CHAPTER 1: The Disease

Crevil Jade stood in the antechamber to the Chief of State of the GFFA, at parade rest in his brand new Captain's Uniform. Though the newly minted Captain, Fresh out of his commission from the Galactic Alliance Defense Fleet Academy, looked calm, inside he was nervous, it was not every day that a new officer was called to the Chief of State's office by one of the most admired Admirals in the GFFA's History, Nek Bwua'tu. Upon his return to the academy this morning from his internship with the Fondor Shipyards Security Forces, the Commandant of the academy had given him his commission, informed him his graduation was postponed indefinite, and gave him a holo-chip that the commandant said gave him direct orders, which he found when he had played it, was a personal communication from Admiral Bwuat'u to report to the Chief's office at 1800 hours. He was an hour early.

Captain Jade began musing, he had been shocked to see how little activity Coruscant had, and further shocked to learn on his way over to the Chief's Palace that Coruscant was under martial law, and no one was allowed outside without orders or a military escort. He had even been stopped by Coruscant Security Force, who apologetically explained that they were working for Galactic Alliance Intelligence and Defense Forces, who explained that the Chief of State had been shipping fleets and placing planetary security forces across the galaxy under military control, after decimating thier ranks by 3/4 in some cases, and already instituted Martial Law on Coruscant, Corellia, Sluis Van, and multiple other planets.

Bringing himself out of his reverie, the captain noticed a droid signaling him, "Yes?"

"Captain, the Chief said to send you in, the Admiral and she are ready for you."

Captain Jade adjusted his uniform, tucked his cover under his arm, and marched briskly into the chief's office before coming to attention, "Captain Jade, Reporting as ordered, Chief." He stated, saluting and addressing the Chief as the Highest authority.

Chief of State of the GFFA, and Ex-Imperial Admiral Natasi Daala replied, "At Ease Captain, and please have a seat."

"Yes, Ma'am." Captain Jade responded.

"Captain, looking at your record here, you double majored at the academy? Earning two degrees in just 5 years?"

"Yes, Ma'am. I majored in, and earned a Bachelor's degree in Security and General Warfare Command, with a minor in Fleet Command. By Doubling Majoring I earned my Captain's rank instead of the normal Lieutenant." The captain responded, without an ounce of pride, just dry facts

"Impressive. Admiral Bwua'tu, please brief our Captain here on the current situation." The Chief of State responded while turning her attention to the Bothan Admiral standing nearby.

"Yes, Ma'am," The admiral replied taking a step forward. "Captain, your assignment revolves why the entire GFFA will soon be under Martial Law, as Coruscant is already. Somehow a virus was release that targets creatures with a certain gene, that is found throughout the galaxy. This disease, labeled "the Virus" spreads rapidly by once a person is a affected, they begin to multiply this virus in their lungs, breathing it out, contaminating the air. However the affected will show no symptoms for 10-12 days. and will live for a month, spreading the disease before it overcomes them. 89 of those who contract the disease will die, the other 11 that don't die, the disease dies in them and they are no harm to themselves or others. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Sir. But what does this have to do with my assignment, as my records no doubt show, I barely passed biology, just enough to get through the academy, and my other sciences except for Flight and Aerospace Engineering and other like courses was fairly low."

Admiral Bwua'tu addressed the Captain once more, "Captain, you will be leading security, compromised of vetted CSF, GADF Police, and Scientists, for the Coruscant Branch of the Galactic Alliance Defense Academy. You will be charged with conducting tests of all those in attendance, and will be ordered to quarantine those, and the other in the academy for at least two months."

"Sir," Captain Jade hesitantly began, "I would like to know why I was chosen for this assignment, and would like to express my concern about it. I have friends at the academy, and my own fiancée is at the academy. I feel I may have a conflict of interest in this matter."

Chief of State Daala spoke up, "Captain, I have no doubt you feel like this will be a hard assignment, but my question is this, if given the assignment will you follow your orders?"

"Yes, Ma'am, but I would feel uncomfortable doing so." The captain replied.

"Then you shall be appointed this assignment, not all assignments will be easy, and not all orders will be fun to carry out, and this will look good. As to why you were chosen, Admiral Bwua'tu, please explain." Chief of State Daala responded.

"Aye, Ma'am. You were chosen because you were popular at the academy, you had a recent blood exam for your graduation physical that we were able to pinpoint and tell you were not at risk, and you are the closest to the academy at this time, furthermore you just graduated, so you are known to the Academy Cadets." The admiral resumed, handing a datacard to the Captain. "Captain, you will be leading a force of over 100 CSF, and 500 GADF personal, 100 doctors, 50 medics, 200 nurses, with 10 scientists, to cover the academy. All the Academy guards have also been ordered to place themselves under your command if cleared for duty by medical staff. You will also be shipped Medical supplies for the crisis as soon as possible. The commandant has also been told that you will be taking his place for at least two months, while he is transfered to another assignment that we need his expertise, once you arrive you are to place him first to be tested. Do you understand these orders?"

"Aye, Sir, but are you sure 600 guards will be enough for the roughly 6000 students who will be in attendance, thats not counting any of my former class that did not graduate, at the peak of the year we have twice that number. Normally we have 1000 guards."

"It wont be, however we will be transferring more to you as they are cleared for duty as being not at risk." The admiral Responded.

"Well then, Admiral, when do I report for duty?"

"Report for duty at 0200 this morning to the Commandant of the Academy. 0800 is Morning Mess, in which the student body will be in one of multiple places, you will be announced as the temporary Commandant. At 1000, have your team test the Commandant and quarantine him. At 1200 Hours, initiate Lock down procedures." Admiral Bwua'tu responded.

"Aye, Sir." Captain Crevil responded.

"Good luck, Captain. Dismissed" The chief of State interjected.

Captain Jade stood at attention, and responded, "Aye Aye Ma'am", before doing an about face and leaving. As he left the building, he placed his cover on, and though of this assignment, fearing the worse for his beloved back at the academy, and thoughts in turmoil at having to detain his mentor the Commandant, and other friends, instructors.