Chapter 3 – Encounter
Cyphar – Dolkar Sector
Near planetary orbit – Imperial patrol squadron
After a few days of hyperspace travel
"Imperial cruiser Black Citadel, this is Imperial patrol craft Dream of Stars, leading patrol squadron Omega-2. Please transmit authority code."
"Patrol cruiser Dream of Stars, this Lieutenant Trenning of the imperial cruiser Black Citadel, fleet assembly #1478-F-981, repeat: #1478-F-981. Transmit code is Lambda-Blue-34, repeat: Lamda-Blue-34. Please confirm."
"Cruiser Citadel, this is the Dream of Stars. Fleet assembly #1478-F-981 is confirmed, transmit code Lambda-Blue-34 is confirmed. Your inbound vector is corridor 4. The Moff already awaits you. Welcome to Cyphar."
The Guardian-class cruiser and its six escorting Xg-1 StarWings took in a formation above the small collection of capital ships and escorted them to the planet. An orb of green, blue and white, this marble of the Middle Rim seemed like a paradise to those who had just escaped the heavy industrialised ecumenopolises of the Core.
However, for these people that had just arrived, this planet – and sector – would mean a lot of work.
Cyphar – Middle Rim
Hidden Rebel Base – Private Quarters
Afternoon
Stupid morons, he thought. Couldn't they see the chance? A whole sector! But no! It was too dangerous! Too risky to draw the attention of the Empire towards them! It was the same argument since Endor: Do not encounter the Empire on a large scale. But this time the council was wrong. His master was wrong. His plans were too far advanced to step back now.
He went to the planning room. No one else knew of the council's decision. His men would follow his orders. They would do their job and he would do his. They would die or succeed. In the end, it wouldn't matter. He would be successful.
Disobeying orders and sending loyal men into certain death. He wondered what had happened to the Jedi. He bet the old Jedi would have 'disapproved' his actions. He smiled. Of course they would have. They would have banned him from the order if he even thought of it. And now he did not even thought of such a violation, he even planned it and soon would execute it.
The old Jedi had been weak – why else would they have failed – but their Order was strong. And it was his job to rebuild this Order. An Order of the strong. He smiled. What was currently trained as the new foundation of the Order could not be described as strong – not completely. Some were strong, while others were weak. But they needed everyone: That was the only reason why he hadn't disposed all the weaklings that only deserved to be farmers in the AgriCorps.
Soon, a whole sector would be free of the suppression of the empire. Soon, he would have the ultimate weapon to bring the empire down to its knees. Soon, the council would have to approve that he was right and they weren't.
The troops awaited him. The hologram showed a detailed cut-away of their target. It was the final briefing. Tonight was the night they would strike…
Cyphar – Middle Rim
Imperial Palace – Ball Room
Evening
Arkyn Medor was floating. That was the way he would describe it. He and Vynkar were undercover on a party arranged by Moff Liron Gar to greet his visitors from the core. Inquisitor Redge was enjoying himself while Arkyn and Tel were dressed as Royal Guards. They stood at the wall, guarding the main entrance together with two of the local palace guards.
Not that he was focused on protecting. His HUD was swarming with images, statistics and datas. Only a small part of his visual field showed the golden-white ballroom – and he was barely paying attention to it – the rest was filled with light blue interfaces.
He has been standing here for hours now. He didn't know how the real guards could handle to stand still for such a long time, but he used the force. He had stiffed all the other muscles in his body and had cut of all the other feelings. He was only concentrating on his head. The only things he did was breathing and interacting with the HUD. That was all what existed for him in this universe. He wondered how Tel would handle it. Given that he had problems with his… control, Arkyn wasn't sure that he could stand still that long. But obviously, Tel had found a way.
Loam Redge, wearing long and fine brown-green inquisitorial robes equipped with numerous microphones and mini-holocams, had approached a middle-aged man, wearing an imperial admiral's uniform. His face showed that his thoughts were drifting away, like he was day-dreaming and his brown hair already had a light sign of silver.
"Ah, Professor Admiral Glermin. It is an honour to meet you." Redge's voice came over the audio-channel from one of the Inquisitor's hidden microphones. Arkyn and Tel would immediate call up data about the person Redge spoke to and gave him a brief analysis of his character. It was their mission to find any possible rebel traitors and spy within the palace or high-ranking places of the Empire. And this ball had been perfect, since the Moff had insisted to greet his guests like this
Arkyn's suit was connected to the Inquisitor's yacht's computers and these were connected to the hackers onboard the Indigo Maiden. Arkyn began to read the new files. Nothing special, he thought, except that he is one of the most brilliant minds in the galaxy… A family, two kids and his wife is one of the head researchers at this COMPNOR-Hospital.
"I don't think he's a traitor." Tel said.
"No, I don't think so. But I doubt he is capable of commanding a fleet either", Arkyn said, "He seems more to be the 'absent-minded professor'-type of person."
"Ah-hmm. I think Vice-Admiral Gordon handles all this stuff. He seemed competent to me."
"Admiral, I haven't seen your wife or your children around here", Arkyn turned his attention back to the voice of the Inquisitor, "May I ask where they are?"
Arkyn looked up to interface-window that showed a total of the ballroom, thanks to the security cameras and once again the hackers: Many of the guests had brought their family with them. Mostly wives, sometimes brothers, sisters or just the 'friends', like Mr Hevrin, chairman of the shipyards in the C'tau-system.
Pictures popped up, showing Arkyn a middle-aged, but still beautiful woman, a teenaged girl and a pre-teen boy, all having a strong resemblance. The names under the pictures told him that they were Dr Alissa Far-Glermin (47), Aurelia Glermin (16) and Tomas Glermin (10).
"Oh, my wife is still working on some of her weird projects at this hospital, and my kids? Well you know, they don't like all this 'imperial glamour'-stuff, as they would say it. They either spent the night with some friends or, in Tomas' case, are already asleep. At least I hope…" He finished with a thoughtful face.
The Inquisitor left the admiral in his thoughts, while he turned towards another person, but then he suddenly stopped.
"Commander Jex?" he asked.
Commander Jex was the commander of the FIRST-platoon, which had been stationed around the palace, unknown to the local forces. It was a pure overkill using high-trained commandos just to protect a party, but the Inquisitor had insisted on it.
"Inquisitor", the cool answer came. Commander Jex had been in contact with them the whole time.
"You should send a man or two to the museum. Something is going on there."
"Yes, sir."
"Maybe we should go, too." Tel suggested.
"No. You two are needed here. I have a strong feeling that we might need your expertise soon."
"Oh, right. Your gift of the foresight." Tel mocked. "Could you be a little bit more specific?"
"Unfortunately, no. It is more a feeling. A growing darkness. Just be ready."
"We will be." Arkyn said, also to encourage himself. He had a very bad feeling about this.
Cyphar – Middle Rim
Outside the Imperial Palace – Shadows
Evening
Commander Jex looked at the palace. He liked this building. It was located on a large rock/mountain in the center of the city. Once, it had been a giant gothic cathedral-palace-complex, home of an old royal family that ruled the planet for ages during the old republic. That was, until the Clone Wars, when the Separatist's Storm Fleet decided that Cyphar would be its first target. Despite the actions of some Republic Agents to delay the arrival of the Storm Fleet, the reign of this royal family had ended the same way the palace did: In a huge fireball. When the Empire took over, the ruins of the palace had been integrated into a new Coruscant-style transparisteel and ferrocrete building and the imperial fortress next to it, giving the new palace a really unique look.
The museum was located at the bottom of the mountain and had survived the attack of the Storm Fleet. It mainly focused on pre-Great Resynchronisation history, because of the New Sith War and Rakatan ruins in this sector. Commander Jex focused the building in his helmet-attached rangefinder.
"Sixtee! Frouron!"
The two commandos responded immediately.
"Take a look at the museum."
"Anything particular?" Fouron asked.
"No. Just keep your eyes open for anything suspicious."
"Yes, sir!"
The radar screen in his helmet showed two blips leaving their positions and heading toward the museum.
Cyphar – Middle Rim
Dolkar Sector Museum for local History – Rakatan Exhibit
Evening
Soon Ded was on guard duty this evening. His job was to walk through the museum, check all the room and alarm systems and then return to the camera control room to his co-guard and wait until it was time for another round. Waiting, waiting, waiting… he thought What guy would be interested in 30,000 year old alien technology? Nothings gonna happen… Which is good, by the way. Extra money for doing nothing.
He approached another room with Rakatan relics. Then he heard a strange sound. Sparkling or crackling. Like sparks. Electric sparks. He sighed.
"Al, I think we got another short. Room seven. I'll check it out." He said into his comlink.
No answer. Asleep again… He yawned. Soon it's my turn.
He moved closer to the sound. It came from a place he knew too well. The alarm-system. Great. More Paperwork. He found the control panel. Its light was off and in the middle of it was a fist-sized hole, surrounded by molten plastic. Inside lose cables released a small amount of white sparks. Now that was something that alarmed him.
"Al, wake up" he contacted his colleague, "We have an intruder! Call the security!"
No answer.
"Al Redided, you lazy di'kut! Call security immediately! This is extremely urgent!"
Then a loud thunder came from the darkness of room seven. Ded rushed around, pointing his glowrod and ELG-3A blaster into the darkness. He wasn't sure, but he had seen something moving in the shadows. He walked forward.
"You there! You're under arrest! I…"
He was never able to finish his sentence. An invisible hand lifted him from the ground. He wanted to scream, but no sound left his mouth. His back was twisted in an impossible angle, his hands eased and the blaster and luma fell on the ground. Then there was a silent 'crack' and a crushed body fell on the ground.
Cyphar – Middle Rim
Dolkar Sector Museum for local History – Outside
Evening
Aurelia Glermin was coming home from a busy and exciting disco night she had spent together with her to best friends. It was already late and she didn't want to worry her father with staying out longer than necessary. She just hoped she would reach her private quarters in the palace before someone would tag her to this stupid boring party. Always smiling and chatting while everyone makes plans to stab a dagger in your back… She hated politics. She just sometimes attended to these events because of her father. By the way, I'm not exactly dressed to fit in at such a 'party'.
Then it happened. Dill Gerik, one of her friends, slipped. He tried to hold himself at the main gate of the museum, but the gate gave away. Dill fell on the ground and the gate opened with a silent screech.
"Hey, since when is the museum open at this time?" Dill asked, getting up with the help of Aurelia.
"Look at the lock!" Lina, the other girl in the group said. She was standing at the old iron gate and had bend forward to take a closer look at the lock. "It's molten!"
"Hmm, looks like a break-in!"
"Oh, no, Aurelia" Dill said panicked, "Not now!"
"People might need our help! You two call the security, I'll check the museum!" With these words, the young girl vanished into the darkness.
"Wait it might be…" …dangerous, Dill wanted to say, but Aurelia was already gone. It wouldn't have stopped her anyway!
Cyphar – Middle Rim
Dolkar Sector Museum for local History – New Sith War exhibit
Evening
With caution, Aurelia sneaked through the empty halls. Now at night the museum definitely looked different than at normal visiting times. She just hoped she won't set of any alarm-systems. But on the other hand, whoever broke in here would have already disabled the alarms; otherwise the security would have been here long ago.
Another room. In the center there was a giant statue, showing the ancient Sith Lord LaTor, pointing his lightsaber directly in the sky. Aurelia tried to ignore the statue. Although the face was hidden in the shadows, invisible her eyes seemed to follow her movements. Creepy…
A dark figure suddenly landed behind her and only her experience in cheerleading, teräs käsi and other of her 'adventures' saved her from being slammed into the nearest wall. Instead, she rolled and tried to get some distance between her and her opponent.
"Who are you?", she asked.
This is none of your business, girl! A voice said, coming from everywhere in the room but most intensive from inside her head! Leave now and I'll spare your life!
She put her hands at her temples, trying to get the voice away. "Get out of my head, freak!" she screamed.
The figure moved forward, Aurelia made a backflip on a show-case, avoiding a roundhouse-kick, then another one, as the figure jumped forward with a high double somersault and smashed the show-case to pieces as he landed on the place where Aurelia just had been.
Aurelia kicked away her high-heeled sandals and grabbed one of the ancient Sith-swords which had been in the show-case and now lay spread around in the room. She got on her feet again and came up in battle stance, ready to engage the enemy.
Fine. If you want it this way.
No emotion. No regret. No hate. Just acceptance.
Aurelia's eyes grew wide as the figure stretched out his arm and a bright ice-blue blade appeared in his fist.
"You are a…" Aurelia gasped.
Yes. And now you will die!
Cyphar – Middle Rim
Imperial Palace – Ball Room
Evening
"You know, I'm actually happy you're here, Inquisitor." Vice-Admiral Gordon said.
"How so?" The Inquisitor asked, acting surprised.
"It seems to me that this sector has become a rebel hide-out. Small rebel fleets from all over the galaxy were heading to this place. Last week one of our outposts located a fleet of nine ships, including two MonCal-Cruiser. Nothing the sector-fleet can't handle, but we can't find them!"
"Really?"
"I did my best! But they literally vanished! No actions. Not even a small raid. I was able to identify some possible Rebel targets, but I can't go after them!"
"What's stopping you?"
"The Moff. He said the Rebels won't do anything as long as we leave them alone. What a lunatic! I can't defy his orders, you know, so I tried to lure the rebels out of their hiding by using, for example, un-escorted convoys. But the only thing I got was some second-rate pirates – No Rebels! It really freaks me out. But now you're here."
"And you suppose that I solve your problem?"
"Who knows? You could give me orders to hunt down these Rebels. You're a higher authority than the Moff. Or maybe you've got some hidden talents, he? But seriously: So many ships concentrated on one place and they still keep hiding – that can only mean one thing: Something big's going on. And now that you're, there must be indeed something big around here. They won't send and Inq for nothing!"
Loam smiled. "I hope I can satisfy your expectations."
The Admiral smiled back. "I hope so, too. Just think of me when you found a rebel fleet, hokay?"
"Maybe. If you would excuse me?"
"Of course."
Loam stepped aside before he continued to speak with a silent voice: "It's getting closer."
Arkyn answered: "The dark feeling?"
"Yes. Be prepared. It will start… NOW!"
A wand exploded. The people started to scream. Panic spread. One wall of the ballroom was gone and from the dust clouds and the darkness of the night, blasterfire filled the room. And above all was just one call: "LIBERATION!"
--End of Chapter 3--
Author's Notes:
-An Imperial Patrol Squadron is composed of six starfighters (often with hyperdrives) and a larger picket ship. Standard procedure is for the big ship and four starfighters to jump ahead, while the last two follow a short time later. I don't know if this is canon, but you can see this behaviour in X-Wing: Alliance.
-The Storm Fleet appeared in the Clone Wars novel Storm Fleet Warnings.
-LaTor was a Sith in the New Sith Wars. More on his doings in this Sector during this time will be revealed later, although it isn't much and not really important to the story.
-More important is the Rakatan exhibit. It'll play an important part later.
-Aurelia Glermin and her family are based on a certain cartoon series. Guess which one...
-The premonitions of Inquisitor Loam Redge are a little tricky. They're not accuarte visions, more feelings and they are extremly short time predicitons.
-The Rebels have made a move and attacked the palace. That's where the next chapetr will start. If you liked the story so far, feel free to leave a review.
-JCE1985
