Beyond - Legends THE NEW IMPERIUM - The Second Great War, Part 2: "Path of Fury"

SUMMARY: As clandestine Altarin?Dakor forces move unseen within their space, the New Imperium must mount a defense against the increasing, inexorable assault by the Warlord Nimrod?s forces. Faced with sabotage and assassination attempts, the NI must find the strength to persevere. Maarek Stele?s Inferno Squadron has a close encounter with the AD forces at Talas, while the NI?s First Fleet desperately tries to evacuate the Moro System, before an unstoppable Altarin?Dakor strike force arrives to annihilate everything?

These stories feature Maarek Stele and Kir Kanos, as well as a host of completely original characters. The majority are all-original.


*Formatting issues may make it harder to read on the message board. This story is also available online at* http://www.newimperium.org/archives/chapter13.htm
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Prologue



Diktat?s Chambers

Senate Complex

Tralaria, NI Capital
0400 Hours



He knew the attack would come soon. Before even the early risers were up, before they could see something suspicious and sound the alarm. Not that it would matter, once it was done. No one on Tralaria would be able to stop these assassins ? no one but him, at least. He could prevent it from happening at all.

Queklain moved silently through the darkened corridors, passing by the useless hall guards by using the simplest of techniques to cloud their minds and render himself invisible. Starting at the sub-level where he was working under the guise of a humble janitor, he ascended the well-guarded stairwell up to level 21, emerging on the diplomatic floor where the Diktat?s quarters were located. This part of the complex was quiet as well, with only a few security guards present. The Diktat?s chambers were actually some distance away, through several locked sub-hallways and a short, private turbolift ride upstairs. But this was the main hallway, and if the assassin or assassins were going to strike, they would have to come through this corridor.

They were good, that much was certain already. Their Masks kept them invisible even to him, and he had the immense energies and sensing abilities of a Shok?Thola within his unassuming form. He didn?t know exactly who would come; he wasn?t familiar with any of Nimrod?s current bodyguards or top Kodonn?Dakor Jedicon. Whoever they were, they could be right on top of him before he sensed them. He begrudged them some small respect for that, even though their mission was destined to failure.

Queklain stepped into a small alcove down the hall from the chamber?s entrance and hunkered down to wait. He realized that he was actually looking forward to this. It had been too long since he?d seen personal battle, which was why he?d chosen to confront them here, by himself. His only passing regret was at the loss of valuable Jedicon. These would certainly be completely loyal to their master, impossible to turn.

They did not keep him waiting much longer. Abruptly he was able to feel them, their presence sending small ripples through the Power similar to that of a leaf falling onto a lake surface. There were two Jedicon, closely approaching this level and already inside the building. Impressive. They were quite powerful, even for Kodonn?Dakor. Perhaps they expected Jedi to be guarding the Diktat, or even some of Zalaria?s own best Jedicon. But they could never have suspected what Queklain was.

He continued to crouch in utter silence, his own Force Mask impervious to their senses. Finally, as they rounded a corner and came stealthily into the main hallway, he decided it was time. He slowly stood and then calmly stepped out of the alcove, turning to face them in the middle of the carpeted hallway. None of the guards were around; the three of them were alone in the dark corridor. If they were surprised, they didn?t show it. Instead, they kept walking purposefully toward him.

Even in the darkness, with his enhanced sight he could distinguish their features. One was a tall, muscular human male, dressed only in legg