+++

Garm Bel Iblis stood facing the gathered Rebel Commanders of the Kathol Sector. He was the oldest in the room, the only surviving 'old Rebel' left in this group. They all knew why they were here. Most had dropped everything and rushed here as fast as possible when they had been told that The General was planning an operation.

This wasn't a regular operation though. This one would have effects reaching well out of the sector. Evidence of this was clear especially with a thin plain-faced man none of them had met before accompanying the General.

"I'm sorry I had to call you back so quick." said Iblis, conversing with Jaden Kral the 'representative' that had approached him a week before. "I didn't expect to be ready so soon to be honest."

"That's quite alright. These sorts of surprises are always welcome ones."

Iblis turned to face those sitting or standing around the room's circular holo conference table and cleared his throat loudly.

"We'll skip most of the formalities today and get straight into it. This is Jaden Kral, a representative of a group that wishes to take a crack at defeating the Empire."

There were a few chuckles from those assembled but the old warrior pushed on. "I'm quite serious about this. Their group claims to be responsible for the combined attacks on Imperial Hypercom transmission and relay centers. Kral has given me details concerning the extent of the resulting com blackouts and Iella has confirmed most of them."

Iblis looked to each in the room. "They would like our allegiance but will settle for a non-aggression pact for the time being. I can't offer an Alliance unless the heads of the other major Rebel groups and factions agree."

"My group is patient enough to wait." said Kral offering a small bow of his head.

"The were some initial concerns over the ease of your arrival here."

Iella spoke up. "I've confirmed he's not a member of Imperial Intelligence."

A young man in a hooded robe leaned over a railing from the upper tiers of the room. "He's not human either." He shouted accusingly.

Everyone turned and looked over to the brown robed figure.

"What do you mean?" Questioned Iella.

"You remember why you went to the bother of recruiting me right?" Asked Wurth directing the question at the General.

Iblis grinned slightly and turned to their guest. "Our friend Wurth Skidder has some talent in some things outside the normal."

Kral looked warily toward the young man then back to the general. "Your... friend is correct, I am not human. What I am should not affect our transactions though. After all, the Rebellion is supposed to be a safe haven to people regardless of species."

He looked back to Wurth.

"Perhaps I am just somewhat different from other's you've met before."

"He's gotta be a spy." Muttered Skidder as he turned away.

Iblis yelled after him before he could get out the door. "Thank you for bringing that up Wurth, I'll talk to you later. " He turned his attention to the others. "But the main topic here is our contribution. If we start moving now how much of a difference could we make. Or should we just sit back and watch as another contender get's it's legs shot out by the Empire?

Page was shaking his head. "I don't like the Empire more than anyone else here but we need time. We don't have enough assets coreward of the Sluis Sector, Intel or otherwise, to get us far. I'm for an offensive against the Empire, but not for another two months or so."

"That's one view. Thank you Page. Tycho?"

The now grey haired former Tie Pilot stood up. "Page is right about preparedness but we don't know how long it's going to be before the Imperials fix their com difficulties. If we threw everything we had right now into a well co-ordinated attack we might take the Kathol sector inside of the week or two, then we could push along the Rimma far enough to cut off the Elrood Sector and Minos Cluster."

"Try for a full Sabacc is what you're saying."

"If the other Rebel cells like New Vergesso base were to see us doing well they might join in."

Iella Wessiri wore a pained expression. "We need more time but we also need access to the few manufacturing facilities in this sector to stand a chance. People we can find but materiel is what we really lack. I have key area's in this sector ready to fall when we need them to. Our Intel for the sectors we do know about won't last long. I say we go now, as soon as we can."

"Cracken?"

"I'm not getting any younger, let's do this. My strike squadrons are ready for a fight. If I keep them masquerading as pirates any longer they're not going to listen to me."

Iblis nodded. "I'm in favour of going sooner while we can. I've noted the objections and reasons against going but they're out weighed. Will any of you have trouble convincing your groups to go?"

A chorus of no's ensued.

"Good. Tycho we're going to go with a mixed Plan Beta and Case Twelve. Have Darklighter get Mon Remonda ready."

"Gotcha."

The General turned back to their guest. "Mr. Kral I believe you should have a distraction taking place on this side of the Empire before long. I don't think we're ready to truly solidify an alliance with you at this time but we'll keep that option open."

"I'll be sure to inform my organisation not to attack any Mon Cal cruisers in this area should we ever get this far."

+++

Iblis found Wurth Skidder waiting outside of his office, pacing back and forth.

"Skidder get inside and take a seat."

The door hissed open and both men stepped inside, passing the secretary and the armoured door into the General's working office. Once inside the Corellian pulled out a large bottle of Whyren's Reserve from a shelf and filled two small glasses. He handed one to the young Jedi.

"You're twitchier than a Verpine with it's head shot off. Take a drink and tell me about our new friend."

Skidder sipped slowly at the small drink then tossed back the last few drops near the end. "I suppose I wasn't the blindingly pure example of a Jedi in there that people want."

"No, and you could try being a bit more civil with people we barely know, but that's not the issue here."

"Right well... he wasn't there. I could see him, hear him, I probably could have walked up and touched him. But he did not exist in the Force. Every fibre of my being was screaming that he couldn't possibly be standing there."

"Another force user perhaps? Or someone with a ysalamir?"

"No, no, neither of those. I would have been able to tell. This was like he was devoid entirely of the force. I doubt I could have affected him with any of my force powers..." He looked away for a second then turned back grinning. "Short of dropping a heavy object on him."

Iblis patted him on the shoulder. "I don't think we should be testing that right away. I'm glad to hear about your concern though."

The General stood up and looked out the viewport. "What part do you want to play in the upcoming missions? We can always find room for a Jedi somewhere."

"I'd like to go out with one of the smaller raiding groups. The main forces will have enough experienced people. I want to be some place where my presence will make a difference."

"I'm fine with it, go ask Tycho to find a group for you. Nicely if you can."

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