"The Truths a Bastard.

And that is the only truth

I live by."

Major Korgo Korgar

"Last of the Lancers"

AFC 32

Chapter Seven

Standing alone jacked into a console in a maintenance corridor off the Running's main engineering section, Harper was trying to access the main Imperial database. It had been awkward at first, trying to hack into the Imperial systems. They didn't use virtual reality matrixes so he had to sort through file after file of data and all this was complicated by that fact he had to translate everything out of Basic, the Imperial's blocky form of writing.

It was actually very easy to translate Basic into Common, considering the spoken language was nearly identical, just another one of those weird similarities between the two cultures.

Something finally caught Harper's eye. It was a star chart of local space, nearly two hundred systems were listed within the Triangulum galaxy including Than and Nietzschean worlds, Magog infested systems, and even some Commonwealth planets.

Attached to that file was data on troop movements into this galaxy and an order of battle for over three hundred ships that would arrive in this galaxy within the next few weeks.

Unable to get any more information on the subject, Harper kept looking through the data. He ran across something else of interest, a Rebellion.

This rebel group, calling itself the 'Alliance to Restore the Republic,' had been challenging the power of the Empire for years and had done some unspecified but major harm to the Empire in a system called Yavin not too long ago.

"Mr. Harper," the Running's engineer called from around the corner and Harper quickly disconnected from the system and tried to bury his tracks.

"I'm over here," Harper replied quickly.

"Report, Mr. Harper," the engineer said.

"Well, I've run some tests on your Hypermatter core," Harper responded as casually as he could manage, "It'll work but its to efficient, it runs too much energy through the systems.

"We'll need to develop a way to compensate or you'll be replacing relays every two days."

The engineer looked satisfied and he led Harper back into engineering to get back to work.

_________________________

"I must say they do have some very impressive ships," Kelar was saying, "Their fighters and cruisers are much faster and more manoeuvrable than ours, their cruisers have missile ranges of around a light minute- without FTL sensors.

"The simple fact is Andromeda could fly circles around us without even trying. Add to that slipstream drive and you have a formidable opponent. But they have seem to have no form of shield technology and their weapon yields appear to be much lower than our own.

"The Empire should have an easy time overtaking them."

"Perhaps," Meduk replied, "However, we still do not know what power they may yet have. This Commonwealth covers three galaxies, it could take us decades to build a sizeable force capable of using slipstream to conquer those galaxies."

"Perhaps we'll have to take this one galaxy at a time," Kelar responded.

"We should leave this galaxy alone," Meduk told him, "There are other closer galaxies to conquer, why not focus on those?"

"It is not our decision Captain," Kelar reminded her, "We are just following orders."

__________________________

Dylan stood leaning on the railing on the Obs deck reviewing the High Guard battle group he was assigned. Across space Deep Stand-Off attack ships and Group Defence frigates were arranged in combat formations with the Andromeda and Wrath of Achilles at the centre.

A group of slipfighters passed in front of the viewport as Dylan watched.

It had been decided to keep the Commonwealth member worlds in the dark about the presence of the Empire and the deal made with them. If everything worked out than everything would be revealed, if hostilities broke out than the hope was that all could be contained quietly.

"Dylan," Trance called from behind, "All ships have reported in and are ready to move out. We're just waiting for your order."

Dylan didn't respond, he just stared out the viewport at the ships around him.

"Dylan, are you okay?"

"Am I really this naive Trance," he asked not turning from the view, "Should I really have expected it to be this easy?"

"No," Trance replied, "You shouldn't have. But hope is a strange thing, and when you find something that strengthens your hope it gets very hard to see the negative. You did better then most would have."

"I wonder what Rev would have said if had been here," Dylan pondered.

"He would have said, that you did only what you could have done under the circumstances, that no better option were available to you. That you did the best you could,'" Trance told him, "'And that is all you can do.'"

"Thank you Trance," Dylan responded, as he stood straight and faced her for the first time,

"Let's bring it."

Andromeda returned alone to the Cheops system with a full squadron of slipfighters deployed. The High Guard fleet was only one short slip away and the fighters were prepared to send for help at the first sign of trouble.

Using a transmission buoy in the outer system Andromeda contacted Captain Meduk.

"Captain, are our new systems ready," Dylan asked carefully.

"Of course captain," she responded, "We have two shuttles prepared to rendezvous with you. They are carrying all the materials you'll need."

"We await them eagerly," Dylan told her, maybe this would work out after all.

"How goes the conversion of the Running," Dylan asked?

"Your Mr. Harper has been doing some fine work," Meduk told them, "The Running should be ready in a few weeks."

Andromeda came to a full stop approximately 30 light seconds from the Starhammer, the two Imperial shuttles approached slowly.

"That is very good to hear," Dylan said to her.

"Dylan," Rommie interrupted loudly, "A new ship has appeared in the system 6 light seconds from our position and closing."

Dylan took in the visual data Rommie was showing him with an absolute awe. A black silhouette of enormous dagger, at least twelve kilometres long was now bearing down on them.

"Beka," Dylan cried, "Down and away, right now."

Andromeda entered a downward dive to escape the rapidly approaching Super Star Destroyer. Green bolts flung themselves from the vessel arcing toward the Andromeda and barely missing at this close range.

"They're attacking us," Tyr observed, "Shall I return fire?"

"No," Dylan ordered, the tactical data was now more complete. Six Imperial Star Destroyers had accompanied the much larger craft.

"Recall the fighters," Dylan ordered, "We're leaving."

"Wait," Rommie said, "We are receiving a burst transmission from Harper through the relay. It contains tactical data."

"Retrieve the entire data stream and let's get out of here," Dylan ordered.

"What about Harper," Beka demanded.

"I'm sorry," was all Dylan could say, "Take us into slipstream."

___________________

Powerful tractor beams grasped the Running as the Lusankya pulled the small ship into one of its docking bays. Absolutely dwarfed by the incredible size of the Imperial command ship no resistance could have been offered, even if the crew had been willing.

Harper stood in handcuffs along with most of his team waiting to be brought aboard. They were march single file through the hatch onto the new ship. Imperial troops stood guard on both sides preventing any attempt at escape.

A tall figure dressed in black and wearing a long dark brown cape approached him. Some strange force griped Harper's body and pulled his feet from the floor. Harper say the figure's hand was outstretched as if he himself were holding his body aloft.

"You were in charge of the engineering team," it was not a question

Harper found that his throat was constricted; he couldn't talk.

"You will tell me everything I want to know about the Commonwealth, this galaxy and slipstream drive."