The <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Excoriator<!--EZCODE ITALIC END--> dropped out of hyperspace on the edge of the Ghorman system, its support ships dropping out shortly afterwards. The <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Hellfire<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->, Visaqar's old flagship, the <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Gold Dragon<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->, the <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Shamus<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->, the <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Mystic<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->, and the <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Styx<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->. The green and blue radiant glow of the planet was shielded by the polarised transparisteel, but it was still as beautiful as the day when Visaqar took this planet in the name of the Rogue Empire.

-=| Inside |=-

Rear Admiral Visaqar looked back over his shoulder at his crew, who he had served with over the last couple of years aboard this ship. They had been through hell with eachother, fighting in the outer rim against the Yuuzhan Vong threat, gaining small victory after small victory, learning all that they could against the new threat.
The problem was, now that they had returned to the known regions, the galaxy was the same as before; Factions against Factions. the Yuuzhan Vong were just a new Faction in the circle of life. Visaqar had seen more, witnessed their greater plan, and knew they had to be stopped.
His ships had been modified to fight this new threat. Proximity Missiles, Splatter Lasers, and Increased Gravity compensation on his ships to stop the ripping of his shields off his them. These were minor improvements, but were enough to stop the Yuuzhan Vong's proclaimed superiority. On his ships however, the weapons had a cut-back device implanted so that if one of the factions tried to attack him, he could switch from anti-Vong weaponry to anti-Faction weaponry.
Also, in his absence, he had done some personal training of the force, learning the basics of clairvoyance and telepathy. Not too advanced, but far enough for his crew to respect him even more.
<!--EZCODE BOLD START--> "Sergeant Rhymer, please contact Jander, Siather, and Emperor Fearsons and ask them to meet me at Ghorman if they can. We need to speak."<!--EZCODE BOLD END--> Visaqar said, hoping his old friends would return and catch up.

OOC: <!--EZCODE CENTER START--><!--EZCODE CENTER END-->

Deep within the StarForge Nebula, hidden by the nebula's thick gases, StarForge station continued to do business as it had for longer than any of its occupants could remember. The station had evolved from a secret smugglers base into a fully sufficient space station and had seen heavy traffic in smugglers, pirates, and others with various illicit needs since the rise of the Empire. StarForge was a "shadowport", a starport that existed outside the laws of any planetary or galactic government.

Ever since the Battle of Endor, StarForge had served the needs of the Phantoms, and it was rare when at least one of their number couldn't be found in the stations small but efficient shipyard tinkering with one thing or another. Right now, many of them could be found there, working on a variety of ships. Many were choosing to make personal modifications to their ships, something always encouraged as long as they were logged with Phantom Leader. The Phantoms had in fact temporarily taken over the entire facility to repair battle damage and complete modifications on their new ships. In between missions they performed full systems checks, often full overhauls to keep the ships in the best shape. In the case of the "Patient Fury" and the other older ships of the Phantoms, this was just a safety precaution, to prevent any future problems. On new ships, these overhauls often included massive modifications on all ships systems, adding a variety of useful items. It was rare to see a factory model of any ship amongst their ranks. It was usually only that way long enough to get it into the workshop.

StarForge station had always been an excellent port of call for the Phantoms. They had long ago acquired several levels of the huge station for their uses. While StarForge wasn't home for them, it was as close as many of the Phantoms had. The station offered them a safe haven between missions, a great place to get a hold of anything they needed, or do any work done, as well as a place to seek medical assistance that couldn't be provided aboard their ships. Thankfully, the last situation didn't happen too often, but on occasion it was lifesaving. In exchange for the stations services, the former Special Ops team provided a number of things for the massive station. Most obvious of those are millions of credits in ship part orders, to be acquired in a variety of methods.

StarForge was an odd place to observe. All kinds of folk used it, from the lowest type of scum in the galaxy to simply regular people with an irregular need. Since the days of the Empire’s birth Rebel’s and mercenaries found StarForge a welcome port, and even Imperial officials frequented the station to receive modifications outside of the eyes of their superiors.

Alpha Leader, also known as Jander Sunstar, pushed himself back outside of an engine port after what seemed to have been hours. He was sore, and slightly lightheaded from the angle he’d been forced to hold his head while working. The Gand shook the feeling off, and accidentally knocked a hydro spanner of the edge of the YT-1300 he was working on. His three-fingered hand darted after it, but it was too late. The tool went over the edge and a second later Sunstar heard a cry from below. Glancing down, he saw a young Phantom rubbing his shoulder and wincing. The young human held a sheet of flimsy in his hand, and was obviously there to tell Jander something. “Sorry about that Ensign, what have you got there?”

“Well sir, we just got a transmission from the Ghorman system. Admiral Visaqar of the Rogue Empire wanted to meet with you. The message was also sent to Admiral De’taan and Emperor Fearsons.” Jander smiled at hearing this. It was probably another of their get togethers. He’d known Siather and Rashnak almost as long as the Phantoms had been in existence, and every so often they’d meet up somewhere and catch up. He thought about it for a moment. Other than training exercises, they didn’t have anything scheduled for a few weeks. He’d go, just him and Tripwire. “Return the message please. Tell the Admiral I’ll be there in…” Jander did a quick estimate of how long it would take to get there, “four or five days and I’ll update my ETA when I have a better idea.”

He stretched and climbed down off the ship. Now on the ground, he pulled out his Datapad and cleared the Fury from the training rotation, and sent it’s crew on a short leave. An hour later the Galofree’s hanger was emptied and only Jander and his R2 unit Tripwire were aboard. Twenty minutes later, the ship jumped to hyperspace, one of many jumps they’d make to head to Ghorman.

Siather was down in the docking bay of the massive Disruptor class Super Star Destroyer tinkering with his personal Sentinel shuttle. It was heavily modified to move quicker, to have stronger weapons, and to have stronger shields. Most of the systems onboard were brand new military grade technology. The Det'aan had even managed to procure a cloaking device that was mid-range in cloaking technology it had not been cheap but would likely be worth the extra money some day. He glanced around the docking bay at some of the TIE Interceptors and TIE Defenders that were dispersed around the huge docking bay. There were 36 squadrons of TIEs on the Sadistic Mist.

Siather turned his attention to an approaching subordinate. The middle-aged human Lieutenant handed him a pad with a recently received message. The admiral took the pad and motioned for the human to return to his previous duty. He read over the message.

"Commodore Marks has the Grappler Mist joined us yet."

"Yes sir, she just arrived."

"Good, inform the fleet to prepare for a hyperspace jump. Send a message to Admiral Visaqar telling him we are on our way. Take us into hyperspace for the Ghorman system as soon as the fleet is ready."

"Acknowledged sir."

Siather returned to tinkering with his ship as it would be a couple days in hyperspace at least before they arrived at Ghorman. He noticed the slight shudder Sadistic Mist entering hyperspace as he got back into where he had been working before.

Admiral Visaqar sat in his personal quarters, thinking about his wife back on Despayre. He reached over and picked up her picture, smiling as he looked over her beautiful face once again. He put the picture back down and sighed, knowing that it would be a while before he saw her again. His comm unit beeped, and Oazen picked it up.
<!--EZCODE BOLD START--> "Yes?"<!--EZCODE BOLD END-->
<!--EZCODE BOLD START--> "Sir, this is Sergeant Rhymer, we have recieved confirmation from the two Gand....."<!--EZCODE BOLD END--> Rhymer started, but Oazen cut him short.
<!--EZCODE BOLD START--> "You mean Jander and Siather?"<!--EZCODE BOLD END--> Oazen asked, annoyed that his two best friends could be called basic 'Gand'. That was a derogetory term for the Gand people.
<!--EZCODE BOLD START--> "Yes. We don't have a reply from the Emperor as of yet, but I am sure he is busy."<!--EZCODE BOLD END-->
<!--EZCODE BOLD START--> "Thank you Sergeant, please keep me informed to the arrival of my allies."<!--EZCODE BOLD END--> Oazen said, looking over to another picture of him and the two Gand, Jander and Siather, locked in a friendly embrace. He smiled as he thought of the easier times in his career.
<!--EZCODE BOLD START--> "Will do, Sir. Bridge, out."<!--EZCODE BOLD END-->

The Mist fleet dropped out of hyperspace in the Ghorman system. The Sadistic Mist was in the rear and the Zealous Mist, Admiral Det'aans first command ship, was at the front. The Fleet shifted their heading slightly to align themselves with Admiral Visaqar's task force.

"Hail the Excoriator."

Siather waited until Visaqar was

"Hello old friend, you wanted me here. I am for now, but I don't know for how long. The Vong have me running all over the place after them."

The Sinful Mist and the Sadistic Mist rolled over belly to belly while the VSD's and ISD's formed up in a sphere like defensive pattern just in case something decided to come break up the party.

-----Former TNA Space, Almania System, Drewwa Orbit-------

The Almania system, former capital of the New Alliance, now another system of the New Alliance. The system was also the current base of operations for the Alderaanian Guard, on the moon of Drewwa. The Phantoms had an agreement with the Guard, to do occassional work in exchange for a variety of services, amongst which was control of the shipyard above the moon.

Jander had stopped here on the way to Ghorman to pick up the first ships of his out of the yards. Crews had already been transported here over the last few days to complete thier shipboard training even as the yard workers finished up the last bits of work. "Drewwa Control, this is Phantom Galofree Transport 'Patient Fury', imbound for the shipyards and the Phantom vessels there." A few moments later the Guardsmen monitering the communications cleared the ship and Sunstar and his R2 unit made thier way into the shipyards. There three ships awaited him. The freighter landed inside the hanger of one of them, much like the Tantive IV had after it's capture over Tatooine.

With Tripwire in tow, the Gand marched down the boarding ramp, and after the ships captain saluted and turned to escort him, made his way to the bridge. Sunstar oversaw things for a few moments then, ordered the ships to exit the yards. Smoothly these newly built ships slipped away from thier places in the yards so new construction could take place. Together the three capital ships edged out of the gravity wells of the system and dissapeared....off into hyperspace.

---------TRE Territory, Ghorman System, Ghorman Orbit------

From his place on the bridge, Jander could see the combined forces of his friends gathered in orbit. His three ships had come from the other side of the system, and just to test his friends, he'd decided to sneak up on them. The officers on deck couldn't be absolutely sure, but they believed that their hyperspace exit had been masked by distance and the planet in between. After that it was simply a matter of time. Clearing the edge of the planet but remaining a safe distance away, the Gand gave the order. "Let them know we're here men, and open up a channel."

Seconds later, the Phantom ships appeared near the planet, arranged in a triangle. Two Xylx-class Battlecruisers and an Abolisher-class Cruiser hung in space. At the same time a linked channel to both command ships. "Good day old friends, I've arrived as you can see. Good to see you again." Jander couldn't help but smile and await Siather and Visaqar's reactions.

Siather saw the smaller ships appear in front of the Mist Fleet and spotted a few of the Sadistic Mist's sensor crew visibly flinch or shift in their seat. He was sure that there were similar reactions on all of the fleets Star Destroyers. He was glad his weapons didn't have power to them at the moment. He was sure more then a couple gunners had itchy trigger fingers.

"Hello old friend, a risky manuever. I am getting reports of some of my gunners pulling the triggers when they saw you. You are fortunate that I haven't had any of my ships put power to the weapons or you'd have some pretty deep scars on those pretty new ships. On the other hand I thank you. You have taught my people a valuable lesson better learned in a situation like this then in combat."

Jander chuckled as Siather responded and his image appeared before him. "No problem friend, my pleasure. No need to have worried about damaging my ships, we have the shields boosted right now, and all our weapons energy backing it up. We should be able to take quite a few hits before actually doing any damage. So gents, where shall we meet? I've forgotten who's turn it is to host. I'm more than willing, we've got fresh supplies and such, and I made sure to send a skilled cook along if you guys are hungry."

Sunstar waited for his friends to respond. As he did he walked back and forth across the bridge deck. He noticed the faint smell of wet paint holding over in the new ship. The Gand looked to the floor to see not the usual, scrubbed free of scuffs deck, but durasteel that almost shined. There was just something about a brand new ship.

Admiral Visaqar nodded to Sergeant Rhymer, who opened a visual connection to both Jander and Siather's ships.
<!--EZCODE BOLD START--> "Greetings Gentlemen, it is good to see you again. This meeting isn't only for meeting up again, I have grave news from the outer-rim that I must tell you both. But if you want, my ship can be the conference room for this meeting."<!--EZCODE BOLD END--> Visaqar smiled, and then continued.<!--EZCODE BOLD START--> "I will see you both onboard soon."<!--EZCODE BOLD END-->
Visaqar moved his hand slightly, and the transmission was cut. He pulled from his tunic a comm-link that would relay his message all over the <!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Excoriator<!--EZCODE ITALIC END-->, and activated it.
<!--EZCODE BOLD START--> "Second Eighteenth Battallion, please report to the main landing bay in typical Corridor formation as if we were recieving an Emissary from the <!--EZCODE BOLD END--><!--EZCODE ITALIC START--> Vong<!--EZCODE ITALIC END--><!--EZCODE BOLD START--> .<!--EZCODE BOLD END-->" Oazen said, spitting the last word from his mouth. He strode over to the turbolift that went directly to the Primary Landing Bay, with Captain Davis, his XO, following close behind.
He entered the landing bay, and spoke the command, <!--EZCODE BOLD START--> "Landing Bay"<!--EZCODE BOLD END-->. The turbolift lurched, and it shot downwards.

When it came to a halt, Visaqar strode forward into the corridor, and stopped halfway. He looked at the soldiers around him, and smiled at the white light reflecting off the armour. He shook his head, and continued down towards the designated landing areas for Jander and Siather's ships.

OOC: It looks like this. Imagine a Y, the Stormies making it. Jander is at one of the two top prongs, Siather is at the other, and the bottom one is the turbolift. I'm at the junction of the two top ones.

"Greetings Gentlemen, it is good to see you again. This meeting isn't only for meeting up again, I have grave news from the outer-rim that I must tell you both. But if you want, my ship can be the conference room for this meeting." Visaqar smiled, and then continued. "I will see you both onboard soon."

Siather tapped the comm on his chair.

"Prepare the Myst Angel for my arrival. No stormtrooper escort 2 Det'aan Warriors if anything. Also inform the Findsmen that they may want to have one of their people join me."

"Yes sir." the reply came back over the comm.

"Captain you have the bridge until I return."

With that Siather walked off the bridge for the docking bay in which the Angel was, fortunately it was the closest bay and was a mere kilometer from the bridge on foot. He arrived to find a Findsmen and two Det'aan Warriors waiting for him at the base of the docking ramp of the ready Myst Angel. He got onboard the three other Gand following and went to the cockpit.

"Sentinel Shuttle Myst Angel requesting permission to leave the docking bay."

"Granted Admiral, all other traffic has been halted until you are clear."

Siather gunned the engines and rocketed out of the docking bay. The heavily modified little ship had a lot of power 'under the hood'. So any unprepared person would likely sustain injury. Siather was quite prepared and there was no sounds from the back so he assumed the Det'aan and the Findsmen had preceived the extreme g-force. He brought the Angel around and cut between the gap between the Sadistic Mist and the Sinful Mist rolling as he did to show off for the TIE pilots that were likely watching. He wanted to prove that he could handle a small ship just as well if not better then they could. The Admiral then aligned the Angel with Admiral Visaqar's Excoriator taking no time to get most of the way there.

"Myst Angel requesting permission to dock aboard the Excoriator."

"Granted Admiral the personal will guide you in."

Siather brought the Angel into the docking bay. Not as massive as a Disruptor Class's docking bay but large none the less. He stormtroopers in a Y like formation in the docking bay and docking bay personal directing the Angel to the right 'prong' of the Y. He set her down and powered her down to standby before opening the ramp and heading for it.