[Galaxy] August 17th, 2165 || Ke'elzzoid Log || Adm. Zzzogard & Hive Cmdr. Atryzzza (NPCs) || "The Seeds of Rebellion"

[Kristine Chester]

*=/= Supreme Royal Strike Liner Kannar =/=*

+++"Admiral, the Zzanjha hazzz arrived in zzzyzzztem. Hive Commander
Atryzzza izzz requezzzting an audience,"+++ one of Zzzogard's officers
reported over the comm. line.

Admiral Zzzogard was severely pissed.  It had been over a week since he
heard a thing from Hive Commander Atryzzza.  And to be honest, Zzzogard had
been worried about her well being.  She was far too important in what he
had planned.  And if she had been anybody else, he likely would have stung
her near death for simply disappearing.  But in all honesty, the Admiral
knew if Atryzzza had disappeared, it had to be for a good reason.  "Have
her meet in my office."

Atryzzza arrived 20 minutes later. She didn't bother signaling her arrival,
simply stepped inside Zzzogard's office as she knew he would be waiting for
her. "Admiral," she greeted with a bow of respect. She could smell his
anger, which filled the room. It made her wary to start the conversation
until he had a chance to vent his frustration.

Standing from his seat, Zzzogard's stinger was already exposed just out of
habit in such situations like this one.  His first instinct was to pin her
on the floor and begin stinging an explanation from Atryzzza.  But instead,
he allowed himself to calm down and lower his stinger.  It was moments like
these that he wondered if he was truly mad at something she did wrong.  Or
was simply mad due to being worried.  Like a father would feel for a child.
 "Hive Commander...I'm zzure you have some detailzzz to report in regardzzz
to your abzzzence?"

Seeing Zzzogard's stinger retract, Atryzzza unfolded her hands from behind
her back and risked moving closer. "Yezz, Admiral. I went to New Darwin."

"Why?  Akta wazzz azzzigned to handle that tazzk."

"I have not interfered with Akta'zz mizzzzion in any way," she assured him.
"The Zzanjha never regizzztered on Federation zenzzzorzz. We took
camouflaged Kallazz'zz to the planet in order to deal with Akta'zz traitor,
the one who has been aiding the Federation, giving them our communication
codezz, zenzzzorzz, and more. Cilizzza could not be allowed to continue
forwarding our zecretzz. And there'zz more. Cilizzza had mated, I could
zmell it on her. Zhe izz a traitor in every way pozzzzible. I had to try
eliminating her."

Zzzogard's antennae began to twitch in frustration.  The worst thing that
could happen in a situation as intense as this conflict with the Federation
were undisciplined Royals in the field.  "Did you zzay that you tried
eliminating Cilizzza?  What wazzz the cauzzze of thizz failure?"

"Federation involvement," Atryzzza said defensively. "My force wazz
outnumbered four to one, we eliminated the Federation warriorzz with no
cazzzualtiezz to my unit, and injured Cilizzza, but zhe managed to ezzzcape
during the conflict. Zhe'zz at their zettlement, alive. But we did not
leave empty handed. The zettlement'zz leader, Captain Oliver, and one of
her officerzz were captured by the team I had zcouting the zettlement. They
are both aboard the Zzanjha. They don't know azz much azz I had hoped, but
they have proven a font of information."

"Captain Oliver zzhould be able to give uzz a wealth of knowledge in
regardzzz to how the Federation will try to retake their zzyzztem."

"Not azz much azz we might hope. Oliver'zz a zcientizzzt, not a warrior."
Atryzzza's antennae drooped forward. "Admiral, have you been keeping up
with Hive Commander Zzatikar'zz reportzz? Kill cloudzz, teleporting beamzz,
and the deeper we advance into Federation territory the more zhipzz and
warriorzz they pozzzzezz. I am....concerned the war we are ztarting will
cozzzt uzz millionzz of livezz to bring the Federation to heel."

The Admiral paced across the room.  "The Federation izz larger than we
anticipated.  We originally believe it conzzizzted of the Humanzzz and
Andorianzzz.  But we later encountered Tellaritezzz.  And there izz rumored
to be another zzzpeciezzz called Vulcan.  Alzzzo new worldzzz have joined
their group."

"Vulcanzz are confirmed to exizzzt, not not much izz known. According to
Zzatikar'zz report it wazz a Vulcan azzzazzzin who killed Phyzzzician Taul.
One of the piecezz of information Oliver provided izz the location of the
homeworldzz of all four zpeciezz, including Vulcanzz."

Zzzogard gave half a smile.  "Taul being killed doezzzn't zzzeem to bother
me one bit."  The larger Ke'elzzoid stopped in his tracks.  Zzzogard would
never be one to completely run from a fight.  Perhaps fall back to regroup,
but never completely give up.  And now this group had advanced technology
that the Matriarchal Star Empire had to contend with.  "Izz Zzatiker zzure
about kill cloudzzz?  And if zzo, then on what level?"

"You haven't zeen hizz full report," Atryzzza observed. She took out a PADD
and passed it to him. On it was a picture of a Ke'elzzoid warrior, his
carapace dried out, cracked, and oozing hemolymph. His sides were stained
white from chemical burns and his expression was one of excruciating pain.
"Warrior Zzaraezz had one uzzzed on him by a Human female. Thezzze
picturezz were taken lezzz than an hour before he died."

Looking over the report, Zzzogard for the first time in years showed a bit
of concern.  Gas clouds nearly caused the extinction of his people hundreds
of years ago.  And this Federation had the means to once again bring those
dark times to his people.  "What are your recommendationzzz Hive Commander?"

"Actually, I came here to get your opinion. I zpoke with Oliver about thizz
incident. Zhe zayzz it izz the work of an individual or a zmall rogue group
within the Federation, that thizz act izz a war crime even among them and
their people will be punizzzhed. I'm inclined to believe her. Zhe wazz
appalled, but that doezz not protect uzz from their uzzze," Atryzzza said.

The Hive Commander began to rub her hands together, a nervous gesture she
wasn't prone to often, "The optionzz I can come up with are: We continue
our attack, knowing that thezzze weaponzz will be unleazzzhed from time to
time, and puzzzh forward until we are victoriouzz. Thizz action may cripple
the Ztar Empire if not lead to itzz dezzztruction. The alternative izz we
talk and come to an agreement to end hozzztilitiezz with the Federation.
Excluding our encounter with the Meridian, every battle with Ztarfleet hazz
led to their leader zeeking an opportunity for peace. It'zz not a
weaknezzz, Ztarfleet hazz ably demonzzztrated their officerzz are azz
crafty, zkilled, and ruthlezzz azz ourzz, but if it'zz a trick to have uzz
lower our guard, we will have put our zpeciezz into a weaker pozzzition."

She let out a long, low buzz, a sigh. "And then there'zz the bigger
picture. If the attackzz continue, the hivezz will grow angry at Zerinet.
It will improve our pozzzition. If our victory izz enzzzured only by a
mound of corpzzzezz, izz it worth it? I azzzk myzzzelf if potentially
ztarting a rebellion would be any different. Not in rezzzultzz, but in
motive. I'm not zure what to do, but you alwayzz know the bezzzt courzzze
of action, Admiral. What zhould we do?"

"Zzztarting a rebellion now could have uzz fighing our own and the
Federation," the Admiral mentioned.  "Whozzz to zzay that the Federation
won't take advantage of our weaknezzz.  We would do the zzzame to them.
Zerinet doezzzn't want peace.  Zzzurender would make her look weak among
the other Hivezzz.  Rizzzking challengezzz from other Queenzzz, if not them
all."

The Admiral's antennae twitched in agitation.  "Even if I called back the
attack.  Admiral Akta would likely refuzzze.  And would try acting on
behalf of Zerinet to continue."

"Izz that it? All our pathzz are decided?" Atryzzza asked irritably. Then
an idea came to her. "What if Akta izz defeated by the Federation? Two of
the Grand Council dead, a Zupreme Royal Ztrike Liner, not even a year old,
dezzztroyed? If that were to happen and you recommended pulling back our
forcezz to focuzz on developing our technology, and build ztrength, it
would give time for tenzzzionzz to eazzze. Optionzz would become available,
but we would have our fleet at the ready if the Federation doezz prezzz
their attack."

"During that time we could work towardzz our rebellion if we chozzze to,"
Zzzogard responded.  "Deviouzzz plan Hive Commander.  But a very good one."

"And," her mandibles clicked together, quite pleased with herself, "Zerinet
will need to appoint a new military advizzzor to the Council."

"But thizzz meanzzz that we do nothing to azzizzzt our forcezzz when the
Federation cruzzhezzz Akta and hizz zzhipzzz in Federation zzpazzze.  Are
you willing to zzzee thouzzzandzzz of Ke'elzzoid die.  Even though it would
be for the greater good of the Empire?"

"Zeven hundred and zeventy five Ke'elzzoid, actually, acrozzz eight
zhipzz," Atryzzza said. "And if my optionzz are to zee millionzz die or
lezzz than 800, it'zz no decizzion at all."

"I agree with your azzezzzment," Zzzogard replied.

"There are two loozzze endzz that will need to be wrapped up. Cilizzza izz
ztill a threat, and the Federation. I can dizzzcuzzz thizz with Oliver. I
am confident we can come to an underzzztanding zhe can take back to her
people. If the Federation decidezz to attack uzz we will be in no worzzze
pozzzition than we are now. Better, actually, with Akta out of the way. But
if they don't, a dialogue could be invaluable if we were to rebel."

"Dialogue?" the older Ke'elzzoid questioned.  "Almozzzt zzzoundzz azzz if
you would conzzzider bringing the Federation into our pozzzible rebellion."

"It'zz in their bezzzt interezzztzz. If we prove ourzzzelvezz an ally now
and can end thizz conflict, then they may decide to return the favor. It
cozzztzz uzz nothing but wordzz now and relinquizzzhing a few worthlezzz
prizzzonerzz, and the Federation izz built upon working with other
zpeciezz. They are toolzz azz much azz Akta izz," Atryzzza said.

"Itzzz quite the plan you have conzzzieved," Zzzogard admitted.  It was
times like these that the Admiral had to remind himself that Atryzzza was
still a Royal.  They were treacherous when it came to plotting.  Though she
was different from most of them in so many ways.  The treacherous part was
still there.  It was a trait that they would need to make this plan work.

"The only problem izz with the Hive Unitzzz.  Many of Ke'elzzoid will not
go along with allowing outzziderzzz to help overthrow the Emprezzz.  Even
thozze who would zzzupport uzzz would be againzzzt taking that method."

"That izz why we don't open with that. We uzzze the Zza'an and other
zlavezz when necezzzzary, we will explain to them the Federation will be no
different. And, in time, we can bring the other hivezz around to
underzzztanding the value of an ally if that izz in fact what they become.
Wazz it any different when Adhkaran founded the Matriarchal Ztar Empire
from dizzzparate hivezz?"

The Admiral thought about it for a moment.  "Thatzzz a zzeriouzzz rizzk.
Ke'elzzoid who would be on our zzide could change zzidezzz immediately.
They would be dizzguzzted by the alliance.  Letzzz not forget that the
Emprezzz controlzzz the largezzzt and mozzt powerful Hive in the Empire.
Many Hivezzz are loyal for that very reazzon.  If we try to divide her Hive
that we happen to be a part of, then expect thozzze who are invezzted in
her reign to come to her aide."

"I never zaid thizz would be eazzzy. And rezzzt azzzzured, Admiral, I don't
intend to take the throne with a Federation fleet, merely with their aide.
Thizz izz a Ke'elzzoid matter firzzt and foremozzzt; however, if we can't
dezzztroy the Federation then we are going to have to deal with them in
other wayzz. The hivezz will have to accept that," Atryzzza said.

"A Civil War will zzet the Matriarchal Ztar Empire back many yearzzz,"
Zzzogard assured the Hive Commander.  "Dezzztroying the Federation will not
be an option after that.  Ezzpecially with their current growth.  They will
learn from thizz encounter and zzztrengthen their forcezzz.  But I agree
with your courzze of action."

Giving quite the devious smile as his antennae twitched with anticipation.
 "Letzzz work zzzomething out with the Zza'an Oliver.  By the way who did
Cilizzza chozzze azz a mate?"

"Nobody important. There were two campzz on New Darwin. The other wazz led
by a noble named Dalre. Given he wazz the only noble in the zyzzztem until
recently, hizz izz the only zeed zhe pozzzzezzzzezz," Atryzzza explained,
titled her head quizzically. "Why the curiozzzity over zuch an
inzzzignificant fact?"

"To mate in zzzuch a vital time indicatezzz that Cilizzza may have had a
plan of her own.  One that may interfere with or own."

"That'zz even more reazzzon to eliminate her," Atryzzza said. "I can
enzzzure zhe diezz. I need another opportunity."

"The Federation may end up doing the job for uzz when they retake the
zzyzztem."

"Zhe izz their ally. At bezzt they will keep her azz a prizzzoner,"
Atryzzza said.

"Ally?"  Zzzogard was clearly surprised by this news.  "When did thizz take
place?"

"My azzzzumption izz when the Federation received our communication codezz
and more information zeveral weekzz ago," Atryzzza said.

"Her death will come zzzoon enough.  But we need to zzztick to more
important matterzzz."

Atryzzza let out a frustrated buzz. "Very well, Admiral. Izz there anything
elzzze we zhould dizzzcuzzz before I have a dizzzcuzzzzion with my Human
guezzzt?"

"Be careful," the Admiral responded.  "Thizzz zzzituation could eazzzily go
in a completely different direction that we have planned."

"If it doezz, we'll adapt," Atryzzza called back to him. "We will be
victoriouzz, Admiral, one way or the other."

__________________

Admiral Zzzogard (NPC apb Michael)
Commanding Officer
Supreme Royal Strike Liner Kannar

&

Hive Commander Atryzzza (NPC apb Kritine)
Commanding Officer
Supreme Royal Strike Liner Zzanjha
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