**Sterik sat in his private quarters aboard the Invincible Class Dreadnought- Razorback. It had been a while since he had been able to just relax. It is always the way, just when you think that you will get some time off something else comes up. Not that he minded of course, he had never been one to sit around and wait, rather he prefered to be on the go.**

**A short while later Sterik's comlink beeped, it was Captain Lorek Varees the Razorback's Captain.**

"Yes Captain what is it?" Sterik asked, his voice calm but with a hint of tiredness.

"Sorry to disturb you Commodore," Varees replied "but we have a priority transmission coming through."

Sterik sighed and straightened up in his seat. "Okay Captain, patch it through to me here."

*Moments later the secured transmission was ready, the coding had been decripted. The view on the screen showed the insignia of the Hapan Response Group: Democlese, Intel Division. It was quickly replaced by the face of a middle aged Hapan male dressed in an Intelligence Colonels uniform.*

"Commodore Darkel" he said "This transmission has been classified 'eye's only'."

"Understood Colonel" Sterik smiles, "please continue."

"Thank you. We have today recieved a call for assistance from a tribal group called the Gormak on the planet of Rodia. Apparently there is a second tribe there that are attacking the Gormak, this second tribe is the Chattza, who have appointed themselves as rulers of the planet. It has been decided that you will lead your task force to the planet and take any action necessary in helping the Gormak."

"Of course Colonel." Sterik nods. "Do we have any information on the resourses that we may encounter?"

"Recent reports from the area indicate that there are oly a handful of substandard Capital Class ships owned and operated by the Chattza, we do not expect there to be much oposition."

"Thank you Colonel. Please have all intelligence sent to me. I have to ready my force."

"Of course sir. It will be with you within the hour"

*Sterik reaches over and ends the transmission. He stands and walks from his quarters and onto the bridge.*

"Captain...Contact the task force commanders and have them meet me in the conference room here. I expect them all within thirty minutes. Also have Major Strine report to the conference room now. I will need to speak with him before the commanders get here."

"Yes sir, right away." The Captain replied"

"Once you have done this come down yourself." Sterik smiled.


*****************

*The conference room was not overly large, and with the long metalic table and seating through the center of it it looked smaller. Sterik stood at one end of the table talking to a large Hapan male, Major Strine, when the seven ships captains together with Captain Varees entered. Finishing his conversation with the Major, Sterik turned to the others and asked them to sit. As they did so the Major left the room.*

"Thank you for coming so quickly gentlemen." Sterik said, still standing. "We have recieved orders and we have to make ready to move quickly"

******************

*As Sterik started to outline the mission to his commanders, Major Strine made his way to his section. Sterik had ordered him to pick a small group of operatives to lead an intel mission to Rodia ahead of the task force. He knew just who he needed, the people under his command were among the best.*

*Lieutenants, Hevik and Gorel, Sergeant Arel please report to me in my ready room" he said as he entered the control room.

*Minutes later the three intel staff were in his room. Hevik an Arel were still dressed in their off duty clothes, both of them male. Gorel on the other hand was dressed in her uniform.*

"Okay people" the major said, " we are off. I cannot tell you any details at the moment but suffice to say that it is an important mission. I need all of you to report to the hanger in fiftenn minutes, dress in civilian clothing. We will be taking one of the Yt-1300s assigned to us, the 'Silver Streak'. Meet me there in fifteen minutes."

*The three intel operatives saluted smartly and walked from the room as Strine sent a short transmission to Sterik informing him that the team would be away soon. Then he made his way to his quarters and changed clothes before heading to the hanger bay."

**********************

"So gentlemen, I want all ships ready to leave orbit within twelve hours" Sterik said. "Any questions?"

"Just one sir." Replied Captain Cogachi of the Imperial Class Star Destroyer- Heir of Ratkus. "Will we be carrying troops for this mission? and if so how many?"

"Yes Captain, troops will be needed for this mission. I will inform you of the details within the next couple of hours...Now if that is all I give you leave to return to your ships. I will expect updates from you all every two hours. Good day."

*Sterik watched as the Captains left the room, he smiled to himselof as he though of their loyalty and skill. This should prove to be a vry interesting mission, very interesting indeed.*

*Major Strine sat in a chair in the lounge of the YT-1300 - Silver Streak. Opposite him sat Lieutenant Hevik and Sergeant Arel. All three of them were studying a holographic screen containing data on the mission.*

*Lieutenant Gorel entered the lounge a few minutes later, having set a series of jumps into the nav-computer. She took her seat next to Strine and confirmed that the ship was now travelling in hyperspace.*

"Ok, thats good." Strine said. "Now that we are underway I can let you in on a few detais of this mission. First off we have to make contact with this Rodian..." he touched a control panel on the screen and the face and bio of an ageing Rodian female appeared on the screen. "Her name is Yari Rapier, one of the leaders of the Gormak tribe who we are tasked with helping."

*He paused for a few moments, allowing the team to digest the information on the screen.*

"So thats who we are meeting with. Apparently, according to latest information, the Gormak have quite an impressive military structure. The problem however is that the opposing faction, the Chattza, have the upper hand. The Chattza have been attacking the Gormak on a regular basis, and with their superior weaponry and ships the Chattza are beating them hands down. Because of this the Gormak have been forced out of their lands and into hiding."

"So what kind of resistance are we expecting there sir?" Sergeant Arel asked.

"That is what we are to determine." Strine replied smiling. "We are to make contact with the Gormak, and determine what we can do to help. We will have four days before the task force arrives in system. The day before they are due to arrive we are to start causing a few distractions and send a message to the task force informing them of the extent of the forces that they are facing."

*For the next hour Strine went over the details of the misson, explaining the intricacies and importance of what the team had to do. He knew that they already understood of course, but this was his way of doing things*

*****************

*Back on board the Razorback Commodore Darkel had called a final meeting of his commanders. All the task force ship captains now had their orders and were now only four hours away from leaving for the mission. As the Captains left the conference room, Sterik transmitted a message to the Imperial Class Star Destroyer- Heir of Ratkus requesting confirmation that the landing forces had been boarded.*

"Yes sir." The reply came back from commander Kastis, "All forces have now boarded the Heir of Ratkus. We report that two thousand Droidekas have been loaded, and Aegis Class Carriers - Carmens Steed and Formidable also report five hundred per ship. The task force has also been assigned two thousand infantry, the last of those are now boarding Strike Class Cruiser- Nova and Strike Class Cruiser- Slicer."

"Excelent commander." Sterik reached over and closed the transmission. Moments later he was heading up to the bridge. "Not long now," he thought to himself as he walked onto the bridge. "Captain, inform command that we will be ready to leave the system in three and a half hours, then have all sections file reports. I do not want anything to go wrong here."

*Captain Varees salutes and turns to the communications officer, telling him to send the order to all ships tomake readiness reports. Then watches as Commodore Darkel walks from the bridge and into his ready room.*

*As the task force made ready to leave orbit Sterik decided to make a few final checks himself. Heading out of his rooms and onto the bridge he signalled for two of his security personall to join him. Next he had the Captain check to see if his prsonal shuttle was standing by ready. The captain repied that it was.*

*Sterik, together with the two guards, made their way down to the hanger where the Lambda Shuttle - Escalon was waiting. The pilot had already started the shuttles engines and as Sterik and his guards entered the doors slowly closed, within seconds of the passengers taking their seats the shuttle was heading out of the hanger bay towards the first of the task force ships.*

*The pilot guided the ship carefully from one ship to the other, allowing Sterik to check the exteriors of them all. Each ship was contacted and replied that they were ready. After 30 minutes the shuttle was heading back to the Razorback.*

*********************

*On board the 'Silver Streak' Major Strine and his covert team were going over the latest information from Rodia. They had dropped out of hyperspace to retrieve any messages and were ready to continue on. lieutenant Hevik was at the ships controls setting the next jump point. This one would take them to a system close to Rodia where they would make their insertion to the planet from.*

*It had been prearranged that the team would make this final stop en route to recieve final updates on the mission and prepare themselves and the ship for the landing on Rodia.*

*Major Strine headed towards the comm unit and opened a transmission to the Razorback.*

"Tango Foxtrot Charlie - zero zero Alpha, this is Shadow Seeker, please respond." He waited a few moments before recieving an answer.

"Shadow Seeker this is TFC, please go ahead." Replied the voice of Darkel.

"We are ready to execute the secong leg of or trip, we will be at the secondary location in one day seven hours and seventeen minutes."

"Excelent, We will see you at the final point in five days. Good luck to you."

"Thank you sir, and you."

*With that the transmission ended.*

"Ok lieutenant, punch it."

*Moments later the ship was back in hyper."

************************
************************
<font color="gold">24 hours later</font>

*On board the 'Razorback' Sterik sat in his quarters with Commander Alysa Sarel. As head of the ships fighter contingent she had the duty of reporting her squadrons readiness levels. As with the majority of the 'Razorback' crew Alysa had been with ship, and Sterik for many years. Over those years they had grown to know each other, almost to the point of being able to read the others mind.*

*So there they sat now, both of them just sitting, enjoying the peace and quiet that came with travelling in hyperspace at this hour. The duty change had come and gone over and hour ago, and a skeleton crew were now on active duty, it would be like this for another few days until they reached their destination.*

*Both Sterik and Alysa knew that a relationship was out of the question, had known this since they had first met. These days they just enjoyed each others company.*

"Commodore, night crews report coming in sir" a voice said through the comm system

"Very good Lieutenant." Sterik replied, "Patch it through here."

"Of course sir."

*Moments later the report was scrolling on the screen in front of Sterik*

"Nothing out of the usual" he said as he poured another two glasses of wine for Alysa and himself.

Nemesi unbottons the top two buttons of his stylish uniform as he enters his ready room in his Nebulon B Frigate 'Xion.'

The room was modestly furnished. A large desk central in the room with a comfortable looking chair behind it. A data terminal could be seen embedded into the desk, now rising as Nemesi entered the room.

Rounding the desk he flopped down onto the chair, throwing his feet up onto a corner of the desk. Leaning an arm over the chair he typed a passcode into the terminal and began reading over various documents. A beep sounded from the door, signalling that someone wished to enter.

Without looking up Nemesi simply said, "Enter."

Another Bothan of middle years entered and waited for recognition.

Nemesi looked up from his reading and asked somewhat sarcastically, "What can I do for you Captain?"

The man smiled a toothy grin, "We're received word from the Task Force that all is in order. The reinforcements have been loaded into the MC90a 'Calidus,' The fighters are all in tip-top shape and the crew is eager to kick some ass..." He pauses a moment the adds, "Commodore."

Nemesi nods, "Good job Captain."

He then chuckles and waves a hand, "Sit down Keln, care for a stick?" Nemesi offers a stimstick from an open pack on his desk.

The man nods then sits down. Silence reigns supreme for a moment before the man speaks again, "So... I wonder what working for the Hapes will be like?"

Nemesi smiles, "I think it will be a good experience Keln. Besides, we never had problems working with Sterik before, and the Prince seems like a good man. I don't foresee any problems. Speaking of Sterik, though, I have to send a transmission, let him know we're on our way."

Keln nods, "I'll be on the bridge."

Nemesi nods, "No smoking on the bridge."

Keln smiles and butts out the stimstick he lit only moments before then walks back onto the bridge, the door sliding shut behind him.

Turning to the terminal Nemesi punches a few keys and prepares to record his message to Commodore Darkel.

Finally he hits a key and sits back.

"Hello Commodore, long time no see. Obviously you might be slightly surprised that I'm wearing this uniform, however alot has changed since my mercenary days."

Sitting up slightly he continues, "To get the the point, I'm on my way to your location with reinforcements. I have more information regarding the mission that'll have to wait until we meet in person."

Nodding he finishes, "Commodore Nemesi, out."

Sitting back he sends a comms transmission to the bridge, "Captain, take a head count and lets get moving shall we?"

The Captain replies, "As you say, sir."

**Major Strine waited. Looking through his electobinoculars he watched, and he waited in the darkness. He had been on the planet Rodia for a little over a day now. Two days previous he and his team had recieved their final updated from the Task Force, the following day they had made their insertion into Rodia slipping through the poorly organised Chattza defence net, and had made contact with their Gormak counterparts led by Yari Rapier.**

*Rapier had bought the team back to her hide-out and filled them in on the latest movements of the Chattza. So now here they were, the team led by Strine and a handful of Rodian soldiers, watching the movements of the largest of the Chattza groups prepare for another attack.*

*Strine had decided that it would be best if the small team split into groups. Strine took his vantage point just inside the tree-line overlooking the Chattza encampment. With him were lieutenant Gorel and three of the Gormak. Lieutenant Hevik and Sergeant Arel had taken position on the oposite side, with lieutenant Hevik carrying his sniper rifle. The remainder of the group, led by Rapier had closed close to the encampment line, keeping in the cover of a large ditch that ran alongside the wire for a short way. The timing had to be right. Tonight was just a scouting mission, testing the defences of the encampment.*

*Strine continued to watch as Rapier and her team made their way through the outer perimeter. He watched as they came to the inner perimeter and made their way into the main encampment and headed around the small building to the right. He could see in the distance the movement of the guards, to far away at the moment to notice anything out of the ordinary. Scanning across the encampment Strine settled his view o the large central structure, the communications array, their main target.*

*For the next thirty minutes he watched as Rapier and her team made their way to the array, he knew that Rapier was planting some devices around the structure, but was not sure how and where this was being done.*

*He continued to watch until everyone was back at his position*

*******************
*******************
<font color="Gold">47 hours later aboard the Razorback</font>

"Hello Commodore, long time no see. Obviously you might be slightly surprised that I'm wearing this uniform, however alot has changed since my mercenary days."

Sitting up slightly he continues, "To get the the point, I'm on my way to your location with reinforcements. I have more information regarding the mission that'll have to wait until we meet in person."

Nodding he finishes, "Commodore Nemesi, out."

*Sterik smiled. It was good to see his old friend again.*

**Sterik was sitting in his ready room. The task force had just arrived at the final coordinates before their jump into the Rodian system. Flicking through the messages he had come across the one from his old friend Nemesi. It had been a long time indeed, the last time they had worked together had been almost four years previous.**

*Sterik opened a chanel and started to record a reply message*

"Good to see you again you old rogue, glad to hear you could make it." He smiled.

"We will be waiting at the coordinates when you get here. As soon as we have confirmation from the ground team we will be making our final jump." He thinks for a moment. "You say that you have more information? I will expect you aboard the Razorback as soon as you can make it."

Sterik grins. "Darkel out."

*With that Sterik shuts down the message and secures it for private transmission as soon as possible.*

********************

*Meanwhile back on Rodia Strine and his team, together with the Rodians, had started their campaign. Small strikes were being made against the Chattza military, just enough to kep their ground forces busy. It would not be long now.*

Nemesi sat down in the co-pilot's seat just as "Agile" exited hyperspace. Accessing the sensor panel he said, "Right bank 84 degrees, 10 degree incline. They're about a hundred thousand kilometers from our current position."

The young human simply nodded and turned the craft, pushing the throttle to maximum as he did.

"Not too fast now, Liuetenant. They might think we're unfriendly."

Backing the throttle down the Lieutenant smiled, "Yes sir. I thought you wanted them surprised though?"

"Yes, I said surprised, not hostile. I think Sterik will be surprised enough to see me. I timed the signal strength just right in order for us to appear just after he read the message." Laughed Nemesi as he accessed the comms.

Leaning forward towards the audio receiver he said, "This is the firespray 'Agile'. Transmitting security codes..." He transmitted the code and awaited authorization.

"Permission to dock with the 'Razorback' granted. Welcome Commodore. We'll prepare your rooms."

Nemesi chuckled, "Don't worry about my rooms, I'll be along to see Commodore Darkel as soon as I'm aboard."

As they neared the dreadnought he received the end of the conversation, "Yes sir, as you say."

Nemesi nodded then turned the comms unit off. Turning to the Lieutenant he said, "Easy lad, I want Sterik to marvel at the modifications, not laugh at paint scratches."

The Lieutenant grinned, "Yes sir."

Grinning Nemesi chided the boy, "Just because we're wearing new uniforms doesn't mean you have to call me 'sir,' Ralfen."

Still grinning the man simply said mockingly, "Yes sir."

Nemesi shook his head and strapped himself in as the ship began to tilt backwards into it's landing pattern. Moments later the freighter settled into the docking bay.

Quickly Nemesi gathered a few things and strode out of the back of the ship, only to be greeted by another Hapan uniformed Lieutenant...

----------

Starry streaks flew past a viewport aboard the Nebulon B Frigate 'Xion,' the reflection a never ceasing pattern. Through the viewport the middle-aged bothan face of Keln Nemsien D'yla looked out into the depths of space. His stargazing came to an end as his comms unit beeped loudly.

"This is Keln." He said simply into the unit.

"Sir, evening reports are in. We're showing green across all sections. Astrogation confirms our ETA as being in three days, seven hours." Came a voice from the comms."

"Good work. Let me know if anything changes. Keln out." He replied, tossing the comms unit on his desk after he was finished.

He took a moment to look around the room.

The room was a decent size, considering the overall size of the ship. The Captain's Quarters sat in the head of the ship, along the right side, looking out into the vastness of space. Simple furnishings lined the room, some with bothan designs etched into the endoran wood. A large bookshelf stood near the door into the living chalmber brimming with old volumes, most in near mint condition. A wide bed sat in the back of the room to Keln's right, flanked on either side with night stands. A desk sat at the front of the room to Keln's left beside the bookshelf, a few datapads and his discarded comms unit making a clutter atop the data terminal which was embedded in the desk's surface, ready to pop up at the slightest verbal command. Several frames of digital canvas added a style to the room, all showing pictures of scenery on his home planet of Bothawui. The outer wall, now behind his back was lined with viewports, providing a splendid view into space.

Keln made his way over to the desk and sat in the plush chair in front of it. Sliding his legs under the desk he activated the data terminal and began sifting through old records that he kept on a data card.

He opened a digital photo album and began sifting through family photos. Pictures of his X wife, their child who he saw seldomly. He came upon a photo taken seventeen years before of his immediate family. Four generations of Nemsiens looked back at him. His mother and father, his two sisters and brother. Their families, their children, and their children's children. His eyes settled on a his nephew, Nemesi, and his wife Dahlia.

Smiling, he pulled the terminal forward, folding it back into the desk.

"Nephew, what have you gotten me into this time..." He said as he made about getting ready for rest.

----------

Nemesi thought of his uncle as he exchanged pleasant greetings with the Razorback's Captain. He then walked the short distance to the Commodore's ready room and pressed the entry request panel and awaited an answer.

*Sterik stood beside the communications officer on the bridge of the Razorback. His old friend had just arrived in system to the surprise of many of the deck officers.*

"Typical Nem," Sterik thought to himself, "Always trying to do what people least expect. Glad he hasn't changed any."

"Have the Commodore meet me in my ready room Captain." He said as he turned to face Captain Varees.

"Authorization granted. Commodore Nemesi has been asked to see Commodore Darkel as soon as he is settled if he doesn't mind." The communication officer was saying as Sterik headed for his ready room.

*******************

*Down on Rodia, Major Strine and his team, together with the Gormak Rodian squad had started their diversionary missions. Strine and his team had headed back to the main Chattza encampment where Rapier, the Gormak contact, and her squad had planted the explosives a couple of days previous. Two of the Gormak Rodians had stayed in the vicinity since then to ensure that the explosives had not been discovered.*

*As Strine watched the encampment he noticed that the activity levels had picked up, possibly due to attack another Gormak base. He checked his chrono, 15 minutes to go.*

*******************

*Captain Cogachi of the Imperial Class Star Destroyer- Heir of Ratkus, stood behind his desk in his private chamber. He had not been awake long but he was as alert as ever. In his hand was a datapad, and scrolling across the screen was the latest information regarding the operation on Rodia. He finished reading and headed to the bridge.*

*Once he reached the bridge he checked for any incoming transmissions from the task force.*

"We have a report that a Firespray carrying Commodore Nemesi has arrived sir", a lieutenant replied. "Other than that everything is normal. The 'spray has docked with the 'Razorback'."

"Okay, well done lieutenant. Have Flight Sergeant Kin prepare my shuttle."

*He strode from the bridge without waiting for a reply.*

***********************

*Sterik walked to the cold cabinet in his ready room. It had been a long day but he was looking forward to seeing his old friend. He could just imagine how the crew would react to Nems ways. He had this certain way of joking that few understood. It would indeed be fun working with him again. Sterik grinned at the thought.*

*Sterik opened the cold cabinet and took out a bottle of blue water and some ice, filling two glasses he placed them on his desk, keeping the bottle and bucket of ice to one side. Once he had done this he took out a packet of stimsticks and lit one, inhaling deeply.*

*He took his seat, and a sip of his ice water and watched on the monitor in front of him, waiting for Nem to appear. It did not take long. Two minutes later the door opened.*

"You old rogue," Sterik smiled. "Welcome back to the action."

Smiling as he entered Commodore Darkel's ready room he was greeted with, "You old rogue," Sterik smiled. "Welcome back to the action."

Smile dominating his bothan face Nemesi approached his old friend with a handshake and a manly hug, "It’s good to be back in it my friend. Damn it’s good to see you again Ster. How've you been? Sorry for not contacting you too much lately, but after Dahlia passed on I lost sight of things for awhile, then I was so busy I had no time to talk..."

His eyes haze over a moment before he continues, "Whats it been, four years since we took that job hunting down that band of pirates? And years before that, before little Nemesi was born. He's quite grown now. Fifteen years pass quickly...."

-------------------

Nemesi sat at the desk in his quarters aboard his newly acquired Marauder, 'Halcyon,' typing out a transmission bound for Bothawui.

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Dear Dahlia, I miss you. It’s been months since I've been home, and for that I'm sorry. Business has been good. I've just acquired my first real Capital ship worth note. It’s a Marauder Corvette, and it’s in top shape. We've retrofitted a lot of the systems with more up to date ones. I planned on selling it for a massive profit, but the damn thing has kinda grown on me. Keln doesn't much like it. Thinks I need a bigger ship. A BIGGER SHIP he says. I couldn't believe it when he said it, but he kept going on about other ships like the Nebulon B. I told him that if I got one he could Captain it, but for now he has to deal with this. It’s a nice ship, if a bit cramped at times. I've got more men than I know what to do with.<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

He sat back in his chair long enough to light a stimstick before continuing...

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> I recently merged a smaller Corellian team with ours. We've been working almost non-stop, although I can't go into details of our employer or the job itself, but needless to say it has been very profitable. We've went a long way since flying around in Sterik's old Firespray. I've got twelve ships in the fleet right now, this one is the only cap though, although a couple of the freighters are pretty hefty, and pack quite the punch. Recently we took out a nice little freighter with our ion cannons, and then refitted the insides. Works like new. I'll bring it back to Bothawui when I come back, you'll like it. Its one of those Nubian types that the rich folk travel around in, although I think this one was likely stolen, cause it was just a bunch of thugs aboard. Could be some of the Hutts' men I suppose, but I doubt it.<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

Nemesi sat back again, puffing one his stimstick with a small smile on his face. The smile slowly melted as the alert sounded across the ship. Putting on his jacket he left his quarters to see what was amiss...

"What is it Keln?" asked Nemesi as he walked onto the bridge, "Imperials?"

Keln looked from an instrumentation panel, his hair a salt and pepper brown, "No, pirates by the look. They have some sense at least, look."

Keln pointed out the viewport to a Nebulon B frigate that was headed in their direction, escorted by a variety of freighters and fighters, adding “Told you we shoulda got one of those things.”

A rodian at the comms station spoke to the two bothans as they looked at the oncoming ship, "They're hailing us guys."

Nemesi nodded without taking his eyes from the ship, "Patch them through."

The rodian nodded and activated the communications terminal.

As Nemesi turned from his gazing and approached the terminal a voice could be heard through it, "Surrender your Corvette now and we'll let you flee. We just want the Marauder."

Nemesi looked into the terminal, seeing a young human staring back at him, "Do you know what you're doing child?" asked Nemesi in an arrogant voice.

"Taking your ship, surrender or accept your doo--"

"You think I'm gonna hand over my ship?" Nemesi asked, and then began laughing loudly.

"You do! You actually thought I'd hand it over?" He continues laughing, then turns to the others in the bridge, "He actually thinks we're gonna roll over for him!"

The bridge crew begins laughing with Nemesi, drowning out the human being displayed on the comms terminal, his face growing angrier by the moment.

Suddenly Nemesi's expression turns serious, "Arm laser banks, load the proton torpedo launchers, launch the fighters. Aim for their shield generators and weapon pods. I want that ship intact dammit!"

Turning back to the comms terminal Nemesi leans in and begins speaking in a very low and dark tone, "You want a fight? Oh yea, we'll give it to you. This is YOUR chance to surrender. Take it or leave it, either way I get what I want."

The human snarls as he says, "You are making a huge mistake. You will die today."

Nemesi shook his head slightly and turned off the comms panel.

"Get my spray ready! I'm going out....."

.....

Several hours later Nemesi returned to his quarters to continue his message.

<!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> New development dear, I just got that Neb B frigate Keln wanted. Cost me dearly, but it’s ours. Thirty of my men died today, but we saved our butt and got profit... We're going to come home for repairs and vacation. See you in a few days. I love you...<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->

______

Four days later Nemesi landed at his ranch on Bothawui. As he stepped onto his native soil he smiled, breathing in deeply as he made his way towards the house a hundred meters away.

As Nemesi neared the house an older bothan stepped out the front door onto the deck and waited.

Nemesi grinned as he strode up the steps, "Father, I wasn't expecting to see you here."

The silvered bothan smiled back at his son, his eyes slightly moist.

Nemesi chuckled as he topped the final step, "Don't get all teary-eyed pops, it’s not your style."

"Son... I'm happy to see you, but it’s not that..." The old bothan placed a hand on his son’s shoulder, “Its Dahlia, son. She isn’t well…” A tear falls from the old man’s eye, “She had the baby, but there were complications. Your sister is at the hospital with the baby, but we brought Dahlia home…”

All expression drained from Nemesi’s face as he left his father, walking into the house.

He walked through the house blind, making his way back to the master bedroom where he pushed open the doors to find his mother, holding the hand of his bed-ridden wife.

His mother stood from the stool she was sitting on beside the bed, placing the younger woman’s hand on the bed, “I’ll leave you be son. Just call if you need anything.”

Nemesi’s mother left the room only after placing a soft kiss on his forehead.

Nemesi, face still devoid of emotion sat on the stool and took up his wife’s hand.

“Dahlia…” He said softly, stroking her face with his other hand, “Dahlia, its me… Its Nem.” He reassured her in a soft voice, his face now filling with sadness.

Dahlia stirred slightly under the blankets, her large eyes blinking open, struggling to focus. Slowly she turned her head to look upon her husband.

Her dry voice slowly picked up strength as she spoke, “Nem? Why do you look so sad? Is there something wrong with the baby?”

Nemesi’s breath caught slightly as a tear streaked from his eye, “No dear, no, Anliyana is taking care of the baby…” He finished with a sob, liquid streaming from his eyes in a constant flow. “My love, what has happened?”

Dahlia’s eyes blinked as if she was remembering some crucial information, “Oh… oh…”

Nemesi ducked his head, wiping his eyes on his shoulders without use of his hands.

“What happened?” He asked as he brought his head back up.

Dahlia started as if coming out of a trance, “Problems during child birth the doctor said. He said something about some obscure virus that entered my system during the pregnancy.” She didn’t look sad as she spoke, only reciting what she had heard, “The baby is fine though, the doctor said that my immune system protected the baby, but it got to me all the worse, cause my system was protecting the womb…” She smiled, shifting her hand to take her husband’s, “I’m dying Nem… but the baby is alright.”

Nemesi gasped a sob as he nodded and smiled at his wife, “I don’t want you to die. You can’t die… What will I do?”

She turned her head towards him, “Live on. Take care of the baby. I haven’t named him yet. I wanted you to be here. I tried to contact you when I went into labour, but you were still in hyperspace. You should get a better communication system.”

Nemesi smiled, chuckling softly he said, “I’ll do that.”

A silence fell over the two until Dahlia said, “I want you to stop being a mercenary.”

Nemesi’s eyes cleared as he looked at his wife in surprise, “Why would I do that?”

Dahlia’s other hand slowly raised and tapped Nemesi’s hand, “The baby, stupid.”

Nemesi smiled, “Right. I will, I promise.”

Dahlia smiled, “Good… I’m tired. Let me rest for a bit Nem. I can’t sleep with you hovering over me like that.”

Nemesi chuckled, “Yes dear, if you need anything… Let me know…”

She smiled and nodded, “I will. Now go. Go see the baby. I was thinking of naming him after you. Nemesi Jr.”

Nemesi chuckled, “Nemesi Jr? That sounds like something a human would do.”

She mocked an upset expression, “You don’t like it?”

Nemesi chuckled louder, “Its fine, whatever you want dear.”

She smiled, “Go tell the hospital then. I’ll be here when you get back.”

Another tear fell from Nemesi’s eye as he asked, “Promise?”

She simply nodded, then shooed him out with weak hands.

Nemesi pulled the double doors closed behind him, then turned to his parents, “How long?”

His father simply said, “A couple weeks the doctor said. A month at the most.”

Nemesi nodded, “I’m going to see my son. Nemesi Jr, Dahlia says.”

Nemesi’s father nodded and his mother smiled saying, “I like it. He looks like you when you were a baby.”

Nemesi smiled, nodded, and then made his way out the door. Taking his speeder from the garage he made his way to the hospital…

_____

Three weeks later Dahlia Nemsien D’lya died.

-------------------

Nemesi snapped out of his reverie to add, “I brought your old firespray, as you likely already know. Made a few modifications to it. I should really say <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> my<!--EZCODE ITALIC END--> old firespray, since you did give it to me.” Nemesi chuckled as he finished, then waited for his old friend to reply.

"I understand your grief old friend" Sterik replied. "But it is good to know that your son is well. It has been too long that I have been away, much too long. Perhaps after this is over I will set that right."

**A few hours later Sterik stood on the bridge of the Razorback.**

**The time was now. Sterik gave the order for the final jump to Rodia. Thirty miutes earlier he had recieved a coded transmission from Major Strine informing the task force that the diversionary attacks on the planet had started. Together with this information came details of the fleet that they would face once they jumped into the system. Not that it could really be called a fleet. Sterik looked over the list again smiling gently to himself. He could imagine the look that would be on Nemesi's face, he would probably be laughing at the numbers. 2 Nebulon B's, 2 Carrack Cruisers, a handful of medium sized transport ships and aboutr twice as many small freighters. Judging by the look of things the majority of their fleet was made up of fighters of varying types, mainly uglies.**

***********************

**Strine took a final look at the masses of Rodian troops around him. They were all ready, armed to the teeth and anxious to get into action. Their target was the planets defence network held by the opposing faction, the Chattza.**

**As Strine finished speaking with the leaders of the band the small army split off into several smaller groups, each heading to their designated areas ready for the assault.**

*************************

**The task forces arrived in the system at exactly the same time, Steriks force arriving in full view of the Chattza fleet. As they had agreed Nemesi's force arrived at the dark side of the planet, hidden from view of the Chattza fleet and any of the warning defences.**

**As Sterik's force dropped out of hyper in a wide arc a signal was sent from the Razorback to the Chattza fleet asking for their unconditional surrender. The reply was just as Sterik expected. A flat NO!**

**Moments later the space between the task force and the Chattza fleet was ablaze with streaks of lazer light, a multitude of deadly colours assaulting the blackness, the planet of Rodia a backdrop to this colourful rain of destruction. The Heir of Ratkus started its movement moments into the initial barrage, its many weapons opening up on the closest of the enemy ships, a Neb B. After perhaps three minutes the Aegis Class Carriers - Carmens Steed and Formidable took up flanking positions on the Razorback as Sterik gave the order to engage the rest of the Chattza fleet. He knew that there wre meant to be more capital class ships opperated by the Chattza, but for some reason they were not in the area. Extensive scans of the system had revealed nothing of these missing ships, leaving a sense of danger in the pit of Steriks stomach.**

**As then Razorback and her escorts headed for the second of the Nebulons the Chattza released their fighter, swarms of them came through the atmosphere of the planet. That was all the signal that the task force needed. Squadron after squadron after squadron came from the task force capital ships to meet this new part of the enemy fleet. Hundreds of ships joined the battle now, and it was easy to see who had the upper hand. As the second of the Neb B's exploded due to the increadible firepower of the Razorback and her escort, Sterik send the transmission he had been waiting to send, the one that would bring his old friend into the action.**

"Okay Nem, you can begin your assault now!"

********************

**Down on the planet the attack began within seconds of the start of the space battle above. Five teams coordinated their assaults on the planetary defence grid. From the north came Strine and his team, as the other four groups attacked the perimeter making their way to the central area where the main structure stood, Strine led his team straight through to the northern trench that surrouned the main part of the northern perimeter. Here they would wait until they recieved word that the perimeter had been breached and the main complex taken.**

************************

**It was another twenty minutes when the transmision came through to Sterik. The planetary defences had been taken off line.**

"Okay, both task forces...We have confirmation that the defence grid is now under friendly control. As soon as this mess up here is cleared up we can start landing our troops."

*He closed the open comm and reopened one to Commodore Nemesi.*

"Good luck Nem."

Nemesi nods as he responds to Sterik, "You too my friend."

Calmly he sits back in his chair and takes another haul from his stimstick.

He quietly mutters to himself as he exhales, "Here we go again..."

Nemesi takes another quick puff and butts the stimstick, his actions still very calm and deliberate, as if not phased by the importance of the battle ahead.

Standing, he straightens his uniform, then with one last look at the data on his terminal, he heads out onto the bridge.

Captain Keln Nemsien D'yla nods to Nemesi as he exits his Ready Room and announces, "Commodore on the bridge."

Nemesi smiles as he stops beside the Captain, "Thank you Keln."

Turning to the tactical officer Nemesi issues an order, "Open a channel to the Task Force please."

The man nods, "Channel open sir."

Nodding, Nemesi steps forward to the holoprojector, the faces of several other officers staring back at him, "Greetings gentlemen, we are faced with an important task today. I've been notified that the planetary defenses are down. That leaves us a wide boulevard in which to start our assault."

He takes a breath and continues, "Task Force at full alert. Scramble fighter squadrons, half with the landing force, the other half will follow the battle group in for a Hammer maneuver. We'll crush them swiftly, then support our forces that will be landing as we fight here."

His face takes on an intense look as he finishes, "Men, tonight we eat on Rodia. Make it happen."

A chorus of Yes sirs and Yes Commodores meets him as each of the men salutes, and the transmission ends.

Turning back to the Captain, Nemesi says, "You know what to do from here. Take us in."

Nemesi sat down in the command chair as the ship emerges from the dark side of the planet, the heated space battle already in progress becoming larger in the main viewscreen as they neared.

Sitting next to Nemesi, Keln punches a few keys into the inset control panel in the arm of the chair.

Shortly after swarms of fighters and a few small freighters pulled ahead of the slower capital ships as commanded, joining into the battle.

----------------------

Lieutenant Schlem sighed as the fiery glow left his landing craft as they breached the atmosphere of the planet. A hundred men stood in the compartment behind him, waiting for their chance at glory in the name of the Hapes Consortium.

"Bogeys on vector Zero-Four. Landing Craft watch those uglies."

Lieutenant Schlem sighed, checking his scopes, spotting the squads of fighters.

"Sir, they're coming this way, should we veer?"

Schlem shook his head, "No, we have our orders. We don't want to miss the LZ."

Turning his head he shouted through the open door, "Hold on back there, we might take some hits."

Several Miy'Til fighters streaked by the landing craft to intercept the incoming attackers.

The co-pilot smiles, "That aughta do them."

Schlem nodded as well, knowing the competence of the pilots of the Hapan Miy'Tils.

Suddenly a bright flash erupted in the midst of the formation of Miy'Tils. Schlem rubbed his eyes against the brightness of the flash and looked for the Miy'Tils.

"Sir! They're gone!"

Shlem cursed, his co-pilot correct. Fragments of ships careened towards the surface of the planet, the group of enemy fighters still incoming, if a few members smaller.

Schlem turned to his co-pilot, "Hold on Jon, this isn't going to be pretty."

Activating the comms Schlem spoke with a hint of fright in his voice, "This is Lieutenant Schlem, Landing Group A-E-2 under attack. Our escort has been destroyed-" The ship shuddered as the assemblage of fighters loosed on the ship. "-We're taking fire..."

Beads of sweat began to form on the man's brow as the group of uglies wheeled for another pass.

"Request permission to take evasive actio---"

---------

Nemesi listened to the transmission as it came through...

"This is Lieu----- Schle--, La---ng Grou- A---2 under atta-- - --- escort has be-- -estroyed- -----------------"

Frowning Nemesi turned to his tactical officer, "See if you can clear that up please. Make it quick."

The tactical officer nodded, a look of concern mixed with concentration dominating his face.

"Request permission to take evasive actio---"

The transmission became static as it cut out abruptly.

Nemesi frowned again, "Whats happened to our communications Sergeant?"

The Sergeant shook his head, "I cleared it up sir. They're not there anymore."

Sighing Nemesi turned forward again, accessing the comms, "Fighter Group D2, break off as soon as you can and assist the landing craft."

Punching a few buttons he sent another message, "Attention IPVs, Launch immediately. Theres some uglies smiling at our landing craft. Deal with it."

A quick response came, "Yes sir, we'll mop them up."

Nodding, Nemesi sat back and watched the show as Keln continued commanding the ship in battle.

***************************

A mere fourty minutes later the space battle was finished, and resistance on the planet was reduced from an army, to groups hiding in whatever shelter they could find, the thousands of Hapan troops making short work of the resisting clans' ground forces.

***************************

Night had fallen on the area controlled by the Gormak clan. Nemesi stood on a balcony high above the other buildings of the city, smoking a stimstick and sipping on what the locals liked to call a refreshing drink.

Keln emerged from the lavish room behind onto the balcony, himself with a drink in hand as well.

The sounds of their comms units still reporting the continuing battle to purge the planet of resistance made a slight chatter as Nemesi spoke, "What do you think my father would think about what we did today?"

Keln whistled softly, "Hard to say... I imagine he would have a number of things to say. One being that we should have taken this planet through diplomacy... All in all..."

He paused a moment taking a sip of his drink and grimacing, his voice slightly raspy as he continued, "All in all I think my brother would be somewhat displeased..."

Nemesi nods, looking out over the city, saying nothing more.

Keln smiled at his nephew, then leaned forward on the railing surrounding the balcony, matching his nephew's posture.

After a moment the older bothan asked, "When is Sterik arriving?"

Still looking over the city Nemesi responded, "Soon I believe. Soon."

Keln nodded, and together they looked over the city, admiring the planet they had just helped conquer.