Earth: A Rendezvous with Destiny Chapter 14: Conspiracy, a star wars fanfic

Agent Theron Shan-Republic Strategic Information Service

Undisclosed SIS Satilite Facility - Antar 4, Prindaar System, Inner Rim, Republic Space, "The Galaxy"

07:09:16 ATC/ Wednesday, July 9th, 1969 - 08:45/8:45 PM

Located not too far from the neutral planet of Manaan was a secret communications interception site on the Republic world of Antar 4, the homeworld of the Gotal species and the Gotals were in close association with the Jedi Order so it wasn't too difficult for Director Trant to gain permission from the natives to have an SIS facility on their homeworld to slice diplomatic messages but Theron was inside the building for another reason altogether as he knew it was secured and if anyone inquired he had reasonable explanations prepared but in reality the SIS operative suspected that the attack on Tython and Korriban a week prior was more than just a coincidence and the agent was determined to find out the truth. Shan was especially suspicious of Colonel Rian Darock and he wasn't sure how deep this went so Theron decided to get outside help.

'Nope. He's a Spook and a rich playboy at that.' Theron thought as he read a file on this 'Clifford Bernard Northcott' of the Central Intelligence Agency, a so-called 'Old Philadelphian' from the affluent community of Haverford on the so-called 'Main Line' who participated in the successful toppling of Fidel Castro's regime in Cuba and was also in Laos as well as Vietnam and while Theron continued surfing for two suitable candidates, his droid, T3-G2, beeped.

"What do you have for me?"Shan asked as the droid brought two files on a pair of Americans, namely individuals by the name of Jake G. Meyer and Samuel D. Westbrook.

Theron selected to read the one on Meyer first. "Private First Class Jake Meyer." As the very spy who had taken down the Ascendant Spear continued to read the information regarding him, Theron could not help but to scrutinize the details as this Studies and Observation Group from the sound of it was suspiciously the name for a black operations unit, one that Shan hadn't heard of in any recent debriefing. "Born and raised near Acton, Indiana, a rural community located just outside the city and state capital of Indianapolis, Indiana…" Theron paused as he realized that this was a dossier that was forwarded to the SIS by the United States government. "He officially became the first Earthling to engage Imperial forces during the 'United Nations Incident'."

'Oh, that?' Shan shook his head. He couldn't help but feel a tinge of sympathy for the guy as the woman he was romantically involved with turned out to be an Imp who infiltrated SpecForce. "Was in something known as the ' Military Assistance Command, Vietnam - Studies and Observations Group' for a few months in the Mekong Delta before requesting a transfer back to his original unit - details of the mission in the Mekong Delta in Vietnam remain classified and is now a Raider...Highly skilled in shooting with accomplishments nationally in sanctioned Director of Civilian Marksmanship events and is a 'Distinguished Marksman'." The man in the red jacket nodded his head in approval to his companion. "Excellent choice Tee-Three. I believe we have found our men."

Private First Class Jake Gregory Meyer - Fireteam Alpha, Second Squad, First Platoon, C/Charlie Company, Second Raider Battalion "Carlson's Raiders", Second Raider Regiment, Second Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, United States Marine Corps

Fort Duqua Dar - Quadrant G-19, Coruscant, Coruscant System, Core Worlds, Republic Space, "The Galaxy"

07:10:16 ATC/ Wednesday, July 10th, 1969 - 07:01/7:01 AM

"Do what!?" Jake couldn't believe what he was hearing. Meyer wasn't sure if he heard his pal's announcement correctly. The Jarhead was in his barrack reading Wing and Trap Shooting by the gunwriter Charles Askins when Samuel brought the Leatherneck some unexpected news.

"Some Republic Spook it seems recruited us for a mission." Sam declared with disgust as if some savage decided to vandalize an original portrait personally painted by the masterful brushstrokes of Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino, better known as Raphael. "Don't ask me how he managed to penetrate the literal chain of command but this guy has serious clout."

"And to think we were both requisitioned for MACV-SOG by Clifford of all people." Jake shook his head. Until that fateful day at a bar in Da Nang, Emma's uncle as far as he was aware was legal counsel for the State Department and an aspiring archeologist like his brother yet it turned out in reality the so-called Old Philadelphian whose mother came from a prominent family in Natchez, Mississippi with her own mother being from the First Families of Virginia had joined the Central Intelligence Agency and was never some lawyer for diplomats and consulates, something that made Jake wonder what Clifford was actually up to in Baghdad on July 14th, 1958 as the Hoosier unwittingly became quite possibly the only twelve year old American farm boy to witness an Iraqi military coup d'état first-hand during what was going to be a typical archeological dig.

"Thanks to him we had an encounter that reminded us why we shouldn't trust spies."

The two friends shuddered as memories of that mission came back to haunt them.

Private First Class Jake Gregory Meyer - Team Delaware 3-5, Military Assistance Command, Vietnam – Studies and Observations Group (MACV-SOG)

[Location Classified - Somewhere in the Mekong Delta]

[Date and Time Unknown]

"Goalpost? This is Cutthroat."

The two friends since boyhood and assigned to the same SOG unit as a 'temporary assignment' waited from their position as a detachment of NVA regulars passed them just feet away, concealed in their tiger stripe camouflage with foliage meticulously attached and their face painted to break up the outline of their mugs. The duo were providing overwatch to a joint effort between United States Army Special Forces, Navy SEALs, and Force Recon Marines in a raid on a suspected North Vietnamese Army command center with Meyer behind the rifle and Westbrook using the M49 Spotting Scope to observe splashes and provide any correction if needed.

"We read you, Cutthroat."

"We have NVA Regulars in addition to Charlie." Meyer mentioned as he peered through the John Unertl Model 2" 36x Target Scope on his barely modified M14 Rifle which also had a SIONICS suppressor attached in addition to the optic. "I repeat, we have some boys from Hanoi."

"Copy Cutthroat. We'll be ready for them."

Jake admitted that while the tiger stripes were nice, the Marine was annoyed that a Spook had the power to transfer him to some shitty part of nowhere. The Leatherneck watched as Sam reached for his weapon and covered their rear with his 'acquired' RPD but then there was a growl and Jake's sinuses also began to act up.

"EGAD!" Westbrook shouted as a leopard appeared. It seems like the Americans have unwittingly chosen a bad spot and now the mission was a failure.

Present...

"That cat came out of nowhere."

"And you wonder why I'm not a cat person?" Jake wily answered, not bothering to mention his allergy. "Cats are evil and the black ones cause bad luck."

"So says the Jarhead who dated a redhead." The man with roots in Salem, Massachusetts smirked, to which his pal snorted.

"Yeah...A cheesecake-loving Space Brit. Don't remind me."

Jolima's Cantina -Ahto City, Manaan, Pyrshak System, Inner Rim, "The Galaxy"

07:14:16 ATC/ Monday, July 14th, 1969 - 18:22/6:22 PM

As the two Americans walked into the rendezvous point, a bar of sorts, to get additional information regarding this operation, the GIs couldn't shake the feeling that this was problematic as there was a stark contrast between the Republic's and any military doctrine from Earth in regards to how to conduct a mission. The pair have witnessed appointed generals from a religious order deciding to perform commando actions and overheard instances of fraternizing with the enemy to strike deals, the latter of which would them shot as a majority of the leaders wouldn't desire a repeat of the Christmas Truce but it was mindboggling how frequent such occurrences occurred on the battlefield.

"Ah, you must be our guests." Agent Shan noted.

"Okay buster, I don't know why you drafted us for some suicide mission, but if I find out you're misappropriating us for some ill-gotten gain, Hell will be a luxury compared to what I'm willing to do."

"Whoa, take it easy. We're all friends here." Theron placated. "What's your problem?"

Samuel shook his head as it was too late now. "Jake, your ultimatum will not get us out of this imbroglio."

"They aren't threats." Meyer declared as he glared at the spy. "They're promises. Alrighty then, Mister Red Jacket." The Hoosier deadpanned as he tried to remain equanimous despite his indignation. "So why are we at this bar?"

The agent shook his head and answered. "My contact from the Empire should be meeting us here soon."

Sam raised an eyebrow in suspicion at the comment. "Empire?"

"Yeah, something about the assaults on Korriban and Tython doesn't add up. We chose Manaan as it's a neutral world so we could compare notes in person. And that is also whe-"

The trio was interrupted by a rather attractive blonde woman in her early twenties and although the Americans never understood why robes and capes were an essential fashion statement for the rest of the universe, there were also some rather strange coincidences between Earth and the Intergalactic community in addition to the perceptible disparates.

"Theron, it's good to see you've made it." She greeted in an unmistakable 'Space British' accent but Jake had a slightly poleaxed expression at seeing the pretty blonde before noticing her eyes: Sith yellow.

'I need a really stiff drink' Meyer thought.

Lana smiled at the stranger but she noticed how handsome he was and became lost in his eyes. "So...Theron?...I see you brought along friends."

Yet Theron could not refrain from grinning as he recognized her becoming smitten. "Are you alright, Lana...You're sweating a bit."

The flaxen-haired woman turned to her crush momentarily and then blushed harder. "Oh hush up."

However, the situation wasn't helped as 'Burning Love' by Elvis Presley begins to play in the cantina.

Lord Almighty,
I feel my temperature rising
Higher higher
It's burning through to my soul

Girl, girl, girl
You gonna set me on fire
My brain is flaming
I don't know which way to go

'Dammit!' Jake thought as he listened to the tune. 'Elvis is becoming strangely popular if aliens are playing it!'

Lana, unbeknownst to the Marine was sharing the same embarrassing sentiment as well as the song became more evident. 'Kriff!'

Your kisses lift me higher
Like the sweet song of a choir
You light my morning sky
With burning love

Ooh, ooh, ooh,
I feel my temperature rising
Help me, I'm flaming
I must be a hundred and nine
Burning, burning, burning
And nothing can cool me
I just might turn into smoke
But I feel fine

Shan's grin widened, enjoying the fact that he now has potential blackmail."So, Lana, this is Jake Meyer of the United States Marines. Jake, Lana Beniko-Sith Lord and an advisor to Darth Arkous."

"Umm...How do you do, Miss Beniko."

"The...Feeling is mutual...Jake." Then a thought occurred to the blonde. 'Wait a minute, did Sara mention that her boy...Ah, kriff.'

Theron smirked evilly, oblivious to the fact that the blonde was indirectly aware of the Hoosier. " I'll leave you two alone for a minute to get to know each other better."

"I think I shall gander at the selection of brandies or wine." The paratrooper and scion of American old money grinned mischievously as he agreed with the plan before stereotypically evoking the demeanor of a snob. "Pip, pip."

"Theron…"

"Samuel..."

Cause your kisses lift me higher
Like a sweet song of a choir
And you light my morning sky
With burning love

It's coming closer
The flames are reaching my body
Please won't you help me
I feel like I'm slipping away
It's hard to breath
And my chest is a-heaving

Nevertheless, despite their best efforts Theron and Samuel still left their respective compatriots in the dust.

"I apologize for my friend's behavior...Theron enjoys causing mischief if he thinks he can get away with it."

"That's okay Miss Beniko. Samuel at times is the same way despite his upbringing so I know the feeling." The Hoosier groaned as he was typically comme il faut.

"Oh, do please call me Lana, Jake."Lana insisted as she smiled flirtatiously.

Lord Almighty,
I'm burning a hole where I lay
Cause your kisses lift me higher
Like the sweet song of a choir
You light my morning sky
With burning love
With burning love
Ah, ah, burning love
I'm just a hunk, a hunk of burning love
Just a hunk, a hunk of burning love
Just a hunk, a hunk of burning love
Just a hunk, a hunk of burning love
Just a hunk, a hunk of burning love
Just a hunk, a hunk of burning love

Jake smirked in response to the glow. "Only if you call me Jake."

'What in the name of the Force am I thinking...If this is the same Jacob Meyer Sara was in a relationship with!?'

'Well, I'm not sure if I'll see Sara again and the last time I saw her, I shot her accidentally on Korriban...Odds are slim.'

Jolima's Cantina -Ahto City, Manaan, Pyrshak System, Inner Rim, "The Galaxy"

07:14:16 ATC/ Monday, July 14th, 1969 - 19:00/7:00 PM

"So Jake..." Theron inquired cheekily. "What do you think of Lana?"

"Hmm...Well, I didn't think I'd run into a Sith and why would an SIS agent be friends with one anyhow...Are you setting me up? As in being your patsy?"

"Oh, why of course not." Samuel shrugged before joking about the encounter. "I believe he has good intentions."

Jake placed the beer down and placed his head on the table. "Shit. I'm screwed."

"So is it just me or doesn't Jake seem a bit flustered?"

The SIS agent smirked at the paratrooper. "He'll be fine, Sergeant." Shan gazed over at Beniko as she sheepishly passed the duo. "So how was your time with lover boy?"

"Not. One. Word." The Sith growled.

Westbrook shook his head as the blonde stormed off. "You realize that she could easily kill us both, right? And I mean it from a woman scorned sensed by the way."

"What can I say?" The agent defended. "Lana is...unique amongst their ranks. Pushing buttons is a hobby of mine."

"One of these days she might make you 'disappear'."

"Perhaps." Theron confessed casually. "But for now, I'm cocky enough to push my luck."

Ahto City, Manaan, Pyrshak System, Inner Rim, "The Galaxy"

07:15:16 ATC/ Tuesday, July 15th, 1969 - 08:49/8:49 AM

Shan had to admit that the history of the Americans was proving itself as they began to ponder over the best way to conduct the operation against the facility. The two traitors, Colonel Darok and Darth Arkous were both pouring funds into this one research lab, something that had to be more of just a mere coincidence.

"So can we count on reinforcements?"

Theron shook his head. "No, since this mission is ultrasensitive and time is of the essence." He then shrugged. "Then again, Lana might be pulling strings but she doesn't tell me everything for obvious reasons."

"Well, this will become a FUBAR op if we don't plan accordingly."

"FUBAR?" The agent inquired, unfamiliar with the terminology.

"Fucked up beyond any recognition." Samuel clarified. "Worse than SNAFU, Situation normal all fucked up."

"Ah." The spy grinned. Shan had to admit that the Earthling had a rather colorful vocabulary of expressions to describe every event. "Luckily for you, I've acquired some typical civvie attire for this special party of ours."

"So we can get hung for spying just like Nathan Hale?" Jake grumbled. "Wonderful."

"Actually, it's typically either lightning or throwing a lightsaber."

"Still, we're not spies, Red Jacket." The Leatherneck reminded him. "If we get caught and die, I'll come back from the grave and strangle you." The Raider selected a dull gray and buff leather jacket for himself before handing an all-black one to Sam. "You really have a strange sense of clothing."

"It's not my fault that Nerf leather is the current fad." Theron upholded. "And who would think that Earthlings would wear leather?"

Meyer rolled his eyes at the bravado. "If James Dean was still alive, he'll prove you wrong."

"Who?"

"Nevermind." Westbrook interceded. "Let's just get this over with."

Gorima's Genetics, Inc. - Manaan, Pyrshak System, Inner Rim, "The Galaxy"

07:15:16 ATC/ Tuesday, July 15th, 1969- 11:24/11:24 AM

Jake and Sam continued to infiltrate the facility by using their experiences with stealth operations. So far, the two Americans -with assistance from their SIS handler- had managed to not to alert the security system for the installation but the duo knew that it was only a matter of time and as a result, attempted to make this mission a quick raid for Intel.

"Bring back any memories rescuing POWs in Laos?" Westbrook asked in a whisper.

"Sure does." Meyer chuckled softly as he brought up a suppressed M1911A1 and fired, taking down a guard. "Didn't know what hit him."

"Because bullets are regarded as obsolete by the rest of the galaxy." The paratrooper reminded his friend cheekily as they proceeded to drag the corpse out of sight.

"So the Republic and the representatives for BlasTech and Merr-Sonn, say." The Raider shrugs. "But I'm not going to deny results."

"Interesting," The voice of the spy interrupted the conversation over the com. "I'm seeing records of a prisoner here. Someone named Jakarro. I bet he could share some interesting stories with us…The Chief of Security's straight ahead."

The pair rounded the corner to find the chief and two riot control droids waiting. Along with a rather irate-looking Bigfoot in a cage.

"I thought Sasquatch was in California?" Jake muttered as he aimed his rifle at the head of security, firing a shot.

"I'm no Sasquatch! I'm a Wookiee!"

Meyer rolled out of the way as one of the robots took a swing at the Leatherneck. Westbrook unleashed a hail of bullets at said bot and riddled it with holes. While the soldier was focusing on the first one, the other robot attempted to blast the paratrooper in the back, but the Raider shot the tin can in the head.

"It's our lucky day, droid! Convince these saps to let us out of here!"

The duo looked at the being and realized that the metallic skull wasn't decoration, but the head of a robot attached to crossed bandoliers. And the head seemed to be fully functional.

"Uh… Greetings! My master compliments your impressive skill, and would like to share his appreciation for this noble rescue!"

Jake raised an eyebrow and looked at the beast. "Jakarro, I presume? We're here to break you out… among other things."

"Fine, just release us and we can slaughter the rest of these backstabbers together!"

"Before we let you out, what are the two of you even doing here? You're logged as a prisoner, but why?"

The robot answered before the mammal. "My esteemed master is a specialist in discreet cargo delivery. I am his translator, C2 D4, former servant of her Imminence, Queen Lina of…"

"Does he ever shut up!" Sam groans from the console.

"No one cares, droid! Get to the point." His master growled.

"Uhm… yes, well, Jakarro was contracted by a Selkath geneticist, Gorima, to deliver certain medical equipment - perfectly legal! - to this facility." The droid informed the duo. "But once the delivery was made, we were imprisoned and interrogated by two very unpleasant individuals!"

"Let me guess… a Republic officer and a Sith?"

"They wanted to know whether or not we had told others about the job. Insulting!" Jakarro replied.

"We were never introduced!" C2-D4 replied. "Very rude, to be perfectly honest. After the interrogation, they told Gorima to use us for fodder in some kind of experiment!"

Jake shook his head with disgust, the explanation reminding him of his father's conversation regarding encountering the Nazi's experimentation on some of the Holocaust victims after liberating a camp, specifically Wöbbelin, a subcamp of the Neuengamme Concentration Camp, it was something Jake overheard while his old man and Daniel were confabulating out on the back porch one night and then there was also the fact that his friend's mother Henrietta was a survivor of the Augsburg-Haunstetten Subcamp of Dachau. "Sith don't usually take prisoners from what we heard, so this experiment must be a big deal."

"The possibilities are… troubling, to say the least." D4 commented.

After turning away in revulsion, Sam checked his com and asked their handler. "Theron, you getting all this?"

"Yeah, and their story checks out - just did a little digging on these two. Charges against them both for smuggling, disorderly conduct, assault…"

Soldier and Jarhead looked at each other, and the Leatherneck asked "Even the Robot?"

"Yeah." Theron replied, sounding confused."Why do you ask?"

"Nevermind."

"Well, whatever they may have done, Lana has a good feeling about them—thinks they might come in handy. Let's see if she's right." The field agent deadpanned.

Shan guided Westbrook as to how to open the cage and with a few simple keystrokes, the force field was down.

"All right." Sam told Jakarro as he leaped from the cage platform. "We're in this together, you understand."

"I will secure my weapons and meet you! Revenge will be ours!"

The beast turned and as he stalked off the duo overheard D4 shout at them. "Thank you!"

Sam walked up beside Jake and said. "They're friendly."

"I'm going to ascribe the lack of manners to the fact they'd been stuck in a cage." Jake replied as turned to eye the elevator that leads to the lab. "It's time to crash this party."

The descent felt like forever, and as the elevator doors opened, Theron's voice buzzed in the duo's ears.

"Hold up a sec. I've been slicing the facility's files, and I keep finding references to the Order of Shasa, some type of Force-using Selkath. They aren't Jedi or Sith. I'm still not sure how they fit into this, so be careful."

"We will." Jake replied as Sam looked at him.

"Well, that's just nifty." He said wryly. "But on the other hand, Space Magicians have nothing over us."

"Ain't that right." Meyer snickered as he pulled back the charging handle of his M14. " So let's make mincemeat and shoot the fish in this barrel of theirs."

Gorima's Genetics, Inc. - Manaan, Pyrshak System, Inner Rim, "The Galaxy"

07:15:16 ATC/ Tuesday, July 15th, 1969 - 12:24/12:24 PM

The Order of Shasa turned out to be extremely proficient fanatics but the two Americans were experienced enough with magicians to overtake them. Admittedly it was still challenging yet a couple of well-placed shots from the gunpowder weapons and a few grenades here and there did wonders when it came to dealing with laser swords.

But now, Jake, Sam, and their two companions stood before a security door that, if the schematics the spy had found were accurate, led to Gorima's lab. And a new voice came over the com circuit, a female with a clipped Dromund Kaas accent.

"I know we haven't talked much, but Theron asked me to contact you while he was busy with his scanning equipment." The Sith announced. "Apparently he's picking up powerful energy readings from Gorima's laboratory, readings consistent with Rakata technology. Theron and I agree this is a dangerous sign. Whatever is going on in that lab, please do your best to stop it."

"Understood, ma'am." Samuel acknowledged. "We're about to strike the place anyway."

Jake opened the door and stormed in first, pointing his pistol at the being.

"Are you Gorima?" Jake asked the alien who was leaning over the table operating on something.

"I am, and I'm never going to finish with so many interruptions! Go back to Darok and tell him to stop pestering me!" He replied absently, then looked up. "You aren't one of Darok's people. An intruder then. What do you want?"

"I don't understand what you're saying, Fishface." Jake growled at the aquatic researcher. "But I can one hundred percent guarantee you didn't expect your magicians and robots to be taken down easily."

"It is obvious that you are not familiar with Selkaths."The mad scientist determined. "No matter, you will not escape this facility alive with my creation-"

"There you are!" Jakarro howled as he brought up his bowcaster. "Time to learn the cost for crossing Jakarro, eel!"

Gorima brought up both hands, either in defense or an attempt to placate Jakarro. "Please." He pleaded. "It was nothing personal! You have to understand - you're such an impressive specimen."

"What are you waiting for?" D4 asked. "Do it before he has a chance to betray us again!"

But Sam beat Jakarro to the deed and fired a burst from his M60 to end the mad inventor's waste of oxygen. "Rot in hell."

The extraterrestrial stumbled back as the projectiles opened a cavity in his chest, the bullets peppered his flesh and it keeled over.

"Gorima wasn't the best employer really." The robot head confessed with a cheerful glee.

The conversation was cut off by the loud hiss, as an observation port opened in the far wall, and standing together were Arkous and Darok, the two traitors looking somewhat smug.

"Well..." Darok said conversationally. "That explains the dead guards."

"Hmmm...I do wonder why I couldn't sense our intruders." The Sith mused. "Most peculiar."

"Obviously they're Earthlings." The Colonel quickly determined. "Judging by weaponry, the tactics, and their accent, I would surmise Americans."

"Yes. I suppose that explains it." His companion conceded. "No matter, these forceless pests are going to learn that they're an anathema to everything we hold dear."

"I told Shan to let it go." Darok revealed to them. "You all did your parts—none of this concerns you."

"You think you can just stand there and relax without us shooting at you?" Meyer mocked as the former MOS 5811 Military Policeman fired a warning shot. "Surrender. This is your only warning."

"Your ignorance of galactic affairs is none of our concern!" The Colonel declared as a projectile struck the glass and whizzed by his head, the duo knowing that it was their cue to flee. "You don't even know what you're interfering with, you ignorant Earthlings!"

The Marine, however, ignored the monologing and fired another shot followed by another.

"Such a shame about Gorima." Darth Arkous lamented with surprising calmness despite being shot at as the Sith Lord reached out to press a button on the console in front of him, and the lab shuttered as the hatch to the observation port closed.

Out of confusion due to the near misses, the Leatherneck looked down and noticed that the front sight of his handgun was off-center. "Drat, I knew I adjusted it to be dead-on recently." But then again it could also be because he may be using a different lot of ammunition than what he used to sight it in which was why it was slightly off-center to account for where the rounds would impact while aiming but either way if he had known the firearms enthusiast would have used 'Kentucky Windage' to compensate.

"Jake! We should get under way and depart!"

"Your friend is right, Earthling! I'm not suited for aquatic environments!"

"I must agree with my master! We best get going!"

"Ah, shut up robot!"

"Robot? I'm C2-D4, a Protocol Droid formerly in service to Queen…"

"I said shut it, Rosey." The Marine snarled. "This ain't the 'Jetsons' but don't think for a minute that I won't send your advanced cogs or sprockets up to Orbit City!"

"Out! Now!" Sam barked as an explosion tore through the facility and water came rushing in. The quartet was out in the hallways, heading toward the elevator at double time to the surface when Lana contacted the strike team.

"Hello again." She said, "I'm afraid all the emergency pods have been ejected and the hatches back to the facility's entrance sealed. Fortunately, a friend and I… procured a small watercraft for such an eventuality. The autopilot should have it docked at a hatch nearby shortly."

'Friend?' Jake asked himself, but shook the Leatherneck his head. The Marine needed to focus on surviving the waves first.

"'Shortly' might be a little bit long as far as we're concerned." Sam shouted over the rush of water.

"Their cyborg champion is after you!" Lana said, sounding slightly agitated. "I can feel its power from here. It's considerable."

Jake calmly returned the M1911A1 to his russet leather M1916 Holster, pulled his issued M14 off of his shoulder, and formed a 'hasty sling': After bringing his rifle to 'port arms', Meyer placed his left arm inside the opening - below the rifle and above the M1907 pattern sling, raised the left arm up and behind the sling, and slipped his palm back over the sling, and grasped the forestock of the rifle before aiming his rifle as the monstrosity confronted them. The crackshot peered through the rear aperture as he remained in the 'offhand' position and placed the front sight squarely at the head before firing a single shot of Nosler-produced 7.62x51mm M59 Ball and watched as brain matter was scattered across the passageway courtesy of the 150 grain bullet. Although the alien received a mortal wound with his head being an unrecognizable clump, his arm was still twitching but it eventually stopped, the fin twitching its last movements.

"Is it dead?" Westbrook asked, breathing heavily.

"I don't think we have time to stay here and find out." Meyer determined. "Let's just get out of here."

The Paratrooper nodded and the comrades rushed towards the docking bay located at the corner of the hall.

"Apologies for the interruption, but both Lana and Agent Shan are currently occupied at the moment. Nevertheless, your two acquaintances thought they needed to have an extra hand in this mess, although I'm surprised that you didn't invite me to the raid, Jake."

"Sounds familiar?" Sam inquired regarding the identifiable clipped voice.

Jake pressed the button to his earpiece and although he hesitated for a moment he felt that he had to know and what were the odds? "Is that you, Sara?"

"Now is not the time." The Commando chastised. "You and Samuel need to 'bug out' as you Americans say and 'get out of dodge'."

"Seems like we may have gone a bit overboard with the expressions, pal." Jake grumbled as he sprinted towards the docking bay.

"You think?"

The quartet came across a holoterminal and the figure of a female Imperial Commando flickered to life with the Sergeant busy tapping away at presumably the 'electrical typewriter feature' from Meyer's and Westbrook's perspective.

"So should I bring flowers and chocolate for the reunion?" The Leatherneck quipped, but Kelrein sighed at the antics.

"Look, we can catch up after you're out of the kriffing lab." The redhead promised as she continued to press buttons on her holopad. "There, the shuttle should be ready for your departure to the surface, unless you prefer to swim of course?"

Lana Beniko - Sith Order and former advisor to Darth Arkous

Aboard the XS stock light freighter Bite of the Kououra

07:15:16 ATC/ Tuesday, July 15th, 1969 - 15:24/3:24 PM

Ever since Lana met Jake, the blonde couldn't get her mind off of the handsome American, and for whatever reason, Beniko believed she was falling head over heels whenever she saw him, and yet Lana didn't want to put a friendship at risk.

"Sara?"

"What is it, Lana?" The redhead asked, head peeking up from a holonovel she was reading.

With a deep breath, Lana explained the situation. "I believe that I'm falling in love with Jake, but I know he already has someone dear to him and I do not wish to put our friendship in jeopardy."

Sara blinked at Lana for a few moments then smirked. "Why am I not surprised." Kelrein declared with an answer Lana wasn't quite expecting. "Lana. He's a great guy and I know you long enough that you wouldn't risk our friendship. We have so much in common that I wouldn't be surprised that you have feelings for him too." Sara's smirk then metamorphosed into a sly grin. "Besides, I'm not the jealous type anyway."

"That's...good to hear."

"I wonder what he thinks?" Kelrein wickedly smiles before calling out. " Jake! Can Lana and I talk to you for a minute!? It's important! "

Aboard the XS stock light freighter Bite of the Kououra

07:15:16 ATC/ Tuesday, July 15th, 1969 - 15:30/3:30 PM

Jake was taken aback by the proposition. The American never expected that two ladies to be captivated by him and now he was in a rather awkward situation at the insinuation of being romantically involved with the enemy. This was either a dream come true or a perilous nightmare depending on one's point of view and he was conflicted about reacquainting with one of them.

"Umm...So let me get this straight. You both desire to be in a relationship with me?"

"Well, if you're uncomfortable..." Lana mitigated herself, understanding his reluctance and hesitation regarding the concept.

"No, it's fine." He quickly declared. "It's just that I'm trying to wrap my head around it." Meyer sighed as he pondered as to what the best course of action is. "Look, I already had a fallout over a certain spy, but, this…?"

"Sorry about that by the way." Sara muttered with sincerity. "I've never intended for you to get scrutinized."

"It's fine." Sighing and praying that he doesn't regret this, he nodded. "Okay then. I'm willing to give this a shot."

Aboard the XS stock light freighter Bite of the Kououra

07:16:16 ATC/ Wednesday, July 16th, 1969 - 16:00/4:00 PM

"Lucky bastard." Samuel grumbled as he saw his friend being mesmerized by the blonde and the redhead.

"You were playing matchmaker, Sam." Sara cheekily pointed out. "Goes to show that women play the game better."

"Whatever, Space Limey."

Beniko and Kelrein glanced at one another and rolled their eyes. "Men."

"Okay, moving on." Theron intervened, changing the subject. "We now know that a certain ancestor of mine is planning an intergalactic powerplay."

"Understatement of the century." Jake interrupted.

"Yes, well, and we also know that he hasn't successfully recruited any Earthlings due to the planet being involved in the galaxy for only a year. As such, Earth hasn't cemented itself, unlike Alderaan or Chandrila."

"Thus we can discount encountering any Revanites from your world." Lana finished.

"Who cares!"Jakarro roared. "We're wasting our time!"

"Err...What did Sasquatch say?" The paratrooper inquired, regretting it only moments later.

"My master..."

"Way to go, Sam."

Rakata Prime - Lehon System, Tempered Wastes, Unknown Regions, "The Galaxy"

07:18:16 ATC/ Friday, July 18th, 1969 - 09:30/9:30 AM

"So this potential vacation hotspot is the origin of a race of cannibals?" Jake quipped he, Sam, and their handler sat on a crate discussing their next move. "I'm unimpressed."

"Well, then at least it's not Rishi." Theron interposed. "Intel places it as a hotspot for smugglers and gangsters despite being a tropical paradise."

"Pirates?" Sam questioned, clearly interested. "As in 'Yo ho ho and a bottle of rum'?"

Shan still wasn't sure what the Earthling was talking about but he recognized rum. "When you put it that way, piracy is surprisingly common in the galaxy."

"Sounds lovely. Magicians, Cultists, and now Pirates." Meyer scoffed. "What's next, an intergalactic apocalypse to wipe out all life?"

"Oh, give it a break, Jake." Kelrein interrupted as the commando and the others walked over to the men discussing strategy. "I'm sure you can ease off being melodramatic once you realize that the reality of the galaxy is not going away anytime soon."

"I can even call up a few of my pirate friends!"

"We still can't understand you, Sasquatch."

"Jakarro is not Bigfoot." The blonde corrected."He's a Wookiee."

"A what?"

"My master species call themselves Wookiees and their homeworld is known…"

"Shut up droid." Sara glared at the head. "Can you see that you were being rude?"

"My apologies...Go ahead Miss Beniko."

Lana coughed and continued. "Anyway, Jakarro is a Wookiee and thanks to their biology, they can only communicate by using growls."

"So they speak through roars?"Sam noticed. "I guess this is why he strapped a robot to his chest."

"How many times do I have to you that I'm not a robot!? I'm C2-D4, a Protocol Droid formerly in service to Queen…"

"Quiet down or I'll sell you for scrap! They're just misinformed!" The smuggler roared. "I hear there is a high demand for the C2 series lately on Tatooine!"

"Please don't master! It's just only a misunderstanding!"

It clicked for the Marine that one of the strike team hadn't shown annoyance at the 'Protocol Droid' as of yet. "I'm surprised you haven't lashed out at it yet. Are you supposed to be driven on anger?"

"It takes more than this to annoy me." The Sith confessed. "I just find patience to be a virtue."

"Moving on, what do we know about the insane cultists?"

"The Order of Revan…A Cult that preaches the teaching of Revan, a famous or infamous figure depending upon one's point of view."

"And who is this Revan guy?" The paratrooper pressed.

Theron sighed. Maybe he should have contacted Havoc Squad for this operation. "Revan was a famous Jedi three hundred years ago who later went rogue, redeemed himself, and became a hero for the Republic once more...Look, I can send you a history file after the work is done."

"Three hundred years." Jake snorted. "Sam, do we know anyone who is over three centuries old and walks like a sack of bones?"

"The only living ancient man I know Jake is your Great-Grandfather." Westbrook chuckled. "I'm sure he could continue to tell us his tales about his adventures in Puerto Rico during the War of '98 and how he nearly fired the cannon at the Spaniards only to be informed that peace was declared."

"This is no joking matter." The spy groaned. "Whether this is the actual Revan or an imposter, it doesn't matter. The Republic, Empire, Earth…He threatening to place the entire galaxy under an iron heel."

"Theron's right." Lana agreed with the assessment. "The madman desires to rule over the galaxy and strip every sentient being of their liberties."

The two Americans were about to comment about the hypocrisy of authoritarianism when the beast howled.

"All of this talk makes me thirst for blood! When are we going to storm the place!"

"Calm down. I'm sure that we'll learn in time and be home in time for Misses Meyer's cheesecake."

Sara's ears perked up under overhearing the delicacy. "Did someone say cheesecake?"

'Oh great.' Jake thought. "Umm…Sam, you know she's addicted to the dessert, remember?"

"Ah shoot." The paratrooper facepalmed as he realized his error.

"Cheesec-ake?" Lana inquired with an awkward, yet curious tone.

"Why, cheesecake is the greatest thing ever." The redhead smirked. "You need to try some."