STAR WARS

REQUIEM

BY. ROBERT J. MORRIS

CHAPTER 1

0 BBY, Hypori System, Ferra Sector, Outer Rim Territories

Aboard the Lambda-class shuttle Agate bound for the Victory II-class Star Destroyer Iskra

"Space... Cold and Dark... those same words can be used to describe the Galactic Empire that I now serve. It didn't used to be... The Empire used to fly under a different banner, The Republic, giving comfort and hope to those in need; and not fear and suffering. I enlisted in this navy with the intent to explore and protect, but look how much my role has changed since the Clone Wars" An Imperial Admiral mused to himself, as he idly stared into the blackness of space through the shuttle's viewing port; his gloved hand clenched in a fist before his eyes.

Fleet Admiral Maesiff Lowe was a tall, striking, green-eyed, Correlian brunette; who was known for his Clone War progressive ideals and his stubborn personality. It was due to these progressive thoughts that him and his fleet were assigned to patrol the Outer Rim, so his interference and influence could be limited. Lowe's fleet consisted of the Iskra, which was a modified Victory II-class Star Destroyer, escorted by two Imperial light cruisers, the Stargazer and Singularity.

The admiral took a deep breath, unclenching his fist; now composed, he calmly turned his attention to the pilot.

"Lieutenant Talpinn" The admiral stated authoritativly.

"Y-yes Admiral Lowe!" The blonde haired lieutenant responded nervously, her face visibly surprised by the break in silence.

"How long until we are in viewing distance of the Iskra?" Asked the admiral.

Lieutenant Talpinn turned her gaze to the long-range scanner, as she frantically started searching for any Imperial ships.

"I almost forgot, she's new to the fleet" The admiral reminded himself.

"You can relax lieutenant" Maesiff stated in a relaxed tone, attempting to calm her.

"Sir?" She retorted in confusion. Her eyes momentarily distracted from the screen.

"I'm not going to court martial you for a mistake. I'm not a hardass like Admiral Ozzel. I don't see the point" The admiral stated with a reassuring smile.

"I understand, thank you sir" She nodded, as she then continued to check the scanner for the Iskra.

The admiral nodded, turning his attention back to the dark expanse in front of him.

After a couple seconds of observation, he started noticing green flashes of light in the distance.

"Looks like laser cannon fire... but out here?" The admiral thought to himself.

"Sir, we are recieving an urgent transmission from the Stargazer!" The lieutenant exclaimed.

Maesiff frowned as he turned back to Lieutenant Talpinn.

"This must be why. Is it Hutts? Pirates? Rebels?" He pondered.

"Put it through!" He ordered.

"This is Captain Lucas Eantin of the Imperial light cruiser Stargazer, radioing the shuttle Agate. Do you read!" A frantic male voice stated through the comlink.

"This is Fleet Admiral Lowe, aboard the shuttle Agate. We read you, what is your status?" The admiral responded, bent over the microphone.

"Admiral, We are being fired upon by three Weequay pirate ships! Our shields are holding, but we need permission to retaliate! Admiral, do we have permission to return fire?" The Imperial captain inquired.

The admiral turned his head, staring at the laser blasts in the distance.

"Admiral! The Stargazer's shields can't take this for too much longer! We need to respond!" Captain Eantin pressed, the worry evident in his voice.

"Stargazer, fire a couple warning shots. If they don't flee... then you have my permission to reduce them to dust" Admiral Lowe.

"Confirmed. Firing turbolasers at point five degrees starboard" The captain stated, turning to his crew and giving the order.

Maesiff quickly turned his attention to the expanse in front of him so he could observe the exchange.

After a couple seconds two large turbolaser blasts lit up the distant space, quickly dissipating, as they did not have a target.

"Now lets see if these pirates are smart enough to run, I'd like to avoid any death, if possible" The admiral thought, hoping that he wouldn't need to use deadly force.

"Sir, it looks like the pirates are preparing to flee. They are activating their hyperdrives. Should we..." The Stargazer's captain was quickly interrupted by Maesiff.

"Let them go captain. Hopefully they've learned not to underestimate the firepower of this fleet" The admiral responded, a tone of relief and pride emanating from his voice, smirking as he spoke.

"Confirmed. Respectfully, sir, for your safety, we have launched a detatchment of TIE fighters to escort your shuttle to the Iskra. Welcome back sir, Eantin out." The Captain ended the transmission.

"That Lucas, always keeping me on my toes." The admiral thought to himself, chuckling silently.

A mere second later, a squadron of four TIE/LN fighters flew alongside the Agate.

"Lieutenant, follow a course at point two towards the Iskra, let the fighters lead the way" Maesiff ordered.

"Yes admiral" The lieutenant stated as she set a course.

With that, Maesiff turned around, hands clasped behind his back, and started walking towards the back of the shuttle.

"Welcome back indeed"