The Plague Ship 2

Authors notes I don't own Star Wars George Lucas does and a warning if anyone reading this hasn't read The Plague Ship I suggest you read that now otherwise you wont know what's going on at all in this fic. And warning only the first 4 chapters of this fic are betaed as my beta had some personal things to sort out apolgies for any mistakes in spelling in grammer you see later on in this fic.

Chapter 1 rescue

Imperial Star Destroyer Nihilus

As Commander Serpent of Beta Squad steps onto the ships bridge, the Nihilus emerges from hyperspace and enters the Naji system. It is then that Serpent and the rest of the bridge crew see what they are apparently looking for.

The debris of a huge warship, and the source of the distress signal, a single escape pod. Upon verification of the craft's authenticity, Serpent says to the captain, "Lock a tractor beam on that pod and bring it into the main hanger bay at once. Also, keep an eye out for anymore escape pods. The rest of Alpha Squad is out here somewhere."

The captain nods to Serpent then proceeds to give the order. With marked efficiency the escape pod begins to drift closer and closer to the Star Destroyer as the tractor beams encounters no resistance from the pod. Seeing that his presence is no longer needed, Serpent heads toward the elevator, and down to the main hanger bay to hopefully get some answers for some of the many questions spiraling in his head.

Within a few minutes Serpent is in the main hanger bay as the escape pod is brought into the hanger. As soon as the pod is put on the floor of the room, soldiers and technicians race to the pod and in a matter of seconds the pod is opened. After light is shown into the darkened compartment it is revealed that the cargo is only one man.

As Shadow steps out of the escape pod and into the hanger bay, Serpent steps and questions him. "Lieutenant Shadow, where is the rest of Alpha Squad? Where is Commander Viper?"

Shadow looks at the ground as the names of his squad mates are mentioned. Sighing, he answers Serpent. "They are all dead sir. I am the only survivor of the squad."

Disbelieving that Alpha Squad could be dead, Serpent presses Shadow for answers. "Are you sure the others are dead? Where's their bodies? All I see here is debris of the research ship. Where are their bodies Lieutenant Shadow?"

Shadow replies calmly, "I'm sure the explosion that was set off by Viper vaporized their remains. There's nothing left of them at all." Serpent is in shock for a moment before he regains his composure. Calmly he orders, "Shadow follow me now."

Both men then walk into the elevator and head towards Serpents private quarters. As they enter the room Serpent sits down at his desk and takes out a bottle of Corellian Ale and two glasses. He hands one to Shadow, and as he opens the bottle he says, "Shadow, tell me everything that happened on that ship now."

Shadow nods and starts to tell Serpent the whole story of what exactly happened on the Chanso research ship. Once Shadow is finished telling the story the bottle is half empty and Serpent pours another glass for himself. He gulps it down before he says, "So you just went to the escape pod after you planted the charges and fought off the attacker. You didn't try to get to the bridge to help Viper and Quick escape. You left them to die." Shadow can see the Ale getting to Serpent. The Commander had all but called Shadow a coward.

Shadow defends himself. "Viper knew the risks when he gave me his orders and Quick was a loyal soldier who would follow orders to the letter. I didn't leave them to die, they chose to die to stop that threat right then and there."

Serpent then stands up and says with barley contained anger, "There are quarters ready for you on deck four of the ship. You will remain there until we reach Imperial Center for the briefing, as I'm sure the Emperor and others will want a lot of answers to this mission's success and the aftermath of it."

Shadow stands up, gives a crisp salute, then storms out of the room, leaving Serpent alone with his drink. Not knowing what else to do, Serpent chugs the rest of the ale down as the Star Destroyer reenters Hyperspace, heading straight for the Imperial capital.

A few minutes after the entry into Hyperspace, and after Serpent took a sedative that would allow him to control himself, Serpent powers up his personal communication channel and sends a message to his commander. Almost instantly the screen fills the black image of the Imperial Executor, Darth Vader. Snapping a salute, Serpents informs Vader of his progress. "Lord Vader, I searched the Naji system and found only one survivor of Alpha Squad, Lieutenant Shadow. We are currently enroute to Imperial Center and will arrive in about nine hours. Will the inquiry be set up by then?"

At Vader's nod Serpent snaps another salute at the Sith Lord as the screen darkens. With that done Serpents powers down the comm. and takes a photo out from his desk. He stares at it for a long time, reminiscing about his old friend, Viper.

Serpent then puts the photo back in the drawer and removes his armor and climbs into bed to get some rest.

Meanwhile in Shadows quarters Shadow couldn't sleep at all. He had tried everything to help him get some rest and now he was sorting out his weapons and ammo, but he still couldn't get Serpent's words from earlier out of his head. Could Shadow have gone back to save Viper and Quick and save his own neck as well? Or was leaving them to die on that nightmare of a ship the only option he had had?

Sighing, Shadow dozes off, only to be awoken some hours later as the Star Destroyer exits hyperspace and reverts back to real space, just above Imperial Center. As the glittering plant comes into view below him, Shadows know that soon his fate will be decided.

Authors notes that's chapter 1 completed let me know what you thought of it read and review no flames through ok.