"New Career Path"
By: Minn Starcrash
Reinrich Tas
Analesse D'vrishay
Nemyos

Location: Nocturnal Delights, New Plouton; Analesse's Office, New Plouton
Date: Vadris 18, 5 ABY

***

Minn Starcrash stood in Reinrich's office once again. Instead of her typical skintight leather and weapon's belt, she was dressed in a black skirt that fell to just above her knees and a white tank top beneath a black jacket. Her boots were short, coming to just above her ankles, and left enough of her legs visible to be interesting but not so much that anyone would think her a joygirl. The cut of both the skirt and the jacket was conservative, with just a bit of sass added from the tank top. She had a purse hung over one shoulder, complete with the keys to her new apartment and her identification stating her name as Minn Dakara.

"So, do you think it works," she asked as she turned to face Reinrich as he stood watching her in front of the mirror.

He appraised her critically before replying, "Just stuffy enough for her. Remember, she's conservative, prudish. If you come on too strongly, you'll turn her off."

"What are her interests," Minn asked as she checked her purse again. "Specifically something that would be a good interest I could use to bond with her on. I doubt a mutual interest in her lover would be a good one."

"Very astute," he commented wryly. "I don't know much about her, but I do know she's not one for excitement so don't overwhelm her. Getting her drunk might help."

Minn laughed softly, the laugh of a young professional. "Well, I'll play it by ear to begin with," she said. "And, if it comes to it, I'll take her out for a few drinks and see where that goes."

Reinrich chuckled deeply as he gathered Minn's hair away from her nape and nuzzled his lips to the downy flesh there. "Just don't try to seduce her," he advised. "It's not her style."

Minn grinned. "I won't," she said, though she suspected the reason was less that it wasn't Analesse D'vrishay's style, and instead that it was because Reinrich wanted her for himself. "I have an hour before my interview. Hopefully we'll hit it off right off from the start."

"Remember," he stressed, "play to her ego by mentioning how you admire a woman succeeding in such a testosterone-driven industry and that you want her as a mentor. As modest as Analesse can be, she is still an arrogant, over-privileged rich girl at heart. She'll appreciate the idol-worship."

"I think I can handle that," Minn answered. "I should go. I pulled some articles from the HoloNet about her. I should have enough time to read through them before the interview."

"You did research?" Reinrich smiled admiringly. "You're more than a body, aren't you? You may just be of more use to me than in my bed."

Minn flashed him a grin as she smoothed her jacket again, checked herself in the mirror. "Hopefully next time I talk to you, I'll have a few secrets to reveal." She approached him and leaned up to brush her lips against his. "Don't be too lonely without me."

"With all the girls to choose from, why would I be?" He grinned, his soul so permeated with evil that he was unable to do so without sneering. "Have fun destroying a life."

"Oh, I will," Minn said as she sauntered from the room. "I will indeed."

***

The waiting room of the office was tidy, with a pair of chairs that matched the couch. Across the room, Analesse D'vrishay's assistant kept glancing in her direction, at least until he was distracted by an incoming comm from the assistant of one of the local businessmen. She had to smirk to herself at the moon eyes the man was making at the other man, and the manner in which the other man tried to avoid being drawn into his flirtations.

Minn returned to her reading, a flimsi left on the table in front of the couch, and added in a few nervous twitches for effect. It seemed like forever, but the office door finally opened, and Minn nearly jumped.

Analesse D'vrishay was by no means diminutive in both stature and presence. Tall and attractive, she commanded attention upon first glance, but one look into her dark eyes and at her bearing, and it was obvious Analesse D'vrishay had achieved her success in such a competitive industry because she was no delicate flower. Her smile was reserved as she greeted Minn and she dispensed with all pleasantries in exchange for a more direct course. "Minn Dakara? Please, come in and we can speak."

Setting the flimsi aside, Minn stood, smoothed her skirt, and followed Analesse into the office. "Thank you ever so much for seeing me," she said. "I have wanted to apply for a job with you forever, but I had to wait until I was old enough and finished with my schooling." She sucked in a breath, let it out slowly, and smiled at her future employer.

"I've reviewed her resume," Analesse mentioned. "The Arcadian Institute of Business is a prestigious school." She motioned Minn to the seat opposite her desk while she took her own. "You graduated top in your class. That's impressive."

"Thank you," Minn said as she took the offered chair. As she settled in the chair, she was relieved she had spent as much time as she did lining up her references. "I think it was a good education and worth the time. Though, I do think what you said in your interview with the Development Council of New Plouton was so right. The schools are helpful for a solid foundation, but it is only once you are in the work force that you truly begin to learn and understand your craft. I hope my foundation is solid enough."

Analesse cocked an eyebrow at Minn, impressed by the scope of her knowledge. "You're rather young to be so enthusiastic. Are you just as ambitious?"

"My father worked as a ship tech on the Shipyards, but he ended up drinking most of what he made each week. My mom worked just down the street from our Yallder apartment at one of those run down diners. When my dad finally left us, my mom started working part of the time as a joygirl. I was eight years old then, and decided I was not going to be like her, so I've applied myself ever since. I was admitted to the Arcadian Institute when I was fourteen and worked part time as a file clerk to support the tuition. The life my parents led is not what I want. People told me there was no way I was going to make it on my own. I started to believe them until I read that interview. They'd say no woman can make it in this industry, and I'd say, 'Ms. D'vrishay made it and better than most men too.' I have to be ambitious, Ms. D'vrishay, otherwise I'd never make it here."

It was difficult not to be touched by Minn's story of personal triumph, even if Analesse was not often swayed by flattery. She smiled warmly at her prospective employee. "I'm glad you could share your past with me, Ms. Dakara. But as successful as I've been, there are always hurdles to overcome whenever one breaks into such a competitive industry. As long as you're not easily discouraged by little progress, at times...I'd be glad to teach you everything I know."

Minn's face lit up and she smiled brightly. "I would be honoured, Ms. D'vrishay," she said, the hope clear in her voice. "I know it won't be easy, but the only way to succeed is to actually do it. Every hurdle is a challenge, and while getting over them may be a challenge, you'll never get anywhere if you give up."

Analesse chuckled softly, giving a shake of her head. "Well, you're certainly exuberant, but I warn you now, it'll be hard work, and it may be very menial work at first. But I will try to expose you to as much of this business as I can. It's what I would have expected if I'd started out the way you are."

"Thank you very much," Minn said, reigning in some of her exuberance so as to not overwhelm Analesse. "I fully expected to start at the bottom and work up from there. The best people in the business always do it that way. Those who are just handed the opportunity without having to work for it, never do well. I'll do my best to make sure you don't ever regret taking a chance on me, Ms. D'vrishay."

"I hope I don't," she replied, then rose from her chair with hand extended to Minn. "Welcome."

Minn stood and accepted Analesse's handshake. "Thank you," she said. "Thank you so very much."

"Don't thank me yet," Analesse warned lightly. "I'll be watching you closely, and I can't promise you'll meet my expectations. But if you do...I won't have any reason to not keep you around. Understood?"

"Understood," Minn said. "When do I start?"

"I'll have Nemyos show you around the place, but..." Analesse smiled. "How's now?"

"Now would be great," Minn said. "Will I be on a standard schedule and standard payrate?"

"If there are no objections...."

"None here," Minn said brightly.

Analesse nodded in accord. "In time, if you fit in here, we can work out a commission structure for you, especially when you begin helping me with development deals. I haven't worked alongside someone in a long time. This may turn out to be a nice change."

Minn smiled. "I'm looking forward to it, Ms. D'vrishay. It's sort of been a little bit of a dream of mine to actually work with you, and...and now it's happening."

"Give it some time," she quipped, "and you'll change your mind." Smiling to put her at ease, Analesse contacted Nemyos through the intercom. He was at the door in moments. Analesse gestured towards him. "If you have any questions, he'll be glad to answer them." Overhearing, Nemyos pursed his lips sourly, detesting any task that dragged him away from flirting with Moril.

"Thank you again, Ms. D'vrishay," Minn said as she turned to Nemyos. She gave him a disarming smile. "I'm sorry to have to take you away from your desk, but maybe I can make it up by bringing in caffes tomorrow."

Haughtily ignoring her offer, Nemyos turned and sashayed from the room. "Follow me," he stubbornly told her.

Flashing a smile back at Analesse, Minn followed after him.

Nemyos led Minn through the corridor, glancing inquisitively back now and then, before asking, "Are you going to be here long? Or is this temporary?"

"I hope it will be a permanent thing," Minn answered. "Ms. D'vrishay is very inspiring. Have you been working here long, Mr. Nemyos? You seem to have everything together."

Determined not to warm up to Minn, Nemyos shrugged coyly. "I try." He then waved lazily to a room off to the side. "That's the break room" --abruptly, he spun on his heel to watch Minn peevishly-- "but don't even think about touching anything in the refrigeration unit with my name on it. I have a very specific nutrition regime and any deviation from that could ruin this hard-won figure of mine." Haughtily raising his chin, Nemyos added with finality, "Not a single bite."

"It's a very nice figure," Minn said. "I can't believe that gentleman you were speaking with on the comm doesn't see that. The two of you would be such a perfect couple."

Nemyos sighed wistfully. "Don't I know it. But he's practically married to - of all things! - a woman."

"Oh, that's a shame," Minn said with a frown. "Maybe if you had some time alone with him, you could win him over. Seeing as we're going to be co-workers here, maybe I can help a little. I don't know if you'll go for it, but...suppose you convince him and his girl to go on a double-date with you and me. I'll see if I can draw her away from him, and you get some time to work your magic."

"He wouldn't buy it," he dismissed unhappily, then stubbornly turned up his nose at Minn once he remembered she was an unwelcome newcomer. "Come," Nemyos told her coolly, "I'll show you the restrooms."

"Alright," Minn said as she followed along after him. She decided she wouldn't push him further just yet, knowing she had to play it safe. "So, what sort of things do you do to keep yourself in shape?" She patted her flat belly. "I maintain a strict diet and then run daily. I've taken them in the past, but I want to take more self-defense classes."

"Oh, I'm just naturally slender," he explained, sighing airily. "It must be horrible to have to work so hard for your figure." Pouting at Minn, he lamented, "Poor girl...."

"Oh it is," she answered. "It's a constant fight to keep the pounds away. And I won't even get into the cosmetics just to look presentable in the professional world."

Nemyos cattily replied, "I can tell. Your office is this way." Sharply turning a corner, Nemyos conveyed Minn to a quaint, modestly sized room at the end of the hallway. He stepped aside while opening the door, allowing Minn a look at her office. "I wonder when I'll get an office," he muttered.

"Well, I imagine Ms. D'vrishay wants people to see your smiling face when they walk in the door," Minn said. "Plus, if that dream you chat with on the comm ever shows up, you'll be the first to see him. If you ever want to work out, Nemyos, I've got a pass at the gym I just joined. I could use a spotter and a sparring partner."

He eyed her up and down before shrugging. "Perhaps. Just don't expect me to bring you caffe everyday," he informed her petulantly then sauntered away, though Nemyos did call back cheerfully, "If you need anything else...comm me!"

Minn shot a cheerful smile after him. "I will," she called out, then entered her office. She would have to give it a personal touch, as most office workers were expected to do. She smiled to herself as she sat in the chair, letting it swing around with her momentum. She'd made it in, and now the real work would begin.

***

In Reinrich Tas' office, his comm chimed for his attention. As he accepted the incoming communication, a New Plouton street filled the screen. Obviously, it was a public terminal. A moment later, Minn's face appeared in the frame. She smiled.

"I'm in."

His pale eyes burned with a hungry fire as he asked, "So soon? I knew you were up to the task."

"I'm still in the orientation phase," Minn said. "Once I have something more substantial, I will give you another update."

"Good work. Just...please don't mess this up, hm?"

"You lack faith, my dear," Minn said, tsking him. "I am very good at what I do, and this very thing is what I was made for."

Reinrich smirked. "You must be if you got Analesse D'vrishay to hire you so soon. I'm assuming that means you didn't hit on her."

"She's not my type," Minn said. "Besides, the woman's too cold and distant to ever let anyone close. Something big would have to happen for her to open up to someone else."

"But she has," Reinrich reminded her bitterly. "Merrick Braston. I want him out of the way. And you need to devise a method for doing so."

"I could make it look like an accident," Minn said with a slow smile.

Reinrich shook his head briskly. "No...he can't die. He needs to be viewed as unfaithful in Analesse's eyes. It's the only way. If you kill him, she'll only pine for him. If she hates him...only then will she come running to me."

"I understand," Minn said. "I'll make sure she sees him as unfaithful then."

"Good. Get it done."

Without another word, the screen went dark and Minn Starcrash was left standing in the public comm terminal. She glanced around to make sure where were no nearby Jau patrols. Finding the street deserted, she started back toward her apartment. Tomorrow would be an interesting day.

---

"First Strike: Beginning the War, Part 1"
by Admiral Dresh Kano
Jedi Master Koran Darr
Padawan Talara Sorenne
Huntress Kaylee Soras
Zale Tregat
Chun Li
Jaller Two-thumbs
Rylaa Lyssander
Lani Vissip
Rashid
Lorgal
Morgal
Omri Kedemoth
Iyika
A'Kin
Kel Denab
Jedi Master Laedra Vorrel
Keeve Zenarr

Location: Tae'Sollar Desert
Date: Vadris 18, 5 ABY

***

The forces being assembled were a site to behold. Military units stretched across the desert floor, screened from above by holoprojectors and a heat dispersion cloud. It would fool any but the most detailed searches for a time. But, if the Jau decided to focus their attention on this area, the Resistance would be in dire trouble.

From the command post, Dresh Kano was meeting with the leaders. The initial plan had been outlined already. Their lightning strike should catch the Jau off-guard. After an initial attack that would breach the mining facilities walls and disable their weaponry, the infantry forces of the Resistance would strike.

The current plan had been approved by all the commanders of the divisions operating today, and their success was nearly assured. The Jau would respond quickly, but the initial strike would be crippling to the point that they would have little opportunity to retaliate before the mission was completed.

The Jedi stood together, a small group but highly efficient. Their presence was a danger here, not so much to the Resistance effort, but to the Order as a whole. As Kano observed the Jedi going over their parts of the plan, he realized how fragile their existence was. The few they could provide to this fight was a large number for them, and it showed clearly that a tragedy today could very well cripple the ancient order of warriors.

Two non-Jedi stood out among the group. One clad in an outfit of little more than leather straps and a vast array of archaic weaponry was the foremost authority on the planet, possibly in the entire sector on fighting and killing the Jau. From a far-distant world, the Kitari Huntress Kaylee Soras had shared that knowledge with the commanders and their men, instructing in the most efficient and deadly methods of dispatching the Jau's foot soldiers.

The other among the Jedi looked like little more than a boy and out of place with the others. He hovered close to one of the Jedi, a Padawan who would be playing a critical role in the initial attack. As the Jedi chose to go on the offensive and help in the war, they put away their civilian clothes and once again wore the robes that signified who they were. The Jau would know that the Jedi Order was taking a stand along with the rest of the planet that turned against them.

Jedi Masters Koran Darr and Laedra Vorrel stood together with the Jedi, a pool of serenity amidst the building chaos of the upcoming battle. He hoped their calm was an indication of upcoming success. Admiral Kano hoped they would not lose a man today, but that was a foolish dream. They would strike quickly, free the enslaved conscripts, and get out. Some would be lost, but the plan was solid and good. The Jau would be unable to react quick enough, and that would be the Resistance's victory.

Kano glanced aside at Zale Tregat who gave him a nod. It was Tregat who had provided the technology above, hiding them from the Jau. The one-time crimelord had provided soldiers and a flight of airspeeders as well. In distant production yards orbiting above some nameless planet, ships Were being constructed by Zale's Antorial Industries. Those vessels would Come into play eventually, but the attack today would happen on the ground.

Artillery units had been provided and would prove to be useful. Kano wished they had more available, but they would use what they could. As the Resistance gained more support, perhaps the arsenal they could bring to a fight would increase as well. For today, for their needs, it would be enough.

Li had arrived after some fancy low-terrain flying, to hide her fighter from patrols and sensors. Fa'Rong was standing a bit further under the heat dispersion cloud. She had brought Axon to the meeting with her. As she looked around she only recognised two people she had seen before, admiral Kano and Zale Tregat. As she knew the admiral better, she walked that way.

"Admiral," she said as a way of greeting before going right to business, "I've been checking out that pirate base we destroyed some time ago, and I think we might be able to get it working again. Might be a good hide-out."

"That's a possibility," Kano answered. "Though, one we will need to consider after this operation. For now, our objective is getting those prisoners out of there and hurting the Jau. Once we are successful, then we can think about hide-outs. It is a good suggestion though, and probably the best option available to us at the moment."

"Of course," Li said, before lowering her voice. With all the people around her, it would be very hard to listen in to conversations. She made a mental note to get something to jam listening devices. "Be careful with Rylaa and New Dawn," she said, "the only reason I'm here is because of some back-ups on my fighter he didn't know about."

Rylaa sat in his mobile command center surrounded by the men and women of the New Dawn. It wasn't that he didn't trust Admiral Kano and the others, it was that he preferred to be in direct contact with his people at all times. Well, he admitted to himself, it may be a touch of paranoia too. My instincts have never been wrong before, and I'm sure something bad is going to happen today.

Jaller Two-thumbs, who had been placed in charge of the New Dawn's ground forces as well as the Resistance regulars, paced through the deep holotank that made up the center of the command vehicle. A map of the desert was splayed out before him with icons indicating each individual trooper in their force. The tiny IFF beads had been given to each of the soldiers and officers, as well as to the Jedi, so that there would hopefully be no friendly fire. Jaller had suggested this and the Admiral had agreed as the motley group of resistance fighters, all civilians, had only been placed through the roughest of training cycles. The IFF beads would broadcast a signal on a secure frequency that the chemical slugthrowers Rylaa had provided would pick up, stopping any firing in that direction. "Rashid is ready to proceed," he told his boss. One of the communication technicians relayed it to the Admiral.

Only a single klick away from the hardened walls of the mining facility, Rashid the assassin communed with the desert as the sun set behind a large dune. Dressed in his camouflaged sneak-suit and covered in ghilli-cloth, any visual observer in the Jau compound would only see yet another piece of desert scrub and never guess the death that it contained. On his back Rashid carried the weapon that would breach the Jau gates and allow the resistance troops inside. It was a massive thermal detonator, specially designed by Ares Macrotechnology for the Empire to breach hardened blast door. It was devilishly simple to use, requiring either a timer or radio signal to detonate, but the intense electromagnetic signature put out by the magnetic couplers were sure to be picked up by the Jau sensors. That was why after Rashid received his signal and planted the device, the Resistance would have to move quickly.

Admiral Kano acknowledged the report from the New Dawn forces. "Alright," he said, his voice carrying to all of the commanders in his vicinity, "it's go time. Get your people into position and wait for my signal. Once the gates are breached, we will be moving. The more time the Jau have to react to our attack, the less chance of success this mission has. So we want to give them no time at all. May the Force be with us all."

Li and Axon went back to her fighter. It took a bit of maneuvering to get Axon in, but she was ready before they had to move. Li activated the start-up sequence but didn't engage the engines yet, as she wasn't sure if it would show up through the heat dispersion. Hiding a number of people was one thing, the heat of fighter engines something else. Now she would have to wait again.

Kel Deneb stepped up beside of Rylaa, the man who had recruited him into helping with an organized resistance. Since then, he had become the nameless harbinger of wanton chaos, without killing a Jau, to the occupation. Now, they were going to be striking back, and hard at the invaders. He checked his suit, and made certain that it was ready to go. He kept his blasters in their leg holsters in his suit. They'd be almost useless in this attack. Instead, he had opted for some old slug throwers that he had picked up in his recent travels, and his rocket pods from the suit. "Time for the party, I'd say.." Kel said to Rylaa.

"Kel," Rylaa addressed the mercenary, "You're my ace in the hole with the irregulars. Once the gates are down I'd like you be seen by them leading the attack. Most of them will at least recognize your armor from our earlier attacks."

"Will do," Kel said, and headed out. He quickly made his way towards the gate, with the batch of irregulars. He made it over to them, and sat silently, just observing. It had been a while since he had been in any sort of formal combat situation. And now, with him being the "face" of the New Dawn, the Jau might actually be a little scared.

Omri idly rubbed oil on his S-shaped sword with a bantha hide rag. Since he had stumbled upon the attack force by accident, Omri had been placed with a group of irregulars. He declined the slugthrower offered to him, preferring his own Morellian Enforcer instead. From what he had learned of the Jau, the heavy slug pistol should prove effective enough.

Omri scanned the force around him. The raw fighters shifted nervously as word to move out rippled through the ranks. He slid the sword back in its scabbard and cinched up his combat harness.

***

On the other side of the mining facility, hidden like the main force, the secondary force made up of mostly New Dawn troops waited patiently for their own signal to attack. Lorgal and his nestbrother Morgal crouched next to each other. Lorgal had, with much gnashing of teeth, forgone his usual weapon in order to carry one of the missile launchers that would breach the north wall of the facility. Morgal carried with him a pair of grenade launchers loaded with a quick-hardening foam in case any of the slaves got in the way of the fighting. Behind the two barabels were the five powered Firefox assault suits that Rylaa had managed to keep from the Jau when they had raided his warehouses. All of them had been reequipped with a pair of flamethrowers to flush out any of the aliens that might be hiding.

"They're taking too long," Morgal said to his nestbrother. "The sun is almost down and most of these fleshbags can't see in the dark like we can."

"Patience," Lorgal replied. "Just remember, after the swoops and that pilot start the harassing runs, we blow the wall while the power armor leaps onto the buildings."

"Oh is that the plan?" Morgal said sardonically. "And here I thought my own nestbrother wouldn't have to tell me again like I was some sort of idiot. I'm just bored, that's all."

Lorgal ignored the jest and concentrated and getting ready for their portion of the attack.

Iyika was lying low, in position with other regulars at the rear of the facility. All was quite. A few spoke in hushed whispers, more still shifted their weight trying to find that comfortable spot that had found and lost. She was more of a close-quarters specialist. Getting close to her victims before gutting them. ["How you feeling?"] The familiar voice came through her earpiece. A'Kin wasn't taking part in this little operation, offering supplies and intel was more valuable than a single man. Iyika thought that was crap, he just didn't want to get his hands dirty. A man of his ears and experience would be invaluable, if not in the field fighting then with the Admiral offering advice in tactics and strategy.

"Fine..." she whispered.

["Don't tell me your still mad at me, I told you--"]

"I'm not mad, just... disappointed."

There was a slight pause before her father spoke. ["That hurts..."]

"Its suppose to. I'm busy at the moment, we'll talk later." One of the soldiers, from the New Dawn, glanced in her direction, obviously overhearing what she'd been saying. Cocking her head to the side, staring at him, it didn't take long before he looked away, becoming uncomfortable under her glare. With the sun setting it wouldn't be long before the strike. It was about time her skills were put to use like this. Freeing a planet. Couldn't get a much better cause.

***

Kaylee Soras clasped Talara Sorenne's hand as the young Padawan finished securing her sneak suit. "Good luck to you, little one," the Huntress said. "May your blade strike true."

Talara cast a grin at her new friend and nodded. "And yours," she replied, then embraced her. "See you on the other side."

As Tala turned toward Keeve, Master Darr gave her a nod. "The Force will be with you, Talara." She gave him a smile as she went to Keeve. He was still upset she was taking part in placing the charges on the gates.

"I'll be back before you know I'm gone," she told him. "And, then I promise I won't leave your side." As he started to respond, she leaned up and kissed him. Then before her steadfast resolve could fade, she sprinted away, the stealth suit turning her in a blur before she'd even left the shelter.

Koran Darr placed a hand on Keeve's shoulder. "She'll be fine."

Talara moved with speed over the sands, using the Force both to aid her travel and suppress the trail of sand behind her. It took much concentration on her part, but she'd spent most of the previous day practicing the trick. She had worked with Rashid to perfect the trick until even he had difficulty noting her passage through the sands around the Rebel encampment.

But now she moved with unerring accuracy toward his location, sounding a double-click over the channel once she was within one hundred meters of his position. Within the safety of her sneak suit, she carried her lightsaber. Strapped to her back and wrapped to keep them invisible until drawn, a pair of curved blades waited to be used against the Jau.

It was only her knowledge of where Rashid had hidden himself that led her to his location, until she finally belly-crawled up to where he patiently waited. She had stayed behind to give the assassin time alone in the sands. Now that she was at his side, it was time for action.

It was only a few short minutes later that the command came through. "Gate team," the communications officer said over the comms, "begin your approach."

Rashid turned to the young woman behind him. "It's time," he said to Tala with the sub-vocal mic at his neck. Without waiting for a response he dashed out of cover just as the last rays of the sun faded behind the dunes. His suit's semi-active camouflage ghosted the assassin and blurred his outline as he flashed from micro-dune to micro-dune as only a trueborn desert dweller could. His speed was such that even the Jedi Padawan could appreciate it before she dashed out of cover herself.

Together the assassin and the Padawan darted towards the main gate of the Jau mining facility. The holocams didn't even twitch at the two blurs pressed against the thick blaststeel doors, chests heaving from pushing themselves so hard. "Remember," Rashid's voice crackled in Talara's ear, "after I plant the charge, we go over the wall and into the mine to take out whatever guards are there."

"I remember," Talara answered as she readied herself for a leap over the wall.

***

Rylaa glanced at the chrono mounted on the wall of the mobile command vehicle. "Any minute now," he said to Kel.

Jaller didn't even look up, distracted as he was by the difficulties on moving untrained soldiers into position. "We're not ready yet," he grumbled.

"Then get ready!"

"Understood," Kel's voice said through the comm. Kel turned to Jaller. "Make them ready, or else they'll turn into cannon fodder for the rest of us who know what we're doing," he ordered. Having lost most of his memory from the past, and having been involved in hit and run strikes against the Jau, Kel had turned into a gruff person, who didn't tolerate many problems.

Jaller grumbled again but he knew that the mercenary was out of his touch and was personally employed by his own boss.

***

Lorgal and Morgal growled and waited. The men behind them shifted with the unease at behind close to two barabels with growing anger and hunger. When a barabel was hungry, he often didn't care where his food came from.

***

Rashid nodded and unslung the backpack. It took only a few tense moments before a low humming filled the air and the breaching charge attached itself to the door. Four powerful electromagnets held the thermal device as a timer began to count down on the assassin's wrist unit. "Thirty seconds," he said and began to count down. At five seconds to detonation, he nodded to Talara and began to scale the seemingly smooth wall with cat-like grace.

In no time at all he was on top of the wall where Talara landed lightly beside him. The blue-white blast of the breaching charge vanquished the darkness for almost twenty klicks in all directions. A nuclear fireball rose into air and threw debris so far into the atmosphere that it was said some time later it rained blaststeel in Thanatos.

The explosion was the signal that everyone had been waiting for. It signal the first true push at the Jau. Everything before then had been more like flea bites on an angry junkyard dog. Even the strikes Kel had initiated, setting off small charges in administration buildings and the like, were nothing compared to this. Jaller started his timer, everything would have to happen like clockwork otherwise it would fall apart.

"The irregulars are on the move," he reported to Admiral Kano, "and my swoops are waiting for the gunboat pilot."

---

"First Strike: Beginning the War, Part 2"
by Admiral Dresh Kano
Jedi Master Koran Darr
Padawan Talara Sorenne
Huntress Kaylee Soras
Chun Li
Jaller Two-thumbs
Rylaa Lyssander
Lani Vissip
Rashid
Lorgal
Morgal
Kel Deneb
Jedi Master Laedra Vorrel
Keeve Zenarr

Location: Tae'Sollar Desert
Date: Vadris 18, 5 ABY

***

Lani could only stare as the fireball rose into the night sky. Months of solitude at left its mark on her has now with all the beings around her heart quickened. The entirety of the Jedi Order on the planet had also shown its face, casting its support in with the New Dawn's resistance. She would have come anyway, even if it was just for the action, but the Council had practically made it a requirement. Instead of the Jedi robes she had been given, she instead wore her skintight leather suit that left nothing to the imagination. Strapped to various places of her outfit were blades of varying sizes as well as a pair of heavy blasters. She'd been told that the Jau were immune to blaster fire, but she carried them with her anyway. They made her feel better of course.

Kaylee Soras unslung her bow as she prepared for her charge. On her back, her quiver was filled with arrows and she was ready to use all of them against the Jau. Like Lani, her body bristled with weapons, the tools of her order. This would surely be the largest fight against the Jau she had ever been a part of, but, unless she did not live to see the end of the fight today, it would not be her last. Blue paint adorned her body, patterned in her clan's Aspect, and her attire was comprised of little more than leather straps.

She glanced to her side where Keeve stood and gave him a smile. "You will see her again soon," she said to him. "I will see you safely to her side, Keeve Zenarr."

"No need to worry about me," he replied solemnly, gazing into the hazy distance for even a brief glimpse of Talara. "I'll survive this. And if I don't...just make sure she hears about it from you first."

Kaylee nodded solemnly, but gave him a smile that she hoped was reassuring.

The signal was coming down the line. With Master Laedra Vorrel at his side, Master Koran Darr stepped up to where the other Jedi stood. "Get ready to move," he said as he drew the blade strapped to his waist. "May the Force be with you all."

There was a chorus of replies, during which Laedra watched Koran with determination and swiftly unsheathed her own blade. "We will prevail," she vowed.

Koran turned his head toward the mining installation. With the certainly that could only come with the precognition offered through the Force, he nodded and started forward. To the other Jedi he said, "It's time." Though, they were already in step with him.

***

"Here we go," Kel said to the troop of irregulars as the giant fireball leapt into the air. His mask dimmed down from the massive explosion, and he stood up, running towards the now opened gateway, a gaping hole where it used to be. The irregulars all stood up behind him, and he nodded, sprinting forward towards the interior.

The Resistance forces, augmented with Zale's forces, rushed behind their figurehead. Their screamed warcry was in no way unanimous, but it did echo across the desert. The Jau were fast to react and before the first wave had even reached the smoking hole in the gate, they had already formed up into a battle line and were firing their strange weapons into the unarmored crowd. Men and women went down with screams and clouds of blood as the deadly projectiles fired by the expert marksmen found their targets. They return fire, of course, but half-trained as they were only one of the Jau warriors was hit, going down with a snarl as a bullet entered his thigh.

"Where are the damned swoops!" Jaller screamed into his comms unit. "Kano, do you see them on your sensors?"

As soon as she heard about the explosion on the radio, she fired up her engines and left her hiding place.

"Black one coming in position," she said over her radio. One of the things she had learned from the Rebel Alliance was to call squadrons just by colours. That made identification much more difficult. Also she had turned back the output of her radio so her voice couldn't be recognised afterwards. Unfortunately she didn't had the time to install a voice scrambler so she hoped this would work. She went low over the desert until she reached the camp, staying out of sensor range. With her shield on maximum she charged in. Axon had a map of the camp in his memory and on it where the known gun emplacement and guard towers. He gave her a course and as she came over the last hill she had the first tower nicely aligned in her lasers. She pressed the fire buttons and the gun tower disappeared in a cloud of gas.

As she turned she could align another gun tower in her front lasers and a guard tower to the inner camp in her back lasers. Now the fire came from both sides of her fighter. While the swoops, slower and with less armour and armaments then her fighters, also came in, she spotted a building where Jau came pouring out. As it also had antennas on the roof, she assumed that it was not a building with prisoners. 'Time for some improvisation,' she thought and after turning from vaporizing another guard tower she selected her concussion missiles and fired two in the building. The building was heavily damaged.

"Black two and three," she said over the radio, "as soon as you have finished your primary targets, harass that battle line."

"Never mind," Jaller reported.

The swoop pilots, fearless individuals with death wishes, whooped and hollered over the comm circuits as they dove from the air firing with their repeating blaster. The automated turrets opened up immediately, catching the lead swooper in the engine and sending him slamming into the desert floor.

***

The blast had been immense, so vast it had surprised even her. The initial flash cut through the darkness like a growing beacon calling the men and women to fight, she felt her blood rushing as adrenaline was pumped through her body. The mushroom cloud rose up into the air as the army rose from their hiding place storming the facility. An irregular went down beside her. A young man in his late twenties. He hadn't stopped talking for the last hour, the nerves getting to him, like so many others. Talking about his family, his home, his girlfriends - all five of them - and as she watched his chest explode all she could think was how beautifully quite it was going to be without him. Pulling her rifle against her chest she shimmered out of sight, causing a few around to almost stop running in surprise.

Now in her element Ghost Reborn Iyika peeled off to the side. The Jau were about to experience the true meaning of fear. Can they kill what they can't see?

The irregulars wavered as the Jau line stood firm. Omri tried to maintain visual contact with the armored Kel Denab. Dodging falling bodies, he surged forward, his heavy slugthrower out in front of him, the Morellian Enforcer pistol roaring as he squeezed off a round every time he had a clear shot. Jau projectiles tore through his cloak as he yelled encouragement to the raw troops around him.

The poorly trained troops poured through the ragged and still glowing remains of the heavy blaststeel doors after Kel. Highly disciplined, the Jau warriors poured a steady stream of projectiles into the teaming mass, ripping flesh and shattering bone. Cohesion was lost as hastily appointed sergeants and captains went down to the hail of fire from the orderly ranks and within minutes the attack had turned into mob warfare, with every man for himself and trying to get at the Jau at the same time. The few regular troops scattered throughout the civilians tried to regain order, but were largely ignored.

Precisely five minutes after the front gates blew, Lorgal and several troopers rose out of their camouflaged hiding places and unleashed a barrage of rockets at the ferrocrete barrier wall. The explosion surprised the defenders, more of which were beginning to pour from the ruined command center with bleeding wounds but determined looks. Several were knocked to the ground and two were injured by flying shrapnel.

There was no time for them to respond, however, before several armored figures landed next to them on gouts of plasma. The pilots in the Firefoxs hosed down the Jau defenders with the flamers mounted on their arms but to their great surprise it did little but anger the massive warriors. One pilot was plucked from his suit and literally torn apart by an enraged Jau who barley paused to kick over the now inert power armor.

***

"The flamers are ineffective, sir," a comms tech reported to the sweating Jaller Two-thumbs.

"I can see that!" The cyborg was watching the fight through the Firefox's built in camera system. The 2D was enough to show the Jau decimating the powered armor soldiers in close combat. "Get them out of there, " Jaller cried out as another soldier was pulverized. "We can't risk another of those systems. And tell the troopers with the irregulars to get those civilians under control! They're getting slaughtered out there."

"Problems?" Rylaa said with an unnatural calm.

"Negative, sir."

"I see." A chill ran up Jaller's spine at the tone.

***

Kaylee Soras charged with the Jedi, staying close to Keeve Zanarr to ensure his safe return to the side of her friend, Talara. As they neared the wall, she reached back and withdrew her bow in a smooth motion. Calling upon her training, she bid Keeve luck, and leapt. While she was no Jedi, she was capable of some similar amazing feats. She soared skyward and landed lightly upon the wall.

Jau filled the central area of the compound, mixing with the attacking force's infantry. With a somber look across the battlefield, the Huntress set to work. She reached into her quiver, pulled free an arrow. In a practiced motion, she knocked it and let fly.

Below, one of the Jau's throat burst open, revealing the iridinum tip of the arrow. He toppled to the sand, food for the worms. Kaylee had already selected a second target, this one in combat with one of the Resistance fighters. Another arrow, another corpse. Draw and release. Draw and release. Below, Jau fell to each, but there were more to take there place. Ever more, as always.

***

Morgal charged into the breach alongside the discipline soldiers from the New Dawn. Lorgal, swapping out his missile launcher for a more familiar weapon, followed soon after. Morgal fired his grenade launchers at the four auto-turrets that swung in their direction from their mounts on the wall. The quick-hardening foam locked two of the turrets in place but the others still opened fire, scything through the first rank of New Dawn soldiers.

Lorgal stepped between the soldiers with a massive repeating blaster carried in his claws. A stream of scarlet energy sent the armor of the auto-weapons running in rivulets down the walls and after a few moments they both erupted in flame. Lorgal laugh and turn to say something to his nestbrother just in time to see a Jau warrior step from around the crumbling command center and rip Morgal's throat out in a spray of blood and gore.

****

Kel heard through the comms to get the irregulars into some sort of appreciable formation. He looked behind him, and saw the whole group of them wavering in the onslaught from the Jau. He activated his external comm system, which amplified his voice so that all could hear him. Kel quickly fired a rocket into a charging Jau before turning briefly. "BROTHERS AND SISTERS OF THE RESISTANCE! HERE ME! It may seem we fight against innumerable odds.. and that may be true.. but we must stand here, today, so that our families and loved ones can be free from this tyranny brought upon this world by these invaders! Form into a battle line, and follow me into the gates of Hell, and dine with the Devil himself!" Kel heard the battle cries from the irregulars, and he allowed himself a brief smile. Their morale had been boosted for now, and they were reforming into a more cohesive unit, behind their symbolic leader. "Together, we stand! And that is how we shall die!" The battle cry was much larger this time, and Kel fired his chemical slugthrowers into the advancing Jau. He was not sure how much longer they had...

***

Talara Sorenne moved quickly, matching her pace with Rashid's. A Jau rushed forward, and it was as if she could see exactly what he planned. She countered his first strike and second, allowing the alien to push himself off-balance. One blade bit deep into his side as the other slashed open his throat. A kick sent him spinning away into the path of another Jau.

Just ahead, the tunnel that lead into the mine loomed. Both headed for it, cutting down any resistance in their path. As they neared the entrance, Talara's blade flashed toward Rashid. Instead of striking the desert-dweller, the sound of Jau flechettes striking metal was clear. "Not as good as a lightsaber," she said, "but it works."

Instead of nodding the assassin flung his hand out, giving Talara the impression that something metallic had flashed past her head. Behind her, the gurgle of the Jau warrior about to strike her back faded away. "A life saved is a life earned," Rashid said. "Quickly, though, into the tunnel. We must save who we can."

***

With renewed determination the resistance fighters closed ranks and surged forward. Omri, on the right flank, had made his way near the front of the unit, yelling orders where fallen officers had left troops leaderless. "Concentrate your fire on the closest Jau! Make each shot count!"

Several Jau charged forward, drawing heavy bladed weapons, only hesitating briefly as several slugs slammed into their scaled bodies. Omri switched his slug pistol into his left hand and drew his sword. The irregulars around him began to back up as the hulking aliens drew closer. Omri yelled over the din of the slug weapons, "Stand!" All Tae' Karada is behind you, so stand!"

***

Lorgal snapped.

There was no other way of putting it. One moment he was gleefully hosing down the automated turrets with his weapon and the next he was covered in his nestbrother's blood while ripping a Jau warrior's arm off and beating another to death with it. The other warriors sent to engage the troopers pouring through the gap seemed fearful as the huge predator dropped all signs of sentience and reverted to his most bestial. No longer were the many weapons hanging from his various belts and straps the tools of Lorgal's trade. Instead talons that could rend steel and teeth that could sever bone like paper were what he used as the scent of prey filled his nostrils.

It was a testament to Jau discipline and leadership that they were able to recover so quickly and focus the fire of their strange flechette weapons on the raging barabel. But to their surprise the beast turned and leapt into the middle of the pack. Lorgal's polished onyx scales had warded off most of the projectiles and the few that had found chinks in his armor had only served to enrage him further.

---

"First Strike: Beginning the War, Part 3"
by Admiral Dresh Kano
Chun Li

Location: Tae'Sollar Desert
Date: Vadris 18, 5 ABY

***

With the guard towers down and a nice hole in one of their barracks, Li circled in search of targets worthy of her attention. A group of Jau warriors became a lot of broken corpses when she was through with them. They didn't vaporise like humans, but the heavy lasers on her fighter managed to get through their resilience to energy weapons. The people on the ground would have it harder, Li thought as she did another pass. She had just completed that when Axon beeped. He had detected fighters coming down.

"Incoming fighter," Li said in the comm, "I'm on them."

While it was considered suicide to attack ... 16 fighters on her own. But she had one advantage and that was that she hadn't seen shields on them before. She didn't know why this was, but she hoped it wasn't because they too had the resilience.

"Axon," she said, "they're coming in four groups. Designate 1 to 4. Assign within each group the targets according to standard threat index."

The droid beeped and started working.

"Illuminate group 1," Li said as she switched from lasers to concussion missiles. She only had ten missiles so she had to make them all count. As they were converging on each other and the ground forces were occupied, she put all her shield power to her front shield.

The first fighter appeared on her targeting screen while Axon worked towards a solution. He suddenly beeped a constant tone and Li fired a missile. Immediately Axon started to work on the second fighter. As they were flying in formation it was easier and it didn't take long to have a missile fly at each of the fighters in the first group. They had seen the missiles come and were doing evasive maneuvers. Whether she scored a kill or not, Li had them out of battle for now.

"Switch to group 2," she said to Axon, "belay that."

She had come too close to use the concussion missiles. That was one thing she had to admire in those fighters, they were fast. An exploding cloud to her left learned that they weren't fast enough to outrun a missile. But then she got a warning tone that someone was trying to get a missile lock on her. She quickly made some evasive maneuvers while she started to fire her lasers and ion cannons. If they could capture one of the fighters they could learn a lot about the Jau. The Jau did of course fire back with their quad lasers. She got two shots on her front shield and she whistled. These things packed a lot of power. Fortunately she managed to kill the other fighter.

A quick look on her sensor screen learned that there were 12 fighters left. 12 to 1, time to do something about these odds. Still firing she dove into the thickest of the battle. She had heard that the Jau were ruthless warriors but normally nobody fired upon their own. As long as she stayed in the middle of things their comrades could backstop any shots that didn't hit her, and she intended all of the shots fired at her to be in that case. Now she was in the middle of a melee she evened out her shields. She wasn't sure they would stop all that many shots, but she'd rather not try to take it on her fighter's armour. An enemy fighter tried to get behind her and again her rear-firing blasters proved useful. While they didn't do all that much on the armour of the enemy fighter, they did distract the pilot so Li could get away. And you could never know what a constant barrage of shots might do.

While a couple of them tried to get behind her, she stayed on another one, pumping him full with ion bolts. It took a while to get through but in the end he lost all power and dropped down. If the pilot was somewhat competent he would be able to set down and that might give the resistance the opportunity to capture a Jau fighter. A couple of shots hitting her rear shield brought her back to the present. She had gone up into the air, but there she was at a disadvantage due to their superior numbers and speed.

"Let's see what you think about doing some podracing," she said to herself as she dove down towards the ground, her rear blasters firing constantly. All 11 remaining fighters followed. Just above ground level she pulled up and started a course between the dunes. The enemy followed, at least until the first turn. As they were going faster they struggled with the sharp turn. One hit the dune and two didn't make the turn.

"Ten to go," Axon," she said, "time to turn around."

A bunch of dune hills came up and Li zigzagged through them, losing a couple more fighters who were too fast to take the sudden turns. She had just turned to face some of these opponents when they decided to go above the hill level. Now it was easy and Li switched back to her missiles. Coming up right behind one of the fighters she shot a missile into him from short range. She flew through the debris cloud, hearing it clang against her armour. But in doing that she was lined up perfectly for another fighter. It took a couple of laser shots but in the end she did manage to get him. Eight left.

But they were adapting and now Li was hit by a barrage of shots. While her evasive maneuvers managed to reduce the energy on her shields, her front shield still collapsed. She knew that diving for the dunes again wouldn't help, as they would have learned and would stay above the dune level and close in from above. In fact, she saw more fighters show up, so it was time to go in search for a more healthy place to stay.

"Fighters are incoming," Li said in her radio," I'll try to get as many out as possible, but you'll get incoming. I'm moving out too. See you are rendezvous alpha."

She engaged her third engine and shot away. The fighters were still looking for below them and were a bit slow to catch up, but as soon as they did, they shot after her. She counted 32 new fighters approaching, so they probably used squadrons of 16. One squadron chased after her and the other went further.

"16 fighters incoming," Li said in her radio. Now she only had to get away from the 24 others. Suddenly she got the missile lock warning tone. She pulled the stick to get herself out of the lock, but the missile was launched anyway, followed by four more. While she was marginally faster then the enemy fighters now she had her three engines on, she couldn't outrun the missiles.

"Crap," she said, "Axon, take control of the aft blasters and kill those missiles."

The droid beeped and while the blasters started firing on the missiles, Li reinforced her aft shield. She didn't know what type of missile it was so she wasn't sure how much the shields could handle, but it probably wasn't more then 2 of them.

Behind her she heard the explosion indicating that Axon had hit one of the missiles. But there were four more missiles and the course the second squadron took made that she couldn't outrun them forever. She made a small course change to give Axon a better shot and put some of her engine power in her shields. This made her a bit slower but she only took so much to match the Jau's speed. They would be able to shoot missiles at her the entire time, so she would need the shields, or so she thought. It was one of those tricky questions that only the After-Action-Report could justify or not. More speed in the hope to go faster to lightspeed, or more shields to hold out against the stuff they shoot at you.

Things got even more complicated when she spotted another squadron coming up on her front, followed by a capital ship. A destroyer by the look of it, but still it could shoot Li out of the sky in a moment. And she still didn't have her front shield back. Luckily Axon had killed all the missiles in her aft sector, so Li put her front shield back on. Lucky for her it did come back.

"Axon, start calculating the jump to lightspeed," she ordered, while she put some random course changes to throw of missile locks. That of course also helped her when they started with their lasers. She didn't get more then a couple of glancing hits on her shields, which still drained a lot of power. She really couldn't understand how they packed so much firepower in such a small ship.

Time to try something daring, she decided as she steered towards the destroyer. She put all extra power in propulsion and started to gain on her trailers. She selected her concussion missiles again and had the computer work on a solution for the fighters in her front. She fired three missiles at three of the fighters, leaving her with two. Just enough to annoy someone.

"Axon, put a 10 % randomizer on my stick," she ordered, "keep me in a cone of 20 degrees relative to our current heading, but inside that cone I want to jump all over the place."

The little droid beeped and went to work. Suddenly the movements of the stick didn't match the movements of the fighter and Li's automatic corrections only made things worse. On the plus side, all the enemy's shots went wide, including the ones from the destroyer that was looming in her front.

A number of missiles were again fired at her, this time about 20, or so her sensor screen told her.

"Cut my randomizer on my mark," Li said to her droid, "ready... mark."

She was now very close to the destroyer and without the randomizer she could skim over its surface. She was so fast that the ship's guns couldn't track her. She went over the top and the missiles tried to do it as well. Due to their faster speed they needed more space. But space was something they didn't have and most of the slammed against the destroyer. Li now had everybody behind her and she put all her power in her aft shield.

"What about those calculations," she asked Axon, who beeped that he was working on it. She glanced on her sensor screen to see that 8 missiles had made the turn and were going after her again. That would be a problem as they had gained a lot on her. She directed the ship's computer to start shooting them just like before while Axon finished his calculations.

Her tactic worked, up to a point. The first four missiles were destroyed, but there simply wasn't time to take them all. The fifth was thrown of target by a course correction from Li. Axon didn't like it as he had to redo part of his calculations, but Li didn't listen to him. Survival came first. The sixth missile hit on her aft shield, but as she was running all shield power in her aft shield, it held out. This wasn't the case anymore when the seventh missile hit, but while the fighter rocked from the power, there weren't any critical systems damaged. Li did shut down the extra engine to preserve it in case of damage.

Axon beeped that he had finished the calculations for the jump to light speed just as the last missile hit. Li saw a number of warning lights come on and the fighter rocket hard. She gave a quick glance outside to see that her top stabilizer and the extra engine she had installed there had gone. Clearly something else was also damaged as she showed a power loss. Probably a short circuit somewhere. She had to look into it later, but first she had to get away, so she pulled the hyperspace lever. The stars elongated to lines and she shot away. While in hyperspace she could assess the damage to her fighter.

Jau fighters appeared overhead as more of the alien warriors poured from the barracks. Where they were coming from was anybody's guess as there were certainly more than they had planned for. "They've reached the slave barracks," a technician reported to Jaller, who relayed it to the Admiral. "They're cutting through the locks now and are asking for five more minutes. No word from the saves already in the mine."

Kano nodded but kept his concentration focused on the display before him. "As soon as they have them, prepare to pull back."

"Sir, incoming report, the mine team has entered the mine to retrieve slaves," one of his lieutenants reported. "Awaiting status report from Padawan Sorenne."

Before Kano could make a reply, Zale Tregat swore from where he stood before one of the monitors. "What is that there," he finally asked.

Dresh pulled his attention away from his own board long enough to see. "Sithspit. What the hell are they doing?" In truth, he had a bad feeling. "Prepare to--"

"They're firing!"

---

"Living Free or Die - Part 1"
By Connor Moonsgrave
Liira - NPC

Location: Jau's Mine Facility, Tae'Sollar Desert
Date: Vadris 18, 5 ABY

***

It was hard to breathe. With every breath, came a cough. That was the main condition at the mines and unlike the Jau guards who had respirators, the prisoners had to inhale the dust from the mines.

It was the main source of illness, smoke inhalation. The lungs of many species were not set to function in high concentration of dust.

If the dust didn't killed you the collapse of the unstable caves were always the second high rate of death at the Jau's mine facilities.

Connor set the mining machine down and looked towards the Jau Guard. The Jau growled in hatred, like he was ordering him to go back to work. Connor had several times considered his option of escape, not before he could find Liira, but he wasn't allowed to move without any approval from the Jau guard, besides his individual cell.

Connor's mind raced in the last couple of days, that he was on the brink of exhaustion, but something beyond his explanation gave him strength.

All of the sudden the caves shook in every direction, which threw the majority of the prisoners to the ground and the ceiling began to rumble and several rocks began to fall over everyone in it. Several caves collapse completely killing everyone in it. Connor dropped his machine and tried to keep himself up, but several rocks fell from the ceiling to hit him and all of the sudden everything was black.

***

"Connor..." a sweet voice said in the distance.

"Connor! It is time to wake up!" the same voice said.

Connor opened his eyes quickly but took his time to get up. He could see that everything was black only a dim light lit the two people that where standing in the room. He tried to focus, but he was too tired even for his eyes to do their jobs.

"They really break him good."

"Probably his strength, but not his spirit!" There was a moment of silence.

Then Connor could feel a warm hand on his face. "My Connor! My sweet Connor! An unbreakable spirit that always had to do the right thing, even if that meant ruining his own future."

"Humf..." the other voice said. "I got to hand it to you, m'boy, in all things you have done this was the stupidest of them all. Risking your life for a girl."

Connor finally spoke. "I have to find Liira, she... still is my responsibility."

"Like it was yours when you decided to kill me, just for the greater good?"

"Kill... you..." Connor said perplexed from what he just heard. "Urren?!?!?!?"

"The only and the same, m'boy."

Connor got up and the saw who was the one cherishing his face and when he saw her a tear almost instantly rolled down his cheek. "He... He... Helena?"

Helena gave her usual warm smile. "It is happening, can't you feel it?"

"What?"

"The freedom fighters have attacked the Jau's mining facility. It is time to face your destiny."

Connor seemed unfocused, tired and weak. "What destiny?"

"M'boy, all you chose in your life comes to this important moment."

"You have to go, my love. Time is wasting," Helena said and she gave a last kiss to Connor.

Connor finally smiled. "But I can't leave you. I want to stay with you!"

"We will be together soon enough..."

"Now you have to follow the path you have chosen a long time ago. Best of luck!" Urren smiled, like he had forgiven for Connor ending his life.

Helena approached Connor's face. "Hey, are you okay?"

***

Connor finally opened his eyes and could see that an dirty old man was inches from his face, that made Connor to back off. "What..." Connor looked around him and saw not far away from him laid a dead Jau. Connor looked around and could see several humans and aliens some dressed in uniforms and other with normal clothes.

It was clear for Connor that this the militia also known as the Tae'Karada freedom fighters. "How...?"

The old man helped Connor to get up. "No time to explain boy, it is time to get the hell out of here."

"I can't. I need to find Liira!" Connor said instantly.

"We haven't the time to find anybody else," a woman trooper said angrily. "The Jau are hammering us hard and we are receiving the word of evacuation."

"I need to find Liira, I heard she was in Cell 5?"

"Those cells have been evacuated... probably! She might be on her way to the evacuation transports."

"Come on, boy it is time to get out of this hell hole," the old man said and he dragged Connor out of the rubble cave.

---

"First Strike: Beginning the War, Part 4"
by Admiral Dresh Kano
Padawan Talara Sorenne
Huntress Kaylee Soras
Jaller Two-thumbs
Rylaa Lyssander
Lani Vissip
Rashid
Lorgal
Morgal
Omri Kedemoth
Kel Deneb
Keeve Zenarr
Yara Brael
Va'Lesh Zaneth

Location: Tae'Sollar Desert
Date: Vadris 18, 5 ABY

***

From the stars above, it began. In the past, under the rule of the Empire, one of the most dangerous aspects of an attack by the Imperial Navy was the devastation they could unleash from orbit. It was a tactic that culminated in the Death Star, the massive battlestation responsible for the destruction of the entire world of Alderaan. While the Jau were not quite as equipped, it did appear, however, they were prepared for such attacks as the one planned by the Resistance.

And so, capital ships in orbit above had maneuvered into place. Their weapon bays had folded back to reveal the undersides of their ships that teamed with weapons arrays. And the order had been given. The skies burned with turbolaser fire. On the surface, Resistance fighter and Jau soldier alike fell beneath the terrible onslaught.

Within the caverns of the mine itself, Talara Sorenne's twin swords cut through a Jau, dropping him in place as she pivoted to position herself to disembowel the Jau who would appear around the bend in just a moment. He ran into her blade with a soundless cry. She called for the slaves to get to the exit, to follow the Resistance free of the compound. Some ran, but not nearly enough.

Suddenly, as she felled another Jau soldier, the world seemed to flip upside down, and she was lying on the floor of the tunnel with dust, sand, and debris falling all around. "What the hell," she called as she sought out Rashid. The warrior had been thrown to the ground, but was already standing. She kicked herself back to her feet in time to skewer another Jau. "Out!"

Rashid said nothing as he dashed back towards the entrance of the mine. A jau stepped out just in time to receive a thrown dagger to the eye but managed to fire his weapon before the assassin could leap aside. The flechette caught the dark skinned alien in the shoulder, throwing him to the ground with a cloud of blood. With an agility that boggled the mind, Rashid managed to get his feet under him and take off running again as blood ran freely down his arm

***

The blasts from above were tremendous, splattering into the mass of combatants and flinging both resistance and Jau fighters in every direction. A Jau rushed at Omri, who deftly sidestepped the massive blade and slashing against the Jau's scaled chest with his curved sword, with little effect. He spun and brought the tip of his blade to the Jau's vulnerable throat and shoved it through and nearly severing the head. Another orbital blast knocked him to the ground, his sword ripped from his hand.

Suddenly he felt a cold, strong hand grasp his throat and lift him off the ground. Gripping the arm in both hands, Omri found himself face to face with a Jau, its face grimacing in what must have been a grin. It began to squeeze Omri's throat. His vision began to darken as he frantically reached under his cloak, retrieving his heavy slug pistol. Straining, he pressed the weapon to the wide-eyed Jau's head and pulled the trigger. Omri was released instantly as the Jau's head exploded. Gasping for breath, Omri prayed they would get the slaves out soon.

***

"What the hell was that?" Rylaa demanded as he picked himself up. Something hot trickled down his face and into the corner of his mouth, it tasted metallic. He looked around the vehicle and gave a start when he realized that it was now upside down and that most of the technicians had been twisted into odd shapes. A smoking hole in the armored side spoke volumes about what had happened. "Jaller?"

There was no response from anyone, not even a groan of pain. The crimelord began to dig through the remains of the holotank until he saw a shiny cybernetic leg poking out from under a piece of heavy machinery. The pool of blood and other fluids slowly creeping out from under the debris was enough to tell Rylaa that it was hopeless. Besides, there was no way he could ever hope to move that heavy piece of equipment himself.

He dug through a pile of papers until he found a working earpiece. "Admiral, are you there?"

The channel was filled with static, but the admiral's voice filled it after a moment. "...fire control teams! This is Kano. The Jau have moved capital ships into a stationary orbit. All forces, theirs and ours, our taking heavy damage from the bombardment. What's your status, Lyssander?"

"I lost my command vehicle and all my technicians. Jaller's down, and I doubt he's getting back up again. Send the landspeeders as close as possible. We'll grab who we can and get the hell out of here. Despite their losses I think the Jau have won here. But if we get at least half the slaves away, we can spin it in our favor."

***

Talara Sorenne emerged into the scene of the battle outside of the mine. Slaves emerged ahead of and behind her, but too few. From the sky, bright spears of energy cascaded down into the sand, heedless of whatever might else be in the way. Her senses, attuned to the Force, sang a warning, and she propelled herself away from where she stood. The entrance to the mine shaft exploded. Debris, organic and otherwise, rained down. One of her blades was missing and she felt pain in her shoulder. Fear went through her like a knife, but her training kicked in before it could drag her down.

She sprinted from her position, moving toward one of the outer walls. In her path, a pair of beings rose up above the corpse of a Jau warrior, its head bent at an unnatural angle. Firelight gave the two a frightful appearance, but another shift of the light sent a feeling of relief through her.

"Yara! Va'Lesh! We have to get out of here!"

"That does sound like a rather appealing prospect," the young man said as he slipped his hand into his companions. "I believe it is time to be free of this place, don't you?"

"Our current residence has lost its warmth," Yara agreed and both stepped over the dispatched Jau to meet Talara partway. From the ragged, grimy state of their jumpsuits they had clearly been subjected to rather harsh conditions, but both youths seemed hale and alert despite their long confinement. And they were clearly ready to leave.

"Come on," Talara said, waving them on, "freedom is this way!"

***

Kaylee Soras stood with her back to Keeve Zenarr as they hacked away at Jau. Most had either fled or died in their attempt to escape the barrage from the heavens. Few remained now to threaten the pair as they sought the love of Keeve's life, one of them at any rate. But, an occasional warrior dared to try to cut them down, and lost his life in the process. With a pivot, Kaylee slashed outward with her longblade, and ran a Jau through just before his weapon could impale Keeve. Her preternatural intuition had spared both her life and his numerous times. Keeping him alive to see Talara again was of importance, perhaps not as important as the main objective. But, as long as she could do so and not jeopardize her mission to destroy the Jau, she would continue to do so for her friend.

"Her comm," Keeve called to Kaylee with growing concern that translated to an angry growl, "she's not responding. Why the hells isn't she responding?"

Through the smoke, Kaylee pointed with one of her swords. "There!"

At the spot where she'd pointed, a trio emerged through a swirling cloud. They huddled low, avoiding the Jau and turbolaser fire from above. In the lead was Talara, and moving directly toward where Keeve and Kaylee were downing the last of the Jau who had charged them. She threw her arms around Keeve once she was close enough.

"Let's get out of here," she murmured.

"Oh, now you want to go," he sarcastically quipped, but gave her a firm squeeze to convey his relief. Holding her back at arm's length, Keeve quickly examined her visually for any sign of injury; after a cursory inspection, he nodded. "We're done here. We've done our part in this fight."

Talara didn't need to look around to see the destruction. She gave Keeve a tight smile and nodded. It was past time to leave.

***

Lorgal picked himself up out of the dirt. One arm hung useless by his side and the other looked more than a little singed. His iron-hard scales protected him from the worst of the turbolaser blast that hand landed nearly at his feet, but only just. With his good eye, the other a victim to a Jau blade, he quickly surveyed the smoking remains of the mining facility. "We're out of here," he shouted to the few remaining men that staggered to their feet. So few still standing, it made the barabel wince. The boss would not be pleased with the loss of so many of his men.

***

The battle had degenerated into bloody hand to hand combat. Small groups of resistance, New Dawn and Jedi fended off the remaining tenacious Jau warriors as the orbital bombardment shredded the massed combatants. Omri Kedemoth slashed another Jau's throat from behind, his body now numb to the fatigue and pain of the nightmarish battle and his numerous wounds. Shaking his head to keep the sweat and blood from dripping into his eyes, he spotted figures emerging from the mines. Letting out a roar, Omri called to the small group of irregulars around him "Clear the way for them!"

***

Kel heard the fellow named Omri bellow out to clear a way. He turned his attention to some of the Jau fighters, and started doing what he could to make a path. Around him laid dead irregulars, dead Jau, and carnage everywhere. He punched a Jau warrior in the face, hearing a crunch under his armored fist. This was a day that would be infamous.. or perhaps famous, depending on if they succeeded in repelling the Jau from the planet.

***

Lani plucked a dagger from the throat of a hapless Jau that had attempted to sneak behind the line of slaves and prisoners being loaded into the Antorial craft. While her part in the battle today had been small, she was proud of the fact that she had represented the Jedi and had been able to help lead a group of the irregulars into the fight. Of course, they were mostly dead now, but that was something that ran off the hardened shell against emotion to former commando have wrapped around herself. It demeaned the memory of those beings that gave their lives anyway, and that was something she would not, could not stand for.

Something twinkled in her sixth sense. She was still not adept at reading these signs of the forces but she knew when she saw Rylaa standing atop a pile of twisted and burning metal, that it had to do with him. The jumpsuit he was wearing was torn and covered in blood, some of it his, and he was speaking into a hand communicator. Her feet moving of their own accord, she sprinted towards him and hit him with a shoulder tackle that would have made any bruteball player stop and admire with envy. They flew off the scrap just as another Jau orbital strike slammed into the ground inches away from where the crimelord had been standing.

"Palpatine's sack, what the fu... Lani?" Rylaa had rolled over and looked at his former lover in the eyes. Except for the brief glimpse of her a few months ago, he had heard nothing. "That was a hell of a hit."

"Saved your life again," she replied with a smirk. "That's what, a dozen you owe me now?"

"You've had my life and my heart for quite some time," he quipped.

Looking at him, with his greasy hair plastered with sweat and sand, and that cheesy moustache, Lani had to admit that she never knew what she saw in him. Physically at least. Oh she knew there was some muscle under that layer of fat, but you had to look hard to find it. But it was the easy smile that he gave her, and even when he was laying bleeding in the dirt he had that damned charm.

"Get up, you lug. Let's get you to an escape craft and off to have those wounds taken care of." She helped him to his feet and a speeder with the symbol of the New Dawn pulled up.

"Already called my ride, you want one?"

"No thanks, I've got my own."

***

Columns of smoke curled up into the sky. On the ground, stragglers tried to get themselves free of the carnage. Some were successful. The area was no longer safe, and from orbit, the Jau had not ceased their bombardment of the surface. From the command center, Dresh Kano could only hope as many of his people as possible could get free. The newly constructed ships Zale Tregat's Antorial Industries had made zipped in to try to ferry away the survivors. The action was not entirely unsuccessful as more than a few made it free to safety. The attack itself had not been a complete loss. They had lost many soldiers today, far too many for Kano's taste. But, he was certain that the Jau's mining operation would be shut down for some time. And they had managed to liberate a fair number of the prisoners. He had to keep to the positives. There were far too many negatives, far too many deaths. But, they had struck. They had hurt. And the Jau had been dealt a crushing blow.

Kano watched as the last of the rescue craft veered away. He was not certain he could call today a victory, but neither could he call it a loss. It was the first salvo in what would be a long and brutal conflict. The war against the Jau had begun.

---

"Chasing Quarry"
by: Sgt. Johan Eddis-Stormtrooper Spec Ops and the various NPC's of Team 3212

Location: Kaidaga
Date: Vadris 18, 5ABY

***

The city of Kaidaga wasn't as big as New Pluton, but it did have expanses of run down factory areas where a ominous black ship could get lost in. The Authority was nestled in the remains of a long abandoned factory. The roof of the factory had been long removed, but anyone flying overhead would not be able to see the pure black hull of the Authority, and the ships sensors would pick up any curious pedestrians long before they approached. This run down factory district was also far from any speeder lanes, so it was unlikely anyone would show up who wasn't specifically looking for something.

Dark clouds had gathered of Kaidaga, and the weather brought with it sheets of rain. Johan sat in the Authority's co-pilots chair, feet propped up over the center console. Standard procedure was for one of the crew to always be awake, at any hour, and Johan couldn't sleep, so he let his men rest for a while longer.

The rain beat down hard against the ships cockpit window, providing a steady counterpart to Johan's brooding thoughts.

He was worried.

His new ally, was obviously a powerful man. He had access to extremely sensitive intelligence, controlled a significant amount of resources to have found Johan, and had access to top secret, not to mention rare, cloning technology.

And while they seemed to share common goals now, the destruction of the Jedi, and the removal of the alien...Jau force that controlled the planet, Johan wondered what would happen when there goals diverged.

For after the Jedi stain had been removed, the Jau forces routed, and the government softened for takeover, Johan would deliver this planet to his Empire. Order must be restored. There was no other way.

The stormtrooper held a small silver cylinder in his hand. It held the frequency which Johan's mysterious new ally had given him to stay in contact.

But would this dark, mysterious man submit to the return of the Empire. Or would he seek the destabilization of the galaxies legitimate authority, as he did now against the Jau. If he did, then Johan would have to deal with him too. That was his duty.

The stormtrooper lit a cigarra, watching the smoke burn off the end and disappear into the air.

The shuffling of feet behind Johan startled him. Slowly, Corporal Logan came through the hatch. Johan leapt off his feet, helping the injured man into the nearest chair.

"Your not supposed to be moving for at least another week," Johan chided.

Logan rested his back against the chair, groaning from the effort of moving. "I was never one for schedules..."

"Does Mustoc know your up and about?"

The corporal shook his head.

"I should order you to go back to the medbay," Johan told him.

"But your not going to," Logan said. "Just fill me in on what I missed."

"We lost those two Jedi," Johan told his subordinate. "After you were hit were got blindsided by newcomer, another Jedi, male. We managed to get you to a hospital and had a civilian doctor stitch you up."

Johan listed all the events that had occurred in the time Logan had been hurt. Their new mysterious ally....the stalled search for the Jedi mystics....the recent actions of the Jau.

Quite suddenly, the motion sensor on the exterior hull picked up a flicker of movement. Johan thought he was imagining things, it was so sudden. But the motion scope beeped again, and Johan knew it couldn't be. Logan looked at him with mild alarm.

"Should I wake the others?"

Johan shook his head, drawing his sidearm and checking the charge. "Not yet. Could just be an animal or a bum that was too curious."

The stormtrooper sergeant picked his comm bead off the console. "I'll check it out and call if I need help."

Logan gave him a look, but resigned himself to the order.

"Keep the exterior lights off. I don't want to attract any more attention than we already have," Johan said as he left the cockpit.

***

Stepping off the ramp, Johan's trained eyes quickly scanned the abandoned warehouse. He snapped down the night vision eyepiece of his headset, observing the stillness of the area around him. Emerging from underneath the Authority, the rain began to pelt him, soaking his fatigues in just a few seconds.

Taking a few cautious steps around the perimeter of the ship, Johan didn't come up with a thing. That was his last thought before his attacker pounced on him.

The blow came from above. Johan's opponent must have been hiding on the ships hull itself. The figure leapt down, delivering a swift kick to the side of Johan's head, before landing on the ground a few feet away.

The surprised soldier went sprawling, falling onto the ground, blaster pistol clattering the ground just out of reach. Johan tried to speak into his headset, until he realised that it was gone. Through the darkness, Johan could see it clutched in the hands of his attacker.

The figure was garbed in a dark cloak that totally covered its wearer. The attacker was also short and compact, and from his hand, Johan could see that it wasn't human.

The stormtrooper dove for the blaster pistol, but his assailant was too fast. Johan managed to wrap his hands around the pistol grip, but before he could draw a bead on his target, the alien kicked the weapon from his hand. Johan wasn't sure were it flew to in the darkness.

Johan headbutted the attacker, managing to get the creature of off him, long enough to assume a fighting stance and deliver a kick at the other's midsection. The agile alien blocked the kick, ducking low enough to evade the attack.

The alien threw himself at Johan, knocking him off balance. Falling to the ground, Johan yelped painfully as he slammed into the ground. The hooded creature stood over him, but made no move to attack.

"Didn't I always tell you that flashy kicks leave you open to attack?"

Johan starred perplexed at the question, until the figure pulled down his hood.

The alien was of a species not many got to meet, and many wished they hadn't. Reptilian in appearance, with rows of sharp teeth, the Noghri were the secret, deadly assassins of the former Darth Vader. Though compact and small, they were powerfully built, and many a victim had found themselves dead from the Noghri's hand.

"To'Makh?"

To an outside, Noghri looked almost identical. But this face was one Johan would never forget. While serving in The Guard, the elite bodyguard unit answerable only to Darth Vader, To'Makh had been the close combat instructor who had trained Johan and his compatriots. The stormtroopers had never managed to best the Noghri in combat.

The alien smiled, a frightening act in itself, before extending his hand to Johan. The man clutched the clawed appendage, and was pulled to his feet. To'Makh handed Johan back his headset, and Corporal Logan could be heard yelling through the earpiece.

"Everything is fine, Corporal," Johan said into the communicator. "I'm alright."

"Perhaps we should get out of the rain," To'Makh offered.

***

The other members of Johan's team were waiting on the ramp, and they probably would have shot To'Makh, if Johan hadn't of raised his hand for them to lower their weapons. Reluctantly, the suspicious soldiers lowered their weapons.

Minutes later, in the Authority's common area, Johan relegated To'Makh's background, and his affiliation with as one of Darth Vader's Noghri Death Commando's. What Johan wasn't aware of, was what had happened to To'Makh after the death of Darth Vader on the second Death Star.

"As you are aware, the Empire was fractured after the loss of the Emperor and Lord Vader aboard the Death Star," To'Makh said in his gravely tone. "Currently, it seems Imperial Intelligence is holding power on Coruscant, under the rule of Director Isard."

"I will serve no pretenders to the Imperial throne," the Noghri growled. "I traveled from Coruscant and had to scour half the outer rim to find you., "My master is dead. We failed our Lord Vader, and he is dead now. So I will serve you, Sgt. Eddis. I have no other duty."

"You aren't obligated to serve me, To'Makh."

"That, is where you are mistaken."

Johan sighed. There was no talking a Noghri out of what they believed. "We could use your help. This mission is going well."

"What is your task here?"

"Sector Command wants this planet back. With its shipyards, it is the only system nearby that can support an Imperial presence," Johan said. "But that's not even the big picture."

Johan told him about the Jedi, the temple in the forest, and how Imperial command wished for their presence to be removed from this world. He told To'Makh about their encounter with the Jedi in New Pluton, and the complication of having this world run by an alien invader, the Jau. He told the Noghri about the mysterious ally he had found in Kaidaga.

The stormtrooper was just finishing his brief when Corporal Thorgim stuck his head into the room. "Sergeant, you should probably come look at this."

Rising to his feet, Johan made his way up to the cockpit, the smaller Noghri assassin in tow. When they found Thorgim, he was sitting in his pilot's seat, eyes transfixed on his control screen.

"News, Corporal?"

"You might want to sit down for this one," Thorgim told him. "As you know, we monitor most of the mass-media traffic that comes over the planet's holo-feeds. Most of the communications traffic is relayed through the satellites in orbit."

Johan nodded, not sure where his pilot was going with this.

"Since we've had a back door into the satellites for awhile now, I logged in to see if there was any new information that might have been relevant to our mission," Thorgim said. "But that's not it. Using the satellite sensors, I noticed that the Jau ships started moving off from their regular positions."

"How many vessels?"

Thorgim gave a grim half-smile. "All of them. They maneuvered their entire fleet over this point in the Tae'Sollar desert."

The screen changed to reveal a smoking hole in the desert. Johan couldn't tell anything else at this distance, but it was obvious that the Jau had moved their ships in a specific effort to obliterate this area.

To'Makh broke the silence. "The overlords of this planet did this?"

Johan nodded. "Looks that way."

"We should go," Thorgim offered. "If nothing else, we can see what they wanted to destroy so much as to bombard it from orbit."

Johan nodded. Only one thing could threaten the Jau so much that they would want to obliterate the spot from orbit, and Johan knew it was what he sought as well. "Get us airborne."

****

The Tae'Sollar desert had few features for one to observe. It was dune after dune of endless sand, and if one might imagine Chimaeria as a desert planet if this was all they had ever known. In the darkness, there was even less to see. The Authority was flying with all lights off, and the absence of a moon in the night sky would have made everything invisible outside.

From the cockpit, Thorgim used the cockpit night scopes to pilot them low over the desert. He would occasionally check his sensors and make slight course adjustments to keep them locked on course. Logan sat next to him, finally being well enough to resume some duties around the vessel, but still far to immobile to go on missions.

Down below in the bay, Johan tugged on his vest to make sure it was tight around his body. Silas was busy fiddling with his sniper scope, and Mustoc was muttering something incoherent as he checked the contents of his medic bag.

To'Makh was also with them. He was still clad in his dark robe, and stood silently near the ships ramp. The others had grudgingly accepted him after Johan revealed their connection, but it would take time for them to trust the Noghri. Johan himself had no such problem. He knew his teachers allegiance to their Empire was unquestionable.

Johan moved to his side. "It is good to see you To'Makh. I feared in the chaos that followed the Second Death Star that you had...."

"What, that I had fallen." To'Makh made a rough clicking sound that was the equivalent of a Noghri chuckle. "No, young Johan. I have many more things to teach you before I leave this life."

The loading bay was bathed in a dim red glow, indicating that they were almost to their target. Johan clicked his headset microphone once to make sure it was working. The other members of his team did the same, confirming their link.

"Bout ready to set you down, boss," Thorgim said through the earpiece.

Johan pull the ramp release, and the harsh desert wind suddenly blew into the bay. The three humans flipped down their night vision visors, while To'Makh had no need because of his enhanced Noghri eyesight.

The team stepped off the ramp into the soft sand below. The scans didn't reveal any lifesigns, but they had no real way of knowing that there wasn't any hidden enemy nearby. With a movement of his hand, Johan since Silas to the ridge of the next sand dune. When the sniper got there, he motioned the rest forward.

Johan was greeted with a scene of total destruction. They volley of fire from the Jau ships had turned the seeable desert into a bed of cracked glass. Everywhere sat destroyed attack craft, bodies and the remnants of some sort of mining camp rose out of the devastation.

The smoke had long since stopped billowing, but the air still held the smell of fires burning. Even in the darkness one could see some animals chewing on the dead bodies, though much of the bodies had already been picked clean.

The team moved into silently, past the fences of the mining camp, long since reduced by the fighting or the assault from orbit. The large sheds which had been used to house the prisoners had been easily destroyed, and Johan could see that few had survived as he walked down the rows between them.

It had been an attack. Johan began to recreate the events in his head. This must have been the camp that citizens kept talking about, the one where dissidents to the Jau rule went. The people of this world had finally rose up against their rulers.

And yet, that didn't make since either. The people wouldn't just rise up . They needed figureheads, leaders, individuals to incite the rebellion. The Jedi had been here. As he checked their bodies, Johan began to look for wounds that didn't seem blaster or blade related. There were more of them than he thought. Either quite a few Jedi must have been involved here.

"Sergeant, we've found something."

"On my way."

It looked like a simple cylinder, and could have been some sort of odd tool. But Johan suspected it was more than that. He took it from Mustoc, who had stumbled across it on his patrol. It was a lightsaber alright, broken, if the damage to the casing was any indicator.

They were here. The Jedi had finally shown their hand, and they might have inadvertently given him a way to track them. Moving an army required an massive effort, and even the Jedi couldn't have masked their movements out of a desert such as Tae'Sollar.

"Corporal Thorgim, copy?"

"Yes, Sergeant."

"We've found what we need here. I want you to access the planets satellite grid and see which satellites were over the Tae'Sollar desert in the last two days," Johan ordered.

"That's a secure network. It might take me a little while to get inside."

"Work as fast as you can."

A little over an hour later, Thorgim showed Johan a series of pictures taken by one of Chimaeria's orbiting satellites. It showed the majority of the rebellious army leaving the scene, but Johan wasn't interested in them. A small group of transports broke off from the main group, and their final destination was a small town near Arcadia, known as Vendra on the maps. With any luck, that small group was the Jedi.

Johan was a firm believer in luck. It might just be holding out.

---