Rapora War (Introductory RPG)

[Mad78]

OOC: Since Merick Ioor is going to die in the battle of Sluis Van I shall be his nephew.

 

IC. Garik Ioor gazed at the wrecked world of Coruscant. He had been affected the command of the Mon Mothma in order to protect this desolate place.

Garik couldn't help feeling a bit ridiculous commanding such a gigantic ship when his long gone Uncle had fought the Empire aboard a modified Strike Cruiser.

Garik had always wanted to ressemble his Uncle. He still remembered when he used to visit himn and that Merick would share with him his passion for Strategie and commanding. Garik had followed his Uncle's steps. And entered millitary school.

Many instructors agreed that he had inherited his Uncle's tactical skills and he quickly climbed in grade. His acsension was also helped by the many friends that Merick had introduced him to on some of the very rare occasion were Garik had been invited onto Merick's Cruiser.

Garik could still remeber when he had met such heros as Jan Dodonna, Admiral Ackbar or even Evan Rechtmann.

The General's thoughts were interupted by a bip from his Comlink.

"Ioor."

"This is Flight Control, General. A YT-3000 has hailed us and demands permission to land... And a communication is waiting for you in your cabin."

"Thank you. I shall go to my cabin. Tell the ship to land and that I shall meet them once I have finished with this message."

Garik left the bridge and took a turbolift to his cabin. He served himnself a drink and sat down to receive the message.

An image of the Grand Admiral Evahe Litok appeared. If Garik had not known it was a prerecorded message he would have stood to attention.

"Hello General. I am calling you because I have a mission for you." now this could be interessting "I believe you are one of the only ones that could handle the mission. But I can not say more. A YT-3000 should arrive soon. It carries one of my most trusted officers, he will replace for the duration of the mission. You are to return with the YT. I shall inform you of the mission once arrive. I am impatient to see you my old friend." The message ended. This was going to be extremely interessting.

 

***an hour later***

 

The YT-3000 took off carrying Garik to the still unknown mission.

A few hours later the ship landed in the Hangar of the Grand Admiral's SSD. As the ramp of the Corellian ship lowered itself. Garik saw that the Admiral was there ready to greet him.

[ADarkJedi44]

Evahe smiled and moved to shake the General's hand.

"General Ioor! It's good to see you again. I'd love to chat with you but there is no time for that right now. We could have a serious problem. I still belive it's only a pirating group but...well we'll talk about it later. I can't tell you everything I know in front of everyone."

 

***

 

"I came as you asked, sir."

Evan took a sip from his Corellian brandy and raised his head at the General.

"Good, I can tell you all that I know now that it's just us two. We've lost contact with once of our task forces charged with the job of exploring the unknown regions and...."

Evan paused for a moment.

"And what sir?"

"Well, an Imperial outpost in the unknown reigions has been destroyed. I've seen holos, the destruction is complete. It is quite a sickening picture in my mind. There are also holos of the fighters which might have done it, I will show you them later. Listen, I still think it's just some pirating group and not a major threat but it needs to be investigated. Which is why I called you."

Evan paused again. Ioor just sat there, clearing thinking over what he had just heard.

"I'd like to go investigate myself, but as the Supreme Commander of the GFFA Fleet, my disappearance might cause some trouble. You will be given a task force of ships and are ordered to look around in the unknown regions. Don't bother any of the species there, but make sure to get a good look around. If there is a big threat there, we need to know before the begin a major campaign..."

[UlicHorn]

OCC: Good point about the Z-95's but since they're old and cheap it makes sense, anyway it's been blown to pieces so it's old news.

 

Sib's seat landed a few minutes later and Ossus being such a delsolte planet she started walking in the direction she felt other jedis. "But this could take days," she said noticing how far she'd flown from that spot...

[Stellar_Magic]

Cal Omas stood behind the table his hands planted on the table, "Under my direction elements of the Alliance fleet have redeployed to investigate occurances in the unknown regions." He glanced at Admiral Kre'Fay, "I'll let the Admiral report on the exact deployment, but suffiuce to say, if the unknown assailants that destroyed the Fallanasi strike again, we must be prepared."

 

Admiral Kre'Fay laid a hand on the table as he spoke, "Grand Admiral Evahe has dispatched Garik Ioor to investigate these occurances. His force is drawn from several sector fleets. There are just over a dozen warship under his command, including the newely commissioned Calamari Star Defender Compromise for Peace. Other vessels include three MC90 Cruisers, two Republic Star Destroyers, three Escort Carriers, and three Assault Frigates one of which, the Justice of Freedom, has been modified to serve as a dedicated investigation and reconisance ship. There crews are well drilled and ready for almost any curcumstances."

 

"Thank you Admiral, has either intelligence directors found anything on the attackers?" Heads shook around the table, "Then I suppose its time for the Jedi to present what they have discovered."

 

Luke Skywalker nodded and tapped his comm. Mara slid into the room carrying a large black bag over her shoulder which she laid with a thud at the center fo the table, "We dispatched Mara and Corran to investigate the attack, Corran is still at the location."

 

"As you saw in the Holos, the place was a mess, we found several survivors, but even so, piecing together what occured has been difficult at best,," Mara winked at Luke as she zipped open the bag, "There were at the start indications that a Jedi was behind the attacks, you've all seen the images, but here is what really caused a panic in our ranks, exhibit A." She tossed the lightsaber intot he table's center. Slowly Kyp Durron picked it up and glanced it, "Its a lightsaber of alien design, as some of you may know lightsabers use a number of natural crystals to create the focus the energy beams, this lightsaber however uses crystals which are purely synthetic."

 

Cilghal glanced up at Mara, "What does that mean?"

 

"Nothing good," Kenth Hamner answered gesturing to the lightsaber, "The only time I saw a lightsaber with synthetic crystals was in the hands of a Dark Sider."

 

Kyp nodded, "The Sith tradition says that as part of their training they made their own synthetic crystals."

 

Cal was startled, "Does that mean we have a Sith on the loose?"

 

"No," Mara said swiftly. She glanced across the room, "First the sheer number of victims indicates a veritable army of attackers, secondly, the last sith lord died at endor. Finally, there is this." Mara pulled the rifle from the bag and dropped it onto the table, "Exhibit B, a Plasma Rifle, with design features which are completely alien. Also we found the body of one of the attackers, definitely not human, perhaps not even humanoid."

 

Luke nodded, "Because the attack occured in the unknown regions I've asked that Jagged be present for our discussion."

 

The door slid open and Jaina Solo escorted Jagged Fel into the room, Luke smiled at him and gestured to the empty seat, "Jaina has briefed you correct?" Jagged nodded, "Alright, during your time in the unknown regions did you ever encounter aliens which used these technologies."

 

Jagged stopped to think, as a member of the diplomatic staff he had clearance into some of the most secret files in the Empire of the Hand, he glanced at Jaina then to Luke, "I'm afraid I have to ask that the High council consider the information I'm going to reveal confidential."

 

Before Luke could answer his comm link beeped, "Master Skywalker, there's an Imperial Admiral here with information for you, he says its important."

 

Luke glanced at Jagged, "Hold that thought, Jagged it seems that you won't be our only guest here."

[BadSamaritan]

In the tiny spaceport known as Mos Eisley, life went on as usual. For most sentient beings in the galaxy, the planet of Tatooine was not a place on their lists of planets to vacation on. But for the people that lived there, life may be hard, but it was rewarding to a point. The felt good that they managed to etch out a living on such a harsh planet. It had even become the retirement home for some people. Many aged smugglers, pirates, and honest freightor captains now called this place home. Most of them retired here because of the memories they had of the world. Others, because of the fact it had remained largly untouched during the Vong invasion.

 

But because of all the retired spacefarers, Mos Eisly was now known for having some of the galaxies oldest, most reliable tramp freightors on the market. And because of the location of the planet, the GFFA never took the time to inspect the vessels, so most of them were still just outside the lines of legality. Through one of the many used ship lots, a cloaked figure walked among the rows of ships, casting glances at them one by one, as if looking for a certain one. The owner of the lot watched him carefully, wondering why his potential customer was looking through all of the older, less reliable ships instead of the newer ones he had.

 

After a few more minutes, the man stopped in front of an old freighter of corellian make. It was covered in years of dust, and looked like it hadnt been moved since before the galactic civil war. The owner of the lot walked up to the man, and eyed the ship he was looking at. He himself had contemplated this ship before. It had been on the lot when he had purchased it from the previous owner. No one had even taken a glance at it since then. He had even contemplated scrapping it. But maybe now he would have a chance to sell it.

 

"How much?" One the cloaked figure asked suddenly. His voice was low and smooth, but the lot owner still jumped slightly at the sound of it. It was the first sound either of them had made since arriving.

 

"For this old thing? Not a whole lot. Its been sitting here for years, Ill be surprised it it even works anymore. And there isnt a lot about this ship thats very special. Standard engines for the YT-1200, but upgraded sheilding. Its got a pair of hidden laser cannons, and a pair of torpedo launchers if I remember correctly. The only really special thing about it is its history. Apparently it took part in a few major battles in the earlier days of the rebellion." the lot owner said, scratching his chin thoughtfully. He was surprised that he even remembered that much about the old ship.

 

"I'll take it." he said, and he reached into a small pouch. He pulled out a pair of jems, and tossed them to the lot owner. He cought them, and looked at them, his eyes wide with surprise. He may have been a backwater ship dealer, but he still knew durindfire jems when he saw them. And these were worth far more than the ship. He looked back to the two men, and just shrugged his shoulders. He walked over to the hatch, and punched in the code to open it.

 

"You can reset the code anytime from the security console in the cockpit. If i were you though, I would take this thing in for a major overhaul. It hasnt been moved in years." he said, and he watch as the the man walked up the ramp. He slowly turned around, and looked at him.

 

"I will consider that, thank you. And tell me, what is the name of this vessel?" he asked, a hint of curiosity in his voice. The owner though for a moment, and then shook his head. he walked over to another part of the ship, and brushed away the dirt over the name of the ship. He walked back over to the hatch, and looked up at the man.

 

"Its called the Bad Samaritan. Not the best of names, if you ask me." he said, and the ships new owner simply nodded. The hatch then began to slowly close, and after a few the ships engines began to whine, signaling the startup sequence. The lot owner backed away, and watched as the ship slowly rose up, and the landing gear retracted. The ship turned slowly, and then took off, curving up towards space.

 

Once in space, the man removed his cloak, happy to be rid of it. he brushed his long hair back behind his head, and smiled. It was good to be in space again. It was even better that he was in his grandfathers old ship. Although he did wonder how long it would take the lot owner to realize the jems were fake. But he siply shrugged it off, and began to set a course for Corellia. The ship needed a large amount of work, and who better than corellians could fix a corellian ship?

 

After the course was set, he launched the vessel into hyperspace, and leaned back in the chair. he looked over to a certain console, and reached over to it. He flicked one of the switched, as turned a nob, and music began rolling through the entire ship. He leaned back in his chair, and smiled, watching the lines of hyperspace roll around his ship.

 

OOC - This is just to start me out, Ill insert myself into the main plot when I see an opening for it. Gotta get my ship fixed first though.

[UlicHorn]

Sib had been walking for almost an hour when she tried her comlink again. "Anybody? I'm kinda out in the middle of no where. Can anyone read me?" Nothing, she kept walking but kept her comlink tuned to the academy frquency used by the jedi of the praxum. She clipped it to her belt and hoped she'd get her answer...

[Trejiuvanat]

OOC: Are we on Coruscant or Denon?

 

IC: In the seclusion of his office, Admiral Oreton had spent hours doing his own personal research on the mysterious attackers. He had looked up information on a very complete index of alien species confronted by the Empire. Unsurprisingly the index provided no new insight on them, frustrated by his own failed research he started to replay the twelve millisecond clip of the attacker's departure into hyperspace. He watched over and over again, without fully understanding what he was trying to see, then he played the enhanced versions and focused on the design of the craft.

 

A fact-turned-legend within the Imperial Navy had it that Thrawn, could decipher an alien's species intention from their art. Pellaon had vouched for the veracity of those stories in a few scarce conversations about the Chiss. Oreton looked up an index on alien art. Surprisingly this index was more complete than the alien species index he had looked into earlier. Unsurprisingly the Index was compiled by Thrawn himself.

 

Oreton started to look into the wealth of information, after the furstrating task of finding his way among such confusing and unhuman interpretations of the world he came up with his own method, only to be interrupted by the captain confirming their arrival. Oreton issued the order to communicate his arrival and his immediate intention of meeting the Chief of State and the High Council.

 

Oreton took a shuttle into the world, taking with him the datacards with the information, already on the ground, soldiers wearing the uniform of the galactic civilization escorted him into the building, after a few minutes of quiet navigation through half-empty corridors he arrived.

 

Before him the elegant doors of the High Council Chamber opened to welcome him into the elite of the galaxy. He half bowed ceremonially as soon as he set foot in the chamber and looked around to gain an overview on the people present. The entire High Council, some of Luke Skywalker's Jedi Pupils, Mara Jade and as if conjured from his Chiss deductions Jagged Fel stood amidst them. Oreton smiled.

 

"I seem to be late."

 

A few quiet laughs warmed the atmosphere of the discussion. Cal Omas gestured him to take a seat but Oreton instead went for the holoprojector, on his way he saw the odd weapon on the table but dismissed it for the time being. He looked at the Chief of State and took a deep breath.

 

"Chief of State, in name of Grand Admiral Pellaeon, I bring you and the High Council information on a mysterious threat that operates beyond the frontiers of the Galactic Federation. A Chiss-Imperial Outpost was razed to the ground and given our analysts and experts lots of headaches, allow me to start my presentation."

[Stellar_Magic]

OOC: Actually they're on Ossus at the moment

 

IC: Luke glanced at Mara, "Your outpost wasn't alone at being targeted. The Fallanasi have also fallen victim to an attack."

 

"I'm sorry I wasn't aware of such an attack," Admiral Oreton answered frowning. "In fact I've never heard of the Fallansi."

 

Cal smiled, "Few have, knowledge of some small force using groups is confined to this room."

 

"So the Fallanasi were force users, and they were summarily destroyed by these attackers," Admiral Oreton replied. He glanced at Luke, "Who were their enemies?"

 

"They had none," A voice answered in the corner. Slowly Jacen Solo stepped into the light, "Except those that feared their power, even though they never used it upon others."

 

"Well, I suppose that could be quite a long list of foes," Admiral Oreton answered. He glanced along the table and stopped his eyes coming to rest on Commander Fel, "We have some detailed holos of some of the attackers." He set his datapad on the table and transmitted the holos to the projector in its center.

 

A blurred red brown starfighter shimmered into existance. It's shape reminiscent of Isolder's personal starfighter, Storm. It's cockpit was shapped like a claw which pointed down between the two wings. The holo shifted into a simple schematic of the ship. Two red marks pointed out the weapons emplacements along the leading edge of the wing, and a orange dot was directly beneath the cockpit showing a possible missile shackal point.

 

There was a sharp intake of breath from someone in the room as Admiral Oreton continued, "Most of the weapons register as unknowns. Just before lightspeed the craft were traveling at approximentaly 160 MGLTs."

 

"Fast, to damn fast," Fel commented.

 

Luke nodded at the holo, "The style seems similar to the weapons we recovered."

 

Fel struggled to stay calm, "Rapora."

 

Cal leaned forward, "What?"

 

Fel sighed, "They're called the Rapora." He glanced around the table and stood. Jagged began to pace, "You're familiar with the chain of events which brought Thrawn to the Emperor's service, except some pieces are missing." Everyone's attention focused on him then, "One year before the destruction of Outbound flight then General Thrawn was demoted after the greatest Naval coupe in Chiss history."

 

"He was in command of a force of twelve chiss warships on a mapping expedition at the outskirts of Chiss space, when he stumbled upon the Rapora." He glanced at the members watching him, "It was like stumbling over a bee hive. Only Thrawn's personal flagship escaped, and it was then that Thrawn began to drift away from the chiss ascendancy. He realized that up against a foe sucb as the Rapora a preemptive strike was the only option. It was also when his thirst for knowledge and taste of alien art became paramount."

 

Mara glanced across the table, "They wiped out his whole fleet and the Chiss didn't strike back?"

 

Jagged nodded, "The ruling families decided that it was Thrawn's invasion of their territory that caused the incident. He argued forcefully to launch an assault and was rebuffed." He cleared his throat, "Then, a year after the destruction of Outbound flight, Thrawn secretly launched a preemptive strike. The ruling families found out, stripped him of all rank, and sent him on his way."

 

Admiral Kre'Fay glanced at Jag, "Was his attack successful."

 

Jag glanced around the table, "I don't know, I do know that the ruling families found out because of the sudden loss of hundreds of promising you officers."

 

Luke glanced at him, "Is there anything more you can tell us?"

 

"No, we barely even know their name let alone their forces capablities," Jag replied. He shook his head, "What I told you is all I know, Thrawn himself kept the information on the Rapora and those events very quiet. Though I suspect they may have been the primary reason for his formation of the Empire of the Hand."

 

Admiral Oreton leaned back in his seat as he scrolled down the list of alien art names then he found it, Rapora Art and General Information. As he bent over reading Kyp glanced around the table, "What about the droid that we destroyed here on Ossus? Could there be some kind of connection?"

 

Mara shook her head, "How could a droideka design end up in the hands of these Rapora?"

 

Admiral Oreton stood and cleared his throat. Maybe there was something of value buried in Thrawn's analysis of the species. It was surprising that Thrawn had as much information as he did. Still a single phrase haunted his mind, 'The entirety of their species and culture is force sensitive, they are therefore able act with one mind, through a form of meld in combat, rendering them difficult foes to predict and counter.' It would be worse then going against a Vong force without Yammosk jammers fighting them.

 

He glanced back at the hovering hologram and felt his throat constrict even more, the image in the holo and the image of the piece of art on his datapad were nearly identical. Then it dawned on him, Thrawn thought their craft were pieces of art.

[Trejiuvanat]

The Admiral listened to few arguements that sprung from the presentation of the two stories, the Jedi discussed the possibility of the existence of a group of Force Users in the Unknown Regions, Jade had pointed out some hints that they had found in their search for Zonama. Cal Omas, Kyp Durron and the other members of the High Council listened to Fel's detailed account of events.

 

"Commander," Noreto projected his voice so that it rose above the murmurs in the chamber. "Would your father be in possession of more informaion about these Rapora?"

 

Fel frowned as he analyzed the possibility, Nirauan of all the worlds in the galaxy possessed the most complety databanks. After Obroa-Skai was retaken from the Yuuzhan Vong, the Chiss and Fel himself had offered a copy of the records of Obroa-Skai, to replace those lost during the war. If Thrawn had ever left a complete copy of his analysis of the Rapora it may have been there.

 

"Perhaps, sir. I understand, you mentioned Grand Admiral Pellaeon had sent another messenger to Nirauan."

 

"And Csilla," Oreton nodded. "We now know that these attackers have been confronted before, by Thrawn himself. In some secret databank of the Ruling Families Thrawn's report on them may exist. One other question, you said Thrawn had only had brief contact with them. Do you think he may have obtained piece of art, for him to analyze?"

 

Fel looked confused. "Sir?"

 

"En route to Ossus, I found some of Thrawn's indexes in the database of the Right to Rule, they had been copied by Pellaeon during the war, as he feared that Chimaera may have been destroyed and along her some of Thrawn's masterful analysis.

 

"In one of the index, an Art Index to be precise, I looked at the entries pertaining to nonhuman art from the Unknown Regions, some Vagaari art and some other minor species, and one he had only classified as "R". The choice of colors and shaped is strangely similar to the starfighter designs of the attackers."

 

"You mean there is one of Thrawn's psychological analysis of the Rapora?" Mara Jade asked.

 

"Unfortunately not, only a few comments on scarce art pieces," Oreton took out a small datapad from one of his pockets and connected it to the holoprojector. Immediately, a short series of sculpture and examples of plastic art materialized.

 

"Thrawn commented on the aggresiveness of the art, especially in the sculpture you notice the sharp angles, their frequent use of spear points and claws. A deeper an close analysis sustains that part of the sculpture were not carved out using laser tools or any other kind of advanced tools, instead they seemed to have been cut out using claws, as you can appreciate here." Oreton pointed at a close-up of one sculpture, that really seemed to have been carved out by nothing other than a claw. "If you look at the sculpture and then at the starfighter you may notice the resemblance, the sharp shapes, protruding claws, which function, my analysists claim, is no other than aesthetical."

 

Oreton then magnified a still image of the starfighters and one of another example of Rapora art. "Thrawn comments on the colors, assuming that these Rapora view in our "visible" light spectre; the choice of browns and reds, both colors that we associate closely to death of nature, in particular. Thrawn points out that they seem to represent the cycle of life and death in their society. If I might add, the choice of topics combined by the aggressive nature of their sculpture, suggest to me conflict. Conflict as an essential part of their social structure, perhaps as a method of control, but at the time of renewal, but particularly violent. A species that can carve out stone with their claws, must be physically imposing."

 

A slow murmur rose in the chamber, some marveled at the legacy of Thrawn, others that were given further thought to the analysis trying to point out what Thrawn had seen in it.

 

"One last thing, that specially involucrates Master Skywalker and the Jedi. Thrawn wrote, as a side comment, perhaps as a pointer to his own thought process. The entirety of their species and culture is force sensitive, they are therefore able act with one mind, through a form of meld in combat, rendering them difficult foes to predict and counter."

 

The murmur calmed down, and Oreton locked his gaze with Master Skywalker who seemed much more preoccupied.

 

Cal Omas broke the silence.

[Stellar_Magic]

"What of the droid attack here? Did Thrawn know if they possessed droid technology?"

 

"They can't have, no one out there has droids, thats why the Vagaari tried to salvage Outbound Flight, for the droid technology," Fel answered shaking his head slowly.

 

Luke Skywalker glanced around the table, "Battle Meditation, melds, force abilites, and lightsabers, we might as well be fighting a legion of Sith." There were nods around the table, "The Empire has sent a representitative to the Chiss and Nirauan, we should do the same."

 

Fel leaned back, "I'll head to Csilla, Parck has been trying to get me to pay them a visit anyway."

 

Kyp glanced at the young man, "We shoudl send a Jedi with you, just in case there is trouble."

 

"I'll go with him," Jaina said swiftly.

 

Luke arched an eyebrow then shrugged, "Mara and I will head to Nirauan, they've dealt with us before." Fel chuckled lightly as Luke added, "If they don't shoot us first that is."

 

Cal glanced around the table, "That settles it then, hopefully one of these probes will get us some information."

 

* * *

 

The modified assault frigate Justice of Freedom slowly slid through the barren space of the unknown regions. Inside the enormous dome at the ship's mid section analysts hunched over displays scanning the local area. Each display was filled with what looked like pointless noise, only a trained observer could sift through and find contacts.

 

Lieutenant John Mithrel sat behind his display scaning the images. He turned to his supervisor, "Sir, I might have something." The supervisor bent down beside the display, "You see this empty spot, I've been tracking it for an hour, its barely there."

 

"Switch to gravitic sensors," The supervisor ordered slowly.

 

The screen flickered to show a dim grid which seemed bent slightly at the spot, "It's definitely there, could it be a cloaked ship?"

 

"Maybe, bridge we have a possible contact bearing one nine mark four, better pass that information along."

 

A few minutes later the report was in the hands of Admiral Garik Ioor. He glanced out into space, so he was being shadowed. He shook his head slowly, now he'd have to figure out how to force them to reveal themselves, without firing on his ships. He was here for information, not a combat engagement.

 

* * *

 

Sib stumbled out into a clearing and glanced up to see an Assault Transport hovering above her. A head peeked out of the stardboard hatch as a ladder descended to her, "We heard your transmission, hop onboard!"

 

She smiled slightly at the familiar face, "Thanks Barkoa!"

 

OOC: Just advancing everybody's plot.

[Trejiuvanat]

Ulan Shai followed his master through the Jedi Facilities on Ossus, they had just arrived on the planet following a message directed at Alema, that insisted on them joining all the other Jedi on Ossus, as per Master Skywalkers instruction.

 

Already on the ground, Ulan and Alema had been told of the droid attack and the difficulties Kyp and Barkoa had had to defeat it.

 

Kam Solusar called Alema and Ulan to him.

 

"Alema, Master Skywalker asked me to tell you to wait for him. He has a few instructions for you."

 

Alema nodded and directed Ulan to a calm part of the building where they could medidate in the meantime. Kam then called them, when he learnt that the meeting was about to end, and that Luke wanted to talk to them at once.

 

A few minutes, Ulan saw many people leave the chamber, apparently the High Council of the Republic had gathered on Ossus, Cal Omas who exited first spotted the two Jedi, and threw a evaluating look in Ulan's direction, a Yuuzhan Vong Jedi was by all means a rarity and Cal nodded and smiled in his direction.

 

A few other members and fellow Jedi left, finally followed by a dispair pair. The human pilot Jagged Fel and an Imperial Admiral, Ulan could not identify.

 

Finally after they exited, Master Skywalker called them to enter the now-empty chamber.

 

"Alema, Ulan. I fear the Galactic Federation may face a powerful enemy, more so than the Yuuzhan Vong."

 

Ulan stirred lightly. Despite the anger directed at the Yuuzhan Vong, few would dare tell a Yuuzhan Vong in the face how much they were hated. The fear and respect the Vong imposed on the people of the galaxy, had lasted for over a decade, even after the disarmament and the removal to Zonama Sekot, the Vong were seeing as fear-inspiring creatures, for Luke Skywalker, the human who killed Shimrra to admit a fear in the existence of a new enemy, translated into a threat of considerable force.

 

"We know for a fact that the enemy, which call themselves Rapora, are trained in the art of the lightsaber, and that their entire species is Force-Sensitive, and their technology may be parsecs ahead of ours," Skywalker explained. "It seems that this species are poised to expand themselves, coming out of the Unknown Regions and wage war on the Known Galaxy, in the past meeting we have agreed to send emissaries to the Chiss Consortiun to strengthen our Alliance, and obtain from the Chiss new insight or even military support. But there is one other ally, that we should warn in case a new war explodes."

 

"Zonama Sekot," Ulan muttered.

 

"Yes, and you two will go there as emissaries. Sekot has spent long years in the Unknown Regions and may have learnt or heard of these Rapora, Harrar and Nas Choka should also be entitled to learn that new threat looms over all of us. The journey to Klasse Ephemora is not easy, it as convoluted as a trip into the heart of the Unknown Regions might be, that is why I want you to be careful, I trust both of you with your different abilities and affinities to complete your mission successfully."

 

"Master," Ulan said. "The Yuuzhan Vong have never sat out a war, if Nas Choka and Harrar learn of a new threat they might consider ask Sekot to allow them to leave the world to wage war. Milennia of warrior traditions cannot be forgotten in less than a decade of peace. I myself, despite my young age, still possess the knowledge of a warrior, and am trained in the arts of the amphistaff, just as I am in the arts of the lightsaber, most Yuuzhan Vong have not forgotten the feeling of going into battle, in the defense of what is sacred to us."

 

"I understand this, Ulan, I have contemplated it, and I believe that Sekot will advise Nas Choka and Harrar for reason, in any case, you will bring them my personal advise to remain calm, and that I understand their desire and opinion."

 

Luke then discussed a few other issue with Alema, while Ulan waited in silence, until Mara Jade came to call Luke to discuss a few thoughts she had had.

 

"I have said all there is, may the Force be with you." He turned and left.

 

"Come Ulan, we will medidate and practice some lightsaber vs lightsaber techniques before we depart."

 

OOC: Just wanting to profundize on my other char's story, while helping to develop the role of the Vong on this...

[Mad78]

Garik looked through the bridge of the Mon Mothma on the spot where he knew a cloaked ship was hiding.

"What tonnage would this ship be?" he asked to the officer looking after detection.

"Analysis suggest a fighter or small shuttle. Surely not a great menace."

But after seeing what these people had done it appeared anything ould be a menace. But now how could he force it to uncover without firing. Suddenly an idea sprouted in his mind.

"Dispath three fighters to investigate the contact. They are to keep a distance of minimum 3 klicks between them and the unknown ship. Fighter Omega shall accompagny them... And tell the fighters to be armed with Ionic missiles."

The different crewmen turned to relay the order. A minute later three X-Wings took of and set a course for the cloaked ship. From another Hagar another ship took off and joined formation. Fighter Omega was one of the rare Coral Skippers which had been captured and were kept for special operations.

When they arrived at three klicks the X-wings broke formation and started patrolling around the area always straying at three klicks of the ship. Omega continued until it was at 1,5 klicks.

The pilot of the Skipper used all the Basal Dovin to slowly but surely ripp the ship of its cloaking. At the moment where the entire ship was revealed it fired a shot of plasma which desintegrated Omega.

It shot off firing plasma in the direction of the X-Wing who dodged the shots without taking to much damage.

Five seconds later it jumped into Hyperspace.

"Did you record all that?" Merick asked

"Yes Sir." answered Meran Zonos the Zabrak looking after detection with alarge smile on his face.

"Good." hopefully the loss of a fighter and of a pilot would be compensated by what they recorded.

[Stellar_Magic]

OOC: Mad...you shouldn't have done that, now I'm going to have to destroy your fleet sooner then I'd planned.

 

IC:In the Justice of Freedom there was silence. Everyone sat hunched over the displays as contact after contact appeared on the screen. There were three massive craft, cloaked out there, each one thousand kilometers away from the nearest GFFA warship. A fourth vessel was slowly bearing toward them its size much smaller then the others. The officers glanced at each other, each knew the situation was intense, each knew that an engagement could occur at any time.

 

* * *

 

The smallest ship was not Raporan, but Vagaari, the race of aliens which had once been the brutal hammer of terror in the unknown regions. Now they were subservient to another race.

 

The vessel's captain grasped his hands behind his back and smiled, both rows of teeth glinting in the dim light. He glanced at the inky black curtain which was the cloaking shield. Slowly in a singsong voice he asked the question which was on everyone's mind on the bridge, "Are you sure about this."

 

A growl wafted up from the helm. A fully enclosed suit of brown armor rendered the pilot all but species less. This was a rapora, its gloved hands gripping the controls, its mind in touch with its fellows, "Itsss nearly time, we're almossst in posssition."

 

The captain gazed at the black veil which hid the creature's face, "Very well, would your hive mind have some sort of idea as to how to conduct this?"

 

"Do not insssult usss, Vagaari ssswine, we ussse you becaussse your available, don't ever think we truly need you." There was a whisper of movement from allong the bridge and the Rapora instantly bowed slightly, "Lady, you honor me with your presssence."

 

A taunt woman's voice answered, and her blue hands slowly lowered her hood, "Thank you, Krella, I trust your mate is well."

 

"He is well, thank you for your concern," The Rapora answered not daring to meet her red eyes, "Your brother was a fearsome adversary."

 

"That he was, but Thrawn never understood true power or the nature of the force, now, trampling over his grave we shall teach these fools a lesson." She smiled tightly, "Begin the operation."

 

"Lowering cloak," Krella said quietly as the stars reappeared through the viewport.

 

The chiss woman tapped the comm beside the seat she stood by, "This is Mit'shren'nuruodo of the Red Alliance Defense Force, you have launched an unprovoked attack on one of my vessels, withdraw now or be destroyed."

 

* * *

 

The Jade Shadow flashed into exhistance above the world of Nirauan, its presence was immediately detected by the personel in the Hand of Thrawn facility. Moments later Mara keyed commed the surface, "This is Mara Jade Skywalker calling Admiral Parck."

 

A chiss face resolved on the display, "This is Stent fo the Hand of Thrawn complex guards, we're transmitting landing coordinates, Admiral Parck will be waiting for you."

 

"Thank you," Mara answered as Luke piloted the craft lower and lower. Within minutes they could see the Hand of Thrawn.

 

OOC: No Thrawn isn't force sensitive, he was just brilliant, but Shren is both, and she has a thirst for power that Thrawn never had. She is a renegade, who broke away from the Chiss Ascedancy and their military academy. She's not the current leader of the attacks, but she is a major player.

[UlicHorn]

OCC: Sorry I've been following rather staticly so if I get something wrong someone tell me or chalk it up to being out of the loop on Ossus.

 

Sib stood back aways on the bridge of the Justice of Freedom and having heard the latest message had a bad feeling.

[Mad78]

OOC: SM I was just wondering?

How was i supposed to force them to uncover their cloaking with out in some sort of way attack them?

I tried to chose the most pacific way possible.

[Trejiuvanat]

OOC: I wanted to post this after you guys deal with the Vagaari, Ioor thing, but I don't think I'll have a chance to write much in the next few days. Be warned this will be a large post... I'll be inventing about eight years of recent Vong history.

 

IC: The journey in hyperspace was almost over. The count-down timer marked a negative ten seconds before re-entry into normal space; this last stage was the most difficult of all because of the gravitic anomalies around the system. The final stage of their seven-days trip was complete, and -fortunately- they had not encountered any of the Rapora.

 

Alema and Ulan had been careful in their trip, especially in the systems where they had to adjust vectors; the location of Zonama Sekot was a secret of sorts. While the upper echelons of the Galactic Federation, the Chiss Consortium, the Empire of the Hand, and Pellaeon's Remnant knew the location of the world, it had been kept a secret from the people of the galaxy.

 

Contact with Zonama Sekot and the Yuuzhan Vong was infrequent, except for the Jedi who communicate with Luke Skywalker if an event of considerable importance occured, entire months could pass away without a single word coming from the Klasse Ephemora system, where Zonama had reinstalled itself. By the same token, Luke Skywalker and the Jedi had insisted to leave the Yuuzhan Vong alone in their reconciliation with the Force and the galaxy. Despite their protests, Cal Omas had allowed a few well-credited documentarians, Wolam Tser and Hallis Saper among them, to spend a few months on Zonama Sekot and elaborate a report on the current status of the Yuuzhan Vong, in order to show the galaxy that the Yuuzhan Vong had abandoned their warrior ways.

 

The intention behind this mission, was -hopefully- to reduce the groups within the Senate that cried in outrage for the elimination of the Vong. Bothans, Hutts, a radical Ithorian group, and a dozen of different minor species, still insisted on a retrubution from the Vong. The documentary had helped to sedate some of the opinions, but had ignited the anger of other groups, that cried in outrage for justice. How could the Vong, be given a healthy planet to rebuild their culture, while entire species had been wiped out and their homeworld been so radically altered.

 

Negative one second. The incoherent shapes visible during supra-lightspeed, turned into distant dots in matter of milliseconds. Below them the lush greenery of Zonama Sekot overwhelmed them with their strength in the Force.

 

"This is Alema Rar, calling out to Sekot. We ask for permission to land."

 

A female human voice answered them back. "Sekot is honored by your arrival, and whatever tidings you bring join us Alema and Ulan," the distinctive voice of Tahiri Veila answered.

 

"Thank you, Tahiri." Alema said and gave Ulan a few instructions to prepare for landing. The Twi'Lek Jedi led the craft into the atmosphere focusing on the coordinates that would take them to the village, the Jedi on Sekot called home. From the air the two Jedi marveled at the sight of the Bora Forests and the pristine rivers and valleys. "Your world is enviable," Alema admitted. The harsh climate of Ryloth was too distant from the placent world of Zonama, the web of live so closely bound to the Force.

 

"Look," Ulan said and pointed at a direction where Kybos moved through the Bora Forests, the world was truly a wonder for the Yuuzhan Vong.

 

The ship finally sent down at a clear landing place. A few parked Carapod and their occupants were the only beings in the vicinity. Harrar, Nas Choka, Danni Quee and Tahiri wiaited for them on the ground.

 

Alema Rar and Ulan Shai, exited their spaceship and were greeted warmly. Nas Choka and Harrar embraced Ulan. "You have left us as a child, and have now risen to become a Jeedai, you are the future of our kin." Ulan could not help but feel a warm feeling inside him.

 

When the war had ended, Ulan had been a child, he had been born only a few years before the arrival in the galaxy and had only been in his créche when war broke out. He still remembered a few impressions of joy, and then further frustration and dispair. As a child born into Domain Shai he grew up when his Domain had been stripped of rank and glory and had been pushed away from the battlefront. Instead, in the safer regions of Yuuzhan Vong-occupied territory, the Shai had wasted away years waiting for the war to unfold; except for a single wasted opportunity to restore their honor after the fall of Coruscant, Domain Shai had barely participated in the war.

 

As a child, Ulan had been meant to rise to a warrior and restore the lost honor to his domain. Despite being below the average for the Yuuzhan Vong height and mass, Ulan possessed some basic warrior training, that abruptly ended with the appearance of Zonama Sekot. Domain Shai had been welcomed on Zonama Sekot as one of the last groups to resettle there. Because of his young age at the end of the war, he lacked any scars and ceremonial tatoos; a few years later as a youth he was spotted by Tahiri Veila who had felt in him an affinity to the Force. Three years after the end of the war, he had left for Ossus, where Master Skywalker had spoken with him about the responsibilities of a Jedi and the hardness of the training, and the burden that Ulan would have to bear as the first Yuuzhan Vong Jedi. Ulan accepted it and his training started, as a child his instruction in the ways of the Force had been in the hands of Kam Solusar, and Tionne, and a brief yet intense weapons training with Corran Horn. After that and the interest in the "Jeedai Vong" was too intense, Ulan was taken by Alema as a Padawan and left for Yavin IV to complete his training.

 

The Jedi women also came closer to Ulan and greeted him with sincere joy, even the usual earnest expression in Tahiri lightened up in the presence of Ulan.

 

"I wish that these friendly atmosphere would last longer, but Master Skywalker has sent us to bring ill tidings." Alema said and turned at Tahiri and at Harrar. "We were sent to talk to Sekot and to the Council of the Castes about a new threat for the galaxy as a whole."

 

"Sekot foresaw the tidings you would bring, Jeedai. The Council of Castes has assembled and waits for our arrival." Nas Choka said. The Council of the Castes was formed by the Yuuzhan Vong on Zonama in an effort to reconcile themselves with the world and to free their people from the web of deception woven by Onimi and Shimrra during the invasion. A member of each the traditional castes formed part of the Council. Nas Choka, Harrar, Kunra, and Qelah Kwaad and Tahiri Veila, formed this Council, who guided by Sekot, directed the Yuuzhan Vong in their rebuilding.

 

In these past eight years the Yuuzhan Vong had chaged drastically, the Shamed Ones had been restored into a position of dignity and had been called the True Ones, as they alone held true to the belief in the existence of the living planet, the warrior and the intendant caste had been melded into a single one represented by Nas Choka on the Council. The fierceness and the discipline of the former warriors had been channeled to the effort of reconstruction, that combined with the Ferroans had helped the world bloom in such a short time. The priests had smoothed the designs of the gods with the designs of Sekot and the Force. As teachers and instructors the priests educated Yuuzhan Vong of all ages and castes into a new philosophy of unaltered live, serenity and peace, while holding a strong reverence for the flow of Life, the Force and in particular the Jedi Knights. Concepts and teachings, that less than a decade ago were cause for immediate execution. The shapers had abandoned their ideals of drastically altering the nature around them, but rather focused on adapting their species to become one again with the planet.

 

Ulan could clearly imagine what this his species would achieve in a few decades, the existence and beliefs in castes were slowly abolished. Scars, tatoos and mutilations were seen only as a legacy of what they were, but these "tributes" were banned from their future, and as a whole, the species they had begun to turn away from a philosophy of war and anger, to one of peace and calm. But now the Rapora threatened to shatter the image he had pictured of their future.

 

The small group abandoned the vicinity of the ship and moved into a small building where other Yuuzhan Vong were gathered. The Council of Castes and the Magister were present to welcome Alema and Ulan, even Sekot in the shape of Vergere materialized, while Alema told of the new Rapora threat in full detail.

 

Nas Choka, true to a lifetime of war, looked worried and seemed angry, though he dared say nothing. Finally Sekot spoke. "I have heard of the Rapora, during my days as a nomad in the Unknown Regions. They were spoken of in delicate care, barely audible whispers were the only testimonies of their existence. Fear and anger are attached closely to them as a whole. But I must admit I have never seen them, nor have they seen me, but as I do know of them, they might know of me."

 

"Does Chief Omas, or Master Skywalker believe that Sekot is in danger?" Tahiri asked.

 

"Not at the time, but no one can tell for sure. He sent us to warn you, in case the Rapora decide to wage war on the 'living world'."

 

"Undoubtedly they must be familiar to the war that took place eight years ago, Jeedai." Harrar stated softly. "I fear what the thoughts of war might do to us. You feel it, do you not, Nas Choka? If a new threat rises, one that can endanger our new-found world, the blood of the warriors will retake us and ask us to leave what is sacred to us, and die in the stars? The echoes of Yun-Yammka, still reach our hearts." He finished in a sad tone.

 

"Master Skywalker feared it might be so, he sent me to prevent you from sacrificing these last eight years to follow the faint whisper of a god that almost caused our entire extinction," Ulan answered.

 

"Your words are prudent, Ulan," Nas Choka said, a tint of anger flowing into his voice. "And we shall hear them, the Yuuzhan Vong had never sat a war out, we shall do so this time. As much as the glory of battle and the rage of war entices us, we will not abandon our duty to Sekot." His clenched fist slammed the desk.

 

"You have brought your warning, so your assignment is complete, Ulan Shai. But do not consider departure so soon, take a few more days to re-unite yourself to your world. And you, Alema Rar, allow yourself a rest, the burden you carry is heavy, share days with friends and companions that you have not seen in a few years."

 

OOC: I told you it was long...

[Stellar_Magic]

OOC: You could have had your pilots do a flyby or two, tractor beams could work, as well as perhaps a couple sesnor focuses, no matter, the shooting will start within the next page or so. Mad, just try and talk your way out of an engagement with the Rapora, you'll fail... but I'll let your ship escape. Wouldn't want you dead in the opening engagement between the GFFA and the Rapora.

 

Now to the next piece which is moving on the board.

 

IC:A pair of starfighters snapped out of hyperspace and into real space above the Chiss capital of Csilla. Through the canopy Jaina smiled as Jag's Chiss claw craft waggled its wings and banked down to the world. As they approached a pair of Chiss starfighters rose to greet them. They looked like silver eagles fromt he artistic engravings on the craft. With a pair of enormous rockets hanging off their wings they were also menacing. Where the Chiss Clawcraft was a joint venture between chiss renegades and the empire the craft before them was entirely of Chiss design.

 

Jaina's com crackled and a musical alien language shot a short phrase followed momentarily with its basic equivelant, "This is Mithrel one to unidentified fighters, please identify."

 

"This is Colonel Jagged Fel and Jedi Knight Jaina Solo on a diplomatic mission to the royal families," Jagged answered quickly.

 

The two fighters dropped back to escort position, "Thank you Colonel, we'll be your escorts, if you'll follow Vector Two One Zero."

 

Jagged nodded, "Thank you."

 

* * *

 

With a hiss the ramp of the Jade Shadow slid to the deck and Mara stepped out of the hatch her hand gripped tightly around Ben's. Beside her Luke glanced at the Admiral standing at the bottom of the ramp leaning heavily on a thick wooden cane. Luke glanced at the patch eyed man beside him before speaking, "Admiral Voss Parck, and General Fel."

 

"Jedi Skywalker, good of you to visit us, without causing damage to our facilities," Admiral Parck replied slowly.

 

Mara lifted a finger at the two imperials, "Now if I recall General Fel told me to take my best shot."

 

"I never should have told you that," Fel grumbled. He shrugged, "I trust this is more then a social call?"

 

"Yes, we'd like access to your records, specifically those relating to a race of aliens called the Rapora," Luke stated simply.

 

General Felt leaned down to the Admiral as they exchanged a quiet word then straightened, "My son Jagged told you about them didn't he."

 

"We'll see what we can do to assist you Master Skywalker," Admiral Voss Parck replied as the whine of a turbolift filled the hanger. Luke turned to see an Imperial Landing Craft settle onto the deck, "Just a supply run, don't worry."

 

Luke stretched out his feeling and whispered to Mara, "Something isn't right." He stretched out his senses to the craft then stopped, he felt nothing alive aboard the shuttle.

 

Suddenly four balls dropped from the Landing Gear wells and opened like a horrendous metal flower. As they unfolded each droid activated a pair of lightsaber blades as it stood there. Mara reached glanced at him, "What do we do?"

[Trejiuvanat]

Captain Vana Dorja marched straight away into the room where Admiral Oreton and Grand Admiral Pellaeon dined.

 

Her smooth, decided, accelerated pace revealed much of her personality, to some fellow members of the Imperial Navy she seemed to be the polar opposite of her father, who was known as a cautious man, who avoid risks at all costs. Vana, who had shown on several occasions near the end of the war, to be decided on gambling everything on a unprecedent strategy seemed to have a short career ahead of her. One to be abruptly ended by a torpedo between the eyes, or worse, as her father said when he heard of the maneuvers she made during the battle of Bastion. A few months after the end of the war, her father had died, putting on her shoulders the duty to maintain a line of naval commanders alive.

 

Tonight she was upset, very upset, which was a naturally result of the frustrating meeting she had had on Csilla. As a mental note she had obliged herself to ask Pellaeon, if talking to Thrawn was as frustrating as talking to the member of the Nuruodo Family and convincing them of the importance of the threat. In the end she had explained the threat, and provided the result from the analysis of the base at Demblu and left.

 

On Nirauan her welcome had been warmer. Ancient Admiral Parck had been surprised to see a female emissary, much less one by the name of Dorja. The old man had his annoying qualities, but they had heard with interest the information provided by Vana, although she was certain that they knew much more. In the end they had bid her farewell with a special datacard encoded for Pellaeon.

 

Vana Dorja stood before the door of the dining room, and was announced. Pellaeon and Oreton welcomed her and asked her to join their meal.

 

During dinner they discussed the results of the two parallel missions, Pellaeon and Oreton, though had previously decided to withhold some of the most intriguing details from her, such as Thrawn's analyses on the species. Vana listened with interest to the reaction of the Supreme Allied Commander Evahe Litok, and to the meeting with the High Council on Ossus, and of the decisions taken by the Cal Omas and the other Galactic Alliance dignataries.

 

After a piece of Ordovian Frozen Ghar'cream was served as dessert Pellaeon communicated to both of them their new assignment. Admiral Oreton would lead a special task force assigned to patrol the borders of Imperial Space. The patrol force, which accounted as much firepower as the Vader's infamous Death Squadron had, was meant to be a ten-element fleet. Oreton's own Right to Rule, Dorja's Relentless, Arien Yage's recently comissioned Stellar Laberynth, five other Imperial-II-Star Destroyers, the newly refurbished Interctor Stellar Web and an Allegiance-class Star Destroyer named -adequately- Fortress. The Allegiance, despite it's mammoth size and powerful armament, specialized in communications. Able to serve as a huge jammer -one Allegiance-ship prototype had been present at Endor- or as a mobile Holonet Relay, the Allegiance design was retaken and enhanced when the Yuuzhan Vong basically shut down the entire Holonet.

 

After a few more hours of discussion, Pellaeon decided to leave and asked Baros Oreton to escort him to his shuttle. On the way there Pellaeon confirmed Baros, that the Super Star Destroyer Renewal would be in the Morishim system, in case of emergency. As a secondary back-up Pellaeon had shifted some patrol fleets to be able to lend assistance if needed. Chimaera itself would be in position.

 

"For the first time in eight years, I have petitioned Yaga Minor to boost the manufacture of new Imperial Star Destroyers, Lianna, Kuat and other few Imperial-friendly starship manufacturers have also boosted construction rate."

 

"It seems as if you had been planning a pre-emptive strike on them," Baro noted.

 

"You heard it yourself, Thrawn had planned one. In my time at Thrawn's side I never saw him make a mistake. The Noghri incident, was of a different nature," Pellaeon noted. "If Thrawn believed the Noghri threat had to be dealt with almost my lifetime ago, I will not like to think what he would think of right now."

 

The ancient Gran Admiral took a deep breath. "I have faith in you, in Arien and in Vana. If these Rapora decide to move against us, I trust you will be able to halt them, if not, " Pellaeon smiled grimly, "if not none of us, might survive this one."

[Mad78]

Garik fellt like speared by the red glar of the eyes of the holographic representation the Chiss women.

He did not want to lose ships in a useless and dangerous battle.

"We did not intend to indanger your vessels. Our mission is pacific and we do not want to fight."

The eyes's glared at him. But Garik did not move. He could not let the crew think he was scared.

"You really think I would believe that the new republic would dispatch that amount of fire power for a "pacific" mission... You have 1 minute to withdraw your ships." on these words the holorepresentation of the chiss was replaced by that of a timer slowly counting down the time.

"Calculate a course for the closest planet."

"Sir the enemy cruisers are maneuouvering to prepare combat."

The GFFA fleet maneouvered in total panic. certain larger ships nearly collided with the smaller ones.

"Prepare the fighters for lainch... in case."

And while the computer was finishing calculating the hyperspace course the count down ended.

[Stellar_Magic]

OOC: Now Behold the might of the Rapora!

 

IC:Shren smiled at the GFFA manuevers, "Perfect, all units fire at will!"

 

The initial Rapora volley flashed through their cloaking shields targeted by warriors who sensed their foes. The plasma blasts flashed across the shields of the Alliance Warships. One of the Rapublic class Star Destroyers caught a volley across its ridgeline. The blasts penetrated the shields, geysers of superheated metal blew from the craft as its hull ruptured.

 

A mob of Raporan fighters shot out of the Raporan Cruisers as they decloaked. One of the vessels kicked in its thrusters and flew between the alliance starships directing intense fire in all directions. One of the Assault Frigates broke up from the directed fire, its breached hull tumbling slowly through space.

 

The Calamari Star Defender which had been the core of the fleets firepower was mostly ignored by the Raporan vessels. Instead a legion fo Raporan fighters broke toward it and keyed in their targeting computers for the vessel.

 

Onboard the Mon Mothma, Flight Officer Loran Baumer rushed to his X-wing. He clambered aboard as the deck throbbed under the directed fire of the enemy. He pulled the canopy shut and threw all his power to the engines and rocketed out of the hanger. Before he could check ina Raporan fighter flashed by him, a brilliant gold colored plasma sheathed missile flashed from beneath its nose and into the hanger. It detonated, crippling the Mon Mothma and leaving a blackened crater where a hanger bay that could hold a corellian corvette once was.

 

"This is Fleet control to all ships, engage those fighters, they'll tear the fleet apart if you don't nail them. They're armed with some sort of penetrating bombs, you've got to take them out." Loran cranked his display to target the nearest of the red brown craft he banked toward it as a Raporan Cruiser came to a halt in front of the fleet's hyperspace vector, blocking their escape.

 

* * *

 

The Mon Mothma was struggling to match the hyperspace vector. But as the Raporan cruiser settled into position the gravitic sensors showed that the Raporan ship had activated a gravity well projector.

 

"Sir, we can't jump on that vector, we'll have to change course!"

 

Another officer flinched as sparks shot from his console, "Our Reactor is leaking, if we don't reduce power..."

 

"Shields down on the keel, decks one-thirty through one-thirty-four

reporting a hull breach, bulkheads holding, damage crews responding. We've lost over twenty turbolaser batteries sir!"

 

"Sir, the nearest friendly base is Nirauan, should I order the course change?" The Navigator asked hesitantly.

 

Garik glanced at the crew as he made the only choice available to him.

 

* * *

 

Luke glanced at the Chiss and Admiral Parck thinking he'd see looks of triumph upon them at having captured the Jedi, instead he was greeted by looks of absolute terror.

 

The Chiss guards were cut down as the droids let loose with all their assembled firepower. Mara pushed ben tot he deck as a pair fo cuncussion missiles detonated ripping apart the wall of the hanger. Already two of the droids rolled toward the gap.

 

General Fel took cover beside the ramp of the Jade Shadow, "We've got to stop them!"

 

"How, if you've got any suggestions..." Mara snapped back as Ben struggled out from under her. He ran back up the ramp and Mara glanced at him to be certain he was safe as the hatch closed.

 

One of the droids skidded to a stop before them its weapons unfolding and tracking when a brilliant green blast ripped it appart. Mara glanced at her ship in time to see Ben in the underside point defense turret blast another fo the droids. Luke rolled under the ramp to the side of the ship as the remaining two fired their last concussion missiles and ejected their spent magazines in that moment their shields came up.

 

Luke waded into the force, seizing the four incoming missiles and scattering them as Ben fired another blast which ripped throught he droid's shields. A few seconds later it was all over.

[Trejiuvanat]

"Sir," an alert young officer called from the communications center. Oreton had stood gazing at distant stars. From the quietness of the crewers in their pits, and the calm yet fearful tone in the officers tone Oreton knew that what he had feared and expected had finally materialized.

 

"Sir," the officer locked gaze with the Admiral. "We have a weak and distorted signal from the Unknown Regions, it seems like an emergency call."

 

The officer played it and Oreton could distinguish a few panicked voices, and barely articulated words, the rest was dissipated in the hiss of static.

 

"Can you boost the signal?"

 

"No sir, if not for Fortress's special capabilities we might not have picked it up at all."

 

"Run a noise reduction, or whatever enhancement you have."

 

"I just did, sir." The officer said and busied himself on a few panels. "Coming now."

 

". . .We . .re . . der attack. . . hosti . . ships. . . This i . . Ioor. . . . . . . . Our fleet. . . . . . eavy loss. . . . . . . powerful . . . . Plasma . . . . . Withdrawing . . . . Nirauan . . . . . . . . peat. . . "

 

Oreton was silent for a few more seconds.

 

"Lieutenant, signal the fleet. I will talk to them in my command room."

 

Oreton walked calmly into the secondary bridge which was his command room. Immediately the figure of the Captains of the nine vessels under his command materialized.

 

"We have intercepted a distress call from a Galactic Alliance fleet in the Unknown Regions. They have withdrawn to the Nirauan system. I have decided to wait for them there, to lend assistance and to obtain information. Captain Yage: Stellar Laberynth will join me in this mission, Captain Orovassh," Oreton locked gazes with the Yagai in command of the Interdictor Cruiser. "Stellar Web will also join me to the Nirauan mission, Captain Dorja until my return the fleet will be under your command. If you detect the presence of the attackers nearby do not engage them, withdraw if necessary and put a call to Grand Admiral Pellaeon. Captain Levarkoh, Fortress's communications team shall monitor any transmission in a range of ten lightyears, dispatch probes and scout teams at your discretion. Anything should be recorded and analyzed, even if it only is static."

 

Oreton shut down his connection to all commanders but Yage and Orovassh. "We will depart as soon we are in formation, have starfighters in battle-readiness."

 

In less than three minutes three arrow-head shaped vessels vanished into hyperspace.

[Stellar_Magic]

OOC: Trej, you just walked into one enormous ambush, that wasn't even planned as an ambush.

 

IC:For the Galactic Federation of Free Alliances the day had begun bad enough, with several ships battered to a pulp flashing through hyperspace, their destination they hopped would be a place of safety, it was not.

 

The Rapora had already decided that the Empire of the Hand's fortress on Nirauan had to be destroyed, to this end they had dispatched three of their cruisers along with a full squadron twelve of Vagaari warships and a Vagaari Assault Carrier. They arrived cloaked at the edge of the system slowly edging toward their objectives. It would take them a few hours to reach their jumping off positions for the attack.

 

One the Raporan War Cruiser Dark Power for Freedom a man stood surrounded by Raporan crewers. His black cape slid across the ground as he stepped up to the viewports which showed nothing but the inky blackness of the cloaking shield. He reached out his mind, his eyes closed to sense the wrold behind the blackness. The minds fothe Rapora all around him filled his peresptions, but before him two powerful minds flashed in his perceptions, minds which were not of raporan values or wills, minds of Jedi.

 

Slowly he opened his eyes and glanced along the bridge, "Rapora, my friends, it seems we may have arrived to late, there or Jedi on the world, do you feel them?"

 

The Raporan glanced at each other and the Raporan Captain stood knelt onto one knee, "The council was right to send you before us Darth Malice, with you and the blue one's sister we will be able to rid this universe of the misguided Jedi."

 

Malic smiled contently at the Captain, he knew that there was one far greater then he orchestrating the campaign, one who would be the doom to the Jed, "Thank you, continue as planned, we shall see just how good these Jedi are."

 

* * *

 

Luke and Mara both stopped mid stride, their steps faltered and both looked at each other, worry evident on their faces, they both knew then what they'd felt, stretching out with their senses they felt the hostile minds closing in, they were millions of kilometers away, but Luke could still sense them moving toward them.

 

Admiral Parck watched them his gaze wary and tapped Stents shoulder and pulled him down to whisper in his ear, "Go to Drack Three Alert, I think our guests may have felt something." Stent straightened and glowered at the Jedi, then headed off. The Admiral straightened, "You wanted information, follow me and I'll see what we can get you."

 

OOC: Waiting for Mad 78 to post...

[Mad78]

The crippled GFFA fleet entered the Nirauan system. Garik breathed out loudly. The fleet had sustained many loses and the aliens may have folowed them but hopefully they would have the time to calculate a course and send a message to HQ.

Suddenly the alarms sounded again.

"Sir we have multiple cloaked contact." said the panic voice of the young officer who had taken the detection post.

Not again how was it possible that they could arrive so fast. There was only one answer... They intended toattack Nirauan.

"Are we within detector range of the Chiss base."

"Negative sir... Our communications have just been jammed." he officer seemed on the brim of the nervous breakdown.

"Some... Vaagari ships are blocking our only escape vector."

They were lost. At this moment 3 silver darts appeared on the other side of the Vaagari blockade.

[Stellar_Magic]

Admiral Parck sat back in the command chair of the Fortress's command center watching the Skywalkers scan through the data with the help of their Artoo unit. Suddenly Stent rushed into the room, "Sir..." He bent down and handed the Admiral a report.

 

Admiral Parck stopped as his eyes widened in horror, "Has this been confirmed?" There was a barely visible nodd from the chiss. With that Admiral Parck stabbed a button on the command chair and a ground rattling siren blazed through the air, "All units, code Juliet, this is no drill! I repeat code Juliet, this is no drill!"

 

Luke spun to the Admiral, "What is it?"

 

Pack hesitated only a moment, "Our sensors just picked up three ships of Raporan design in high orbit, they'll be in firing position in two minutes."

 

* * *

 

Darth Malice smiled as the new enemy forces appeared, "Holocomm call to Shren, tell her that her prey has just showed up on my doorstep." He spun to General Verosh of the Vagaari, "Your vessels will engage the GFFA fleet and the Imperial forces, you will delay them until the Blood of War, and Death is Life have finished their bombardment and come back to your aid."

 

Verosh stood there his twin mouths grim, "Lord, my forces..."

 

"Will do as their told or I'll hunt them down myself, is that clear!"

 

"Yes, it is clear Dath Malice."

 

The Vagaari opened fire at maximum range their blue green shots flashing across the battered GFFA fleet. Squadron after squadron of Vagaari fighters flashed out of the carrier and toward the Imperials along with four of the Vagaari Warships. A squadron of Raporan fighters formed up just behidn the spear of Vagaari, together they would attempt to thrust through the Imperial's defenses and destroy their vessels.

 

The battle of Nirauan had begun.

[Trejiuvanat]

OOC: Oh... At least I'll get to do something... Oh I've PMed a few questions to you.

 

IC:

 

Battle-claxons and whining sirens erupted immediately as the ship exited hyperspace. Thousands of thought exploded in his mind in matter of seconds.

 

"Battle alert! Status?" Oreton asked masking his own surprise and distress.

 

"We detect a GFFA fleet on Vector Seventy-Nine, multiple enemy contacts have left hyperspace behind them. Sensor profile does not match any known vessel."

 

Another crewer informed from his position,"Sir, we are detecting massive energy readings."

 

The communications officer called him from her position. "Incoming communication from the Laberynth"

 

"Captain Yage?" Oreton said.

 

"Admiral, most of the vessel is composed of Vagaari design," she informed cooly. "The three big cruisers, on the other hand, are totally different designs." Rapora, Oreton realized.

 

"Thank you," Oreton said and cut the transmission off. "Open a channel to the ground."

 

"Two minutes for range to the Vagaari vessel." The Captain informed.

 

"Galactic Alliance ship destroyed, escape pods drifting to Nirauan. Justice for Freedom asks for assistance."

 

Oreton did not move and focused on the communication panel.

 

The Captain moved to his side. "We will not launch fighters?"

 

"No, we may not participate here at all." Oreton snapped as the communications officer confirmed an open channel to the Nirauan Facility.

 

"Niraruan, this is Admiral Oreton from the Imperial Star Destroyer Right to Rule. You have multiple enemy contacts converging, for a full orbital bombardment. How can we be of assistance?"

 

A fragile yet calm voice answered him. "Parck here, not a Death Star could be of assistance right now, Admiral."

 

"With all due respect, I have heard similar comments before, with the Yuuzhan Vong. In the end their own blindspots were turned against them."

 

"You will not find any of those in the Vagaari with ease, much less in the Rapora."

 

"A species so encased in violence and conflict must have significant weaknesses."

 

"They are a species that gain strength from hatred, anger and fear, Admiral." Parck said.

 

"I understand, sir. "

 

"Then you know that you should not spend more time here."

 

"Acknowledged Admiral. Lieutenant, signal Captain Orovassh for Plan Besh-Vee."

 

Besh-Vee consisted in a strategy he had been told about in his early years, when he had been first interested in battle. An Interdictor is usually meant to pull things out of hyperspace, because of the mass-shadow it projected with the huge gravity wells. It was also possible to create the reverse effect, instead of pulling the Interdictor could push.

 

Stellar Web could for a handful of seconds push the spearhead of the Vagaari formation away from their targets. The push could not be easily controlled, nor made to last long. Instead it would only distract his enemies while the Imperials made their move.

 

"Besh-Vee confirmed."

 

"Besh-Vee in progress." The officer reported, as the Vagaari spearhead borke out of formation as they struggled against the power of gravity.

 

"Orovassh reports critical situation and requests for orders." The Captain reported on his side. "One of the Galactic Alliance warships has been destroyed, another was pushed into the enemy formation. One last vessel is starting its hyperspace run."

 

"Transmit order to withdraw." Oreton dictated and moved closer to the communication console.

 

"I regret not being a greater help, Admiral Parck." Oreton spoke with pain drifting in his voice.

 

"I regret not having met you before, Admiral Oreton." Parck said. "Nirauan out." The transmission clicked off. The Captain moved to his side. Stellar Web and Stellar Laberynth have entered hyperspace."

 

"Launch probes and move to the edge of the system and have cloaking device on stand-by."

 

Right to Rule vanished into hyperspace and popped out in the edges of the system where it was visible only for a few more seconds, before it vanished under the impenetrable cloaking shield, where it observed the events that unfolded.

 

Alone Oreton came to the realization that todays battle -no, not battle, rather withdrawal- was the same as the tactic he had executed, a delaying tactic. If he wanted, and had, to move against the Rapora and their allies and expect victory he had to understand how to battle them on a psychological level.

 

Looking up Thrawn's notes on the Rapora he started his own analysis, as he reviewed the crystal-clear images he had obtained during todays battle. He let his analysts figure out fleet strengths, while he delved deeped in his analysis of a species that lived of violence and conflict, and of anger, and fear.