Star Wars Book One: Force
Chapter 2: Reunion and Examples
Planet Kurlik, Avanosh System, Outer Rim.
They waited. For hours hidden in a back alley, the run down speeder hidden under a tarpaulin they had found in a waste recycler, they waited for any sign of Asami Sato.
"Are you sure she'll be here?" Korra asked looking around, keeping aware of her surroundings.
"I really don't know Korra." Mako replied. "We used to come here all the time when we were together, but things might have changed."
They were scoping out a dingy cantina in a town not far from the capital. More than once on the journey over, they had to stop and hide the speeder behind a rock outcropping from a wing of TIE Fighters that passed overhead. The Imps really wanted them caught. The entire planet seemed to be on lockdown. When they finally did arrive at the town, every main road into the place was blockaded by Stormtroopers and AT-DPs. Mako luckily knew a way in through an old cargo loading bay that led into the main floor of an abandoned refinery. Apparently this was how Mako used to sneak into town when he and Bolin had made themselves enemies of their old gang.
After some risky manoeuvres once they had made it into town, Korra had managed to snag a pair of magnoculars off of a Stormtrooper captain. Using them to scan the front of the cantina, occasionally handing them to Mako so he could take a better look at anyone Korra said matched Makos description of Asami. Mako had also managed to pocket a holdout blaster from a less than attentive bounty hunter, so now the three of them felt much more secure if it came to a fight.
"You know what she was like Mako, she hated all the highbrow snobs she was always around. I'm sure she'll still come here." Bolin chimed in, trying to encourage his brother.
It seemed to work, as a trace of a smile tugged at the corner of Makos lips. "I suppose you're right bro. I just hope she'll help us when we do find her."
Korra went back to watching the cantina, wonder what this Asami was like to make Mako, the boy she'd known for four years and who was always the stoic paragon of the group, suddenly become as nervous as a Moff in front of the Emperor himself. The thought amused her to no end. She couldn't wait to meet her.
Suddenly that tingling came back to her, urging her to look to her left. Following her instincts, Korra scanned the area to the left of the cantina, and was rewarded with a glimpse of a feminine figure with a hood covering her head. Her curiosity peaked, Korra focused the magnoculars onto the woman's face.
It was Asami alright.
She matched Makos description of her perfectly. Pale skin, full red lips, piercing amber eyes, long thick black hair. There was no doubt.
Pulling on Makos sleeve, Korra threw the magnoculars into his hands and told him to look. Mako took them off of her and raised them to his eyes. His breath caught, giving Korra and Bolin all the indication they needed.
"I told you she'd be here Mako!" Bolin cried, slapping Mako on the back so hard he nearly fell out of the alley.
"Yeah now we just have to get her attention." Mako said distantly, magnoculars still raised to his face.
"Please, allow me." Korra said with a mischievous smirk.
Korra suddenly bolted from their hiding spot, having checked for Imperial patrols before making herself known. She heard Mako and Bolin calling her name behind her, shocked at her sudden action. Making a beeline straight for Asami, Korra saw her look around, as if recognising their voices, before her eyes rested on her. Before Korra could even react she was face down on the ground, her arm pinned behind her back and a knee driving into her spine. Gasping for breath, she turned her head to look up, only to see Asamis' rather annoyed features looking down at her.
"Just what the hell do you think you were doing?" she asked, her voice as cold as ice.
"Just doing my job miss!" Korra sassed back.
Asami rewarded her by twisting her arm further, causing Korra to grunt in pain.
"Don't joke with…" Asami began, her eyes flicking across Korras face. "Wait. You're one of the terrorist that attacked the Governor!"
Asami hauled Korra to her feet.
"Where is he?"
Korra caught her meaning instantly, nudging her head towards the alley Mako and Bolin were watching from with stunned expressions.
By now they had gathered a small crowd of onlookers and Korra suddenly felt naked under their gaze, fearful of being recognised.
"Look we can explain later but right now we have to get out of here before someone calls the police!" Korra pleaded.
Asami turned back to her, her face softening at Korras sincerity.
"Alright lets go."
They both ran back to the alley. Mako and Bolin were already getting the speeder started by the time the two women had made it to them. Turning around from his position at the back of the vehicle, Mako looked up, his expression one of sheer trepidation at seeing Asami again after so long.
"Um. Hey." Was all he could manage.
Asami looked less than impressed.
"I know you couldn't have done what they say you did Mako. But if I don't like what you have to tell me, I won't hesitate to turn you in." Asami threatened, her face inches from Makos.
Korra and Bolin looked taken aback at how viscous Asami was being to her ex. Just what had Mako done to her to deserve that kind of treatment after being apart for so long?
"Asami I, We can explain everything, all I'm asking is for you to listen once we get out of here." Mako practically begged.
Bolin looked out into the street and spotted a patrol of Stormtroopers making their way towards the cantina, no doubt investigating the disturbance.
"Um guys we can catch up later, right now we should, you know, be going in the other direction of them?" Bolin panicked.
The other three turned to look at the patrol that Bolin had spotted.
Just as the Captain of that squad caught sight of them.
"Hey you! Stay where you are!" his voice carried across the street, amplified and distorted by his helmets speakers, the rest of his squad raising their blasters.
"Aw Fierfekk!" Mako cursed, "Get in the speeder now!"
Korra and Bolin were already climbing in, Bolin dragging Asami behind him. Mako leaped into the driver's seat, gunning the throttle.
The speeder, battered as it was, failed to start.
The Stormtroopers opened fire.
Ruby red bolts of charged particles seared past them, some slamming into the frame of the vehicle. Leaping out of the speeder, the group ran for their lives down the alley, pursued by the faceless enforcers of the Emperor's will.
Star Destroyer Equaliser, In hyperspace en route to Kurlik
The swirling blue maelstrom of hyperspace filled the viewport on the bridge of the Equaliser, Amon allowing the mesmerising vortex to ease him into a state of calm. While technically going against the Sith code, the Inquisitor had found in the past that pure rage and hatred simply wasn't enough for him to perform his duties. He found that his mind was more focused when not mired by such negative emotions. It was part of what made him so feared throughout the Empire. By focusing his mind, he could read the thoughts of almost everyone aboard the Equaliser, from the lowliest ensign slaving away in the mess hall to the ship's captain, an arrogant piece of work that Lord Amon had often thought of throwing out of the nearest airlock. Even now he could sense the man plotting his advance within the ranks of the Imperial Navy, something about showing up a rival in hopes of gaining the attention of the Admiralty.
At least not all aboard the Equiliser were so borderline insubordinate. There was no doubt in Amon's mind where the loyalties of the ships Stormtrooper complement lay. Every last one of them was unswervingly loyal to the Empire, and by extension him. Particularly one Lieutenant in the 45th legion. Amon prized loyalty above all else, and he would be sure to make enquiries to transfer the most dedicated into his personal task force.
He felt a sudden disturbance as the captain of the Equaliser marched up behind him and stood at parade rest, his hands clasped behind his back.
"My Lord, we will be exiting hyperspace in ten minutes."
"Thank you Captain. I will be taking your best troopers with me on my mission planetside, and I expect you to remain on station until further orders." Amon said, his voice projecting his absolute authority over the ship.
"Of course my Lord." The Captain replied. Amon could sense that the man was inwardly seething at the thought of waiting on a single man, when he could put his vessel through its paces in service against the various dissident groups across the galaxy, and further prove himself to the Grand Moff himself.
Amon paid those thoughts no heed however. His mission was absolute, and one mans deluded ambition would not stand in his way.
"Have a shuttle prepared for transit to the capital. I will begin my search for these recidivists there."
"At once my Lord." The Captain replied, saluting sharply and starting to move away to discuss with his Logistics officer.
"And Captain," Amon began, the man turning to face the Inquisitor. "I am well aware of your reservations about this assignment, and I want to assure you that the Empire values your service."
The Captain straightened, clearly ready to rebuke any accusations that Amon could level against him.
Amon didn't give him that chance.
Turning to the rest of the bridge crew, he gave his sermon. "The Empire values the service of all who wear the uniform. But know that no one is above the notice of the Emperor. Or above answering to his will. If I find that any of you harbour any doubts about the Emperors plans, then by all means I shall do my best to remedy such treasonous thoughts."
Turning back to face the Captain, Amon's voice took on a dark tone. "And by all means, I shall do what needs to be done to purge such insolence from the ranks of the Imperial fleet."
He could feel the Captains rage at being called out in front of his crew, coupled with his fear of the very real consequences of his error. The man closed his eyes and took a deep breath, bracing himself before giving his reply.
He found that no words could make it past his lips. Nor could any air make it into his lungs.
His eyes shot open, panic building in his distress. Amon had his hand raised in his direction, his grip slowly closing. The Captain could feel his throat tighten in response. He started to claw at this neck, desperate to claim any form of respite from this sudden onslaught.
"I have known of your opinion of my mission since the moment I stepped aboard Captain." Amon began. "And know that I am less than impressed with the zeal that you have shown in service to me, and by extension the Emperor."
The bridge was deathly silent, no one daring to interrupt and face the Inquisitor's wrath. The crew could only watch as their captain was slowly brought to his knees by a force none of them could comprehend.
Amon allowed the crew to take in the spectacle he had created. It would be sure to remind them of their duty to the Empire, and the price of failure in pursuit of it.
"As of this moment, by the power invested in me by the Emperor himself, I am taking command of the Equaliser and all who serve aboard her."
Leaning closer, Amon dropped his voice to a near whisper, yet still able to carry across the room.
"You are relieved of duty, Captain."
With a clench of his fist, Amon completely collapsed the man's trachea. The man fell to the deck with a dull thud, and ceased to move. Turning to face the rest of the bridge crew, Amon placed his hands behind his back.
"Well?" he said. "Everyone back to your stations."
The bridge immediately burst into life once more, everyone throwing themselves back into their duties with renewed enthusiasm. None of them wanted to fall foul of their new master, not after that distressing display of power.
Amon turned back to the viewport, his mind already mulling over ways to squeeze every last drop of efficiency from the ship's crew. He had a Star Destroyer to call his own now, and a mission to put it to good use.
"Soon you shall be in my grasp girl." He began, "And then you shall know the true glory of your destiny."