Chapter Two
The Imperial Star Destroyer Malevolent had taken up a stable orbit over the planet's central city, Junduk Major. The mile-long, wedge shaped grey hulk hung apparently motionless, the only activity being dozens of smaller craft buzzing around it like small insects. Fighters and gunboats and other service craft flitted between the destroyer and the other two light cruisers that accompanied it.
On board the Malevolent's bridge, an Imperial officer was standing in front of the huge viewport that presented a huge vista of the space beyond. He adjusted his stiff uniform and placed his cap on his thin-haired head. His eyes were stern, almost cold, and the set of his jaw seemed carved from stone. His thin, pale face disturbed most of the bridge attendants, and he used this visage to great effect when giving orders. He made sure all his cylindrical passkeys were present and placed them in his breast pocket.
Another officer of the same rank approached him, and stood close enough to talk and yet keep their conversation personal. He himself had taken on that gaunt, official look.
"What do you think?" said the second officer.
Lieutenant Terrov turned his steely eyes on his comrade.
"I'm wondering what we're doing over this planet, Shreems. It's not on the official patrol route. It's pointless."
The officer shrugged, looking around casually to see if anyone might be listening. His gaze fell on a heavy blast door at the rear of the bridge.
"I'm sure he has something in mind. Maybe he's planning some shore leave. We can all go and watch the races."
Terrov turned and looked at the door, knowing that Shreems was referring to the man sat in a large meeting room behind it.
"Somehow I doubt it. Anyway, I'll soon find out. I've just been summoned."
"I know, I heard the call."
Terrov took a deep breath and suddenly decided to exert his authority.
"Carry on, lieutenant." he said loudly to Shreems, and began walking with a straight back and heavy footsteps to the blast door.
As he approached he cleared his throat, aware of the eyes of the bridge crew on him. He knew the word was going around that they had deviated from their planned patrol route to come to Junduk IV. Exactly why, no one knew.
And this being an Imperial Destroyer, no one dared to ask.
Terrov thumbed the button in the middle of the door and it split in two, each half receding into the floor and ceiling. He stepped into the room, noticing how dark it was. The illumination had been turned down somewhat. The long oval table and diamond-shaped chair backs reflected the light off shiny black surfaces. Terrov stood just inside the door, his hands clasped behind his back as the blast screens sealed again. He clipped his heels together.
"You requested my presence, Grand Moff?"
The chair at the end of the table turned slowly, and a grey-haired man regarded Terrov with wide eyes. His flesh was tanned and his jowls dangled almost like drapes. He stood as he looked at the lieutenant before him.
"Please, lieutenant, take a seat."
Terrov nodded and started to walk round the table to seat himself close to the Grand Moff.
It was then that he noticed another figure in the room. Sitting in the corner, just behind where the Grand Moff was standing, was another person. The features were indistinguishable, for a great black cloak was draped over the form. The hood was heavy and hung down over the face, enabling the face to be hidden and yet the wearer could look out.
Terrov shivered involuntarily. There was something about this figure he didn't like.
The Grand Moff noticed Terrov's wary stare and smiled.
"Do not worry, lieutenant. This man is here at my request."
Without another word Terrov sat down, and so did the Grand Moff. The figure remained completely motionless.
"I hear from other commanders and captains that you have a glowing record, Lieutenant Terrov."
"Thank you, sir."
"Your service to the Empire is exemplary. A fine record of commendations and service medals."
Terrov neglected to answer, wishing that Grand Moff Galgen would get to the point.
"Yet you've been passed over for promotion three times. Any idea why that is, Lieutenant?"
Terrov knew that Galgen was aware of exactly why he had been passed over. On the official record it said taking control of situations out of his command designation. This translated into the fact that he would give orders before his captain could. Captains rarely liked their subordinates to go over their heads.
"I think Captain Vud said you had ideas above your station."
"I was always told I should remember whose in charge, sir."
There were a few moments of silence as Galgen switched the holographic monitor in front of him off. He regarded Terrov with his usual wide-eyed stare.
"I like that kind of attitude. Forthright, powerful, confident decision making."
Where is he going with this? Terrov thought.
"Lieutenant, I think it's about time you had your own starship to command. I'm thinking of making you a full captain."
There was a brief moment of elation in the back of Terrov's mind, but it was quickly swamped by suspicion. He was being thrown through the ranks to captain? This was unheard of. He always knew he would command a starship someday, but this was very sudden. He had only been transferred to the Malevolent a standard month ago, and in all that time had hardly seen the Grand Moff. He was sure there was something more to this.
"That's most kind, sir. Will it be one of the flanking cruisers or is there another support ship you have in mind?"
Galgen shrugged and lifted his hands to take in the whole starship they were on. "I was thinking more of you taking command of the Malevolent, lieutenant."
A Star Destroyer? Something is definitely amiss. Terrov was as unreadable as ever. He kept his face expressionless and his voice level. "But, sir, you were given this vessel only a short time ago. Surely you're not being moved already?"
"As you know, lieutenant, I come from Imperial Intelligence on Coruscant, where I had a better job than travelling the Mid-Rim imposing the will of the Emperor on its sordid inhabitants. I have been making plans to return there. I will have no need of the Malevolent."
Terrov and most of the other command staff knew only too well that Galgen detested his work out here in the Mid-Rim. He was only one step away from getting as far away from the centre of Imperial government as was possible without travelling uncharted space. He had heard snippets of conversation where he had mentioned a desperate want of returning to Coruscant and take up a more important role. Shreems had said he once heard him talking about getting a seat on the Emperor's advisory staff, a nice safe commission away from the prying eyes of Imperial dissidents and this newly growing rebellion he had heard of. He knew he would have to do something special to get a seat like that. Maybe he already had. It certainly appeared that way.
"Lieutenant, I wish to return to Coruscant as soon as possible, and I wish you to help me do so. If you carry out one simple favour for me, and everything goes well, I will promote you to captain and this ship is yours."
Ah, the price of advancement. Terrov looked at the robed figure with curiosity and then back at the Grand Moff.
"You could always order me to do this bidding, sir."
"It's a lot more delicate than a simple order, lieutenant. Let's just say I would rather avoid any official directives."
He's played his hand. He's taking an awful gamble. If he reveals to me his plans and they're dangerous to the Empire... he knows I would have to report him.
"Do you know of Raca City down there on Junduk?" Galgen asked.
"I do."
"Well, there is a Hutt down there who has taken advantage of a little agreement I partook in a while ago which he has discovered. I need to make contact with him and sort out some business transactions. I would rather not do this myself, of course, so I wish you to carry out a simple task which involves contacting this Hutt on my behalf and completing a small deal which will take no longer than a couple of days. Then we can return to our patrol route and, luck willing, I will get my commission and you will get your command."
He's given away enough to tell me it's risky but not enough to give away his position.
This was the dilemma. Terrov desperately wanted a command, and here he was being offered the Malevolent of all vessels! He knew he would always have the problem of advancement with his attitude towards the chain of command. Here was a chance to bypass all that in one swoop. To better his position, his command would be recommended by a Grand Moff, no less.
There was a small voice at the back of his head screaming at him, telling him that he should decline and take his chances. But how long would it take him to advance if he took the normal channels? Ten years? Twenty?
That small voice screamed all the louder. Terrov realised the Grand Moff was waiting a decision. He knew he should say no, I cannot be a part of this, and so he opened his mouth to speak.
"Of course I shall help you, sir. I will require full details of the situation, of course."
Galgen smiled a large smile that swept from one ear to the other. "Excellent. Now, lieutenant, this is a very delicate situation. What I'm about to tell you must go no further."
"Of course."
Galgen stood and stretched his legs. It struck Terrov how young Galgen was to be a Grand Moff. He was most definitely no older than some of the captains in the fleet. He must have been well liked back on Coruscant to get this far this quickly. Either that or he placed a few high bribes in the Imperial Senate.
"A while ago I was posted to the Mid-Rim as a supervisor over the local sectors, encompassing thousands of systems but only a few thousand habitable worlds. Hardly an excellent state of affairs for a former head of Intelligence, wouldn't you say? It has always been my desire to serve on the Emperor's military advisory staff, but I have never had the opportunity to prove myself in a tactical situation.
"A few months ago, word started spreading that a rebellion was building against the Emperor's New Order. I have received numerous reports of several independent worlds, yet to fall under the governership of the Empire that are amassing vessels and readying their defences. If I can stop these planets from remaining independent I can impress the senate and the council and get the seat."
Terrov nodded. It was sound reasoning. If Galgen could prove to the other Moffs and senators he had what it took as a man of thought and prowess, he would get his seat.
"As you know, the Imperial expansion into this part of the Mid-Rim is slow. We don't have the resources yet to quell these planets with superior firepower. What we need is superior tactical capability. That is where Arcc Nedeen proves useful."
Galgen motioned to the robed figure that tilted his head up very slightly, enough to indicate he had acknowledged being mentioned but not enough to give away any features.
"I came across Arcc Nedeen a few months ago. One of my less reputable hires discovered him working for the Hutt that I have the altercation with, Komag. For a price I hired Arcc and his tactical genius to aid me in my quest for the seat on Coruscant. Unfortunately, Arcc's abilities are, say we say, dangerous to the Empire and Komag knows that my association with him would damage me irreparably and maybe even kill me. He has been blackmailing me ever since, threatening to communicate with Coruscant and reveal our partnership. I have one payment to give him, here on Junduk, before I am free of his threats."
Terrov once more looked at the figure in the shadows. He had moved slightly, sitting forward with his hands on his knees. Even his hands were swathed in black, wrapped in cloth like macabre bandages.
"I take it you mean Arcc is a man of some extreme talent?" Terrov said. "I understand, sir. If word got out you were not the one behind all these tactical miracles you wish to achieve..." He allowed the sentence to trail off.
Galgen looked at his lieutenant with disdain. He did not like the idea that this officer thought he was inept at his work and couldn't possibly make these decisions for himself. He nodded agreement nonetheless but left a gap in the conversation before revealing more information, which he knew Terrov was eager to learn.
There's something else. This is much more dangerous than he is letting on. Terrov once more looked at the figure that had sat back again.
Galgen cleared his throat.
"Actually, lieutenant, Arcc is excellent at his job because he is a long lived race with generations of knowledge."
And? Terrov leaned forward, desperate to know more.
"And he is also proficient with the dark side of the Force."
There was a long pause as Terrov dropped his mask and stared at the Grand Moff in stunned silence. The figure in black stood, a huge figure even in the half-light. Galgen awaited a reaction from his officer.
Terrov knew of the Emperor's doctrine. All Force users were to surrender to him or be hunted down. Terrov knew the threat to the Emperor's stability in power if other Force sensitive people threatened him. Both he and Darth Vader, the leader of the Emperor's military forces, had hunted down and killed all the Jedi Knights and their subordinates. Vader, the Dark Lord of the Sith, had murdered Jedi and untrained dark side manipulators alike to protect his Emperor.
But here was one, head to foot a Force user - and an alien one, on board an Imperial Star Destroyer - standing in front of Terrov awaiting a reaction.
He could sense the coldness of the alien as it stood there, as motionless as it had been when sitting down. He knew the stories of the good and peaceful Jedi Knights, and the hate-filled and murderous Dark Jedis. The light side of the Force and the dark side, two paths of power that separated good from evil, and Terrov was sure that, even if Galgen had not said what side of the Force he used, this one was a Dark Force manipulator. He could feel it.
The Force was once a religion, a way of life for many of the peace-loving denizens of the galaxy. The Force, from what he knew, was an energy that all livings things had a hand in generating, a power which could be manipulated by the very few. With the right training it was possible to sense and move things with the power of will alone, achieve things impossible.
But with every action comes a reaction. He knew, from the stories told to him as a child and through basic knowledge training at the academy, that the Force had a light side and a dark side, used for good and evil.
Darth Vader, a Dark Side user and even worse a Sith, had not discerned between the two when he had helped to slaughter them all. Any Force user was a danger to the New Order.
"You understand my position now, lieutenant?"
Terrov stood and nodded. It was too late now. He had agreed to help Galgen and had become involved with something a lot bigger than even he thought he could handle. Still, if things didn't go according to plan, maybe he could use the knowledge he had gained and use it against Galgen. Disgracing a Grand Moff and turning a Force user over to the Emperor himself! He wouldn't be suprised if they made him an admiral!
With all this in mind Terrov decided to obey Galgen's wishes and wait for the right moment to strike if things went awry. At this point, he was willing to aid his Grand Moff and secure his captaincy.
"I understand, sir. It does not affect my decision to aid you."
Galgen beamed.
"Good. Good! Now, I want you to communicate with Komag the Hutt and arrange a meeting so that I can hand over the merchandise. Once that is over, we shall crush the dissident planets with Arcc Nedeen's help and I will get my seat. Then you will get your commission."
Terrov snapped his heels and bowed slightly at the waist to his Grand Moff.
"As you wish, sir."
"Dismissed."
Galgen watched Terrov turn smartly and walk to the blast doors, stepping through them before they were fully opened and sealing them behind him.
He turned to the black robed figure.
"Excellent. I think this was a good idea of yours, Arcc. Now we have a scapegoat if things go wrong. I was right about him, wasn't I? He's so desperate to get ahead in the New Order he'll do anything."
Galgen was obviously pleased with himself and he slumped into his seat, reaching for the comm button to summon his aide for refreshments.
Arcc lifted his head slightly. All that was visible was a long chin that terminated in a single small horn curved upwards. His skin was dark, even under the hood, and the fixed grin behind his lipless mouth was huge. The sharp teeth that were present were not visible to express any humour; the grin was a physical fixture.
He spoke as if talking through clenched teeth. It was low, rumbling and almost a whisper.
"He will betray you."
Galgen's hand hovered over the comm, the sudden sweat standing out on his forehead indicating his self-confidence had evaporated.