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The Contingency: A Star Wars Story
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Peace has come to the Galaxy. In a stunning move, Dark Lord of the Sith, Darth Vader has slain Emperor Palpatine and now controls the New Empire as he sees fit.
While the Galaxy approves of Emperor Darth Vader's rule, there are still those who oppose him. Lord Vader has begun putting countermeasures in place for what he suspects to be a coup against him.
Remnants of the late Emperor Palpatine's inner circle linger throughout the Empire's ranks, plotting to overthrow the new Emperor and his New Empire. He suspects these traitors to be working closely with the Rebels. This suspicion has been made more clear upon the discovery that a High General has allowed classified information that could plunge the Galaxy into an endless war to be taken by the newly formed Rebel Alliance.
This High General has travelled to Alderaan with plans to sell the means of decoding the stolen information to the Alliance.
On Alderaan, the Imperial Prince, Luke Skywalker is sent to stop the General and find any new leads on this matter to prevent this investigation from turning what was once a promising investigation into a cold case with very few leads.
Meanwhile, In a stroke of luck, the Imperial Intelligence Agency has reportedly located a very powerful ally to Palpatine during his time as Emperor. Former Regional Governor, Keth Tendoora who has been in hiding since Palpatine's death may hold the key to putting an end to the plot against the New Empire.
To avoid suspicion from his enemies, Emperor Darth Vader has secretly sent his Sith Apprentice, Lord Starkiller, and his Spear of the Empire fleet to the Outer Rim planet of Rishi in order to collect former Regional Governor Keth Tendoora…
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Chapter 1
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The sun's light reflected green-blue hues directly off of the surface of the Outer Rim planet Rishi, rays blocked out by the looming shadow of a large, black Star Destroyer in it's orbit. Ominous in design, the dreadnaught was like it's own shadow. Wherever it went, darkness surely followed.
Surely, the most terrifying aspect of this ship was the reputation of it's commander…
From the port side hangar, five ships flew out in a V formation, four large transports and a commander's shuttle in the middle.
Keth Tendoora's eyesight may not be what it had been, but he saw the shadows of the transports against the moonlight's glow from the window of his small hut and panic came over his wrinkled face.
They were here... Perhaps Darth Vader had finally found what he'd helped create and was coming to destroy it.
Imperial crafts. Newer and much more sleek than the ships he was used to.
A hand gently touched Keth's shoulder, and his aging heart sunk. He placed his hand on top of it. "My love... take Mina and run."
His wife nodded her head, an anxious look crossing her face. She turned and ran off.
The company of carriers landed in the open area of the village, their ramps lowering and releasing a slew of white-armored stormtroopers. The villagers closed their windows and backed away when the troops began kicking in doors and dragging people out of their homes forcefully.
The aging man turned to his wife and teenage daughter in a panic. "Go, now!" He ordered quickly.
"Daddy!" She reached out.
He smiled. Even in her early adult years, she hadn't broken the habit of calling him 'daddy.' It always brought warmth to his heart.
"Mina, my darling... now. You must leave! My past has caught up with me..."
A tear crawled down her cheek and she was tugged away by her mother.
Keth heard the soldiers next door, yelling orders and the terrified screams of his neighbors as they were pulled from their homes.
They were here. They kicked his door in and immediately aimed weapons at him, hollering through electronically-filtered voices to put his hands up.
He offered no resistance when they took him by his arm and roughly dragged him to the center of the village to kneel next to his neighbors. Many of whom were crying in terror, small sons and daughters clinging to their mothers, their father's faces swollen from attempts to spare their families of this terrible nightmare.
The commander's shuttle touched down next to the transports just moments later. The ramp lowered. Six black-clad soldiers stiffly marched out. In their arms were very powerful blasters.
Governor Tarkin and Grand Admiral Thrawn's Death Troopers with their E-11D blaster carbines.
Following the terrifying soldiers came a young man, purposefully walking through the flank the six soldiers had made. He lingered at the ramp's edge, a dark cloak over his shoulders and a thick cowl covering his head.
The ominous glow of his orange-red eyes sent an icy wave of fear through the villagers.
The man pulled his hood back, his hair shaved close to his skull. His face set in a displeased scowl.
The young commander who needed no introduction stopped in front of the villagers, the soldiers straightening their backs as if he were Lord Vader himself, and scanned them over, scrutinizing them with those corrupt eyes.
Lord Starkiller exuded a feeling of power and a terrifyingly real sense of absolute control of wherever he went, whatever he saw and whoever was in his presence.
They could all sense the power within him.
This must be the Force Emperor Palpatine sometimes rambled on about.
Starkiller stood in front of the kneeling villagers, looking them over swiftly once more. His eyes slightly narrowed in frustration.
"I'm looking for an ex-Imperial Moff." The young man spoke, his voice flowed out rugged and curt. He was in a hurry. "I know you're here, Keth Tendoora. Identify yourself." He glanced through the crowd for signs of reaction. His jaw tensed. "Don't make me kill these fine people."
Gasps of horror were heard, but the young man was unfazed.
"Who do you think you are?" A voice sounded from the group."Coming to our village and frightening our families!" The hero chided angrily. "There are children here! We have done nothing to warrant the wrath of the Empire!"
The young man's head slowly turned toward the outspoken citizen. He motioned to the soldiers with a simple nod and and they pulled the man to his feet and dragged him to the man, kicking him to his knees. The villagers shuddered in fear for him.
Starkiller leaned toward the man. "This innocent village has knowingly harbored a criminal for the last seven years." He spoke ominously. His hand grabbed the citizen's forehead and the man grunted and groaned for a moment before the young Sith released him. The hero collapsed, forcing the stormtroopers to catch him and hold him up. "Pity. You're not him." In a swift movement, the young man swung his arm out from the opposite waist, ending the man's life with a crimson rod of a lightsaber.
Another collective of gasps shook the crowd, and a piercing scream of 'no' rang. A woman crawled out from the crowd and embraced the man's body, sobbing violently.
The man had secluded himself from the Galaxy for seven years, but he watched the news enough to see Darth Vader and his student's atrocities. If anything, the Emperor's policies hadn't changed which meant Vader's hadn't changed. This young man was probably just the same as always.
The Supreme Commander of the Imperial Military scanned the crowd dangerously as his lightsaber rested in his hand. This time, he wasn't searching. This time he was glaring with an unspoken, yet clear warning against defiance. His saber deactivated and was clipped to his belt. "I'll repeat myself. An Imperial Governor is in your midst. Turn him over, or, Governor, identify yourself and all will be spared."
From the shuttle, an officer quickly jogged over to Starkiller. "My Lord, we've received word that Military Command has requested you contact the Capitol immediately. It seems they've noticed our absence."
"We don't answer to them, Captain. Feel free to remind them of their place." The young Sith darkly said. "If they have an issue, they can take it up with Governor Tarkin."
"Yes, My Lord." The Captain backed away.
"As you can tell, I'm pressed for time, Governor." The commander addressed the villagers once more in a darker tone. "If you refuse to come forward, I will begin executing these people one by one."
The crowd lit up in fearful gasps of horror.
A bead of sweat rolled down the old man's face. They couldn't get ahold of his information... but he also first hand what the Emperor would do to get said information... to these people...
"Governor…" Starkiller spoke. "This will be your final warning."
The man gulped hard.
He couldn't allow these innocent people to die for his mistakes…
The aging man closed his eyes and swallowed his fear. Surely he'd been in worse situations. "I." He voiced. All eyes turned to him. "I am former Regional Governor Keth Tendoora of the Ojoster Sector."
Troops weaved their way to him and yanked him to his feet. Like before they dragged him to the commander and kicked him to his knees. He groaned in pain. Old age had not treated him well.
The commander reached his hand out.
"There is no need for that. I know what you're here for."
The commander paused and pulled his hand back. "Then you'll cooperate."
"What is it you wish to accomplish?" The former Governor asked. "You cannot stop what's coming, why intervene now?"
The commander's eyes narrowed in a show of contained anger. "That's the Emperor's business." He answered curtly.
The governor huffed. "I pledged an oath to the Empire. I will not betray that oath." He defiantly glared.
"Lord Vader is the Empire." Starkiller harshly corrected.
"He is a traitor and a murderer." Keth said firmly.
The commander's lips formed into a dark scowl. "Unfortunately, Governor, your opinion of the Emperor holds little weight in this matter."
"Nevertheless, it is my opinion to have. I will not waver."
Starkiller's patience waned. "You're a foolish old man. Your resistance is pointless. We will find those we are looking for with or without your willing cooperation."
The old man somehow knew this to be true. His family flashed in his mind.
Was the former Emperor really worth all of this?
Unsure of his fate and his decision, the ex-Governor stood. "Then I shall speak with Vader personally."
Starkiller's brow rose in contempt of this man's blatant disrespect. He let it go for the time being. "I am the Emperor's advocate, Governor." The young man said. "You're speaking with the Supreme Commander of the Imperial Military."
Keth's head tilted in disbelief. "You? You're but a child."
"Perhaps in your eyes. You'll quickly find that my capacity for patience is low." Starkiller warned.
"Be that as it may, I will not relinquish anything until I've spoken with the Emperor.
The commander regarded the man for a short moment before turning to one of his Death Troopers. "Inform Captain Needa to contact Lord Vader. Tell him we have a guest."
The soldier simply nodded and quickly went to perform his task.
Starkiller turned to the Governor. "So be it. You're making a grave mistake, Governor. The Emperor is in a fowl mood. And he's far less patient than I am." He stared for a long moment, driving his point home with fear flooding the governor's eyes.
Keth Tendoora stood his ground proudly, for what it was worth.
The Sith Lord turned. "Let's go."
"My Lord, what of the villagers?"
He glanced to them. Then he turned toward his ship. "I'm a man of my word. Leave them."
"Yes, My Lord."
He walked briskly back to his ship, his soldiers marching behind. As promised, he left the villagers.
— - - —
Aldera was one of the most beautiful places in the Galaxy. The stunningly surreal view of the snow-capped mountainside that Aldera rested atop made Alderaan's Capitol city a most frequented tourist spot. Alongside the view, the sleek, artistic architecture of the towering spires made for new, exciting sights everywhere one looked. Each hotel room was of the finest quality, made for royalty. Each restaurant made for the best dining experience of one's life. Even mere morning caf shops provided the most delightful of treats and the highest quality caf blends and a wide assortment of only the best, exotic teas meant specifically for the expansion of one's horizons.
Such a shame General Roahin Skoche couldn't enjoy the experience.
Seated inside one of the various caf houses scattered through the city, his gaze did not rest on the beauty, his attention not concentrated on the soothing atmosphere. His eye were concentrated on a datapad next to the cup of caf and the morning tarts brought to him.
Skoche was a man who took care in his work. Such a situation as this required such meticulous attention to detail and the utmost care. He was being watched. As such, the General played the part of a tourist. His software engine performing decryption of sensitive intel was running in the background tasks of his datapad. On the surface, he was merely a military man on vacation enjoying a cup of morning caf while reading the morning news reports.
"Is there anything else I can get you, General Skoche?" A young lady asked him, voice fitting with the quaint volume of the high end shop.
She was different than the waitress he'd previously had. Roahin wanted to chide her for speaking a tad more rugged than usual Aldera locals. It could give them both away to the intelligence agents watching his every move. Though, that was hardly the case. It was nothing worth complaining about. Merely his paranoia.
Instead, Skoche smiled up at her. "Yes, yes. Thank you, my dear. Perhaps a refill. You'll have to excuse my binging this morning. I'm hardly used to Alderaan's winters. Warm caf does quite nicely by me."
She smiled warmly. "Don't worry, General. Nobody really ever gets used to it. Alderaan's winters are harsh." She reached for his cup. "My husband is a hiker. Your caf binge is something of an appetizer compared to how many cups I make for him."
Hiker. That tickled his ears. "A hiker you say?" Skoche chuckled. "He is a brave soul indeed."
"Reckless." She corrected, placing his cup of steaming brew next to his plate of pastries. "But it seems that's a common trait in men. Just don't go getting any ideas and set off into the mountains." She teased.
"Me? A hiker?" The General laughed heartily. "Oh no, my dear. I think not. My old bones would freeze in the snow, I'm afraid."
"As much as I doubt that, it is always nice to meet a man of the more… environmentally aware variety."
"Indeed." Roahin nodded in agreement. "To safety." He held up his cup for a brief moment and took a sip.
She gave her own chuckle. "If there's anything else I can do for you, General, just holler."
"Actually, may I have a set of silverware? I seemed to have misplaced mine."
Skoche recognized a slight glint in her eyes.
It was happening.
"Of course." She reached into her apron and placed a set of silverware rolled tight in a thick cloth. "I'll be back with your final bill in a few moments."
"Thank you, my dear."
He payed no mind to her when she walked off. Instead, as inconspicuously as possible, He unrolled his silverware, slowly. As expected, the small data chip rested inside.
He left it in the cloth for the moment, taking up his fork instead and slicing a piece of his tart to eat it. A few more bites, and he rest the the fork on his plate. Skoche then carefully placed the cloth on his lap and took the small chip, inconspicuously putting it in the right place.
He resisted the urge to grin madly.
1.57 billion Imperial Credits. 20 thousand more than what he was promised.
Perhaps the Rebellion wasn't as bad as he thought.
Roahin removed a separate chip from the pad and concealed it within the napkin as planned.
Smooth as a luxury yacht.
— - - —
"Dammit… I can't tell what's happening in there."
A set of eyes behind a set of high-tech binoculars watched the middle aged man in the restaurant just across the street from the roof he was perched on.
"He's getting ready to leave, Tyrus." A second, woman's voice chimed from beside ISB Agent Riley Tyrus. "Do you have a plan or not?" Her voice was elegant and poised like most accents of the core worlds were.
Riley glanced through the binoculars once more for a moment, cursing the architect of that restaurant for putting a damn support pillar on the porch of that caf shop right in the spot General Skoche was seated behind. "I think this is a waste of time." Riley shook his head in disappointment.
"Well, let me see then." His female comrade held her hand out for the binoculars.
Imperial Intelligence Agent Ruryi Jy'tha assessed the situation, calculating gaze scanning any detail her mind could absorb.
Her brow furrowed and she pulled the binoculars back. "That's odd." She glanced back through them.
"What?" Riley asked excitedly.
"Skoche has a set of silverware on the table." Ruryi explained. "That waitress just placed another next to it."
"That's it!" Riley snatched the binoculars and zoomed in. He watched the General for a moment before the HUD spotted a small chip and gave him a technical readout off to the side.
Tyrus smirked and handed them back to Ruryi. "She left him the credit chip."
Ruryi analyzed the binocular's readout of the chip. "Well, it seems you're not as helpless as I presumed."
Riley glared at her with a frown.
The ISB agent tapped on the comm device in his ear. "Team one, do you have visual?"
"Affirmative."
"Skoche's just been handed the credits." Riley confirmed.
"Sir, that's not enough to meet standard arrest protocol."
Riley pursed his lips. "Damn…" The agent cursed under his breath. "What the hell do we have to do to arrest this man?"
"This is your operation, hot shot." Ruryi mocked. "Order the arrest." She added, still watching Roahin Skoche through the binoculars.
"They'll Hold it over me for the rest of my career." Riley muttered. "I can already see the headlines. 'Treasonous General walks because ISB Agent didn't follow standard arrest protocol'."
"Wait a moment…" Ruryi gaze through the lense intensified. A smirk graced her face. "There it is." She handed them to Riley.
The agent scanned over the HUD's readout of a second data chip. "Well I'll be…" He smiled. His fingers once more tapped on the device in his ear. "Team one, team two. You seeing this?"
Both teams confirmed.
"That meets standard arrest protocol." Riley jabbed playfully. "Alright, let's do it. All teams move into position." He glanced back to Ruryi giving her a nod and he pulled out a separate comm device. "Sir, we've confirmed General Skoche has the decryption codes."
"Keep me in the loop. We can't afford to lose him." The voice of the ISB's Deputy Director came back over the comm "That data is top priority, Tyrus. Kill him if necessary."
"Copy that." Riley switched channels back to the op team's. "We got our green light, boys. Let's get this done."
"Copy that."
Riley knelt down, Ruryi following his lead. They both stared down the building and watched as a the two black clad II squads poured out of the buildings on both sides of the restaurant's entrances. Riley glanced through the binoculars at the traitorous General.
"Team One in position."
"Team Two in position."
Riley glanced through the binoculars once more. "Move in. Take him alive."
"Copy."
A strange movement caught Ruryi's attention from her peripherals. "Blast!" She suddenly hissed. Several vehicles were turning onto the restaurant's street. "Hurry! Move in, move in now! There's company!"
Riley gave her a startled look and then noticed the three identical speeders. "Rebels?" He asked himself in a brief moment of stunned confusion.
"Sacred Way." Ruryi corrected.
The teams did as they were told and shuffled around the building, blocking both entrances. The sound of blasterfire and screams echoed through the streets of the usually quiet tourist district of Aldera.
The General dove to the side as chunks of splintered and charred wood flew in every direction. He covered his head with the chaos and confusion all around him.
The teams were yelling out orders; "On the ground! Everybody on the ground now!" so loud that even Riley and Ruryi could hear them.
Blasterfire had stopped for a moment and the agents walked quickly toward the General with their rifle barrels aimed at him.
"Target secure."
The three speeders sped up. "Get him out of there!" Riley shouted. "You've got Rebel Spec. Ops on their on your tail!"
"Tyrus, what's happening?" The Deputy Director asked through the other comm.
Riley and Ruryi stood quickly and bolted for the roof door. "He has friends." Riley informed Issard.
"I thought this was contained." Harus's voice was cold.
"Apparently is not." Riley rolled his eyes. "He made the deal with the Sacred Way Rebel Cell."
They raced down the stairwell as the sound of muffled blasterfire erupted once more. "Where is he!?" Riley yelled through the comm.
"Team Two is escorting him to extraction."
A massive explosion rocked the district.
"What in the blazes was that?" Ruryi asked lowly.
Riley growled. "Those idiot Rebels just turned this place into a war zone."
They continued down. "Wonderful."
The first floor lobby was filled with cowering civilians huddled against each other, taking cover wherever they could find it. The agents took a moment to look out the windows.
Riley cursed under his breath.
The Rebels moved forward with precision, the restaurant blown open, debris scattered across the street and smoke rising. They took extra care to keep civilians out of their targets.
The fire started again, and this time it was coming from the outside corners of the restaurant. ISB forces picked off Rebel Spec Ops and vice versa in a loud, chaotic firefight.
Blaster bolts shattered windows and slapped against the roof and walls of the building Riley and Ruryi were in with a hail of sparks and smoke.
"Come on!" Riley nudged his partner. The two bolted for the back door, practically bursting through it. With the cover of the firefight, they ran through the alleyways toward the extraction point. "Status!"
They bolted forward and waited for a response.
"Team Two, what's your location?"
Both Riley and Ruryi stopped. Again, no answer.
Riley cursed and threw his mic off. "Team Two is down. This is all us."
She pushed passed him. "Follow my lead this time."
There was no time to argue so he followed, both drawing their blaster pistols, jogging at a steady pace as the firefight was dying down.
"Both teams are down, I'm headed to retrieve the General." Riley spoke lowly to Harus through he com as the two backed into a wall to look around the corner.
"We have to make it across the street." Ruryi informed.
Great…
"What are we dealing with? Two teams were downed?" Harus asked.
"The damned Sacred Way is blasting our squads in broad daylight!" Riley hissed. "They just detonated a bomb in the middle of the restaurant!"
There was a moment of silence.
"They've gotten bold." The Deputy Director replied in a slightly stunned voice. "Turn your beacon on, I'm contacting the Admiral."
"Oh, thank the Force." Riley sighed in relief. He did as he was told.
"Ready?" Ruryi asked lowly.
Riley nodded. "As ever."
"We'll have cover behind that speeder, and after that it's an open firing range." Ruryi explained.
Riley looked down the alleyway leading to the street. Sure enough, just one source of cover. "Duck and weave, duck and weave." He sighed.
Ruryi jolted forward with Riley following closely.
Blasterfire pinged through the air almost instantly, whizzing by the Imperial agents. They slid across the ground behind the speeder as the Spec. Ops squad lit it up with red bolts of plasma. Sparks flew all around them from behind, glass shattering from the building directly beside them.
"Great plan!" Riley shouted over the fire.
"Cover me." She readied her pistol.
"What?!"
Not waiting for him to protest, she yanked a device from his belt. "Now!"
"Dammit…" Riley leaned around the speeder's corner, pulling the trigger to his pistol as fast as possible to draw enemy fire. Ruryi leaned over the other side and tossed the device with a wide arc.
"Detonator!" One of the Rebels shouted out.
With a loud "ting", a plume of white smoke billowed outward in every direction instantaneously, so thick that vision was limited to maybe only a few feet in front of the speeder.
"Smoke?" Ruryi hissed at him.
Riley tapped the devices on the other hip sarcastically. "That's what happens when you don't ask questions. You helped them more than us."
Ruryi couldn't help but agree. "Damn…"
"Those are BlasTech scopes. They can see heat signatures with their rifles." Riley whispered.
Ruryi glanced around then smiled. "That they can." She motioned behind him toward a crowd of civilians huddled in the building next to them.
Riley had to give her credit, that was a smart way to make use of the situation. "They'll shoot them."
"Unfortunate." Ruryi coldly replied. She turned waved toward the civilians frantically. "Go, go, go!" She urged in a loud whisper. "Now's your chance!"
There was hesitation.
"Hurry! While they're still blinded!" Ruryi assured.
The obvious leader of the group glanced around the corner. Satisfied that the attackers were blinded, he motioned for the small group to follow..
The red blaster bolts seared through the air, targeted right at them.
"Now!"
Ruryi and Riley bolted out of cover, sprinting across the street.
The civilians dropped one by one, none of them making it to safety. The assailants spun their weapons. "To the left!" One of the Rebels called out.
A bolt smacked against the corner of a building just behind Riley as he ran behind for cover.
"Around the buildings, cut 'em off!"
Riley sighed, his nerves shaking it just a bit. "Come on… where's that extraction team?" He growled to himself.
Ruryi, however, was calm as ever, eyes scanning every detail of her surroundings, mind working overtime to come up with a solution. "We don't have many options…" She finally said. "One of us won't get out alive."
"Just what I needed to hear."
"You're surrounded!" The Rebel commander called out. Ruryi and Riley heard the footsteps coming closer and the chatter of the squad keeping information up to date.
"Maybe not…" Ruryi amended. "Looks like we're both dying today."
Riley closed his eyes and took a deep breath And tried fruitlessly to calm his shakes.
The footsteps getting closer broke him out of his thoughts.
He took another steadying breath.
The loud sound of Ion engines suddenly vibrated the area. The Rebel's blasters erupted while the unseen ship seemed to hover on the building Riley and Ruryi were pressed against.
"There's the cavalry." Riley grinned at his companion.
"We must find the General." Ruryi nudged him to follow.
The crept to the corner and glanced around it.
The smoke around them was thinner in the alleyway. The Agents turned the corner to see the Sacred Way Rebels shoot upward, arms shaking from rapid fire recoil.
With surprised yell ripped through his throat, the closest attacker he was yanked into the air. His yell stopped suddenly with a crash, the body then dropped in a free fall and splat against the floor he once stood and fired from.
Riley glanced up, confused.
"Ooof!" The one on Ruryi's side flew backward as well, and she saw through the thinner smoke, the soldier smash against the opposite building so hard that blood stained the wall from his collision of his head.
The Rebels stopped their advance. "Where did it go?!" One yelled.
Another yell echoed through the streets followed by the inevitable sudden silence.
"There it is!"
Blaster fire erupted once more and a sound that sounded like gas released from a compressed container was heard.
A low, violent hum accompanied the ominous, fire red glow through the smoke.
"Now's our chance, let's go!" Without a second, curious thought, Ruryi grabbed Riley's forearm and dragged him to follow.
Screams and the chaotic sounds of a firefight echoed behind.
They sprinted out of the alleyway, and Riley spared a glance into the thick fog. There was only a glow of red.
"Come on!"
Right.
Riley ran forward.
"Do we have a location?" Riley yelled up.
"I'd imagine somewhere near our extraction point!" She called back dryly.
Through the now clear air, the bodies of Team Two lay scattered about in a more open area.
She nudged his shoulder. "Let's go."
They raced forward, to the outskirts of the city where a shuttle was seen coming down somewhere in the woods close by. "There!" Riley pointed.
Ruryi nodded.
They rushed in to get a visual and saw the Rebel troops forming a tight circle around the General while the ship prepared to land.
Riley held his comm to his lips. "Sir, I've found him. The Rebels have the decryption, should I take Skoche down?"
"Unnecessary, Agent." A new voice answered, poised and elegant. "Hold your position. Do not engage."
Both Riley and Ruryi gave each other stunned glances. "Grand… Admiral Thrawn." Riley stuttered through the comm.
"That is correct." The Admiral confirmed. "Transmit your location. My asset on the ground will rendezvous at that point. I assume you've maintained a visual of the General?"
"Yes, sir. He's preparing to board a shuttle."
"Affirmative."
The Rebels hopped out of the ship.
"What's happening?" Ruryi asked quietly.
The men were talking with the traitorous General who seemed to be defending himself.
"I don't know…" Riley leaned forward.
Shocking both agents, a Rebel suddenly rose a blaster to Skoche's head and pulled the trigger without any hesitation.
The agents gasped.
"But… why?"
Riley fumbled with his communicator. "Admiral! Admiral- they just shot Skoche!" He held his own weapon at the ready.
The Rebels glanced in Riley and Ruryi's direction.
They both spun behind the trees providing cover.
Shots fired at them, the trunks of the trees vibrating with each bolt they absorbed. "We're taking heavy fire!"
"Stay in cover, agents." Thrawn's most displeased voice ordered.
They were about to question the Admiral when something suddenly blurred by them.
With a snap-hiss and a low hum sounded, the Rebels began yelling out confused orders.
Their fire redirected.
Both agents cautiously peeked at the scene.
Surrounded by Sacred Way soldiers, a lone figure wielding a glowing, bright red sword of plasma twirled the blade around masterfully. Blaster bolts seemed to bounce right off of him and sink into the grass harmlessly.
"What in the…?" Riley questioned disbelievingly.
"It's Lord Vader." Ruryi watched in utter shock as the sole warrior picked off the Rebels with their own blaster shots. One by one, they fell in a small hail of sparks and smoke once one of the lasers pummeled into them until they all lay motionless on the floor.
The lightsaber-wielding man stood straight.
Dark blonde hair slicked back and short on the sides with a set of cold, blue eyes gave their rescuer's identity away.
"No, not the Emperor. It's the Prince." Riley grinned at this welcomed sight.
He instinctively flinched when two more shots blazed out from the ship's ramp.
The figure instantly angled the blade, moving it slightly once more after the first bolt reflected off of it.
The shots ricocheted. With the a solid thud, they burned into the two soldiers head and chest respectfully. They dropped like rag dolls.
Ruryi and Riley surveyed the area, concluding it was safe when the Prince's lightsaber shut off.
They jogged from cover up to him. "Prince Skywalker." Riley bowed at the waist. Ruryi mirrored him.
The handsomely distinguished young man tilted his head in response. "The decryption chip?"
"We lost sight of it when the firefight broke out." Riley informed.
"We think it's in the hands of an unknown operative, as of now." Ruryi further explained.
Luke's eyes glazed over in concerned thought. "I see…" He turned to look at the shuttle and brought his wrist up. "It's gone."
"I assumed as much." Thrawn's voice replied through a speaker of the small device on Luke's wrist.
"I'm blockading the planet." Luke announced. "My fleet is exiting hyperspace now."
All eyes glanced to the sky to see at least six Imperial-II class Star Destroyers accompanied by various other, smaller cruisers crawl into real space into Alderaan's orbit. Among the many dozens of ships, a very large ship blasted into the fleet's company last. Easily three to double the size of the other Destroyers.
The Exactor II, the Prince's personal flagship. Only two of these Tector-class Star Destroyers existed. The other; the Imperitor was in Lord Starkiller's command.
Indeed, nothing could get passed the Prince's Royal Enforcer Fleet.
"It seems that all intel about whatever data General Skoche has given to the Rebels is lost." Like turned to the two Imperial agents.
"I'll be planet side by evening. The Emperor feels this situation warrants my presence."
Luke's brow furrowed. "Do you agree?"
"Yes. You'll need my resources for this." Thrawn answered firmly, as if to curb any argument presented. "It has been made clear to us that this particular situation shares qualities with our investigation into The Contingency."
Had Ruryi and Riley not been agents trained to notice slight details, they would've missed the surprise that crossed the Imperial Prince's face. It passed quickly. "I... see." A sense of utmost seriousness filtered through his eyes.
"Your father has sent Agent 13 ahead of me. He will find the missing decryptions."
Luke glanced around the floor in stunned concentration, mulling over why his investigation of the Rebel Alliance now warranted his father's direct attention. The Emperor was a very secretive man. He rarely got this involved with any sort of investigation. "Tell me... how serious is this?"
A brief silence over the comms seemed to weigh down the air. "Worse than we thought." The Admiral finally said. "Continue your investigation, Prince Skywalker."
Luke took in a short breath. "I'll see to it everything is prepared for your arrival."
Without another word, the transmission ended, leaving Luke in silent contemplation. He finally turned to the intrigued and confused agents beside him. "I've scanned briefly over your files. Chief Special Agent Riley Tyrus, you were recruited by the ISB from Military Intelligence's internal affairs."
The ISB agent nodded. "Sir."
"And you, Senior Special Agent Ruryi Jy'tha, you're the leading authority on forensic data analysis inside Imperial Intelligence, correct?" The Prince addressed the rather petite woman.
"Among other things, yes my Lord." She affirmed. "I'm also well versed in psychological analysis. I try and predict the actions one may take if provoked a certain way."
Luke regarded her for a short moment."Good. Effective immediately, you two will be placed under my authority." He announced, no hint of a joke in his tone. "You work for the High Command Security Force now."
Taken aback, both agents gave each other surprised glances as if to confirm what they were being told, and then turned their attention back to Luke who seemed to have completely shaken his previously concerned state off.
The Prince turned and made his way toward his shuttle, prompting the agents to follow. "You'll be briefed tomorrow on your new assignment. For now, Agent Ruryi, you and I are going to Aldera Palace. I want records and an analysis on all of Viceroy Bail Organa's financial dealings... in fact, I have a list of special interest targets I want financial analysis on."
Several... "Of course, sir... pardon my ignorance, but am I to forego a warrant?"
"Yes." Luke simply said. "Officially, you're a part of High Command Security... unofficially, you're an Agent of the Throne. We don't need the Court's approval. Only the Emperor's."
Agent of the Throne. Even within I.I. and the ISB, the group of extremely elite people known as Agents of the Throne was a mere myth. It was surreal not only having confirmation of their existence, but also being absorbed by them.
"Agent Tyrus, stay here." Luke said to Riley. "You'll be working closely with a man called Agent 13 to find the operative in possession of the decryption chip. He will brief you further on your mandate." Luke gave Riley a stone cold stare, stopping his pace for a moment. "Find that operative by any means necessary, Tyrus. You are the law now."
The young agent felt his heart speed up out of both excitement and fear of failure. "Of course, My Lord."
— - - —
From inside of Lord Vader's estate on Mustafar, the dark, red hues mixed with charcoal grays and pastel blacks seemed to make for an incredible view. Perhaps it was. Almost like watching a wildfire from a safe distance. Thick, black clouds of ash blocked out all light from Mustafar's sun, casting a large, planet-wide shadow over the volatile world that made the glowing, red lava contrast even more with the black landmass.
What some may see as a morbidly beautiful world, Starkiller saw it as a reflection of his Master. Violent and dangerous. A being who possessed an immeasurable potential for destruction with oceans of red hot rage living in harmony with hardened, black hatred. The Dark Side surrounded that power in place like the black atmosphere of Mustafar.
Most would never understand the incredible feat of how Darth Vader so masterfully controlled this raging power of anger and hatred, or how groundbreaking it was for him to so easily call upon it's power without being swallowed by the clouds. Not even Starkiller could accomplish this feat with the ease and precision of which his Sith Master did.
Breaking himself out of his rumination, Starkiller's mind came back to the situation at hand, waiting patiently for his subject to regain his mental capacity.
The former Governor Keth Tendoora squirmed against the interrogation table, his back arched like a deranged circus performer attempting to bend himself in half for his audience. His eyes gazing up into his own skull.
He was surprisingly resilient against the interrogation droid's serums.
Growing impatient, Starkiller used his powers to calm the man's mind down with a wave over Keth's forehead.
Almost immediately, Keth's body relaxed with the exception of heavy breathing. Given a moment to gather himself, the ex-Governor stared up at his interrogator with fire hot as Mustafar's rivers of molten rock.
Starkiller clasped his hands behind his back and walked back and forth steadily in an attempt to stay patient. The old man in front of him, firmly strapped to the table still managed to clearly hold his ground through a defiant eye. His other one was swollen, not completely shut, though nearly so. His lip was split and bleeding as well as a cut above his eyebrow. There were light burns that were patches of red irritation on his leathery skin. And despite the torture, he still did not give in.
Starkiller had already been in there for an hour. He so badly wanted wanted to crush this Governor's throat. If he'd learned anything it was that these types of traitors were very resilient.
"We'll start again." Starkiller spoke calmly. "What is your name?"
"Keth Tendoora." The elderly man said pridefully, putting up the same defiance as he had the first time he'd been through this routine.
"Who appointed you to the position of Governor?"
"Galactic Emperor Palpatine." His pride was still strong.
"You were presiding Moff over the Ojoster Sector, correct?"
"You are indeed perceptive, young one." Tendoora spat spitefully.
Starkiller stopped and glowered down at the former Governor. The urge to massacre this man brimmed at the surface of his rage. However, this Sith was more than capable of controlling his dark urges. So he continued. "You were alive during the Clone Wars. Tell me, did you serve?"
"Of course I did." Keth answered as if it were obvious.
"Then you probably have a good memory of the Jedi." Starkiller changed his tactics.
Keth frowned, unsure of where this was heading.
"You've probably seen them perform feats that border on the impossible. Or perhaps witnessed them knowing something they should never have been able to know." Starkiller's ominous gaze sharpened. "Almost as if they were reading your thoughts."
Keth's scowl remained. And that told Starkiller that he was correct.
The Sith rose a hand and made a quick fist. The floating, black orb that was the interrogation droid crumpled with a whine of metal gears and an electronic squeal. It fell to the floor in a loud clank.
"You're not the first member of the Shadow Council I've questioned. In fact, they're the reason I've been able to find you and get as far as I've gotten." Starkiller recounted. "Do you want to know how I broke them?" He darkly asked.
Tendoora's jaw tensed.
Starkiller smirked dangerously. "I tore their memories apart. I ripped the information from their weak, ignorant minds. Unfortunately, I couldn't save them from the side effects of my method. Their own brains overheated and cooked themselves." Starkiller let the comment linger for a moment before continuing. "I hear it's a painful ordeal. I hear your consciousness stays active for several minutes afterward. Your colleagues lived their final moments in a terror and pain they couldn't possibly have imagined." He said deliberately slowly.
Keth was breathing a bit heavier as his gaze glazed over with both fear and hatred.
"I can take that information, Governor." Starkiller said in a near whisper. "But I'm afraid you'll be subjected to a most painful death." Starkiller stopped and stared into the man's fear and hate filled eye. He drank it in. "Tell me, Governor, you like to experience the Dark Side?"
The aging man narrowed his eyes. Defiant to the last. "If you think I can be intimidated by the likes of a child, you are mistaken." Keth puffed his chest out. "I was a Governor to Galactic Emperor Palpatine! You do not frighten me, boy. I will not cave. Not even to your Master!"
Irritation and anger glowed through Starkiller's eyes. "I see. Then you're more foolish than I thought." He briskly turned toward the cell's exit. "You've just chosen your fate. And I assure you... you won't like it." The cell doors slid open and Starkiller spared the man a glance over his shoulder. "Lord Vader will be paying you a visit shortly."
Keth Tendoora felt a fearful chill.
The Sith Lord left without another word.
— - - —
"My Prince, The Noble House of Organa is hailing us." The pilot called back from the cockpit as they made way toward Aldera Palace.
Luke nodded. "Send them through."
The hologram appeared on the table in front of where Luke was seated on the couch across Agent Ruryi Jy'tha.
"Young Lord Skywalker." The man on the other end greeted. "My name is General Tesh of the Noble of the House of Organa. The Viceroy did not anticipate your arrival and is unfortunately unavailable to greet you this afternoon. He sends his gratefulness of your presence in the wake of such tragedy and and extends his home to you for the duration of your stay. Should you accept this invitation, a feast will be held in your honor tomorrow when the Viceroy returns."
Pathetic. Sucking up was one thing Luke despised. "Where is the Viceroy?" He demanded.
"In light of this tragedy, Viceroy Organa hascut shorthis extended retreat on Ralltir." The Noble answered. "He is en route back to Alderaan."
Luke's eyes narrowed. "And he just left?"
This change in Luke didn't go unnoticed by Ruryi. She watched the exchange with renewed interest.
"Correct."
Luke maintained his composure, not giving any outward indications of suspicion. He did it masterfully as well. "I accept the Viceroy's invitation. I'll conduct my business from his study."
"Very well, Lord Skywalker. I will transmit landing codes immediately. The Queen herself will greet you with the company of the Princess to show you to your chambers."
Luke severed the connection and then turned to Ruryi. "We have a Rebel asset in the field." he began. "He's a former Senator; Vir Zayan."
Realization came down on Ruryi. "Ralltir's representative during the Republic era."
"Yes." Luke confirmed. "He's been funneling marked credits into a Rebel Cell headed by a Jedi named Rahm Kota for us. Recently, Kota's Cell has joined a coalition the Rebels are calling the Alliance to Restore the Republic."
Ruryi's brow furrowed in thought.
"Vir Zayan has been privy on most of the Alliance's financial dealings. He's the reason we know about the transaction between General Skoche and the Rebels." Luke explained while he leaned over and pulled up a datapad that rested on the table between them. He fingered it on and handed it over to her.
"That decryption..." Ruryi muttered. She looked up at Luke. "It was never meant for the Sacred Way." She concluded without doubt.
"No. And the credits weren't provided by them either. This Rebel Alliance has made it clear that they don't condone the Sacred Way's methods. They distance themselves openly."
Ruryi began to connect some of the pieces. "Vir Zayan somehow knew of the trade between Skoche and whoever purchased the decryption..."
"Bail Organa-"
"Was just on Ralltir." Ruryi finished. "So this is why you want his financial dealings investigated."
Luke nodded.
"That data chip had at least one and a half billion Imperial Credits on it from what our scanners showed." Ruryi placed the datapad back on the table between them and crossed her legs. "That kind of money doesn't just disappear without someone noticing."
"Exactly." Luke affirmed. "Someone forged a report."
With a clearer direction in mind, Ruryi felt more confident in her mandate. "The list of people, you believe one of them was responsible for fronting this payment." She concluded. "And someone else covered for them."
"Someone within the Empire..."
— - - —
Uncomfortable would be an understatement for sure. It wasn't the dress, that much she was sure of. It very well could've been the hair - her aunts always felt the need to do it up in some ridiculous fashion, she was only grateful that it didn't resemble a pretzel this time. Even if it could be the hair, she knew it wasn't. Not the shoes or the makeup. No, the feeling at the pit of her stomach that made her feel as if she was falling came from something completely different.
He was here.
To act as the face of the terrorist attack's investigation. She just wished her adopted father responsible for such a horrible act. Doubtful.
But she supposed that this meeting may have been delayed until both Luke and Leia were set in their ways.
But this… this was perfect!
Well, not perfect, but as close as she'd get to it.
"Mistress Leia, the Imperial Prince's shuttle is nearly here. It wouldn't do well to keep the Imperial Prince waiting."
She sighed. "I know, Threepio." It was times like this that she wished Luke had never been taken, at least she'd have someone to vent her frustrations and fears to.
She giggled at the irony of her telling him how nervous she was to meet him.
How absolutely terrified she was that he would be everything Obi Wan said that Vader was.
Twisted, dark, evil, corrupted…
She shook her head. No, there was no way. She refused to believe it.
She stood. "Time to meet my brother."
— - - —