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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Ankh-Morpork Guard" data-source="post: 3250090" data-attributes="member: 10079">Chapter 426: SneakingFor thousands of years, a small community of humans lived in the Alraxian Empire. They occupied a pair of star systems near the outermost edge of the Empire, close to both the Mrrakesh border and the very edge of the galactic rim before there was, quite literally, nothing at all. Because of their existence on the edge of the Empire and the fact that the humans tended to keep to themselves, most Alraxians never saw a human in their entire lives. The Jendari interacted with them on a close basis, but there was always an uneasy tension between the Alraxians and the humans.    Some of them were likely descendants of the Jedi, or even the Sith, that had come to this hidden region of the Unknown Regions countless millennia ago and had been involved in the first Darkwing Wars...or maybe even dating back to the origin of both the Alraxian and Mrrakesh species. Thanks to the knowledge provided by the oldest of the Jedi complexes on Alraxia, Marix knew the origin of the two species, though she didn’t particularly like it. The fact that the Sith had genetically manipulated their ancestors from non-sentient species into walking, shapeshifting weapons was not a comfortable one.    Perhaps that was why she didn’t care for the humans in the Empire. As Empress, Marix was required to meet with their leaders here and there, and was obviously involved in the other important political duties that she was stuck with, since the humans were technically part of the Empire. And, while they may have been descended from those ancient Sith, none of the current generation showed any Force ability, nor did they seem to care about it. In fact, the humans seemed to not care much about their history at all...or know much of the ancient information. But that was a trait of humans...being so...short sighted...    Marix sighed and shook her head, clearing it before the thoughts could even creep to her conscious mind. This was not the time for that. She glanced away from the viewport in front of her to the control consoles and said aloud, “Have anything for me yet, Loki?”    [Only a report from the Jendari.] the ship responded casually. He waited the normal amount of time he always did when making sure she would not object to him continuing, then went on. [The humans do have enough weapons to put up a fight. Small ships, the size of young Kanyak, with very light weaponry...they will be destroyed by the Mrrakesh, but they seem determined to go down fighting.]    And to drag the entire Alraxian Empire into a war with the Mrrakesh. A covert operation by Alraxian Knights against invaders was one thing, but a militant group of humans fighting with their metal weapons and ships would set the Mrrakesh off. There would be no negotiation this time. This would spark into a true war...and it was the kind of war that the Mrrakesh would win.    “Any word from the Mrrakesh?” she asked, though already knowing the answer.    A feeling of unease passed through the Force from Loki. [Nothing...] he paused, and then added in an offhand fashion. [Like the old days.]    More to herself, Marix nodded. That was expected. There were rumours that the previous leader of the Mrrakesh was dead, and that one of the many state rulers amongst their Confederation had forcibly taken power. This was not anything unusual for the Mrrakesh, as they commonly had rather violent endings for their leaders as more ambitious local rulers decided they should be in charge. With enough supporters, it was usually not too difficult. But the problem with this rumour, though, was that the previous leader had been willing to talk, and had obviously understood the severity of the situation with the Yuuzhan Vong.    Signs did point to a new leader...and if that was true...it looked very much like the chance of at least a slight truce was gone again. Only two days after being loaned Mrrakesh cruisers and it was not only back to the way things were before, but suddenly even more dangerous. The Vong were pushing the Mrrakesh into Alraxian space...and the Mrrakesh, who had always been interested in taking it but afraid of the consequences, not had an excuse. And they were smart enough to go for the damned humans, who would react like all humans and fight back without thinking about the consequences of their actions!    No!    Calm.    Focus.    A few deep breaths later and the thoughts were gone again. Normally, Marix had more control over things like that...but...no. Stop this. It would only lead straight down that again, and this was definitely not the time. Admittedly, there never was a time for it, but this was up there as one of the worst ones.    Leaning forward in her seat, Marix looked at the blue-orange coloured planet out through the viewport, “They haven’t detected us yet?”    [Of course not.] the feeling of a grin passed through the Force, whatever that felt like... [I am quite good at being sneaky, thank you.]    A once-again-rare smile crept onto Marix’s face and she patted the control panel, “Get us in as close as you can. I want to see this fleet myself.”    Slowly, the planet began to grow in view. As they began to move forward, Loki spoke up again. [You didn’t tell me why we’re being sneaky, though...]    “You didn’t ask,” she shrugged and sat back again. Forcing back the urge to look to the empty seat at her side, Marix explained, “But do you really think the humans would let me see their ships if they knew I was coming?”    [Good point.]    “And you’re getting old...you need practice sneaking.”    [...I’m not old.]    The smile was still on Marix’s face, “I saw a grey streak on your belly on the way in.”    [You did not!]    “Calm down, calm down,” she laughed slightly, suddenly glad to be back with her old friend as if nothing was wrong at all, “Its where no one can see it unless they look. Just make sure to land fast so no one looks up.”</blockquote>

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