Aboard the MC80 Star Cruiser Home One
General Rahm Kota stood before the leadership of the Alliance to Restore the Republic. Mon Mothma, former Senator from Chandrilla, Leia Organa, one time senator from the now obliterated Alderaan, Admiral Ackbar, recently appointed Admiral of the Alliance Fleet, Jan Dodonna, War Minister of the Alliance, Carlist Rieeken, the commander of the Alliance Starfighter Corp and Airen Cracken, the head of Alliance Intelligence studied him carefully. "You may proceed with your explanations when you ready, old friend."said Minister Dodonna.
"Thank you, War Minister;" said the old Jedi as he clasped his hands behind him. "After our victory over Yavin, it has become clear through various missions and excursions that there are a number of force sensitive individuals within the military structure of the Alliance. They might even be strong enough to become Jedi Knights one day. However, that is not my goal at the moment. My goal now is to turn them into soldiers for the Alliance to Restore the Republic. We already know that young Luke Skywalker is very strong in the force, on top of being a very talented pilot and natural leader. Aside from, there is the leader of Grey Squadron, the clone X2. There is the pilot from blue squadron as well. I would like to form them, along with the veterans who survived the Death Star's attack and several other proven groups and turn them into a small but elite force. A force, what's more, that will be able and willing to hit hard targets, extract defectors, or groups of defectors, and generally engage the Imperial war machine wherever it is considered most critical."
They all considered his words. "I suppose you have a roster of personnel you would like to include in this strike team of yours;" said the very young Princess Leia Organa, her voice tinged with amusement.
The old General nodded and stepped up, handing Mon Mothma a datapad. "Gentlemen, come take a look;" said the Alliance's last remaining founding member - aside from General Kota himself. Apparently Garm Bel-Ibil had departed and not with a small amount of their personnel. Only a few of the higher ranking individuals knew the reasons why.
Ackbar, Rieekan, Cracken and Dodonna studied the document. After some time, Rieeken all but glared at Kota. "It would seem that you want ninety percent of our best new talent, General Kota."
"Were planning on doing anything with them, General? If so, let me know and I'd be happy to check it off the list;" said Kota.
Cracken slowly shook his head. "I don't know, Master Jedi. You're asking for some of our greatest assets here. You're going to need a cruiser too, aren't you."
"I'll take whatever the Alliance can spare for a mobile home base, Generals, Admiral. Look, I just need to know if I have the okay. If so, great. If not- well, at least I'll know."
Leia hid a smile. She had always liked Rahm's gruff, straight to the point nature. "We'll have to discuss it, General. Once we know the answer, so will you."
The old general bowed and exited, suspecting he already knew the answer and allowing a small smile to cross his lips. It was almost time to gather his forces.
Imperial City - The Imperial Palace
The Imperial family stood on a balcony above a large gymnasium where eleven individuals trained. Some dueled lightsaber training droids while others practiced at hand to hand combat against padded droids. Two practiced with blasters and in one corner were two large TIE simulator pods that were humming and buzzing, indicators that they were occupied.
As he observed, Emperor Vader nodded in approval. "They certainly look impressive, my dear. What can you tell me about each of them?"
Without even bothering to look at the datapad on her belt, Mara recited from memory, pointing at one of them, a tall woman with black hair dueling a droid with a red bladed lightsaber. "That is Aralina Silk - an Imperial Security Bureau agent assigned by Hethrir, Procurator of Justice. Her mission is to investigate and eliminate Inquisitors and other Dark Jedi who betray the Empire. She is a talented lightsaber duelist, a master of stealth and has an uncanny ability to catch her opponents unawares and quickly eliminate them."
Vader nodded. He remembered when Starkiller, as a very young teenager, had found her, a Jedi youngling in the dangerous lower levels of Coruscant. She had managed to kill four stormtroopers. Like so many others, Starkiller had brought her back for his father's consideration.
Mara continued by indicting a stocky bald man who wielded a pair of lightsabers. "Sa Cuis, one of your Dark Jedi Knights. He was in charge of your special commando unit to hunt down clone defectors and the like - that is until I was around, Father."
Vader chuckled and placed a hand on her shoulder. "You do a much better job than Cuis and his commandos did."
"Yes well, after Tarkin and Alderaan, we'll probably need them;" she muttered.
The Emperor chided, "Now Mara, that can't be helped now. Besides, Cuis's commandos will be a part of your crew as well. Continue please."
Mara motioned to a woman practicing at hand to hand combat. On her waist was a lightsaber handle but anyone who knew anything about hand to hand combat could tell that she was a master. "Arden Lyn. Inquisitor Tremayne and some others found her on Columus after she had killed a scouting unit. To say that she is a Teras Kasi master is an understatement. According to her own words, she is the Steel Fist of the Followers of Palawa and general of the Legions of Lettow, two ancient and defunct force religions. She managed to kill two of the three Inquisitors that approached her before Tremayne managed to subdue her."
"That made Tremayne's career;" chuckled Starkiller. "He's a High Inquisitor because Lyn killed his superior."
Mara indicated a large man who wielded one red and one yellow lightsaber against a trio of lightsaber dueling droids. "You both already know Jeng Droga. He trains the Shadow Guards and Dark Jedi Guardians that defend our critical and most secret installations in lightsaber combat. In addition, he is quite possibly the most loyal Dark Jedi Knight we have."
As if to prove a point, Droga cut down his droids and then saluted the Emperor with his lightsabers. Starkiller had a question. "Father, we are sending some of our dark side instructors and the like to be part of Mara's task force, who is going ton continue training them?"
"We have other instructors, Galen;" said the Emperor. "These individuals have requested to serve in a more active capacity so I am giving them their chance to serve under the Emperor's Hand."
Mara nodded before continuing her profiling of the operatives. "The man over their at the blaster range is Jallar Golin. He is quite possibly the best shot with any blaster weapon on or off the record. IF we need someone eliminated and want it to look like a bounty hunter, rebel assassin or whatever, he has proven the perfect operative. He is also versed in the more generic force abilities like all of these operatives are - telekinesis, mind alter, enhanced physical abilities and so on. Next, we have Shira Brie;" and she indicated an attractive young woman who blasted away next to Jallar Golin.
Emperor Vader smiled with pleasure. "Ah yes - an Imperial Center citizen enrolled in COMPNOR, correct?"
"That's right;" said Mara, "After going through rigorous training and being put through several surgical operations to increase her pain threshold and improve her mental capacity, she went through Carida and proved to be discerning and observant, passing with flying colors. She's an ace pilot and an Intelligence Operative that I know Iceheart is going to be miffed to lose."
"Now Mara;" chided the Emperor, "Director Ysanne Isard is a critical part of our war against the Rebellion. I know you don't care for her but please do refrain from name calling."
Mara shrugged and acquiesced. Isard was one of her father's lovers and quite possibly his favorite. If he wanted Mara to be 'nicer' to the woman while she was around him, she could tolerate that. "In one of the simulators over there is Maarek Stele, an ace fighter pilot who could probably rival my skill in the cockpit and maybe even yours, father."
The Emperor chuckled. "Very impressive; yes, I remember hearing about Commander Stele. He helped us in testing out some starfighter designs and almost single-handedly eliminated several pirate attacks on various stations and convoys."
Starkiller nodded. "Yes, you wanted to replace my pilot with him if I remember."
"Yes well I figured having a force sensitive pilot would be more useful. I had no idea how attached you had become to her."
The young Sith Lord smiled and his eyes grew distant. Mara's face suddenly cooled and she said frostily, "This next one, I'm sure you'll be quite familiar with, Father. Roganda Ismaren. Born on Alderaan and once a Jedi youngling. She was found with another group of fugitives on Belsavis. Apparently, after escaping the Inquisitors, she managed to seduce and sleep her way into the Imperial court where she quickly became quite popular with the noblemen - and the Emperor of course."
Vader gave his daughter a patient look. "And now, I am loaning her to you. I'm sure you will find her useful but please do try to bring her back in one piece. I am quite fond of her and her son."
"Son?" both Mara and Galen said, shocked at the news.
"Yes, yes but he isn't mine. She's also trained as an assassin and intelligence agent. Finish with your profiles, Mara. You have work to do."
"Right;" she muttered, "Sarcev Quest, the big fellow over their dueling the droid;" and she indicated a tall, muscular and handsome man. "He's was a member of the Jedi Agricultural Corp until he proved his loyalty. Now he works with ISB, using his many talents to keep an eye on the ruling council. I've received many a helpful tip from him myself throughout the course of my missions. Next to him is Sheyvan, one of our Dark Jedi Knights who has become increasingly bored since there are no more Jedi to hunt down. He is eager to pit himself against our enemies. Lastly, I have Vess Kogo. He has already proved a brutal operative, able to singlehandedly prevent successful rebel strikes or sabotage missions and capable of eliminating entire outposts. And that, I believe, covers everyone."
Mara turned to her father and brother. Emperor Vader looked pleased. "Your ship awaits and your new team is ready."
Turning to the eleven gathered operatives, the Emperor used the force to amplify his voice. "Ladies and gentlemen, your new commander, the Emperor's Hand Mara Jade."
Mara leaped off the balcony and landed as they gathered. When Stele had made it over from the simulators, she cleared her throat. "You are to report to the palace's main hanger tomorrow at zero-seven hundred. From there, we will be shuttled to our new base ship. On the way to our first objective, I will inform you or our objectives. Any questions?"
"Will we be fighting Rebels?" asked Vess Kogo.
Mara gave him a cold look. "I told you that I will inform you of our objectives tomorrow. Suffice to say that our mission will have a massive effect on the war effort. Until tomorrow, that is all you need to know."
Kogo did not look satisfied but he held his peace. "If that is all, you are dismissed. Remember, zero-seven hundred sharp. Do not be late."
As her new team dispersed, Mara turned back to her father and brother. Galen grinned. "About time you commanded a team, Mara. With a collection like that, you'll be able to hit the rebels where it hurts - there supply lines."
The Emperor embraced his daughter. "Go and serve the Empire, my daughter. I know you will make me proud."
Aboard the Mon Calamari Star Cruiser Home One
Luke Skywalker sighed and popped the canopy of his X-wing's cockpit. Another mission, a total success. Before long, he hoped that he would get more than these minor scouting and contact missions. He wanted to have a real effect on the war effort. He stood and stretched and looked back at his blue and white astromech droid. "Another down, Artoo. Why don't you head to maintenance and get yourself an oil bath. I think I'll just head to the mess and grab some food after debriefing."
The droid tweeted and whistled in response. From one of the other X-wings, Luke's friend Wedge Antilles called, "Hey Luke, want to grab a bite after debriefing?"
"You read my mind, buddy;" chuckled Luke as they headed towards the briefing room.
It wasn't a long debrief, only a brief description of the mission to Tatooine, the engagement with Imperials and the necessity to have their third pilot picked up after he had managed to get caught up in the explosion of a self-destructing Viper probe droid. When they had finished, General Rieeken commended them for their efforts and then dismissed them. Unfortunately, Luke and Wedge didn't make if far before being caught by General Kota. "Skywalker, Antilles, I have some news I think you'll be interested in;" said the gruff old General.
"What would that be, Sir?" asked Luke, slightly cautious.
The Jedi Master grinned. "We're putting our own task force together. The Council just approved it."
They had heard that General Kota was looking to do so and had hoped that they would be selected. Wedge's face broke into a broad grin. "Alright! When do we leave? What's our mission?"
Kota chuckled and said, "Easy, Lieutenant; we don't have everything officially set yet. I'll have all the answers and an official roster tomorrow. In the mean time, go get a meal and get your things ready. I suspect that we'll be heading out late tomorrow or early the next day. In the mean time, Skywalker, you are to meet me in the rec room tomorrow at zero-six hundred sharp. I'm going to get you started on your Jedi training in earnest. Don't expect it to be easy or comfortable. The life of a Jedi was never meant to be easy."
With that, the general strode by, heading towards the bridge. Luke and Wedge looked at each other. "So..." said Wedge, "dinner?"
Luke laughed and they headed towards the mess.
