A long time ago in a galaxy, far, far away…

STARS ABLAZE

A TIME TO FIGHT

It is a dark time for the galaxy.

Under the leadership of

Count Dooku, a growing number

of worlds threatens to leave the

Galactic Republic.

As Dooku gains loyal followers, the

Jedi Knights struggle to maintain

peace and order. The Jedi Council has

ordered ADI GALLIA to test a new

prototype starfighter in the hopes

that it will provide the Jedi with

greater firepower.

At the same time, Starfleet

has dispatched the USS HATHWAY

commanded by JEFFERY PIERCE to

investigate rumors of a battleship designed by the

TRADE FEDERATION to combat their ships as part of

their ongoing feud with the

UNITED FEDERATION OF PLANETS

Meanwhile, Count Dooku has made

a deal with captain CAVIK TOTH

and the Trade Federation that could

secure victory in the war to come...

SkyRiver Galaxy
Outer Rim
Arkanis Sector
Geonosis System
Above Geonosis
Sabaoth Destroyer

Droid starfighters flew past the ship hovering above the planet Geonosis as the captain watched from one of the windows of his trophy room.

Behind him, a holographic image of Count Dooku appeared. "Greetings, Captain Toth. I trust we can speak freely."

"Ah, Count Dooku." Cavik Toth turned away from the window and slowly approached the hologram. "What a pleasant interruption. Yes, this is a secure comm channel."

"Good." Dooku nodded. "I am troubled by reports of a resistance movement in the Karthakk system. I hope it won't impact our…research."

"The Trade Federation has taken complete control of the system and is prepared to crush the resistance. The project is still on schedule, it won't be long before the weapon is ready." Toth stated confidently.

"I will hold you to that, Captain." Dooku said, folding his arms. "The countermeasure must be delivered to Geonosis when our allies arrive. We cannot afford a delay."

"I understand. I'll keep close watch over the system and the Trade Federation."

"Good. Serve me well, Toth and you will gain a prominent place in our new order." Dooku promised before the call ended, leaving a satisfied Toth.

Inner Rim
Corusca Sector
Coruscant System
Coruscant
Upper Atmosphere

A single arrow shaped fighter blasted at a group of smaller droid ships, chasing them through the upper atmosphere of Coruscant. Twin blasters fired on the droids who flew in a calculative manner, seemingly anticipating fire from the attacking fighter and keeping a far distance that the shots completely missed.

BLAST!

Well, not all of them as one-shot down droid could attest to.

A droid managed to sneak up behind the fighter and attempted to shoot it down. However, the pilot seemed to be able to anticipate the droid's attacks, easily evading each and every laser blast as another droid came straight. The fighter swerved out of the way and the two droids crashed into each other.

Another fighter, this one having an actual pilot flew up next to the fighter. "Nice work, Master Gallia. The prototype is quite effective."

"And I was only flying at half-speed, but it still needs rigorous combat testing." The pilot, Adi-Gallia replied.

"Well, you should get your chance soon enough. I sense Master Windu has a new assignment for you."

"That's odd. He usually keeps his thoughts well hidden." Adi-Gallia stated.

"He still does but then I just talk to him." Saesee Tiin said dryly. "And he wants you to report to the Jedi Council Chamber immediately."

"I'm on my way." Adi-Gallia angled the fighter down towards the surface, heading in the direction of the Jedi Temple.

Jedi Temple
Council Chamber

The doors to the Council Chamber opened and Master Adi-Gallia stepped in, easily spotting Master Mace Windu staring out the windows.

"Master Gallia, was the prototype all we expected?" Windu asked, still gazing out the window.

"Yes, Master Windu but I sense that's not why you summoned me here." Adi-Gallia stated, walking up behind her senior. "The recent political events trouble you."

Windu finally turned to face Adi-Gallia. "Your insight serves you well. Count Dooku's separatist movement is causing talk of war, and the Jedi could become involved, but we now face a more immediate threat. We've been monitoring the Karthakk system and have discovered an unsettling Trade Federation presence."

Windu held up a small holo-projected, showing a map of the Karthakk system to Adi-Gallia.

"To my knowledge, the Karthakk system is remote and lawless." She recalled. "Whatever the Trade Federation is doing there, it can't be legal."

"I agree." Windu nodded. "In fact, we believe they are building weapons. We want you to confirm this and destroy any threat, without attracting unwanted attention."

"What of the local pirates?" Adi-Gallia asked.

"They've formed a small resistance led by Feeorin named Nym." Windu's holo-projecter showed an image of the resistance leader in question. "But they don't have any hope of victory."

"Without our help." Adi-Gallia stated knowingly.

"Exactly." Windu nodded. "We hope you'll be able to join forces with Nym."

Adi-Gallia didn't have much faith in that happening and stated her reason. "I've read his dossier in the archives. According to his personality profile, he won't welcome our intervention."

"Probably not," Windu admitted. "But I've arranged for you to meet one of his allies near the Ruby Nebula."

"I'll leave immediately." Adi-Gallia stated.

"Be careful, Master Gallia." Windu cautioned. "If you run into trouble, we can't promise a calvary."

Gallie smiled. "The Force will be my guide."

"And may it protect you as well."

Skyriver Galaxy
Outer Rim
USS Hathway
Bridge

Captain's Log, Stardate 52210.3, Captain Jeffery Pierce Recording:

The USS Hathway has been dispatched to the Skyriver Galaxy after Starfleet Intelligence had received word of the trading company known as the Trade Federation possibly developing a weapon to be used against Starfleet. It's been a decade now since the first contact with the new galaxy and much has changed in that time. The Trade Federation, however, has maintained a grudge with the United Federation following its encounter with the Enterprise. While it is unlikely they would seek to start a full-scale war, it is noted that the Trade Federation leaders had been involved in the occupation of a peaceful planet around the time of first contact and were willing commit mass murder to achieve their goals.

We are currently following a lead that will be taking us to the Karthakk system, a planetary system far beyond the borders of the Galactic Republic and the likely location of whatever weapon the Trade Federation might be developing. My instincts tell me to remain cautious at the time but at the moment, we have no choice but to go in for a closer look.

End Log.

"We have emerged from hyperspace, Captain. Now entering Kathakk sector." The helmsmen reported.

"Good." Captain Jeffery Pierce said, putting his log away. "Proceed one quarter impulse power and conduct a full scan of the system. I want to know everything there is to know before we take one step into what is likely to be hostile territory."

"Aye sir."

The USS Hathway, a Constellation class and was among the first of its class to be deployed in the Skyriver Galaxy surged forward into the unknown.