<b>Bakura</b>

Kate Strauss looked over the flight instruments of her Stealth Intruder <i>Tombed 6 </i> currently running under the avatar the <i>Falcon</i> as she slowly brought her ship down on the landing pad. She had spent the last three years working up a cover as a small time shipper transporting various goods between Bakura and the rest of the non-aligned galaxy.

<i>“It would be horrible to waste all that hard work by crashing on landing.”</i> Kate thought.

As she lowered the gently to the ground she looked out over the beautiful vista surrounding her. Once this had belonged to the Outer-Rim Sovereignty. Pretty soon it would belong to the New Coalition.

As was Kate’s usual custom upon landing at Bakura she locked the hatchway and had went to have a nap in the cabin. She had no reason to suspect that the Black Dragon Empire had anybody watching her but one could never be to careful after all.

Within the last four hours three other Stealth Intruders had landed on Bakura. Their pilots were now all busy acting inconspicuous preparing for the big moment.

<b>Deep Space Point 8-Near the Bakura System</b>

Marth Meer stared out the bridge viewport at the tiny speck that he knew was the Bakura system. It was the place of his birth and the place where he was raised. Like thousands of other Bakuran expatriates he had fled Bakura following it being handed over to the Black Dragon Empire. Know he was back and he didn’t intend on giving it up easily.

“Sir, the fleet’s ready.”

Marth turned and looked at Commodore Tomas, commanding officer of the <i>Pride</i>, a Dauntless Command Cruiser and the tasks flagship. Marth couldn’t see them but he knew that arrayed around his ship was the <i>Neo</i> and the <i>Onyx</i>, both Defender Star Destroyers, three Stryker Class Carriers, the <i>Cougar</i>, the <i>Leopard</i> and <i>Pride of the Rim</i>, <i>Intimidator 1-5</i>, newly built and commissioned Intimidator Cruisers and bringing up the rear was the <i>Sinew</i>, the newest ship in the fleet about to undergo it’s first battle test. Also accompanying the Intimidaters were 5 Heroic Support vessels. Perhaps it was overkill but Marth didn’t care. Bakura was an outpost world, not easily defended and impossible for the Dragons to reinforce. Their nearest world was Haven and that was at least a one day journey away, and through coalition territory too.

“Commodore, let’s get this show on the road.”

Yes coming home would be sweet indeed.

His named Tak Jzok. He was the son of Lord Admiral Kyric Zen's most favorite Lieuteniant, Aeca Jzoks who died heroically on the very battle ground which Tak now guards--the ravaged planet of Bakura. It was once a beautiful world, on the far rim, but after Farfalen had invaded the system, the idiotic manuevers of an unknown Outer-Rim Soverignty Admiral had destined the planet to become a partial wasteland.

The Executor class Star Destroyer led by the Soverignty had taken severe damage, then in a last ditch effort by Tak's own father and his self-sacrifice drove the final nail into the Star Destroyers push to the planet. The impact alone spew dust above half the world but millions perished instantly by the reactor explosion, not to mention the radiation that killed even more millions. If not for the generosity of Farfalen, millions more would have died due to famine.

With that in the past however, here was Captain Jzoks. First in command of the 17th task force of the 3rd fleet of Farfalen. Bakura was across the galaxy from the rest of the Farfalen and Black Dragon Empire. However, because of this, it was very secure. The Lord Admiral had great technology that allowed his fleets to move rapidly. And why would a single task force be all the way across the galaxy from its fleet alone?

OOC:This post is not meant to signify that I agree with Kyric's post but things must keep moving.

IC:
<b>Bakura</b>

With a flash of light the fleet dropped out of hyperspace. Up ahead through the forward viewport Marth could see the blue-green ball that was Bakura. The fleet was arrayed so that the <i>Pride</i> with it's Star Destroyer Escorts were above the Intimidator Cruisers. The Intimidator's were arranged in a wedge with the Strykers flanking the Wedge. The Heroic's and the Sinew were deployed behind the fleet.

"Launch all fighters! Raise Shields! Transmit a message to the Farfalen fleet. Tell them to surrender or be destroyed," Marth told the communications officer."

The E-78 Fighters swarmed out of all the ships and formed a screen in front of the fleet. Thousands upon thousands of tiny droid fighters, the best droid fighters in existence in the galaxy. They would lay waste to any fighters that the Farfalen forces launched.

"Are the Intimidator Cruisers loaded?"

"Yes sir," the officer in charge of communicating with the droid ships replied. "Explosive Shells."

"Excellent," Marth replied. "Prepare to target the largest military vessel in orbit."

Rudrig

Commonwealth Embassy



Commonwealth Ambassador Lorus Durant exited the conference room, and the meeting which had just finished therein, in a rush and a flurry of activity. Surrounded by a gaggle of advisors and diplomats, his pace slowly but surely losing them one by one.

He was a slight man of forty five years, and had jumped at the chance of a posting at Rudrig, virtually the only point of contact between the Commonwealth and its isolationist neighbour , the Black Dragon Empire.

His initial eagerness to learn more about its culture and its people had turned into dismay somewhat , as mostly the Demauns kept themselves to themselves, and had very little cause for interaction or need for diplomacy.

As a result his position had turned into nothing more than that of an observer.

Until today.

Normally Lorus was a man of balanced temperament , but today he could barely hold his excitement.

Today the Demauns had come to him.

He burst into his office , causing his assistant, Shia, to jump and almost spill her caff all down herself.

Shia looked up at him with a worried frown and observed his manner, , “is everything alright?..” She asked , her tone one of concern…

As Lorus’s footfalls made short work of the distance between them, he replied without breaking his stride towards his office…

“Get me Vinda. Now!”











Bonadan
VC-HQ - Mr Vinda’s Office



As the secure communicae between the Ambassador Lorus and Mr Vinda finished, Vinda, deep in thought, sunk into his chair with a look a mixture of concern, confusion, and bemusement.

Finally, all gave way to a slow smile that began to form across his lips, and as the leather creaked in protest he reached for a cigarra…

A familiar voice brought him out of his reverie, causing him to look up as if he’d just been caught with his hand in the cookie jar…

“This makes sense, and corroborates with Section intelligence , the Dragons are under attack…” Achinta said, matter of factly…

Vinda’s eyes narrowed and he nodded thoughtfully, answering only with a murmur as he took a large toke on his cigarra…

“in fact…” (The HRD continued) “they are under attack at Bakura, if intel is correct…”

Vinda exhaled deeply, sending plumes of blue smoke in all directions, and finally spoke …

“..yes, I read the report, New Coalition…apparently”

“this could present us with a problem…” The Bodyguard followed up

Vinda nodded, and grunted in agreement, and Achinta knew instantly his employer was already following that particular train of thought…

“Send an envoy to Bakura, to expedite the process. I shall send the NGC a communication indicating our intent. I need someone sharp Achinta…”

The Vinda-Corp figurehead’s eyes rolled deliberately towards his faithful assistant…

“I want you there…”

Achinta nodded once in understanding.

“will they accept our control?…”

Vinda sat back once more with a frown across his face as he considered his aide’s words carefully, then replied with great deliberation…

“There is nothing to suggest they will not, besides they have just entered into a war with the Dragons, relations currently, are good. If they continue to attack Bakura, they will in fact be attacking us, and as large as they are, I don’t think they would want us as another enemy. This is a pressure cooker Achinta, we must be delicate…I want this resolved without all out war if possible…”
A slow smile appeared at the corners of Achinta’s mouth…

“Take Omar, he’ll be useful if things go foul. Don’t take too many ships though, as we don’t want it to look like another invasion force, god knows the people there have suffered enough, by the sounds of it…”

Achinta watched as Vinda took another scan of his datapad he was still holding in his other hand…

“The Farfalen presence?”

Vinda didn’t look up…

“This came from the Dragon’s themselves, so we have to assume they have been notified already, I do not forsee a problem, but stay sharp just in case, take all necessary precautions, I don’t want this turning ugly…”

“what if it does?”

Vinda looked up at his right hand once again, and smiled wryly, sending another plume of blue smoke rolling upwards…

“ don’t let it…”

Edge of Bakura System...

Onboard the VC ISD ‘Enforcer’




Admiral Omar glanced over to Achinta as the Ship exited hyperspace , having Vinda’s right hand onboard only caused to underline the importance of the mission in hand.

In all honesty, Omar would have preferred his presence elsewhere, even though Achinta did not interfere with the running of the ship, he could not help but feel like he was being ‘babysat’.

He shrugged the thought off, as the task in hand resurfaced, then turned to his first..

“Status?”

“all ships reverted, all accounted for and waiting for further orders, Admiral..” The officer delivered promptly…

Omar nodded, “Good, what about local traffic…”

“we’re detecting a lot of activity around Bakura, all preliminary scans appear to corroborate with intelligence reports…we’re picking up two large fleets around Bakura”

Omar’s eyes narrowed slightly as he considered this prospect, he stole a glance to Achinta who returned his look in kind, then turned to face his bridge crew.

“Listen up gentlemen, we could potentially be entering a war-zone, I need every man on point, stay focused and stay sharp..” The crew responded in positive, almost in chorus, and Omar turned to his first officer once again…

“Open a channel to the Farfalen authorities, and the fleet advancing upon Bakura”

No sooner was it said than it was done, and Omar spoke…

“To all parties on and around Bakura, this is Admiral Omar of the Vinda-Corporation. We have been instructed to oversee the peaceful handover of Bakura into our custody . We request a cease to all hostilities in and around the system, to allow safe passage for us, and a peaceful withdrawal for Farfalen and Black Dragon forces…please respond and confirm”


As the message was relayed Omar and the flotilla of Vinda-Corp ships waited patiently for a response.

Marth was prepared to wait for a response from the Farfalen forces but not for very long. Luckily the Vinda fleet arrived moments before he was about to order the <i>Sinew</i> to begin jamming.

<i>“To all parties on and around Bakura, this is Admiral Omar of the Vinda-Corporation. We have been instructed to oversee the peaceful handover of Bakura into our custody . We request a cease to all hostilities in and around the system, to allow safe passage for us, and a peaceful withdrawal for Farfalen and Black Dragon forces…please respond and confirm.”</i>

The message echoed over the speakers on the bridge and Marth paused. Suddenly the whole balance had changed.

"Sensors, confirm the presence of a Vinda Corporation Fleet."

"Yes sir we detect a sizable fleet, with at least one Imperial Star Destroyer all bearing Vinda Corporation Codes."

"Very well," Marth said. "Begin a slow withdrawal to a position about 100 kilometers out of the Intimidators firing range. Keep shields and sensors alert, this may be a trap. And get me a comm channel to those Vinda ships."

"It's open sir."

"Vinda Corporation ships, this is Minister Marth Meer of the New Galactic Coalition. We recognize your force as a neutral party. If the Black Dragon Empire and Farfalen fleet leave the Bakuran system and Coalition Space immediately we would be delighted to leave the system peacefully. We desire no conflict with the Vinda Corporation."

Bakura



"Vinda Corporation ships, this is Minister Marth Meer of the New Galactic Coalition. We recognize your force as a neutral party. If the Black Dragon Empire and Farfalen fleet leave the Bakuran system and Coalition Space immediately we would be delighted to leave the system peacefully. We desire no conflict with the Vinda Corporation."


Admiral Omar watched the proceedings from the bridge with a keen but stern gaze, and murmured an acknowledgement as he heard the Minister’s words.

He turned to his comms officer…

“…and Farfalen?…”

The officer turned to face Omar, and nodded slowly..

“they have acknowledged us, and say they are already prepared to leave…”

“offer them an escort, in case the NGC decides to take a pop at them…”

The officer acknowledged and did as he was told, leaving both Omar and Achinta to monitor the situation closely.









3 days later…




As the last of the Black Dragon Empire’s ships made their jump to hyperspace, The various Vinda-Corp flotillas stationed in and around Bakura, Haven and Tholitan moved in to see what had been left behind.

The rapid evacuations of the Farfalen / BDE presence was impressive to say the least, but it was a sign that they had obviously been ready and prepped to leave quickly way in advance.

Still the speed of their departure was nothing short of miraculous, the Dragons had proved themselves to be very efficient.

In the days that followed, an ASCA system had been installed in orbit above each planet to monitor and scan the surfaces more thoroughly, after all Vinda-Corp was not wholly sure what state the planets were in.

But after all scan reports and results returned negative, all were deemed safe, and the various Vinda-Corp fleets around each planet could finally begin their descent to to each of the planets involved.


Bakura, Haven and Tholitan were all now part of the Commonwealth.







Elsewhere...


The handover of the Oseon system was now almost complete, observed by the Dragons, the Commonwealth finished its outstanding commitments and slowly began to leave the system.

Leaving only a diplomatic embassy as a point of contact between the two governments, and of course the Oseoni themselves.

Although they were handing over soverignty , Vinda-Corp were still able to run their resorts and business interests in the system as before. Though closely monitored by the now in control BDE government.

Those of the population wishing to leave were allowed to do so without hindrance, catching lifts on various passenger liners pre-arranged for precisely this reason.

From this point on The Oseon system now belonged to the Black Dragon Empire.

An emissary had arrived at the asteroid not more than a few hours after the handover of the system had become official. One of the RPGC had spoken with the man before he could move into the asteroid any further which kept Kamon and his daughter safe from prying eyes. They were both thankful for that.

Word was that the new BDE owners were still going to allow Vinda Corp. to run the resorts like before, but it was no longer safe for Kamon, his daughter, and his people there. If Vinda Corp. hadn't been retaining the ability to run the resort there would have been some added surprised ready for the new owner. Kamon loathed the Black Dragon Empire and would do almost anything to harm them even if it was petty tricks.

Safe passage off of the asteroids were being provided to all residents who did not wish to stay. Disguising themselves once more, the Tholatinians took passage on the transports off the planet that were provided to them. They mixed with the crowds, blended in and acted like ordinary passengers.

Arriving at one of the Commonwealth planets, the Tholatinians rerouted by purchasing passage to Tholatin aboard seperate ships. All of them were eager to go home, and all of them knew the tough task ahead. Still, they remained calm and didn't blow their cover. If they got caught now the whole point of Kamon's escape from Kessel would be pointless. Besides, he wanted to go home.

When they got there things would be crazy. Kamon knew that BDE would leave spies and plants behind to make things difficult for the Commonwealth. That alone was one problem. The other thing he would have to do is get in touch with the highest level Vinda Corporation representative on the planet. He was willing to work with the Corporation and help them with Tholatin. After all, he had no right to rule it anymore.

All they needed was for their transports to get there and to land.