Tain sat in his private office, surrounded by monitors. He could view over a thousand camera shots from every PeaceKeeper held city or installation. These were at one time used to spy on troops far from home, to ensure their loyalties. Now, they were in the hands of the Military’s most dangerous and cunning adversary, the Serpent Order under Evereck Tain. Much had occurred in the half-cycle since he announced to his followers that he was in fact still alive. With the sickness that was Hasaran cut out, Tain could operate more freely. His existence was still unknown to the Military, who were forced to put one of Tain’s most devout followers, Yaylek Vandan in the position of Proconsul. Free of moles, the Order could begin massing its forces in strategic places, ready to strike at the home world in one quick strike. Over a thousand Attack Ships had been mobilized within a weeks travel from the home system, as well as fifty of the deadly Strike Cruisers, easily a match for Military Battle Cruisers. Several Command Carrier Captains had also pledged loyalty to Tain, desperate to be admirals under Tain’s rule. The Military would have four hundred ships of various classes guarding the capitol, most would be Battle Cruisers, and about 20 Command Carriers would be included. This massive fleet was backed up by hundreds of automated pulse cannons, weapons platforms, and battle stations. Even with their numerical advantage, the battle could go either way. It would take dozens of Attack Ships to equal one Command Carrier. An all out assault would be undesirable. But, Tain had devised a plan to avoid a full-scale battle.

Tain focused his good eye on the center monitor. With a hurried press of a button, he zoomed in on an event he had been waiting to see for months. The electronic caption under the image read: UT Shipyard Three. A squadron of Attack Ships hovered around a huge twisted gray space station. The station’s arms surrounded an enormous ship. The black and red ship was about a half larger than a Command Carrier. Two winglets extended down from the aft of the ship, a huge cannon hung from each one. A large two-cannon turret was positioned on the top of the ship exactly opposite of the winglets. Two more such cannons extended from the bridge, at the ship’s front. Several smaller turrets covered the hull at key locations. This was the Tain Class Dreadnaught. It could easily match a Command Carrier, or destroy several Battle Cruisers at once. From this ship, he would command his forces in battle. He couldn’t wait to rip through the Military’s fleet. He envied his son, who was taking it for its first test flight. He settled back in his chair, a satisfied smile on his face. A counter on the wall rolled over to one billion. Tain smiled again. The Space Farer’s Death had claimed its one-billionth victim.

Tain’s joy was interrupted by a female officer’s voice. “Sir, there is an incoming transmission for you”, she said. “I said I did not want to be disturbed!” he yelled angrily over the comm. “Yes sir, but you said that if it was The Switchman to notify you”, she apologized. Tain gave a worried look. “Put him through”, he said. The comm. immediately went to static. A deep, altered voice boomed into the room. “Your supplies have been deposited at the agreed location”, said the voice. Tain licked his lips and replied. “Your payment will be delivered in full in one week”, replied Tain. “Excellent”, replied the Switchman’s altered voice. “What about your assignments?” asked Tain. “They have been completed as directed”, replied the voice. “I am on my way to you now”, replied the voice. Tain’s brow furrowed. “Where are you now?” asked the Proconsul. “Not far”, replied the voice, the comm. going dead. Tain sighed in a mix of relief and tension.

“Shear perfection”, thought Tavek as he gazed around the bridge of the Tain. Twenty officers scurried among the various consoles and monitors. The five department officers manned their stations, listing off the checklist to Tavek. “Colonel, all systems accounted for”, reported the executive officer. Tavek smiled, the feeling of being in control of possibly the most powerful ship ever made by the PeaceKeepers was nearly intoxicating. Riplous walked to his side. “This ship surly fills Sett with pride”, said Riplous. Tavek smiled. “Once we get underway, we will anoint her in that Sett blood ceremony you talked about”, said Tain. He turned to the helmsmen. “Helm, set a course for Neg’vara, maximum speed”, he ordered. Tavek listened as the slight vibrations of massive engines rattled the ship.

“Frell!” screamed the lead officer on watch as the power in the control room began to fluctuate. The room went pitch black as the power failed. The auxiliary lights quickly cracked on, filling the room with dim red light. He officer touched his comm. as the sensor monitoring techs chattered jargon around him. “Power, what the frell is going on down there?” he asked. Down below, the tech in charge of power sat under the dark, lifeless generator. “Blew another circuit, have it fixed in about three minutes”, replied the tech. He looked at the power switch, set in the off position. He quickly produced a small device from his tool bag. He quickly pressed the only button on the device.

Far in the distance, a large fleet of Serpent Order ships received the signal. Lead by the massive Tain, the hundred-ship fleet streamed past the sensor array in a flow of black and red. As the last ship pasted the array, a green light on the tech’s device glowed green. The tech quickly flipped the generator back on and placed the signaling device in his bag, next to his Serpent Order ring.

The three Military sensor arrays monitoring traffic to Neg’vara seemed to loose power alternately every day. By now, the Serpent Order fleet was only a few convoys short of full strength. The fleet was assembled in the shadows of Neg’vara and its three moons. The Military had no idea that such as massive fleet was already inside its perimeter, ready to strike at their very heart. The time was now set, operation Sett (a name suggested by Tavek), minus three days.

Riplous, Jenovian, and Tavek all proceeded through the winding halls of Serpent Order HQ, their black boots clanking on the title floor in unison. They entered a long hallway with ten Serpent Order agents on both sides armed with carbines. The trio came to a stop outside the double doors leading to Tain’s office. A large agent stopped them. “Colonel, the Proconsul wishes to speak to you alone”, said the agent with much respect. Tavek looked at his companions and stepped through the doors.

The room was full of gloom, the only light coming from the various monitors. Tain turned his son, obviously breaking from a conversation with someone in the shadows. “Ah Seefer, there is someone here you need to meet”, said Tain pointing to the shadows. Tavek gave a strange look at the gloom. “The Switchman”, said Tain. Tavek smiled, at last, their enigmatic “ally”. This mysterious figure had appeared two months ago, his body and voice camouflaged, his identity only known to Tain. He brought an interesting offer. The Switchman would supply chakan oil, weapons, ship parts, and even covert attacks to provoke enemies into war with the Military. Tavek of course distrusted him, but Tain said that The Switchman was a very valuable ally, at least for now. He hated the Military with the same passion as Tain, and had almost as much to gain at its defeat. Tavek focused on the gloom, barley making out the figure. A tall man, with a medium build. He wore a gray balaclava and a black trench coat covered him.

“Ah, the legendary Sadukara, we finally meet Colonel”, said the distorted voice. Tavek stepped towards their mysterious benefactor. “Ah yes, the self-titled Switchman, you know, I never understood that name”, said Tavek in his cocky tone. “Well, basically, I since the Order has little war resources, I produce and deliver these vital supplies to you, without them, your war machine would be much less potent”, said the altered voice. “I control these supplies and I only have to give an order, or flip a switch if you will, to stop them”. Tavek nodded in recognition. “We have the necessary supplies to take the Home World now, what use do you still have?” asked the son of Tain. “Simple, you want the automated pulse cannons disabled don’t you?” asked the Switchman. “Yeah, but the station were they are controlled from is heavily guarded by the Council’s elite guard, it is impossible to infiltrate”, said Tavek. “Not for me”, said The SM. “How?” asked Tavek in a most demanding tone. “That is my business”, he replied.

Tavek was getting tired of this shadow dren. “Father, we can’t trust him with such a vital task”, said Tavek to his father. “Thanks to him, we are facing twenty Command Carriers instead of fifty, his assaults have brought the Scarrens to full alert status, the Military had to send ships to match their strength”, said Tain. At that moment, the doors opened and Riplous walked in, an electronic pad in hand. “Sorry to barge in Proconsul, but this message was considered urgent”, said the large reptile handing over the pad. Tavek saw the Switchman’s blue eyes light up with surprise as he entered. “He knows Riplous?” Tavek thought. As Riplous walked out, he suddenly paused. The forked tongue flicked out of his mouth several times. He walked right up to The Switchman. When he tried to push Riplous away, the warrior grabbed him by the top of his head, slamming the mysterious figure into the wall with one hand. The Switchman’s eyes darted around as Riplous flicked his tongue a few inches from his neck. “Strange smell”, said Riplous, in a curios yet evil sounding voice. He arched his head in surprise. “You smell like C…are you? You have to be!” said Riplous still holding him up. In a flash, the Switchman reached behind his back and produced two MAC-11s. He crossed the weapons at the wrist; both pointed dead center in Riplous’s massive chest. “Put me down snakey or I’ll splatter you across the room!” barked the altered voice, incapable of showing emotion. Riplous obliged, tossing the man across the room. He bounced on his shoulder, grunting against the hard title floor. “Get out now!” screamed Tain to Riplous. Riplous slowly followed orders, shambling out of the room. The Switchman picked himself up from the floor, holstering his two weapons. “An akimbo gunner?” asked Tavek to himself. He had only seen one man cross his weapons like that…

Tavek looked into Jenovian’s eyes as they lay together on the small cot. The green blanket covered all of their “important” parts. She stroked his chest. “I can’t believe my father but you on an Attack Ship”, said Tavek hand on her face. “One solid Frag Cannon blast from a Carrier and…” she cut him off. “Promise me you won’t die tomorrow”, she said. Tavek though this the strangest thing that he had ever heard. “Of course I won’t die, I am the Sadukara, the son of Tain, I’ll even bee commanding my own Strike Cruiser with two wings of Attack Ship escorts, one being yours”, he said. Tavek suddenly realized that Jenovian had just made a very traitorous remark. Her concern went beyond that of a fellow soldier, but something else, concern for a lover. But, he could not pass judgment on her, not when she was so desperately needed. Also he was committing a traitorous act himself, he was finding religion. “Besides, Sett is with us”, said Tavek, sharing his secret in exchange for hers'. “Sett! You really believe that dren Riplous preaches everyday?” she asked. Tavek had always found religion ridiculous; believing in some all-powerful being that was nice to everyone seemed so completely idiotic. Bad things happened, no matter what. But Sett was different. Sett reminded him of himself, cruel, violent, bloodthirsty, all the makings of a good leader. All those apposed to him must die, just like his enemies. He wasn’t a hardcore believer, but if there was such a thing as a god, Sett was it.

“Never mind”, he said rolling over. She put her arm around him. “Where do you think we will be this time tomorrow?” shed asked. “The Council building, overlooking our new city”, he said with confidence. He rolled over, ”Next time we recreate, if will be on the Council table”, he said with a twisted smile.

Tain sat back in the command chair on the Tain. It had been too long since he had last been in space. He missed the thrill of action, but he would get to experience it once again. It was confirmed that five of the twenty Command Carriers had joined him discreetly, waiting for him to strike before acting. If they could convince the others to defect, along with the Switchman disabling the pulse cannons, the battle could be easily won. Now, the battle had been planned down to the very last detail, but an experienced soldier like Tain knew that once the first shots were fired, all the plans went to dren. But, he knew that he could count on his son’s iron resolve in the heat of battle and that the men would follow the Sadukara. Tain wasn’t big on speeches; everyone knew what they had to do. Talking was for generals, not the Serpent Order. He tapped open his comm. “All ships, proceed to your way points, I’ll see you at the Home World”, he ordered.

The massive fleet of ships flew forward in a diamond formation. Tavek’s Strike Cruiser led the forward point of the arrow, while the Tain and its escorts flew in the center of the formation, the massive ship dwarfing all the others.

Tavek stared ahead, Riplous at his side. Any microt now, the Home World would come into view, then its moons, then and its defenses. He was eager, ready for blood. How many would die by his hand this day, thousands for sure, maybe millions. It was all a rush; this was what life was all about. A hind of green caught his eye in the distance. Sebacea would soon have a new ruler, and a new devil.

A lone Marauder flew out from the planet’s defenses. This was the most unlucky patrol ship in the galaxy. Tavek spotted the tiny speck. “DS up, squash that freller”, he ordered. The Marauder pilot screamed as the red energy field of the massive ship smashed his ship into tiny pieces of debris. Tavek threw his head back and laughed as the fleet began to slow down.

“Chairman Gormon, you have to see this!” yelled a captain running into his office. The old man followed the all to energetic captain to the sensor room. When the old PeaceKeeper saw the view screen, his words summed it up best. “Holy dren!”

The diamond broke into a large multi-layered crescent surrounding the defenses. The Attack Ships seemed to outnumber the stars behind them. The Tain flew up next to Tavek’s ship. Tain opened a private channel, his son appearing in his eyepiece. “Good fortune son”, he said. “Good fortune father”, replied Tavek.

Tain lowered the eyepiece and glared at Sebacea. “Open a channel to the fleet”, he ordered. The communications officer pressed a few buttons on his console and nodded. Tain only had one think to say: “Begin Operation Sett”.