Traest Fey’Lya stood quietly on the bridge of his new command ship, the Bothan Assault Cruiser Ambition. He watched quietly as hyperspace moved before him as his ship, along with four more, made its way to a smaller Bothan colony just outside of the Combined Clans main territories. They needed to unite all of the worlds that Bothans ruled to ensure that they were a united front against interlopers as well as the massive factions currently around. Traest wanted as much as Amaer to make his people a power, but it would take time and resources, which is, of course, why he was here.

The planet Corinth was a basic sized world with a small population, when compared to Bothuwai or Kothlis. Several rogue Bothan clans that had been exiled from their world had originally settled it, which meant that the planet wasn’t too friendly towards its fellow Bothans. In fact, many terrorist actions on the two main Bothan worlds could be traced to here, if it was looked into well enough and the Corinth Bothans had botched their cover ups badly enough. This world was to most Bothans, a hive of scum and villainy. Traest, thought, saw it as an opportunity to recruit better ship commanders since it was known that the Corinth Bothans had developed into a more militaristic society without complicated politics or as much backstabbing as normal Bothan society. This militarism was in fact the reason these clans had been banished. They had attempted to create militias and make themselves into warlord clans with plans to conquer all of the Bothan people. Traest knew of this, but wanted them in the Combined Clans because of their military skills. They had much more experience with combat and Traest planned on turning the world into a giant military academy so that any Bothan within the Combined Clans could go here and learn the true art of war, and not the messed up version given to normal Bothan officers from the basic military colleges.

“What is our ETA, Captain?”

“We will arrive in Corinth’s space territory in one hour, sir.”

Traest's silver fur waved slightly in a mix contentment and deep thought. Traest wanted to get this done, but he expected the Corinth Bothans to not want to join the Combined Clans. He was sure they would fight him tooth and claw to make sure they never became part of the new government that now ruled Bothuwai. Traest though was as determined as they were to bring them into that government and unite one of the last Bothan colonies with the rest of their species. Only time would tell after Traest’s arrival whether or not he would be able to bring them into the Combined Clans. If so, it would greatly bolster the military forces they were building with excellent commanders and officers to run the build up of military forces, which was imperative if they were to defend themselves against the other galactic powers.

Traest looked out into hyperspace as he thought of what may come of what the Bothans were doing. Would they go down in history at all, or would they be swept aside like dust in a sand storm and their memory forgotten as quickly as it had appeared. Traest scared himself when he thought like that, but someone in the Combined Clans had to be a realist, especially if they were in charge of all of the military forces that were being built. Traest didn’t want to see his people discarded like garbage after all of their hard work to become a power in the galaxy. Unfortunately, time and fate would be the judges of whether or not the Bothans would survive and thrive, not Traest.

Bria sat, hunched over her desk, in the middle of the night, face covered in sweat, and fingers sore. Her PCT was in front of her on her desk.

She was an anylist for the ever elusive Black Hand a branch of the Outer-Rim Sovereignty, and she used to go by the name 'Hacker' as a digital alias. SHe had been offered a position in the secret intelligence network by none other than Marth Meer, the Vice-President of the Outer-Rim Sovereignty. She had accepted and was given several important assignments.

Now she was working on one such assignment. The Black Hand had been keeping a close eye on the newly unified Clans of Bothuwui. And her current task was to anticipate the movements of the Bothan government so it would be easier to infiltrate the government.




Kothlis was one interesting possibility. A former Bothan colony world that the Bothan Goverment may want to reestablish contact with. However, recent reports already showed that they were doing that. So any preemptive infiltration there would be inadequete.



Ryloth was the homeworld the Twi'lek species, in close proximity to Bothuwui. It was possible that the Bothans would want to assert their control over Ryloth to expand their territories, however they were also finishing such an act, and it would be difficult to insert any agents there.



A militaristic ex-colony world. It would be possible that the Bothans would want to go there and establish a base there, also to gain new territory and perhaps gain new recruits. Corinth, in the ORS Information Database, was a site of great military importance, the world was divided into warring factions, and as such, it was a site of many skilled warriors and commanders.

It was the most probable location.




Jones glanced at the report, then back up at Bria.

"Corinth?" He asked.

"Yes sir. It appears that the Bothan government, newly unified I might add, are making a move there. We have tried repeatedly to insert operatives, but have failed repeatedly." She said.

"All were planned, preemptive insertions?"

"Yes"

"Interesting. Very well I will assemble the necessary resources. Good work."

"Thank you, sir."




A planet at war. An interesting thing to see.

Corinth was comprised of more countries, factions, terrorist states, and city-states than any other planet in the galaxy, or so the Shi'ido thought.

His name was Trenda Vorik, one of Black Hand's best spies. Due to his Shi'ido physiology, he was able to change his shape to match any species in the galaxy, and that made his a perfect spy. He had joined the Black Hand after the Sovereignty came to Esseles, and made an alliance with the Shi'ido people.

Now, he stood, along with his two other Black Hand agents, near the gates to one of Corinth's many cities.

It was time to stir up some bad blood...

Traest stood quietly on the bridge as the Ambition exited hyperspace quickly and quietly. They had just entered Corinth space, but the thing was that he wasn’t sure which faction currently controlled this stretch of space. For all he knew it could be some isolationist group that mined it. Traest felt his natural paranoia kicking in at that thought as he turned towards the main scanner section.

“Perform scans immediately, I want to make sure this area isn’t mined.”

The Bothan officer nodded as he began to have the ship’s scanners search the area. The other four assault cruisers joined in the scanning to ensure the safety of the fleet’s current position before they even attempted to move into the territory any further. Eventually the scans came back negative, which pleased Traest for now. He had to be sure he had a way to escape this system if it should suddenly spring up united against his presence. The one rule of tactics Traest knew well was to always have a backup plan if the original should fail. Though so far, this would be a new experience for Traest since the Corinth Bothans were so much more different than their cousins on Bothuwai or Kothlis. Traest planned on doing what he could to make the factional world a united government, even if he had to prod the entire planet into one giant civil war to get what he wanted. Traest knew many would die from the conflict, but he would be able to ensure the side that pledged their allegiance to him would be victorious by reintroducing some of the old Bothan culture back to the Corinth Bothans.

“All ships, advance in delta formation and continue scanning as we approach Corinth,” Traest sawed as looked out into space at the distant Corinth.

Traest then felt the Ambition’s engines hum to life as it and the rest of the fleet began to move and scan as they went. Traest hoped his fleet wouldn’t encounter any problems on their approach, but he was sure leaving might be a problem if he failed in making the planet part of the Combined Clans. Traest, however, refused to fail now after he had come so far and been able to achieve one of the most powerful ranks in the new Bothan society. He would succeed, even if he had to resort to the old ways of the Fey’lya family. No bunch of separatist Bothans would get in his way of uniting his people under one cause. It would be a nice change though to see all of his people working together for once under one banner and not constantly trying to get more power for themselves.

“Are we being hailed,” Traest asked curiously as he turned to one of his com officers.

“No sir, no one has attempted to contact us, though they are aware of our presence. I have picked up indications of a large number of starfighters of different builds launching from multiple locations and going into defensive flight positions. They are probably each from different factions since they launched from different locations.”

“Well, they know we are here, now we need to figure out how to infiltrate them. I want a complete scan of all planetary transmissions so that we can assess who the major factions are on this world so that we can choose this planet’s new rulers,” Traest said, his fur now rippling with excitement as he started to plot the rise of a united Corinth and a new member of the Combined Clans.

Vorik glanced up from a marketplace on Corinth, as a full squadron of Bothan fighters flew overhead. They had a triangular shape, and were armed with what appeared to be blasters and torpedoes.

"So it has begun." Alden said in a low voice from Vorik's right.

"The Bothan ships have arrived." Fiera said, from Vorik's left.

"Yes. But it was anticipated." Vorik replied, approaching a java fruit vendor.

"Hello fine sirs, and ladies!" The Bothan vendor said cheerily.

"I need some information." Vorik told the vendor.

"Well," The vendor said smiling happily, "Gotta buy one."

Vorik relented and purchased a medium-sized java fruit.

"What do you want to know?" The vendor asked in low tones.

"Who is the resident power in this area?" Vorik asked.

"That would be the A'trei Clan. Those ships that just flew overhead, those was theirs." The vendor said.

"And do they have a command compound or base anywhere near here?"

"Why! This java fruit looks delicious, wouldn't you say?"

Vorik bought another java fruit.

"Yeah. They have a base, three or four kilometers north of here. They control this entire area, including this city and four others like it."

"And their leader?"

"Buy one."

Vorik sighed. On Sh'shuun, such bartering would have been offensive. But nevertheless, Voric bought another.

"He calls himself 'The Hidden Leader'. Also goes by Earch Kro'mer, but that is one of his many aliases."

Vorik nodded to the vendor and left, rejoining his two fellow agents.

"So, what do you know?" Alden asked.

"The nearest faction here is the A'trei Clan. Lead by 'Earch Kro'mer'."

"Very well." Alden said.

"We must get back." Fiera said, her fur rippling slightly in her Bothan form.

"Agreed." The other two said, their fur rippling as well.

They made their way through the streets, untill they came to their hideing place, a small cheap, apartment building. They ascended the stairs and entered their room.

All three instantly reverted back to their tall, grey natural Shi'ido form.

"I hate being a Bothan." Fiera said with a sigh.

"You can say that again." Alden said.

"But yet we must continue, despite the physical discomfort." Vorik interjected.

"What is the plan?" Alden asked.

"We have to infiltrate this A'trei Clan's Home Base, create mayhem and so forth. But before we can do that, we have to find out who the A'trei Clan's rivals are."

"Leave that to me." Fiera said.

"And we must procure weapons and supplies."

"I'll do that." Alden said.

"And I will find out who this 'Earch Kro'mer' is, as we can use such information."

They all nodded, and went about their missions.

Traest stood quietly on the bridge as he looked over the reports of who the major factions were who controlled most of the territory on the planet. There were about a dozen of them and they had one of most complicated arrays of military treaties and non-aggression pacts Traest had ever seen. They would help only in certain situaitons and only stop attacking if other situations picked up. He couldn't believe how complex this society was in their militaristic ways. But he continued to analyze the situation. If he could find a way to set them at one anothers throats, he could have them eliminate one another while he supported one of them, the Combined Clans absorbtion of this world could be guranteed.

"Lieutenant Hushar, analyze the political situation and inform me which factions would have to attack which to gurantee triggering a massive planetary civil war. I want to see if we can start the beginnings of pulling this world into the Combined Clans."

"Of course, sir. I'll begin looking over them immediately also to see which ones will suit our purposes the best so that we can decide which one to make our allegiance with once the hostilities begin. That way we will have a much more agreeable ruling faction to deal with once this is all over."

"Excellent," Traest said as he turned and looked down at Corinth with greedy eyes. He wanted this world and he would do whatever it took to take it.

Vorik tilted his head slightly, hefting the sniper rifle as he looked through the scope.

"Vorik, hurry. Our window of oppertunity drawns to a close."

Vorik nodded, finally spotting the target through the scope.

"Alden, keep an eye on Kro'mer and drop him at any sign of trouble."

Alden nodded and accepted the rifle. Vorik turned to Fiera.

"Keep a comlink open, get ready to act if necessary."

"You got it."

Vorik jumped down from the small cliff they were sitting on and headed down towards the A'trei Clan's compound.





A Bothan again.

Vorik endured the uncomfortable feeling of fur as he snuck past the perimeter guards and over the wall that surrounded the compound. He quietly approached what appeared to be the main computer building. He entered the building carefully, and to the area where most of the terminals were located.

"Fiera." He said.

"I'm here."

"I'm in and I need those codes."

"One moment."

He crouched beside a bunch of storage bins next to the console as two Bothan guards walked by.

"I have them."

He listened intently as she named off some numbers, and he put them in. He watched as it gave him access to the compound defense grid.

"Okay, just find a way to disable the compound's shields from there and then go find Kro'mer."

Vorik nodded and accessed the shield matrix, and entered a command to shut them down. After a few moments, the computer acknowledged and he crept away from the terminal and out of the compter building. He saw Kro'mer across the large courtyard near the entrance of the compound, conversing with an aide.

"Okay, on my signal, ignite the explosives." He said in the comlink as he approached Kro'mer.

The Bothan turned as he approached. Vorik withdrew his blaster, aimed, and fired at the Bothan without a word.

The aide shoved Kro'mer to the side, so the blaster bolt hit him in the shoulder.

"You will never defeat the Circle!" Vorik yelled.

That was the signal. As he darted for the gate, a series of timed explosions went off around the compound. Vorik changed his shape into a crystal snake, and slithered underneath the gate and then away from the compound. Once he was far enough away, he reverted to his Shi'ido shape and then joined the other Project Scorpion agents.

"What is the Circle?" Alden asked as they packed their equipment up.

"It is a Bothan radical group here, sworn enemies of the A'trei Clan." Fiera replied.

"Lets get off this planet. We have succeeded in stiring up trouble."

They packed their stuff up and quietly made their way away from the destruction and confusion they had caused.

Traest stood on the bridge quietly as he listened to a continual relay of reports as he listened to the chaos that was now occurring. He couldn't believe what was happening, but a massive planetary civil war had erupted out of nowhere within just a few days of his arrival. It was the absolutely perfect situation he had been planning on fabricating personally, but it seems that Corinth's political web had done that for him. No one could understand why the bombing of the A'trei Clan had occurred, especially since the group responsible had signed a temporary treaty with them. It was now apparent though that it mattered little since the entire planet had degenerated into a massive war zone with the major factions attacking one another.

"So, Lieutenant Hushar, which faction do you think we should offer our aid to?" Traest asked as his fur waved in curiosity.

Hushar listened to the reports coming in for a few more moments before he even turns towards the admiral. He seemed to be thinking very deeply about who he would suggest, since it would influence on how well the government Traest helped put in place would cooperate with the Combined Clans.

"I believe the group called the Corinthian League would be our best bet, sir. They would be willing to happily throw their support behind us and keep it there if we can keep them in power. If we can put them in power, they will follow us to wherever we go. They are extremely loyal to any allies they make.”

“Excellent, make preparations to speak with them immediately,” Traest said quietly as he looked down at the world and then listened to more reports as the combat continued to rage down on the planet.

Two Hours Later

Traest stood silently on the bridge as a holographic image appeared before him of a bothan dressed in a very militaristic type suit. This Corinthian League was quite apparently a very military oriented organization which would suit Traest just fine for his own plans. The figure looked at Traest for a moment before he spoke.

“I take it you are Admiral Fey’lya of the Combined Clans?”

“Of course, and I assume you are Secretary General Grev Kle’Alh?”

“Yes, I am. So, admiral, what is it that you wish to speak with me about? From what your officer told me earlier, you are considering offering your support to us if we swear our loyalty to the Combined Clans.”

“That is precisely my offer. What do you think of it?” Traest asked as he waited to see what kind of response he got.

“If you can prove your support is worth it, then we of the Corinthian League would happily serve the Combined Clans. But you must prove this to us.”

“What would you like us to do? Destroy something important to your enemies? Blow something up? Terminate someone politically inclined against you? Force someone to join your side of the war?” Traest asked, practically ticking the options off on his fingers.

“You seem willing to do a lot just to get my faction’s loyalty, admiral,” Kle’Alh said as his fur moved in slight amusement.

“We want you to join the Combined Clans. If that means we have to eliminate all the other factions to do so, we’ll do it. We have to ensure that all Bothans are united under one banner or perish under Human oppression.”

“Very well, I want you to destroy the A’raka Clan’s headquarters. If you do that for us, not only will you be able to have our support, but you’ll have subdued our chief opposition and permit us to seize their land as well as begin the process of forcing all other factions to accept our leadership.”

“Very well, Secretary General, but if you betray me, you’ll have more to worry about than you could possibly image,” Traest said as he turned to the comm officer and nodded to him.

Traest watched as the transmission ended and then he turned and walked away from the bridge so that he could go and make plans for the conquest of Corinth and the attack on the headquarters of the A’raka Clan. If it all played out as he hoped, the Bothans would finally be united under one ruler and with one goal. Though what that goal was, no one would find out.

Two Months Later

*Music Plays, large Bothan Holonews Network (BHN) logo appears on screen, pair of Bothans appears.*

Announcer: Hello and welcome to tonight's special report on the conflict on Corinth, a special report brought to you by Bothan Holonews Networks and special correspondent Fer'ick Pe’lya. Fer'ick has been on Corinth for over 3 weesk compiling this story.

*Screen Fades Out- Comes up with Title: Combined Chaose . Graphic fades away*

A pair of blaster shots ripped across the screen, as the sound of a dull explosion rippled in the backround. The scene is a war torn city, with huge but heavily damaged buildings dominating the view. A pair of shaggy furred Bothan's suddenly charged from off screen, crossing a street amid a hail of blaster fire, firing widly as they ran. As they dissappeared the camera panned, and caught a glimpse of an uglie fighter bomber slicing across the sky, relaesing a hail of bomblets which subsenquently smashed into the area, shaking the picture tremndously, and then knocking out the picutre. Static filled the screen momentarily, then it turned black.

The screen came back to life, once again showing a picture of the war torn city. However, instead of conflict, the city seemed quiet. A Bothan reporter stood in the middle of the screen. He gestrued to the crumbling rubble and buildings around him.

"These pictures are of the same location in downtown Gilgorian, the de facto capital city of Corinth. The conflict that has been raging across this planet has been at it's most intense here, as various factions have tried to wrest control of the critical city from their rivals. This once large, vibrant and beautiful city has been reduced to rubble by weeks of violent fighting with only a few days of intermittant peace. The city, the pride of Corinth, its cultural, historical and military capital has all but been destroyed, with so much lost that will never be replaced. Corinth's beautiful marble governmental complex has been irrevociably smashed, its high ground location coveted for its tatcical significance in this all important city."

*Screen transfers to grahpic organizer and virtual map*

"As many as 78 major factions have been heavily involved in the conflict, but the major players have been the A'trei Clan, the Fie'lili Clan, the Corinthian Leauge, the Freedom Federation, and the Kali Crime Clan."

*Map displays hot spots and locations of heavy fighting*

"With so many factions involved, the treaties and pacts which began the war, have been thrown out the window, as a peroid of backstabbing and treachery quickly ended any hope of organized resistance."

*Screen fades and changes to burning city, much smaller than Gilgorian. Dead bothans lay all around screen, weapons and rubble strewn in no paticular order, variuos tattered uniforms help distinguish the various sides. A few Bothan soldiers are seen walking threw area, look professional, heavily armed and armored.*

"These troops you see here are forces from the Combined Clans Peacekeeping force, under the command of Admiral Traest Fey’lya, whose forces, sent to observe the conflict, have most recently been asked to intervene by the Corinthian League’s
Secretary General Grev Kle’Alh, whose faction has in recent conflict gained an upper hand in and around Gilgorian. “

*Screen shifts to show Corinthian League troops at a rally. A bothan decked out in full military battle guard was addressing a large contingent of outfitted and armed bothans. His fiery oration was muted, but seemed fast paced and authoritative- peppered with powerful and striking gestures that incited a feeling of great patriotism in the soldiers. They were pumping their blasters into the air, and pounding boots on the floor, a thunderous (albeit muted) tribute to their leader.*

“However, in a large skirmish with A’trei Clan near the Corinthian League Headquarter city of Dinariz, the Corinthian League suffered a humiliating defeat as the A’trei unleashed it most powerful repulsor tanks on the flat less inhibiting terrain…

* Screen pulls up picture of large imposing tanks overwhelming defensive trenches, Corinthian troops in wild retreat, military speeders swooping into the gaps, unleashing squads of A’trei soldiers.*

“… nearly driving the Corinthians from their most heavily defended bastion.”

*Screen comes back into focus on the reporter, this time in a studio setting *

“So as you can see, gain a inch, lose a foot. With all the various sides in the conflict, no one could gain an upper hand. Fighting was taking its toll on each side, as stockpiles of heavy weapons as well as smaller munitions, like blaster packs, were running low. No side had a clear edge- and the fighting was ripping Corinth apart. So what could help end such madness? Well, in this case, it was a bit of gumption on the part of Admiral Fey’lya, whose fortitude may have helped end this war.”

*Screen cuts to announcer *

“Tune in tomorrow for the second part of this intriguing story, and find out what action Admiral Fey’lya to deal with the problems on Corinth.”

*Music Plays, large Bothan Holonews Network logo appears on screen, Bothan appears, standing in large, black studio with lights running around edges*

"Yesterday we saw chilling images of a war torn planet, Corinith, where chaos and uncertainty had prevailed- a planet where war pitted a multitude of factions against ech other, none strong enough to assert dominance over their competitors, no group charismatic enough to form a war ending alliance or coalition. It seemed that war would be the future for Corinith- a perpetual, resource draining, terrible civil war that would result in un unparelled tragedy of the Bothan race. That is, of course, if Admiral Fey'la and the Combined Clans not interfered. Let see how it happened."

*Screen switches to Title Screen: Combined Influence . Title screen fades. Replaced by picture of the streamlined Bothan Assault Cruiser Ambition Voice over*

"The Ambiton . Admiral Fey'lya's flagship, and his HQ throughout the crisis. The ship is the epitomy of the Combined Clans, a bold, new age, heavy duty ship, 850 meters long and quite efficient. It is much like it's commander. In this conflict, Fey’lya showed why he is the supreme commander of the Bothan Military Forces.”

*Screen changes to picture of the silver furred Bothan who is Taest Fey’lya, deck out in full military garb.*

“ His plan was simple yet effective- he would land his peacekeeping forces across the planet at major hotspots, and use his leverage of fighters and naval ships to force the warring groups to negotiate. Simple, straight forward and seemingly folley?”

*Screen show picture of turbolaser bolts raining down on military bunkers, ripping through a trench line.*

“It only took a few of these demonstrations of military muscle to show Corinth’s fueding warlords what could happen if they attempted to fight back. Traest employed the ancient idea that whoever held the high ground was poised for victory- and he held the highest ground possible- space. Of course, with only a limited number of soldiers, he need some assistance. So he ordered a massive peace conference to be held in the tumultuous capital, a 2 edged sword that not only started the first peace talks, but also forced a cease fire in the embattled city.”

*Screen flickers to processions of dignitaries and bodyguard filling into a hastily repaired building*

“Traest landed soldiers in the Capital, and built a neutral perimeter around an old hotel. In their, he set up the conference, and personally attended, in one of the most heavily armed peace meeting ever. With amazing finesse, he convinced the parties that by ending their fighting, and forming a coalition government, followed up by joining the Combined Clans would be the best alternative, plus assure dollars for reconstruction, and a place to channel the powerful militaries and weapons industries that dominated the planet. (many of these factories were destroyed, but when rebuild would provide a huge boost to the CCB)

*Screen goes to signing of document.*

“And with that, Corinth took its first step toward redemption- what a wonderful sight for those war torn Bothans who now have hope for the future.