Tarakus Deadmerit: Time Frame/CH. 20

CHAPTER TWENTY Tristchana Pride Over Lorrd

Harlan paced on the deck, curious as to where Tarakus could've been. He continually paced, watching a few GA frigates mix and interact with the WSIR capital ships in the area. "Well, ain't that grand?! Caedus and Moorshavin are communicating with each other.  This puts a likely crimp in my day.  They must be working together." He said, unbeknownst to him that his comlink was on, with Tarakus on the other end of the line. "Well, if you hadn't figured out how I was captured, you wouldn't have come to that conclusion, would you have?" He said, making Harlan jump. Harlan cursed under his breath for a moment or two, then managed to gather his composure. "How long have you been on, Tarakus?" "Uh, I came on, when you said that remark." "Oh. Wait, you were capture by Caedus and Moorshavin?" "Yeah. I did.  Those two are in it together.  It's up to you, and your fleets, I calculate about four fleets, composed of about 15 large capital ships, each, 30 medium size cruisers per fleet, 70 frigates, and a multitude of fighters." "How the blazes did you know?" "Didn't take a genius to figure out how you compose your fleets. It's a standard Tristchanian configuration.  Just be glad you don't get stuck with Experimental Fleets.  Those are buggers. . .I should know.  I command one, myself." "Speaking of which, where is yours?" "They're gathering privately in the Hapes Cluster, preparing for my arrival on Terephon. Why?" "Well, we could sure use them." Harlan noted, indicating to the rather large ISD-5 blockade surrounding the planet. "What are those, ISD-4's or ISD-5's?" Tarakus asked, slowly getting on Harlan's nerves. "ISD-5's. Why does it matter?" "ISD-4's were fairly tough ships, when The Gatekeeper commissioned those buggers about 23 years ago. ISD-5's, made by the WSIR alone, are going to be fairly weak, in comparison to those ISD-4's, save for Moorshavin's flagship, the Mortis Avenger.  That's gonna be made of C-90,000 for sure." "How would you happen to know that?" "Did you forget that I made some of my career in Intelligence? Plus, I'm with Wayne III at the moment.  He's giving me all sorts of information that's quite helpful." "So that explains why you're so well informed then. Ok.  That passes then." "Yeah. Look, Harlan, I have to head to Terephon at this moment, so I'll have to talk to you later.  I'll be using my cloaking device, and so will Wayne.  We'll be back in time to drive the WSIR back to the Mudara Galaxy." "Thanks for your reassurance, Tarakus. Takanagamo out." Harlan let out a huge sigh of relief, then muttered, "Boy, someone should tell me when he silently activates that comlink."

- - - - - - Tepagastra Sandman leaving Lorrd City

Tarakus muttered several Tristchanian Minestrian curses, but none were as audible as Tarakus's favorite curse, Dalchaket. He cursed over and over for several minutes, as they stealthily passed through the WSIR blockade of the Education planet. "All that time there, and I didn't get educated. What's wrong with me?" He finally said to Piastall, when he turned his head and looked at him. Piastall only offered Tarakus a shrug of uncertainty. "Oh, big help you are, Piastall. I relied on you to at least console me, but I got nothing instead.  At least we know we're supposed to go to Terephon." He said, giving Piastall a you're-no-help look. Tu'verana stuck her head into the small cabin. "Guys, I think you should check this out." And she ushered them into the room. On one of the monitors, the HNE news reel showed that Caedus had just set Kashyyyk aflame, simultaneous to Moorshavin's latest attack and invasion of Falleen. Tarakus shook his head, and muttered something about Sith, before stalking back into the back again. "Let me know when we arrive at Hapes, and use the long-range hyperdrive, please. I only need one jump." Mirandall activated the long-range hyperdrive, which was near Tarakus's head, when it activated, making the already skiddish Dragon jump.

- - - - - - Several hours later, at Terephon

Tu'verana walked into the back of the cabin, where Tarakus was sleeping, in his worn and beaten BCC uniform. "Dad! We're here." Tarakus woke up with a start, ripping his FC-40 Concussion Rifle off its holster on his right leg, muttering, "Who's there?" Tu'verana pushed the barrel of the rifle down to the ground, and said, "Dad, it's me. We've arrived on Terephon." "Oh. That's good.  Well, let me get up and we'll go."