Ch21 Enigma
Cerinia space outskirts 19.8 ABY early the next morning.
In the midst of space near the chared volcanic remains of Cerinia, three Imperial cruisers exit hyperspace. The ISD Blood Reign and her two escort Victories fly towards the ruined planet. The three ships sweep the area for almost an hour. Most of the ships crew doesn't even know exactly what their looking for.
"Captain is there any sign of the weapon yet?" DeGuale asks.
"I believe so, we have something on our scopes, but I'm not sure as to what it is sir. It could be an asteroid for all we know."
"Fine then, bring us about and do a radiation scan on it. If what you spotted is truely what I'm looking for, then might still be unstable and have traces of radiation"
DeGuale orders.
"Yes sir."
The three Stardestroyers then head towards a black anomaly near one of Cerinia's moons.
Meanwhile within the moutains of Rattatak.
Since the his grueling defeat, the notorious crimelord Tyber Zann has been in hidding on Rattatak attempting to rebuild his once feared crime syndicate. Sitting at his desk Tyber paitently waits for his unexpected guest while working on his finances. After waiting about fifteen minutes, his office door hisses and opens up. Tyber looks and is pleased to see his arrival.
"Ahh welcome to back. What has it been four maybe five years now? I can honestly say that I was surprised to get your call. What can I do for you." Tyber says to the figure.
"Its been five years. You being the big crime boss you have many contacts, so I was wondering if you know anyone that have any merc jobs that pay." Falco says.
Tyber thinks to himeslf for moment then smiles.
"Yes I do, but why don't you come work for me instead. I could use a good pilot like yourself to lead my other pilots into combat. After the Empire attacked my palace on Ryloth the contortium has been hurting. I need new personnel." Tyber says.
"The Empire?" Falco asks.
"Oh come on Falco, you sould know about the enemy that has burning your home to the ground."Tyber says.
"You know about the Lylat invasion?" Falco asks with a bit of confusion.
"Yes I do, you should know my influence reaches farther than most people think. So what do you think?" Tyber asks.
"You know I don't work for cheap, I want twenty thousand per job." Falco says.
"Twenty thousand your jokeing right, HAHAHAH, Falco just for your loyalty to me I'll give you 120 thousand and a additional forty thousand a month. I pay my clients well, but I expect the best and I expect results." Tyber says.
Falco was in shock, no one has ever offered him so much money for a job before, even doing odd jods for Tyber in the past.
"Man that's alot money. I didn't even make half that when I was working for Fox." Falco thought to himself.
"Ok then Tyber, but whats the catch.?" Falco asks.
"Simple you for me and me alone. Your loyalties are to me and the Zann Consortium. I don't tolerate traitors, remember that. On that note as you know my organisation sometimes operates out of Lylat on occasion. So that might mean that you may have to face your old team. Are you prepared to do whats necessary for the success of the consortium, if you catch my drift?" Tyber asks.
Falco thought to himself again."Boy this is tough. Money or StarFox? Well Katt did kick me out, and Fox is always pissed at me about something. But still what if we get into combat with each other? What if I have to- You know screw it, why not this is the best job offer I've ever had. I can't let this slip through my fingers." It felt like he was thinking for hours but it truley was only a few seconds.
"Sounds good to me Tyber. I'm in." Falco says.
"Good, I thought you might like my offer. I'll have Urai set you up with a penthouse. I'm sure you'll find it rather suiting. You remember Urai right?" Tyber replies.
"Unfortunately yes. He's the one who put this huge ass scar on my chest." Falco says.
"Well thats what happens when you make a smart ass remark, but nevertheless you will find you stay here to be profitable." Tyber replies.
Coruscant one hour later.
With the conference room of the Republic High Command, leading NRDF officals and members of the Galactic Senate debate with the Federation Council of Corneria, via holo net, over the invasion and a future alliance. So far council members of the Cornerian Federation oppose the idea of joining the New Republic, but its military leaders on the other hand believe an alliance is just what Lylat needs.
"Members of the federation I understand your concerns but you are asking alot of the Republic. We are greatly short handed and much of our fleets are combating the Imperials. To ask us to send an entire armada to Lylat to push back the Imperial only to have Lylat not support us in the war afterwards, we can't afford it." Gen Rand Taylor protests.
"I agree, the Republic is always willing to help those in need, but it's only fair that Lylat makes some sort of ammends for the sacrifice of our troops and resources." Gen Rieekan replies.
"This is your war not ours. We didn't ask to be brought into this and we don't want any part of it." Rep Owens replies.
"That where your wronge, this is everyones war. The Empire will stop at nothing to control the entire galaxy and the only way to rid the galaxy of this mennace is if we all band together and show the Empire that we will not be oppressed." Gen Rieekan protests.
"As general of the Cornerian military we support the idea of alliance one hundred percent. Many of my finest troops have died fighting this terror. I have seen the face of war unlike those of the council, and I have also faced Tyranny. Tyrants are all the same, they never stop until someone steps up and faces them. Whether or not the council decides to join or not, under my authority the Cornerian military will support the Republic in any way needed." Gen Peppy Hare declares.
"The Republic greatly appriciates the support." Gen Rieekan says.
"Ok then say we do join the Republic what benefits do the people of Lylat have under the Republic." Rep Owens asks.
"Even as a protectorate Lylat will have seat in the senate and will given almost any needs your people require, weither it be economic, military, food. Our militaries will be interlinked, and you will have equal jurisdiction. You must understand that we are not out to own the galaxy like the Empire. Our people had to endure twenty years of Imperial control, and those were hard times. Your people will not regret being a Republic system." Senator Proctor of Gerrard V advises.
"But what our sovereignty, the people of Lylat especially those of Corneria pride it self greatly on our culture." Rep Owens states.
"So does the Republic. There are hundreds of worlds in the Republic all with their own unique cultures and traditions. We greatly respect systems cultures and way of life. You will not have to worry about that being threatened in any way. You have my word on that." Gen Rieekan replies.
The council members then quietly discuss amoungst themselves, and converse for nearly ten minutes.
"Members of the Republic we have reached an decision. Lylat will join the Republic. But inturn we do expect this invasion to be dealt with. How long will it be before we can expect aid?" Rep Benis says.
"We've been working on that ever since Captain McCloud made the request. We should have an available fleet with in a week and a half, mabey two weeks max." Gen Tantor says.
"Speaking of McCloud where is he. It would be nice if he were here for this." Gen Hare asks.
"Cap McCloud is with Cap Welch right now. Cap Welch is familiarising him on Republic fighters. They should be back from their flight in about an hour." Gen Rieekan says.
"Fox flying, big surprise there. Well general if possible have Fox contact me when he returns." Gen Hare requests.
"Not a problem general." Gen Rieekan replies.
"If there is nothing else that the Republic needs to discuss then this meeting is adjurned." Rep Benis states.
Meanwhile is the skies of Coruscant two X-wings piloted by non other than Cap Welch and Cap McCloud, sore through the sky at high speed. "I'm impressed Fox, your a natural at this. So what do you think of her?" Tim says.
"This is definitely a fine aircraft. I still prefer my Arwing but I would fly one of these any day. The roll rate on an Arwing is faster but a X-wing banks tighter. I will also give the X-wing credit on it's massive plasma cannons. The barrels on these are almost three times the size of an Arwings cannons, plus it has four." Fox replies.
"Well we like having as much firepower on our fighters as we can, to cope with Imperial TIE fighters. The Republic is all for quality not quantity." Tim replies.
"One thing I have to add though, this flight suit is abit warm but I have to say that this helmet is very uncomfertable and I can tell it designed for humans." Fox comments. Tim just laughs.
"Sorry Fox but NRDF Standard Operating Procedures state that all pilots must wear a fully sealed flight suit and a helmet while operating a Republic aircraft." Tim replies.
"Yeah Yeah." Fox coments.
"So where is Krystal, I thought she was coming to?" Tim asks.
"Sleeping beauty won't get out of bed. I wanted her to get some hands on time with this X-wings aswell. She said she would out when we go to the archives thought." Fox replies.
"Not a problem, we got time." Tim says.
Seconds later Tim gets a message onhim comm system.
"Hang on Fox I'm being hailed. This is Welch go ahead."
"Captain we have just concluded our meeting with Cornerian Federation, and they request that McCould contacts them soon. Normally I don't like interfering with training but I'm requesting that you and McCloud report back to HQ for details." Gen Rieekan says.
"Roger that sir we'll be back in ten, Welch out. Fox we got orders to head back. I guess your commanders want you to contact them."
"Copy that." Fox replies.
The two X-wings then execute an Immelmann turn and fly back towards the base.
Inside the generals office fifteen minutes later.
As Fox and Tim enter the generals office they salute and wait for him begin the brief.
"I assume your little joyride was productive." Gen Rieekan comments.
"Yes sir, I figured it would wise to cross train on each other factions crafts for strategic purposses sir." Tim replies.
"I see, well lets get to the point. For now the Lylat council has decided to side with Repulic, granted we send reinforcments. The problem though of course is that we don't many ships to spare, especially after yesterday night a small Imperial taskforce hit one of our construction facilities on Balmora agian. We lost six ships that under construction during the raid. Thankfully we took down two of theirs. But we think it might be up to two weeks before we can send any sizable taskforces to Corneria." Gen Rieekan says.
"Is it possible sir that you could maybe just send a small strike force to aid us, until the rest of the battle can be organized sir. With that at least it will be start plus they can still instruct my troops on Imperial tactics and hardware." Fox asks.
"That might be possible." the general replies.
"Sir I'll go. My pilots could be a great help to the Cornerians. All I will need is some sort of frigate or cruiser for my fighters to land and refuel." Tim says.
General Rieekan thinks to himself for a moment.
"Ok you two gave me idea. Meet me at defense station Alpha-Victor-One at 20:30 tonight. Is that understood?" the general asks.
"Yes sir." Fox and Tim reply.
"Good, Welch rally up your pilots and tell them whats going on. McCloud contact your superiors and tell them that we have a plan. Your dismissed." Gen Rieekan says.
Authors notes: Well hows that for a twist? Falco, a member of the Zann Consortium, and the mystery weapon at Cerinia. This is a very important chapter it plots out kinda how things are fully coming together and whats going on. Stay tuned. Thanks for reading and reviewing.