Outer Rim Territories
Karthakk Sector
Q-17
Karthakk System
Ruby Nebula
USS Hathway
Bridge

"I can't say that could have gone better." Lara commented as she and Pierce stepped back onto the bridge.

"You sound like you have personal experience in dealing with a Jedi." Pierce observed.

"It was around the time Starfleet began sending ships into this galaxy. A lot of people welcomed us and a few others didn't. I was stationed on the USS Constitution before I was transferred here. A planet called Tynna was infested by arthropods called Stone-mites." Lara began.

Stone mites were arthropods that clung to spaceships and buildings, consuming hulls and metal plating with a combination of strong, wire-cutting jaws and acidic saliva. They fed specifically on the silicates and complex metals. Three individual stone mites could merge to form a symbiotic ternary that featured a hard shell, which strengthened from electrolytic reactions. As a defense, they could weld themselves to a metallic surface and deliver electric shocks through their feeler tails.

There were only a few known manners in the Skyriver Galaxy of eliminating these genetically engineered pests, one of them being oxidizer foam. When applied, the substance would actually rust the mites to death.

"It was a nightmare trying to save that planet. Luckily, Stone-mites proved to be vulnerable to phasers. The ship's phaser banks were adjusted to pinpoint accuracy, focusing on places with the largest concentration of Stone-mites while our surface teams helped the population fight off the rest. We created a synthesized gas version of the oxidizer foam and released it all over the planet, killing off the rest of the Stone-Mites." Lara explained. "The population was thankful, but they were also very unhappy. Apparently, they petitioned the Galactic Republic for help but apparently the Senate ignored them."

"And now Tynna has seceded from the Republic and joined the Confederacy of Independent Systems." Pierce finished.

"And it wasn't just them. A lot of planets in the last few years have felt abandoned by the Republic and the Jedi." Lara stated. "And a lot of those times, Starfleet ended up cleaning up those messes when they reached out to us."

"I've heard." Pierce nodded.

"And that meeting just now, it's amazing how arrogant she acted towards us. Scolding us for not informing their Senate or their Council of our mission even though we're not part of the Republic while she is on a mission that is being kept secret from the Senate as well. It's almost like these Jedi have no understanding of the phrase 'double standards.'" Lara sighed and shook her head. "I'm suddenly reminded of Starfleet history when how relations between the Vulcan and Andorians had turned antagonistic, especially during Jonathan Archer's time."

"Wow, didn't think it was that bad." Pierce commented as he sat at the command chair. "Well, they know now and if they have a problem with that, they can take it up with Starfleet. Have their ships gone to hyperdrive yet?"

"Affirmative, Captain." R'Meera answered, her sensors tracking the ships. "Tracking them to an M-class planet in the system. Navigation identifies is as Maramere."

"Jardins, can you detect any signals coming from that planet?" Pierce asked.

"Affirmative. I am picking multiple signals, most of them Trade Federation." Lieutenant junior grade Ameline Des Jardins (pronounced 'day-ZJAR-dan') replied.

"That must be where they're meeting this rebel leader." Lara commented.

"Likely. Set course for that planet, put us in orbit but let's try to avoid getting into the middle of a shooting match this time." Pierce stated.

"Aye sir."

With that, the Hathway proceeded on full impulse power towards the planet.

Skyriver Galaxy
Outer Rim Territories
Karthakk Sector
Karthakk System
Maramere
Surface

Gallia and Reti's ships flew above the oceans of the planet Maramere, continuing their mission to find Reti's leader, Nym.

"Nym's in bad shape. Every time he turns around the Trade Federation is on his back." Reti stated as they flew through the clouds.

"How do they find him?" Gallia asked.

"Some state-of-the-art sensor station we haven't been able to locate yet." Reti answered and seemingly complained at the same time.

"And his crew's been captured?" Gallia recalled.

"About half of them, yeah. We don't know where they're being held." Reti then changed the subject. "We're coming up on Nym's last known coordinates."

The fighters angled down, coming through the clouds to see some sort of installation on an island below.

"Muck worms!" Reti swore. "This doesn't look good."

The entire installation was crawling with Trade Federation ships, droid fighters swarming around the installation and firing on a pair of ships located on a landing platform.

"You're just in time, Gas-Gut." A voice spoke over the comm channel both Reti and Gallia were sharing, coming from the platform. "We need air support and now."

"Nym, this is Adi-Gallia of the Jedi-"

"A Jedi?" Nym harshly cut her off. "Reti, are you insane?"

"She's here to help, Nym." Reti quickly said.

"Then give us cover while Jinkins slices into the Trade Federation planetary network." Nym said sharply as four droid fighters flew over his ship, opening fire.

"I've located the prison, Nym." Another voice, likely Jinkins spoke. "Just give me a few more minutes to find the access codes."

"You heard him. Cover us." Nym growled. "And Reti, I'll wring your neck later."

Gallia's targeting computer locked onto the four droid fighters swinging by to attack the landing platform again. "You needn't worry, Nym. I'm here to help."

"YOU GAVE HER THE COMM CODE TOO?!" Nym exclaimed as Gallia shot down the four droid fighters. "RETI, WHEN I'M DONE WITH YOU, YOU'RE GONNA BE STUFFED AND MOUNTED!"

"Nym, I can explain." Reti said, sounding terrified.

"Later! Take out those droids first!" Nym barked.

The droid fighters in question were actually called Scarab fighters. The Scarab starfighter had a flat body and two outrigger wings, each connected to the main fuselage by a pair of heavy struts. The wings would lock down against the body while in normal flight mode, and spring open to achieve fire capability and maximum maneuverability when in combat.

This multiple-purpose fighter could attack targets in space, within a planet's atmosphere, or on the ground. Even though it lacked the agility of its successor, the Vulture-class starfighter, the Scarab-class was equipped with strong armor and deflector shields. The Scarab featured a cockpit compartment and was normally piloted by a droid. It was also able to operate independently of a droid control unit, whereas the Vultures could not.

With her expert skills, Gallia shot down the Scarab fighters in less than a minute.

Despite her contribution, Nym did not sound grateful. "We don't need your kind around here, Jedi. Take that pointy little fighter and head back to Coruscant."

Adi-Gallia, however, was focused on the appearance of ships, both in the air and even in the sea converging on their location.

"Um, Nym? We have a problem." Jinkins nervously cut in.

"What now?" Nym snapped.

"We have incoming hostiles on multiple vectors."

Indeed, they did.

At least two Trade Federation transports from the air, a battleship coming in from the sea and even an MTT was approaching, hovering over the water.

"Great, coming at us from the air AND the water." Nym drawled. "I'll get the dropship, Reti you take the boats and take that Jedi with you."

"Okay, Nym." Reti quickly said. "You won't regret this."

"Just keep her away from me." Nym barked.

"Sure thing, Nym." Reti complied. "Come on, Adi."

Well, that went as well as she could have expected.

Maramere
Orbit
USS Hathway
Bridge

"We're coming into orbit, sir."

"Scanners." Pierce said, stepping off his chair and walking closer to the viewscreen to get a better view of the planet. "I want to know what's happening down there."

"I've located Master Gallia and Reti's ships, sir. They're engaging multiple craft, both in the air and the water." R'Meera replied. "There appears to be an installation of sorts."

"What do you make of it?" Pierce quickly asked.

"It appears to be under attack. I am detecting life signs, both artificial and organic. The artificial life signs are falling, likely Trade Federation battle droids being shot." R'Meera answered.

"Perhaps these are the pirates they spoke of. Perhaps this installation has the information we might need." Pierce mused.

"I wouldn't recommend beaming down into the middle of a warzone." Lara stated.

Pierce frowned as he looked at the view screen. "…Can our phasers be adjusted to disable rather than destroy?"

"…Yes sir." R'Meera slowly answered. "We would have to decrease the power down to at least a quarter."

"All right. Lock onto all Trade Federation signatures and lower phaser power to a quarter." Pierce returned to his command chair. "Jardins, prepare to open hailing frequencies, all band."

"Captain." Lara walked up to Pierce. "I thought you were trying to avoid a fight."

"Unfortunately, not everyone around seems to understand a language other than their weapons. So, we'll have to speak to them the only way they understand." Pierce admitted.

"Phasers locked, Captain."

"Fire."

Maramere
Surface

Adi Gallia and Reti were doing well against the droid forces despite being heavily outnumbered when streaks of red light shot down from the sky, impacting Trade Federation ships. The beams lanced through the craft but did not outright destroy them. The Trade Federation transports and battleships in the water were disabled, not even the subs were able to dodge or rely on the protection of the water from the sudden attack.

"What's going on out there?" Nym asked. "Whose firing?"

Adi Gallia looked up at the sky. "…The Hathway."

"The what?"

"A Federation ship, a United Federation ship that." Gallia clarified.

"You know, those guys from the other galaxy?" Reti cut in.

"Those guys are here too?! Reti, why didn't you invite the Hutts here too while you were at it?!" Nym shouted.

"It wasn't me, Nym! They were already here when we showed up!" Reti hastily said.

"It's true, Nym. Not even I knew about them until they assisted us earlier." Gallia added.

That was when a voice cut in. "This is Captain Jeffery Pierce of the USS Hathway to anyone down on the planet. Can anyone in the installation hear me?"

"Should we answer?" Jinkins asked.

"This is Nym answering. Why are you here?" Nym snapped.

"I suppose I am speaking to the Nym who is the leader of the resistance movement against the Trade Federation." Pierce surmised.

"You got that right. Now tell me why you are here."

"We're here to investigate the possible existence of a weapon the Trade Federation is developing to use against us. Given your own hostility towards them, I don't suppose you won't mind if we beam down to check that installation's databanks for confirmation?"

"As long as you don't try to recruit us or anything." Nym retorted.

"That won't be a problem."