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Author Topic:   IW Runon Reborn
Geist
Citizen

Posts: 113
Registered: Feb 2001

posted February 20, 2001 04:35 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Geist   Click Here to Email Geist        Reply w/Quote
Okay. For those of you who weren't members of the IW POD, this is our old runon. Since the guys in the Fallen Angels wanted it to continue, I decided to stick it on the storynet. Me and Dai certainly can't prevent VE members from adding to it, but I ask that you refrain from tampering with the storyline too much. If you want to join in though, feel free!

-----

As soon as Amon entered his cabin, he knew he wasn't alone.
"You couldn't let it go." He told Jociam Chandler, Who he noticed sitting on his bunk with a blaster pistol in his lap.
"I cannot let what you are doing, what WE are doing, go on." Jociam replied. He raised his gun and aimed it at Nezumi.
"Do you honestly think that you can stop me with that? What are you going to do? Shoot me? No matter which of us is real, you know that that won't work."
"Perhaps not." Jociam said, and turned the gun on himself.
"Now wait a minute. Do you realize what you are doing?"
"Yes. If I am the real one and not the hallucination, then by shooting myself I will kill you. And if I'm not the real one...well, one of us left Gauss eighty long years ago seeking adventure, and at least the last remaining remnant of your soul won't have to witness the nightmare it has become anymore. At least, one way or another, I am done." With that Jociam pulled the trigger.
Jociam vanished as the blaster shot entered his brain, and Nezumi found himself alone in his cabin. He smiled.
"So the last part of my soul is dead? Perhaps. Or perhaps the last hindrance." He shrugged. "I don't think it matters, as long as he is gone."
Nezumi grabbed the slugthrowing rifle off of his wall. He knew what he would have to do, had known what needed to be done for a long time, only Jociam had held him back. He also knew that it would pretty much end his tenure with the Intruder Wing. No matter.
------
SA Stan heard the door to his office chime.
"Enter," he said gruffly. He was busy and didn't need the distraction. He stretched out with his still young force powers and got nothing from the visitor. Probably General Daishi coming to complain about something, He was the only one that Stan knew of that had a ysalamir.
The door slid open and in strode a man in an old republic army jacket. He raised his rifle and fired three silenced rounds before Stan could react.
------
Nezumi looked at the unconscious and dying Sector Admiral. "Why do I always have to clean up the mess?" He asked nobody in particular.
He walked out past the dead guards, cheerfully whistling an old folk song. His job in the IW was done. It was time for a little him-time. Jociam, before voiding himself from Amon's psyche, had made references to leaving a world called Gauss eighty years ago. Perhaps Gauss could tell Nezumi a little bit about his own past. Nez was dying to learn his real name.
------
Once outside of the effects of the Ysalamir, Stan began to regain consciousness. He knew that he was hurt badly, and that there wasn't much time. In a flash of insight, he mentally projected the image of his attacker. He hopped that at least some force sensitive member of the crew would pick up on it.
------
Major Geist caught Stan's desperate thoughts. He quickly got on his com system and ordered a medical team to Stan's office. After that he placed a second call to General Daishi.
"General, I'm borrowing the POD for a while. I don't know how long I'll be gone." He said. "I need you to get me all of Sortek's old files on Amon Nezumi"
"Where are you going?" Daishi asked.
"To kill a friend."
------
Geist was in the launch bay when Eucilid found him.
"So he's OUR loose cannon, is he?" Euc said angry and sarcastic. "Stan is lucky to be alive."
"I'll bet." Geist felt the anger in Eucilid, it fueled his own and in that moment, he snapped. Spinning around, he focused the force, slamming Euc against the wall and pinning him there. "I know my failures, and I will deal with them. If you interfere, I will kill you." He said, barely registering that he was already choking the life out of Eucilid.
"Major Geist, let him go." The suprise of hearing Kevin's voice broke Geist from his anger. Eucilid slid to the deck.
"Euc, get down to the med. bay and get checked out." Kevin ordered. Eucilid staggered out of the room, and Kevin turned to Geist. "I didn't know you could do that." He said.
Geist, feeling a bit sore from the exertion of so much power, and fully expecting to be arrested for his little tantrum, simply shrugged. "Neither did I." He said, "I'm not really trained in force use, but sometimes I can pull stuff off."
"Like trying to kill fleet admirals that point out that you screwed up?"
"That was a mistake, sir, I wasn't thinking."
"Precisely why I wanted to talk to you before you went after Nezumi. You once told me that a good leader doesn't make decisions based on emotion. I don't think you have the objectivity right now to do this job."
"Are you ordering me to stay here?"
"Damnit man! All of us feel responsible. Me, Dogger, both of us had opportunities and more than enough motive to kill this man. Had we done so, none of this would have happened. But if you go off on some half cocked quest for vengeance like this, you know Nezumi will eat you, and anyone that goes with you, alive. I guess, for now, I'm ordering you to stay here."
Geist reached up to his collar and removed his rank insignia, dropping it at Kevin's feet.
"Is this your resignation, Major?" Kevin asked, suprised.
"He is my responsibility, I have to deal with him." With that, Geist turned and walked aboard his shuttle.
(Major Geist and Amon Nezumi)

As the shuttle left the hangar, Kevin turned to leave, but paused as a shimmering occupied the corner of the bay. As the effect intensified, it seemed as though the deck was red hot, and the air above hazed and solidified, and a trefoil fighter of unknown configuration appeared from nowhere.
Instantly, Kevin had his blaster out ready for whatever happened.
He watched as the hatch opened slowly, and a man in a tattered flight suit stepped out, his arms clear of his body.
"So, Admiral, you gonna shoot me for landing without clearance? Nice to know I haven't lost my touch," he said.
(Ramon Stonefish)

IP: 63.16.0.18

Geist
Citizen

Posts: 113
Registered: Feb 2001

posted February 20, 2001 04:36 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Geist   Click Here to Email Geist        Reply w/Quote
Master was sorting some stuff around in his quarters, he had just received word of what had happened to Stan and he wasn�t happy about it, he didn�t trust Nez he never did but he never thought he would do something like this. The door chime sounded and the door opened without Master saying anything.
Dogger walked in.
"Sir" Master said as he saluted, Dogger returned the salute. "What can I do for you" Master said returning to what he was doing. "I suppose you heard what happened to Stan" Dogger said. "Yep" Master said without looking at him. "And I suppose you heard Major Geist has borrowed the POD to go get Nez" Dogger asked. Master looked up "Sir, excuse me for being blunt but any chance you will get to the point at some stage this year". Dogger laughed "Ok, do you agree with Geist taking the entire POD after Nez"? "He is acting like he is responsible for what happened to Stan because he partly trusted Nez, so No I don�t" Master replied sitting down facing Dogger. "I�m glad you feel that way, because you, AD Macintosh, Major Hippie and Commander Narm are going to bring him back" Dogger said with some edge on his voice. Then Master reached up to grab his head in pain "ARRGGHH", "What is it"? Dogger asked concerned. "Geist used the Dark Side down in the hanger" Master replied after a moment. Dogger got up and ran down to the hanger, Master followed.
When they got to the hanger, Dogger noticed someone talking to Kevin and Geist's shuttle gone. Dogger went over to talk to Kevin. After a bit, Dogger came back and said "Geist is gone, he injured Euc and then resigned, the POD might still follow his orders so I want you to get out there and find him, bring him back"
Master turned to leave then stopped and said "Why us"? Master asked, Dogger replied "Because of your force training, you might be able to reason with him, the others are great pilots as well as yourself, it will be easier to fin him that way, oh and Master bring him back alive".
Master went and told Narm and Hippie what Dogger had said, Mac already knew and said they ship out ASAP in Lightning Interceptors. One hour later they launched into deep space, heading in the last projectory Geist had taken his shuttle.
(Master)
The four Lightning Interceptors had been linked up via Navcomps and Master using the force had been able to figure out which way Geist had gone. (dam im cool) At the moment they were flying through hyperspace towards whereever Geist was or was going. Mac was catching up on some sleep, Hippie was reading the mission report from the last battle, Narm was cleaning the internal gizmos on his Blastec R-86 Series Blaster Assault Rifle.
Master was resting but partially concentrating on the force to make sure they were going the right way.
"Hey Master" Narm said over the comm in a private channel. "Yea" Master replied.
"Did you find out who won our beat on our last mission of who shot down the most fighters" Narm asked.
Master laughed "I�m not sure, ask Hippie he is reading the report taken from out flight recorders". "K" Narm replied.
After a moment silence Narm came back "It was equal, 18 a piece". "Only 18, think we are losing our touch" Master replied laughing. "Why do you think Geist ran off" Narm said breaking the ice in the conversation. Master replied after a few moments "Well, after what Nez did to Stan, Geist feels responsible for not watching what he does, I felt it when he attacked Euc, he used the Dark Side"
"I thought Geist wasn�t trained in the force" Narm said cutting in.
"He isn�t but you don�t need to be trained in the force to do some damage with the Dark Side, I know what its like, your emotions fuel it, you can do anything, but it all comes at a price, I would have thought eternal damnation is enough to put anyone off, it put me off, but old habits die hard I suppose" Master said.
Narm remained quiet then said "Well when we find him, hopefully he will listen to reason and come back".
(Master)
***A ways back in time in the hanger***
Daishi saw Nez heading toward his ship. The call he got from Geist was enough to let him know that Nez had done something.
"NEZ! HOLD IT RIGHT THERE!" Daishi shouted from his position in the corner of the hanger.
"You don't have to shout you know." Nez replied as he turned around to face Daishi.
"I know you just did something that I'll probably regret letting you get away with, but incase you haven't been paying attention during the past ten years I am the kind of person who pays up on their debts. The way I figure it since you saved my life who knows how many times with your little stunt on Eridani I cannot bring myself to stop you no matter what you have done. Before you ask no I don't want to know." Daishi said as he put away his twin super heavy blaster pistols.
"General I have been paying attention and I knew that you wouldn't stop me or you'd be a stain on the far wall for having those guns out of their holsters. I must go now." Nez snapped back as he started climbing up the boarding ramp to his ship.
"Frak I'm probably going to be in a lot of trouble for this but at least I won't owe him any longer." Daishi muttered to himself as he saw Nez's ship enter hyperspace shortly after take off.
(Daishi)
Geist entered the dim tavern, his nose assaulted by the smell of bad cigarettes and worse alcohol. It was the kind of dive that he used to frequent for years when he was working with Nez. He remembered more than one night passed out in a corner, celebrating a successful job, surrounded by equally stuporous space monkeys. They all got hammered, all except Nezumi himself. He didn't drink.
Geist's ship had landed at what remained of Erebria's spaceport an hour ago. After getting through customs and convincing the authorities that, no, he wasn't one of the renegade Intruder Wing, he made for the nearest burned out backwater tavern he could find. He wasn't particularly interested in getting roaring drunk, but from experience he knew that he could find the contacts he needed there.
He scanned the faces in the crowd. He focused on one, a woman, at a rear table. She was the last person he was expecting to run into here.
She turned as though she sensed him watching her. Actually, she probably did sense him. She was good at that. She seemed just as suprised to see him here as he was to see her.
Geist went over to her table and sat down. "Hello Mellisaa," He said.
"Jociam," She responded. "I didn't think I would see you again."
"Nor I you. I thought you were running Nez's spys on Coruscant."
"He sent me here after Project Mayhem fell apart. He wanted me to keep an eye on the rebels." Mellisaa caught something in Geist's mood. "You're looking for him, aren't you?"
"Yes. Do you know where he is?"
"You're going to kill him."
"If I can."
"I'm not going to help you. I owe him too much."
"Still the devoted one. No wonder we never got married. He's become unstable. He attacked one of our officers and fled." Briefly, the thought "So did I" shot through Geist's mind.
Mellisaa caught it. "It happened again?"
"We aren't talking about me, dearheart. We're talking about Nezumi."
"How bad this time?"
Geist shook his head. "I got mad and before I even realized it, I had nearly killed someone."
"You need proper training, Jociam. Your power in the force is fairly high. If you don't learn how to use it, you will become more dangerous than Amon."
"I don't have time right now. Nezumi has to be dealt with."
"Because he did the exact same thing as you?"
"I acted on impulse without realizing it." Geist said. "Nezumi coldly walked into Stan's office and shot him full of holes. There are worlds of difference."
"Even if I wanted to help you, I couldn't. I don't know where he is." Mellisaa probed into Geist's mind. "But you think you know where he's going. Gauss."
"Does the name mean anything to you?"
"Once when I was in Amon's mind, I remember hearing that name, connected with thoughts of home. Is it his homeworld?"
"I think so. But I don't know where it is. And Nezumi knows so little about his past I doubt he knows. But I think he's on his way there. He went through all of our databases looking for it before he fled."
"Could he be trying to learn about his past?"
"Could be, I need to find the location first."
"So you can be waiting for him when he arrives."
"It has to be this way, dearheart. Nezumi has become too dangerous."
"For revenge's sake?"
"He was my responsibility. I'm the one who swore he could be trusted." Geist looked into Mellisaa's eyes. "I could use your help."
"You once asked me to abandon Amon and come with you to the Intruder Wing. My answer hasn�t changed." Mellisaa shook her head. "Even if what you say is true, I will not help you kill him."
"Dear sweet woman. I pray that you are wrong about Nezumi. Because when I find him, he dies." With that, Geist got up and left the tavern.
(Major Geist)

IP: 63.16.0.18

Geist
Citizen

Posts: 113
Registered: Feb 2001

posted February 20, 2001 04:37 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Geist   Click Here to Email Geist        Reply w/Quote
Eucilid, still an FA, walked into the infirmary. He walked into Stan�s room, to see how he was doing, and was startled to see Kevin, standing on the other side of his Bacta Tank. Kevin and him met eyes, only for a second, but the room stayed silent except for the hum of the ship and the quiet, rhythmic beep of SA Stan's life monitor. For a handful of moments, Kevin just looked at Stan, and Eucilid just looked at Kevin. Eucilid broke the silence first.
"What's his condition?" Eucilid asked quietly
At first, Kevin didn't answer, he only sighed, but then he replied "Still Critical, showing signs of getting better. The Bacta will help. His right lung was hit pretty bad. Amon Nezumi did this."
"I know, I know. When is he expected to recover?"
"The Medic droids aren't sure, at the most, 2 weeks." Kevin said
"What until then?" Eucilid inquired.
"We're pretty much incapacitated. Half of our best pilots are off looking for Geist, and our WC's in the bacta. The convoy arrived, we only lost a ship, that died before you guys showed up. We got a large load of warheads, the regular, except for 4 crates of some new warhead. It's called the Shock Mortar, and it's kind of like the antithesis of the Mag Pulse."
"It...adds power?" Eucilid was confused.
"Well, yes, but in a bad way." Eucilid was very confused
"The invoice says, the Shock mortar is a modified Heavy Rocket that, when it impacts the shields, gives them an extremely large boost of power, using a Special type of capacitor to raise the power of the shields to approximately 15,000%, where they then overload and fry every bit of circuitry they're connected with. This is very devastating to the ship, where it knocks out 98% of the major systems, and causes electrical fires all over the bridge, reactor failures, weapon explosions, and all sorts of other terrible things. And that is just on capital ships." Kevin said.
"So, will it work on starfighters?"
"If, by work, you mean detonate the ship, then yes...it will work." Kevin said.
Eucilid was a little skeptical. "let's...test it...first" he suggested.
"That was a plan of mine, and I'm glad to hear we have a volunteer. there is a CRV about 4 klicks away, that had a hyperdrive malfuntion, which melted the whole hyperdrive compartment and most of the engine compartment in to solid metal, it still works, but we've alvaged all we could use, turbolasers and such. other than that, it is mostly inctact. Report to your fighter, Admiral, the warhead has been loaded in Shuttle Avingon. Daishi will be going up with you to report the result, and we have feed from the CRV Gretchen" Kevin ordered.
Eucilid saluted, turned, saluted Stan, floating in his tank, and headed for the hanger.
After Eucilid left, Kevin felt the scars on his face as he turned back to Stan. They were there for life, a small reminder of the Scar left by Nezumi and Geist on the IW.
(FA Euc)
From his concealed position under the skeleton of some large animal or other, Geist studdied the rebel command center outside the frontier town carefully through his binocs. When the ISD Majesty crashed into the planet during the battle of Erebria, the primary computer core was destroyed completely. The rebels had moved all the remaining data to this base after they ocupied the planet. The town that had arrisen out of the wasteland nearby was one of several that grew as refugees from the ruined region began looking for a new life.
The rebels obviously feared guerrilla attacks, there were soldiers on every streetcorner. The base itself seemed to have a strong garrison. All in all it looked alot like the hundreds of smash and grab jobs Geist had pulled during his time with Nez. Simple.
Yeah, simple. The opening in the rebel patrols Geist was waiting for appeared, and almost before he realized it, he was up and running. He didn't have much time before they closed the gap in their perimeter, but he was relying on his combat armor to protect him if this didn't work.
With speed that he could only manage in his powered combat suit, Geist quickly slipped through the perimeter without tripping a single alarm. He found the window he was looking for and, first double checking that he was unnoticed, started up his "glass cutter". The short bladed lightsabers built into his armor's forearms, a gift from Mellisaa long ago, quickly gained him entry into the facility. He found himself alone in a computer room. Precisely where he wanted to be.
The rebels had moved all the most important computer files off of the planet long ago. What remained was hardly vital military information, but Geist hopped it had what he needed.
His hopes were dashed when he saw the main computer. Nezumi had been here first. The computer was ruined by a lightsaber, the only legible thing remaining was a half burned sheet of paper with a few lines on it.
ADMIRAL KARL GARRETT
IMPERIAL NAVAL OFFICER IN COMMAND OF FORCE AMBER
ORIGINAL HOMEWORLD: GAUSS
CURRENT LOCATION: PARAK
This smelled like a trap to Geist. Shoot, it would smell like a trap to a retarded gamorean. But his options were limited. Geist pocketed the paper.
Outside, he heard alarms and the sound of blaster fire.
(Major Geist)
The Lightning Interceptors flew through Hyperspace, it had been a few days and they had yet reached their destination but through the force Master knew they were going the right way.
"Master are we getting any closer than we were yesterday"? Mac asked Master who replied "Yea yea, patience is a virtue, he doesnt want to be followed..........wait a sec exit hyperspace on my mark". Master counted down Five.....Four.......Ready.....Steady....Go, Disengage Hyperdrive"
The starlines vanished and they emerged in realspace, a planet filled there veiwports "Are we were I think we are"? Narm asked, it took a moment for Mac to respond "Erebria or at least whats left of it"
The majority of the planet was rubble, still liveable on the surface but much of the debis from the space battle had fallen into the planet and damaged buildings and other things including where the ISD Majestic had hit the surface.
"I wanted to see her again but not like this" Hippie said voicing his oppion.
"Inbound craft please identify yourselves" broke through on the comms from the planet. "Mac you wanna do honers........Admiral" Narm said laughing. "Why not, ah...Erebria control this is Nightmare Group, we request permission to land on the planet" Mac replied. After a few moments "Nightmare leader please state buisness and where you came from". Master cut in "Mac, I dont think its such a good idea saying who we really are, there still might be New Republic troops in the area". Mac thought and said "I dont think we have anything to fear here after all this was our main base some time ago". Master sighed "Allright, if your wrong I suppose we can always run, but I do know Geist is still on the planet" Master replied. "Erebria conrol we are looking for an escaped officer and we came from the Intruder Wing Battle Group" Mac said. A few moments later "Intruder Wing pilots you are not welcome here, we are sending some ships to escort youto a secure New Republic hanger, if you do not follow orders you will be destroyed" the comm officer said then close the connection. Several X-wings closed in on the Lightning Interceptors "I hate it when im right all the time" Master said accellerating his craft and doing a corkscrew as the X-wings fired a few warning shots "You will follow out instructions or you will be destroyed" the X-wing pilot said "I dotn belive this"! Narm said as he smacked his robotic hand against the bulk head in his fighter. "Wait just a moment, we are only looking for someone thats all we dont want no trouble" Mac said to the X-wing pilot. There was a flash of light behind the fighters as an A-Wing blew up "What the"? Narm said as he turned his craft. "Watch it, there are two more A-wings around using sensor jammers to block us one down two more, then the X-wings" Master said to the others. "You suggestng we take on the New Rebublic fighters"? Mac said knowing the answer. "You have a better idea, we need to get down to the planet, we cant do that when we are being attacked, we vape them, then we do a quick hyper jump being Erebria's moon and we fly down to the planet" Master replied. "Ok its a plan, lets get them guys" Mac said as he powered up his lasers, Hippie did the same to his right and Narm and Master chased after the A-wings.
(Master)
As Eucilid entered the Royal Barkalounger he could hear Daishi shuffling through his explosives bin. Eucilid had come to learn that Daishi only did this when he was doing invetory and Daishi only did invetory when he was expecting a fight.
"Diashi what are you doing?" Eucilid asked despite already knowing the answer.
"You already know but I will go ahead and share why with you before you ask. Due to the actions I have taken since I have joined the Intruder Wing, especially during Operation Mine, Mine, Mine, and That One Too, a former friend had seized the opportunity for a political power play. This manuever worked too well as he wanted our homeworld to become inaugamous again and the planetary council went so far as to sign up with the New Republic instead. My freind still continuing his political manuevering is trying to take advantage of this situation. Because of this new political stature I have become a marked man. I have decided to return the favor. I always did outscore Jansom on the firing range and he never did take the sniper course." Daishi explained as Eucilid just stood there watching him.
"So what do you expect to do about this, you are only one man." Eucilid replied.
"The Varneck Royal Military Acadamy taught how to fight when outnumbered as we would always be outnumbered. Besides I will not be alone I have the aide of another freind that I know I can count on." Daishi replied as he turned to face Eucilid from his explosives bin for the first time since Eucilid entered the ship.
"Must be some freind." Eucilid replied.
"That Jahromk is." Daishi replied.
"Wait isn't that the guy who was leading a NR backed pirate group nearly chocking out the IW's and VE's supply lines and tried to attack you?" Eucilid asked confused.
"Yes and because of that fiasco he is even more sevearly marked than I am. I can count on him because an imperial prision is a far better fate than what waits him if he were captured by Jansom, the freind I mentioned before and my old squadron XO from back when I flew for our homeworld's PDF." Daishi replied.
"Can't this wait until after you do a quick mission for the IW?" Eucilid responded.
"Yes, but only because Jansom is a diplomat not a warrior and the NR force ordered to help defend Varneck won't be getting any stronger." Daishi replied.
(Daishi)

IP: 63.16.0.18

Geist
Citizen

Posts: 113
Registered: Feb 2001

posted February 20, 2001 04:38 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Geist   Click Here to Email Geist        Reply w/Quote
Contentment filled Stephen Garrett as he walked the nighttime streets of Gauss, feeling the moderate wind and the light rain on his face. It was a moment of perfect peace he had not felt for a long time. He had been too long away from his homeworld. Too long fighting, too long plotting, too long trying to know everything that needed to be known.
He very rarely let his thoughts dwell on the past anymore. There were too many decisions that he didn't want to remember. Try as he might, he could never forget that day he walked among the ruins of Eridani, surrounded by dead heroes of the Empire and devastation. He knew that he had caused it. Sure, his brother had ordered the actions he took, and the rebels, and that damnable Jonas and his attack dog Nezumi had set up the ambush, but Stephen had been the one that brought the Intruder Wing to the system. That was something he would never forget.
Movement grabbed Stephen's attention. A man garbed in a distinctive old republic army jacket stepped from the shadows.
"Ardan Sortek," He said. "I suppose that I shouldn't be suprised to find you here."
"Not Sortek," Stephen replied. "Not for a while now. And what of you? Should I adress you as Jociam Chandler, Kyle Errikson, Nelson Cromwell, or perhaps the more common Amon Nezumi?"
"Amon Nezumi will do for now," Nez responded. "Perhaps later I will have a new identity for you to try. Well... perhaps not a NEW identity..."
"What do you want here, Nezumi?" Stephen asked. "Our world is peaceful and of no interest to Jonas."
"I have not worked for Jonas for some time." Nez responded. "You might say I'm between jobs. On vacation. What I want is some information. I visited your planet's archives and found that only three people, counting you and your brother, have ever left it. I would like to know about the other one."
"I cannot help you."
"Cannot or will not."
"Whichever you would like."
"This from the spook extraordinair." Nezumi said. "The one that knows everything about everyone."
"I am retired."
"I can understand that. Spy business is hard work." Nezumi smiled diabolically. "It must have been hard getting nearly five thousand men killed in an elaborate stress test."
"Bastard." Stephen replied. "You set up that ambush. You and Jonas assembled that army they hurled against the POD."
"And you just walked them into it because your big brother told you to." Nez replied cheerfully. "As I remember it, my agents saved lives during that battle by stalling the rebel advance. Delicious irony, isn't it?"
"You are insane, Nezumi."
"If insane is acknowledging that good and evil doesn't actually matter, everyone dies, except apparently me, then I suppose I am insane. Chaos will overwhelm the universe eventually, Ardan, or Stephen. It is best to be on the winning side." With that Nezumi disapeared again into the shadows.
One thing was now certain in Stephen's mind. He wouldn't have his moment of perfect peace any time soon.
(Major Geist)
Mac and Hippie gave chase after the X-wings while Narm and Master went after the surviving A-Wing's. Mac and Hippie took out the A-wings farly easilly. "Something tells me these arnt the Rebels Finest" Hippie said to Mac.
"Have to agree there, how you going Master and Narm"?
Master replied "Taken out one more of the A-wing's still one left, its hard to find with its senser jammer's running".
"Keep on it, 2 minutes we do a quick jump behind the moon" Mac said.
Two minutes later.........
Several more X-wings had joined the fray, the last A-wing had been destroyed but a few more had arrived.
"Time to go Mac" Narm said.
"Ok, quick jump, if right we should come in in the sensor shadow of the moon" Mac replied as his craft jumped into hyperspace.
Master, Narm and Hippie followed.
They exited behind the moon, perfectly on target.
"Ok boys we sneak down to the planet and we find Geist, any questions"? Mac asked.
"Nope"
"Nope"
"Na probs boss" Narm said which caused Master and Hippie to laugh.
"Ok then, lets do it" Mac ordered.
They managed to sneak down to the planet and left there craft on the outskirts of a small town. There after survying the area Mac ordered them to go towards the buildings cause noone should know who they were.
(Master)
Mellisaa emerged from the tavern into the dry air. She had "heard" the thoughts of people seeking Jociam, and wanted to see them. She soon narrowed in on four men comming up the road. At least one was force sensitive, and he looked up at her.
She saw in their minds a desire to find Geist, and a... fear, or worry, for him. They weren't hunting him to kill him.
She looked at the force user as they approached. "You're his comrades. He's on his way to steal the archive."
------
"Archive?" Narm said in suprise. "What the hell?"
Master looked at the woman. She was a force user, that much was obvious. "You know Jociam Geist?"
"Yes," The woman responded "Hurry."
Mac looked at Master. "Do we trust her?"
Master sensed no deception in her. If anything, she seemed to...care for Geist. "Do we have much choice?"
-----
Mellisaa watched them head down the road.
She was surprised to hear a voice in her ear.
"Excelent job, mindwalker." it said.
"Kameron!" She responded. "You are alive?"
"But of course." He said. "Now finish the job."
"What?"
"These are Geist's freinds, hunting the boss."
"They're looking for Geist."
"Who is looking for the boss. They are a threat."
"But..."
"Don't get squeemish over some misplaced devotion to a former ally. You have to do this. They want to destroy the Boss, who helped you out of a horrible life."
"But..."
"DO IT. Or I will."
Tears streaming down her cheek, she responded, "Understood."
Far away, Kameron smiled. "Very good, Mindwalker. I'll cease to trouble you." He switched off the comlink, put his feet up, and watched the monitors, waiting for fireworks.
(Major Geist)
Eucilid sat in the copilot's chair as Daishi brought the shuttle out of the Intruder's Hanger. THE CRV was right infront of them.
"Ok, Dai, load the Shock Mortar"
"Yes sir" Dai responded as he switched the weapon controls over to the warheads. "Fire in 3... 2... 1... blam!" and he hit the button. The warhead was away. Dai brought the ship to s top, and the two IW officers watched the large red bok float slowly to the target.
Eucilid hit the COM button, and said to Kevin on the Intruder's Bridge, "15 seconds to impact, sir."
"Awesome," Kevin replied, "keep you comm sensors on passive, all frequencies, so we can try an research this thing."
Eucilid funbled with some buttons on the comm panel, and finally got it. "How's it look, Dai?" he asked.
"something's weird, Euc, our nav comp has been cleaned blank. impact in 3... 2... 1... boom!" Daishi said.
Eucilid braced himself for spectacular fireworks. All he got, however, was a faint "Pzzt". The CRV was transmitting everything it picked up, and the mortar had just bounced off the sheilds. two seconds later...there was a very loud signal of coded jibberish screaming out of the shuttle's comm systems, which shut itself down. This scared the crap out of Eucilid, who just a moment later climbed off of the floor, and went to call the Intruder. "Comm's Dead...Dai, land us now!"
"Aye aye," Daishi replied as the shuttle flew off to the hanger.
The missle was not what it seemed. That message could be a coded warning to anyone....it was sent at a very high power over all frequencies. "it must have been connected to the nav computer, but how?" Eucilid wondered to himself as the shuttle came to a stop.
(Euc)

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posted February 20, 2001 04:39 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Geist   Click Here to Email Geist        Reply w/Quote
"No word form the shuttle" SA Kevin asked the comm officer worried as he paced around the bridge.
"No sir" he replied
"They are still out there so at least we know they havent been destroyed Sir" The radar officer spoke up.
"Ok keep trying to raise them on the comm, if they dont answer send two pilots out there" SA Kevin replied sitting back down in the command chair.
---------------------------------------------------------------
The group walked where they beived the command center was past lots of buildings including bars, weapons shops and a few casinos.
"No Narm you cant go in for a bit and try to win some money" Master said smiling.
"Never crossed my mind" Narm said laughing.
"Sure it didnt" Hippie said laughing.
"Ok ladies stow it, there are a lot of Rebel troopers around" Mac said when the laughing had died down.
They remained silent, Then all of a sudden Hell broke loose, Several of the troopers raised there rifiles, Master felt the disturbence in the force and had his Lightsaber before it appeared his hand even moved. He reached out with it infront of the other blocking three of the shots comming towards them.
"Master, what the....." Narm yelped in supprise as the blade of Master's lightsaber nearly disected him in two. The the others noticed the troopers running towards them,
"LETS ROCK"!!!!! Narm yelled pulling out a blaster rifle of his own and began taking out a few of the closer troopers.
Hippie pulled out his blaster as well and Mac pulled out a flame thrower he had brought with him.
"Try to take out a few so we can get threw, this is a battle we cant win" Mac ordered.
"Speak for ya self, I can take out all these guys in my sleep" Narm replied
"Theres too many of them, you have your orders COMMANDER" Mac said in a sterner tone as he burnt a few of the incomming troopers to a crisp.
They made there way through them without having too much trouble, Narm took a few blaster shots and Master got hit by a falling branch from a nearby tree which had been hit causing it to fall. But overall no major injures.
They could see the Command Center over the hill.
(Master)
Kameron grinned as the shooting began. Mellisaa had done her work well, alerting the rebel troops to the presence of intruder wing agents. Now as soon as that second wave of soldiers got into position...
The second force that was to cut off the agents from the Command Center came to a halt, hardly far enough to exchange passing shots with the running agents. What was going on here?
Kameron switched on the comlink. "Mellisaa, what are you doing? That force is well out of position!" He screamed. The quary was escaping.
Static answered him.
-----
Geist moved quickly through the facility, looking for a way out. That blaster fire meant that he was pretty much out of time.
He turned a corner and was confronted by a rebel soldier. The soldier raised his blaster by reflex, but before he could act, Geist took his head with a backhand swipe of his lightsaber. Ahead, the heavy blast doors slammed shut.
Geist turned to the technician who had closed the door. He grabbed him, pinned him to the wall and raised his right arm saber to the tech's throat.
"The door code." he said.
"Marybeth." The frightened tech replied.
"You're joking." Geist responded suprised.
"No! No!" The tech said frantically.
Geist dropped him. "You enter it."
The tech complied and the doors opened. Shaking his head, Geist ran into the sunlight. Ahead came Master, Narm, Hippie, and Macintosh.
"What the hell are you guys doing here?" He asked as the last guard was felled.
"We came to get you, Major." Mac replied.
"Brilliant, four known officers of the intruder wing wandering around a NR controlled planet. Are you trying to get us all killed?" Geist sighed. "Alright. Your ships have probablly been found and confiscated by now. Mine is this way." He ran in the direction indicated, leaving the others little choice but to follow.
Without much further problem they got to the shuttlecraft Anabel. As they came aboard they were greeted by Mellisaa, who was bleeding profusely from behind the ear.
"I changed my mind," She said simply, then passed out.
Geist bent down to check her out.
"What the hell is going on here?" Narm asked.
Geist removed the helmet of his armor and turned his head to reveal the long scar behind his own ear. "When someone works for Nezumi they have a comlink implanted behind their right ear. It allows then to remain in constant contact with each other. She tore hers out. The only problem is Nez had them designed so that if you remove yours without proper medical support you are likely to bleed to death." He got a medkit and began to treat her wound. "She should be fine."
"This is insane." Hippie spat.
"Of course." Geist said, "What kind of man did you think we were dealing with?"
-----
Nezumi was more than a little amused at Kameron's ranting.
"Calm yourself, Kameron." He said in his transmission from Gauss. "Of course Mellisaa failed to carry out her part of the plan. That was the whole point. Her betrayal was entirely expected and anticipated. These soldiers of the intruder wing have much farther to walk before they are done. There will be no active hunt to kill Mellisaa."
Nezumi sent out the transmission and looked at the book he had gotten from the planetary archive. A history book. So much of which seemed vaguely familiar. Home. Perhaps he had truly found his home. But he still had no name. The archive was fragmentary, and certain citizens seemed unwilling to talk with him. No doubt the influence of Stephen Garrett, who continued to tell this planet's rulling council about the evil that Nezumi embodied. But then, many young people, who some might call idealistic and tired of the oppression that the rulling religious council represented, had come to him. Asking for advice and expertise. And Nezumi had his own description for people like that.
Tools.
(Major Geist)

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posted February 20, 2001 04:40 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Geist   Click Here to Email Geist        Reply w/Quote
"So this Nezumi guy has flipped, and Geist ran off after him, followed by Narm and Hippie," said Stonefish, swivelling on the chair he had flounced down into.
"More or less," replied Kevin, who had spent the last hour recounting events to his old comrade.
"Now, forgive me if I'm wrong, but since I have been out of the loop so long, I am not on the NR's wanted list as a part of the Intruder Wing."
"No, as far as I know, you have never been on their wanted list, since you always, somehow, managed to keep your head down when it counted."
"Right," replied the ageing pilot, "so are you going to tell me where your last coded transmission had them heading?"
"Coded transmission?" Kevin looked surprised, "I can't say I know what you're talking about."
"Come on, don't play stupid with me. I spent the last year monitoring your activities using top of the line slicing gear, I know that it is standard procedure to send mission updates. Though I will admit that I never managed to break your encryption routines."
"I still have no idea what you mean, but I have heard some mention of a planet named Gauss."
The name hit Stonefish like a blaster shot.
"You know the name?" inquired the Admiral.
"Know it? Of the few things I can remember from before my stormtrooper training, the name Gauss sticks out like a sore thumb. The Gaussians are my home planets oldest enemies."
"Hmm."
"Well, if I'm to add my expertise to this select group of hunters, and my moderating influence, I'd best get going."
"If you are, yes. But due to the current standing of this incident, I cannot ask you to go."
"Are you kidding me? If you hadn't told me, I'd have found out myself and gone anyway. I'm dying for a bit of action here."
"Indeed. I would suggest using your own ship, as it has little to do with the IW, it being your own personal project and all."
"That and it has cloak capabilities too..." Ramon grimaced, "I usually know when I'm being manipulated, but this is good, even for you, Kevin."
The gray-haired Jedi stood, and saluted.
"Dismissed, old friend, and good hunting," offered Admiral Kevin.
Ramon Stonefish turned and left the office, not knowing entirely if his life was in his own hands still.
(Stonefish)
Stephen strode into the grand audience chamber of the Religious Council.
"Stephen Garrett." The grand inquisitor said. "You have been called before the council to answer questions concerning the man you know as Amon Nezumi."
"I serve."
"As you well know, only three people have ever left our world to live beyound the reach of the maker. The first is reviled among us for his heresy. Yourself and your brother Karl are the others."
"That is true."
"You left the promised land in search of a different life. Your brother is a loyal servant of the godless Empire, as were you, before you returned."
"I respectfully refuse that assumption, my lord. The Empire is dead now, myself and my brother were building a new Empire based on your teachings." which wasn't EXACTLY true, Stephen knew that most of the men under Karl's command considered Karl's religious beliefs to be a bit silly, and didn't follow them themselves. But the core principles were there. "I returned to Gauss because I was tired of war."
"All of Gauss it tired of war, my son." The inquisitor responded. "The people have struggled against the infidels, our only enemy among the stars, for centuries. That is the core of the matter. Many of our people have been tempted by the ways of the infidels, but only three have sucummed and left the promised land. You have returned to us. Now it appears the first, the heretic, has also returned."
"Then you believe Amon Nezumi's assumption?"
"Do you?"
"I suspected, but I had no proof."
"We know. The question now at hand is can he be returned to the light, as you were."
"No, he is lost. Perhaps not to the ways of the infidels, but to his own madness. His mind has been warped beyound redemption by the dead Emperor Palpatine."
"Then what would you have us do?"
"Destroy him. He knows the location of the promised land, something even the infidels never learned. He cannot be trusted. He must die."
"It is not the way of the Maker to slay pilgrims seeking knowledge. You are out of place to suggest it. Even if he is a heretic, he is one of our people."
"But..."
"Enough. Perhaps you have not recovered the purity of the Gaussian spirit."
Stephen, frustrated, simply responded "Perhaps." and left the council chamber.
(Geist)
Walking back through the streets, Stephen knew then that his fight could not end until Nezumi had passed from this galaxy, never to return. As he reached his door, and tiredly keyed in the lock sequence, his mind was pondering on why he ever left his beloved planet to begin with, and why now he was caught up in the very thing he had gone home to avoid.
============================================================
Deep space
============================================================
Putting his hands back on the controls, Ramon Stonefish opened his eyes, and returned to full wakefulness. He felt better for a few hours in meditation, though he still knew that he had no control of his life for the moment.
Thinking back to the fragments of his youth, he remembered the Holy War that the ones that called themselves Gaussian brought upon his people. He never lived through all of it, no one had. He was born into the last dying years of it, when the Gaussians had been fought back and back, and were just beginning to evacuate the planet, he remembered their last message.
"This planet is lost. Its people are lost. Lost to the Light."
Crusades were always the ugliest of wars. But now he had the chance to wreak some havoc on their own planet, if only he could find it. For once, his contacts had come up dry. None of them had even heard of a planet named Gauss, which was strange. His best, and it seemed for the moment only hope, was to find Geist and join them in their hunt, and hope that he could at last lay some demons to rest.
"There you are," he muttered to himself, "You should have been masking. Or do they even teach that now?"
The ageing fighter pilot aligned the ship along the trail their passing had left in the Force, and activated the hyperdrive, keeping his Force sense wide for the inevitable arrival of a planet in his path.
(Stonefish)
"I�m taking you back to the Intruder Geist" Master said in the passenger comparment of the shuttle to Major Geist.
"No your not, there is no way im going back, I set out to find Nez and im going to finish it" Geist said retaliating.
Hippie, Narm and Mac were sitting on some seats watching the shouting match, it appeared the Narm was beating with Hippie how long it would take for them to get into a punch up. Mellisaa was still passed out and was lying on one of the long seats.
"You guys gunna help me with this" Master asked the others.
Hippie shook his head, saying nothing.
"Let me think about that one.....nope" Narm said laughing
"Its your fight Master, Kev may have put me in charge but he said for me to take your advice so ill let you sort it out" Mac replied.
Master muttered something under his breath then looked back at Geist.
"I was ordered to bring you back and that what im gunna do, you dont need to chase Nez, its not your fault he injured Stan and ran off.
"I am doing this so it doesnt happen again, Hippie said it he is insane, anyway I feel like I could have stopped him" Geist said.
"You couldnt have stopped him, you just dont get it, he made up his own mind when he injured Stan, and he will pay the consiquences BUT you dont need to chase him across the galaxy, we...Intruder Wing will find him and then he will be tried and judged" Master said.
Geist exploded and Master flew backwards into the durasteel wall with a thud, Master groaned.
"I will catch him, even if I have to follow him across the whole goddam universe I will get him and he will pay for what he did and there isnt a dam thing you can do about it, you can either come with me or get the hell out of my way" Geist yelled with anger in his voice.
Master stood slowly "I�m sorry you feel that way because you are comming back no matter if you like it or not"
Master raised a blaster at Geist, the next move was his.
(Master)

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posted February 20, 2001 04:41 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Geist   Click Here to Email Geist        Reply w/Quote
Geist, frustrated, turned away from Master. He was letting this get out of hand. The image of Mellisaa shaking her head and repeating the old mantra "control, you need to learn control" sprung into his mind. Things were running too hot. He turned back to Master and the others.
"I will drop you off at the pod command ship. You can get a ride back to the Intruder from there." He said.
Master staggered back to his feet. "I am supposed to bring you back alive. I cannot do that if Nezumi or one of his agents kills you."
"Do you really want to fight me?"
"No, but I will if I have to."
Master didn't catch Mellisaa's thought before it was too late. He only had a chance to glance at her as she raised a small blaster and stunned him, dropping him to the deck.
Geist shook his head. "Nice to see you awake, hon."
Mellisaa smiled weakly. "If I had know it would hurt that much to pull out that damn comunicator you would probablly still be on your own. Now what do we do with him?"
"Wake him up." Geist responded. "And talk."
Geist got a stimulant out of the medkit and injected it into Master. Master awoke with a start.
"Wha..." He said, still a bit woozy from the stun blast.
"Master, you can't win. I've gotta see this through. Now we can let you go back to the Intruder and sulk, or you can come with me to Parak."
Mac jumped in. "What's on Parak?"
"A man named Karl Garrett."
"Wait a minute. ADMIRAL Karl Garrett?!?!"
"Yup. According to the lead I got, He's Gaussian by birth."
"The guy's got a fleet of five ISDs, thousands of troops, and I don't think he likes us." Mac said "He was out trying to get our ships to defect to him back when the rebels were smashing us! I heard that two of his ISDs used to be DLSF, which means they used to be ours. What are you gonna do? Just walk up to him and ask him if he would like to tell us where his homeworld is? "
Geist smiled. "More or less."
"He'll either have us killed or try to recruit us."
"Well, that's assuming we come in the front door." Mellisaa said.
"This guy is no slouch, he'll have every 'door' covered." Mac retorted.
Narm grinned "Then the obvious solution is to blast open a new door."
Geist smiled again. "Exactly. All we need to do is stop at the Pod command ship and get some door openers."
(Major Geist)
"Dam I hate stunblasts" Master muttered as he came to.
The others were talkign about someone named Admiral Karl Garrett.
The name didnt ring a bell but Mac seamed to have heard of him.
When they finished speaking Master spoke up "Geist, I was ordered to bring you back alive and thats what im going to do"
Geist groaned at the thought of another shouting match with Master.
Master continued "Even if that means I come to find this Karl Garrett then Nez, but after that, you are comming back with me".
Geist smiled "What made you change your mind"?
"Well, I dont want another stun blast from your ah..girlfriend over there" Master said looking at Mellisaa. "And also if I didnt go with you, you probably wouldnt be alive".
This caused the others to laugh.
"Good to have you with us Captain, good to have you" Geist said streching out a hand.
(Captain Master)
Nezumi entered the forest HQ. It was decorated much like many revolutionary hideouts he had seen, aided, and/or burned. On the walls was propoganda, Free Gauss for the future, Serve Thyself, The Maker Is A God of The People, and others. On the far wall was a Triumvate design. He saw an image of himself at the top, with the brothers Garrett, Stephen and Karl, finishing the triangle. Never mind that Karl Garrett knew nothing about this growing movement on his homeworld and Stephen wanted nothing to do with it... The revolutionaries needed symbols, and the three men that "had the courage to live outside the bounds of the council's control" were those symbols. In a way it was terribly amusing to Nezumi.
A man in traditional revolutionary garb with the stereotypical revolutionary armband stepped into view and delivered a proper new republic salute. "I welcome you, Amon Nezumi, to our headquarters."
Nezumi smiled and returned the salute. "I thank you for your welcome." He said. "What you have built here is impressive."
"We are proud of our achievements." The revolutionary leader replied. "Our numbers grow every day."
"I am certain." Of course Nezumi knew that less than one percent of the population supported the movement to disolve the religious council, and the movement would never have the power base to sucessfully keep power even if the council was toppled, but no need to deal with irrelevant details. Even a small group of dedicated fools (Nezumi considered idealism to be the equivilent of violent foolishness) could cause a great deal of damage if directed properly. "I understand that you wish my help in training your army of revolution."
"We do. Our understanding of warfare is limited. All those who know the arts of war are in the pockets of the council."
In other words they think you are all foolish children. "It is common throughout civilization that those in power make sure they have total control of the military." Nevermind that most dictatorships get toppled by ambitious military leaders... "My men and I have fought such tyranny all our lives." Well, if the tyrant isn't the highest bidder... "We would be happy to help you win the freedom you desire." when you die nobody will ever ask you to work for a living again...
Nezumi was certain now that he would enjoy his vacation on Gauss.
(Major Geist)
After the accident Daishi transfered back over to the Corvette Obaka, the POD Command ship. The incident puzzled him and only one name across his mind, Jansom Colpman. Though the incident seemed more Nezumi's style he still suspected his newest enemy.
Daishi looked out to the small hanger set up in the bow of the corvette. He saw Geist's shuttle land. Immediatly he ran down to the hanger.
"Geist, what can I do for you." Daishi said as he meet Geist face to face.
"I need door openers." Geist replied.
"Very well I will go with you." Daishi said with a smile growing on his helmet covered face.
"I meant explosives." Geist replied.
"Well you get me too, or have you not read up on your CO?" Daishi replied.
"You're the boss." Geist replied almost befuddled.
With that Daishi grabbed a crate from the Royal Barkalounger and marched onto Geist's ship.
"Leftenant Colonel, I will help you with your problem if you help me with mine. I need everyone I can to help me track down Jansom Colpman, destroy the forces he has gathered around himself, and free my homeworld from the New Republic." Daishi almost stared at Geist.
"Count me in." Geist replied.
(Daishi)
"So the warhead was a dud" SA Kevin asked Euc who had just returned from the failed warhead test.
"Appears so, I did nothing but bounce off the Corvettes sheild, and at the same time some sort of communication jiberish, we have no idea what it ment" Euc replied
"Very strange, ok get some rest, with the others gone we want you to take Dream and Diamond Squadrons on some training runs tommrow, im sure you will need to be refreshed for that" Kevin said with a grin.
"Yes Sir" Euc said saluting and he walked back to his bunk for some sleep.
-------------------------------
"Welcome to our rag tag band Dai" Narm said joking as Daishi walked into the passenger compartment of the shuttle.
This caused Daishi to laugh.
"I hear you guys had a bit of an exiteing time on Erebria, to bad I missed it".
"Was such fun to see the place again, must visit again when im not busy ducking blaster bolts" Master said laughing.
Mellisaa emerged from the cockpit and said something to Geist only he could hear, Geist put down the box of exploses "Take care of this for me will ya Narm, and be careful thay explode so dont drop them".
The others laughed.
Geist and Mellisaa went into the cockpit.
Dai silently asked Master "Whos that, Geist didnt tell me"?
"Girlfriend" mouthed Master
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"WHAT....You gotta be yanking my chain, Training Exercises, Dammit" General Fardreamer half yelled into the video comm to the flight officer.
"Sorry Sir, I just got told to tell you, thats all" the Flight officer replied.
"By Who"? Fardreamer answered pissed off.
"By Me" Euc cut in.
"Training excersices, Please, dont you think there is something better to do Euc" Fardreamer said.
"Like the bar, No there isnt, if you didnt notice we failed our last mission, get the hell down here, you got 10 minutes" Euc said closing the connection.
(Master )

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posted February 20, 2001 04:42 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Geist   Click Here to Email Geist        Reply w/Quote
"What is it?" Geist asked now that he and Mellisaa were alone.
"When we find Amon, I don't want you to kill him." Mellisaa said.
"What? I thought you agreed now..."
"I know he has to be found. He needs help."
"Dearheart. You and I both know that Nezumi would force us to kill him before he would let us capture him." He nodded towards the cabin, thinking about Master, "Especially with a Jedi with us. And Master certainly isn't going to stay behind."
"Even for all the evil he has become, I don't want him to die."
"None of us wants this." Geist sighed "I promise, if I can, I will take him alive."
"Thank you." Mellisaa graced Geist with a smile. "I just threw away everything I ever had for you, so I don't want you going off and getting yourself killed either. Understand?"
Geist gave Mellisaa a quick kiss on the cheek. "Perish the thought." he said as he lead her back into the cabin.
"Everyone here who's comming with us on this mad crusade?" he asked when he got back to the cabin. A wave of nods answered him. "Alright, then here's the plan. After we leave here, We are going to rendevous with an old Corellian Transport that, god willing, will have Tycho, Argon, and about a dozen commandos aboard." Geist turned to Mac and Hippie. "I want you guys to take my shuttle back to the Intruder after everything is transfered to the other ship." He raised his hand to forestal any complaints "We've already stripped alot of good pilots away from the command ship, and we should have someone who knows where we are going in case a rescue is necessary." He smiled "Besides, I like my ship and I don't want it to get blown up if this is a trap." That won him a few chuckles. "When we get loaded aboard the Cort, we'll figure out how best to pull this stunt off."
Geist turned to enter the cockpit, then stopped and turned back around. "Just so you guys know, Since you are following me on a job that I was expressly forbidden to do, then I think that means we are all guilty of gross disobedience of orders. However, I am certain both myself and Daishi will reward your loyalty and put in comendations for all of you, in whatever military we end up serving in." That got another wave of chuckles (the classics never die) as Geist went back into the cockpit to prepare for launch.
(Major Geist )
The proximity alarm flashed in the cockpit of the TIE Forsaken, indicating that the ship he was tailing was dropping out of hyperspace. Sitting forward, Ramon flipped both the hyperdrive deactivation unit, and the cloak at the same time, and sat back to watch.
In the space below, a modified shuttle, and a Corellian transport floated close by, due to the cloak, he could not listen in to the radio chatter, but Stonefish knew that there would be some passing between the two ships as they maneuvered for docking. As the clamps locked together, the graying pilot counted.
'Hmm,' he thought, 'I know how many people should be on that shuttle, but there wasn't enough time there for them all to cross over.'
Picking one, he jetted over to the hull as it maneuvered for its hyperspace jump. Corellian transports were so easy to find a clamping spot which was nice and out of the way.
Impact alarms flashed throughout the transport, as a loud clang reverberated through the ship.
"What was that?!" yelled Geist, half to himself.
"We got an impact on the aft topside hull, and some deformations consistent with a rock impacting. It must have been too small for the deflectors to get. Nothing to worry about," he announced over the ship's comm, as he activated the hyperdrive.
"Next stop, Parak," he muttered to himself.
(El Fish)
Eucilid stepped into the simulator room the next morning. GN Fardreamer, SA Kevin, and Jingo were sitting at the breifing table.
"Err...hey guys, were's by squad?" Eucilid asked.
Fardremer raised his hand, but Kevin spoke up first. "This is it, Euc. Everybody that didn't join Geist's crusade joined stan in the infirmory. Half the crew is down with a fever. Infront of you is the entire active pilot roster."
"Ah jeez" was all eEuc could say
Kevin continued, "And, because we have to be ready for anything, use four have to learn to work as a team, we have to be able to pick up the slack of two squads. The first mission we will be flying, is an attack on the intruder by a VSD(II), slightly damaged. This is to prepare us for an attack by the group we half-destroyed in our last battle. Now, our MC-80 should be able to takeout the VSD(II), but we can't rely on it. When we launch, unload your first 6 warheads, in 3 salvos, at the VSD. Those first 3 will be heavy rockets. Now, our techs, the healthy ones, have managed to make us a batch of about 30 concussion missiles, fitted into the shells of heavy rockets. we actually got two CMs to take up the space of one heavy rocket, so, after you fire your first 6 warheads, any you fire after that will be 2 CMs instead of 1 HR. Each of our ships can hold 6 more CM pods, so, in the end, each of us is equipped with 6 HRs and 12 CMs. That's a very large load for a B-Wing--"
Eucilid interrupted, "B-Wings, sir?"
Kevin nodded
Eucilid nodded
Kevin nodded again
Eucilid raised an eyebrow at Kevin
Kevin said, "ok, let's go. I will be Avenger Leader, Euc, you'll be Avenger 2, Jingo, Avenger 3, and Fard, Avenger 4. We work in pairs. So, get to your fighters."
The pilots split up, and got in their sims, and got ready for launch.
(FA Eucilid)
Geist looked at Daishi and Mellisaa as he hit the hyperdrive lever. Mellisaa, who had just entered the room, nodded.
Springing into action, Dai quickly hit some keys and, with alarms sounding, the ship jolted out of lightspeed back into realspace.
"Damn!" Geist yelled as loud as he could, then turned to the intercomm. "This damned tub has lost power to its hyperdrive. Musta been dammaged in the collision." He anounced. The three of them left the cockpit, keeping within three meters of each other.
Master looked at Geist quizically. "There shouldn't be any powerlines running through that part of the ship."
"This old tub is so crosswired that you wouldn't belive." Geist responded. "The communication system runs through the head."
"No way." Narm said.
Geist opened the door to the head. Inside, behind the toilet was a cable marked, "comline, don't get wet."
Narm shook his head in amazement. "We couldn't get a decent ship like an ATR or a Muurian Transport, We have to use a battered old junker like this. For crying out loud..."
Mellisaa laughed. "Welcome to the other side of the rebellion."
The trio walked back to the airlock, stopping first to get their environmental armor. "We'll go check the hull."
Once in the airlock, Dai looked at Geist. "So, you just happened to know about that comline running through the head?"
"Know yourself, Know your adversary, and especially know your ship."
"Not bad for an old guy."
"So what do we do when we find this bugger?" Mellisaa asked.
"Since we know he's a jedi in a cloaked ship.." He would have to be. They never detected a ship, and only a jedi could even find another ship while cloaked, much less dock with it. "...Dai's ysalamir will conceal us from him until we are right on top of him." Geist smiled at Mellisaa. "Good job spoting him when you did."
Mellisaa shook her head. "I just hope he didn't spot me."
The three stepped out of the airlock and onto the outer hull.
-----
Stonefish was worried. The ship had suddenly dropped out of lightspeed, and the crew spoke of dammage to the power system. There was no indication that they were aware of his pressence, however.
That myth was exploded when three people in environmentally sealed armor stepped through the cloaking field and walked up to his cockpit window.
Since they were now inside his cloaking field, the leader had no trouble transmitting to Stonney's ship.
"Excuse me sir." He said as all three ignited lightsabers. "You are illegally parked, and I'm gonna need you to step out of the vehicle."
(Major Geist)

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posted February 20, 2001 04:43 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Geist   Click Here to Email Geist        Reply w/Quote
Switching from his lightsaber to his ion rifle Daishi's other hand floated over his favorite door opener, a block of C-8 command detonated explosive, while he waited for the person in the fighter to get out. He knew that the fighter had a cloaking device and decided to alter the command switch on his explosives so they would detonate when the signal from his command switch was cut off.
The next move was up to the pilot of the craft.
(Daishi)
Ramon had hoped to keep his presence hidden until needed, but now he had no choice.
"You gonna give me a ticket son?" he joked.
"Next crack like that, and you'll get a crack too."
Sighing, Stonefish donned his helmet and activated the atmosphere storage pumps. When the air was all neatly stored away, he opened the hatch and stepped out. To be herded back on to the ship.
In the lounge, Stonefish sat calmly looking at all the blasters pointed at him.
"I'd best explain this before I get an air-conditioned flight-suit," he said, "It goes a little like this..."
(Stonefish)
The YT-1300 emerged from hyperspace in the Parak system and was imediately buzzed by a patrolling starfighter.
"Was that..." Narm asked.
"TIE Defender," Tycho said. "This guy has got some high quality hardware."
"That he does." Stonefish said. "Look ahead."
Ahead was the menacing form of an Imperial Star Destroyer. Beyound that could be seen five more and a dozen smaller ships. The first ISD hailed them.
"Unidentified YT-1300. This is the Imperial Star Destroyer Majesty. Identify yourself."
Mellisaa quickly responded. "This is Correllian Transport Hard Flush. Anika Curn commanding."
"Purpose in the Parak system."
"Corporate vacation to your famous hot springs." Mellisaa smiled and concentrated on the officer. "Been working a long time and need to relax."
-----
Aboard the Majesty, the officer suddenly became acutely aware of the various aches and pains he had developed standing his watch. He checked his chronometer and found that he only had a few minutes to go before being relieved. These guys seemed harmless. No need to get tied up in a lengthy inspection.
"You are cleared to proceed. Enjoy your stay."
-----
"Roger ISD Majesty. Hard Flush out." Mellisaa cut off the comm and smiled. "Now you know why I suggested comming in at the end of the watch."
Narm shrugged. "All cleverness aside, did I hear that guy right?" He asked. "Is that the Majesty out there?"
Tycho shook his head. "The Majesty was destroyed at the battle of Trifid with the Caliban." He said. "They wouldn't defect to Garrett and abandon us. It couldn't be the same ship."
"It doesn't matter if it really is our Majesty or not." Geist pointed out. "We have a job to do people. Lets focus on that for now."
The ship proceeded into the atmosphere.
-----
Admiral Karl Garrett sat behind his desk and contemplated the future. On the desk were strewn troop listings and readiness reports. Still too weak.
With the Intruder Wing essentially destroyed, and the New Imperium in ruins, Garrett now commanded one of the most powerfull Imperial factions in the region. Six ISDs, two dozen smaller warships, eight divisions of ground troops. But it was not enough. To build the new empire that Garrett dreamed of would take so much more. More than once he wondered if he had the time needed, or even if it were still possible. The factionalized and fractious New Republic seemed to have the edge.
His comm system beeped with an incomming message. A holograph of the commander of the Grey Wolf, his flagship, appeared before Garrett.
"Admiral." said the mon calamari, the only command rank mon calamari that Garrett knew of in the history of the empire. "We have indications that the commando force you were expecting is on its way to the planet."
"Very well, Serphen." Garrett said. His brother Stephen had sent word to him several days ago about Amon Nezumi's arrival on Gauss. Garretts own agents had brought word to him about a group of officers from the Intruder Wing looking for Nezumi. "You have already sent word to the HQ commander?"
"I have, Sir."
"Very well. Return to your duties."
"Aye, sir."
The transmission cut off. With the files on Erebria lost to them, and with Stephen already there, the only way the Intruder Wing could learn the location of Gauss was from Karl himself. He had no intention of giving up the information freely.
(Major Geist)
Narm was looking through some Electrobinoculars towards the Command Center.
"Narm give me those Electrobinoculars" Master said next to him.
"Yea Yea, use the force" Narm replied not taking his eyes off the comamnd center.
"Dont make me hurt you, I can and I will" Master said grinning.
Narm noticed several armed troopers comming out of the command center.
Master passed the eb's to Master, "We got troopers incomming, what ya think".
Master had a look "25 of them that we can see, that shouldnt be a problem, at least not for us, the rest of the POD might slow us down however", Master and Narm laughed. Narm turned towards Daishi and Geist "Ah we got 25 armed troopers out there" Master turned "I thinks they know were comming", "What, how"? Geist, "I dont know, I did try to cloak us using the force with help from Mellisaa, but there are ways still that we could have been seen, but there is one person who knew we were going to go looking for him and he would know how we were going to" Master said. "Nez" Geist said. "But how would they have known that we were here now"? Daishi asked out loud.
"As I said, another factor, ill get back to you on that one" Master said looking back towards the troopers.
"25 huh, what you think Dai"? Geist asked Daishi.
"No problem" Daishi replied with a smile.
"OH SH*T" Master said jumping back as several laser blasts hit the front side of the hill which they were behind.
"LETS ROCK" Narm shouted and started firing his blaster rifle, the others did the same and fought the incomming walkers.
(Master )
Daishi knew he didn't have the time to switch to his rifle though his vibro katana was quite handy. The blaster shots barely even phased Daishi through his Varneck Marine Combat armor as he waded through the formations of troops.
"Commando you better knock out that sensor drone." Daishi snapped over the comm as his vibro katana sank half way into a trooper's chest.
One of the commandos lined up a missle on the sensor drone and fired. The drone froze in mid air and all the troops suddenly realized that the sensor feed they were getting was cut off. All the commandos in unison began firing on the sensor drone and quickly dispatched it.
Daishi quickly did away with what few troops remained in the area with the help of the other command members of the POD.
All right I want you to line up a proton torpedo right there Daishi said pointing to an area of ground in front of a SAM/sensor turret.
Within a few seconds there was a massive explosion which reveiled that more than the sensor turret went up.
"All right we are clear for a few seconds now. I want to make use of our sensor net hacking ability. Begin sweeps for a secondary base." Daishi barked into his com.
"What are you doing boss?" Master spoke up.
"Simple I wouldn't be in that base right there. It is too obvious. I leaned a long time ago that the safest place to hide is most often the least well defended and/or the least suspected place." Daishi replied.
"Gotcha boss." Master replied.
"All right we're moving out. We get to clear out a bunch of troops on our way and we can maybe even take out that command center for our troubles." Daishi ordered as underneath his helmet a grin swept acros his face.
(Daishi)
Nezumi stood in the clearing enjoying the snowfall and waiting. The leader of the peoples freedom revolutionary front stood with him with a concerned look on his face.
"I am not sure that I like this idea of bringing non-humans in to help us." He said.
"I trust her." Nezumi replied. "Isn't that enough?"
"Of course, you are far more skilled in this than I. But the alien mind works differently then ours..."
"That it does." Nezumi replied with a laugh. "But you have nothing to fear. Kaathiraan adours me. She will be no threat to us."
A handfull of ships soon appeared in the sky. Simple, nondescript shuttles carrying Nezumi's agents. They landed, and the troops aboard all but the center craft debarked to secure the landing zone. Only then did the center craft lower its ramp.
The creatures that came down the ramp would have been described by more isolated cultures as deamons. The one in the center of the group had vaguely human female features, which made sense since she was a genetic crossbreed and all.
"Greetings, Amon. It has been a long time." She said in a distinctly inhuman voice.
Amon smiled. Indead, this was going to be quite a vacation.
(Major Geist)

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Daishi looked up from the carnage and wipped the blood from his helmet. He had never seen fourty or so troops whipped out in one attack before, and he liked it. A slight buzz alerted him that he had a transmition waiting.
"Well lady and gents, we finnally found the base where Garret is hiding. It is due west of here so follow me." Daishi ordered after a while.
The trip was smooth after the liberal use of the proton torpedoe launcher had whipped out most of the garrison and the sensor droids were few and far between.
The simple bunker told Daishi they had Garret for certain.
Daishi looked around unneasily and decided to change his vibro katana for his ion rifle. Daishi examined the hatch to the bunker carefully and reached behind his back to pull a block of command detonated explosive. Daishi placed it firmly in the center of the door way and used his free hand to grab a fragmentary grenade.
Just then the door opened and out stepped Garret.
"There is no need for that Mr. Lee. As you can see I came out freely. Now please say what you came here to say before my patience wears out." Garret said as he eyed the various members of the POD one at a time.
It scared Daishi that this Garret fellow knew exactly who he was. It didn't bother him so much since he was a fairly unique individual and the armor he wore constantly limited the list of possible people under the armor to fifty people, what bothered him so much was that this Garret knew his last name. This meant that he knew they were coming or that he had way too much time on his hands to study intel reports, either way this was bad.
(Daishi)
Geist studdied the old imperial admiral. He had come to the same conclusion as Daishi, this was not good. Garrett exuded quiet competance, worse yet, he seemed to feel in complete control of the situation.
"You are from the world of Gauss. Correct?"
Looking directly at Stonefish, Garrett replied, "I am."
Stonefish visibly stiffened, as though preparing to lunge at the Admiral.
Garrett shook his head. "And you are Stonefish." He said to the old jedi. "I assume you would want nothing more than to break my neck." He sighed. "My people have tried long and hard to put the war behind them, relying heavilly on self delusion. However, whether you believe it or not, we are not monsters." Garrett then looked at Geist. "Vengeance solves little in this world. Wouldn't you agree Major Geist?"
This didn't make Geist feel any better. The man was throwing them off ballance with his words. Letting them know how much he knew. Well, there was one obvious way to deal with that. Geist raised his blaster rifle.
"I'm sure we would all like to hear our personality problems disected to ten decimal places, but I'd rather not let you get your forces in a position to trap us. If you know who we are then you know why we are here. Tell us where Gauss is and you might just live to regret it."
"You misunderstand, Major. I have every intention of helping you." Garrett said, taking a small holotransmiter out of his pocket and activating it.
None of the IW officers were able to conceal their suprise at the figure in the holo-image. Ardan Sortek. The former chief of inteligence and XO of the POD.
And the traitor that had lead the IW into the trap at Eridani.
"Greetings, General Daishi, Captain... I mean Major Geist. I have learned from my brother Karl that you are searching for Amon Nezumi. He is here on Gauss, formenting a revolution by some of our disafected youth, and I wish to help you kill him. Karl will give you the coordinates to the world. I hope to see you shortly."
The message cut off. Narm looked at Garrett incredulously.
"You were going to give us the information anyway?" He asked. "Why the hell did you attack us when we landed?!"
"Consider it a test." Garrett said. "Some day, if the Intruder Wing is destroyed, I may wish to offer you employment."
-----
Kevin did not like what he was hearing.
"What do you mean Master and Narm went with him!" He demanded of Mac, "The four of you were supposed to bring Geist back!"
"I'm sorry Kev. Geist wouldn't come back." Mac responded.
"You weren't there," Hippie chimmed in. "You don't know what we learned."
"What I know is that now we have seven valuable pilots of the Intruder Wing off chasing one sociopath when we have bigger problems." Kevin shook his head. "If Nezumi doesn't kill the lot of them I think I'm gonna have them shot."
Dogger laughed "That would be a little extream I think, Kevin." He said. "You know that Nezumi was a security problem that had to be dealt with. He know's where we are. That hardly makes him a minor problem."
Kevin shrugged. "Maybe, maybe." He turned back to Mac and Hippie. "You guys better get to practicing your flying skills. As long as the others are gone we are going to need every pilot we can get."
(Major Geist)
Master pulled Geist to the side away from Garrett hearing.
"Geist, I dont trust this guy, something feels off, I didnt know Sortek very well at all, but this is to easy, something else has to be happening in the shadows".
Geist turned to Mellisaa who was lisening to them. "You feel anything Mel"?
Mellisaa paused and extended her senses. "Master's right, something feels off, im not sure what it is yet".
Geist thought for a moment then Daishi came over.
"Suggestions Major"? Daishi said to Geist.
"I dont know, Master and Mellisaa feel something is wrong, im smart enough to go on their word, it might be a trap but I dont think we have a choice" Gesit said.
"What about Sortek, what do you think his connection is in all this"? Master asked.
"I dont know, but when I find him he is going to answer all my questions" Gesit said with a smile.
"What do we do about Garrett"? Master asked.
"Leave him, he is worthless, get the co-ordinetes off him and lets go" Gesit said as he started walking back towards the ship.
-------------------------------------------------------
The simulations were going as planned, with Hippie and Mac in the mix success rate was close to 100%.
They had done the designated mission over and over. As well as touching on some historical missions such as the Olan Ambush. They had just finished another simulation, a message arrived and SA Kevin went to the bridge.
"Sir we have a message from a convy group hailing us" the Comm officer said.
"Put it through" Kevin replied.
A face appeared on the screen.
"Intruder Wing commander we request you help us" the captain said.
"What is your situation" SA Kevin asked.
"We are the freighter group Superstar, we have five freighters carrying food, water, and weapons from the Emperors Hammer, we have decided to leave our employers, we request you help us in extange for our cargo" the freighters captain said.
"Are you being pursuded"? SA Kevin asked.
"We belive so, several fighter craft saw us take off we belive they know where we were headed, please help us" he replied.
Kevin thought for a moment.
"Ok, we will help, procede to the following co-odinetes and we will meet you their, once under out protection no EH pilot would be stupid enough to mess with us" Kevin said.
The crew on the bridge cheered.
"We thank you Sir, we will be their" he replied.
"Intruder Wing out" Kevin said then closed the connection.
"You have your orders, procede to those co-ordinetes, ill be back" Kevin said goign down towards the pilots quarters.
------------------------------------------------------------
"Whats the deal boss" FA Euc asked Kev when he got back.
"Suit up, playtimes over" Kevin replied.
(Master)
Stonefish made an effort to relax, sensing that this was not an enemy of his people, though scattered fragments of memory screamed out that his skin be removed slowly and hung up before his dying eyes.
"I try not to prejudge people, Admiral Garrett, but sometimes it is hard to forget a pointless slaughter of thousands in the name of religion. We did not want your religion, yet you tried to make us accept it anyway," the ageing Jedi said.
"The leader of our people, at the time, wished more than what he had," replied Garrett, "and he thought the way to accomplish this was to bring others to our religion. The current Religious Council is content with the way things are."
"Does that past leader live still?"
"That I do not know."
"Then I shall find him if he still draws breath, and I will show him the depth of our hatred for those who would oppress us."
"I wish you well in that quest, for I hold no love for that man, he lead us down a path of death and destruction. These are not the beliefs of the people of Gauss, not any longer."
"I have a request of you, Admiral. It seems my ship was damaged a little in the fight. I would request some time in your hangar, and parts to repair my ship."
"I offer them, and engineers to assist you."
"Thank you, but the engineers are unnecessary, it would only complicate things."
"But of course," said Garrett, knowing that all the security cameras would be running full blast to see what kinds of technology were hidden inside the chromed hull of Stonefish's fighter.
Ramon smiled at the Admiral's knowing look.
"Do not underestimate a Jedi of both sides," was all he said.
============================================================
Eight hours later
============================================================
"If you ladies are all ready, we'll make a move," said Geist.
The few remaining commandoes, and the officers moved up the boarding ramp of Geist's transport, and Stonefish began to climb into his ship. Halfway up the ladder, Geist stopped him.
"Look, I know you have sore memories of Gauss and its people, but remember why we are here?" he said.
"I know why I am here, do you?" was the cryptic reply.
(Fishy)

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Daishi looked around at the mottly crew they had assembled for this mission and really wished he had his old comrads from the Varneck Plaentary Defense Force Space Marines here to help him but that could not be due to on old friends tampering. Daishi quickly got back to the task at hand, they were nearing the hyper point and soon would be at Gauss. With the mistrust of outsiders Daishi knew this was not going to be easy, esspecially since Ammon had started organizing an uprising.
"The first thing I would like to say is that if anyone has an idea on how to pull the next phase off I'd like to hear it." Daishi said as he looked into a crowd of blank faces.
Daishi paused a moment and garnered all the leasons of strategy and tactics he had learned from his officer's training.
"Very well. I propose that until we can ascertain the status of the Gaussian people we should hold back in a tight perimiter that will offer us maximum protection. If possible we need to gain the support of the local malitias in order to overcome Ammon's little band of rebels. We may have a contact in position to help us with that. I will have more when we actually arrive at Gauss, assuming the coordinates are correct." Daishi said after a moment of silence.
The jump to lightspeed came shortly after Daishi's impromptu breifing. Soon they would see nine different kinds of hell. Daishi knew this from the stories he herd from Sortek, Nez, and Stonefish. Hell he wouldn't be supprised if it wasn't ten kinds of hell. Fortunately all that could be done now was to wait.
(Daishi)
"I know why I am here, do you?" Stonefish cryptically asked Geist before he boarded his ship.
Later, as the YT 1300 hurtled through space, that question refused to go away in Geist's mind. Nevertheless, he tried to push it aside. This was not the time for it.
-----
Stephen shook his head in frustration."Karl, this is foolhardy. You know that Nezumi is too unstable. Both Geist and Lee have learned that he cannot be controlled, I'm sure the Emperor figured it out before Nezumi tried to kill him, Thrawn wouldn't go near him... Why are you being so obtuse?"
"Nezumi has talents that we need, Stephen." Karl Garrett responded via transmission from Parak. "Our soldiers have little or no real training. They have no proffessionalism. The type of training they will need to fight the battles of the New Empire can best be taught by Nezumi."
"Nezumi intends to destroy our home!" Stephen responded angrilly. "He has raised an army of thousands of young Gaussian men and is preparing to lead them in a revolution to overthrow the council!"
"Nevertheless, we need him." Karl seemed apologetic. "I know I am asking you a great deal. But it must be done. When these intruder wing commandos arrive, you must crush this uprising and capture Nezumi. Alive. Then, send him to Parak. This will be the last thing I ever ask of you. Will you do it?"
"Yes, damn you." Stephen responded, then killed the transmision. In a way it made perfect sense. There were few in the gallaxy that understood the kind of dirty warfare the New Empire would have to fight better than Amon Nezumi. Yes, it made sense, the same way the betrayal at Eridani had made sense...
Stephen remembered his instructor at the College of Military Science tell him "War is a point in time where morality is suspended. Just warfare is the same thing done so that morality need never again be suspended."
That only served to remind Stephen why he left in the first place.
(Major Geist )
Daishi looked out over the globe that was Gauss in the distance. It reminded him of his own frozen homeworld of Varneck. He had spent much of his life doing the exact same thing that Stephen and the leaders of Gauss had, protecting the secrete of the location of the world from prying eyes. That is probably why Stephen even tried to convince him and his brother to help save Gauss from Ammon's significant rebellion.
"What's on your mind bossman?" Geist said from behind Daishi.
"Just remembering my own homeworld and the ghosts of the past. This world looks like a miniture version of my own home and with what is happening it seems like almost the same exact thing is happening here that happened on my world, except a couple thousand people would be fully a fifth of the entire population of my world. Still it will be good to get this over with soon." Daishi said as he left the controls on automatic and went back to the lobby.
"Looks like we will be out of here soon enough and finished with one problem. I'll give you full breifings on the other situation that we will be taking care of after we have had a vacation from this fight. For now we get to go down and bust Ammon's forces all over the soon to be blood soaked snow. This is going to be fairly quick and probably painfull. Ammon has gathered up a few thousand poorly trained and realatively poorly equiped troops, on the plus side we do have a contact within the Gaussian armed forces, my former XO Ardan Sortek, also known as Stephen Garret. With his help we may be able to get the personel and equipment we need to finish off Nez and the troops he now has protecting him. Standing orders are to take Nez alive if possible, dead is just as good. Narm you'll be getting an Assault Walker for this mission. Geist will have more detailed information for you than I." Daishi addressed his troops.
The loyalty and devotion these men had displayed removed some of the guilt Daishi had about the blunders he made on Eridani.
(Daishi)

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Master's Point of view.
Geist gave us a very nice speech on the situation, frankly I was more worried about what myself and Mellisaa were feeling, I had no idea what it was but it scared the hell out of me.
We suited up and went down to the planet in a landing craft.
We arrived on the planet, Narm seemed VERY happy in his Assault Walker, but the rest of the commandos seemed focused, Geist mainly, Mellisaa also was silent apparently worried about what she and myself could feel, it had got me worried but I was trying to force it from my mind and prepare for any resistance. I�m glad Stonefish was keeping his distance from Garrett in his fighter, hopefully this would stop them from beating the crap out of each other which was a good thing, something we didn�t need. Garrett said the his troops towards the North would help, but soon after we arrived the troops and us were attacked by Nezumi�s Rebel forces. We managed to defeat the oncoming forces with no casualties to the Intruder Wing forces, some of Garrett�s forces however were killed. We received a SOS from the base so we went to help them. We surrounded the base with our and Garrett�s forces and prepared for the incoming forces. Several troopers arrived and they kept coming, first from the south then from the north as well. Major Geist rushed in at the oncoming troops as did I, Narm was near to the back with his lasers launching out at the troopers who got too close, the rest of the commandos took up the rear. After the onslaught, the damage assessment came in, Geist surprisingly had taken very little injuries, Narm�s walker had taken some damage but he was fine, I had received a nasty gash in the right forearm from a troopers vibroblade but I managed to heal it. Viper, Daishi and the rest of the commandos had taken little injures. Garrett�s troopers had taken some heavy losses, but he didn�t seem to concerned much to Geist�s disgust. The major thing that worried myself and Mellisaa was this "presence" seemed to be close during the battle but we were unsure what it was. The Next step was to find what Sortek�s involvement is and find Nez.
(Master)
Daishi looked out over the battle field. He could tell the same thing that was obviously going through Master's mind, Nez was close, but they wouldn't catch him they tried right now. All that could be done was muster what strength they could and get ready for the next onslaught, wheather it be thier's or Nez's. Daishi knew his opponent in ways he wished he didn't.
"Hey boss, we're heading over to the officer's lounge to unwind." Narm said now dismounted from his assault walker.
"I'll be there shortly, but pass the word that no one is to get drunk because I have a sneaking suspicion that we will be in a fight within the next two hours, maybe more." Daishi said as he studied the carnage.
These rebels had to be coming from somewhere and had to be getting thier equipment somehow. Somehow Daishi already knew the answer to the second part but he wasn't sure and if he was wrong it probably could wind up getting them all killed.
(Daishi)
Stonefish climbed down from the cockpit of his fighter and surveyed the carnage arrayed around. Dozens of troops, both friendly, and those allied to Nezumi lay around. Some looked asleep, others spread across a square metre or so: evidence of how effective a blade could be. He felt at his belt, looking for the familiar feel of the hilt of a katana.
'I left that behind a long time ago,' he thought, 'No longer the bulwark of the Intruder Wing. No longer a rogue trader with his fingers in more pies than Coruscant produces in a week. What are you now, Stonefish?'
He ran his fingers lovingly down the hull of the Forsaken. One of a kind. Years of research had gone into it. And more years of work just to get it functional. He remembered the first time he had flown it. Leaving the Intruder Wing, painful memories. All that work for the utter apathy shown by the pilots. He had to go away then, else he would have become a nervous wreck, perhaps even lost his mind. But had he already? What was he now? A bitter old man, perhaps only here for revenge on a man who might have had something to do with the massacre of a people he barely remembered. His people. Memories taken by the Empire he now served. No, not this Empire, a different one.
He saw some grit buried in one of the projector runners, and picked it out with his finger. Can't have that. I've needed these shields this trip. He felt the burning desire to hunt down this Nezumi, and have him watch while his beating heart was crushed. The old Jedi ruthlessly quashed this emotion. The time will come. But will it be worth it?
(Fish)
The officers lounge was hot and smoky, but it was better than the snow outside.
Several of the POD commandos sat at the bar while a few sat at the tables talking. Master and Narm sat across from each other at a sabacc table.
"You know im sick of you winning Narm, this time im going to win" Master said sighing as he pushed a few cards into the randomiser and then grabbed them back and kept a straight face.
Narm just grinned apparently getting the cards he wanted "Not likely, when I win this one it will be at least 100 games to zero, maybe when its gets to 200 ill let you win one".
A few of the commandos watching the game laughed,
Master looked at them and held up his lighsaber handle "Don't make me use this", this time Narm laughed.
"Ok what ya got" Master said sounding slightly defeated.
Narm showed his cards, a very good hand, the computer said it added up to 28 points.
Narm had a very large grin on his face.
Master looked at Narm's cards then at his own with a 'what the hell' look and put down his own cards, which the computer added up to 29 points.
"I...Won" Master said still in shock.
Then he fell backwards and fainted.
This caused some laughter from several commandos.
Daishi walked in followed by Geist, and noticed Master on the floor.
"I thought I said no one was to get drunk" he said to Narm with an angry look on his face.
Narm couldnt help but laugh, "He isnt he fainted cause be beat me in Sabacc"
Geist lost it and Daishi smiled "Wake him up" he said as he walked over towards the others trying not to laugh.
Narm waved Master's newly won credits under his nose which woke him up instantly.
"Gimmie" Master said grabbign the credits.
"DRINKS ON ME, ONE A PERSON" Master shouted to everyone in the lounge which was responded with a large cheer.
Master got up and noticed Mellisaa on the other side of the room looking out a window which showed the vast landscape of Gauss.
Master walked over.
"Your silent, whats wrong"? Master asked.
She sighed "I dont know, whatever we can feel its scaring the hell out of me, ive never felt anything like it before"
Master nodded "Ive seen a lot of things, many which have scared the hell out of me, and your right this is something new but whatever it is we will take care of it when the time comes" he said sounding slightly worried but forced a smile anyway.
"Yea, I suppose" she replied sounding slightly convinced.
"Now I think Geist wants your company so go on and have a drink on me" Master said putting a credit into her palm.
Mellisaa smiled and said Thanks before going over to sit next to geist who was at one of the booths.
Geist nodded in his direction as she went over as if to say thank you.
Master turned and went back to the bar to get another drink, it was going to be a long day.
(Master)
Daishi looked over at his former XO. He never quite understood another officer the way he understood Stephen, but Daishi and the Intruder Wing knew him as Ardan Sortek. If Stan were here or knew they were so close to him now he'd probably insist on the POD capturing Garret and bringing him back to be put up on charges of treason. What no one else besides Garret knew in that bar was that Daishi wasn't quite so innocent himself.
After all the campaigns he and Garret saw together and after everything he learned if Garret's past reminded him so much of his own home and past. Both Gauss and Varneck were frozen wastelands for the large part. Both he and Garret faught fanaticlly to protect thier homeworld, mostly by ensuring no one else learned the hyper space cordinetes, and the last similarity is that both men seemed to know more about what was going on around them then any other mortal man should have been able to.
Also the man they were facing was not a totally unkown person to Daishi. Ammon Nezumi had first made an appearance on his homeworld right after the battle of Hoth and his homeworld had formaly joined the Empire. In his time he managed to get the commanding officer of the Varneck Planetary Defense Force killed, two rebel agents captured, and manage to pretty much ruin his day in general. Though Daishi later learned that Jansom Colpman repayed Ammon for his service by sabotaging his ship. From what Daishi heard it wasn't easy for Jansom to do but he did it. To top it off he even left a prerecorded message while he was wearing a "barrowed" spare suit of Varneck Marine Combat Armor of Daishi's to shift the balme awway from himself, and because of the audio modulation there was no way to tell who was really in such armor. Daishi did always suspect that the fire that destroyed half of the crops of the family farm were to blame on Ammon, but that seemed like too little damage for what he came to expect from Ammon, after all the man nearly destroyed the MC-120 Darkstar with the assistence of a Droid slicer and an alien demolitions expert. The transmition that came out of the Darkstar to flood the New Imperium had left mental and emotional damage on him for quite likely the rest of his life.
"Long time no see General." Stephen said from behind Daishi.
"I'm getting too old for this aren't I?" Daishi replied.
"Most Generals are in thier fifties. Besides you have always managed to annoy the hell out of me whenever we fought in the sims." Stephen replied as he occupied the stool next to Daishi.
"Yeah but people from my world pay a price for our superior strength and strenous life. I'll be lucky to make eighty while you'' coast right on through to a hundred and twenty." Daishi retorted as he smelled the drink in his hands.
Daishi had maintained an alchohol free diet for nearly a year now. Now things had changed once again. The drink burned in his mouth for a few seconds due to his detieriated tolerence to alchohol.
"Well Colonel it looks like we will be working together again. It seems a lot like old times doesn't it, hopelessly outnumbered, depending on others for reinforcements, and allways getting out alive by the skin of our teeth." Daishi said after a moments pause.
"You and me both know you wouldn't have it any other way. You always did fight at your best when outnumbered and when your forces were outskilled. You never told me why." Stephen proded.
"That was part of the training I recieved when I was sent back to the Varneck Royal Military Acadamy for my Officer's training. Thanks to that my next job will be a bit easier." Daishi trailed off obviously unwilling to continue further.
It pained Daishi that he had managed to let Jansom perform a coup and turn the world over to the rebels. He would be rectifying this shortly though.
"I allready know, you seem to forget who you are dealing with. Even in my semi-retirement I cannot help but find out things. After this little campaign I probably can't help you out any. Though I beleive you already knew that." Stephen picked up the silence.
"Yes. After what Ammon has done to your world I doubt there would be anything in the galaxy that coax you goverment into sanctioning troops for an expidition, esspecially of this nature." Daishi replied.
"So what do we do now General?" Stephen said as he stared at his own drink.
"We wait. We need to wait for some intel and for Ammon's next move. Though we may be able to act before then if my hunch is correct." Daishi said as he finished his drink.
(Daishi)

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posted February 20, 2001 04:48 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Geist   Click Here to Email Geist        Reply w/Quote
The door to the officer club slid open and in came a man in a business suit and overcoat.
"Who do we have here?" Daishi, who didn't recognize the elderly man, asked.
Garrett smiled grimly. "An ally of our own."
Geist caught sight of the man and a look of shock and anger passed over his face. The lightsabers mounted on his armor sprung to life. "Jonas!" He said, moving towards the man.
"Major, restrain yourself!" Garrett barked. "Jonas is here at my request."
"What!?" Geist demanded, stunned. "This man tried to destroy the IW not six months ago!"
Jonas smiled pleasantly. "More acurately I intended to enslave you. But your vaunted fleet fell apart so fast that all I could do was watch you die."
Geist took another step towards Jonas. Daishi, knowing more about what had happened way back then than most, did the same, raising a blaster. Everyone else seemed dumbfounded by this exchange. Everyone but Garrett.
"He has resources that we need. And he has his own interest in seeing Nezumi dead." He said.
"And a habit of manipulating people to his ends." Geist responded. "If you trust this slime then you're as stupid as a retarded bantha." He took another step towards the impasive Jonas. "We don't need him."
"Who said anything about trust?" Jonas asked cheerfully. "What we have here is enlightened self interest. I am no more in a possition to betray Garrett than Garrett is in a position to betray me."
"I'm sure you told Dogger the exact same thing before you had Nezumi stab us in the back." Daishi responded.
"Yet you trusted Nezumi enough to recruit him into your organization after that unfortunate incident." Jonas said.
"Nezumi was a mercenary dedicated to completing any contract he took." Geist snapped, "You're a megalomaniac that gets off on bending people to your will."
Jonas simply smiled again. "Thank you for the compliment."
Geist seemed ready to take Jonas's head right there, but he held back.
Daishi turned an angry gaze on Garrett. "Why is he here?"
Garrett shook his head. "The once powerful crusading army of Gauss is a shell." He said. "We simply do not have enough skilled warriors to put down this uprising. Jonas has men and ships that can allow us to go on the offensive. He may be the dark one incarnate, but damnit I will work with him, even if it costs me my imortal soul, to save my world."
(Geist)
Daishi thought about this new event carefully. It meant his hunch was either wrong or Jonas was doing what he did best, manipulating people. Daishi suspected that with the vast number of ensurgeants that they could not all be getting thier equipment from the Gaussian Malittia. This meant it was coming from someone who had significant contacts or huge store piles of weapons. Jonas fit both of these bills, Jansom did not.
Daishi was angry as all hell right now at Jonas, Jansom and Nezumi. Jonas for nearly destroying the IW, Jansom for attacking the Vast Empire and wresting control of his homeworld over to the New Republic, and Nezumi for his acts of treason and what Daishi helped him get away with.
What no one else in the room knew with express possibility of Sortek was that Daishi had used his access as the Baron Administrator of the Experimental Technologies Division to allow Nezumi's slicer Droid to hack into the Darkstar's communication system before it was sabotauged and transmit what had become known as the JETHRO Routine throughout the New Imperium. Daishi did this because he was tired of all the decay he saw about them and the fact no one who even claimed to live by the credo of "death from within" should have such a ship.
With that though Daishi obviously cringed as he couldn't help but replay the transmition in his mind. He was pretty sure that the JETHRO Routine would keep a jedi out of his mind if one ever tried to get in.
"You look like you are about ready to kill something sir." Narm said from Daishi's side.
"I am. I'm going outside to vent off before someone dies." Daishi said as he left the lounge.
If he was wrong about his hunch with Jonas, Jonas' organization would have no trouble wiping out the Intruder Wing in it's currently depleted status, but if he was right the price might still be the same but they might be in a better position to survive it. All Daishi could think of right now was the certainty of death in the near future.
(Daishi)
Solomon Aerikson. It was a simple name. A dignified name.
Hardly fitting, Nezumi thought. But alas, he couldn't have chosen his real name, it had been thrust upon him by his parents.
He put down the file he was reading. His research, in between sessions of teaching Gaussian youth how to jump in front of blaster bolts, had finally bore fruit. Solomon Aerikson. Company leader in the Gaussian Millitia, veteran of the war against the infidels, declared a heretic when he decided to leave the planet, his name and history eradicated aside from a few files stored in secret places. Places that Nezumi had now found. So he had learned his real name. Somehow, it was disapointing, mearly another aspect to clutter the soul, already there were four, well three now that Jociam had voided himself, seperate personalities in Nezumi's mind, a result of that demagogue Palpatine's sadistic games. Why add another?
Nezumi let his thoughts wander off this unpleasant track. His spies had confirmed that Jonas was on planet. This did not complicate matters, in fact it made things easier. Everything was in place for the final act.
(Nez)

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posted February 20, 2001 04:49 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Geist   Click Here to Email Geist        Reply w/Quote
"...even if it costs me my imortal soul, to save my world."
At dawn Garrett studdied the assembled army. His proud militiamen and Jonas's elite commandos. Rebel troops were assembling for another attack on the capitol, The time for the finale had arrived.
He turned to his adjutant. "Move them out."
Jonas smiled. "I could better coordinate my troops from orbit." He said.
"You are comming with us, Jonas." Garrett responded. "If this is a trap, you will be here to die with us."
"One might think you don't trust me."
Garrett didn't respond. As the assault vehicle he and Jonas rode pulled into line with the column, he spared one last glance for the now mostly deserted base. By the time the commandoes of the IW awoke from their drug induced sleeps, Garrett's troops would be well engaged in battle. That was good.
-----
A while later, General Daishi looked about the deserted base in anger. The drinks they had been offered had been drugged. Garrett and Jonas had left the base and taken their troops long before the effects had worn off. Worse yet, both Geist and Mellisaa were missing, taken in the night by silent assailants.
They had been betrayed, but by who?
----
Geist was lead by three armed guards into the chamber. The attackers hadn't removed his armor, but had been very thourough about restraining him and removing the power cells from his lightsabers. Right now he was helpless. "I wish I hadn't trained you so well." He said.
The guard directly behind him, Kameron, smiled. "That's what happens when you turn on your comrades, Inquisitor." He replied, using Geist's old code name.
"Now what happens?" Geist was genuinly curious, Nezumi hadn't had him killed outright, that meant something was up.
"You'll find out soon enough." Kameron replied as he sat Geist down in a chair. "You know, I always admired you. You were the best of us, the only one worthy of being the Boss's right hand man. Pity it had to turn out like this."
"Real shame." Geist agreed. "But then, thats what happens when the boss is insane."
Kameron smiled. "Enjoy our hospitality, Inquisitor." he said, then led the other two guards out of the chamber, leaving Geist alone in the huge, featurless room.
"Great. Just great. What kind of game is he playing now?"
(Major Geist)
Daishi was extremely furious now. He needed blood. If a Dark Jedi could channel as much rage as Daishi felt now they probably could wreak a whole planet Daishi wagered.
His old tracking skills he had learned back when he pulled some TOD's as a MP were starting to break through his fury and the trail was easy enough to follow. This was not a good thing. It menat they knew they would be coming, but that didn't matter right now.
(Daishi)
"I know how you feel General, however anger is the path to the dark side" Master said walking up behind Daishi.
"Dont concern yourself with my anger, I dont have to worry about the Dark Side" Daishi said turning around looking at Master.
At first he was startled by Master as he was no long in his usual commando gear, insted he wore a black stormtrooper uniform (without the helmet) covered in a black jedi like cloak.
Master walked up to Dai,
"Just because you can't use the force doesnt mean you dont need to worry about the dark side, the dark side is in all of us, not just the people that can feel the force. If you give into your anger it will consume you, not same same way it would a jedi but it will still change you for the worse, I have seen it happen and wouldnt like to see it again".
Daishi nodded. "You have a point", he then understood why Master was out of uniform. "Your going somewhere arnt you" he said more like a statement then a question.
"Didnt take you long to figure that out" Master said smiling.
"You know I cant let you go incase you get captured as well"
"And your going to stop me how"
Daishi regreted doing it but he pulled one of his DL-44 blaster's out and leveled it at Master.
Master laughed and moved quicker than Daishi ever belived possible, one moment his blaster was in his hand pointed at Master then the next second the blaster was pointed at him.
Master laughed again and turned the blaster around and gave it back,
"Nice try".
Master pulled back the hood covering his head and most of his face.
"How are you going to find them" Daishi said putting his blaster back in its holster.
"You forget Mellisaa can use the force, and so can I, ill find them and send you a message"
Then before Daishi's eyes the air seemed to shimmer and Master disapeared into thin air.
He raised an eyebrow and yelled "Be careful"
"ALWAYS" came the reply as Master masked with the force ran off starting his search.
Daishi turned back towards where the other were still drugged from the drinks.
"WAKE UP, ITS TIME TO GO TO WORK"!
(Master)
Geist heard a door to the chamber open. Nezumi entered.
"Hello, Major." Nez said.
Geist rose to his feet, feeling aches in his joints. Damnit, where did those come from? "What is this comic supervillan routine your playing here?" He asked in contempt. "Have you come to explain your unnecessarily slow meathod of killing me?"
"We needed to talk." Nezumi replied. "I understand you want to kill me."
"You are a traitor and all. It seemed appropriate."
"Hows about we just go out and get roaring drunk instead?"
"You don't drink."
"We could always end this destructive conflict and rule the gallaxy."
"Staff possitions give me Hay Fever."
"How would you react if I told you I was your father?"
"My dad was a weatherman on Coruscant, you don't even look like him."
"I suppose that's true." Nezumi shrugged. "Well, it didn't work for Vader either..." He hit a button on his belt, all of Geist's restraints disengaged. "Relax, work the stiffness out of your joints."
Geist knew from experience that attacking Nez unarmed was a quick way to die, so he complied. "I don't know how I managed to stiffen up so quickly".
"Well. you are over half a century old, and you don't have your force abilities right now to augment your endurance..."
Geist looked up. "The room is ringed with ysalamir, isn't it."
"We can't let any pesky force users break in on us while we are busy." Nez tossed Geist a pair of powerpacks. "Plug them in."
Geist studdied the packs carefully, they were the ones for his lightsabers. Somehow, he knew they weren't sabotaged. "Why?"
Nezumi smiled. "I honestly don't know." With that, he ignited his own lightsaber and attacked.
(Maj Geist.)
Daishi realizing in his anger that he forgot his weapon suddenly tempered his fury with the stupidity it had cost him. With Master's stunt he was glad that it happened or he would be dead in a very short period of time, not so much because of the ysalimiri enclosed in his weapons pack but because of the firepower stored on his weapons pac would not be available.
Daishi sat looking out over the fields and started thinking back to the times he had managed to disappear from even skilled Jedi and cameras. Daishi knew that it was not the force, at least not as the Jedi understood it, that let him do this trick. Maybe Master was right, he needed to take a few and just sit.
One way or the other Daishi knew that if he died in a saber fight it would be over a practically bottomless pit. It seemed to be an agreed upon rule that all saber fights happen at least near pits.
With his equipment and the rest of the POD following behind Daishi followed the deteriorating trail for as long as he dared. In their current position a trap would be nigh impossible to spring on them but it would still force them to slow down and take the time to deal with it.
(Daishi)

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Geist
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posted February 20, 2001 04:50 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Geist   Click Here to Email Geist        Reply w/Quote
Geist was not doing well.
Nezumi moved and struck faster than anyone he had ever met. He seemed to strike from every direction at once. It was all Geist could do to defend himself. He was not going to win a stand up fight.
Geist tossed a glance at the still open door. Time to go. Ducking a saber slash, he bolted through the door into the passage.
"You aren't playing by the rules, major." Nezumi called after him from the chamber.
"Then why did you leave the door open?" Geist shot back as he ran. He felt the aches he normally subconciously suppressed with his force power disipate, he hoped it wasn't just adrenalin.
"Who knows?" Nezumi responded. "Oh well, search and destroy it is." With that, he entered the passage in prusuit.
Geist concentrated on making as much mental noise as he could. "Come and get me!" He yelled not entirely to Nezumi.
(Geist)
Argon Viper led his scout force slowly, considering the news he had received from home and what it meant. Suddenly, he felt his hunter's senses fly into a full alert and he whipped around to see a massive army at his rear. The rest of his force, seeing his movement, turns as well and freezes in shock. "Oh thats not good"
Viper looked ... and saw the entire rebel rear guard heading directly for him. His thoughts flick to the real message of the letter:
"Force Ability Detected In Argon Viper By Genetic Reference"...
(Viper)
Master walked between several trees. He had kept his force mask (invisable thing) up incase their were any of Nez's troops in the area. So far he had heard nothing or felt nothing, this concerned him greatly as he had no idea if he was going the right way no not.
Master stopped and knelt down and tried to concentraite (bad spelling) however this was futile, there was no sence for either Melisaa or Geist.
All of a sudden, he caught a faint distrubence which had to be one of them, it was to faint to get a direct home in, but good enough to tell him which way to go.
Master got up and started running, time was short and he hoped he wasent to late.
(Master)
Geist heard Nezumi yell to him as he ran. "You cannot run forever, Major. Eventually I will catch up with you. Then all accounts will be settled."
-----
On the edge of the solar system, a lone Gaussian warcruiser, one of the few left in opperation, suddenly exploded after transimitting a short message.
"Cruiser PURE THOUGHT AND ACTIONS to ground control. The infidels have..."
-----
Stephen scanned his binocs over the assembled rebel army. Damn near four thousand men arranged in double lines like something out of a pre-industrial vid. He half expected a leader to appear on some riding animal, draw a sword, and scream charge.
Jonas smiled. "The certainly seem dignified."
"Can your men defeat them?" Stephen asked.
"I have a thousand commandos." Jonas replied. "In an open engagement, with artillery and the support of your militia, certainly."
"And your price remains the same?"
"All I want is a new home for my organization. Betelgues isn't safe anymore, thanks to your brother."
Stephen nodded. "Very well. We attack at once."
The orders filtered through the ground commanders, The army began its advance.
Mr Hateras, Jonas's chief of security, and therefore commander of his private army, led his men from cover position to cover position across the battlefield. The rebels would be under artillery fire in the next five seconds.
Five seconds came and went and no artillery was fired. Hateras, stunned, spared a second to look up at the rebel army.
They were begining a charge directly into the teeth of his forces. He heard firing behind him, and just spotted the millitia falling on his army's rear guard before a blaster bolt ended his life.
----
Jonas watched his men die at the hands of the trecherous militia. He turned to Stephen and smiled.
"Impresive." He said. "Of all of us, I thought you were incapable of betrayal."
"You taught me," Stephen replied coldly. "On Eridani." With one smooth motion he raised his blaster and fired. Jonas fell to the ground.
A shape began to move three meters away from Stephen. Kameron disengaged his mimetic armor, stood up, and smiled. "Well done." He said. "As you agreed with the boss, We will turn the rebel army over to you."
"What of Geist?"
"There is nothing you can do about that. If all goes well, the Boss will kill him. You agreed to turn him over to us in exchange for ending the rebellion. You cannot reneg now."
(Geist)
Master watched the "battle" onfold from his hidden posistion in a nearby tree. He saw the body of Jonas hit the ground and settle into the dirt.
Sortek was speaking to someone, however Master was to far away to hear anything, the wind did carry one word however, "Geist".
Master waited for the right time, he wasent sure what to do just yet, but the force would guide him.
The person Sortek was talking to walked off and Master came to a desistion, it might be the quickest but perhaps not the smartest.
Dropping his force mask Master walked between the many troops towards Sortek.
The troops that were still their watched him aproach doing nothing to stop him which made Master feel slightly better.
Sortek turned and saw him approach.
"Jedi" he sapt aparently there was some hatred in his voice, Master wasent sure why.
"Where's Geist" Master asked.
"And you think im going to tell you" Sortek said with a smile.
"Yes, or you will not like what I do to you" Master grinned.
Sortek laughed, "I should be afraid of you, thats a laugh"
Master remained silent.
"If you were to try and harm me, you wouldnt leave alive" he said pointing to the troops.
"That may be so but at least I would do Intruder Wing a favor and take you with me" Master replied as calm as ever.
"Troopers take his saber" Sortek yelled. Several took his saber and binded his hands with Stun-cuff's.
Kameron came up behind Master, "the boss will want to talk to him"
Master smiled on the inside, the quickest most efective way.
Before Master could do anything he was hit with a Stunbolt from Kameron and he slumped to the ground.
(Master)
Daishi had managed to find the facility and had set the POD up in a hidden position waiting to strike all they had to do was figure out what had happened to Master then they could proceed.
The waiting was far worse then the fighting and Daishi could sense his troops growing uneasy. He would have to prceed soon with or without Master.
Daishi guessed that he had an hour at best.
(Daishi)
Stephen watched Kameron lead Master away. He had won his people's freedom and slain a hated adversary. That was enough, wasn't it?
A passage from the ancient texts of his world briefly flashed through his mind. "What I have feared has come upon me; what I dreaded has happened to me. I have no peace, no quietness; I have no rest, but only turmoil."
-----
Nezumi stalked through the complex. Major Geist had evaded him in its tangled morass a quarter of an hour ago. He wanted to finish this quickly.
His comlink sounded in his ear.
"Boss." Kameron said from far away.
"Yes, Mr Kameron? Has everything with the Gaussians gone smoothly?"
"We have completed our task. Furthermore we have captured the Intruder Wing agent Master."
"Very well. Master you will release in the catacombs. You will bring our commandos to the main base."
"Would not the commandoes be of more use in the catacombs?"
"No. Garrett has shown that he is capable of betrayal now. You will prepare for his iminent attack against our base."
"We offered him peace on his world. Are you sure he would betray us?"
"Ask Jonas."
Nezumi cut off the comlink. Garrett would attack the main base, there was no way around that. Nezumi was counting on it. Kameron had behaved typically, not questioning any of Nezumi's orders, even the truely odd ones, like why Master was to be released in the catacombs, mearly trying to eficiently serve his boss, assuming he understood.
Project Fidelis was nearing conclusion.
(Geist)
COL Argon Viper watched as the rebel forces advanced on his position. "What are se going to do"asked Blackstar. "We're going to retreat, pull the men back and meet me at Daishi's approximate position." "Yes sir, but where will you be going?" "I'm taking a more direct route"he says as he begins to climb up the side of the narow ravine his forces are in.
Having pulled himself along the wall past the rebel forces, Argon Viper heads in GEN Daishi's approximate position, checking frequently to avoid being tailed, he arrives in one piece. "How are we doing"he asks. "Not too good" replies Daishi," Geist and Mellisaa are in Nezumi's hands and Master just went off on his own." "You're right, that's really not good. My scout force should be arriving soon if they managed to get past that group that broke off to attack us, that shoul be some help, at least the rocket men can do a lot of damage" "let's hope so" says Daishi,"or we're all in a lot more trouble than we bargained for"...
(Viper)

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posted February 20, 2001 04:51 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Geist   Click Here to Email Geist        Reply w/Quote
COL Argon Viper, finally having joined the main force, waits for his scout force to return. "They shouldn't be taking this long"he says,"something's wrong." "Will you relax, you're more tense than Daishi"says Narm, handing Viper a drink. "Thanks, I needed... What's that?"he asks, pointing at a sudden glow on the horizon. "I don't know, let's check it out" "Alone? We aren't even going to tell Daishi?"says Viper. "Why worry him, just leave a note." "all right, you better know what you're doing"...
(Viper)
Viper and Narm plod along the route where Viper's troops should have arrived. Unfortunately, no trace of them can be found. They continue to track his scout force as Daishi notices their absence and their note. "Those lousy, stinkin', pieces of sh*t!!!!"he rants,"They'd better get back in time for our final thrust, now no POD officers are here but me!!!!!" At that very moment, Viper spots something, a black hand sticking out from behind a rock. They rush to it to find Blackstar, still in his all black scouttrooper outfit, but shot in the side of the chest. "What happened"asks Viper as they ease him into postition to use their medpack. "We were... attacked"he manages. "By who?"asks Viper. "Them"he responds pointing. Viper and Narm whip around, and suddenly, their hearts sink...
Viper makes a grab for his rifle and mace, but he is hit with a stun shot, then two, then three, but he continues moving, albiet sluggishly. Luckily, his Whiphid biology proves semi-immune to the stun blasts. Narm, coming from behind Viper, picks up an assault rifle and fires a full salvo at the enemy assault force. Viper finally gets his rifle up and gets into the movement to dodge teh shots. He rushes at them, covering 100 meters in 2 seconds, slashing into the right side of their lines with his mace as Narm rips through their left flank. Unfortunately, there is only so much two men can do against such odds and they are eventually stunned completely. The remaining enemies move out fo cover to secure them... and suddenly, the blaster in Blackstar's hand erupts, killing off the remaining troops before he collapses...
(Argon Viper)
Geist found himself in some sort of machine shop, more specifically a weapons plant. He saw production lines, partially assembled blaster rifles and slugthrowers, all seemingly in excellent shape, but still dusty and ridden with cobwebs. None of the machinery seemed like it had been used in a decade. It was almost like the workers simply set down their tools in the middle of a shift and walked away.
Geist had little time to contemplate this, as Nezumi also entered the chamber.
"Impressive, isn't it?" He said. "The heart of the great Gaussian war machine. The engine that would drive my people across the gallaxy."
"But it didn't" Geist responded, ready for any attack. "Your people, if you can still call them that, failed to get beyond a single planet before becomming hermits."
"True." Nezumi responded "And to be honest I don't actually remember who I was then. According to history I was one of their great officers, or something, until I was seduced by the ways of the infidels and fled. Truth be told I probably just left because Gauss was boring." He cast a look around the chamber. "But the idea of a great idealistic crusade to subdue the gallaxy is a facinating psycological study, wouldn't you agree?" With that Nezumi attacked again.
Geist barely deflected the flurry of strikes before spinning away and ripping through Nezumi's backpack with a backhanded swipe. The slash was too shallow to harm Nezumi, but it killed his ysalamir. Almost contemptuolsy, Nezumi spun around and raised his empty left hand at Geist.
Geist found himself flying through the air. He crashed into a drill press on the far side of the room.
"Oh yeah," Nezumi said with a chuckle, "I forgot to mention that before I left this planet all those years ago, I was trained as what the Gaussians call a mindwalker. Its strange, I've had my ysalamiri so long I never knew I was force sensitive."
Geist staggered to his feet, feeling pain from a pair of ribs broken despite his armor. He had a feeling that things had just gotten a lot worse.
(Maj Geist )
Daishi looked out over the carnage and had to face some facts that he did not want to. These NR troops had to learn of the location of this planet somehow and he knew Jonas in his attempts to gain power would never disclose the location so he could use this world for his own means, Nezumi wouldn't because he despised the NR nearly as much as he despised the current vissage of the Empire, and Stephen wouldn't because he had fought too hard and too long to keep that information contained. This meant that one of his own people was a traitor. Daishi did not know who but he could guess with reasonable certainty.
No matter who it was it was quite likely to be a death blow for the POD because of how few people they had. Kevin had been hesitent about letting Daishi get it going with as few people he had now. Daishi could only guess what will happen next.
(Daishi)
Argon Viper came to surrounded by many dead rebels and two PODers. He begins shaking teh unwounded Narm"come on, wake up" "Five more min... oh, it's you. What happened?" "We must've been stunned, but you got the last of them." "No I didn't, I got hit too." "Then who... Blackstar!"he rushes to the wounded soldier. "He's still alive, just barely. Come on, we've got to get back to base."
*back at the base*
"Hey! We're back!"shout Narm. Daishi bursts suddenly from inside the command tent and walks swiftly towards them wearing a very PO'd expression(no pun intended, PO'd/POD). "Uh-oh, I guess the note didn't do it"comments Narm. "You guys had better have a good excuse, because if you don't..." "Yes sir"replies Viper before Narm can answer,"I would like to report in with the remainder of my command"he says, indicating Blackstar. "Good enough"says Daishi,"get him to the med center, we need to plan a rescue for Geist, and possibly Master too..."
(Argon Viper)
Admiral Davd Quarrel, Commander of the New Republic third sector fleet since Boo Wood's "promotion", looked at the holoimage of Gauss.
Ever since the New Imperium campaign, Quarrel and the entire third sector fleet had been in limbo. First, Admiral Wood removed for his supposed excesses, The fleet striped of two full task forces, eight high ranking officers in prison for brutality. never mind that under Boo Wood's command, Quarrel's own task force 81 had smashed the intruder wing in eleven engagements, never mind that fresh ships and a new commander had suffered intollerable lossess at the battle of Erebria, where task force 81 would have overwhelmed their opposition. Never mind that the Republic government halted the campaign the instant the New Imperium awoke from its delusions and got involved.
As Jonas and Nezumi had said for years, the New Republic doesn't have the will to fight. But now, there was a chance for something better. Admiral Karl Garrett, A man Quarrel had been hunting for years. A man always one step ahead.
A man willing to fight for what he believed in.
His price had been simple.
Quarrel's eight Mon Calamari cruisers, including the oh, so recently recaptured Defiance, took up their stations in orbit of Gauss and waited for their moment to act.
(Maj Geist)

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Geist
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posted February 20, 2001 04:52 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Geist   Click Here to Email Geist        Reply w/Quote
Kameron escorted Master down a long hallway, without the force to help guide him Master quickly became confused of where he was, every passage looked the same. Kameron stoped just before a large durasteel door which was open. He pushed Master to the other side and he put his hand on the lever to close it.
"Before you close the door, I have one word of advice for you" Master said.
"And that is"? Kameron Asked.
"When the fighting starts, dont expect to be alive to see the end" Master said with an evil grin.
Kameron laughed and hit the lever closing the large door with a huge crash.
As soon as the door closed Master was cast into blackness, he felt the stuncuffs holding his wrists fall to the ground with a clang. Master couldnt see anything besides a small square of light which he ran closer too.
After runnign what seemed like an eternity he reached the light which was infact a door. He walked through it and instictly felt two things, the first being blindness from the dark and going into the light, and the second he could once again feel the force.
"Hmmm, this doesnt make sence" he said to himself, "Nez musent be concernd with force usage here because their is something that i wont be able to defeate with or without the force, must be this thing ive been feeling"
Well Time to find the others, Master thought as he tried to make some sence of where he was and where the POD was.
(Master)
Daishi led his incredibly weakened force towards the massive building where Geist was being held. The troops morale was in the pits after finding that rebels had landed on the planet in force. The continual pranks on Narm's part did nothing to lighten the atmosphere. Suddenly it was before them, a massive stone castle with no visible entrances, but lots of defensive towers. They approach cautiously, spread out so as not to draw too much attention. When they reach the castle, they immediately rush next to the walls to provide cover in case they are noticed. "All right people, we're going to climb this thing and get our people out. Anything else is extra. Viper, you will be going first, both because you are all that's left of our scout division and because your biology is perfect for this." "Yes sir"replies Viper and begins climbing...
COL Argon Viper reached the top of the wall without incident. Unfortunately, being on the top was not without incident. He was immediately approached by two guards. "Who are you?"querries one of the guards. "Nezumi's scout"replies Viper,"he told me to find out everything around here." "Okay"says the guard,"tell me what's going on around here and I'll believe you." "Sure"replies Viper,"The rebels have landed, in force, the IW POD is almost dead, and I'm a COL in the IW." In this last part, Argon Viper draws his blaster and shoots them both. "Spoils of war"he mutters as he signals that it's safe to come up. "What's with them"asks Daishi when he comes up, pointing at the dead guards. "They wanted to know what was going on"replies Viper. "Good work, now let's go, we've got to get Geist out of here..."
(Argon Viper)
Geist found himself in yet another chamber. He had managed to loose Nezumi in the passages yet again. A feat that would mean something if he knew where the hell he was.
He felt something small, hard and fast strike his armor with a PING. He spun around to see Nezumi drop from a catwalk, tossing aside his slugthrower and reigniting his lightsaber.
"A blaster would have been more effective." Geist said.
"True, but I just wanted to get your attention. A blaster might injure you even through that armor."
"You still havent told me why you are doing this."
"I told you. I don't know."
"You come to a planet and start a civil war and you don't even know why?"
"A person has less to think about when he doesn't stop to wonder why." And again Nezumi attacked. And again Geist fell back.
"What is it going to take to get you to fight me?" Nezumi demanded as Geist fell back.
"You can drop your saber, get out of your armor, and tie your arms and legs behind your back." Geist said as he fled into a new passage.
-----
General Daishi and the POD stalked through the complex looking for trouble.
They had managed to stumble across Master near the entrance of the complex, where he had been inexplicably left by Nezumi's minions after being captured. It had taken heavy weapons fire to free Mellisaa and a small force of Gaussian soldiers from the strange aliens that seemed to be the majority of the defenders here. But still they hadn't found Geist.
They found themselves at a fork in the tunnel.
"Which way?" Daishi asked, looking for suggestions.
Master stretched out with his senses, only to recoil with revulsion.
"Mother of God." He said, "It's a force user."
"Who? What? Geist?" Narm asked.
Mellisaa answered for Master. "No. Kaathiraan." She chuckled darkly. "In a way she is sort of Nezumi's girlfreind."
"What do you mean sort of?" Stonefish asked.
"As in only sort of a girl, sort of human. Closer to a souless megalomaniacal deamon."
"What's the other way?" Daishi asked.
"Nothing" Stonefish said (has anyone noticed how many force users we have?) "I sense absolutely nothing from that direction."
"That could be either good, or bad." Daishi said. "Let's try that way before we think about slaying souless deamons."
-----
Master sliced open the last opposing soldier with his lightsaber. Only then did the POD members get a chance to look around the supposedly empty room they had ventured into.
Cylinders lined each wall. Through small windows on the front of each, faces could be seen.
Exactly identical faces.
"Mother of God." Master said for the second time today.
"Cloning cylinders." Daishi said.
"Where did Nezumi get cloning cylinders?" Narm wondered.
"They don't look like they've been newly installed." Daishi said. "The Gaussians must have already had them." He turned to one of the formerly captive gaussian soldiers they had freed, waiting for an explanation.
"We...well, there had been rumors for years that these things existed." He said. "A religious subsect told stories of a great revival that would come ushered in by an army of identical faces and souls and wipe out the purge of infidels and aliens from the universe, but we never believed it could be true..."
"Well now you know for sure." Daishi said. "We'll have to deal with this later, after we find Geist."
-----
Back into the passages, down the corridor.
And face to face with a band of droids in leather dominatrix gear.
"Oh yeah." One droid quipped. "I've got something for you." He raised a strange weapon at one of the Gaussians and triggered it. Waves of pure repulsion slammed the soldier into the wall.
The Commandoes quickly got over their initial shock and slagged the droids, but it was a sight that many of them would never forget.
They passed the remains of the droids and found themselves in a large chamber.
In the center of the chamber stood Kaathiraan, who seemed suprised and alarmed to see them. Automated gun turrets rose from the floor and alien creatures aproached from either side.
Daishi gave the order.
"Kill."
-----
Several hundred kilometers away, Stephen strode into the citadel.
"I told you." He said angrily. He waited for a response and got none. "Now you fall silent? Now that you learn that a gaussian can betray you?"
He stalked around the main chamber, looking at each silent face in turn. "I told you that Nezumi could not be trusted. You didn't listen. Now he has taken up with the crusaders!"
One man finally spoke up. "He ended his rebellion as he promised in exchange for the infidel Geist."
"Which means nothing if he and the Crusaders ignite a war against the Gallaxy!" Stephen shot back. "That event is something this council has been working for years to avoid. I, for one, will not let that happen." He turned to leave.
"What will you do?"
"I will put an end to this." With that he strode from the chamber
(Geist)

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Geist
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posted February 20, 2001 04:53 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Geist   Click Here to Email Geist        Reply w/Quote
The POD members opened fire with their blasters on the oncomming creatures, 'They looked very close to the creatures he, Hippie and Narm had been attacked by on that asteroid base a while back' Master thought, he had a feelign Narm was thinking the same thing.
After the creatures had been gunned down, they were pretty well armored against blaster bolts.
Everyone stopped firing and looked at Kaathiraan. She was truly a freak of Nature, or was it sience, god wouldnt have even known.
All POD members were silent either scared, worried or pissed off at this thing in front of them.
It was Master who spoke first.
"It was you who we could feel, you were calling us", Master looked at Mellisaa who didnt look as worried as she had been when all see could do was feel this vile thing.
Kaathiraan answered in a raspy voice, "Yessss, young jedi, i was calling for you, and you have now come, will you searve meeee and Nezzzz" she hissed.
Master thought, looked at Mellisaa who sent him a message via the force.
Master smiled and looked back at Kaathiraan and said "I'd rather die"
Master felt the anger flare, "So be it" Kaathiraan said.
"KILL THE BITCH"! Master yelled as he pulled his blaster up as did all the POD members, only for him, Mellisaa and Stonefish to fall to the ground in pain clutching their heads.
General Daishi stopped firing to grab Master's shoulder to see if he was alright, the look on Master's face shocked Daishi, Master seemed to be in imense pain fighting off something inside him, and it was the same with Mellisaa and Stonefish. Daishi knew he could do nothing, so he continued to fire. Kaathiraan seemed to move so fast the blaster bolts missed her and hit the wall behind her, this was not going to be easy.
Master's mind felt like it was screaming at him so loud it was going to make his head explode. Every part of his head hurt, the pain was emense but he didnt pass out. With the pain he could not connect to the force.
All Master knew was that Kaathiraan was causing this somehow.
Master had no idea how the hell he was going to stop this and he couldnt focus for long before the pain became too emense.
(Master)
Pain, oh but the pain, thought Stonefish as he lay on the floor. It obliterated everything, leaving no room for thought or movement.
He was helpless.
His subconscious flared.
Pain became anger. Then rage.
(Stonefish)
Viper continued to fire, trying to follow Kaathiraan but so far, failing. Suddenly, he saw Stonefish rise, still with the expression of intense pain on his face, but mixed with what looked like fanatical hatred. Stonefish moved so suddenly, that it caught everyone off guard, flinging himself at Kaathiraan, knocking her to the ground...
(COL Argon Viper)
Daishi stoped his hand in mid-motion as he reached for one of his fragmentary grenades. He then realized the oportunity Stonefish had just given him.
Daishi threw his blaster rifle to the ground and quickly drew the one weapon that had both the firepower and the precision to end this fight, the Timbiquie Edition Zues he got off Eridani.
Daishi carefully steadied his aim into the mass that was Stonefish and the thing. With all the precision he had in him Daishi fired a single round smack in the forehead of the beast.
Stonefish quickly scrambled out of the way now that the beast was temporarily stunned.
"Such creatures were never meant to be. I send thy back to the inferno that created you." Daishi responded as he pulled the trigger back and didn't let ago until the familliar click of an empty drum clip sounded about ten seconds later.
(Daishi)
Master lifted his head, in time to see Stonefish launch himself at the Bitch.
The pain became overwhelming and Master slumped to the floor again into uncounisness.
-------------------------
The Intruder came out of Hyperspace and saw the Freighter group ahead of them.
X-Wing's launched from the Intruder's Hanger, FA Eucilid was in the lead of the group even though SA Kevin himself had joined the flight leaving Dogger to command from the Intruder.
"Ok boys open S-foils and get ready to rock and roll" Euc said to the squad as several Assult Gunboats exited Hyperspace not to far off.
The freighters were making for the safety of the Intuders guns while the Gunboats went full speed towards them not caring about Intruder Wing's X-Wings.
"Ok power up them lasers, these gunboats arnt going home" Euc said as all the fighters in the group powered up their lasers.
Then a ISD II jumped into the area.
"Its the Challenge"! Kevin said in shock over the comm.
"All Fighters protect the Intruder and Freighters from the fighters launching from the Challenge" Dogger radioed in.
"Ok boys lets get those Gunboats, buys some time to get those freighters" Euc said.
The Battle commenced.
(Master)
(Alrighty... Next!)

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COL Argon Viper
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posted February 20, 2001 05:26 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for COL Argon Viper   Click Here to Email COL Argon Viper        Reply w/Quote
As the IW fought bravely in space, the POD rushed through Nezumi's underground lair in search of Geist. "How large is this place"complains Narm. "Pretty big"replies Master,"but I think we covered at least half by now." "All right"says Daishi,"let's take a short br-" He is suddenly interupted by the sound of clashing weapons. "This way"he shouts...
_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Meanwhile, in space, the battle continues. The Intruder guides the freighters to the nearest hyperspace escape rout while the fighters fight bravely to hold off the enemy. "ETA thirty seconds for the interceptors"says Euclid,"hurry up and finish these gunboats." The gunboats suddenly break violently and form up into a "Split S" onto Euclid's tail, but this puts them right into the sights of Kevin and Macintosh, who promptly blow them out of the sky. "Nice work"says Euclid,"now we have twenty seconds to form up for those interceptors."
(COL Argon Viper)

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Geist
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posted February 20, 2001 09:03 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Geist   Click Here to Email Geist        Reply w/Quote
(now things get ugly)

Karl Garrett felt the Grey Wolf break out of hyperspace into the emerging space battle.

The IW forces were barely holding on, buying time for the freighter group to escape. The attackers were pressing hard, led by an Imperial Star Destroyer.

Karl nodded to the communications officer, who opened a channel to all combatants.

"All loyal Imperial forces. This is Admiral Karl Garrett, commander of Force Amber. By the power granted me by Grand Admiral Thrawn, I order you to stand down or face the consequences."

No response came from the combatants. Truth be told, Karl didn't expect meek submission. But he had to try. Thrawn was dead, and his authority meant nothing to these men.

"I do not wish to destroy you. This needless warfare has destroyed far to much. Loyal sons of the Empire will lead us to a final victory against the rebels." His voice grew hard. "But I will not suffer rivals. Join me or die."

The ISD responded by opening fire.

"Very well." Karl said, then terminated the link. "Order the Agamemnon and the Majesty to launch fighters and engage all hostile craft." He said to his flag captain. "Tell them to disable what they can, but do not take extraordinary risks in doing it."

"What of the Intruder Wing forces?" the mon calamari flag captain asked.

"The same orders." Karl said. "Have our own fighter squadrons disable or destroy any that take hostile action against us. Any that atempt to escape are to be taken by our forces waiting along their known hyperspace escape routs."

The orders were issued, and the three ISDs entered the fray.


------------------
Mars Gravior Sub Pace Latet

"Chaos will overwhelm the universe eventually, it is best to be on the winning side" Amon Nezumi

[This message has been edited by Geist (edited February 20, 2001).]

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Daishi
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posted February 20, 2001 05:25 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Daishi   Click Here to Email Daishi        Reply w/Quote
[Yes Iknow this will be confusing for some people that I am currently in a dogfight and leading the POD at the same time but all will be explained.]

Daishi motioned for everyone to stop as he surveyed the battle.

Geist and Nezumi were fighting thier duel on the far side of a pit that divided them from the POD. Daishi watched helplessly as the two fought on.

"Dai, why don't you use your sniper skills again?" Stonefish asked from behind Daishi.

"Because I'm out of ammo for the only weapon I have on me that is accurate enough to do such a thing. C'mon, looks like they are making thier way to the south." Daishi said as he lead the POD down another corridor.

The Head Terrorist
GN Daishi

------------------
"Indecent exposure is fun." Sonatina

"If we have all knowladge then we would not wish to seek what we know, but if we had no knowledge how could we even ask a question?" Plato on knowladge.

"There are at the least three sides or choices to any situation." Me

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Geist
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posted February 21, 2001 04:41 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Geist   Click Here to Email Geist        Reply w/Quote
The first thing that occured to Geist was that they had ended up fighting next to a pit. Some kind of huge exhaust port, every now and then blasting a wave of air up. He didn't know why it was here, but he assumed it was to fulfill some cosmic requirement about saber duels being next to things you can fall into.

Nezumi backed up a few steps from Geist and tossed a glance across the pit at the assembled members of the POD.

"It looks like your friends are here." He said.

"I guess so." He saw Daishi trying to find another way across, Without another word, Geist ran for the pit. Praying that this wasn't the worst mistake he ever made, he ran straight off the edge.

The updraft he had been hoping to catch caught him and hurled him into the air. He landed with an unceremonious thump on the other side of the pit.

Nezumi shook his head as, across the pit, Daishi helped Geist to his feet.

"I guess he really doesn't have a vengeful spirit." He yelled across the pit. He took out a spherical object and dropped it down the shaft between updrafts. The detonation killed the vent, stopping any further updrafts. He then turned and ran down the cooridor the way he came.

"Now what?" Narm asked.

"We hunt him down." Geist responded.

-----
(okay, I'm going to need to modify mission 6 a bit...)

------------------
Mars Gravior Sub Pace Latet

"Chaos will overwhelm the universe eventually, it is best to be on the winning side" Amon Nezumi

[This message has been edited by Geist (edited February 21, 2001).]

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Stonefish
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posted February 21, 2001 09:12 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Stonefish   Click Here to Email Stonefish        Reply w/Quote
Stonefish stepped back from the abyss, seemingly endless in its theatrical appropriatness. He wiped the sweat from his brow, and ran his fingers through his graying hair.

"Well, we're not going that way," he muttered.

Sighing, he pulled his Brantley 18mm Assault Rifle from its back holster and checked the action. Reaching for his belt, he retrieved an ammunition clip and slammed it home.

"Lock and load," he said, dramatically emphasizing the bolt action as he chambered the first round.

--
(OOC: Soz I haven't posted for a while, but I could never think of anything to say :P, and I must remember to get my copy of StarCraft back from my friend. Someone remind me. :PP)

------------------
--
Ramon Stonefish
Daishi's Fallen Angels

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Geist
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posted February 21, 2001 02:53 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Geist   Click Here to Email Geist        Reply w/Quote
Stephen read over the message he had just composed for his brother:

"...In conclusion, brother, I cannot do what you have asked me. Nezumi's possible utility to the New Empire is meaningless in the face of the threat he poses to all that we have built, both on Gauss and beyound."

"Once I left because I was tired of the fighting, of doing the things that I knew had to be done, but still left me feeling empty. I am not tired anymore, and if I have to betray your trust to make sure that madman Kosvor and his disciple, Solomon Aerikson, don't re-ignight an interstellar war, then so be it."

"I hope you understand, brother. I know that once you did."

Stephen typed the keystrokes that sent the transmission on its way to Parak.

He turned to his military executive officer. "It is time." He said. "Assemble the men."

-----

The POD officers finally emerged into daylight, perhaps kilometers from where they started. They had found no trace of Nezumi.

"Now what are we supposed to do?" Tycho asked, frustrated.

Geist began to answer, then suddenly vanished.

-----

He found himself in a chamber, before an ancient man in wholly unfamiliar robes.

"Welcome, Jociam Geist." He said. "I am Kosvor."

Geist shook his head. He was sick to death of wierd things happening all the time. "I don't suppose I'm asleep."

"Only in your perceptions. You are asleep to the realities of the universe."

"I'm sure you think so, but there are few things in this universe that I care less about. I assume you brought me here with some kind of force power because, everyone knows, force users just happen to be EVERYWHERE and nothing that I can do seems to get me away from them. So why don't you just explain what you want and save the psuedo religious force worshiper rhetoric."

"I brought you here at the request of my disciple." Kosvor responded.

"Let me guess." Geist said. "Nezumi wants to fight me so bad he got his pet living god to knab me."

"That isn't a nice thing to call Kosvor." Nezumi said as he emerged from behind a collumn. "If he weren't so trancendent, he would probably drop a mountain on you for that."

"I'm glad he's enlightened." A thought popped into Geist's head. "He's that clown that lead that crusade way back when, isn't he?"

Kosvor shook with anger. "The people of the galaxy hunger for the truth!" He yelled. "The cowardice my people showed in failing to acknowlege that..."

"Do I really have to listen to him?" Geist asked Nezumi.

"No." Nezumi responded. "We have our own business to finish." Once again, Nezumi ignited his lightsaber and attacked.

(okay, so I don't need to modify Mission 6)
(Argon, install the v1.07 patch again)
(Stonefish, get SC back)
(The rest of you, SEND ME REPORTS!)

------------------
Mars Gravior Sub Pace Latet

"Chaos will overwhelm the universe eventually, it is best to be on the winning side" Amon Nezumi

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COL Argon Viper
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posted February 23, 2001 08:57 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for COL Argon Viper   Click Here to Email COL Argon Viper        Reply w/Quote
"What the f*ck!?!"said Narm as Geist disapeared,"Where'd he go?" "I don't know said Daishi,"but we'd better find out. Viper, scout ahead, find any possible clue you can. Tycho, you've got rear guard. Let's go." Argon Viper moved forward at a fairly good clip, stopping only to examine possible traces and leave markers. Suddenly, a pit appeared ahead of him, only his quick reflexes managed to let him grab onto the side of it ten feet down. "Daishi"he said into his comlink,"I think I found something."
(COL Argon Viper)

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Tycho
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posted February 24, 2001 08:45 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Tycho   Click Here to Email Tycho        Reply w/Quote
Following orders, Tycho keeps a vigilant watch with his blaster at the ready.

The small group enters the pit and discovers a passageway at one end. It is very narrow--only one person at a time could squeeze through.

The sound of a blaster shot fills the air. Everyone turns and stares at Tycho, who explains why, "Sorry, got startled by this strange creature."

The creature he is talking about is 4 feet high at the shoulders, 8 feet long, and 2 feet wide. Five large tusks, razor sharp, jab out of its face, ready to rip a warm throat open.

"Lets keep moving," Viper commands.

The walls around the group expand to a point where the group can walk side by side, except for Tycho, who remains watching the rear.

They walk into a large chamber with walls made of packed earth. There is a soure of light, though it is not visible from the viewpoints of the group.

A loud sound echos through the subterannean room, grabbing the attention of everyone.

All of a sudden, little thin ropes of scarlet energy begin to fill the room...

IP: 152.163.206.20

Tycho
Citizen

Posts: 50
Registered: Feb 2001

posted February 24, 2001 08:45 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Tycho   Click Here to Email Tycho        Reply w/Quote
Following orders, Tycho keeps a vigilant watch with his blaster at the ready.

The small group enters the pit and discovers a passageway at one end. It is very narrow--only one person at a time could squeeze through.

The sound of a blaster shot fills the air. Everyone turns and stares at Tycho, who explains why, "Sorry, got startled by this strange creature."

The creature he is talking about is 4 feet high at the shoulders, 8 feet long, and 2 feet wide. Five large tusks, razor sharp, jab out of its face, ready to rip a warm throat open.

"Lets keep moving," Viper commands.

The walls around the group expand to a point where the group can walk side by side, except for Tycho, who remains watching the rear.

They walk into a large chamber with walls made of packed earth. There is a soure of light, though it is not visible from the viewpoints of the group.

A loud sound echos through the subterannean room, grabbing the attention of everyone.

All of a sudden, little thin ropes of scarlet energy begin to fill the room...

IP: 152.163.206.20

Daishi
Citizen

Posts: 147
Registered: Sep 2000

posted March 03, 2001 04:03 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Daishi   Click Here to Email Daishi        Reply w/Quote
Daishi quickly brought his double barreled blaster rifle into firing position and began returning fire.

There were probably twenty of Nezumi's troopers in there with them but those kind of odds are a cakewalk for the Fallen Angels.

Daishi watched as blaster bolt after blaster bolt found thier mark. Daishi even felt his armor doing it's job in stopping some direct hits.

As the last of the troopers fell Daishi lead the way out a long corridor to the surface. There he saw a sight that bewildered even him.

"So I guess you're still going to be a pain in my side for a bit longer yet Sortek?" Daishi said sarcasticly as he saw the forces arrayed in front of him.

"You really think I'd let you live this down?" Sortek replied with a slight grin on his face.

"Allright let's get down to buiseness." Daishi replied.

------------------
"Indecent exposure is fun." Sonatina

"If we have all knowladge then we would not wish to seek what we know, but if we had no knowledge how could we even ask a question?" Plato on knowladge.

"There are at the least three sides or choices to any situation." Me

IP: 63.15.111.8

COL Argon Viper
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Posts: 230
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posted March 03, 2001 09:51 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for COL Argon Viper   Click Here to Email COL Argon Viper        Reply w/Quote
COL Viper opens fire on the surrounding forces after hearing the dialogue between Daish and Sortek.

Shot after shot finds it's mark, but the enemy keeps coming. Sortek has disapeared, but Viper doubts that he bought the farm. Suddenly, he sees Tycho's fire shift to a point on the cave's roof.

He realises that this point is directly above the main entrance that the troopers are using, and pulls out the modified E-web he carries(there are advantages to being a Whiphid).

He opens fire on the troops as they enter, often killing three or four with one shot. With this and the rest of the POD wiping out the rest of them in the room, the danger to the group is greatly reduced.

But the troops keep pouring in, and the ammo for the E-web is limited, so the flood continues to get closer. As he tries to find a power outlet to plug the weapon in to, he asks Daishi,"Who is that Sortek guy anyways?"
(COL Argon "I don't know half of these people" Viper)

"Red, Red Wine"---A Jamaican Band(forgot the name)

IP: 12.96.127.12

Geist
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Posts: 113
Registered: Feb 2001

posted March 04, 2001 03:59 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Geist   Click Here to Email Geist        Reply w/Quote
"...The forces arived on Camelen field to parlay, each ordered to attack if they saw their opponent draw a weapon. One knight drew a sword to kill an asp, and the knights of the opposing side, in seeing the action, imediately fell on their enemy, therefore what followed was great slaughter..."

The old story had come back to haunt Stephen. Someone had jumped to the wrong conclusion and started firing. Now, soldiers, trained to react to such a threat, reacted. "Damnit!" He yelled to no one in particular.

In hindsight the reaction to the conversation of Stephen and Daishi made perfect sense. Both sides were on edge and couldn't wholly trust one another, but all this was doing was killing soldiers. Eventually this growing gunbattle would take on a life of its own.

"All soldiers, pull back for the maker's sake! Pull back and cease fire!" He ordered over his com system, then tuned to an old com channel that he hoped Daishi still monitored. "General Daishi. My men are standing down. I repeat, we are standing down!"

------------------
Mars Gravior Sub Pace Latet

"Don't you pull rank on me young man!" Geist to his CO

"Chaos will overwhelm the universe eventually, it is best to be on the winning side" Amon Nezumi

IP: 63.15.111.6

Daishi
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posted March 04, 2001 12:24 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Daishi   Click Here to Email Daishi        Reply w/Quote
"Understood." Daishi replied.

In one quick movement Daishi grabbed Argon's gun.

Daishi now just stood there with a rifle in each hand. It did not take a force user to realize that Daishi was about ready to beat the living daylights out of Argon.

"Soldier, that man and his troops were here to help us. That man also used to be my XO before he was forced to leave the Intruder Wing on charges of treason. I'll give you your gun back when I think you have learned a bit more self control." Daishi said with great obvious effort.

The rest of the POD could only stand there watching in amazement at the fact that Argon was still alive. Daishi had obviously become a very ruthless and uncaring person since the POD had taken up thier terroist tactics. That seemed amazing because before he still had little compassion for his enemies.

------------------
"Indecent exposure is fun." Sonatina

"If we have all knowladge then we would not wish to seek what we know, but if we had no knowledge how could we even ask a question?" Plato on knowladge.

"There are at the least three sides or choices to any situation." Me

IP: 63.15.111.13

Geist
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Posts: 113
Registered: Feb 2001

posted March 05, 2001 01:29 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Geist   Click Here to Email Geist        Reply w/Quote
"Perhaps it would be better if we kill him now." Master said. "I told you he was responsible for what happened to Geist."

"And in your classic Jedi arrogance," Stephen said as he entered the room, alone and unarmed. "You assume you know everything about what happened."

"What do I need to know?" Master said. "You turned him over to Nezumi, then you turned me over as well."

"Classic Jedi belief in a black and white world. The universe is gray, force worshiper, and nothing you or that moron Skywalker can do will change that."

"Enough." Daishi demaned. "This gets us nowhere. Master, if Sortek wanted to kill us he would have struck us from every direction with so much firepower all we could do is die. He would not have come out at the head of his troops and then attacked us. He doesn't think like that."

"People change."

"People change, tactics evolve, but military stupidity is still military stupidity." Stephen responded. "I have no interest in dying at the head of my army fighting old friends when I have ancient enemies to kill."

"Does that mean you know where Geist has been taken?" Daishi asked.

"Aye."

-----
(I will post more later)

------------------
Mars Gravior Sub Pace Latet

"Don't you pull rank on me young man!" Geist to his CO

"Chaos will overwhelm the universe eventually, it is best to be on the winning side" Amon Nezumi

IP: 63.15.111.15

Geist
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Posts: 113
Registered: Feb 2001

posted March 05, 2001 02:16 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Geist   Click Here to Email Geist        Reply w/Quote
"My people have been ignorant of outsiders for centuries. As far as we knew, we had always been here, and we were alone."

Stephen shook his head sadly. "Then a spacecraft crashed on our northern continent, according to the survivors they were members of a massive star spanning state called the 'Republic'. This set off a controversy among my people, who did not know how to cope with the knowledge that we were not alone."

"By this time we had achieved a state of unity on my world that had made war a thing of bad memories. The ruling government, through military conquest, had united the planet under the principles of our theocracy. We thought that all of humanity had been 'brought to the light' as my ancestors called it. The sudden knowlege that there were infact billions of sentient lifeforms out there without any understanding of the Maker plunged Gauss into a crisis of faith. Unfortunately we came to the wrong decision."

"War industries that hadn't been active in years began to feed a military buildup the likes of which had never been seen on Gauss. Using analogs of the hyperdrive salvaged from the crashed republic vessel, we built an armada of warcruisers and troop carriers. Soon we had an army of millions of men, and we launched them into space with a simple directive. Bring the light to the gallaxy. By force."

"Perhaps fortunately, the leaders of the day, led by a powerful force user, what we call mindwalkers, named Eelaam Kosvor had no understanding of what they were getting into. My people subdued a handful of worlds, but never got any farther. In the end Kosvor's own disciple, Solomon Aerikson, who you know as Amon Nezumi, left the planet in disgust. This, combined with Kosvor's eventual descent into a state of insanity, caused the religious council to lead the planet into isolation from the rest of the Gallaxy."

"But Kosvor still lives. His followers have been preparing for a hundred years for another chance to subdue the gallaxy. Now that Nezumi has returned I suspect they will try again."

"Their temple is located several hundred kilometers to the southwest of the Capital. I have no doubt that we will find Geist there."

------------------
Mars Gravior Sub Pace Latet

"Don't you pull rank on me young man!" Geist to his CO

"Chaos will overwhelm the universe eventually, it is best to be on the winning side" Amon Nezumi

IP: 63.15.111.15

Stonefish
Citizen

Posts: 60
Registered: Feb 2001

posted March 07, 2001 07:49 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Stonefish   Click Here to Email Stonefish        Reply w/Quote
"And while we're at it, do you mind if I get a little medieval on this Kosvor's behind for what he did to my people?" Stonefish queried from the rear of the group, "The few memories I have of home are bad ones because of him, and I would like to see that he doesn't survive this encounter to try again. Me, you, and everyone else in the Galaxy can do without that."

(OOC: Yay! I've finally managed to retrieve StarCraft!!! )

------------------
--
Ramon Stonefish
Daishi's Fallen Angels

IP: 213.1.156.7

Geist
Citizen

Posts: 113
Registered: Feb 2001

posted March 08, 2001 05:32 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Geist   Click Here to Email Geist        Reply w/Quote
There was a drink that Geist occasionally partook in back during his service in Nezumi's band. A drink of his own concotion he called a Space Monkey. The potent mix of alcohol, intoxicating fruit juice, and artificial stimulants was often more than enough on its own to drop a grown man in his tracks and leave him with an incredible headache afterwards.

Right now Geist felt much like he did when the numbing effects wore off and all that was left was the pain. He began to push the ruble from the pillar he had just been hurled into off him and struggled to his feet.

"Surely you have more than that in you Major." Nezumi said as he circled him.

"I thought I made it clear when I ran off a cliff that I didn't want to fight you." Geist responded. Nezumi had used his apparently extensive command of the force to hurl him into the pillar.

"You are the one who wanted to kill me." Nezumi responded. "I had no problem with you at all."

"When you shot Stan, you made a problem with me."

"Oh come on, Geist." Nezumi shot back. "By shooting the man I perhaps increased their eficiency by several orders of magnitude. That man had no business with a flag rank."

"That wasn't your decision to make!" Geist responded angrily.

"Wasn't it? You hired me and my men to ensure the security of the Intruder Wing. It isn't my fault that the actions I took disagree with you."

"Don't stand here and argue legaleze with me Nezumi. We aren't new republic. You commited treason. The penalty for that is death."

"Then kill me."

"I guess I don't have any choice." Geist said. "If I somehow get out of this funhouse you'll just have your pet god use his infinite cheeze beam to bring me back." He ran his armor through a quick diagnostic and found that neither of his arm mounted lightsabers seemed to be functioning. "I seem to be weaponless."

"No problem." Nezumi extended his hands and a Katana-style sword materialized in each. He threw one to Geist. "Having a guy who can do that for a freind is nice, isn't it."

"More like sick." Geist found the button he expected to find on the hilt and pressed it. With a disturbing hum the weapon began to vibrate on the subatomic level, generating enough heat to turn the blade white hot and making it one of the best cutting weapons in existance this side of a lightsaber.

"You ready?" Nezumi asked.

"No, but lets get this over with anyway."

Once again the battle was joined.

------------------
Mars Gravior Sub Pace Latet

"Don't you pull rank on me young man!" Geist to his CO

"Chaos will overwhelm the universe eventually, it is best to be on the winning side" Amon Nezumi

IP: 63.15.111.13

COL Argon Viper
Citizen

Posts: 230
Registered: Feb 2001

posted March 09, 2001 12:27 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for COL Argon Viper   Click Here to Email COL Argon Viper        Reply w/Quote
As the group moves toward Geist, Argon Viper moves up next to Sortek. "Hey, sorry about shooting at your troops,"he said"I just assumed to much in what Daishi said." "If we can still accoplish my objectives, you'll be forgiven,"returns Sortek"If not, well if not, it won't really matter..."

(COL Argon Viper{ret} sorry about the shooting, interpreted Daish wrongly on that one)

IP: 12.96.127.7

Stonefish
Citizen

Posts: 60
Registered: Feb 2001

posted March 09, 2001 06:05 PM     Click Here to See the Profile for Stonefish   Click Here to Email Stonefish        Reply w/Quote
As the group moved through the canyons around Nezumi's base, they were growing overbold, and began to lower their guard. They were rewarded by a hail of blaster fire from further up the canyon which sent them diving for cover.

"Ambush!" cried Viper, "It's an ambush!"

The fire began to lift clouds of dust and debris from the boulders and canyon walls, sending gravel raining down on the commandos hiding in the sparse cover they had.

Return fire was loose and sporadic, since they were pinned down pretty effectively.

"It won't be long until they get on to the cliffs above us!" Daishi said to Garrett.

"Don't worry, I have a plan. Covering fire!" he ordered his troops.

"There's a cave system that runs underneath these cliffs and almost to the temple," he informed the Angels, "I'm hoping that the recent distrubances haven't collapsed any of the tunnels, and that Nezumi hasn't moved any of his 'pets' inside."

"How do you know all this?" asked Master.

"The Gaussian resistance used to operate out of here during the Crusades until we moved in and shut them down," he paused, "I just wish we had some better cover to make a break for the cave mouth."

Stonefish looked at Master, who nodded. They both went quiet, and looked as if in deep concentration.

The cliffs ahead of them began to rumble and crack. Sweat began to roll down the faces of the two Jedi. At first just trickles of dust seeped down the cliff face, and then with an almighty crack, the cliff began to fall away.

"Found a fissure not too far back. The rubble falling should give us enough cover. Let's move!" said Master.

(/me loves messing with people's plots... >

------------------
--
Ramon Stonefish
Daishi's Fallen Angels

IP: 213.1.66.15

Geist
Citizen

Posts: 113
Registered: Feb 2001

posted March 12, 2001 01:34 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Geist   Click Here to Email Geist        Reply w/Quote
A band of identical droids, members of the semi-infamous JETHRO line, stood at guard, Cowbender repulsor rifles at ready, watching a brood of alien creatures in a semi-enclosed stone pen. The creatures, former servants of the hybrid Kaathiraan, had become uncooperative after learning of the death of their queen. Kameron, watching over the base while Boss Nezumi fought Geist, had heard rumblings from the aliens about pledging loyalty to "Great Death, leader of the fallen". Something like that couldn't be allowed, not with things as they stood now.

Kameron freely admited now that he did not understand what the Boss was planning. He had turned over the rebel army they had raised to this Garrett guy, let the IW commandos run amok in the catacombs, and now they had allied themselves with yet another faction opposed to the mainstream government of the planet, which would only lead to another conflict. Each battle had cost the ASADCOTG more resources. Ferox had vanished, the JETHRO line had lost dozens of droids, Mellisaa had fled to help her boyfreind in his futile atempt to kill the Boss, the rebel army they had assembled had been just given away, even Kaathiraan, Nezumi's great lifemate (in as much as anyone could be worthy of the Boss!) was dead. But why?

It didn't really matter. The boss was always right. That was something Geist and Mellisaa never understood. All would be clear in the end, for the Boss was never wrong. Everything came out exactly as he planned. Everything geared towards the higher goal. Purification of the galactic soul. Amon Nezumi was never wrong.

------------------
Mars Gravior Sub Pace Latet

"Don't you pull rank on me young man!" Geist to his CO

"Chaos will overwhelm the universe eventually, it is best to be on the winning side" Amon Nezumi

IP: 63.16.0.15

Stonefish
Citizen

Posts: 60
Registered: Feb 2001

posted March 19, 2001 09:32 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Stonefish   Click Here to Email Stonefish        Reply w/Quote
Underground complex



Daishi scanned the tunnel ahead with his IR goggles, same as in the artificial light - nothing. He motioned the team forward again, at the intersection, Garrett motioned for them to take the left fork. Behind them, they heard an massive explosion, and the sound of tumbling rock, dust trickled down from the roof of the tunnel.

"What was that," Daishi asked flatly.

Viper smiled a little sheepishly, "I left a few tripmines at the entrance of the tunnels system, I guess I must have misread the ton rating."

"Well, at least the caves haven't collapsed on us, I just hope they haven't collapsed around us, if they have, we should look forward to dying slowly of suffocation."

They moved on, three forks later, they came to a pile of rubble blocking their path. Viper looked a little apprehensive until Master calmed him by saying, "Whatever did this, it's been down years, is there another path through to the temple?"

"Yes, though this was the quickest route. This way," replied Garrett, motioning everyone back the other way.

------------------
--
Ramon Stonefish
Daishi's Fallen Angels

IP: 213.122.203.7

Geist
Citizen

Posts: 113
Registered: Feb 2001

posted May 02, 2001 02:17 AM     Click Here to See the Profile for Geist   Click Here to Email Geist        Reply w/Quote
(it's been a while, a fair amount of stuff got lost, but I think its time to come up with a conclusion to this one...)

Every strike Geist delivered was effortlessly parried away. Every block only barely deflected Amon's attacks. Nezumi fought at a level of pure instinct, without conscious thought and consideration, only action. His skills honned over a hundred years of fighting nightmares, Nezumi instantly knew what attacks would have the most effect.

The only thing that kept Geist alive was his own considerable fighting skill and not a small amount of desperation.

"Is this all you have in you, Geist?" Nezumi demanded. "After all that training, is this really all you have?"

Geist spun away from a lateral cut, a sudden inspiration popping into his head. Why had it taken him this long to come up with this? He dropped his vibroblade.

"What the hell are you doing, Major?" Nezumi demanded, his sword at ready.

"I don't want to fight you, Amon." Geist responded. "And I don't think you really want to fight me, either."

"That's an interesting theory," Nezumi said, choking back a chuckle. "Are you next going to tell me that there is still good in me; you feel it? That is SOOOO skywalker."

"Nez, you don't want to kill me. I've seen you go after people you wanted to kill. If you wanted me dead I'd already be dead. This whole personal combat thing is a farce."

"I don't give outs for stupidity, Geist. A broken weapon is one thing, this... Goodbye major."

This had better work. Nezumi brought his sword up for the skull splitting stroke. At that instant Geist focused on him.

Every muscle in Nezumi's body suddenly became wracked with pain. He dropped to the ground when his left femur exploded from within.

Geist released Nezumi, the familiar exhaustion present after the exertion of his force abilities. He picked up his sword.

"You...clever...son of a quazetezer," Nezumi said through the agony. Geist had broken both of his legs with his force ability.

"I needed you to pause for a moment to do that." Geist responded. "I couldn't concentrate enough while I fought you."

"So...are you gonna kill me now?" Nezumi asked, more with curiosity than anything else.

Geist was tempted. Sorely tempted. It would only take a small effort. He could just reach out with his force talent and mash Nezumi's brain... The others, Master and Mellisaa in particular, wouldn't like it, but if they got in the way...

An image of Eucilid popped into his head, gasping for air. Another, far more disturbing image, that of a four year old child standing alone and crying, followed. "No," He said, more to himself. "I'm going to bring you back to stand trial for treason." Had he really been thinking THAT? Mellisaa? Dear lord.

Just then, an alarm began to sound.

-----

Admiral Davd Quarrell nodded as his ships began firing. Within the next two minutes there would not be a single structure standing within the crusader stronghold. That was all Karl Garrett wanted. He wanted this place destroyed.

-----

"You'd best get out of her, Major, before this whole place comes down on you." Nezumi said.

"I'm bringing you with me. You won't get away this time."

"You think this was my idea? I'm as suprised as you..." Nezumi stopped, a suprised look on his face. He began to laugh.

"An ancient prophecy, a need for power, my god, I understand now! It's so brilliant, so flawless, Jociam, you are a genius, a master, a virtuoso! This is art of the highest magnitude!"

"What are you talking about?" Geist demanded. "What have I..."

Nezumi gave Geist a wierd look. "Get out of here now Major. There isn't enough time to get us both out. He's seen to that. He's seen to every detail. Go, now!"

Large sections of roof began to fall, Geist couldn't stand and argue any longer. He ran, the haunting laughter of Amon Nezumi chasing him as he left the chamber.

Inside, Nezumi watched the roof begin it's final collapse. He smiled. A work of art.


(alright, if anyone has something they would like to add to the battle, go for it. I'll add another post to tie up all the loose ends in about a week.)


------------------
Jociam Geist
Lt Colonel (ret) Intruder Wing

"I did it. Do you think I've gone to far?" -Dave Mathews Band

"A warrior leaves broken bodies in his wake because he knows the dead can never harm him." -Vlad Ward

"Quiet! A few more spot welds and lilly will be invincible!" -Uribitaki

[This message has been edited by Geist (edited May 02, 2001).]

IP: 63.15.111.23


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