The Tides of History (an St/Sw cross over)

[Praeothmin]

"The line must be drawn here, and no further.
I will make them PAY for what they've done..."


Niiiiiiice!

[Admiral Breetai]

Absolutely brutal...another hero who proves humanity won't go silently into the night.

Hope you don't mind. Kinda felt inspired. :)

Ord Mantell, Malastare, Squadron leader Napa, Admiral Antarez,Mckenzie the godslayer. These are the names that must, will be remembered and countless thousands upon thousands of others whose sacrifice was not recorded but shall not be in vain. We are beset upoin by devil-aliens of unimaginable legions but their hearts burn cold, lifeless as their unnatural Xeno masters. We are the Imperial Elite! In our breasts lurks a crucible of twin flame, one of honor and devotion to our Empire of order which alien slave-soldiers could never understand and the other the tens of thousands years worth of raw, naked savagery that is our ancetral right. The devil-aliens know not of this either but they shall. Holotransmission submitted by Commodore Jack Krevin following the defeat of the Midrim.

that was..amazing man simply amazing.

Can i use this? if you don't mind the shout out to your fic?

"The line must be drawn here, and no further.
I will make them PAY for what they've done..."


Niiiiiiice!

I was inspired by the Musashi when writing up the Resolute any bad ass they have comes from you.

[Praeothmin]

Thanks, but it actually comes from Kirkinger, whom I've always imagined a cross between James Tiberius Kirk (hence the name), and Sean Connery's James Bond...

As for James, I kinda involontarily channeled Daniel Craig's Bond, but with the Q gadgets inside him instead of outside... :)

[sonofccn]

Can i use this? if you don't mind the shout out to your fic?

I'd be honored if you thought it was good enough to use, feel free.

[Admiral Breetai]

new chapter up... unfortunately that means the time for battles is for now at least over, the time for preparing for another battle is at hand. Both sides are moving to create damage control and...every one is furious Empires cut up and winded...the grinds are gearing in the old Vortas head we got some imperial news network going as well

' I wasn't present in the Galaxy when it happened but I saw the aftermath, I'm not defending the empire but they threw themselves at the Dominion with such ferocity and tenacity that they survived the massacres of Bright jewell and Malastare when another race with such technology would have been shattered. it seems to be a universal human trait and it seems to be one our enemies constantly underestimate"] - president Simon Tarses 2476 presidential memories archive



Allied Starbase Red Dawn- two hours post the massacre at Malastare

Garros hurled a chair against a wall and turned his face was ghostly pale eyes sunken in he was breathing hard rage was contorting his features “what in the force happened!” he yelled “I thought your kind was conditioned to obey!” he snapped his companion a younger looking Vorta was equally disgusted nodded ‘the will of the founders Who Vi’retess carries out and what he entrusted you with, they are disobedient and disgraceful” a female vorta nodded “defected”

“Captain Garros” technician said “we are receiving a signal from the fleet retreating towards Red Dawn” the creature flinched “Malastare has been destroyed” all the vorta became very tense, this was absolutely contrary to the founders mandate of leading with diplomacy in the guise of mercy! Did Ar’tech go rogue? Or did Vi’retess have a plan? Garros slumped down in his chair ‘two billion people on Malastare’ “six on Ord Mantel “ “find Vi’retess” Garros ordered “the commander wants to know what your orders are’ Garros frowned ‘take what’s left of your ships and find Kevon and stop him by any means necessary’ Garros said solemnly

Coruscant same time

Guylos and fell back into his chair near him Grand Admiral Octavian Grant reached out gripping his forehead with his hand looking away in disgust. Seras was breathing hard her mind was working over what possibly could have caused that damage “Grand Admiral Guylos I want to take a series of ships out to Malastare” she said ‘We need to begin to examine the wreckage we need to know what was used there we need to examine their ships we need to learn’ she said looking around, no one wanted to say it no one but. Finally Grand Admiral Enzo rose up his entire body contorted tense “we can’t guarantee your protection beyond the edge of the expansion region any more” every one in the room fell deathly silent at that realization and became suddenly grim and it was as if Seras found herself surrounded by corpses and then it dawned on her..With the mid rim gone the center of the interior of the empire and the outer rim territories were cut off

“They just broke the empire in half and the only thing the emperor sees fit to allow us to do is respond...We cannot fight back “Enzo said “we’re loosing this galaxy’ he said, Guylos rose up suddenly walking towards a desk reaching in he grabbed a data pad and handed it to him “when you move against Yabosta “ he said “send a scout to Turhain give him this tell him it’s for Thanagar” he said every one looked up at him he had something planned? Enzo nodded ‘what does it say?” Guylos grim eyed focused on him and a calm smile traced across his features “Begin”

Imperial Star Base Crimson shield

A bottle of ale smashed into the wall its contents spilling everywhere as Grand Moff Turhain rounded slamming the back of his hand against a commodore ‘but sir! There’s nothing between us and Dominion territory” “you simpleton they haven’t taken the mid rim in its entirety!” he snapped no they did something much worse a large portion of it was in Dominion control ten percent had been brought under rebel control, the rest was cut off and alone with nothing to help them, a local imperial garrison and picket forces. Picket forces made up of the average imperial officer and soldier, without guidance and under such stress they would react with conditioned brutality and any pressure would be projected onto the people and if something wasn’t done soon something was going to happen. Vi’retess was smart too smart, ‘you are to go to Ord Mantel and rescue any one still alive and bring me as many samples of Dominion technology as you possibly can” he said “get a messenger out to Grand Admiral Seras and Grand Admiral Martio Batch let them know their presence or the presence of their people would be appreciated and vital’ he said looking out “and I want our sector patrols double” he added

“Sir what do we do about the alien corps?”One asked ‘oh right’ close to seven hundred ships had been around Crimson shield and his own bigoted and foolish commanders did not want to work with them. He wondered if he could have them all killed for sheer stupidity ‘send them the coordinates to that little spot Thanagar ordered us to send all potentials too, in fact make sure it’s understood that they should pass it on that any elements of the Xeno corps out there can come through here for directions”

“Sir they’re aliens!’ “Yes they are do you want to die for questioning my orders?” “No sir”

…………..
Allied Starbase Red Dawn

Sleepily Vi’retess awoke from a deep nap, arising with a pleased and contended smile he eyed the two vorta who had entered his room they marveled at him he had ordered the death of billions yet he seemed rested as if he was were a baby. It unnerved even them, ‘overseer Captain Garros is very upset he heard about Malastare” he said “ah is that so?”he asked getting up from his bed and sliding on a dark long coat formal but solemn and grim picking carefully colors that would be what one expected a remorseful leader to wear when on morning. ‘And what did he do?” ‘He ordered elements to go after Kevons fleet to stop them’’ he said “ah excellent while Kevon’s actions were indeed a betrayal Garros own actions have presented me with an interesting opportunity” he said ‘and Malastare?” one asked ‘ah, well that ‘ he said walking out leading the two young Vorta ‘you will soon find out ‘ he said his cheerful features fading away his form becoming tired and grief stricken he braced himself against the wall as the door slid open and looked up at Garros who was himself stricken with grief and rage ‘what happened at Malastare!’ he snapped

“I don’t know” Vi’retess said “I assure you I was just told’ he said shaken and seemingly wounded, he reached out to grab Garros arms bracing him but the younger captain felt himself supporting his older mentor who seemed even more taken by the actions ‘I cannot understand how that could have happened I ordered them to strike the imperial forces there but leave the planet in tact” he said eying him ‘this is wrong! I assure you if Ar’tech bombarded the planet he will stand trial for his actions and it will be broadcasted live for the entire galaxy to see’ he said in a voice that was shaken but full of a righteous fury, Garros nodded his faith in the man restored “pardon me overseer Vi’retess sensor logs have returned from the battle” one of the technicians said. Vi’retess walked with Garros gripping his arm slightly forward the data logs were confirmed as they spoke by rebel forces that made it to the area “a super laser was discharged? At our fleet it seems but that does not explain the planetary devastation unless” he paused “I see’ he said Garros paled the same energy configuration was displayed all over the planet and as if on cue reports began coming in of several of the stations powerful reactors and the lenses needed were discovered in the debris floating around orbit “they fired on themselves?” Garros asked not believing that for a second “No I doubt that’ Vi’retess said ‘it’s possible one of the stations was destroyed while in the process of firing and the planet’s surface was boiled as a result” he said Garros frowned he had seen what happened when those weapons overloaded at Yavin and during a raid in the corporate sector and he knew full well that was a dangerous risk “the idiots, they risked the lives of their own people by putting such weaponry in battle over a planet”

Vi’retess was internally somewhat surprised the reactor found on the planet was not his doing yet it apparently went off as well due to Dominion fire, had they really been weapons testing there? His official planted weaponry was what he was going to use to get out of this mess but this was even better. He shook his head “this is terrible, this is horrendous” he said before eying the other vorta “do we still have the old industrial replicators?’ he asked they nodded ‘I want twelve of them active and ready for use in four days’ he said before eying Garros “I don’t know what happened boy, but I will make this right for your alliance and for the rest of the galaxy” he said firmly “I promise you”

Andromeda Galaxy same time

Simon Tarses beamed onto the platform aboard the Sarmiento he shook his head that was the first time he had ever beamed aboard another vessel while beaming across another galaxy at speeds that he didn’t even want to think about. Wildstar and Restiv did it constantly for their nightly poker games but this was his first time and he felt the urge to go to the medical bay and look himself over. Calming down (and absent mindedly counting his fingers) he made his way towards the turbo lift being met by Wildstar on the way ‘Commander Tarses” “Commander Wildstar’ both shook hands and walked along Serita joined them as they approached the Turbo lift she smiled “gentlemen’ she said ‘this Holiday Thanksgiving “ she said ‘is it traditional? “ “It is for certain humans ‘he said as the group walked along ‘did you read the autopsy reports?” “Humans genetically modified humans with some weird cells infesting them” Wildstar whistled Tarses nodded “it’s hard to accept, the depth these preservers went to manipulate things’ he thought about it, the idea was so amoral and against everything he was taught. “violating the prime directive with impunity fundamentally altering entire galaxies” Tarses said Serita thought about it “I understand acting to preserve a species that is facing extinction but it seems to me to do what they had to do to this galaxies residents they would have had to fundamentally alter everything over more than just the hundred plus thousand year figure for the humans being deposited there”

“I’m still trying to get over the fact that one of the bodies ancestors were made up of uplifted homo-habilis and Neanderthal DNA as well as humans it was like every now and then they dumped various species on different worlds and played with them” “and this unifying energy field? This aspect of subspace they all can tap into? What the fuck!” Wildstar said loudly I mean seriously I would only do that if I was building a weapon” Tarses frowned “Derek watch your language please’ he said “oh shush mom I’ll curse if I want too” he said Serita chuckled “either way gentlemen” she said ‘it seems like these gods were complete jerks” she said the doors swung open the young Romulan eyed the feast spread out for them and laughed ‘humanity is so unbelievably decadent “ she said “shut up baby “ Restiv yelled from the side he was visibly digging into some type of avian though from how massively obese it was she had to conclude it was some type of horribly deformed flightless abomination. Romulan scientists had always affirmed in the old propaganda movies that earth was a brutal and simple environment full of monstrous evolutionary mistakes and that humanity had simply achieved dominance because it was the most psychotic and aggressive murderous race on that backwater hellhole. She refused to believe it like many young Romulans who grew up hearing such stories until she joined Starfleet traveled around human colonies and stations. After seeing a cockroach the primal fear it seemed to inspire she readily became a fervent believer in the “Theory of psychosis guiding evolution when no other external factors are present” a Romulan scientist published a book called “The Evolution of humanity on the asylum known as Terra” it was an excellent read she had recommended to Commander Restiv of course he dismissed it as typical backward Romulan delusions. Dartanis entered the dining room now, flanked by John Rainbird whose pipe loosed the thickest bluest smoke he had ever seen in his life. ‘Hello Gentlemen” Captain Dartanis said looking around at the spread and mentally praising the “cooks” in the lounge (the Sarmiento’s version of ten forward) He eyed them all “This is a Terran holiday I thought I would indulge mostly because I enjoy the chance to eat like a pig and get to know my colleagues better’ he said Serita eyed him “the disgruntled old man is not here?” she said meaning his first officer, Dartanis shook his head before sitting down ‘he’s looking through some archives or something he’s anti social and for the life of me I can’t change him’ he said in playful exasperation. Wildstar smiled but inwardly he wondered, Dartanis was very good at concealing how he really felt about anything, always polite always somewhat carefree it. He realized it was a mainstay of his species Al-Aurians seemed very good at concealing all and ensnaring you into speaking no matter how you felt or what you really wanted to do. If it was some type of subversive telepathy or just a virtue of extreme old age he couldn’t tell, but the one time he ever saw stress on the Captains face was when he was in the same room with his own commanding officer. It was disconcerting to say the least and spoke volumes for how politicized this mission truly was when it came down to it. Their tension and hostility could get people killed though and he often worried, at the same time it was so minor to subtle it was very hard to pick it up at all.

“My grandfather mentioned that, this holiday carried with it a somewhat controversial history” Rainbird said “but that he liked the message” he remarked “he made a point of observing it even though our tribe had nothing to do with the original incident” he said as they all began to eat ‘He wanted to celebrate Christmas as well, although I think that was mostly because he enjoyed spoiling his kids and later grandkids rotten but my grandmother would have none of it” he said “she was a traditionalist?’ Restiv asked, Rainbird nodded ‘firm believer in the old ways, carried over to my parents’ he said “she was descendent from a strong warrior tradition many of her ancestors fought against the US army in the western territories” he said ‘she believed in preserving the history’

Serita nodded tightening the clip that kept her long hair in line with regulations “tradition is important” she said ‘very important’ she looked at Simon Tarses, a man she saw was only beginning to truly let himself discover his Romulan heritage and she was finding herself more and more willing to help him whenever she could. “especially when your people are scattered as we are’ she said “rebuilding” that got an understanding look from the Captain who seemed distant and nostalgic ‘you are thankful for what you have and hold that sacred what little you have” Rainbird said “in the spirit of this holiday’ he added “although I think The Romulan people do not face extinction of the race” the comment came from Salaya the Vulcan “three hundred Romulan colonies of varying sizes “she said although most of them had small population some were massive and important ones ‘and that does take precedence”

“only a Vulcan can say that ‘Serita said “we face a death of soul, a death of culture we are either subjects of the Klingon empire, hunting grounds for the Gorn or Federation citizens what makes us Romulan is far more than just DNA” she said ‘I understand that, but your numbers are large you will endure “she said in a court but matter of fact tone. “speaking of which” Wildstar said breaking the ice “can one of you old timers or our pretty Romulan colleague here tell me why T’krell tomb in one of the observation decks is so visited? Why I have to constantly grant beaming clearance for any of my Romulan crewmembers? He asked Serita frowned “you know nothing of Admiral T’krell?” She asked Wildstar shrugged “that he became the fourth and last Romulan fleet Admiral when he was only sixty five” he said ‘that he expanded the empire like no one had ever done before not much else” he paused ‘oh and scuttlebutt says he battled Kirk and Robert April and even John Harriman on the tomed but nothing concrete” Restiv shrugged “I know nothing of him other than we found him where no sane man would be found” he said devouring food before eying the others ‘what? Do you think that’s all I want to know? I have Romulans annoying me for the right to pay homage as well” he said “I would like to know why”

Simon Tarses remained silent he had heard stories of the man, read about him but not much else he didn’t know allot of details on the man and he felt bad “I’m in the same boat as Derek and the pig” he said Rainbird nodded eying Dartanis who was sipping some whiskey. The scarred old Apache leaned back puffing his pipe “He was so famous because the Romulan people loved him” he explained ‘because he was fearless, charismatic and a powerful man in terms of spirit and will’ he said ‘but unlike the others he was not ambitious and would not seek to rule’ he said “he believed in the empire and served it” he said ‘and he served it better than any other Romulan officer I’ve ever read about without going back hundreds of years and to an era where they had rotator ships using slipstream passageways and rail guns “ he said as every one settled in to hear the story. Serita added “he was came from the working class the common man” ‘common man” Dartanis interrupted ‘what common man? His mother was a street whore and his father a drug addict and petty criminal who used to beat her” he said, Serita adjusted herself lightly not really liking those details “He used to beat T’krell and his mother, records we obtained indicate he actually beat a younger brother to death no his situation wasn’t common he wasn’t part of the working class, he grew up in utter destitution and desperation and while nothing is known of his brothers and sister and what became of them we do know that he managed to get out and get a posting in the imperial navy” he said Rainbird listened as well, it was rare for an Al-Aurian to give information that wasn’t a riddle and as he weaved this story of a broken boy from a broken home who was saved by the law and what he saw as imperial justice, who had to teach himself basic math and learn while training at the academy soon he had the attention of everyone. “He was noticed’ Serita began again “when he saved the life of his captain, he was a cook at the time I think , this Captain whom history forgot awarded T’krell by allowing him to apprentice under his first officer a noble who eventually gave him patronage in his house” she said “from there the Romulan Empire was fighting with a Vulcanoid species’ she said “my ancestors no less who resisted imperial expansion” she said much to every ones shock “he beat our forces down and we became loyal subjects of the empire, largely because he was impressed by our valor and he brought us into his great fleet”

Rainbird smiled a little at the romantic spin on the old story ‘it was said he rewarded those vanquished enemies who showed bravery and honor, he brought Romulan culture to the stars and because of this he was loved by all “ he said ‘well most there were always ambitious souls out there’ he said “Jean Luc mentioned that his great uncle fought him in battle once as well though he didn’t know it at the time” Rainbird added Dartanis nodded “the scars you see on his face came from an accident during a battle, Kirk defeated him and he kept them as a reminder for failure wore his defeat proudly” Restiv grinned “sounds like the stories you hear of Kirk and of the Dahar masters bah!”,he said dismissing it

Dartanis shrugged “He was not a genius or very intelligent in the book learned conventional sense’ he said “he was however self educated and had an ability to look into others and see what they truly were capable of, he could inspire and he was a very swift thinker his tactics were always thought up on the fly I suppose in that way he was a genius “

Rainbird nodded, Tarses thought about it, they painted the picture of a man too good to be true but in many ways felt very real, a man whose circumstances shaped him ‘he sounds like some one who..we’d want here with us’ he said Rainbird thought about it “maybe’ he said Dartanis chuckled ‘no’ he said “because if he was I assure you he would make sure the federation got involved in this galaxy’ he said they all nodded ‘it’s why they put some one like me in charge and not say a Kirk or a Picard” he said “you sound like you knew him?” Serita said the Al-Aurian captain shook his head “no regretfully at that’ he said ‘my people are listeners and lore masters I would have loved to hear the stories such a man could have told” he shrugged

“How about those bodies we discovered” Tarses said finally “on his ship, what was done to their ancestors” Wildstar nodded “modified the way they had been do we need to immunize ourselves to this? Our crew?” Rainbird shook his head ‘no those germs are everywhere they saturate everything they are just generic microbes with unusual properties, in all the known universe we’ve found everything has evolved an immunity to them” he said ‘but for some reason in this galaxy no, and they’ve been engineered to infect and infest sentients’ they all nodded “the preserves had a reason for this though what ever that reason is runs contrary to the prime directive” Dartanis interjected “and it’s worth investigating’ he said “a method to kill these newer microbes’ Tarses frowned as did Rainbird ‘sir, with all due respect any neutralizing of those microbes might cause catastrophic effects to the galactic ecosystem or worse” Tarses said “I’m aware of that” Dartanis said serving himself some wine “I want it as a last resort’ he said “better to be prepared then sorry” They all nodded but didn’t like it. The topic then changed to the latest news packages they received from home the last ones they’d receive for awhile.

Deep in the innards of the Sarmiento a flicker of gold glowed faintly in the dim light, between Jeffries tubes amber colored ooze seeped out slowly and surely forming a mass at the center that began to gradually take shape.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

Galaxy wide holonet four hours post the final battle of the mid rim

The usual trumpets and blaring propaganda was replaced by an imperial banner flying defiantly in the wind, somber music played out as several news reporters appeared they were tired and full of stress the weight of the words they were about to utter weighing heavily on them.

‘good evening ladies and gentlemen” the lead reporter began his voice quiet tight “as you know thirty hours ago a fleet of ships under command of the Dominion invaded the Bright jewel system, six hours ago a secondary fleet of Dominion barbarians invaded Malastare” his voice loosened grief stricken ‘four and a half billion people are dead murdered by a horde of rapacious locusts that for twenty four brave hours our brothers and sisters and children in the imperial armed forces fought valiantly and desperately to hold at bay” he said “Admiral Rennek was able to save most of the population of Ord Mantell his evacuation of all non essential personnel and civilians saved millions of lives and for that he is a living hero an hour form now a fleet lead by Grand Admiral Enzo along with ships under orders from Grand Admiral Guylos have prevented a savage penetration into the expansion region, but Malastare was lost in it’s entirety” he said “Admiral Rygellian Antarez and his entire fleet fought literally to the last man and the last ship his sacrifice destroyed the Dominion fleet” he said “these heroes living and dead could never have done this without the blessing of the emperor and without the sacrifice their own men have made” he said “the Emperor grieves with you all, he grieves for the orphaned for the fathers and mothers, brothers and sisters who have lost and he asks you all, will they be alone? Will we as a people allow this? No we wont, citizens of the galaxy I urge you stand firm now join, enlist and fight! We cannot forgive or forget we must never forget the names of the lost! Grand Admirals Guylos and Declann need you! The imperial army needs you! The Emperor needs you! Rally yourselves let us show the Dominion we will not yield willingly we will not go into the long night! We will not fall! We will bring justice to the fallen! Citizens of the Empire! Show them our resolve!!” he went silent “all entertainment will be suspended the Emperor has declared a galaxy wide day of morning in twelve hours Grand Admiral Guylos will make a speech and Grand Admiral Enzo will respond to a series of questions” he said “we leave you now with the blessings of Emperor and remember we are humans we may grieve we may cry but we do not ever give up”

“I will read now a statement issued by a Commodore Jack Krevin in the outer rim territories a loyal son of the empire just like all of us ‘ he grabbed the data pad
“Ord Mantell, Malastare, Squadron leader Napa, Admiral Antarez, McKenzie the godslayer. These are the names that must, will be remembered and countless thousands upon thousands of others whose sacrifice was not recorded but shall not be in vain. We are beset upon by devil-aliens of unimaginable legions but their hearts burn cold, lifeless as their unnatural Xeno masters. We are the Imperial Elite! In our breasts lurks a crucible of twin flame, one of honor and devotion to our Empire of order which alien slave-soldiers could never understand and the other the tens of thousands years worth of raw, naked savagery that is our ancestral right. The devil-aliens know not of this either but they shall.”
With that the screen went black and a list of names began to run names of the known dead and missing the list was updated in real time...it wouldn’t stop running for another five days

[Praeothmin]

Somber, a fitting tone for the aftermath of such brutal conflict...

[sonofccn]

All the leaves are brown and the sky is gray...sorry that was just the first thing that popped into my head reading this update. Still nice through.

Oh and one million thank yous for using my Krevin quote. :)

[Admiral Breetai]

the Mamas and the papas huh?

question..do you guys want more imperial news? some raids? the rebels doing some missions?

i know for sure I'm going to have Vi'retess make a big speech to the galaxy turn dominion atrocities into a nice piece of propaganda..I think the anti-pope of the Star Wars galaxy hasn't done allot of magnificent bastardry in a while..plus Sonofccn hasn't had a chance to get hot blooded at the Dominions apostate leader in awhile

but after that? Imperial news? fighting? some politicing?

[Praeothmin]

Well, how about some Rebel missions, infiltration, attacks, etc...

[Admiral Breetai]

Well, how about some Rebel missions, infiltration, attacks, etc...

sounds good to me

[sonofccn]

I vote for the Rebels as well through my faith in the Emperor and his glorious might assures me they can only fail, fair tribute for those who betrayed their race to ally with murderous aliens! :)

[Admiral Breetai]

new chapter up..lots of plotting and manipulation Rebels and Vi'retess have decided to cut Admiral Akbar loose on the imperials, Vi'retess positions himself to manipulate Garros and the Rebellion more.

Turhain has some problems and of course it's a talkie and terribly short but hope you enjoy.

I've never understood my brethrens belief in using force and tyranny to rule, I have learned that Democracy is a far greater tool of cosmic order- nothing is more glorious than the satisfaction one can derive from knowing the solids can and will readily vote away their own freedom - The Ancient one 234 B.C.E

Coruscant imperial capital – two days post the final battle of the mid rim.

Grand Admiral Enzo hurled a tray at one of the grand Moff’s present who hurriedly ducked out of the way, Seras grabbed his shoulder as if to calm him, near him Grand Admiral Martio Batch shifted in his heat nervously, Enzo was uncharacteristically emotional and near him Pecatti Syn watched the exchange with the usual reservation of a former holy man. “What do you mean they aren’t coming!” he snapped “I am sorry sir but the rest of the Grand Admirals will not come! Several admirals and Moff’s also have refused but out of fear of angering the GA’s”

Grand Admiral Octavian Grant gestured a wiry hand motioning for calm ‘I believe a direct order from the emperor is not something that can be disobeyed Grand Admiral Synn only managed to come because Lucien Tyrell agreed to take over his responsibilities at Endor” Enzo relented before taking a seat, around him everyone was visibly tensed and angry, resentment was high in the room and every one seemed edging closer to the edge of a knife. For his part Grant was remaining calm and collected as he often was, despite his more selfish and vain qualities he had recently proven himself shrewdly effective in prediction Dominion action and to those loyal to Guylos and Thanagar it became clear why he was brought into the inner circle. ‘they aren’t moving” one Moff said ‘Dominion forces, they aren’t moving against the remnants of our forces in the mid rim” “they cannot” Synn said calmly “not at present” ‘no picking off local sector police and picket forces would be easy even with their losses’ Enzo said “no they have a reason they aren’t sharing it yet but they have one” Grant nodded “the old Vorta is a clever one I think he’s going to play on our forces lack of moral I believe he intends to allow those forces to sit there” he said calmly

“I agree’ everyone turned eying the entry way rising and making a salute as Grand Admiral Guylos and Admiral Rennek made their way into the room, the two had been talking for close to two hours replaying the battle over and over discussing vital points, and others that seemed inconsequential but the demented Admiral noted and pointed out to the Grand Admiral in a discussion that took place beyond the others. “I hear Vi’retess is said to address the galaxy over their holonet hacking technology” Admiral Rennek said walking forward activating the display, Seras sat beside Enzo eying the screen with an intensity only rivaled by Martio Batch. Grant scoffed at the two scientist Grand Admirals engineers with less fleet command experience then rookie captains , he could never understand why they had been given the rank and why some other rank of comparable authority yet not a naval combat rank could not be assigned. Were the dozen figures so important? Shaking his head he disdained Palpatine secretly believing the old mystic to be a false noble a pretender unworthy of the term “emperor’ and more akin to the life long dictators of the ancient sith wars, Jedi chancellors that ruled as religious icons proclaiming judgments from on high often at the cost of many thousands of lives and prolonging an already horrible war. He had come to realize over the years his dark lord was no better, a master not worthy of serving for one of such high birth.

Guylos sat down at the head absent mindedly brushing his own mustache with gloved hands. Slowly but surely a holographic visage appeared, Imperial holonet agents immediately began attempting to shut the hack down to no avail for now. Vi’retess appeared, he was tranquil as usual serene but his eyes seemed to appear deep and darker than normal as if grief had flooded his very being. “Citizens of the galaxy residents of the Galactic Empire, I am Vi’retess overseer and administrator of all Dominion activity in this galaxy that includes this, tragic and sorrowful war “he began “I say this openly so that you know that I will not attempt to deceive you or lie to you blame will not be shifted’ he added “I come to you because at the conclusion of our campaign in the middle rim territories a great loss of life occurred’ he explained “several billion souls died in imperial space’ he said ‘they died on Malastare, it is said because of the Dominion using some sort of super weapon to destroy all lives on the surface’ he began “this as you can see’ he said gesturing beside him images began to appear of debris from the battle including pieces of generators and lenses “these are pieces of a super laser, while not nearly as powerful as the one that was used by the Emperor to butcher the peaceful citizens of Alderan these weapons are still capable of burning the surface of worlds’ he said “experimental and new, the empire foolishly mounted these weapons on their space stations, when the battle became hopeless they turned these weapons on Malastare, they turned it on Ord Mantell’ he said in a somber tone breathing a heavy sigh “when we tried to destroy the weapons platform one of our poloron torpedoes collided with the charging super weapon and caused an unforeseen reaction that stripped away close to half the population” he said his voice seemed to break slightly ‘’ for this in the name of the founders, in the name of cosmic justice and on behalf of the order we seek “ he said seemingly prostrating himself before the masses “I humbly and honestly am truly sorry it was a horrific accident but it was one that occurred during our war on behalf of the citizens of your stars who seek freedom and we hurt and killed many of those same citizens and because of this I am truly sorry’ he said “I will not beg for forgiveness because it cannot be given as leader I am responsible for the errors of my men in the service of my gods and because of this I take sole blame for these actions, it is my fault we could not stop imperial area denial in time and that our attempt to save lives went so wrong at Malastare “ he paused eying the galaxy “knowing that I have commissioned construction on several moons on a gas giant in the Karlinus system of the Chomell sector, as well as Karlinus II and IV we have begun construction of habitats and power plants over fifty industrial replicators of varying models are made available there” he said “We know that, the empire has not allowed shipping to continue in the regions of the mid rim territories not under our control due to a lack of any imperial presence in the region, we know that without those vital transports soon many worlds will begin to suffer starvation, that imperial defense forces have begun to abandon the smaller systems and we offer you this: come to Chomell come to Karlinus, we offer you refuge from the night, a community where the peoples of the galaxy can work to create peace” he began “We offer these worlds to you as a sanctuary and we offer them freely, we will aid you and supply you even if you refuse to join the alliance to restore the republic or agree to dominion peace talks, we will do this because we are truly remorseful for the final battle and unlike the Emperor who hides in a secret fortress away while all this carnage has occurred and has forbade his soldiers from truly assisting the ravaged sectors! Who sits in his ivory tower and gives no pardon nor appreciates the lives lost. I offer you to know me and to know my people and my gods I offer you this and I will continue to do so, we may have become the aggressors in this war but we are not tyrannical or indiscriminate we will begin the healing process to mend this galaxy to aid our Rebel brothers and sisters in bringing back freedom and order” he gestured again images replaced with star charts coordinates to the system ‘come any who can find ships and those who cannot do not be afraid to contact us we will come for you and we will fight for you, die for you because it is right it is just and it is ordered. “

He paused ‘and to the council of Grand Admirals I say only this; you are shackled by a maniacal master who cares nothing for you or your valiant soldiers if you wish to preserve what is left of your empire you need only fly the flag of truce both myself and Mon Mothma are open to peace talks you need only make the first move” the transmission was cut off there, and quickly imperial news agencies attempted to scramble together some sort of propaganda feed using old news reels or old serials.

Guylos frowned, Pecatti Syn rose up and walked to the window ‘and just like that he incriminates us before the galaxy while taking blame away from himself yet appearing to own up to it, clever creature” ‘not so clever it was made that way, doing what comes natural” Grant corrected Grand Admiral Seras simply laughed “that’s really smart’ she snapped eying Martio Batch “putting those damned lasers on the weapons platforms” she snapped ‘and without my consent no less “ “I need your consent to work on my own projects now? You over step your authority little girl’ he hissed ‘Oh, I’m out of term? Am I? Thanks to you the Dominion now has a new propaganda tool!”” “Enough both of you” Enzo snapped. Grant said calmly ‘this is going to cause us problems” every one knew allowing trade and shipping to continue was suicidal, founder infiltration would be a reality within weeks and the withdrawal of what meager forces they had left was making it look like the empire couldn’t even enforce law and order in it’s own territory, they dealt a horrific blow and now made sport of it publically. ‘order all troops to remain at their posts all vessels and defense forces to hold their territories, to provide priority rationing to the civilians’ Grant said ‘under pain of death, any mistreatment of imperial residents will be counted as treason” the others nodded

Guylos looked at Seras and Batch “I want a presence in the mid rim territories still under our control I want it back and I want it soon, how soon can you make it?” he asked Batch frowned “two years’ Seras thought about it then began “sir with the re-sequencing technology and what we’ve been able to reverse engineer off their replicators I do believe it is possible to have at least a hundred ISD battle groups deployed in four months though much of the crew would be trained on the way to battle, within a year working with Turhain I can have close to a quarter of the normal forces back, again though only very sparsely professionally crewed” “getting an education while working’ Grand Admiral Enzo said ‘old practice but a good one”
Martio Batch frowned “much of the alien corps will have to be depended on for that to work and I dislike trusting Xeno’s “he said flatly many other Moff’s seemed to nod their head in agreement one Admiral was vocally against the thought. Grand Admiral Guylos sighed thinking on the matter (appearing too any ways) ‘I agree buy we have little choice, very well get it done”

‘in the meantime some type of raid or counter attack has to occur if for any other reason then too remind the Dominion the empire is still a threat” Synn put in. Guylos smiled ‘oh in that regard I agree and you need not worry Thanagar has been very busy”. The other Grand Admirals looked up as did other Moff’s this was the first time this was ever publically stated and they all looked at him curiously Grand Admiral Guylos and Grant merely eyed each other “all in due time comrades’ Grant said Guylos nodded “in the meantime I want surveillance increased along the regions we still control and any reserve vessels added to the expansion region forces’ he said so far they had remained along one single front but he knew the Mon Calamari admiral would soon be trying to convince others of opening a new one. The Dominion could afford to allow the Rebels to attack “behind’ the front on the other side of the galaxy, the question was would the rebels have the resources to mount effective campaigns after what had been occurring recently?

Then it hit him and he realized he had ignored a critical declaration by the old vorta and his blood ran cold. ‘You hide in your fortress” Guylos eyed Grant and the other Grand Admirals each one had suspected but Synn had confirmed and none would say it aloud before the other moffs. What he had revealed about the Endor project had shocked Guylos to his core and if the Dominion knew they would surely throw everything they had at that system before it became active, and now that they knew what type of weapons they had the veiled threat from Vi’retess was all too obvious, they knew! The bastards knew “I want imperial police forces on capital and intelligence officers to run through every single officer on this planet do we understand? When done with that they are to blood scan every one else in the imperial navy, notify every fleet all security officers are to do routine scans of all personnel” Grant frowned the realization of the Grand Admirals order dawning on him “you can’t be serious? He’s bluffing!” ‘Is he?’ one moffs said “I have seen what these founders are capable of they come off as mad gods and are beyond dangerous” “do not associate such monsters with divinity’ Pecatti Synn warned ‘they are far from it” “then devils’ Seras nodded ‘microbe scans as well these things may hide themselves in a manner nearing perfection but they are not perfect” she said eying Martio Batch “technology taken from researching Dominion craft has yielded some possible avenues into scanning technology making our devices much smaller and compact more easy to use” he said ‘but I admit I am a ship builder “ he said not really wanting more work on his hands he was content to push the responsibility onto Grand Admiral Seras she nodded “I can order my people to work on it as soon as you turn over your results’ she said he nodded. Guylos frowned ‘until then I want every one on guard, dominion eyes are everywhere’ one Admiral raised his hand ‘my lord some of the officers in our fleets will heavily dislike being constantly subjected to scrutiny” he said “as will the imperial army” a Moff added ‘remind the common soldier that any officer giving them trouble and refusing is to be given two warnings if they ignore that they are to be shot dead” Grant stated firmly Grand Admiral Enzo nodded “all personnel are to go through this including us our tests should be done publically” “I disagree” Synn said ‘the last thing we want is to be broadcasting our paranoia to appear so weak “ Enzo nodded ‘you are right” he said ‘but all the same we should not make ourselves above this’ all nodded in silent agreement.

Allied Starbase Red Dawn – same time

As Vi’retess finished the transmission he turned looking to the holographic images of Mon Mothma and Leia Organa, he regarded them with solemn eyes full of the same grief though inwardly the gears of his mind worked and ticked away. He distrusted the two but the young one Leia was especially troublesome, she had met him in person once and without trying she seemed to unconsciously at a very low level try and touch his mind she hadn’t intended too but this ability likely made the youth a very dangerous politician. His defenses held against the breach indeed it would take a very powerful telepath or Jedi to truly break his guarded walls and even more skilled one to see through the constant lies that flew through his mind at dazzling speeds but her action unnerved him and he stood watch wondering why she seemed to be a force potential, believing strongly that the Skywalker boy had been the last, but he would have to inquire further of course. He eyed them both staring at him intensely ‘that was a noble thing you have done” Mon Mothma said Vi’retess nodded ‘not noble but the right course of action and of you my lady have you considered my proposal?” he asked she nodded “and Admiral Akbar agrees it is time for the Rebellion to shine” she said “but he asks that you assist in the construction or upgrade of at least six Mon Calamari cruisers’ she said. Vi’retess frowned well that was annoying but he supposed it couldn’t be helped ‘very well’ he said ‘I will make them far more automated to allow you to field more with less, machine shops and small factories to produce weapons and maybe even an older replicator for food and medical supplies’ he said Leia spoke now “we thank you for your generous offer’ she said “I must ask of you “ she said “are you in possession of imperial prisoners of war?” she asked Vi’retess blinked this had been a sore spot earlier in the war and to have it revisited ‘you have freed imperial battalions yes? Given them purple uniforms and allowed them reign over their former territory?” she asked Vi’retess raised a hand “first of all young one I must applaud you on your directness “he said “now with that out of the way I would say to you only this” he said “yes we have imperial prisoners of war no we do not have imperial officers in our service we are however pleased to announce several small battlegrounds composed of the first volunteer militia formed from Dominion citizens of this galaxy” he said with a smile Leia frowned Mon Mothma was silent she knew worlds had consented to join the Dominion that some sectors had signed peace treaties but that they would so soon be fighting? “And you say none of these are former imperial commanders?” “Nowhere did I say that” he said she blinked “you have then?” “Madame” he said simply “I have loyal Dominion citizens “ he said ‘and to your upcoming question I am going to investigate these people and any war crimes they are responsible for they will pay for when the war ends’ he said “you will have them” ‘if they are guilty’ both women frowned pausing thoughtfully Vi’retess blinked ‘my dearest ladies you are our greatest ally you have aided us you have befriended us we have committed much blood and treasury to you and to this war do you think we would readily risk compromising this friendship? When the dust settles it will be a vast republic what rules this galaxy and believe me, when I say without a shadow of doubt that a restoration of the old republic the only situation that we not only desire but will do anything and everything to bring about’ he said with an absolute honesty that deeply disturbed Leia she knew he meant what he said but the way he meant it seemed to truly frightened her. “as to the matter of prisoners of war we will turn over any we have to you to stand trial for their crimes as soon as you can have live trials’ he said adding ‘any intelligence we have we share you know this”

Both women nodded ‘on the matter of Captain Garros and his forces you requested they remain with you” she asked he nodded ‘as a gesture of our continued friendship I was going to appoint Captain Garros as my liaison to this galaxy my aid in all diplomatic matters and to of course speak for you and in military matters’ he said ‘originally we considered rejecting the proposal we feel Jan Dodonna is more suited for the role but we will agree to your proposal in light of your concessions” Vi’retess bowed ‘we are here to install order not manipulate a frightened people and play on the heart strings of desperate rebels who’s only goal is to free their people – we truly not going to hurt you , you must realize this it is my one hope’ Leia nodded softening slightly “we have been harsh but you must understand we have little choice, treason exists all around us Palpatine taught us that lesson long ago to be weary of such treason”

“But not here not at Red Dawn”

Imperial Starbase Crimson shield – same time

Grand Moff Turhain stood at the viewing section of the starbase, he watched as hundreds of vessels floated in space without direction without guidance the Xeno corps thousands of soldiers and fighters , spaceships stuck here because apparently his own soldiers were threatening to mutiny if any one was forced to command or work with them. He was furious and contemplating a mass execution of the sector commanders for their arrogance and stupidity but doing so would likely mean bringing up newer possibly unpredictable batch of replacements from the younger crowd, all the same it was getting bad while Thanagar’s numbers were growing mostly from local volunteers he had already mentioned many times he was short on manpower and while he did tow the party line about nonhumans Turhain knew it was a lie and he had no racial issues. The problem was imperial regulations no Xeno corps fleet larger than five hundred ships could be allowed to operate without a human commanding officer. Officers who would not be caught dead in such a position luck would have him that day as he was briefed by an aid that an imperial prototype super star destroyer had just exited hyperspace and was requesting permission to put into port for repairs and for crew and supplies. He looked out and saw the designation “Resolute huh?” he asked one of aids nodded “apparently that was the name of the commanding officers original vessel” she said he eyed her “are you sure? So they are from Ord Mantell then?” “Aye sir they say they have a thousand civilians on board and what’s left of the imperial legions from that Battle’ Turhain frowned it was an invaluable source of intelligence and perhaps an answer to his conundrum “ they also have the imperial exterminators with them errmm Maniacs fighter squadron” she corrected herself “so they must know?” “Offer to draft the civilians if they wish revenge and order any officers to the briefing room at once I want a detailed account of the battle’ he said walking off towards the main conference room

Two problems could potentially be solved and perhaps they could finally begin striking back.

[Praeothmin]

Vi'retess is a magnificiant bastard, there's nothing else to say... :)

Nice update, I am eager to read the next one...

[Admiral Breetai]

Vi'retess is a magnificiant bastard, there's nothing else to say... :)

Nice update, I am eager to read the next one...

"when life gives you lemons make lemonade"

Vi'retess; when life gives you Lemons call them oranges and convince everyone around you that they are exactly what you say they are.

I should have one out by next Monday maybe three if I can manage, act two of this little tale is gonna involve the Rebels and The imperials more..that is to say Thanagar is about to put his boot down The dominions throat.

also Dartanis is gonna murder his XO and use a founder attack as cover

hopefully you and Sonoff can join khas and myself

[sonofccn]

Vi’retess 1 Rebellion 0 :)

Vi’retess 1+ infinity Empire 0 ;)

But I know you can't count the Empire out just yet. The old gal still has a lot of bite left in her, she shall rise triumphet driving the alien hordes back across littered fields of thier dead. Scattering them to all heavens! Porro ago Imperator! :)