Kevin had landed on a small world nearby the hidden base. It was fertile, green, very pleasant place. Only problem was it was in the middle of a warzone, it would never serve any purpose. Kevin sighed. "A world without purpose. Darklord would have loved it." Kevin looked at the small buiral site he had built for Darklord where his body was now burning. Kevin felt tears fall down his maskless face. "I had forgotten the Dark Side’s power…and why I should no longer use it. Forgive me old friend." Kevin looked over the clif he faced and felt the breeze through his hair…something his mask had prevented for a long time. Kevin barely noticed when a shuttle landed nearby. Kevin turned around as a man approached the small ceremony. Kevin reconized the uniform immedietly and the man immedietly jumped when he saw Kevin. "…Locke? Is that you?"

The Babylon returned to the port. Narm was completley out of it as the ship landed. Argon Viper and Master were there to greet him. "Here." Narm said, handing Viper a data crystal. "You’ll find more information in that." Narm left the hangar and proceed to a small bed in the inn they had at their base. As he layed down, he could not sleep. He only laid there, eyes wide open.

"Locke, it’s been about 3 months, we had all thought you were dead! What happened?" Kevin sighed. "Many things, it’s a long story…where is the Challenge? Nearby?" The man, who Kevin reconized as Captain Sinclair, gave out a deep sigh and looked down. "It’s that damn project, the one I’m sure killed Darklord…they ran a assination number on us. All of the Emperor’s Hammers main officers are dead, the entire place is in chaos…even the Challenge dosen’t have a leader anymore. And only the Force knows what’s going to happen with that…that device!" Kevin was curious "How did you know about it?" Sinclair sighed. "The project practically wanted everyone to know they had done it, and to fear." Kevin shook his head. "Total chaos and fear…they’re running a number on them like they did the Intruder Wing…only it’s bigger, much bigger here." Kevin looked at Sinclair. "Bring me to your shuttle, we have work to do…"

Sinclair began to form a smile. "Locke…you have some sort of plan don’t you?" Kevin nodded. "This conspiracy group will not have their way this time…"

The officers of the Intruder Wing gathered around the table. Argon Viper was ready with his usual sum of news. "It appears this group’s ultimate goal is fear in chaos. This Neil wants to build a empire based on this design, though I can’t say he’d have much control over all the chaos he wants it to have…either way, his first target with his new weapon is of course, Courscant." Master smiled. "Fine by me, let’s let them take out the capitial of our enemy." Viper looked at him and sighed. "Do you have any idea how many lives would be lost if Courscant went up in smoke? Any?" Silence followed. "Well I do. And either way, if Courscant goes the entire Republic fleet will be attacking all Imperial strongholds like crazy looking for this thing. In other words chaos." Narm nodded. "So what you’re saying is Courscant is our best shot." Viper nodded. Narm just shrugged. "Three fighters won’t do anything, so unless you have a plan to get the support of the New Republic, we can’t do anything." Argon Viper nodded. "I know. But don’t worry, I do have a plan. And before I say anything, let me just tell you I'm sorry…"

Kevin was in a small room on what had for about a year and a half been his home. Kevin had join the TIE Corps for a time, living a double life as Ambassador for the Intruder Wing and serving as a Flight Leader. As a Intruder Wing officer, he was forced to remember the things he had done to his familiy and homeworld in his friends. As Locke Merquise though, he was able to forget and put the mask away. Kevin looked at himself in the uniform. He wore the ranks of a Captain, which might hinder his cause…or might not…Kevin had no way of knowing. Captain Sinclair entered the room. "They’re ready for you." Kevin nodded. He left the room and followed Sinclair to a large meeting room. Kevin walked to the middle of it where everyone could see him. Kevin looked at them. A lot of them were surprised to see him. Others just wanted to know what the hell had happened. Kevin decided it was now or never. "Hello, my old friends and comrades. Many of you remember me as Captain Locke Merquise…but that was not my real name or who I was. That is why I left. In real life, I was Admiral Kevin Setzer of the Intruder Wing. I returned because they were being attacked, severely by the New Republic, or at least that’s what I thought. A assination number, just like the one that was pulled on this fleet, was done on mine. I became the Commander of this fleet, but I failed. The New Republic forces there were sent to make sure we couldn’t win. In a act of desperation, my crew shot me and put me in my ship. I would have rather died there. The blood of all of them is now on my hands. With a few survivors I was able to get into the complex, the death machine this conspiracy group built. I know how to defeat it, I know what it’s built of so we can see it. I can show us the way to take it down. But to do this, we must reorganize what was once the Battlegroup of the TIE Corps and organize them to create a resistance. I need your support to get there. Maybe the Battlegroup will reject us, or maybe we’ll just get a few of them on our side. As long as this ship stands together it’s enough. But I need your support. Help me avenge the deaths of those who died. Please let the blood on my hands mean something, so I can live with it. I beg of you, help us." Kevin finished and then stepped away. Kevin was instantely gratified with loud sounds of applaud. One of the more older members of the Challenge walked near Kevin and ripped off the Captain bars, and instantely put on the bars of a Colonel. "That is only until we can put you at your real rank of Admiral, Kevin Setzer." Kevin smiled. "Thank you, but I don’t need any of it. I just want to strike back, and that’s it." The man smiled and shook his head. "Exactly why you’re getting those. We’ll need your leadership if this group has any hope of avoiding a civil war." Kevin smiled. "Well, the least I can do is save you guys some frustration. From here on I will be Locke Kevin Setzer, so relax when it comes to names" Everyone laughed and smiled, but it wasn’t long till Kevin headed towards the bridge. Kevin looked around. "Talk about nostalgia." Kevin looked at the Comm officer. "Have you notified the other ships." The officer nodded. "They’ve all agreed to meet to settle what is to be done. In other words, they probably all plan on either making themselves dictator or declaring independence." Kevin nodded. "Well, we’ll give them something to rally behind. Enter hyperspace, we haven’t much time now…"

The three fighters of the Intruder Wing left hyperspace. Master was still skeptical. "Are you sure this will work out alright Viper?" Viper nodded. "Positive. Just hang tight." Viper pressed a few buttons. "Attention Courscant military port #12-Z-0, this is General Argon Kosh. Requesting boarding permission for myself and my escorts." It took the control some time to respond. "Err…General, we were under the assumption you went into self-isolation." Argon Viper gave a half smile "I was…now it is time for me to return."

Kevin looked before the large crowd, filled with officers of the former Emperor’s Hammer Battlegroup. Each ship had a platform with it’s respective COM and WCMDR and assistants standing nearby. There was also a small area for survivors of the Soverign Incident, mostly squadrons that had been launched as the ship exploded. Kevin was not by far the highest ranking one of these, but since he had invited all of them, he decided to go first. "Greetings, fellow officers. I am Colonel Locke Setzer, Commodore of the ISD Challenge at the moment. I have asked you all here to consider my officer on what to do from now on. I know many of you plan on going independent or joining a warlord faction. I ask you not to do this, it would be a waste of your talents, I assure you. I propose that our remaints form together to continue on and fight." The COM of another Destroyer scoffed at this. "And who shall lead us? You know it well that everyone here would want their hands on that job. And I’m sure you’re ready to propse yourself for it." Kevin nodded. "Precisly. The only diffrence is that I have ever indication of stepping down as soon as we take revenge for those wrecked so much havoc on our organization." This brought up a large murmer from the crowd. The same COM, who Kevin now noticed was in charge of the Colossus now brought up another question. "How do you know them?" Kevin sighed. "I was brought in by Colonel Darklord, our spy in this attempt. He needed help in shutting it down…unfortunetly, we failed…now I need the support of the entire Battlegroup to bring them down. I helped them, I’ve seen how the hide and I know how to defeat it. I know how to defeat them. We can do it, but we need your assistance. The Challenge is going after them, regardless of what happens here. All help will be appreciated. And after we finish this, I will step down as the Commander of the Fleet. This brought out even more chatter from the crowd. The Colossus COM spoke up again "We will need time to settle this, you understand." Kevin nodded. "I’ve submitted more details to all of your terminals. Contact me when you’ve made your decision." The Colossus COM nodded and Kevin and the Challenge staff left.

Narm and Master were obviously uncomfortable in the small room in the Imperial Palace in Courscant. Master shook his head. "Self-exiled Republic General eh?" Argon Viper nodded. "I was invloved in the coup-de-tant of building the MC-120. When the knowledge came out, it was either court-martial or leaving with honor." Master sighed. "But didn’t you have supporters?" Argon Viper nodded. "I didn’t want to start a civil war of sorts. Plus we’d had never had a chance." Narm looked up. "What about now? Think they’d still go with you?" Argon Viper looked out the window. "That’s what we’re counting on…"

Kevin looked at the ceiling of the small room he was laying in on the platform. It had been about 2 hours, and still no word. Suddenly, the door opened and in walked the COM of the ISD Colosuss. Kevin now knew him as the Vice Admiral Ajax. Kevin stood to attention. "At ease." Kevin rested. "So, what have you decided?" Kevin asked. Ajax looked at Kevin. "The Soverign Survivors are well with you, believe me. The Immortal is ready to go as well, the Relentless however is still unsure, hopefully they’ll join up later. As for the Coloussus" Ajax put out his hand. "We’re with you, Admiral." Kevin raised a eyebrow and Ajax smiled. "We’ve elected you the next leader, even after this whole incident, you’ll stay in charge. We need someone humble, but knows when to take charge. So for that, the council has decided for the moment, you are the next leader, Fleet Admiral Locke Setzer." Kevin sighed. "This isn’t exactly what I had in mind…" Ajax smiled. "These kind of things never are Admiral…"

"All ready?" Argon Viper asked Master and Narm. Viper was in complete Republic uniform, Master and Narm had chosen their respective Intruder Wing uniforms. "Do you have to wear that?" Master asked. Viper shrugged. "Wear what you’ll lead." The trio were guided to a large room, filled with Republic military officers. Viper took the lead, Master and Narm stayed behind for support. "General Kosh." One of the Admirals started off, immedietly firing at him. "You were at the verge of being court-martialed when you left us. Now you’ve returned with supposed information vital to the survival of the Republic. Tell us now what’s stopping from throwing you in jail and putting to rest this ugly rumor." Viper was quick to respond. "Simple, the deaths of everyone on this planet would be on YOUR hands." Viper had been in for only a few seconds and he was alreadying going in, heated. The admiral looked like he wanted to get another comment in, but Viper wouldn’t allow it. "After I put myself into exile, I decided to see what it would be like to be behind enemy lines, to think like they have to. After a chain of events, I found myself admist the Intruder Wing, a smaller Imperial faction, and was in charge of a ship, until a attack by your forces, a misdirected attack, destroyed the remaints, save myself, two compainons, and another. We retaliated against some of your ships, but found it had been used by a agent of a secret group, supposedly ran by the Emperor’s Hammer." The Intellegence Director stood up. "You say supposedly. Can this have anything to do with the sudden disapperance of the Soverign?" Viper nodded. "It has been destroyed by this" Viper pointed to a holo that he had suddenly lite up. "It was developed in secret and never meant to be this strong, something with, if all devices are directed towards one target, have the capabilities of a Death Star." A bit of murmer came around, but it didn’t stop Viper. "Now, it uses a cloaking device, but with some precision, it can be countered. If we have a big enough force, we should be able to stop it before it causes any damage, as long as were prepared for the attack asap, and I guarentee you, we are it’s current target." Even more murmer arosed, and the Rebel Admiral that had started off critizing Viper again started up. "This is madness! We’re listening to the words of a practical traitor and looking at information from a Imperial soldier! Why should they help us?" Narm looked at the Admiral fiercly. "Because all we tried for, all we put together, was destroyed. We had nothing. So if we do something, we might as well save a hell of a lot of lives. Sure, they might not be in our area, or better stated, what was our area, but it’s lives, nonetheless. And if you can’t understand that, then you’re the same, if not worse, than those supposedly "evil" Imperials you stand there and critize." The Admiral seemed a bit speechless, but soon regained his compusure. "I don’t need to listen to this! I am going against this movement, we will not waste our fleet’s time!" Argon Viper quickly jumped at that. "In that case, I now order all ships supporting a TRUE Republic to come home and prepare defense." Viper reveleaed a small comm unit. The Admiral was furious "You’ve been recording all of this?!?" Viper nodded. "Every last bit. I left to avoid what could turn into a civil war of sorts, but if you want to stand here and be ignorant, then I’ll gladely open those old wounds to save the planet." The Admiral pounded his fists on the table. "You always were the renegade…damn you General Kosh…" Viper smiled. "That’s Admiral Kosh now. Admiral Kosh of the Republic Protectors."

Kevin looked at himself again. He was still a bit perplexed by what was happeneing, but he was ready and prepared. A aide entered the room. "Admiral! By request your fighter, the Babylon II, has been preped and is ready in the event that you need it." Kevin nodded. "Thanks. Are they ready?" The aide nodded. "Awaiting your command." Kevin nodded and thanked the aide. He headed out to the bridge and quickly got in his place. "Remember; the cloaking system can be undone if we concentrate any type of beam weapon on it. A constant beam will help us achieve victory." Kevin looked around and cringed. Everyone was ready, and he was no exception. It was time to finally clean the blood off his hands. "Exit hyperspace!"

As Kevin commanded, 3 Imperial Star Destroyers along with several support craft left hyperspace in attack formation, ready for battle. They were met by a small Rebel fleet made up of four Calamari Cruisers with several support craft. Kevin was quick to respond. "Attention all ships, do not attack, I repeat, do not attack." Kevin turned to the comm officer. "Get me on a standard frequency." The comm officer nodded and pointed and Kevin as a sign to go ahead. "Attention Courscant. This is Fleet Admiral Locke Kevin Setzer of the Imperial Strategic Force. We are here due to a very strong belief that this planet and it’s large civilian population is to be soon under the attack of a new weapon, a weapon we indirectly helped build. Because of this we are responsible to clean up our mistakes and destroy it for once. We ask for your assistance, but if you are hesitant, we understand. We’ll take care of the problem. As for seeing us as a threat, you’ll see we are well away from any attack position we could form on the planet, and won’t be moving into one any time soon. That is all."

Narm looked out the viewport of the Calamari Cruiser. "Kevin…" Viper nodded. "Get me a private channel with Fleet Admiral Setzer, now please." The comm officer nodded and was quick to respond. "Kevin, this is Colonel Argon Viper, or as of right now, Admiral Argon Kosh of the Republic Protectors. We had a little disagreement on how to handle this threat, so there has been a bit of a split in the Republic." Kevin’s voice was soon on "I see, it’s to be expected. This fleet should be enough though. I’d ask that for convience sake, if I make a recommendation in battle, please follow it." Viper nodded and smiled. "Aye sir." Kevin gave a half smile at that. "Oh and Viper, I have one last request. I gained a few of the squadrons left over from the Soverign. I need someone to lead one of the SCMDR-less squads into battle." Narm stood up quickly. "I’ll do it." Everyone could hear it when Kevin sighed. "Actually, I was thinking more in the lines of Master. However, Viper, let Narm launch, he’ll take care of himself." Narm was furious. "What the hell is this about Kevin?!" Kevin sighed. "Viper, can you put me on a private channel with Narm?" Viper noded and guided Narm into a small room. Narm didn’t get a word in before Kevin started. "Narm, here’s the problem. These ships have a cloaking system that can only be seen when a beam is placed on them. This will be rather difficult for fighters to pull of, they’ll need to be together and guided. However, the Babylon System uses a constant beam. You’ll be able to go out there and see fine, you’ll be too busy blowing up targets than to guide them on what to do. They’ll need to work together, you and I won’t." Narm nodded. "I see." Kevin wasn’t finished. "Remember, the Babylon is the most powerful starfighter in the galaxy, but even it can be defeated. Take care of yourself out there, I’m counting on you to make a good start so by the time I get out there we can finish this." Narm didn’t understand. "You’ll be going out there?" Kevin sighed. "If things aren’t looking too good, I will go out there and finish it by myself. The Battlegroup has COMs that will lead in my place, I’m not worried about that. Narm, I have to leave, still have a few things to look over, some sort of new transport that cloaks while picking up fallen soldiers, strategy, the wonderful word of being in charge…Take care of yourself about there my old friend." Narm was about to say something but Kevin had left. It was time.

"Everything settled Narm?" Narm nodded. "Alright then." Viper began. "Master, load up in the Inquisitor and head over to the ISD Challenge. You’ll receive your orders there as Nu Commander." Master nodded and soon left. Viper turned to Narm. "Narm, consider yourself freelance. I’d advise you follow of the orders of the Wing, however the Babylon is it’s own craft and placement. Good Luck out there." Narm nodded and headed off.

Kevin was looking at the device and smiled. "You’ve really outdone yourself on this one Amadeo…"

The Republic Admiral looked at the system reports, scoffing. Suddenly alarms went off and his heart sank. They had been right…

Kevin was already at the bridge. "This is Fleet Admiral Locke Kevin Setzer. We are here on behalf of a Republic-Imperial force, standing here before you because what you are about to do is beyond the now accepted rules of warfare. We are to save the lives of the incredibly large civilian population, who’s own government would not stand up to save them, would not believe. Now, we ask you to surrender, to see the true error in your ways, and to stop this before lives must be spent to stop you ourselves."

Neil smilied. "Engage cloaking system."

Kevin sighed. "Well there goes that. All forces, launch!"

Viper shook his head. "You heard the man, all Republic forces, launch!."

Master launched out with Nu squadron, quickly looking around. "Alright Nu, remember this device is composed of over a 100 small devices working together. They need all of them to do serious damage, but even one could hurt. Use your beam weapons to find em and help guide the rest of the squad, we do everything together!"

Narm launched out and picked the first target he saw. He owed no one anything out here and would stay by himself.

"Challenge and Colossus, the ones right in front of us are the first on the mark. Immortal, cover our back and start attack on the devices on to our right. Have your fighters follow the orders of your main ships, we’re more powerful when we’re closely knit then overwise."

Neil smilied. "We’ll see about that strategy…"

Suddenly a large burst of energy came by and smashed into the Immortal, totally destroying it. Kevin pounded his fist on the table. "Damnit! Immortal gone, but stay in formation. It’ll take them some time to charge back up and we need to clear the area to make it harder if not impossible for them to do that kind of burst again! Now go!"

Viper was having similar results on his end. "They may only be going for support craft now, but we must be prepared for the big ships. Follow tne Imperial’s lead and stay together. Dispering may make it easier for them to hit us but we’ll never finish the job that way!

Narm threw laser blast after laser blast at the device and watched as it blew up. He cheked the comm logs. Apparently he was having a much easier time then the rest of the fleet.

"Here comes another one!" Someone called out from the deck of the ISD Challenge. It was heading directly for the ISD Colossus, but a Escort Carrier managed to get in the way of it, taking most of the hit for the Colossus. "The Carrier took it for us boys." Ajaxwas on, trying to encourage his troops. "Let’s not let them down, continue the attack!" Kevin made a mental note to award Ajax after this, Kevin wasn’t sure how it would have gone without him. "Kevin, this is Viper." Viper sounded worried. "Our attack has only concentrated, so far, on 2/3rds of the target. Now we’re clearing them up at a accelerated rate, but as for that other 1/3..now they’re separate by a bit, but I think they’re charging up to cause some serious damage on the planet." Kevin checked and Viper was right. "Damn! We don’t have any forces that can get there in time!"

Suddenly the ISD Relentless jumped into the situation, fighters already launched and started firing away at the targets. When it cleared as many as it could, it moved itself right in the way of the laser. Luckily the hit was disperesed due to fact it was missing much of it’s power, and the Relentless suistaned the damage. Kevin smiled. "Thank you Relentless, we owe you. You’re rather damaged, so try to stay out of the combat zone, but keep your fighters out and around, we’re going to need as many of them as possible…"

Fighters need were right. Tears stung Master’s eyes as he saw he was the only one left. It hadn’t been his fault, of course, but seeing his own wingman fall was always difficult. Very difficult.

Kevin looked at the situation. "Viper, it appears most of our fighters are gone, and the targets are completley spread apart now. The only way we can win this from here on out is fighter support. So, I’m taking out the Babylon II. You’re now in charge of the fleet." Viper shook his head. "Not exatly Kevin. I still have the Viper, and I’m going out with you. From here on out, this is a Intruder Wing assignment, and I’m still part of that Intruder Wing." Kevin smilied. "In that case, Vice Admiral Ajax will take charge. Get Narm and Master to met us, it’s time for the Intruder Wing to finish this off."

Viper loaded into his TIE Defender and looked at the controls. "Please don’t let this be the last time…"

Kevin looked at the controls of the Babylon II. "Thank you old friend. I owe you so much, and this is how I will repay you. I will finish your final request and I will clean the blood stained on my hands. This is the death of Kevin Setzer, and the birth of Locke Merquise."

The two fighters launched and were quickly met up with the familiar shapes of the Babylon and The T/A Instigator. They formed up in their original attack formation of 4. "Alright guys, this is our last mission. Master, Viper you’ll be heading towards the lesser populated target area. It’s pretty spread out, but you should be able to handle it. Narm, you and I are going out after the larger area. Filled with targets and about as spread out. Use your eyes, and avoid fires. Now let’s go!"

Viper and Master headed off. The two looped around, one using his beam while the other firing. They continued this pattern up until the last target, but by then they were so far away from Kevin and Narm they could never help with the problem that arose on their front…

Narm and Kevin used the Babylon system to it’s limits. Since they already saw the targets, they were quick to attack and take them out. They would have to occasionally use multiple runs, but for the most part they were getting them finished. "You’ve learned how to use the Babylon well Narm." Narm sighed. "There would be a better time for talks then this! And besides, I still haven’t gotten it up to the level to beat you." Kevin smilied. "Perhaps…" Suddenly, the targets were cleared…save one. "Narm…that target, the one near you, has been loading up…the entire time this battle has been going. With that much energy it could take out almost an entire continent on Courscant." Narm looked at the target and cringed. "It’s about to go…with the explosion of the Babylon, I should be able to take it out!" Narm started to head off, but Kevin fired several shots into his engine, taking it out. "You’re too young Narm, and you haven’t done anything to deserve this. I will take care of it. I will pay back for my mistakes." Narm looked at the view port and watched Kevin sped off. "NO!"

Kevin pressed a few switchs on the Babylon II, maximizing his speed. "This is what it comes down to Darklord. The only real way to repay is to throw myself at the arms of death. If I am not ment to live, I will die now. But if I am truly forgiven…" Kevin pressed the triggers of his laser hard. "Then I WILL live!"

Narm watched as the Babylon II rammed into the device, just as it was about to go off. The two images completley exploded on impact. Narm’s head was laying on the controls. "Why…why did you always have to protect me…"

"Personal Log, Vice Admiral, oh I’m sorry, Admiral Ajax. The Battle is over, but it cost us greatly. Many of our fighters were lost in this attack and finding new fighters will take us quite some time. However, Admiral Viper has provided us with quite a sum for new ships, so we are quite in his debt. In the battle we also lost the Immortal, a fine ship and a fine crew. But, I think the one that still has everyone is the loss of Fleet Admiral Locke Setzer. He gave his life for the people of Courscant, very admirable, and exactly what I would expect from him. So, as it looks, he left me in charge if anything should happen. As for his ship…a sort of shell of the Babylon II was found, but no body and no idea if he ejected. Even if he wanted to, I would think the blast would have killed him. But…when we stormed the control center, which had been well far away from any action whatsoever, we found the body of their leader, Neil, with a hole burned through his heart. Some say it was Locke who did it, others say it was the burden of his heart and it just exploded in passion. I don’t know one way or the other. If it was Locke though, I’m sure he’ll return, one day, in his own way…