It was barely a week after Kaph and Nazgul returned from their infiltration mission.  Most of the rest of Kaph Squadron was catching up with sleep, but not Than Sion.  He was on another paper work roll and wouldn't quit until his desk was cleared or he was ordered to do something else.  The later came when Line Captain Shazam entered Than Sion's office with a file under his left arm.  As he had done many times in the past, Than Sion stood up and saluted his superior.  Shazam returned the favor.  Shazam Money threw the file on Sion's desk.

"What is this, sir?" asked Kaph Leader not having a guess to his own answer.

"Well, Ensign, you have been given the great honor of taking part in a political campaign on one of the Vast Empire's controlled worlds," replied Shazam."

Sion's heart skipped a beat at hearing this.  If there was ever something he hated more than the New Republic, it would be politicians and politics.  He had that feeling that a kid gets when punished for breaking a lamp.

"What did I do to receive this honor of an assignment?" asked Sion, barely veiling his sarcasm.

"The higher ups watch what you do Lieutenant Sion.  We have noticed you are not very good when it comes to diplomatic skills.  Don't get me wrong, you are a pretty good commander, but you could be better if you took some pointers from an expert on the subject you lack in."

Than Sion opened the file.  "So you want me to learn from this Ambassador Kelly."

"Not only do I want you to, but I order you to.  See, you will be convincing the people of Yenta Prime that the Vast Empire is not a blood hungry military state bent on galactic domination.  It isn't that hard really, all you have to do is listen to Kelly and you'll be fine.  Everything you need to learn in the mean time is in that file.  I expect you to read it."

"Yes sir," replied Kaph 1.

"Good," prepare to ship out in 3 hours.

With that there was another trading of salutes before Shazam left.  As soon as he did, Sion sat down and dropped his head onto his desk.  Kaph Leader would rather have taken on a Lancer Frigate single handily than do the assignment put before him.  Sion understood that politics had its place in society, but that place wasn't suppose to overlap with his own.  As far as he was concerned, politicians were a bunch of back stabbing, slow working, corrupted, power hungry, liars whose purpose in life was to do the bidding of large corporations before the actual people so that they could benefit from the situation.  At least in the military we give the opponent the courteously of death over humiliation.


Space Port


Than Sion was thinking of ways he could still get out of this while he waited to meet the ambassador inside the Lambda Class Shuttle.  He had on his clean, unwrinkled, parade ground uniform with all his metals.  His boots were polished and he was even wearing the cap that he was suppose to still wear since he was a junior officer.  He had his flight bag on the seat to his left.  He prevented himself from grinning in an evil fashion when Ambassador Kelly entered the shuttle.  He was wearing a custom tailored, grey suit with shoes that almost out shined his boots.  He had slick, black hair and a flawless smile.  He was the stereotypical politician, or lawyer, basically interchangeable.  Sion took pleasure in the fact that he only had to shake his hand, not salute him.

"Very good, very good," commented Kelly.  "You have a firm hand shake.  It helps people to remember you in a positive way.  I have something to work off of."  He looked down at a location on Sion's belt.  "Though I see that I also have a long way to go.  You shouldn't wear that blaster.  It makes you look paranoid, like a war lord afraid that someone will stab you in the back at any minute.  Besides, you shouldn't worry about defending yourself.  Isn't that what the Storm Troopers are for?"

As soon as Kelly looked away for a couple of seconds, Sion and the two de helmeted Storm Troopers traded looks.  The non verbal conversation was something on the line of Sion asking them to save him and the troopers showing that they felt sorry for him but were glade they weren't in his shoes.

"Storm Troopers are not always going to be there," replied Sion.  Let me put together a scenario for you.  You think we are safe right, we have the Storm Troopers protecting us after all.  At some point I go away from the guards to get something out of a vending machine.  All of a sudden some crazed supporter of the rebels begins to whip out a gun.  If I have my blaster, he has his brains exit his body.  If I didn't, then I am shot six times in the chest and die."

"See that is the problem, you can't be so scared of someone coming after you.  The place we will be staying at has good security, anybody who even had a single hair that looked like it was against you would be taken care of.  Also, don't talk so graphically.  It makes you seem blood thirsty.  Even beyond that, your form was too accusing of me.  You can't get someone to do what you want with that attitude."  Hmm maybe that was my point.  By the way, in my experience if people don't do what we want, we just shoot them.  "You have much to learn, much to learn."

I think this is a lot like when I took Coruscant history in the Academy.  You learn as much as you can to get by and then forget it all.

"No one ever said that I had a lot of experience in diplomacy."  The exact opposite, actually..

"That is probably why Line Captain Shazam sent you instead of himself."

Oh, now I see why this went down.  Shaz didn't want to do it so he stuck me with the job.  That was nice of him.

 
-----------------------
ESC/ESN Than Sion/Kaph 5/Wing 1/mSSD Atrus/DEF/VEN/VE(=A=)(=*SA*=)(=MA=)[LoM][VC:S][CBV](x2)[MC:1][GWC]{VB}

--SC of Kaph Squadron

Elite is our title, we must defend this honor!

The ambassador continued with his political nonsense deep into hyperspace.  Than Sion was amazed that one man could talk so long about such a boring topic.  He was beginning to hope that an interdictory cruiser would pull them out of hyperspace and have X-Wings blow them to pieces so that he would be put out of his misery.  Though after four hours of this political lecturing, he lost all hope of such luck.  Though there was one comfort, he still had his pistol.  The only question was if it would be better to shoot him or Kelly.  Unfortunately this wasn't the old Empire, thus he wouldn't get away with the later.  So he just sat there, waiting out the bullshit.


Handbess Four


Than Sion said a small prayer of gratitude when they came out of hyperspace.  This is because Kelly actually shut up for a brief moment when it happened.  Handbess 4 was basically either highland or swamp.  It had no oceans, only a collection of small seas here and there.  The capital was built within and on the sides of a vast canyon which river had dried up long ago.  The only large scale farming that took place on the planet was in the form of a rice like plant.  Though that wasn't the reason that the Empire had been interested in it two decades ago.  The planet had large deposits of both titanium and iron which were both useful materials for the Imperial war machine.

"The political changes of this planet in the past century are very interesting," started Kelly.  "For twelve years it was in the iron fist of the Galactic Empire.  When the second Death Star was destroyed, taking the Emperor with it, the galaxy went into a stage of chaos.  During the havoc, the people of this planet rose up against the Imperial forces and gained their independence once more.  They had it only for a handful of years before the Vast Empire invaded.  We have the job of convincing them that this was a good thing and that we liberated them from their corrupted government."

"But that isn't true," replied Sion.  "We are only here because we need the resources."

"What does that matter?  Politics isn't about what really goes on but what is perceived to be happening.  Do you understand?"

"Clearly," replied Sion in an 'I already knew that' tone.

"Excellent, we have the ground work laid for you."

He heard the sound of comfort as the words of 'wisdom' went on while the entered the atmosphere.  He could never get enough of the screaming sound iconic of the TIE model fighters.  Better yet, there were four of them.  He never really enjoyed escort mission of such nature, but right now he had no greater wish than to trade places with one of them.

Sion watched objects appear on the surface and get bigger.  The canyon was more than visible right now.  It was a large crack dividing the earth.  He liked the decorations that lined the rim, turbo laser batteries and AA guns were always a nice touch.  The Canyon wasn't much to look at, gray stone covered with durasteel edifices.  If anything short of a pre fabricated fortress screamed Imperial architecture, nothing did.  Their escorts broke off from their Lambda when they approached the landing platform.  They were greeted by an honor guard and the puppet leader of Handbess, Jak Wilson.

"As the Minister of this world, I would like to be the first to welcome you here, Lieutenant Sion and Ambassador Kelly.  On behalf of the people of Handbess 4; we are honored to have you here."

Than Sion took some pleasure in being addressed first.  He was still bitter about the fact that he somehow was talked into using the regulation shoulder holster.

"On behalf of the Vast Empire, we are grateful for your welcome," returned Than holding out his hand.  I feel sorry for you Jak, you are more screwed over in this situation than I am.

The ambassador followed suit, then the group walking inside.  As they walked down the hall, Sion noticed that the inside was not much better than the exterior.  It had the standard rectangular light panels with bare metal walls and the equally spaced support ribs.  Everything was functional, everything was Imperial.  The group filled into conference room where they met up with more mud slingers.  Sion wondered if he had died and went to hell, because the room was swarming with politicians.  Kelly went to the display controls in the front of the room.  Behind him was the VE Crest on a long, cloth tapestry that went from ceiling to floor.  So, you're running this lying fest, Ambassador.  May God have mercy on the inhabitants of this planet.

"Welcome my fellow Imperials," began Kelly.  "Some of you already know the focus of this meeting.  For those of you that don't, I would like to inform you that we have a problem.  The people of this great planet are unhappy with the government.  This is expressed in many ways and by many groups in society.  The one that we are most worried about are the extremists, the common people who speak out against the government.  Now that doesn't mean they are our only target, we must convince everybody that our being here is best for the planet.  In order to do that we need better public relations with the military and the citizens on this planet.  That is why we have the Lieutenant here with us today."

"I have a question," stated Sion.  "When you say extremists I usually think of terrorists, not public demonstrators."

"What is the difference," relied Kelly.  "They are both hampering the goals of the government.  Continuing on, we will be holding a public speaking tomorrow.  It will be focused on showing the people the benefits of being a member of the Vast Empire.  Those of you that will be taking part will receive folders with guide lines on what you are to say.  Put something together tonight based off those folders and have at least someone else look it over.  This is important because..." 

Kelly continued on with minor details for the next half an hour, most of which Sion's body was present but his mind was somewhere else.  Sion was the first one out of the room when the meeting ended.  Not knowing what to do, he looked into his file.  He was happy to see that it contained a key card to his room, not so happy to see that it also contained a pretty thick packet of paper.  He began looking through it as he navigated to his quarters.  In a nut shell, he was to tell the people what protection the military provides for the people of Handbess.  The points he was given to work off of had many things about the NR that even he, who's parents had been killed by NR soldiers, could tell were exaggerations.  All of a sudden he bumped into someone and his papers hit the ground.  It was a dark haired, female human about his age in a red dress.  She had also been at the meeting.

"Sorry miss...no I got it...I'm fine really," apologized Sion as he picked up his documents.

"So you're the Lieutenant," stated the women.

"That would be me, Ensign Than Sion to be exact," replied Kaph 1.  "Commander of the Elite Kaph Squadron actually, you are?"

"Senator Victoria Fletcher," replied the Woman.

"Congrats on receiving your position at such a young age."

"Well it isn't..." she cut off remembering who Sion was or maybe what Sion was.

Sion looked around too see if anybody was near by.  He then leaned over and whispered to Victoria.  "I understand, the government you are part of is a puppet for the Vast Empire war machine."

She pulled him not to gently into an empty room.  He was grateful that Skylla wasn't here or he would be in trouble.

"You're an officer in the Navy," she stated in a low voice with a confused tone.  "Such words could be taken as treason."

"I know, why did do you think I looked around first?"  Sion didn't understand why she was so upset.  No harm had been done by the comment, he just showed her that he understood.  "What is such the problem?"

"I'm sorry, I am a bit shaky about things of late.  Just, just don't talk like that anymore."

"I'll try not to, let's leave before people start thinking things."


Two hours later in his room, he still couldn't understand why Victoria had been so upset.  She obviously understood both that what he said was true and that no one heard it.  At this point he was also half way through the writing of his speech.  He didn't know what he hated more, that he had to bullshit the people or that he actually knew how to do it.  Too much experience with making a grim situation look better.  He kept on writing though for he had no choice.


Kadann Square     

He couldn't believe it, they actually named the square after the Grand Moff.  No wonder people saw the Imperialism here.  The square was actually a large platform at the base of the platform.  It had the black plating on it iconic of Star Destroyer hangers.  Kelly began the speaking with a whole bunch of stuff associated with "good" relations between the VE and Handbess governments.  The basic we are your friends gig.  Then another guy came up with something about how the VE provided jobs for the people reducing unemployment and such though mining and military careers. 

It was then Kaph Leader's turn.  He went up to the podium and began with telling the people about his experience with the Navy.  Then he went into the protection that the Navy provided closely followed by the protection that the military provided as a whole.  Next, came his part about how evil the New Republic was and what they have done to the galaxy and what they would do to Handbess.  He never talked about the deaths of his parents, the bureaucrats weren't worthy of that story.  He finished with a piece on the men who died to defend the VE.  He stepped down knowing half of what he said was lies.

To his surprise, it was actually Victoria's turn next.  He never did find out what was in her folder.

"I am here to talk about the freedoms that the VE provides to the people," she began in a diplomatic voice.  But that changed with what was said next.  "I'll tell you right now, they don't exist.  The Imperials have tightened their iron grip on our planet so that they could steal our resources.  That is right, our resources.  They draft our people into their military to add to the war machine of Imperialism..."

She was pointing at Than when she said this.  If she would have been a random person on the street, he would have defended himself.  But he felt oddly demoralized by the words of this woman, so he just sat there and took it.  Kelly, on the other hand, was not so docile.  He was talking to someone backstage.  A few minutes later, a pair of Storm Troopers came out on stage, right toward Victoria.
There was a cry heard throughout the crowd.  "Power to the People!"  The storm troopers were suddenly riddled with blaster fire.  Sion's eyes caught where it was coming from.  Two men had repeater pistols in their grip.  But they weren't alone, others had guns of various sizes and makes.  Victoria jumped from the stage as it came under fire.  Any former feelings of self reflection left him has the cold logic system kicked in.  Sion drew his DL-44 from the inside of his tunic and started shooting back.  The politicians were scrambling for safety, lying low, or dead.  He heard a cry to his right, it was Kelly and he had been hit.

"Happy I brought a gun now, old man?" said Sion, ending his respect act at that very moment.  "Paranoid you told me.  Who is the one with a shot to the chest now!  I have half the mind to leave you here, but I am not going to do that."

With that, Sion made a dash for behind the back drop with Kelly in tow.  As a wise man once said, the shit has hit the fan.

(2000+ Words)
 
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ESC/ESN Than Sion/Kaph 5/Wing 1/mSSD Atrus/DEF/VEN/VE(=A=)(=*SA*=)(=MA=)[LoM][VC:S][CBV](x2)[MC:1][GWC]{VB}

--SC of Kaph Squadron

Elite is our title, we must defend this honor!

There was only Kelly and Sion inside the small building behind the square.  Than Sion leaned his head around the wall and looked up the VIP staircase that led out of the square.  He jerked his head back behind cover.  On the board walk above were three revolutionaries guarding that way out.  They had hostages.  Too heavily armed for me to take them on alone.  Got to find a different way out.  He didn't have much time, they would come back here soon since the current force of Storm Troopers wouldn't hold out long.  He looked down at Kelly, his eyes were glazed over.  Sion checked his pulse, he was dead.  Good luck in hell.  Kaph Leader then noticed an access panel.  He removed it to find a small entrance into a tube that contained a ladder that lead up to the stage's lighting cat walk.  It was closed off, so going that route would give him cover unless someone looked up.  He crawled in and replaced the panel behind him. 

He went up the ladder and quietly began crossing the catwalk.  His uniform was soaked with sweat under the arms.  He was also breathing hard.  Despite the signs, he was not in a panic.  His mind was completely calm, his emotions were ice cold.  No one bothered to look up, he made it to the other side without incident.  He saw that there was a large wire crossing between the lighting and a near by building.  After testing its strength, Sion brought his legs and arms up around it and began to shimmy across.  He wasn't too worried about anybody paying attention to him.  The rebels were too occupied taking on the recently arrived troopers and tanks.  There was a flash of light and fire at about the same moment that Sion lost his hat.  A Molotov cocktail had been thrown at one of the tanks.  The burning Storm Trooper in the turret was being pulled out by his fellow troopers when Sion made it to the edifice.  He let his feet drop down and began to swing back and forth.  He drove his boot through a window. 

He felt bits of glass cut his legs as he hit the floor of what appeared to be a living room.  Kaph 1 had his pistol out before the last shard of glass hit the ground.  He stood up and began to search the home for anybody that might be hiding from him.  Good, it doesn't seem like a big piece got me.  It didn't take him long, it seemed to be an apartment he had dropped into.  He found that he was alone.  He looked back at the square, it didn't look good.  The innocent civilians that could, had fled the scene starting when the first shots rang out.  Now it was just the revolutionaries and Imperials fighting it out.  Neither side seemed to be winning either, it was a big fire fight that could sway either way.  He heard a noise associated with a certain model of aircraft.  I know that engine sound...it's an X-Wing!

He was right, the snub fighter came racing over the building Sion was in.  It opened fire on the Imperial forces.  He watched a streak of light fire out from the fighter.  It made contact with the ground and exploded, taking out two of the light tanks with it.  I hate X-Wings.  This is going to be bad, the NR is involved.  This planet is on the edge of VE space and the military presence here isn't big enough to repel a full scale attack.  Depending on the size of the NR force, this planet could be under Republic control before nightfall.  Who knows how long it will take for reinforcements to arrive?  That is if they even do.

He was going to have to save himself.  He couldn't head back to the hotel, it could be compromised.  He praised himself for always packing light as he made his way to the apartment's bed room.  He removed his belt and got out of his military tunic.  He started removing his medals from the uniform, dropping them on the neatly made bed.  When he was finished with those, he took off the rank plaque and pulled out the rank cylinders.  He removed his boots and pulled off his grey, naval trousers.  He was now in nothing but his underwear, a pair of white socks, and a pistol holster.  Sion removed the holster before he started going through drawers.  He removed a tan bra from one of them.  After actually toying with the idea of disguising himself as a woman, he came to the conclusion that he wouldn't be able to pull it off.  He went over to another dresser and thanked God when he found that it contained men's clothes.  He quickly picked out a pair of black cargo pants and a matching tunic.  To his luck, they both fit him well. 

He then went over to the closet.  To his delight, there was a trench coat inside.  He put it on and was buttoning it up when he noticed a glint in the corner of the closet.  He pushed some cloths aside to find an Epson Riot rifle propped innocently up against the wall.  I have a feeling that this guy is out there in the Square right now.  Sion removed one arm from the trench coats and place the gun strap around his neck.  It seemed to have been fitted for the purpose of sitting under the coat.  He then looked through the things on the shelf at the top of the closet.  He found an ammunition box containing extra clips which he shoved into the pockets of the trench coat.  He also found a ski mask.  I might need this later, Kaph Leader thought before stuffing it in one of the empty pockets.  He grabbed a beret style hat and a pair of sun glasses which he place on the respected locations of his head. 

Sion returned to the bed where he retrieved the holster and his pistol.  He mounted it inside the trench coat opposite to the riot rifle.  He then grabbed his medals and stuck them in a pocket on his pants.  He did the same with the cylinders and plaque.  He wouldn't be leaving them behind with his uniform.  He buttoned up the trench coat and put his boots back on.  Sion then grabbed his uniform and headed for the kitchen area.  He ditched his uniform in a disposal shoot there.  He grabbed some energy bars and other on the go food from one of the cupboards.  He stuck a water battle as well in one of the inside pockets of the trench coat.  He hoped it all would be enough since he didn't know how long it would be before he would have access to more sustenance.  In a take over situation his IC's might become useless.  Exchanging them would allow too much of a chance for identification.  He left the kitchen area and headed out the door...


He walked casually through the hallway of the apartment complex.  He wasn't too worried about being identified as the Vast Empire's Military Representative for two reasons.  One, the people associated him with the uniform.  Two, his eyes were iconic in people's identification of him.  They were now covered.  He went to the repulsor lift, hitting the up button.  He planned to see if VE HQ had been over run yet.  If not, he would have an easy way off planet.  More likely, if so, he would have to come up with another plan.  He had to go up because it was on one of the higher platforms.  The elevator door opened to reveal a group of Rebel Soldiers who quickly rushed past him.  They never gave him a second look.  He watched them kick in a door as the repulsor lift closed up.  He always felt weird in an elevator.  To Sion it felt like the lift was staying in place and the building was actually moving.  The repulsor lift chimed as the door opened up to sunlight.  The sky was dotted with ships of different makes and sizes and explosions.  There was no doubt that the NR forces greatly out numbered the Imperial's assigned to the planet.  His earlier prediction was correct, the planet would be in the hands of the NR by night fall.  A pity that Kelly didn't live to see where his bullshit got this world.

He swiftly walked north on a side walk that was more like a cat walk.  He made his way into the government district which didn't look much different from the rest of the city, durasteel and permacrete.  His earlier question had been answered, the Head Quarters building had been skinned by a bomb.  Time for a new plan.  He then noticed a recently placed poster on the wall.  The female face upon it was very familiar.  I think we need to have another chat, senator.  Thought Sion as he finished reading through the poster.  She would be speaking again at the square tonight.


1900 Hours


He was once again in "Kadann Square."  There were three major differences between then and now.  One, it was a lot messier.  The black plating was badly damaged by air support bombing.  Though the bodies had been removed, the twisted bodies of tanks and black blood stains remained.  Two, there was no longer an Imperial flag upon the central flag pole.  It was replaced by the star collared, blue Rebel Alliance symbol of the New Republic.  Three, Sion was on the opposite side of the podium.

Jak Wilson stepped up to the podium.  It was more than slightly amusing that after the blood bath, the stage was mostly intact.  The only real damage was some blaster scarring and blood stains.  so, you're now running the show, Jak.  I can't say I hate you for it.  Hell, I could even say that I am happy for you.  Your strings have been cut.

"Welcome, men and woman of Handbess 4," began the Minister.  "Today you stand before me as people free of the Imperial iron fist.  Today a joint operation between local militia and New Republic forces wiped the Imperial scourge clean from the face of Handbess.  As long as one Imperial still lives, so does the Empire."  Unidentified Imperial Officer.  "It all began this morning with the cries of a single woman.  That woman is Senator Victoria Fletcher.  For her bravery, Kadann Square will be renamed Victoria Square."  At least have enough respect to refer to the Grand Moff in a monotone.  Sion's earlier philosophical doubts had bleed mostly away when the cold logic system kicked in.  "With no further delay I present to you, Senator Fletcher."

Victoria returned to the podium.  "As you all know, this is the second time I have taken this very podium today.  The first was following the Imperial swine who dared to mix up protection with containment.  If he is still alive, he doesn't deserve to call himself Lieutenant."  Hey, you can't say that until after you have been through fighter mission after fighter mission for the last several years.  You sit down before I get ideas from your earlier friends!

He didn't get trigger happy during the speech, through, which he actually listen to every word of New Republic propaganda.  He didn't feel as bad about his earlier deceit, the NR thought up just as bad if not worst things to throw back.  No one could see his eyes, which was good.  His gaze would have frozen them to death.  He was like Enzadi right now, clutching and un clutching his fists.  One thing was for certain, he was out for blood.  All the Storm Troopers here were just doing their jobs, but she referred to them as evil, mindless drones of the Empire.  He wanted to jump up on the stage and bash her face in for trivializing the lives of such honorable men.  I'll get my chance, oh will I get my chance...

(2000+ Words)


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ESC/ESN Than Sion/Kaph 5/Wing 1/mSSD Atrus/DEF/VEN/VE(=A=)(=*SA*=)(=MA=)[LoM][VC:S][CBV](x2)[MC:1][GWC]{VB}

--SC of Kaph Squadron

Elite is our title, we must defend this honor!