeless surface.

“And the Esselian Congress?”

“That was a little more difficult. It took us two more weeks of negotiation and making promises. The Congress finally agreed. It doesn’t matter, ComTech is booming. Black Hand recruitment is up. We can barely keep up with all the applications. A lot of them are Shi’ido and Noghri”

“I am so happy for you.” Logan hesitated. “How is you cloning program going?”

“Experiencing setbacks. They have yet to turn out a single good clone. Something wrong with the design of the prototype cylinder my scientists developed. They do not know how to fix the problem.” Griff said darkly.

“Perhaps I can help” Logan offered. He pressed a couple of offscreen keyes. And a minute later another transmission appeared on Griff’s holo projector on his desk.

And there, suspended in midair was a planet.

“Go there, they can fix your problems”

And then Logan’s image winked out, but Griff didn’t care. His mind was full of new, endless possibilities…