1
Star Wars Universe:
Kingdom of Serenity
By: Michael Mulhollon
The Order grows stronger! As Lord Valkyrie learns the ways of The Force, he instructs Colonel Cruz to oversea The Order in his absence. Even though Cruz received her instructions from Lord Valkyrie she none of the less still faces tension from the prominent figures within The Order and their allies due to Lord Valkyrie’s sabbatical. With this, Colonel Cruz not only has she have to oversea The Order and find other sources or references of The Force, her leader speaks of, but also keep The Order from falling apart till her leader’s return.
During Lord Valkyrie’s sabbatical, intelligence of The Order have been hearing Lord Serenity is expanding the Zhargosia Republic and conquering worlds without any resistance from the United Star Systems and other free systems for fear that Lord Serenity will consider them a threat and break the fragile peace. The newly appointed General Fundac comes up with a plan to establish key bases along the edge of the Unknown Regions and within the Known Regions as locations for further intelligence to be collected and analyzed and establish hidden bases for them and future resistance fighters while also assembly military forces to launch the Grand Offensive into the Known Regions when the time has come. Leaders within The Order have concluded that establishing bases along the border should not stop there, but also build hidden bases within the Known Regions so when the time comes they will unleash multiple fronts against Lord Serenity and have bases for any resistance groups against Lord Serenity’s growing rule of fear and dictatorship.
Colonel Cruz sends a message to all key figures within and allied to The Order to meet at the OSS Valkyrie to come up with a clear plan and where to establish these bases in secret. This highly secret meeting gathered either the highest ranking or most intelligent figures and allies of The Order in one location, ranging from Supreme Director McQuarrie, Commander Gleam, Grand Commandant Cravage, Count Osiris, Grand General Greers, Supreme Leader Cassel Depkun, Chancellor Karma Zebu and four others leading to the formation of what will be known as The Order of the Twelve. While only observing and maintaining peace at this meeting, Colonel Cruz begins the meeting that will determine the fate and plan of action for The Order and the growing threat of Lord Serenity in the galaxy…
As the OSS Valkyrie sat in orbit over Inchinn, The Order of the Twelve sat in a round, black table with some of the members looking distressed even as Fundac spoke (with a sound of regret), “I’m sorry but it could not wait for discussion. Ilum was a former Galactic Imperial Outpost with most of its tech still fully functional after all those years and we had to take advantage. No one in the Known Regions saw…” “Saw?!” Cravage yelled, “You were damn lucky! And don’t say ‘we’ took advantage!” He pointed furiously, “It is you!” Cassel intervened, “I have to agree with Fundac’s decision on this issue.” He then looked at Fundac as he continued, “Though I highly recommend he does not do this again, unless its life threatening.” Karma said, “I agree.” He then leaned forward and rested his arms on the table as he continued, “Lets discuss about the other world that’s close to the Known Regions, Lehon.” Fundac said, “The world and system is abandoned and has been for over 2500 years. From its strategic location, I recommend we use this world as a staging point to assemble our forces either to the north or south of the Known Regions. Whenever we decided to come out.” Warn spoke out, “I agree! It’s uninhabited, so we do not have to worry about upsetting any civilians as we assemble our forces in one location and distribute them at a moments notice.” Many of the members confirmed and Colonel Cruz, wearing her same chrome armor and black cape, stood at the head of one end of the round table and stated, “Then it’s settled.” Her helmet turned in Fundac’s direction as she continued, “Next world.” Fundac looked worried as he spoke, “The next planet, unfortunately, we cannot establish a base because it is filled with marsh lands and the wildlife is too unpredictable. Though, Dagobah is wildly ignored and isolated and therefore it’s perfect to establish a space station repair facility both for our forces and any resistance to Lord Serenity’s forces without causing attention.” Osiris asked, “Once a station is built and people notice ships flying too and fro they will see it is built and maintained by our forces.” Fundac countered, “I took that into consideration and figured it would be best if the station looked like a trading post to the naked eye.” They all murmured in agreement, but Gleam kept quiet and looked on with a disturbed (and upset) look on his face that everyone did not take notice and Fundac continued, “Our spies have located a world in the eastern Mid-Rim I believe would be excellent for the rebels as it is located in close proximity to Hutt Space and the Great Kashyyyk Branch. This world, Boz Pity, would be easily protected if the Hutts agree to guarantee our protection from pirates and loyalists to Lord Serenity’s forces and allies.” “It is excellent.” Master Strategist Roz Ete’s blue matching face with his uniform and shoulder length blond hair, sat forward as he continued, “If we built this base for the resistance fighters on that part of the galaxy, we will no doubt gain powerful allies in that region!” The majority, with the exception of Gleam and Cruz’s helmet concealing her facial expression, agreed with Ete’s enthusiasm and did not hesitate to vote their approval to whatever Fundac needs to build a hidden base on Boz Pity, so long as they come up with a way to gain protection with the Hutts without Lord Serenity knowing about it.
The members of the twelve were about to discuss about another world when they took notice of Commander Gleam’s silence and look of discomfort. The Kamino representative, Casna Faa, asked on behalf of the others, “Mr. Gleam, is something wrong?” Gleam looked at Cruz and answered (as he pointed at her), “Yes. Why is a low ranking officer like her doing in this room?” Cravage answered (with a hint of warning in his voice), “Colonel Cruz is Lord Valkyrie’s liaison till he returns, commander.” Gleam then stated, “Then why the rank of colonel? Officers in her rank stand outside the door and wait for our final decisions.” Cruz answered for herself, “Because, commander, that’s what Lord Valkyrie granted me and colonels answer to generals. Not generals to generals.” Gleam said, “But Lord Valkyrie does not have a rank of general.” Colonel Cruz stated with a warning, “He is to most of you in this room.” Cravage gave an angry bulldog stare at Commander Gleam, as everyone else looked at Gleam with angry looks (except Cassel Depkun, Karma Zebu, Hamon Warn, Casna Faa and Speaker Zalanii of the Irizi family of the Chiss Ascendancy) and Zalanii spoke over the angry stares at Gleam, “Commander Gleam, it is wise to keep your personal discomforts outside of this room. After all, we do not want to upset Lord Valkyrie from his sabbatical and give Colonel Cruz the pleasure to finally deliver justice to what you did to her brothers and sisters in the past.” Gleam’s face redden and briefly looked down before he cleared his throat, looked at Colonel Cruz and said, “I apologize colonel for my behavior.” Colonel Cruz (helmet still covering her face and hiding her emotions from Gleam and the rest of the council) replied, “Apology accepted, commander. My lord will not hear of this minor incident.” She then turned her head to Fundac and said, “Please continue general.” Fundac straightened his white uniform as he said, “Right. The next world I believe will be most beneficial to The Order to establish a firm base in the Known Regions is Dantooine. Even though the former rebel base during the Galactic Civil War is overgrown over the years, there are still installations and man made caves and structures that could be salvaged with the tools and drills the clones obtained from the black market and smuggling they took advantage of in the Known Regions.” Karma Zebu asked, “If I’m not mistaken there is still at least two thousand inhabitants on that world and the neighboring world Camooine is a highly populated world in the system.” Fundac answered, “The residents on Dantooine stay along the coast regions and do not pose a threat to the base further inland. Also, they denied the capability to leave off world or establish communications outside their planet. As for Cammoine, if they ask or investigate our cover story will be we are establishing a green mining colony that also trades goods and food that we naturally make ourselves.” Fundac then looked at The Order Trade Affairs General Silla May and asked, “Can that be done?” Silla nodded with satisfaction and replied, “Yes general. We have plenty of exotic foods and goods in Inchinn’s bio and geological library and bred ourselves to distribute in the Known Regions without leaving a trace to our world.” Fundac wrapped his knuckles on the table and said, “Excellent! The next location I want to propose is already built on Hoth, but it will require some ice drilling in order to access the cave system that was used by the rebels during the Galactic Civil War.” Silla looked confused and asked, “Why do we even bother with bases once used by other forces over a thousands of years ago? Especially when they require extra labor rather than build them ourselves?” Zalanii answered, “Because no one knows about them unless they want to dig through what they consider ancient history books or records.” Fundac intervened, “And even those records are vague.” Zalanii continued, “Plus that drilling will cut down on the number of trips to deliver construction materials to build the base, which means less likely to draw attention on the number and sizes of ships entering and leaving the system.” Silla looked satisfied and Fundac added, “The snow base is also located along the Corellian Trade Spine, which means when the time comes we could launch our offensive and block trade along that part of the Outer-Rim. Especially take over Bespin.” The people in the room agree and easily moved on to the next world of Ithor and Fundac said, “This will be a base for ourselves in the northern part of the Mid-Rim and is located along the Celanon Spur.” Hamon asked, “What about the neighboring world of Ottega? The inhabitants there, I heard, are nomadic and tend to move to Upell and Felucia from time to time.” Fundac answered, “They will not be a problem. They ignore Ithor due to this world is still considered a wasteland and if they see any of our ships, they are not the curious type.” Hamon stated, “That’s comforting.” Without any problems, Fundac moved on and this time looked cherished as he said, “This world I believe will benefit you, Colonel Cruz, as Korriban was the homeworld of the Sith race.” Beneath her helmet, Colonel Cruz has General Fundac’s full attention as he continued, “This world is considered a dead world in the Known Regions records and this world I think we should leave to what Lord Valkyrie wants to do with it.” The whole room remained quiet, even as Colonel Cruz replied, “I agree. I will inform Lord Valkyrie of your findings and he will certainly be most pleased. Continue.” Fundac then spoke, “Thank You colonel. The next world I propose is rebuilding the base on Yavin 4 for the resistance. This base was once used by the Rebels during the Galactic Civil War period and is located in the middle of the Gordian Reach. Also I propose we form a snow base for the resistance to Lord Serenity’s forces and allies at Rhen Var, as it is located between the Perlemian Trade Route and the Salin Corridor. Therefore, this world will be perfect in regards for the first line of defense and early warning for the eastern approaches to Yavin 4.” They all agreed on Fundac’s choices and Colonel Cruz asked, “Is there anything else general?” Fundac replied, “No colonel. Those worlds I believe are perfect, in regards when and where we and the resistance will launch the Grand Offensive against Lord Serenity and his allies.” Colonel Cruz said, “Very good. Any other business anyone wants to discuss?” Zalanii asked, “Yes. When we do find and confirm an organized resistance to Lord Serenity, will we be supplying them with ships and weapons as well?” Colonel Cruz answered, “Yes Speaker. We will supply them with ships and weapons we have in stock on Inchinn.” Cruz looked in May’s direction and the Trade Affairs General nodded in agreement as Cruz continued, “Though it is limited, due to the former inhabitants were only building and collecting only for the purpose of display and historical interests. It will be enough to get the resistance on their own feet and organize on the worlds we provide for them.” Silla May spoke, “I agree, though I think before we go too far, we should concentrate on establishing peace in the Unknown Regions before we proceed with further plans.” Zalanii confirmed, “I agree. Though the Chiss Ascendency has a firm peaceful hold in our part of the galaxy, we only cover about half the central part of the Unknown Region.” Cassel Depkun then stated, “And our protectorate only covers our star system.” Colonel Cruz gave a single nod and stated, “Then that is what will be done. Anything else?” The room is quiet and Colonel Cruz stated, “Then this concludes our meeting. Thank You lady’s and gentlemen. Remember, this meeting is classified.” They all got up and began to leave the room while Colonel Cruz waited to be the last to leave till she noticed Supreme Director McQuarrie staying behind as well and when the rest of the members left she asked, “Is there something you want to say Supreme Director?” McQuarrie got up from his chair, walked over to Cruz and said, “Yes colonel. As Fundac was establishing a base on Ilum, Director Gloom and his team have found documents of a large asteroid, about the size of a planet, that has ships that might be useful for our fleet.” Cruz asked, “Where are these ships located?” McQuarrie replied, “Ghora 143, colonel.” They stood in silence for a few moments till Cruz ordered, “Notify Commodore Ramos to set course to Ghora 143 and have the 402nd and 105th legions standby. And may I suggest you assemble your research and engineer teams as well, Director.” McQuarrie replied, “Yes colonel!” And he left the meeting room at a brisk, walking, pace, leaving Colonel Cruz alone in the meeting room as she turned on a monitor in her seat and researched known records about Ghora 143.
