Chapter 3: Brought to Light
3 days later. Fleet Admiral Jorol Rahn leading the 1st Expeditionary Fleet into the unknown regions. Currently aboard the ISD Colossus in the main meeting room, current location unknown, 1BBY.
Fleet Admiral Jorol Rahn observed silently as the other men and woman he had called to this meeting took their places. Some of them who he knew exchanged quick head nods to him which he returned, while others just sat down, ready to discuss the important matter at hand.
A few hours earlier, the fleet Jorol had been instructed to command by the Emperor himself had arrived in a completely unexplored area in the unknown regions, after travelling from the Utegetu Nebula, the site of a recently discovered entrance to the unmapped sector of the galaxy. The Emperor had given him command of a fleet of thirty-five imperial starships, all battle hardened and experienced, with competent crew serving aboard them.
Their task was the exploration and conquering of the unknown regions as it would provide the Empire with countless supplies of resources and strengthen their resolve of achieving peace throughout the galaxy.
When the hypnotising swirl of electric blue that was hyperspace dissipated as the 1st Expeditionary Fleet entered the isolated void of the unknown regions, Jorol had stood in the bridge of his Star Destroyer, the ISD Colossus, staring out of the main viewports embracing the spectacular view of undisturbed space. The brilliant, radiant vein that was an arm of the galaxy had stood out more so than ever before to the experienced Fleet Admiral. Perhaps, he had thought, it was the fact that the unknown regions had barely been explored until this moment, which meant it held a magnificent, untainted beauty. The stars seemed to shine brighter amongst the cold void of space and Jorol had even faintly made out the unmistakable, beautifully coloured drapes of space dust that belonged to a flowering nebula in the far distance from where his fleet had stalled.
However, a fleeting thought had crossed Jorol's mind while he had bored his curious eyes out of the Star Destroyers view port earlier. The untouched allurement of the unknown regions had captured his mind so much that he had wondered if the mission he had been sent on was worth it. It was so peaceful out here, so calm compared to the rest of the chaotic galaxy and fast paced experience of the Empire that Jorol did not want it to be disturbed. He almost felt like he had been sent into the unknown regions to purposely stir up havoc, chaos and ultimately disturb the incorrupt beauty. The creatures of this place would also have to capitulate to this rampage the Emperor had bestowed upon the worrying Fleet Admiral if they wanted a chance. The Emperor would not tolerate any species that stood up to his regime and Jorol, now reluctantly, had to enforce that.
But now was not the time to ponder on such things. Right now, Jorol had summoned a meeting of the captains of the fleet to plan their next move.
"Ladies, Gentlemen." Began Jorol as everyone in the meeting room settled. "It is time we began to plan our future actions."
The other captains nodded in understanding.
"Since we arrived in the unknown regions, I have had the intelligence personnel on my ship scan the closest star systems, at a range of twenty light-years." Jorol explained, scanning his eyes on various officers around the table.
"The results were positive, I presume?" A tall, steely eyed man, graced with the rank of commander, who looked as if he held himself in high esteem questioned, a look of curiosity on his pompous face. Jorol gave him a short nod.
"Indeed, Commander Kain, the analysis showed that the twenty light years we scanned held almost sixty star systems." Jorol announced. The room gasped in excitement and wonder. The possibility of discovering new life was high, especially in sixty star systems.
"However..." Jorol paused as the animated mutter in the room died down. "We cannot be absolutely sure that all these systems are habitable. So, my intelligence officers narrowed down their search with more detail."
"Did they find something?" A female captain queried eagerly.
"They managed to pinpoint seven systems with planets in the habitable zone." Jorol answered. The room again erupted in an interested murmur as people shared their thoughts on the matter with others.
"Please! Ladies, Gentlemen!" Jorol shouted above the whispering which slowly ceased "This is the data we acquired."
The Fleet Admiral proceeded to handle a small, grey device and pressed down on it. All at once, the middle of the table blew up with a thrilling shade of bright blue. It morphed into a huge, 3D holo-map that covered the entire table. Several virtual stars could be seen silently hovering, peaceful amongst the void. The room took in the sight with marvel.
"The Emperor will be most pleased." The tall man from earlier, Commander Kain began, breaking the astonished silence.
"Indeed, however we must fulfill the whole task he has given us. To explore these systems, even initiate first contact with the possible species there." Jorol responded back.
"What if the species here are hostile?" Spoke a middle aged officer, a constant snark dominating his facial features, and his eyes holding cold emotions. Many people around the table nodded in agreement and looked at Jorol for an answer. At this, the Fleet Admiral lent forward with hands clenched, the blue light of the holo-display gracing over him.
"The Emperor ordered me to make any species we find submit to the Empire, and to take action if necessary." Jorol explained, a hint of reluctance in his voice. He had been questioning himself ever since arriving at the unknown regions, whether he had it in him to actually make the undiscovered creatures of this place submit. If they were like any free species, they would most certainly try and do something, even if it was small, to prevent the occurrence. The Emperor would hear none of it, and force Jorol to fight back against them. Guilty was the feeling the Fleet Admiral felt, as he was depriving these creatures a chance of opening up to the wider galaxy.
"If they reject the Emperor's cause, then we fight them and gain victory." Kain boasted, assured of the Empire's power. Jorol had noticed, ever since Kain had embarked with him and the rest of the fleet on this journey, that he tended to be arrogant in his views towards others. It seemed as though the Commander had a past with the ISB, whether being friends with someone or being a legitimate agent, Jorol had no idea.
The Fleet Admiral was about to counter the pretentious comment when a feminine voice spoke out.
"We cannot be sure of the military capability the creatures here hold. If we are to initiate first contact, we cannot go in and 'gain victory', we must first scout and gain intelligence on what we may be up against." Captain Adi Kayala argued back with her own opinion. Jorol always felt himself agreeing with the female captain. Her views on decisions and plans frequently had a sense of rationality to it. She was able to make effective battle-plans and keep everyone in check whilst doing it. If there was going to be a confrontation between the Empire and the beings of the unknown regions, Jorol knew who he was going to let have a leading role.
The Commander visibly tensed at Kayala's input, frowning darkly, his lips tightening.
"Please." Kain guffawed in rejection, holding his hand out "the creatures here cannot hold more power than us, otherwise they would have come across us by now."
"Maybe." Captain Kayala replied "but remember we had to find an entrance to the unknown regions, which means whatever life forms reside here would also have to."
Kayala leaned her clenched hands forward on the meeting table "So we don't know what power they really have."
Commander Kain raised a thoughtful eyebrow at the statement, but still remained resentful at the fact that beings from an isolated corner from the galaxy could rival the power of the Galactic Empire. In the past, there had hardly been any evidence of a civilisation living in the unknown regions. No signals on any type of hardware had come through, be it old or new. This only meant, to Kain, that the beings here were primitive in their technology. Although there could be interference with the signals due to the unnatural amount of black holes and other celestial objects that prowled the border of the unknown regions, Kain was sure it was the former.
Assuming most of the intelligent species in this isolated void of the galaxy were primitive, the Emperor could be assured of a swift, uneventful occupation of the unknown regions. Kain would see to it that it really occurred. He had noticed that Jorol and a good portion of the 1st Expeditionary Fleet's personnel were soft, almost reluctant to the Emperor's duty. Treasonous was the first word that surfaced in Commander Kain's mind. The Emperor's orders were the Emperor's orders, and Kain would follow them through without question or hesitation. He couldn't say that for some, however.
"Captain Kayala is correct. We must first scout whatever is out there." Jorol concluded, setting the tips of both his index fingers together. Many around the table approved but Kain was refraining himself from shouting out. The Emperor wanted a complete takeover of the unknown regions, not a scout of it. The beings here would be primitive, there was no doubt about it. Scouting them out shouldn't have been a priority, as the Empire should know what to expect from beings with basic technology: It would be an easy fight and a rapid occupation.
"With all due respect sir, The Emperor did instruct us to swiftly make the unknown regions capitulate to the Empire, we should begin our plan of offence. The beings here will be undoubtably primitive, there is no need for scouting." Kain tried convincing the Fleet Admiral but the man put up his hand.
"Please Commander, be reasonable." He began "As Captain Kayala rightfully stated, we don't know what we might be up against."
In his mind, Kain seethed with frustration, but instead of the strong desire to teach Fleet Admiral Jorol the Imperial code of conduct, the Commander tried to calmly list out his opinion. "Sir, I'm just saying that-"
"The Emperor told us to conquer the unknown regions hastily-Yes, but I care about my men and want to know the power of these creatures before they engage in any combat." Jorol put across his view in a cool, but subtly irritated tone, clearly bored of the Imperial Commander's zealous view. The bothered look in the Fleet Admiral's grassy green eyes told Kain there was to be no answering back.
Nodding and stepping back a little, Kain's mind boiled. What Jorol had just said was on the border of treason to the Empire. Now the earlier consideration of Jorol being soft and reluctant was plainly true. Kain had to take it into his hands to ensure the fulfilment of the mission set by the Emperor. 'In time' he thought deviously, 'In time...'
Jorol slowly averted his eyes from the persistent Commander and his temper returned to normal. Of course he would obey what the Emperor had sent him and his fleet out to do, but he was not going to recklessly go head-first into these unexplored systems without a decent check up of them. Jorol cared about whatever men he was leading. To him, they were not just his responsibility as an officer of the Imperial navy, but they were fellow sailors who wanted to experience the void of space, a passion that Jorol had grew up with through his childhood and involvement with the Republic, and later, the Imperial Navy. He would not let his comrades suffer to a hypothetical enemy no one had ever laid eyes upon or heard of, even if the Emperor had made it his number one priority to establish a foothold in the unknown regions. Kain was letting his former ISB side show, which was an undying loyalty to the Emperor's bidding. Jorol mildly respected that, but above all else, his men would come first.
"Now, respecting Captain Kayala's decision, I suggest we cover the seven analysed systems with our Star Destroyers." The Fleet Admiral outlined the plan. "I want to witness first-hand what technological level these creature possess."
In his chair, Commander Kain quietly snorted, so no one could hear him, "Primitive."
Around the table, many officers heralded their agreements to Jorol's plan and looked at him curiously as he announced the next instruction.
"We shall cover the systems in groups of three. I will personally oversee the scouting of this system." Jorol explained as he pointed out the system at hand. On the virtual hologram, it looked as if a medium class star and nine planets populated the space there. The interesting factor, if one were too look closer, was that one of the virtual spheres that represented a planet looked as if it was in the habitable zone. Life could be present there.
"As I can tell, many of you have noticed there is a habitable planet in that system." The Fleet Admiral pointed out, noticing the looks of excitement and thought on the officers around the table as they registered the fact.
"That is why I am going to lead the scout on this system. Chances are there will be intelligent life there and if first contact is to be unavoidable, then it is best if I represent us." Jorol concluded, subtly hinting to Kain's ideals in the last part. If Kain and the other extremely zealous members of the fleet initiated contact with creatures the Emperor wanted tamed and put aside, the scenario would be bloody, that was for sure.
"Commander Kain, I want you and your ship to come with me, to witness what threat the creatures could pose to us." The room silenced for a moment in surprise. Moments ago there had been a slight fury between the two officers, now the Fleet Admiral was asking the Commander to pair up and see what the beings of the unknown regions possessed. Jorol however had a good reason for this - to either prove Kain was wrong in his overzealous ideals or see if the Commanders premature scrutiny of the unknown regions technological prowess is correct.
"Yes Sir, Fleet Admiral!" Kain saluted, eyes widening a fraction that Jorol would even consider him after the ordeal that had just happened.
Nodding in satisfaction, Jorol then panned his inquisitive gaze across the meeting room table. Each officer he glanced his eyes over looked prepared for if he called them out, each one of them trying to represent themselves commendable. However, the Fleet Admiral had his sights set on another officer, one he had heard a great deal about and had high expectations of.
"Captain Walton, I would like you to be the final member of my task force." Jorol announced. A quite, recessive figure near the back of the meeting room perked up and moved an inch forward, the ocean blue light from the hologram revealing his features.
The features in question, one could see, were not at all touched by age. In fact it seemed as if this Captain Walton the Fleet Admiral has requested service of was the youngest Captain many around the meeting table had ever seen in the Imperial Navy. Some of the more arrogant navy officers dismissed the man, believing he was already incompetent just because of his youthful features. Commander Kain was one of them.
"Indeed...Sir." Tobias Walton replied, hesitating for a moment. Jorol nodded at him, understanding his nervousness. He himself had been overwhelmed when he had first been hand-picked for an important task, long ago during the Clone Wars.
Kain coughed, earning the attention of Jorol and most of the people in the room.
"Fleet Admiral Sir, are you sure it is wise to entrust a task with someone so young and…inexperienced. It looks as if Captain Walton has just come out from the academy!" Kain argued.
"For Force sake!" Suddenly the Fleet Admiral was angry. "I don't need this constant petty bickering. If I decide that
Captain Walton is to join our task force, then that is so!"
Jorol held his voice for a moment to let it sink in to Commander Kain's mind.
"I have heard a lot about Walton, his record far surpasses that of anyone else his age, I would say he is far than fitter for the task."
At the other end of the table, Walton sheepishly looked around, but it seemed the there was a newfound respect in everyone's eyes, apart from one.
"Alright..." Kain finally broke out after a moment of gritting silence. "What of the others, are we going to assign them systems to explore?"
At that question, the Fleet Admiral took the next ten minutes organising task forces and assigning them to certain systems the fleets scanners had picked up.
They just had enough groups of three to search the designated systems, but Jorol had decided to leave a group of Star Destroyers behind as a rally point in case Captain Kayala's suggestions were true and a more powerful foe did indeed exist.
Jorol glanced at his chronometer amongst the din of discussion between navy personnel in the meeting room, no doubt conversing about what the unknown regions may have to offer. The time however showed that it was the hour to leave for the upcoming task, so Jorol called for hush and stood up.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, if you would please go back to your respective ships, it is time to begin our task of exploring the unknown regions."
For the third time in the last couple of days, Jorol found himself once again in the unnatural, beautiful blue twirl of hyperspace travel. The Fleet Admiral always thought that it was like being in low orbit - not quite feet on the ground but not zero gravity either - and it always felt calm when it should have been chaotic.
His Star Destroyer: The ISD Colossus sped at unimaginable speeds using its Imperial Class Two Hyperdrive towards the intended star system. However it wasn't alone. Two other Star Destroyers flanked the lead ship, with the same speed and firepower respectively. Task Force Aurek was quite a formidable show of force.
The Bridge of the Colossus was a bustling hive of activity as this was where the ship was monitored and kept in tip-top condition for whatever could occur. In the pits beside Jorol, sections such as Astrogation were hard at work, monitoring all celestial features the ship was able seek out. Navigation made sure that the task force of three Star Destroyers kept on track through the hostile environment of space. Jorol oversaw all of this with vigorous pride, no doubt that the captain's of the other two ships in the task force felt the same way.
"Navigation?" The Fleet Admiral suddenly called out. In the pit, a short, balding man stood up quickly.
"Yes sir?"
"How far away until we reach the target?" Jorol responded. The Navigations officer exchanged some words with another officer situated at a console for a brief moment then answered to the awaiting Fleet Admiral.
"Approximately two hundred and eighty Astronomical Units away sir, we're close."
Jorol nodded his thanks "Alright, cease all hyperspace activity. Inform the Mynock's Tear and the Bane to do so as well."
The transition back to normal space began and the blue tunnel of brilliant light morphed back into the countless dots that were stars, shining against the empty background of space.
Jorol glanced out of the viewport and watched as the two other Star Destroyers exited suddenly from hyperspace, flanking the sides of his own ship. There was a moment of tense silence on he bridge of the Colossus as everyone took in the view. Amongst the collection of distant stars, there was a much brighter and larger one, its light shimmering in a fantastic display of nature's beauty. They had arrived at the designated star system.
Gazing at the star gave Jorol an overwhelming sense of calm. Was he really going into this place to stir up chaos?
"Sir, we have arrived at the edge of the system." The Navigation's officer called out. Jorol made a quick calculation in his head. The distance away that the star seemed to be definitely look as if they were. Now they had to travel in further and discover whatever things were there, whether friendly or not.
"Astrogation? I want a quick scan of the system, find out what planets there are." The Fleet Admiral commanded. Astrogation instantly went to work, scanning the system using the Star Destroyers sophisticated long-range scanning equipment. Not a moment later, a holo-map appeared on the terminal beside Jorol, showing nine spheres suspended in natural order with a virtual star. He examined it closely, plans already beginning to form in his mind.
With a stroke of his chin, Jorol strode to the communication terminal near the back of the bridge. The terminal in question was a small, round structure which was plastered with several buttons and screens all serving a different purpose. In the middle of it was a large blue circle which acted as the holo-communicator. Jorol totes around with a few devices for a moment until two figures, dressed in imperiaL uniform, appeared on he blue circle.
"Gentlemen, I trust the journey here went without accident?" The Fleet Admiral greeted.
Indeed, sir." Captain Walton's holographic figure replied, standing perfectly straight and to attention. Thought the captain was young he was very disciplined.
"And you, Commander?"
Kain's holographic figure saluted, a little unenthusiastically than before. Jorol suspected it was the fact the zealous commander thought his pride would be dented by working with someone that he viewed as inexperienced.
"All is well here, sir." Kain spoke back. Jorol nodded in satisfaction, and at once began to outline the plan to his subordinates. They listened with patience and thoughtfulness, carefully hearing all Jorol had to say. The Fleet Admiral knew he could rely on both of the men, considering both had aspects that made them valuable people to have when leading a historic expedition into the unknown.
Jorol was just listening to an important question Kain was asking about the possibility of any habitable planets when the Astrogation's Officer sprinted in, a look of pure anxiousness etched onto his wrinkling face. His forehead glistened with the first signs of sweat. Jorol gave him a concerned expression as he came over and leant in closer.
"Sir" he whispered "We just received an anomaly on our scanners and it's very close by. You must take a look."
The Fleet Admiral took in the information then stood with surprising speed, startling the Astrogation's Officer for a moment.
"What's wrong?" Walton queried over the comms channel.
"Hold fast gentlemen, I'll be back in a moment. Just hang on" Jorol replied as he left. The bridge, when he arrived, was suddenly a hive of activity. The new situation has stirred things up a bit and Jorol was glad to see his crew working in such orderly fashion. The Astrogation Officer nudged Jorol who followed him to a screen showing a lot of numerical information.
"See this?" The officer motioned to a certain set of numbers arranged in a coordinate fashion "That's the location of an anomaly we just picked up off our starboard side and it's heading straight for us."
Jorol's eyes widened "Have you double checked it?"
"Triple, sir."
"What do you think it is? A comet of some kind?" The Fleet Admiral questioned as concern and even worry started to rise in his mind, and before the Astrogation officer replied back to him, Jorol already knew the answer.
"It's going much too slow to be a comet, so it's got to be...well..." The Officer stuttered but Jorol finished his sentence for him.
"Aliens."
The whole bridge went silent as Jorol stormed over to the bridge viewport. He wanted to see what this thing was and if it was indeed something of unknown origin, then he was determined to capture it and study it. Looking out of the viewport, he could see nothing but the inky blackness of space and the stars pinpointed amongst it, but no sign of anything out of the ordinary.
"How far away is the anomaly?" He shouted out in the silence of the bridge.
"Approximately two hundred and forty one kilometres and it's closing fast on our starboard side!" A voice shouted back at him. Jorol was eccentric now, and his lively eyes jolted around, looking for any sign of whatever the thing may be.
30 seconds passed.
Still scanning, Jorol saw nothing at all but the void of space mocking him. The anomaly surely should be visible at any moment but maybe it was all a lost cause.
Then he saw it.
"There! Right there!" He cried, jolting some of the crew. Sure enough, a very small light grey shape, almost the same colour as a Star Destroyer, was approaching. Jorol had only been able to see it because of a few flickering lights present on the object which, surely by now, was of some 'other' origin.
The Astrogation Officer ran up beside him and also spotted it, eyes widening with shock then excitement. But Jorol was even more excited, because here was the perfect chance to find out some things.
"Ready the tractor beam!" He ordered. Some of he crew members in the pit instantly tapped away at their monitors "But wait for my signal."
The object, now clearly displaying a dish shaped object and several other panels of some kind, moved in line with Jorol's Star Destroyer. It was the perfect moment.
"Now!"
The tractor beam activated.
The object seemed to shudder violently then come to a grinding halt so very quickly, as if it hadn't been moving at all. It proceeded again, but this time in the direction of the Colossus' hangar.
"Keep that trajectory, I'm going down to the hangar."
With that, Jorol jogged out of the bridge in the direction of the elevators, but stopped at the holotable on his way where the two other captains of Task Force Aurek were patiently waiting.
"Gentlemen, get over to my ship, we have discovered something that may be alien life." Jorol hastily explained, after which he full on sprinted towards the elevators.
Jorol entered the hangar just as the alien craft landed. Already, several people surrounded it, marvelling at the structure of whatever it was and the prospect that it was really something crafted by alien life.
The Fleet Admiral pushes his way to the front of the growing crowd where he had a clear view of the ship. Up close, Jorol could see the intricacies of the thing which included numerous buttons, switches and panels that were situated on a small, cuboid shaped body. Aligned on that structure were long panel objects, stretching out far from the main body of the craft. Finally, at the fore front. A huge, dish shaped object dominated the ship as a whole.
As Jorol and others examined the craft with curiosity, two Lambda class shuttles flew into and touched down in the hangar. Commander Kain and Captain Walton rushed to the commotion, forcing their way through the surge of people surrounding the craft.
"Fleet Admiral!" Kain called out. Jorol turned and waved them over.
"Like my catch?" He began.
"Huh, a primitive one to be exact." Kain observed the craft with a sneer "What did I tell you?"
"Yes, well, you'll never really know what they're capable of. They could have primitive space capabilities but a brilliant military." Jorol reasoned. Kain guffawed.
"I'll be damned if they are able to stand up against the Empire's army."
"Whatever, we'll deal with that matter when we get there" Jorol explained "but right now we just have to find out where this ship came from."
