Disclaimer: I do not own any rights to the Star Wars franchise, and this is strictly written for my enjoyment and those of the readers. This is strictly non-profit and does not intend to infringe on any copyright or plagirism laws.
"Possible" General Jinash furrowed his brow as he looked down to his inferior, Lieutenant Caybarian in clear frustration. Between the two men there was a good thirty years age difference. Jinash was in his mid-fifties, white hair and full eyebrows adding expression to his cold, cobalt eyes. His wiry frame coming from years of tireless physical devotion to his job. He rarely ate, slept to the minmum that his health would allow and was almost always present on the bridge of the Invader.
Caybarian was far younger. Was a youthful twenty-three. His bony, defined face lead many of the officers to cast rumours that he was the son of Grand Moff Tarkin going under a pseudonym. That would've explained his quick ascension through the ranks. Lieutenant was already a rank in dispute amongst his superiors, many of whom were in favour of a large promotion for Caybarian in spite of his youth. Caybarian was however a deft and skilled officer, much like Jinash he had a focused and loyal devotion to the Empire, even to the point of near-mania. However his competence didn't seem to be evidenced as he was harangued by his superior.
"It's possible that you were aware of 3-2-8-17's desire to go AWOL? It sounds to me you were certain and your cowardice is lamely trying to cover your tracks." General Jinash looked on with contemptuous focus as we he walked away from Caybarian. Caybarian clenched his gloved fists in surpressed rage as he felt tempted to shove his superior from the elevated platform above the bridge's computer terminals. Instead he simply gulped down his emotion just barely managing to remain in check. "I felt that keeping him under supervision would scare him from dissension." A near-furious Jinash turned to face the young officer and walked striaght towards his face. "If I were less shameful of this error Lieutenant, I would deliver you to the Emperor myself. As it stands, the Emperor need not be concerned with our trouble. Consider yourself lucky that 3-2-8-17 was not a model trooper." Jinash stood back and examined the tenseness in Caybarian's own face, which always seemed to be at a level of mild tension even when off-duty.
"When you were posted to the Invader, your former commanding officer told me you had more rage and aggression than a herd of Broca. I must say your lax approach to the situation has left me severely dissapointed." Jinash turned on his heels and "If I'm required, tell the men I'll be in my quarters." Jinash then turned back to Caybarian. "As regretful of this as I may be, Lieutenant, you have command of this bridge. Try not to surrender us to mutiny." Jinash promptly left the bridge, surprising almost every officer on-duty who would've normally believed Jinash would've preferred death over retiring from his duties.
For a further fours house Caybarian overlooked the distant starfield. Other than temporarily conferring with men who talked to him about the task at hand, Caybarian lay deep in thought. He was going to rectify any mistake he had made with the current situation. At whatever cost.
Caybarian called addressed a young man, a couple of years Caybarian's senior with finely groomed auburn hair. "Following General Jinash's example, I am taking a break. You have the bridge" The officer looked on with amazement. He'd always secretly resented Caybarian for his high position. An envy shared by many other men on the bridge, he couldn't quite understand the fanatical Caybarian's ease to give up his position; but before he could speak up Caybarian's composed expression turned to one of anger. "Do it you miserable little worm!" The officer quickly took to his duties as Caybarian let out a sigh, pushing his anger back down. "Lieutenant Naysessus has the bridge." Caybarian said the officers as he turned. Caybarian walked away, prepared to set right one of the many wrongs.
Caybarian strode through the corridors towards the chamber of General Jindash. Passing various Imperial personell, he barely gave eye contact of any of them like a man possessed with a great desire. Finally reaching the doorway to Jindash's chamber he pressed a button activating the comlink.
"General Maquas Jinash" Jinash's voice responded. Caybarian pressed his face up against the comlink in intense focus. "General Jindash, this Lieutenant Nosaja Caybarian. I request permission to see you. A tense few seconds followed as silence was all that the comlink gave until Jinash exhaled. "Enter".
Jinash's quarters were unusually luxurious. Emperor Palpatine would be perhaps less than happy with Jinash's way of spending his credits. Most of the furniture was cream coloured with the exception of the bare Imperial essentials such as his bed that was a bland, metallic grey. One wall was covered by a tank that kept Jindash's prized Glitterfish from the rivers of Alderaan. Jinash sat meditative on the floor eyes closed. "Lieutenant. What is the purpose to your visit?" Caybarian remained stood by the door, rigid, still.
"I have come to tell you that I feel that your assessment of my failure was unfair." Jindash's eyes shot open as he stood to look the rebellious Caybarian in the eye. "Unfair?" Rather than frown, Jindash simply laughed. "Do you know that under almost any other officer's command you would've been shot for making that mistake?"
Caybarian nodded "I understand sir." Jindash smiled, showing that inspite of his ruthless reputation, off-duty he was more merciful. He respected Caybarian even when he was secluded by others. Secretly he admired his ambition, determination and spirit. "When I was not much older than you when this Empire was being founded in the chaos of the Clone Wars, I served under a man named Nestus Tomish on G'wenee. He once let a mutiny slipped from his hands and was killed by many of his men who had secretly planned it. Me and several of the other men were able to quash the insurgence, but very few of us survived." The smile soon hardened to a frown. "I will not allow you or anyone else to make the mistake that Tomish did."
"I understand." Caybarian said with a firm, fixed smile. "But the universe has changed. The Empire is stronger. Day by day we are gaining planets, star systems, the Death Star will be the key to ultimate control of the universe and crush the Rebel fleet that is beginning to mass from Corellia, Chandrilla and Alderaan." Much like with Jindash, the smile once again melted into a contemptuous expression. "And you, General, are a relic."
A click is heard as Caybarian raised his now cocked blaster to the face of his superior. "And the past is worthless." Staring death in the face, Jindash remained calm and resolute. "Shoot me if you wish, Lieutenant. But my death will mean the death of the Empire." Caybarian raised an eyebrow and a smile, this time genuine. "Your Empire, general. Not mine." With a switchblade-quick pull of his trigger, Caybarian fired levelling Jindash to the deck. Dead. With a burn directly upon the clothing where underneath would lie his heart.
Caybarian simply turned and left Jindash's quarters. The general's body would likely be found soon and Caybarian would've been chief suspect. Even so, he didn't care. He would soon enough be considered the saviour of the Empire anyway.
Turning to another communicator he started talking, this time calm and temperless. "This is Lieutenant Caybarian. Prepare my shuttle."
