Dakkon listened intently, the inborn sensors imbedded in the body of his agent working to full efficiency. He leant back quietly, musing momentarily on this interesting turn of events. Andras skills were unsurpassed in the consortium, although at this point Dakkon was close to questioning her methods. He didn't, but it was the closest he had ever come to second guessing the woman.

Shifting to one side, Dakkon heard his back crack slightly, easing the tension that was building inside of him. The dialogue continued as Dakkons hands raised to his temples, massaging them gently. The stress he was under was tremendous, especially with the Queen Mothers disinterest in matters of State. For the first time in Hapan history, a man sat openly on the throne, alone. This was, of course, because the Queen Mother was simply not present, but most throughout the galaxy already recognised the young Prince as Sovreign leader.

"Andra..."

The word slipped out, Dakkon chastising himself for the accident. Andra had been with him since birth, a constant reminder of his Manifest Destiny as it were. And this was the first missionon which he had sent her alone. It was well within her capabilities, but still Dakkons nerves persisted.

Reaching for his belt, Dakkon activated his comlink.

"Marion? Send for Zakharov, i need to discus transfering some men and material to the Gallinore theatre. Notify Commodore Kashlinkov."

There was a slight pause before a beautiful voice responded.

"Of course, your Majesty."

There was a slight chirp as the connection was closed. Momentarily sated, if not happy, Dakkon rewound part of the transmissions recording. Minutes later he drifted off to sleep, the sound of Jerix Macor echoing in his mind.

The last call for how long it is to get to Gallinore was 2 hours ago and yet it seemed like it was taking ages just to get out of hyperspace and come in reach of Gallinore.The crew were getting restless and tired because of the trip and work they had been told to do during the trip through hyperspace.

Dante felt sorry for them and thought about giving them a rest from the controls.The fleet was still moving at an incredible speed which would of made you think you would be at Gallinore in no time but it was the opposite way round....it took ages.

A call came through from the hangar bay:"sir we have finished all repairs on all fighters and other sort of transport and military equipment,what do you wish for us to do now?"said the worker.Dante thought for a second and then spoke through the comlink:"rest...yes rest you deserve it and some of the other crew will rest as well".Dante felt good about himself for saying that and then asked certain decks to rest but still keep the machines operating.

The call for the last hour came and Dante couldn't wait to get out of hyperspace and be at Gallinore with Captain Lupercus Darksword.

Jasmine Darksword, Queen Mother of Hapes an wife of Dakkon Darksword lays a hand on her husband's shoulder, as if giving him reliance, assurance, and approval.

"What, exactly, do you think should happen?"


(Sorry for my late appearance. If its a prob, just say so...:) )

Dakkon smiled as his hand rose to his shoulder to meet his wifes. It was merely a smile of conveinance though, the weight of his decisions already weighing down on him.

Perhaps this is why the women have always made the decisions...

He cut himself off them, returning his focus to the moment at hand. He gripped her tightly for reassurance.

"Commodore Kashlinkov has given me his commitment that whatever it is that has caused this will be defeated. But i still disagree with your decision to send Andra. She still b elieve i sent her on my own Orders."

He thought momentarily on what it would be like to hear his personal bodyguard had been killed by this... Swarm. Dakkon banished the thoughts quickly for his own sake.

"I'm not entirely sure whether Andra and Kashlinkov will be enough. So..." he breathed deep now, knowing he hhad overstepped his bounds as a male in doing what he had done, "I have ordered the Song of War and its taskforce out of their berths.

I want to ensure that Vergil, Terephon and Maires are retaken post haste."

He bowed his head slightly, awaiting her retribution.

Her eyes shine with the aire and confidence of a natural born Queen, and she smiles softly.

"It is true, she may not make it through this alive. But I have my faith that she will, and that she will also do her best. I know she will not let us down, no matter what the outcome.

Have some faith, Dakkon. Things turn out better with faith."

Dakkon nodded slowly, as if reassuring himself.

"Of course you are right."

He opened his mouth to continue when lithe woman walked in, her long strides echoing a life of concerted military training. Her face was angular with high cheek bones giving her a traditional beauty that was typical in Hapes. The uniform she wore indicated the rank of Colonel and its fit was perfect.

Dakkon smiled to himself as he considered the fact that Hapes was the only government in the galaxy that had tailor made uniforms for all its members. Such was the vanity of the enclosed cluster.

She stopped as she approached the pair, kneeling in fealty to the Queen Mother. The Colonel rose to her feet, eager to speak.

"Your majesties, we have reports. Small nimble gunships of unknown origins struck a military convoy along the 18th eliptical. It was well above the parallel and well beyond the defined lines of Swarm control."

The grim truth of her news had worn down on her features, although it was only now that the Prince noticed. He nodded his head for her to continue. She still looked to the Queen for a reply, but continued nonetheless.

Although the women in the Cluster ruled, all in the military gave Dakkon deferrence. He had earned it.

"Also, a Manticore SPC went missing. It was assigned to the Gallinore area command on piracy runs. Its last recorded position had space debris approximately 16 klics away. We would say a space battle occured, but the only debris was from the SPC. No signs of a struggle.

Its fighter compliment is missing in action, their transponders inactive."

Dakkon spoke now, not caring for his lower station.

"And your opinion dictates what?"

Her glare was barely contained as her focus moved from the Queen to her husband.

"An accident. No Hapan would die without taking their enemy with them. Not at least doing damage to them.

We sorted the entire debris and there was nothing that isn't indigineous."

Dakkons smile disappeared now. Hapan women are too sure of themselves.

"Wrong. I think we have another warfleet to deal with. One that has come in along a different line.

Most likely along a much more isolated line..."

He turned now, activating his personal holocom. He had ordered its construction so he could strategise at any time, and to validate his claims. Women would never believe him at face value.

A map of the Cluster sprung out in full 3D, spinning between the 3. To one side stood Maires and Vergil in red, indicating their fall to the Swarm. With a few words, the locations of the 2 latest attacks appeared. Moments later, a red line struck out from the pair, intersecting a number of planets.

"Look. The route takes them directly through the Outer regions of the Clusters eastern sector."

He highlighted the 2 planets which the line bisected.

"Terephon and Ut. Both rebel held planets. Both considered weakly defended. Both would have been easy fodder...

Also Reboam and Dreena are equally exposed. Picket craft should be dispatched to check up on our enemies."

Seeing the strategic sitution laid out before her, the Colonel could not deny the Prince was right. Nodding, she saluted.

"Of course your Majesties. I shall Order it now."

She turned on her heels and briskly left.

Dakkon continued to watch the holocom, bored in his inactivity. Suddenly his eyes fell upon Arabanth.

"How would you like to go on holidays?"

The ship made a sudden shudder and then the stars stood still.Dante looked around and saw that he was out of hyperspace and then within an instant he saw Gallinore."Do a scan on Gallinore please would you commander"?said Dante,"Yes sir we shall proceed" said the commander.Dante waited for the search to finish,this was to see if anything had happened during the trip through hyperspace,Dante was just being cautious.

"Sir,everythings clean down there"Said the commander,"Alright then proceed towards the planet,and ready my ship" said Dante.The ship drew closer and stood at a halt.Dante climed into his transport and set the co-ordinates down towards Gallinore and also requested the fleet to orbit the planet and check for any unwelcome visitors.

The ship entered the atmosphere the rocking of the ship felt like it was going to blow and that he was loosing control of the ship.The ship suddenly went all smooth and was in Gallinore.Dante called through to Captain Lupercus."Lupercus,Captain Lupercus Darksword if you are there please respond and tell me where you are and where to land" Said Dante.

Royal Port Authority Command, Gallinore.

As the message came through to Gallinore, the ground crew looked at each other in total confusion. Each of them was thinking the same thing.

Was this all the Basterd Brothers fault?

It took a moment for the master sergeant in charge to react, calling in their CO. The lieutenant arrived moments later, her uniform still being applied as she returned from down time. The message was replayed and the womans face went cold.

"@#%$.

Scramble the 11th strike wing and get a wing of Miy'Tils up there as cover.

Lets see what this sith scum has to say."

She finished dressing herself before activating the holocom to regional command.

"Colonel Levins? We have a Nova Class Cruiser I thats just jumped in. As soon as he was in comms range he called out for 'Captain Lupercus Darksword'."

The Colonels reaction was typical for a Hapan CO, especially when dealing with the Sith menace that was once a treasured part of the royal family.

"Did you order up a strike wing?"

The Lieutenant nodded. "The 11th, plus another of Miy'Tils as a escort line."

Levins paused, musing on the situation.

"Why would this charactor be stupid enough to come here...

Order a fly by. Talk to him. If he doesn't give the right answers, launch a strike on their second pass."

"Of course Ma'am."

The fighters were already taking off as Lieutenant Rimmings finally opened a connection with the insurgent.

"Unidentifed Craft. You are in Royal Hapes Space. State your reasons for entering Gallinores orbit asking for the most wanted man in Consortium history?"

Dante felt a bit confused and responded."Ummm,why do i need access,i am Captain Dante Leonheart of the Hapes Consortium recruited almost three weeks ago.What is the reason of this.....certain...defensive pattern?I still thought Captain Lupercus Darksword was still in the Hapes Consortium plus my reason for coming is the cerimony,i heard a treason was being made so i was called to come down,please correct me if i am wrong if Lupercus Darksword is not a part of hapes.Dante out".Dante waited for the response from this inbelieveable scence.

Shaking her head, Jasmine realized that even as Queen Mother, she was no help in war/battle situations. She left that to Dakkon, who had seemed to her to take that responsibility without argument.

She made a mental note to remind the forces to obey Dakkon's orders in that area.

She sighs and sits down, now just watching and learning.