Volunteers

Written by Nobody

"Nobody will voulenteer for this mission." Nobody stood. "The SSAKoA is ready, and we can have a droid army ready within the hour."

"Anyone else??"

Written by Ramz

While Ramz was sitting there twiddling his thumbs thinking about the many ways he wanted to kill the overlord, he felt the room go quiet, with everyone staring at him and his comrades. Looking up, he saw Nobody stand up and volunteer for something...

Nobody: "The SSAKoA is ready, and we can have a droid army ready within the hour."

"Anyone else?? "

Again, with the damn eyes… What’s up? I guess I should have been paying more attention.... what the hell...

Standing, Ramz made up his mind. "HALST will do it, just tell us where to go, and who to kill. Right guys?"

Krispy: "Yeah, I’m in. I was never into treasure hunting, especially for the orb. So I guess HALST will be attacking the overlord dead on for the distraction."

damn

"That’s what us tough guys do best I guess… So a dead on attack it is. You do realize that if you guys don’t get the orb in time, we're dead?

"Of course, we would probably be able to hold him long enough with a big enough army....."

Ramz turned his gaze to the Meddler.

Written by The Watcher

"I should be able to provide that. I can lend quite a number of ships and troops to bolster your forces. I can also assign one of my best strategists, Grand Admiral Thawn, to command that fleet and help you intergrate its capabilities with your own fleet's operations. However, I personally will be occupied elsewhere."

The Meddler leaned back and rubbed his beard while sweeping a cool and analytic gaze across the room. This next pronouncement would definitely be a hard sell. Lucky for him he was holding all the high cards. They needed him and his resources.

"As for myself, I volunteer to accompany Tanith in her mission to recover the Orb. I emphatically insist that I be a part of the expedition. Their efforts may very well determine whether we triumph or fall against the Overlord. I am loathe to leave my fate solely in the hands of others, beyond my control. I want to be there to personally make sure the Overlord's people do not beat us to the Orb. I demand to have at least some influence over my own destiny."

The Meddler raised his hand to quell any protests.

"Before any of you state any objections hear me out. My inclusion in the Orb Recovery Party makes perfect sense from a strategic point of view. The Overlord would dispatch a very formidable force, to retrieve the Orb, overwhelming in both numbers and powers. Should the party encounter them, they'll need troops of their own to counter such a force. Of course you could take some of my Clone Troopers, but after engaging in several battles their numbers would eventually dwindle due to attrition.

"Now, my powers allow me to create gates between any two locations, connecting them without any passage through any sort of intervening space. An untraceable form of transport that would allow us to obtain reinforcements and replenish supplies no matter where we roam. It also gives one the ultimate in secure lines of communication.

"Additionally, the Orb's course may take it to locales where I have assets in place. Assets which might be useful in helping to obtain the orb or in interfering with the Overlord's people. Assets which only I would know about. If they are to be put to good use, I would have to be there to employ them. Otherwise, a potential source of aid would just lie fallow and useless. And with this mission being so crucial, one can't afford to do without any potential edge one can get.

Finally, my personal help would also be of some use. Yes, I'm aware Rune is clairsentient, but in a search like this, the more eyes and ears the better. I have considerable fortitude and though I eschew it I am no stranger to personal combat. And of course, I've already mentioned my Gate Manipulation.

So, with all those reasons, you can't afford not to have me as a member of the Orb Expedition."

And with that the Meddler leaned back in his chair and folded his arms, looking to Tanith for her reply.

Written by Tanith

Tanith stared at Meddler for a moment, expressionessly. Then, she spoke.

"That's all very well, Meddler, but there's yet one problem with that. The method that we might be using to find our objective is applicable to only the Andromeda, not a fleet. Due to the need for stealth, likewise, 'tis best that only the Andromeda goes.

So, just how do you propose to come with us?"

Written by The Watcher

"Why as passengers on your ship of course. The Andromeda Ascendant was originally designed to have a complement of 4,132 crew members. I understand that you have considerably less people onboard these days. You have enough room for me and an entourage of my people to come along."

Written by Tanith

"An entourage? What kind of entourage are you speaking of? The generic war-droids and other defenses the Andromeda has by the dozen. I assume you are bringing more than just the ordinary stormtroopers?"

Written by The Watcher

"Of course I was planning on bringing more than just ordinary Stormtroopers. I also plan to bring wizards, gadgeteers, Sith assassins, and other people whose talents or expertise might be useful. I've managed to gather quite a collection of talented people, and thanks to cloning* and memory duplication technology, I have more than enough to risk on this venture.

However, a large contingent of Clone Troopers would be useful. Your war-droids and automatic systems may be good for shipboard defense, but we may encounter situations where offensive action maybe called for off the ship, such as boarding other vessels or raids on a planet. Clone Troopers would be ideal for those situations.

And they are far superior to the ordinary Stormtroopers you are thinking of. With photographic reflexes, a regenerative healing factor, and enhanced speed, strength, and durability, they are capable of holding their own against the Overlord's footsoldiers. If we do encounter the Overlord's forces in our venture, having the Clone Troopers around to occupy the Legion of Doom might be the difference between success and failure."

Written by Tanith

"Sith assassins? And just how can you be sure that these Darksiders won't desert you for the Overlord? The Dominion much befits their allegiance."

Written by The Fett

"Because I know what will happen to me if the overlord rules over all realities. I am no fool.

"Plus, I have a dept that has yet to be fully paid, and The Fett never turns his back on a debt."

Written by The Watcher

"And for those whose alliegance may prove less than steadfast, I've already taken precautionary measures to insure their continuing loyalty in the face of temptation, or at least eliminate any potential threat they might pose to my designs should they attempt to betray me. One doesn't rise to the position I have attained without taking into account the possibility of treason."

Written by Tanith

Tanith pondered the Meddler's words for a long time. Finally, she reluctantly nodded. "Yes, I suppose you can come with us." But before the Meddler could reply, she put in one qualifier. "However, I will go over the list of people you plan to bring along. After the council session, of course."

"Very well," replied the Meddler as he eased back into his seat, satisfied with the decision.

Into the slight pause in conversation, Z-man spoke up. "While we're on the subject, I'd like to go with you too, Tanith. Zen-Aku can easily stay in cabbit form while we're there."

At this, Tanith smiled. "Of course, Z. We've been partners in business from the very beginning. It would be nice to work together again."

After a few more volunteers for various duties, silence fell over the room again. Benedict looked around and decided that all that were going to volunteer for these tasks have already spoken. He stood and spoke. "Very well then. The Andromeda will go seek the Orb of Power. HALST and the Remnant Culture fleet will follow Woundhealer. The rest will be seeking out the border worlds and try to liberate them. Any further questions?" His eyes swept the room. "Very well, then. As soon as all repairs are done, we leave for the Meddler's universe and use that as the starting point to our various missions. Meeting adjourned."

As Tanith beamed back onto the Andromeda, she was waylaid by Yeoman before she could leave for her room. "Rommie says we got a response from the Helios Protocol," he muttered to her quietly so as not to be overheard.

"So quickly?" Tanith murmured. "Helios works fast."

Yeoman shrugged, since he didn't have any but the most superficial knowledge of the Protocol.

"I'll go speak to Rommie," Tanith told him. "Meanwhile, why don't you and Mg see to it that every security protocol on board is totally overhauled."

"All of them?!" Yeoman was taken aback by the request. "Um. Yes ma'am."

As Yeoman and Mg went off to carry the order, Tanith went to a secure alcove to speak to the Andromeda AI. Just before she entered the room though, there was a small "pop" in the air, as a dainty golden dragonet appeared in midair. The firelizard gave a chirp and landed on Tanith's shoulder, wrapping it's long tail around her neck for balance. As Tanith reached up to scratch it's head-ridges fondly, it began to hum a low smug-sounding tune.

"Back already, Ori? And successfully, it seems," Tanith teased it. "Where did your accomplices go?"

*They return to Rune. The prey is in your room. We were very fortunate in our hunt this time.* Ori mindspoke directly to Tanith, with a hint of humor on the last line.

Tanith merely shook her head ruefully as she sat down in her seat and made sure that the room was secure. Immediately, the Andromeda AI began it's report. "Helios has so far been able to penetrate as far as the capital ship of the fleet at Khazan. His report was brief, but contained much important data..."


*****


Half an hour later, Tanith left the small alcove. Her brow was furrowed in thought at the latest bits of news, which was already being discretely forwarded to Lord Benedict, along with a few of their proposed solutions. Shaking off her worries, Tanith hurried toward her room. It seemed that Ori's objective did arrive at a fortuitious moment, after all.


*****


On his Corellian Corvette, Nobody readied himself for HALST's suicidal mission.

Not suicidal. Gotta think positive about this. Think happy thoughts...

He was disturbed from his thoughts by a report from T-Dot, with an request from Tanith to come aboard. Nodding to the droid, he turned as Tanith materialized on board. She held something long and slim in her hands, wrapped in layers with samite silk.

"Is that..." Nobody's throat caught for a moment. "Is that Jaffa's sword?"

"Not quite," Tanith replied sadly. "But it may be of use to you all on your mission. Even if as a good luck charm." Her lips twitched at that last remark.

"Yeah, we'll be needing a lot of that," Nobody agreed.

Tanith sighed. "Well, on the bright side, almost every battle we've had of late has been against overwhelming odds. And we've squeaked by every time now. Maybe this time will be the same."

"Maybe." Nobody didn't look too sure.

Tanith shifted on her feet uncomfortably. "Well, if it makes you feel better, DK and Mg are doing all they can right now to help you guys. Your team will also be accompanied by as large a fleet of constructs as they can raise in time."

"Thanks." Nobody smiled wanely. "Tell them that we appreciate any help that we can get."

Tanith nodded. "It's almost departure time. I should go." With that, she spoke softly into her communicator and disappeared from the ship.

"Well, T-Dot," Nobody said as he looked at ths samite-wrapped object Tanith had left behind. "Here's to luck on this mad, mad mission of ours."

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