open channel not even scrambled, North, just
visiting his office, preparing to return to duty, was quickly given it.
"Oh, no!" he gasped, "Oh, no!" He held the order for several minutes
then turned to Gray Mountain. "Transmit my personal order," he
snapped," 'To all units from Northern Star, prepare to defend The
Empire, repeat, prepare to defend The Empire! '"
47 Gray Mountain saluted. "Yes, sir!" he snapped. It was a signal he
had wanted to transmit for years. It was, in reality, a message to all
North's Agents to move into position to begin The Rebellion.
48 Within days, vast numbers of ships would be on the move, quietly taking up positions from which they would be ready
to strike….strike against the tyranny that for so many years had
oppressed them, strike for the freedom they had so long dreamed of.
Somehow North knew it would not be long at all before he gave them the order to strike.