Having received a message from a probe droid on Bespin Major Mepone contacts the Nu-class combat cruiser that was sent to look for their missing fighter group. The clone pilot answers the hail from the Blood Saber and reports there is no sight of the missing Arc-170's. Mepone informs them a probe spotted the Chandrilan shuttle leaving Bespin and orders them to search the shortest flight path from Bespin to the last known location of the missing 170's.
"Report it's location immediately if you come across it, do not take action against it without approval from myself or Admiral Soelin." Mepone orders.
"Yes Sir." the clone pilot replies.
Major Duklaa walks over and asks if he's going to report the sighting to the admiral. "There's no sense in interrupting his dinner if we haven't captured them yet now is there?" Mepone replies.
"Of course, your right Sir." Duklaa replies.
Shortly after the corvette lands Gleim and team are given coordinates on Mon Calamari to pickup another load of medical supplies as well as hover beds for the med center. Garan informs them all five ships are required to retrieve the load and that the Mon Cals have donated this shipment for the rebel cause.
"We've just received word that the Mon Cals are endeavoring to begin construction on a fleet of heavy cruisers for the Rebellion." Garan says.
"Capital ships? Gleim replies. "Wow things are moving in high gear aren't they."
"Yes but the first vessel won't be completed for close to four years. We still a long way away from having our own fleet. The corvettes are a step in the right direction but we're still years away from going head to head against the Imperial fleet." Garan adds.
"We'll just take it day by day Major."
"That's right, good luck Gleim." Garan says.
Gleim and Xafus hop in the Arawak as his team loads into their own freighters. Moments later the ships are ascending out of the sinkhole.
Once the weapons stolen from Sluis Van are organized and issued equally between the corvettes and the base Garan orders Balek to take the Pride of the Jedi to Chandrila.
"I want you to orbit the nearest moon for any Imperial activity, I wouldn't been surprised if an Imperial Star Destroyer shows up soon." Garan explains.
"Guard duty?" Balek says curiously.
"For the moment, Mon Mothma was a member of the Delegation of 2000. I'm worried that Palpatine will look to her first as being responsible for the Sluis Van attack. I want the Pride of the Jedi there to keep an eye on the planet. I've already consulted with Colonel Rieekan and he agrees. In the meantime I'm going to see if he can find out through our spies who the Empire suspects is behind the attack." Garan explains.
"I understand Sir, we'll leave immediately." Balek replies.
Once the escape pods are unloaded Idayk begins to decide the placement among the lower levels of the sinkhole. Once the positions are decided upon he requisitions some battle droids to draw several heavy blaster cannons and rocket launchers from the armory. As they stack the weapons in a pile near the pods Idayk along with several other volunteers begin stripping the pod of its instrument consoles, fuel, remaining seats and anything else that will be unnecessary for the turret. They remove the viewport next to work on refitting the cannon to work via the flight control stick inside the pod, then four of the pods are fitted with the rocket launchers. Once they are all completed Idayk has the droids place them at their designated spot, each one is bolted into place around the sinkhole.
Once he receives word they were completed Garan comes out to meet Idayk and admires his ingenuity. Along with the sparsely placed AAT droid tanks and vulture fighters the sinkhole appears well defended against any attack.
"Well done Lt, you deserve some well earned down time."
"Thank you Major, am I to be assigned to one of the corvettes?" Idayk asks.
"I haven't decided yet, I think your talents would be beneficial elsewhere." Garan replies.
"Thank you for the compliment Sir." Idayk replies.
The next day as the Ryndorian council and Senator Taneel open talks of possible a possible alliance the Prime Minister calls on Zaphael to report his account of his rumored mission against the Empire. Zaphael stands and explains everything he witnessed from the detailed and tedious planning the rebel officers went through as well as the smooth execution of the operation. Once Zaphael is dismissed he retakes his seat and Taneel stands to address the leaders of their struggle against the Empire.
By her third meeting that day with Ryndori's Prime Minister Taneel had begun to feel as if she was getting nowhere. She'd considered leaving the planet early to resume her trip through the outer rim but near the end of the third hour on this day she finally reached deep down and struck a blow against the Ryndorian leader that she'd regretted the moment the words left her mouth!
"Peace isn't just the absence of violence, it's the presence of justice!" While she regretted her tone more than the words she pounced on the moment seeing that the Prime Minister and his council seemed to have their eyes opened. "We must restore the Republic to its former state before the Clone Wars, even if we have to march into the senate and overthrow Palpatine. However as you and I both know that's not possible without action. His Imperial troops will slaughter any insurrection aimed at taking down his Empire." Taneel states. She pauses as she watches the council exchange whispers and glances. "We're not asking you to put all your resources into a head to head attack, at this point we'd lose and we know it but we are building. At this time we just want to know that your ideals match ours, that you understand the cause; there will come a time though when we may need your support, supplies and military forces to join ours." Taneel explains.
The Prime Minister asks the Senator to excuse herself while he convenes with his council. Zaniel escorts Taneel out but Zaphael requests permission to stay. The Prime Minister grants the request as Taneel exits the chamber.
For the next hour Zaphael pleads his case for Ryndori to join the alliance in at least some capacity. With his long lost brother already a part of the rebellion Zaphael is torn between remaining on his home planet or joining the alliance on his own.
"It seems you've already made up your mind to join their cause." the Prime Minister states.
"I love Ryndori, it's home and if it needs me I will be here to defend it however I want to serve by my brother's side. I know you don't want to get involved in a conflict which we had no hand in starting but that won't matter to the Empire. They could decide to just march on Faspen City tomorrow and take us over. They won't care if we were apart of the Republic or not; if they see us as a threat they'll attack." Zaphael says.
"Maybe it was a mistake meeting with the Senator, just by associating with the Rebellion we may have already endangered ourselves." States the Prime Minister.
"Sir with all due respect if you're going to follow that line of thinking you would have to agree that increasing our defensive capabilities would have put us in the same danger." Consul Harke states. "I for one believe Senator Taneel's concerns about the Empire are valid, it appears her people have only recently begun to take action and only because they feel they've been driven to that point."
"Sir if we're lucky the Alliance may never call on us for military action but we need to support them however we can with whatever they need." Zaphael adds. "Be it ships or supplies or money or volunteers, they need our help." Zaphael pauses for a long moment. "I don't want to fight anymore than you do but I've been trained to. They need people to fly ships, to fight, to train and lead others . . . and I've decided to volunteer my services to them." Zaphael says as he removes the ribbons from his uniform, he places them on the podium then excuses himself from the chamber.
Zaniel immediately notices the missing ribbons from his brother's uniform as he walks over to Senator Taneel.
"Senator, I don't think Ryndori will join your cause but as you are a representative of the Rebellion I would like to formally join up." Zaphael says bowing.
Surprised by the gesture Taneel welcomes him gladly and thanks him for his sacrifice.
"My service is yours on one condition."
"Which is?" Taneel asks.
"Wherever myself or Zaniel are needed, we stay together." Zaphael states.
"I am sure that can be arranged, welcome to the Alliance Zaphael Brath." Taneel replies.
Moments later one of the council members walks through the door and informs the Senator the council is ready for her again. The brothers escort her in and take their positions on either side. The Prime Minister begins to state how they agree with their cause they're not sure if it is the same as Ryndori's. Taneel immediately realizes the planet's leader is beating around the bush but listens respectfully anyway.
"I'm sure Lt. Brath already told you he's volunteered to join your alliance?"
"He has." Taneel replies.
"While myself and my advisors do not believe that Ryndori should get involved the words of one of our own speaks volumes. I've decided that Ryndori will join your rebellion against the Empire but as a silent partner only, for the time being. We would be honored to host alliance personnel or supply you with whatever you need with the exception of military weapons." The Prime Minister states. "As for Lt. Brath, we cannot release him from his duty to Ryndori . . . ." Zaphael's brow furrows not liking this turn of events. ". . . . however we have agreed to allow him to volunteer his services to the Alliance as a representative of Ryndori."
Zaphael's facial expression changes immediately. Both he and Taneel express their gratitude.
"We've taken a great step towards the revival of the Republic, our leaders and I truly thank you for your support."
"Your welcome, Commander Kesaro will be your contact whenever you need to call on Ryndori, in his absence you may reach out to Consul Harke." the Prime Minister says shortly before he and his staff adjourn.
Later that evening Taneel reports to Mon Mothma of her success with the Ryndorian government, she finds Colonel Rieekan is with her as the image appears on the holoprojector. She also informs them of Lt. Zaphael Brath's allegiance to the rebellion so long as the brothers serve together wherever their orders may take them. Rieekan makes a note of the stipulation as he begins to inform the senator that she have been tracked from Agamar.
"Our spy on board the Vindicator informed me on his last check in that he was recently in contact with the Blood Saber. He learned that the Vindicator was ordered to remain in the Albarrio sector while the Blood Saber continues to track down missing Jedi as well as a Chandrilan marked shuttle that escape Agamar a few days ago, they suspect the Jedi might have been aboard." Rieekan explains. "I'm glad your negotiations on Ryndori were productive but you must leave immediately."
"Yes of course, I'd never forgive myself if my being here led the Empire to this planet. It could undo what little progress I've just made; they've pledged some support but they're not ready to fight alongside us just yet, we will leave as soon as possible." Taneel states. As soon as the image disappears she orders her bodyguard to ready her ship and summon the Brath brothers. Moments later Zaniel and Zaphael arrive at her quarters surprised that they're off so soon.
"Is everything alright milady?" Zaniel asks.
"No, I don't wish to alarm Ryndori but the Empire may have been tracking us ever since we left Agamar." Taneel explains.
"Sithspawn!" Zaphael replies. "I have to tell the Prime Minister."
"No, Zaphael please wait. They may not have followed us here, besides they suspect that the ship is piloted by two Jedi. We did help them escape Agamar but as long as we leave immediately there should be no cause for concern. I don't wish to alarm your leaders if there's no credible reason to." Taneel replies.
While he doesn't like the idea he agrees to remain silent for the time being. "Alright but I would like to request updates on the situation as soon as their available, I was assigned as your attache to Ryndori."
"Of course Zapheal, you'll have them. Ready your fighters boys, we're leaving."
Seeing the downcast look on Zaniel's face Taneel suddenly remembers the request he made of her last night, and what her orders mean taking from him.
"I'm sorry Zaniel, you're reunion with your mother will have to wait."
"I understand milady." Zaniel replies as they run to carry out her orders.
As the brothers leave Taneel opens her comlink to reach Consul Harke. She informs Harke that while she hadn't planned to leave until morning urgent news require her presence elsewhere.
Within thirty minutes the brothers are back in their fighters preparing for take off. As Zaniel puts on his helmet he hears his brother's voice crackle over the comm.
"I'm sorry Zaniel, I know how much you wanted to meet her." Zaphael says noticing his brother had not said a word since they left the Senator's quarters.
"Well, I still plan to." Zaniel says priming the engines. "Let's go."
Once in space the escort, now permanently increased to four, receives hyperspace coordinates from the shuttle to Praesitlyn.