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| - The Gatekeeper stood on the bridge of the Uberweapon, gazing at the vast expanse of space. "So I heard you have a bounty out on that pest, Julio." The Gatekeeper turned around to see the mercenary Ty standing behind him. "I will gladly take up that offer so I have the money to replace the Corvette I lost during the battle." Ty continued. And the Remnant is a little ticked at me for dragging them into the battle during which they suffered extreme losses...I may need cash to bribe the Admiral into not putting a price on MY head. The mercenary thought to himself. "You know Ty," Said the Gatekeeper "The Shadow Empire would make a strong ally. As it stands, I've been looking for one ever since the original Galactic Empire voted to integrate itself into the Shadow Empire. That left me with a lot of new toys to play with, many ships and units to upgrade to their maximum potential. That, and coupled with the fact that the Shadow Empire was originally a branch of the Trader Emergency Coalition WAY back in the beginning, thousands of galaxies away from here. The point I am getting to, is the Alliance would have been watching our battles very closely and would know that we are in a tough spot right now. If they decide to attack, the Empire would probably be able to fend them off, but your scattered remnant ships would be doomed. Why don't you start a Trade Alliance with us? You will get Credits, Metal, Crystal, other raw resources to build stronger ships? I could even make you a copy of the plans for the Argonev Star Base, to defend your key planets and to expand your trade network, as well as it's remote construction facilities AND firepower and hull equivalent to 5 ISD's? Think about it and let me know..." The Gatekeeper thought for a moment before continuing. "And, for your help in my battle, if you wish, I will help you jump-start your economy once again." Ty294 replied, "Well, I'm not actually a member of the Imperial Remnant, although I work very closely with them. The Remnant faction that participated in the recent battle was under command of Admiral Alexander Grage. I met Grage during my time with the Empire Reborn. Of course, after Kyle Katarn and Luke Skywalker screwed up the whole project," Just before my scheduled artificial force empowerment... "We both went our separate ways. I will gladly put you in contact with him and I'm sure he'll be more then willing to forge an alliance. Meanwhile, if you have any well-paying 'work' to be done, I'll gladly do it." ~~ Meanwhile, Lord Darkon's permanently placed undercover agents had intercepted recent communiques between the Gatekeeper and his favorite mercenary, and were listening to every word of their discussion. "Hmmm...how intriguing." The Sith Lord said "The Trader Emergency Coalition, with highly advanced technology. I can only imagine how much more advanced their technology might have become since then. If my True Sith Empire could secure that technology for itself, I could launch a new invasion of the Gatekeeper and his puny Shadow Empire, with the required technological superiority. " Through his tenure in the Gatekeeper's outer-dimensional plane, Lord Darkon knew exactly which far away galaxy the TEC originated from. The Sith ordered A large Expeditionary Task Force to be dispatched to that distant galaxy, to secure samples of that advanced technology, and possibly even conquer the TEC. ~~ The Gatekeeper continued, "Well, If you are interested in artificial force infusion, I can immensely help you there. Just name the side and the skill-set, and it shall be done. In the meantime, I want you to take out- " Incoming transmission: To: The Gatekeeper. From: TEC Section B-12. A voice through the comm said: "Sir, our borderline scouts have detected a large hostile fleet with RTSE markings making it's way toward our galaxy. Request permission to engage." "Permission granted, B-12. Where will they arrive?" "At the Akates Star System, at the star itself, Sir." "We have 4 Argonev Star Bases there, they don't stand a chance. Just in case, I'm sending you a Kol Battleship with all abilities integrated. ETA 5 minutes. In the meantime, use the production bays to whip up a fleet of Kodiak Heavy Cruisers and Javelis LRM Frigates, as well as a few Garda Flak Frigates." "Yes Sir!" The transmission ended, and the Gatekeeper stepped back from the console. "They're obviously after the TEC technology. Even if they get it, it is encrypted with a secret password that only I know of. Now, Ty, about those Force powers. Please continue." "Fleet Admiral Rajko, our advance scouts have reached the TEC galaxy." An RTSE officer announced. "As Lord Darkon suspected, the TEC technology is formidable, but they are far from warriors. A coalition of traders, they have lived in peace for far too long for their own good. Though covert scans of the Akates border system indicate heavy defense presence. No mobile defenders, though they appear to be manufacturing several dozen medium sized ships in the nearby shipyard. They must expect an attack." "Acknowledged. Battlegroup JZ2," Replied Fleet Admiral Rajko. "Proceed to attack the shipyard. Perform a quick hit-and-fade strike with your Munja class fast-attack cruisers, concentrate on their central manufacturing control. That will initiate a chain reaction to destroy all the vessels currently being built, than get out quickly." "Support Group JH2, your Karas class heavy carriers will launch all strike bombers to engage the Argonev battle-stations. Stay out of their heavy turbolaser range, and deploy your fighters to provide close point-defense if necessary." "Battlegroup JZ1, our Kurgarin class reactive-armored dreadnoughts will engage the battlestations directly, providing distraction as required. My instincts tell me their heavier vessels may be on the way..." "Support Group JH1, Battlegroup JZ3, you shall wait in reserve, ready for a flanking maneuver if required." "All forces, engage!" The RTSE fleet emerges from hyperspace, and immediately sees a massive fleet of hundreds of ships of unknown type, without any turbolasers, and in the back, churning out dozens more by the minute, are four enormous space stations. In the front is a massive ship that must be the Kol Battleship. The RTSE Fleet, Not expecting such heavy resistance from mere traders, turned around to retreat, only to be blocked by a massive Star Destroyer-esque vessel, blocking out the sun itself. The Gatekeeper is about to give the order to fire the Shadow Lazor, when he feels his arm twisted painfully behind his back, and a blade pressed to his throat. "You have no idea what you've gotten yourself into." His unknown captor whispered in his ear "You and Darkon have kicked a rock that has started an avalanche, now it's my job to stop it before it gets any worse. In a moment you are going to hear a report from you friends telling you that the fleet they were battling has been destroyed, but that is just the beginning" The Gatekeeper's radio suddenly crackles to life; "Darkon's strike team has been destroyed, but we didn't touch it, do you copy?" "We have 72 hours." said the intruder. The Gatekeeper was about to respond when the voice in his comm said again: "I repeat, Lord Darkon's strike-team has been destroyed, do you copy?" "We will meet again...." The Gatekeeper spun around, bewildered, but whoever the intruder was, he was gone now. ~~ The second wave of the RTSE fleet engages the TEC, and the battle rages on. "JZ2-A to Admiral Rajko." An RTSE pilot transmitted to the Admiral. "The shipyards are integrated with the battle-stations, and are manufacturing far more vessels than anticipated. However, their weaponry and defenses are inferior to ours. It seems, for all of their advanced technology, they have not invested in tactical systems. We have disabled their central control, and their assembly lines are destroyed. 5 out of 14 ships in the battlegroup lost. Moving out as instructed. Mission complete." "Excellent, Captain. We are outnumbered 6 to 1 here, but you are correct, their armaments and battle tactics are inferior. I anticipate a complete victory within an hour. If this is the best example of vaunted TEC technology, perhaps our coming here was a waste of... WHAT?!?" An enormous black superdestroyer reverts from hyperspace behind the assault fleet, its massive beam cannon already charging to fire. However, just as the weapon is about to discharge...nothing. "The unknown vessel has suddenly depowered, Admiral. Strange." "I can see that. All vessels, move into encirclement positions around the ship. Assault shuttles, launch! We shall capture this ship for Lord Darkon. But... something doesn't smell right..." Darkon was meditating in his flagship, when he sensed something... Or rather, someone... The Sith began to turn around, when his throat is grabbed from behind, and he felt the tip of a blade pressed against his back. "If I were you, I would tell your men to stay away from that ship, unless they wish to meet the same fate as the Gatekeeper's crewmen." A voice said from behind. "You see, I need you and your army alive, for the time being. I would suggest calling your men back now, commander." The grip was released, and Darkon spun around, only to find that his captor had vanished. Annoyed, Darkon made his way to the bridge. No sooner had arrived at the bridge, that a hologram of the Gatekeeper appeared as a global transmission. "It seems we have a new enemy, Lord Darkon." The hologram said. "Just as the Uberweapon, under my direct command, was about to wipe out your pathetic invasion force, an unknown captor swooped in and stopped me. Now, if you check the battle, you will notice most of your fleet has been destroyed as a direct result of battle with my fleet AND my star bases, as well as your boarding shuttles destroyed BEFORE they could get to the SEALED hangars. If I were you, instead of stealing other people's technology, I would improve your own, as I have. Now, this is a direct order: Refrain from future attacks until I uncover the identity of my assailant. If you do not adhere to my demands, I will send my countless fleets to destroy ANY intruders to MY galaxy. As in, if I hear of another ship of yours crossing the border, it will be destroyed. As for my assailant: Come out from the shadows and face me head on! You have 24 hours. If you do not, I will put One Quadrillion credits on your head. Ty would like to have this kind of money, I am sure..." The message ends. Both the Gatekeeper and Lord Darkon felt a massive disturbance in the force, and the gigantic black star destroyer, the Uberweapon, exploded, destroying everything around it in the blast of force energy. The voice of the intruder came through the Gatekeeper's comm: "As tempting as that may be, I have more pressing matters to deal with. I'll see you in 71 hours." ~~ "Return to RTSE space, Admiral!" Darkon yelled as most of the fleet avoided the explosion. "We have a breach of internal security to deal with." The Sith said calmly. "Your fleet will redeploy to reinforce our border defenses, while I use my Force permeator matrix to monitor this unknown enemy's movements. It seems the Gatekeeper has issued a direct challenge to him. That will distract him, giving me the advantage. If this situation develops as I predict it will, I shall kill two birds with one stone...Don't worry about his Uberweapon. Shortly after your fleet retreated, I sensed a massive disturbance in the Force as it exploded. It seems you did more damage than you thought, Admiral. Well done!" ~~ A few minutes later, the Uberweapon reappeared with the rest of the fleet, fully functional. "All systems operational, Sir. Seems the cloaking device fooled them all, and the explosion got the rest of Darkon's forces." "Excellent." Said the Gatekeeper. "Return to base and proceed with repairs to the star bases. It would seem that Lord Darkon's as well as this mysterious assailant's plans have been foiled. For now. As from this moment on, I will assume personal command of the Uberweapon. This kind of...stupidity...will not happen again. Preparations for the fleet commander's executions are well underway. Now, send someone to find Ty. I want that assailant dealt with. It is obvious he is too cowardly to fight me himself, so I'll send my best mercenary after him, as I am far too busy to deal with him myself, and he does not seem to be very much of a threat..."
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