Prelude to Change
By Ravek 12 Comments
Since it's inception following the Keresh's war for independence, the Keresh Empire has been ruled by an elected congress, consisting of three representatives from every Keresh colony, no matter how large the population. Residing above them are seven senior congressmen referred to as 'The Council', the council has near absolute control over the Empire, the Congress exists to overrule council decisions, but must have at least a 75% vote against to over throw a council ruling. The congress also serves to raise matters of importance to the councils attention.
But the reason this has been brought to your attention is this; The Council maintains control of the massive Keresh War Machine, deciding where Imperial Forces will strike next. For hundreds of years the council has sent thousands of Keresh soldiers to their deaths attack worlds of little to no value to the Empire and left distant colony worlds to die due to their own supposed unimportance, this has no gone unnoticed, but no one has acted out against these crimes for fear of being branded a traitor to the Empire, an irredeemable crime punishable by death. One man is willing to take the risk, to free his people from the councils short sighted rule, and he is not alone...
Briefing Room Aboard the Keresh Dreadnaught Imperial Fist, One Month From the Current Date
Eight Keresh Officers, from across the Empire, sit in the mission briefing room aboard the massive Dreadnaught, they all know why their here, they plan to over throw their government and replace it with one more concerned with the well being of it's citizens and not seeking personal gain. If they failed they would be executed, their family names dishonored and their gains for the Empire forgotten. The oldest man in the room, General Avaros Gar'kos, nearly 800 years old and a veteran of nearly every war the Keresh had participated in for the last 700 years, broke the silence.
"So how in Chal'konen's name do you plan on accomplishing this little suicide mission of yours Ravek?" sitting calmly in a chair at the front on the room, compared the others, aside from Ravek he was obviously the most relaxed.
The Fist of the Keresh looked to the General "Deception" looking to a holographic display of Keresh'nava, the Keresh Homeworld and Capitol of their Empire. The Defenses appeared in red, dozens of ships and space stations surrounded the blue and green world, bristling with guns, the men in the room knowing that more gun batteries were concealed on the planet below. "We all know a direct assault on Keresh'nava is impossible, so we're going in with only a handful of men." raising three fingers "Three drop ships, 30 personnel each and equipment, we strike quickly, an don't give them time to react."
"Your crazy man! There's no way that will be enough to accomplish the mission!" said a Major across the room, before Ravek could respond someone else spoke up from the doorway. "Fast, lethal, and with maximum impact... the Vanguard way... I like it"
Ravek smiles at the new arrival "Ah Kayle... nice of you to join us" teasing his oldest friend. She retorted with characteristic sarcasm. "A Guardsmans work is never done." winking at him before taking her place leaning against the wall near the door next to Lieutenant Commander Far'kos, the leader of Ravek's Vanguard Commando detachment, the two nodding to each other in a silent greeting. The major returned to his seat, mumbling something about the Vanguard being a bunch of trigger happy lunatics.
Ravek continued where he'd left off "The Homeworld's defenses are designed to repel an enemy assault, not to keep out friendly drop ships. The strike force will simply pass right through the defense grid and begin the attack on the Council Building." an overhead view of the Council Complex appeared "One ship will land in the front and it's occupants, myself included will enter through the main entrance, making their way to the Council Chamber while the second will drop it's occupants here to assault the Council Guards Barracks..." The men gathered looked some what perplexed "Who will lead that attack? The Council Guard are all Guardsmen..."
"Guardsman Auorez" Gesturing to Kayle "Lieutenant Commander Far'kos" gesturing to the man beside the Guardsman "and-" being cut off again by another woman standing in the doorway before he could finish.
"Me of course" said Azrael, who leaned against the door frame smiling sinisterly.
"Can't any of you get here on time?" Shaking his head, smiling at the two women. Kayle respond with a shrug and her trademark belligerency, "I don't like to be predictable" before returning to a conversation she was having with the Lieutenant Commander
Azrael made her way over to Ravek, once she was close enough he wrapped an arm around her waist, kissing the Daemoness on the cheek. "You can catch me up to speed later love... when we're alone." winking up at him before sweetly kissing him.
He sighs, "Very well" smiling down at her, Azrael then moves to a chair near Kayle, taking a seat. "Well get on with it." she says with an innocent smile on her face.
"Yes... Azra will be the third leader. The rest of the unit will be made up of Veteran Vanguard Commandos. The third ship will be loaded with Drop Troopers, it'll be the only one filled to max capacity, they'll set up a perimeter and eliminate or capture anyone who tries to escape."
He looks to the three would be leading the attack on the Guard's barracks "Once you've eliminated the Guard half of you will link up with my team and the other half will reinforce the third team on the perimeter."
They all nodded understandingly "Any Questions?" he asked looking around the room.
An Admiral in the back of the room spoke up "What if we fail?"
"Then we die" being blunt, never one to 'beat around the bush' as the humans said.
The other nodded in agreement, they knew the risks. This was treason at the highest levels if they did not succeed.
"That's why we aren't going to fail, we'll get this over with and get back to what we were doing as fast as we can."
He reaches over and shuts off the hologram projector, looking back to the those gathered. "We have units already in place, we attack in three days. Dismissed!" The officers stood and came to attention before filling out, Kayle, Azrael and Ravek not far behind.
Later...
The two stood looking out the large window that the took up one of the walls of Ravek's private quarters, the lights down low. His arms were wrapped around her from behind, her head leaned back, resting against his chest.
"What if we don't all comeback?" the petite Daemoness questions, looking up at him.
He kisses her forehead lovingly, "Are you worried?" he smiles down at her "That's not like you at all..." teasing her
She grinned "I do occasionally develop feelings" turning and wrapping her arms around him, her head still resting on his chest "Just don't tell anyone or I'll gut you" looking up at him, smiling sweetly, despite the innocent look he knew all to well she meant every word.
The two walk to the nearby bed, laying down, with him holding her in his arms. "We'll succeed Azra, we have the element of surprise... and we have you, they won't know what hit them" kissing the top of her head, in response she wrapped her arms around him and squeezed affectionately "Sweet talker..." she grinned "If you die I swear I'll make your afterlife miserable."
He chuckled "I expect nothing less"
Eventually the two drifted off to sleep as the massive warship sped towards the Keresh Home System, everything was almost ready... soon they would strike, change had been a long time coming but soon events would take place that would change the galaxy forever...
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------