Reverse Engineering Ancient Technologies

[Crazy O]

The Destiny came out of hyperspace at the very edge of the Gree system. "Navigation shields only and weapons powered down. LT, set a course Gree and put us into a high orbit. Angel, how do you propose we acquire a set of these hypergates if the Gree no longer construct them. From your report I get the understanding that the Gree Crafter caste has all but vanished along with the Researcher caste. I doubt very much they well want to part with a set gates." Johana said as she reviewed the data coming in from the ships sensors about the planet they were approaching.

Angel, in her new uniform, looked over at Johana. "You are right, they most likely won't just willingly give us the hypergate schematics; sense they do not exist thanks to there stupid system of preserving knowledge. However the Gree civilization has been in decline for nearly twenty thousand years after two brutal wars with both the Kwa and the cursed Rakata Empire. This is not even the largest contributor to the decline, with the Crafter and Researchers the species nearly gone they have become stagnate. Entire cities have been abandoned. I believe if we go to one of these cities and find a hypergate which still works, and take both." Angel explained to Johana as she reviewed the scans of the planet looking abandon cities which were large enough to merit a hypergate.

Johana listen to Angel and nodded. "Do you think we can convince the Gree to give us a set without resorting to stealing their technology.Maybe offer them something we have or just research a set without taking them?" Johana said not liking the idea of taking an advance race. She was a representative of the Federation after all.

Angel looked at Johana and shock her had. "I would not count on it, you got to understand something right now. I probability understand hyperdrive technology better anyone in this galaxy. It was the Celestials that first developed the technology and gave it to the Rakata, to your everlasting regret I might add. All current hyperdrive technology is based off our own design. However the Gree developed their own method of faster then light travel which includes the hypergate network. Access to the technology is not enough. I will need to rip it apart to better understand the shadow mass neglector, the method of opening hyperspace wormholes, and most important how to protect whatever being sent through hyperspace. To the first part, the Gree view this technology as their legacy. They would like to show it off, but sense they are not making anymore they will never give one up." Angel said noting several cities on the southern continent which she felt were large enough to have a hypergate. She marked them on the holographic image of the planet which was in the tactical section of the bridge.

Johana looked Angel and tried to comprehend what she was saying. Angel had just rewrote her history book and her understanding of hyperdrive. She closed her eyes and tried to wrap her mind around it before finally throwing up her hands. "Okay, we will have to talk about your past and real history of the galaxy later. We will deploy AirCav units to scout each city for one of these hypergates. When they find one we take a shuttle down so we can collect it. Have Commander Veers report to my office. Jennie that is." Johana said to Angel. She got up from her chair and head to her office followed shortly by Angel. They would brief Jennie and then deploy scout teams to locate a Hypergate.

[Crazy O]

Johana Kay was sitting at her desk drinking a cup of coffee looking at a holographic image of a Gree Hypergate while inputting the mission profile together. Angel meanwhile was leaning against a nearby wall staring into space. Angel however was directly connected to the HoloNet tracking galactic events in real time. Johana looked over at Angel, “So, are you up to explaining just what part of history you really played?” Johana said in a manner which was somewhere between a question and a request.

Angel turned and looked at Johana, but still was scanning the HoloNet. ”It is rather complex. I or better the original Celestial program was created by the Celestial race to uplift and populate the galaxy with sapient life. We watched over the galaxy for a great while, but one race should great promises; the Rataka. They were all connected to a mysterious energy force called the Force. We gave them hyperdrive technology and later manufacturing technology our initial assessment of them was wrong. It was our greatest mistake and…” Angel started to explain before Jennie walked in and saluted.

Johana looked at Jennie. ”You don’t have to salute. We are deploying the AirCav to the planet to search the abandon cities. There are eight cities which need to be searched.” Johana said holding out a datapad which Jennie took and started to review it. ”I would like your team to lead the Site Alpha. Angel and I will join the team which locates the tar get to assist in the collection of the artifacts. I want wheels up in twenty minutes. Have fun.” Johana said with a smile. Jennie nodded and headed out of the office, leaving Johana trying to get a grasp of the Hypergate.

[Sir Lord Ash]

A small hyperspace portal opened not far from Gree. The position of its location would determine that the one jumping through it came from a random point in space, and the ship that jumped out was the Spyglass Corvette Intrepid.

The pilot, Ash lightning, knew where he was at: He was able to carefully pick up the electrical signature from Miki Hawke's mind, without her knowledge: she was comatose from a battle, as was Akira Rumo. The woman on this large ship was Ash's target.

Intrepid Showed some battle scaring to its dark hull, the damage being darker blotches. In two spots, the hull was broken. At least all the major systems were functioning: power had to be manually routed, or as with the navigation system, applied externally; there was a power cable taped to his bicep siphoning electricity from him.

Viscount-class Star Defender, this is the Spyglass-Class Corvette Intrepid. We have wounded and need assistance, and one of the wounded is Miki Hawke of the Federation. Can you help us out please?

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[Crazy O]

Johana was sitting in her office talking with Angel. So how are we going to get the supplies to build our own local hypergate system. I doubt they are made out of durosteel, copper and parts from my toaster." Johana said with a smile.

Angel rolled her eyes, a very human like trait Johana noted, before replying. "You really do not need to worry yourself with such trivial details. Unlike your limited admiral's salary, I have access to a large quantities of credits. With enough information one can accurately predict the stock market. It is like my own personal ATM. How do you think Cele obtained the credits to purchase the Nimitz-class Carrier that you know command. Angel said plainly.

Johana got the hint, accepting Angel's offer was more advantages then she realized. She was about to say something else when a voice came over the intercom in her office. "Captain, radiation spike. Corvette sized ship exited hyperspace in the system." Johana slide back from the desk and headed tot he bridge with Angel right behind her.

Johana sat down in her command chair and her sensor operator transferred all the information they had collected. She did not recognize the ships transponder, but it was a Zeltron built Spyglass-class Corvette. She was about to single them to open a communication channel when the corvette when a message came through. Viscount-class Star Defender, this is the Spyglass-Class Corvette Intrepid. We have wounded and need assistance, and one of the wounded is Miki Hawke of the Federation. Can you help us out please?. Johana pushed a button on her command chair which allowed her to respond. "This is Admiral Johana Kay of the USS Destiny. You got clearance to land in Repair Bay Alpha for medical assistance and repairs. We expected you to carry no weapons on board Destiny and the Intrepid is to have primary power deactivated for the duration while in our repair bay. Yourself and ship are subject to unnoticed searchs at anytime to insure the security of our own vessel. These terms are non-negotiable. If you agree to them you may dock. Medical and security forces will be waiting." Johana transmitted as Angel sent message for two marine squads and a medical team to the repair bay. After sending the message Johana headed towards the repair bay also, she wanted to check on her former X.O.

[Sir Lord Ash]

Destiny, this is Intrepid. I roger and comply with all orders. Intrepid out.

[/i][/color]

Ash set the corvette on autopilot and went to the crew quarters, which served as the sick bay. Inside, Miki lay on a bed, unconscious as she has been for a while, and well bandaged up. Akira was awake and nearly as bandaged, hands over Miki's stomach area, eyes closed as she worked on healing her.

Akira, you should be resting. We are getting help right now. In a couple of minutes you and Miki will get some proper help.

Ash, I can feel her life slowly etching away. If she is to live, then she needs bacta as soon as we dock.

Alright. I'll get us there quickly then.[/b]

Ash ran back to the bridge, taking the corvette off of autopilot, and piloting it as fast as he dared to the repair hanger. He didn't break until he was inside the hanger itself, and used the force to stop and land in a fraction of the time it would normally take. The ramp was dropped as soon as the corvette had all its weight on the landing gear. As fast as he could run, which was incredibly too fast, Ash was out of the bridge and down the ramp to greet who was out there.

Thank you for your help. The two wounded are in the crew quarters, and need bacta now. One is dieing as we speak.[/color]

His voice was slightly higher than its normal, intimidating deep, indicating that he was truly concerned. It was almost hard to believe he was once a sith.[/center]

[Crazy O]

Johana made it down to the hanger bay just as the Intrepid landed. As the ramp lowered the ten marines raised their weapons. Johana signaled the medical people along with five of the marine team to rush into the ship and head straight for the medical bay. The doctors did not like that the marine team was leading the way, but were just making sure that the medic were not walking into a trap. When they arrived in the crew quarters the quickly ran up to the two women and did a few simple checks along with giving Miki two hypersprays to stabilize enough to move her to the Destiny's infirmary.

Outside Johana extended out her hand towards Ash. "My name is Admiral Johana Kay. I would like to thank you for bring Commander Hawke back to the Federation. I you would come with me to my office we can talk some more while the mechanics can get started repairing your corvette. I would like to know what happen to our officer while she was one leave." Johana said. Once she shook Ash hand she lead the way towards her office. The other five marines remain near the docking ramp securing the corvette while was docked on the Destiny.

[Sir Lord Ash]

A pleasure to meet you, Admiral. I'm Ash Lightning. I will tell you everything I can, and I think you can help me once again after I give you what you ask for.

Ash shook Johana's hand gently, making sure not to squeeze too hard. He finally got use to his greater strength and speed, even if he was already use to his shorter stature. He fallowed her silently, working to not touch anyone's mind like how he was use to.

Back at the corvette, Akira looked up from her position over Miki when the marines and the medical people rushed in. Akira stepped back, nearly collapsing from the lack of energy. she had just enough to put herself into a healing trance, but not without a quick word.

Thank you.

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[Crazy O]

Johana lead Ash to her office and motioned towards one of the seats on the other side of her desk as she walked over to a small table nearby. She filled her cup good old silver mug full of coffee before setting down. "Help yourself to some coffee if you like." Johana said before taking a drink and smiling. She loved coffee, and always felt like to prepared her for what would come next. "I am going record your statement so I can reference it in my report, so lets get started. First I would like to know your name, and if you have any official affiliations, and the more about the ship you arrived on. Then we can get to the events that lead to Commander Hawke's condition." Johana said as she work flipped a switch on her terminal which started the recording. She then leaned back in her seat and would listen to the story uninterrupted. She would question him afterward as she felt questions would influence a story. She wanted to know what happen to Miki, she as a good officer and someone she consider could have been a friend if she had spent more time with her on ship before she vanished on leave.

[Sir Lord Ash]

Ash raised a silent hand to the offer of coffee. He never had a taste for it, and probably never would. He took a deep breath, collecting his thoughts, and preparing himself. His memory was excellent, and he was recalling the chain of events of what happened.

My name is Ash Lightning, of the Mandalorian clan Lightning. That ship belongs to Akira Rumo of the same clan, who obtained it from Empress Kitana of Zeltron. It has been modified over the course of time, but I don't know about any besides better power distribution.

Now, I will give you the quick summary of events, and you can question me more on it if you wish. Gray Rumo, better known as Zero, received a message that came through a wormhole on the edge of the galaxy. He recruited a handful of people, including Miki Hawke.

We traveled through the wormhole to the planet, where we landed and offered our help. Unfortunately, a sith and his alien pet attacked us. The pet nearly killed Miki and Akira. In a fit of rage and anguish, Zero ripped the alien apart with the force. Unfortunately, that sparked a rush of the darkside, and the sith took him before I could help him.

Like me, that sith is no human, but rather a Ki-So-Longe. He began to rip that corvette apart with the force and lightning: Miki and Akira were on board. I managed to race there in time, and at least was able to save them from the sith. After that, the sith took Zero away, but he was already in a mold-able depression, perfect for becoming a sith unless someone is to help him, and I can track him down.

I rushed here as fast as I could, with Miki slowly succumbing to death, but she may be saved with your help, mam, and for that I thank you again.

[/color]

Ash fell silent after that, and waited for any questioning. He reached out in the force and felt Zero and the sith, both over Dathomir, by their positioning and distance. He sat back in his seat, waiting for anything.[/center]

[Crazy O]

Johana Kay listen to the story and shook her head. "What you say should pretty impossible. Zero was under my command for a good amount of time, I know the man. He was not a Force-user or shown any signs of being a force sensitive. However if you say is true we need to find him and pry him away from this Sith's hands." Johana said whole heartedly.

It was this time that a message appeared on the screen of her terminal. She read it and shook her head a little near the end. Johana, Gray Rumo can't be saved. I suggest we travel to were he is and destroy him along with the Black Knight. Such a force cannot be permitted to defect to the Empire. If he is still wavering we may have the best chance of destroying them with acceptable losses. Angel. Johana cleared the terminal and looked over towards the communication receiver. "I now you were listening in on use and that suggestion is unacceptable." She said before looking up towards Ash. "Sorry, my X.O. has her fingers in everything. Would you be willing to assist in capture of Ash, if not know I am still ordering this ship there. He is coming home." Johana trailing off. She did not state it but it could be sense the second part was she would die trying to take him out. She was not going to loss a friend to the Darkside.

Meanwhile in the medic bay of the Destiny the doctors were treating Miki with a combination bacta, a chemical cocktail to help the healing process and good old fashion doctoring to get her put back together. Meanwhile Akari was also in a bacta tank, but she was recovering at a much quicker rate then Miki as such was not getting as much attention.

[Sir Lord Ash]

Ma'am, I will do what it takes to save Zero. He is the brother of a clansmember. I am not sure how we are going to get on his ship easily, unless we use human bait, or Miki and Akira wake up, but whatever we do needs to be done quickly if he is to be saved. I can feel the darkside twisting around Dathomir, even more so than usual.

Ash brought his thoughts back here, and then out towards sick bay, specifically to Miki and Akira. Akira was healing quickly, thanks to her trance. After a moment, he opened his closed, blue eyes and looked at Johana. They spoke loudly, almost seeming to say they needed to move to save a friend, both near and far.

The medics had some work ahead of them for Miki. The wounds she suffered were extensive. A lightsaber to her stomach, as well as having it slice through her, catching some of her organs. She was also suffering from trauma to the brain from a massive hit. Akira suffered lightsaber and lightning wounds, and had no muscle control over her lower left leg: she felt nothing, and her entire right arm was numb, but at least she had motor control over it.

Zero shook his head slightly, drawing himself away from their presence and back to the task at hand. They needed to move soon.

You have any ideas to get troops on his massive ship?

[Crazy O]

Johana looked and listen to Ash talk. "I well be the bait along with possible Akari or Miki should they be able to make a trip on a Dragoon. If this Sith want to break Zero, he will try to force him to kill his friends like me." Johana said.

Just then Angel rushed in and the door closed behind her. "No, you are the Captain of this vessel and Admiral of this fleet. I refuse to allow to take such a risk. You place is on the bridge of this ship." Angel said plainly.

Johana looked at Angel and simple shook her head. "It has to be done, me and Zero were somewhat close, only Miki and Akari has more history. And you are also coming Angel. You could hack the Solrain computer which will give our troop transports the opening to land." Johana said. She held up her hand before Angel could protest. "The Destiny and the Nimitz will meet up in the system which the Black Knights are. We will announce that we wise to see Zero. Myself, Ash and Angel along with Akari and or Miki will board a Dragoon and fly over to the Solrain. Angel as you will not be sensed you will hide on the Dragoon while we are taken to the bridge to be 'executed'. Then Angel will sneak to a terminal and hack the Sorain's main computer, bring down hanger bay shield and defenses so that our Y-85 Titan Dropship's can do a quick jump to the ship and drop off our Marines which will go about capturing the ship. Myself along with Miki and Akari if they can will save Zero's soul, while Ash will kill the Sith which corrupting him. That is the plan, any suggestion." Johana said looking at Ash. She figured they would also use the decoy drones from the Dragoons to confuse the enemy even more, but overall she suspected very little resistance. The Black Knights may be loyal to Zero, but they had spilled blood with the Federation, she was betting that this will give them a moment of hesitation which will allow the mission to successes.

[Sir Lord Ash]

That may work, but in order to avoid collateral damage, we will need to get the sith to the hanger where we can have a lot of room to fight. He isn't human, or a species easily found or known. Trust me when I say that this will not be easy, but you may have known this already.

Ash thought back to Akira and Miki, and wondered if they would heal quick enough to help out in this mission. Akira may, or she would be stubborn enough to force her way out of the bacta tank that she should have been in. If she wasn't, then there was a good chance that she would not join in the mission.

Miki would most likely miss the mission. She was a tough little girl, but even Ash would be hurting for a while if he got the wounds they both did. Ash let his eyes drift to Angel finally, examining her slowly.

The choice is her to make where she goes. No one will harm the Admiral while I am near, and the only time she will be away from me is when I go fight the Sith.

[Crazy O]

Angel looked at Ash and wanted to shoot him. The Federation had rules, command officers should not put themselves in unjust amount of danger. "Unlike a rogue like yourself, the Admiral is a irreplaceable member of this crew and of the United Systems Federation. However I also understand the importance of this mission and I know how to follow orders. The Black Knights must not be allowed to defect to the Empire and the captain thinks she can stop it so be it. I believe I am going to call in a favor on this one Captain, I will start calculating the jump requirements so that the entire fleet arrives at the same time as soon Mr. Lightning give me the location, and I have the engineering teams modifying the Y-85's with Yslamiri tanks taken from no critical areas." Angel said looking at Ash. She waited for her to say the target destination before walking out of the room.

Johana looked at Angel and then back at Ash. "You must excuses my first officer but I like my crew to speak their minds. And she is right, I am breaking three regulations off the top of my head just by doing this mission. If you will accompany me to the Medical Bay, we can check on Miki and the other person you brought along as we will soon be jumping to hyperspace." Johana said as she stood up and walked out of her office with her coffee.

She and Ash walked at a reasonable brisk pace to the medical bay and walked inside. There were a few crew members getting treated for minor aliments, however the two women were floating in bacta tanks. Johana walked up the Cheif Medical Officer. "How are they doing Doc?" Johana asked looking particularity at Miki.

The doctor looked up from his chart. "They will live. Miss Rumo here is doing a whole hell of a lot better then Commander Hawke. I suppect the Commander will be in the tank for a week, maybe more, Miss Rumo only a few days seeing as her healing rate is about double that of the Commanders and was not as badly injured." The doctor said.

Johana looked at the doctor. "Could she be out in a day and halve? Johana asked doing the rough estimate of the time to get to Dathomir.

The doctor shook his head. "We could pull her out for mild questioning if that is what you are asking, but she will still be in bad shape. I will need to pump her full of drugs to keep her awake and out of pain. It would be risky to conduct questioning anywhere but here in case we need to give her emergency treatment." The doc said.

Johana turned to Ash. "We will pull her out just before exitting hyperspace if that is alright with you and give her the option. Now one of these fine gentlemen could shown to a room for the trip, but I myself got work to due if you will excuse me." Johana said motioning to two Marines standing near the entrance of the medical bay. Johana herself headed back towards her office, she knew that if they were going up against a Force-user, her mind might not be safe, as such she would have to issue all orders before leaving then have the computer change all her command code. Force-users always complicated things she thought to herself as she thought about what the orders would need to say.

[Sir Lord Ash]

They are over Dathomir, Mam. I will once suggest we get there at all the best speed.

[/color]

Ash rose and fallowed Johana out of the room. She walked at a decent pace for a human. Most humans usually ambled slowly, which got real annoying after a while. This was at least better than what he was use to walking.

They were at sick bay before Ash knew it. It was harder for him to keep distance between him and the girls without the force. He moved at his normal walk, a near sprint now, for humans, around the medical tables to the bacta tanks, where Miki and Akira floated.

Admiral, I have an Idea that will help out Akira for the mission, but after she will need bacta again. Just before we exit hyperspace, we give her a small dose of my blood. Her body wont be able to stand it for more than a few hours, but at least she will be to be with us. It will begin to deteriorate and open her wounds again after about an hour, so she will need to be bandaged up before he leave as well. If this mission lasts more than a few hours, then her body wont make it, and she would die. I know she will take that chance: it is her brother we are saving. I think she will do anything.[/color]

Ash sighed and sat down on a medical bed next to the bacta tanks as he looked between Miki's and Akira's floating bodies. He should have been there sooner to save them. It surprised him that Zero was able to stand up to this sith, but the trap was out of his league. Hell, no one could have known about that trap.

He shook his head slowly, lost in thought about the upcoming fight.[/center]