7. Interview with an Imperial Pilot
"In War: Resolution, In Defeat: Defiance, In Victory: Magnanimity, In Peace: Good Will" Winston Churchill
With the destruction of Byss and the final death of Palpatine, the various Imperial factions resume their civil war.
The New Republic seizing on the resuming of the Imperial civil war, begin to retake territory at an alarming rate from the Empire, with the various Imperial factions seemingly more concerned about each other than the New Republic. Most of the Empire puts up very little resistance against the New Republic, with the exception of a few Imperial commanders such as Vice Admiral Gilad Pellaeon, who still commands the remains of Grand Admiral Thrawn's fleet and territory.
In the aftermath of a battle, a New Republic warship, the frigate New Hope has captured an Imperial pilot the only survivor of the recent battle the frigates intelligence officer has begun to question the pilot.
The New Republic intelligence officer Lieutenant Vale Hetz, recently assigned to the front after being fast tracked through her training, Lieutenant Hetz enters the interview room the Imperial pilot is now out of his flight gear and is in prisoner overalls.
Lieutenant Hetz sits down at the table facing the Imperial pilot, then turns on her recorder and asks, "For the record please state your name, rank and serial number."
The Imperial pilot smiles at her and replies, "Mark Smitz, Lieutenant, serial number ZKEQ2549878-A"
Lieutenant Hetz then says, "Thank you. Now are you willing to talk about your Imperial service?"
Lieutenant Smitz looks at Lieutenant Hetz his head slightly angled to one side then he replies, "Depending on what you want to know?"
Lieutenant Hetz says, "Everything that you know about the Imperial military."
In reply Lieutenant Smitz just laughs.
Lieutenant Hetz who has a slightly annoyed look on her face asks, "What is so funny, that was a reasonable question, anyway you are just a lieutenant you cannot know that much."
Lieutenant Smitz shrugs his shoulders slightly and replies, "You should hear that question from my side then you would understand. As for being a 'just a lieutenant' as you put it, as you should know rank is not a precursor to knowledge."
Lieutenant Hetz in a rather sulky tone asks, "Fine then tell me something that the New Republic does not know?"
Lieutenant Smitz looks up at the ceiling for a few moments and then replies, "Ok, I will do, how about we start on familiar territory, let's say Grand Admiral Thrawn."
The mention of Thrawn's name makes Lieutenant Hetz blink then she says, "Thrawn is dead, there is not much to tell."
Lieutenant Smitz shakes his head and says, "You are wrong there lieutenant, how about why it took Thrawn five years to assume command of the Empires military forces after Endor. Has no one ever asked that question?"
Lieutenant Hetz frowns then keys her data pad, after a few moments, she says, "I cannot find any reference to that question, though as you know this frigate was damaged in the recent battle and we are out of contact with the New Republic."
Lieutenant Smitz shakes his head again and says, "I thought not, you Rebels always think that once you had defeated Thrawn that the Empire would just rollover, you have no idea what is really going on, in an odd way that is quite amusing. Anyway that discussion is for another time the reason why Thrawn was away for so long is that his own command was fully occupying his time."
A slightly confused Lieutenant Hetz asks, "What command would that be?"
Lieutenant Smitz now grinning replies, "Why the Empire of the Hand."
Lieutenant Hetz after checking her data pad says, "I have no record of an Imperial Command called the Empire of the Hand."
Lieutenant Smitz still grinning replies, "I would hope not, only a very few in the Empire where aware of the existence of the Empire of the Hand and as far as I am aware the Empire of the Hand is still operating even after Thrawn's murder."
Lieutenant Hetz is now realizing that either she is facing a very good liar or an Imperial pilot with a lot of vital knowledge for the New Republic, she then asks, "Do you know the location of the Empire of the Hand?"
Lieutenant Smitz nods and replies, "Yes it is in the Unknown Regions."
Lieutenant Hetz says, "That is a pretty big area can you narrow it down a bit?"
Lieutenant Smitz replies, "Sorry should have said, it is the Unknown Regions."
A shocked Lieutenant Hetz says, "You have got to be joking?"
Lieutenant Smitz replies, "Nope, Grand Admiral Thrawn was charged by the Emperor, several years before the battle of Yavin IV to map the Unknown Regions, just before Endor, Thrawn reported that he had mapped space equivalent to over 200 standard sectors in size."
A still shocked Lieutenant Hetz says, "That would have taken a vast fleet of ships"
Lieutenant Smitz replies, "Yes it did and as the then Admiral Thrawn stated 'The Unknown Regions are the future of the Empire. It's only fitting that the Imperial Fleet leads the way.' Since its inception, the Empire of the Hand has expanded at a steady rate, the resources that the Emperor had been sending both covertly and overtly. Before Endor where quite small in number over the years compared to the size of the imperial military as a whole however these resources are more than enough to map the equivalent of several sectors a year."
After a few moments to allow the information to sink in, Lieutenant Smitz continues, "From its inception, by both the Emperor and Thrawn, the Emperor would feed ships and personnel at a slow but steady pace to Thrawn's command over the years before Endor, some of these ships and personnel would be sent covertly others overtly. When the Empire of the Hand was created, Thrawn had been playing politics against the other Imperial courtiers, this however was setup, as other Imperial courtiers closed in on Thrawn, Thrawn and Palpatine had hatched a plot to satisfy both of their long term desires to bring the Imperial Fleet and the Empire to the Unknown Regions. To achieve this, Thrawn feigned defeat in the political battles and was sent away by Palpatine. Thrawn was given the Imperial class star destroyer Admonitor as his flagship under the command of Captain Niriz's alongside Voss Parck. Who was downgraded from Captain to Commander in rank and set out on the mapping mission into the unknown regions."
Lieutenant Hetz is trying to take in the enormity of the information she has just been given and asks, "So Grand Admiral Thrawn's military forces are still in the Unknown Regions then?"
Lieutenant Smitz in a slightly sarcastic tone replies, "As far as I know yes, though I think calling it the Unknown Regions is a bit pointless as it is not unknown anymore?"
Lieutenant Hetz ignores Smitz tone are asks, "So do you know how large these forces are, I doubt that they are the size of 200 odd sector groups?"
Lieutenant Smitz replies, "You are correct, there are not 200 sector groups within the Empire of the Hand, however as to the actual Order of Battle, I genuinely don't have that information, however I would guess at least several reinforced sector groups in size. I do know that the Empire of the Hand has several deep ranged colonies and associated ship yards and other associated equipment, so I would assume that the Empire of the Hand cannot only maintain their own warships but also build new ones."
Lieutenant Hetz thinks to herself, this pilot knows more than a mere pilot should the New Republic have a bigger catch here than we realize. I need to inform the Captain of this. Lieutenant Hetz says, "I think we will pause there for a while, I will arrange for some refreshments for you."
Lieutenant Smitz replies, "As you wish."
Lieutenant Hetz gets up and leaves, leaving instructions with the two guards that if anything happened to the prisoner, the same would happen to them, they both understood that the prisoner had vital information.
New Hope, Main Bridge
As the turbolift opened onto the frigates main bridge, Lieutenant Hetz can see the Captain busy attending to the repairs to his ship after the recent battle.
Lieutenant Hetz approaches the Captain and clears her throat, the Captain looks at her says, "Lieutenant Hetz how does your questioning go of the prisoner?"
Lieutenant Hetz replies, "I think that we may have a bigger fish than we thought sir, I would like for you to look over the information the prisoner has given me?"
The Captain shakes his head and replies, "I do not have the time right now lieutenant."
Lieutenant Hetz in a more insistent tone replies, "I think you need to read this now sir."
The Captain sighs' and replies, "Very well if it is important lieutenant, let me have your data pad."
Lieutenant Hetz hands the Captain her data pad and he read the information. After a few minutes the Captain says, "He may be playing you lieutenant with this information you know?"
Lieutenant Hetz replies, "Possibly, but I am not willing to take the risk, especially after the recent return of the Emperor, can we risk the possibility that there may be a large and possibly expanding Imperial military presence in the Unknown Regions?"
After thinking for a few moments the Captain replies, "No I do not think that we can lieutenant, however for the time being we are dead in space, we also have no long ranged communications, due to the battle damage." Looking at his display on the estimated repair time that Captain continues, "It will be another hour or so before we can get underway."
Lieutenant Hetz replies, "Understood sir."
The Captain says, "I will come and have a word with your prisoner and hear this for myself."
Lieutenant Hetz replies, "Yes sir."
Both the Captain and Lieutenant Hetz leave the bridge for the interview room.
Interview Room
The Captain and Lieutenant Hetz enter the Interview Room, Lieutenant Smitz it just finishing of his meal, he says, "I thought that you would go and find the Captain and report our little chat."
The Captain asks, "Are you prepared to verify your recent statement for the record?"
Lieutenant Smitz replies, "Yes Captain I am, it should be easy to prove, provided you can repair this frigate?"
The Captain stiffens at Lieutenant Smitz remark and says, "Repairs should be complete in less than one hour."
Lieutenant Smitz takes a deep breath closes his eyes for a few moments then gently lets out his breath and replies, "That's good to know Captain" then with a grin he says, "I will hold you to that estimate."
The Captain shakes his head and says, "I would like you to repeat what you just told the lieutenant."
Lieutenant Smitz replies, "Very well if you insist Captain"
For the next fifty minutes the Captain questions Lieutenant Smitz about what he told Lieutenant Hetz, the Captain now is as convinced as Lieutenant Hetz is that the information that Lieutenant Smitz is telling them is true.
Just as the Captain is about to continue his comm goes off and he says into in, "This is the Captain, what is it?"
The voice on the other end replies, "Captain sorry to bother you but two ships have just dropped out of hyperspace"
The Captain asks, "Have you identified them?"
The voice on the other end replies, "No sir, the communications system is still down as are our long ranged sensors, until they get closer we won't be able to identify them."
The Captain says, "I am on my way to the bridge" then switches of his comm. and says to Lieutenant Hetz, "Continue to question the prisoner, see what other information he is willing to give us?"
Lieutenant Hetz replies, "Yes sir."
The Captain then leaves the Interview Room for the bridge.
Lieutenant Smitz says, "Looks like we are alone again."
Lieutenant Hetz asks, "I do have one question, how do you know all this information. You don't seem old enough to have been around when you claim that the Empire of the Hand was set up."
Lieutenant Smitz laughs again and says, "You are right, I was not even born when the Empire of the Hand was set up decades ago, by Thrawn and the Emperor."
Lieutenant Hetz asks, "Then how do you know about it?"
Lieutenant Smitz in an almost casual tone replies, "That is easy, my father told me about the Empire of the Hand along with a 'few' other things."
A glimmer of understanding has just crossed Lieutenant Hetz face, and then she asks, "Who is your father?"
Lieutenant Smitz replies, "Are you sure you want to know?"
A puzzled expression crosses Lieutenant Hetz face and she replies, "Yes I do, that's why I asked"
Lieutenant Smitz replies, "Very well, my father is Adalric Cessius Brandl"
Lieutenant Hetz freezes for several moments she had heard that name many times it was a named to be feared throughout the Empire and then says, "Your father, was one of the Emperors Inquisitors?"
Lieutenant Smitz replies, "Yes, that is how I know so much, he told me." Then is a quiet and distant voice he says, "Amongst other things."
Lieutenant Hetz finally realizes that the pilot before her is not rally called Smitz then she asks, "So your name is not really Smitz then?"
Lieutenant Smitz replies, "No my real name is Jaalib Brandl"
Before Lieutenant Hetz can say anything the battle alarm goes off, Jaalib Brandl says, "That would be my father come to rescue me. I would suggest that you tell the Captain to surrender?"
Lieutenant Hetz looking at Jaalib Brandl is disgust and replies, "Fat chance of that"
Jaalib Brandl shakes his head and says, "You have no idea who you are up against, commanding the warships out there do you?"
Lieutenant Hetz who is still looking at Jaalib Brandl, replies, "No, but you are going to tell me, aren't you?"
Jaalib Brandl shrugs his shoulders and says, "Ok, if you want, it won't make any difference to the outcome of this fight, that is Fleet Admiral Feyet Kiez commanding the Imperial II class star destroyer Empire, I assume you have heard of him?"
All Lieutenant Hetz can do in reply is nod Admiral Kiez commands one of the few remaining elite Imperial battle groups that remain, then the ship suddenly goes dark, a few moments later the emergency systems come online, Jaalib Brandl says, "Ion cannons, you have been disabled now they will board you."
A few minutes later, the intruder alarm goes off, after that, distant sound of a firefight can be heard, Jaalib Brandl says, "I told you."
Soon everything gets very noisy, then there are two shots from outside of the interview room, they can both hear the two guards outside the room being killed, Jaalib Brandl says, "I would not try to shoot it out with these elite stormtroopers, I doubt you would even get of a shot, surrender to me."
Lieutenant Hetz, who is holding her blaster pistol pointed at the door, then flicks the weapon to safe then hands it to Jaalib Brandl, saying, "I surrender"
Jaalib Brandl closes his eyes for a few moments, then from outside the door, a clam but strong voice says, "You can come out now."
Outside the room, is Lord Brandl, Imperial Inquisitor, with a dozen stormtroopers flanking him, Jaalib Brandl says, "Father" though his tone is none to pleasant, this puzzles Lieutenant Hetz, but she says nothing.
In reply, Lord Brandl in a much more caring tone than his son, "It is good to see that you are unharmed son." Then looking at Lieutenant Hetz, Lord Brandl in a dead tone voice asks, "Who is this?"
Jaalib Brandl says, "Father, may I introduce Lieutenant Hetz of New Republic Intelligence, she is the one who has been questioning me, not very well I might add" then handing the blaster pistol to his father, who intern hands Jaalib Brandl his lightsaber.
Before Lieutenant Hetz can speak, one of the stormtroopers speaks and says, "Sir, mission completed."
Lord Brandl replies, "Good, time we are leaving, come along son, leave her here with the rest."
Lieutenant Hetz feels as though she is rooted to the floor, after what Jaalib Brandl has just told her, then Jaalib Brandl says, "Thanks for the talk, it was fun."
Lieutenant Hetz finally finds her voice and asks, "You are leaving me here?"
Jaalib Brandl smiles and replies, "Yep" then pauses and says, "by the way Thrawn was not the last Grand Admiral, there is another Grand Admiral still alive" without waiting for a reply turns and follows his father back to one of the boarding shuttles.
Leaving Lieutenant Hetz wondering why they did not take any prisoners, quickly checking the rest of the ship, via the ships internal comm, Lieutenant Hetz finds that there are other survivors from the Imperial attack, dotted around the ship.
Lieutenant Hetz has a lot to report to New Republic intelligence though she does wonder why she was not killed after all such information is not normally just given away, especially the bit about another Grand Admiral on the loose that is not good news.
Lieutenant Hetz would very shortly get the answer to that question!
Star Destroyer Empire, Main Bridge
On the bridge of the star destroyer Empire, Fleet Admiral Feyet Kiez has been watching over the return of the assault force, from the New Republic frigate.
As Lord Brandl enters the bridge, followed by his son, still wearing the orange prison jumpsuit, Lord Brandl says, "Mission completed, Admiral, you may proceed."
Admiral Kiez bows slightly and replies, "Understood my lord." Then turning to the Captain of the Empire Admiral Kiez says, "Captain, you may proceed."
The Captain replies, "Understood Admiral." Then the Captain presses a button on his consol, the New Republic frigate then explodes from the charges planted by the stormtroopers. Lieutenant Hetz now will not be making any report to New Republic intelligence about what Jaalib Brandl had told her.
The only reason that Jaalib Brandl had told Lieutenant Hetz about the Empire of the Hand was so that the Captain of the New Republic frigate would come down and inform him of how long the repairs would take. So that he could inform his father of the extent of the damage to the frigate and the time, it would take to repair this damage, via the force.
Once the frigate has been destroyed Lord Brandl says, "Admiral, you may take us home now, I will be in my quarters if you need me."
With that, the Empire and its accompanying Interdictor cruiser jump into hyperspace leaving behind another mystery for the New Republic to try to figure out.
Jaalib Brandl would remain on the bridge most of the time during the return trip home staring out of the main bridge windows.
The New Republic will never know about the Empire of the Hand and the fact that there is another Grand Admiral still around, well not from the now deceased Lieutenant Hetz.
Meanwhile, the rest of the Empire is dividing into various factions, again.
Imperial Factions
Grand Admiral Teshik Command
Grand Admiral Teshik command is turning into what is becoming known as the Imperial Remnant, to the rest of the galaxy, within this command it is referred to as the Empire, this Imperial military force is under the "command" of Admiral Gilad Pellaeon, in reality however Admiral Pellaeon answers to Teshik.
Grand Admiral Teshik controls thirty sectors (double what he had before the Emperor returned), along with a rapidly expanding military force, this force is now more than able to deal with any threats from either the various Imperial Warlords or the New Republic.
The New Republic is giving "Admiral Gilad Pellaeon" command a wide birth as Admiral Pellaeon was proving to be a very tough nut to crack, as Admiral Pellaeon forces are well are well dug in. In addition Admiral Pellaeon have not attacked the New Republic (yet), the New Republic hopes that peace terms can be agreed between Admiral Pellaeon and the New Republic, similar to those offered to the Pentastar Alignment and the Protectorate.
For now, the New Republic will leave Admiral Pellaeon command alone just as Grand Admiral Teshik had predicted that, they would do, giving Teshik time to build up his forces for the coming battle.
Other Imperial Factions
In other parts of the galaxy the various Imperial factions are vying for power with one exception, this is Imperial "Pocket Empire" called the Pentastar Alignment, has not been attacked by any Imperial faction since it was setup just after the Emperors final death. The Protectorate has been leaderless since the Emperor has it leader Grand Moff Ardus Kaine killed. Even without Grand Moff Ardus Kaine leading the Pentastar Alignment, the Pentastar Alignment is able to function just as well without Grand Moff Kaine than with him.
The Pentastar Alignment controls twenty sectors making the Pentastar Alignment the second largest Imperial factions after Admiral Gilad Pellaeon (Grand Admiral Teshik) Imperial faction. The Pentastar Alignment controls a large military force including twenty fully equipped sector groups, before his death, Grand Moff Kaine had set about building up the Pentastar Alignment's military forces, this process has been continued even after his death at the hands of one of the late Emperors agents.
One of the first targets for Grand Admiral Teshik, via Admiral Pellaeon, will be the Pentastar Alignment, however, rather than attacking the Protectorate, Grand Admiral Teshik will attempt to negotiate with the Pentastar Alignment to form an alliance against any possible threat.
The Board currently runs the Pentastar Alignment The Board consists of those members that Grand Moff Kaine recruited to help him create the Pentastar Alignment. These come from the various political and business leaders of the twenty sectors that make up the current size of the Pentastar Alignment.
The Board is headed by the current Chairman Koron Mzdale the former head of Galentro Heavy Works he is currently in secret discussions (with the rest of the board's approval) with Admiral Pellaeon about merging with Admiral Pellaeon, thus creating the most powerful remaining Imperial faction.
This initial deal that will that has been put forward is that the board will run the civil affairs and Admiral Pellaeon will run the military side, of course, what the board do not know is that Admiral Pellaeon is not the true command of the forces he "controls", the board members "strings" and being quietly pulled by Teshik.
Teshik is quite happy for the board to run the board to run the civil affairs in the combined Empire Teshik is simply having Admiral Pellaeon play hardball with the board. So that the board will think that, they have managed to get the concession to run the civil affairs off their combined fifty sectors after a lot of hard negotiating.
After several months of hard negotiating an agreement is reached between Admiral Pellaeon and the board, the two Imperial factions are now one large faction. The news of the alliance between the two largest Imperial factions catches everyone by surprise, the various remain Imperial factions will keep clear of this new Imperial alliance. The New Republic will also give this Imperial alliance a wide birth, as this alliance between the two largest Imperial factions has not launched any attacks against the New Republic.
The name of these two Imperial factions that of "The Imperial Alliance" will not remain for long, it will soon be changed to something more permanent, to just The Empire, a foreboding of things to come, that neither the other Imperials nor the New Republic is yet aware of.
After the Pentastar Alignment joins with Admiral Pellaeon (Grand Admiral Teshik) command, the board turns over control of their prized possession the Executor class star dreadnought Reaper, to Admiral Pellaeon as his flagship.
Admiral Pellaeon new flagship is the Executor class star dreadnought Reaper, this ship was formally the flagship of Grand Moff Ardus Kaine, Kaine used it as a command ship for his Scourge Squadron. When Grand Moff Kaine created the Pentastar Alignment, just after battle Endor and the death of the Emperor, this impressive warship would be Admiral Pellaeon flagship rather than Grand Admiral Teshik, as the Reaper draws too much attention for Teshik to use the Reaper as his flagship.
On Grand Admiral Teshik instructions, Admiral Pellaeon is referring to his command as The Empire, nothing else.
Grand Admiral Teshik now controls fifty sectors and he has managed to do this without firing a single shot, quite an achievement even for a Grand Admiral, Teshik will even receive a "bonus" from one of the Imperial Warlords, General Delvardus, who has figured out that Admiral Pellaeon is not the true commander of these fifty sectors.
Though General Delvardus is unaware that it is Grand Admiral (he soon will be), he is aware that whoever controls this growing Imperial military force is a force to be reckoned with, his own command is not powerful enough to withstand an attack by these combined Imperial forces. Therefore, General Delvardus has decided to ally himself with Admiral Pellaeon, or whoever is really commanding these forces, Delvardus has does have a single and very powerful asset at his command to ensure that he is not killed after joining with Admiral Pellaeon, or whoever is really commanding.
Imperial Warlord, "Superior" General Sander Delvardus
On the other side of the coin, one Imperial Warlord that caught Grand Admiral Teshik attention, this is General Delvardus, as General Delvardus is known to have been diverting massive amounts of credits into a secret project. Although initial (covert) inspections of his headquarters revealed only a superficially imposing stone fortress in a canyon on an unknown, arid planet, with relatively modest garrison, commanded by Colonel Cronus.
In fact, Delvardus had been hoarding resources perhaps for many years to finance one of the most spectacular military projects undertaken after Endor. The construction of a new highly customised Executor class star dreadnought, equipped with modifications like black stealth-armour and extensive slave circuitry a ship Delvardus named the Night Hammer.
General Delvardus is no fool, though he does not have a large fleet of warships, he has very good intelligence sources to keep an eye on the other Imperial factions to warn him if another Imperial faction is about to attack his holdings, so far this has not happened.
General Delvardus is studying a report handed to him by his second in command Colonel Cronus, Delvardus says, "Are you certain of this report Colonel?"
Colonel Cronus replies, "Yes sir, it has been triple checked against several other sources that we have."
Delvardus says, "A surviving Grand Admiral, none other than Osvald Teshik. This is an interesting twist, commanding Thrawn's former holdings as well. No wonder none of the other Imperials could crack Thrawn's holdings, they thought that they were dealing this Vice Admiral Gilad Pellaeon, not an Imperial Grand Admiral, no wonder the Pentastar Alignment has joined his command."
Colonel Cronus replies, "Yes sir, according to reports the military production levels in these fifty sectors that are now under Teshik command are increasing their production levels at an alarming rate, it is estimated that within a year or so Teshik will be able to go on the offensive."
Delvardus looking at the report and says, "I agree, I doubt that any of the individual Imperial Warlords would be able to deal with Teshik, even combined it would be a tough fight."
Colonel Cronus asks, "Sir, what should we do, should we evacuate?"
Delvardus looks at Colonel Cronus and says, "Evacuate, were to, Teshik would track us down. I know Teshik during my time in the Imperial Centre, even after his failure, the Emperor did not have him killed or even stripped of his rank, all he lost was the bulk of his fleet, for the Emperor that was a mild punishment for failure."
Colonel Cronus says nothing in reply, as he can see that Delvardus is thinking hard about what to do next. After several minutes General Delvardus has come to only one conclusion, that if Teshik is alive Teshik will start reuniting the various Imperial factions, if some of those faction Warlords do not join they will be eliminated. General Delvardus may have a very large ego, however even he recognises the threat an Imperial Grand Admiral posses to him.
General Delvardus says, "If we are to survive, we must join with Grand Admiral Teshik, I will place myself under his command."
Colonel Cronus is quite surprised and asks, "Sir, what if Grand Admiral Teshik just kills you and then takes what he wants?"
General Delvardus shakes his head and replies, "No Colonel, that is not Teshik style, he would not do that. Now we much make covert contact via Vice Admiral Pellaeon, we must not let our fellow Warlords know what we know."
Colonel Cronus replies, "Yes sir, I will see to it right away."
Chimaera
A few weeks ago, Admiral Pellaeon had received news that General Delvardus wished to join with Admiral Pellaeon command, which had surprised Admiral Pellaeon, he had immediately informed Teshik of the news. Teshik had agreed to the rendezvous, he would come along as an observer, watch via a hidden camera, and see what happens.
Now that Chimaera waited at the rendezvous point for General Delvardus to arrive, the Chimaera had arrived early just in case this was a trap, when the Chimaera had dropped out of hyperspace a detailed scan had reviled nothing, this did not appear to be a trap.
Right on time General Delvardus heavily armoured shuttle drops out of hyperspace and soon lands within the Chimaera hander bay.
Soon both General Delvardus and Admiral Pellaeon are in negotiations about General Delvardus joining with Admiral Pellaeon, though what Admiral Pellaeon does not know is that General Delvardus is aware that Grand Admiral Teshik is the real command of the Empire.
After the initial discussions Admiral Pellaeon asks, "Well General Delvardus do you wish to join with me against the Rebels?"
General Delvardus smiles at Admiral Pellaeon, this is something that General Delvardus has not done throughout their talks, General Delvardus replies, "Admiral Pellaeon, I know that you are not the true leader of these forces, were is Grand Admiral Teshik, I would talk with him."
Admiral Pellaeon is stunned by General Delvardus remarks as is unable to say anything for a few moments then says, "I do not know what you are talking about General."
General Delvardus who is still smiling and now looking around the room states, "I would assume that Grand Admiral Teshik is onboard and monitoring this conversation?"
This time Admiral Pellaeon quickly replies, "No you are wrong General."
Viewing Room
In the room next to the meeting room, Grand Admiral Teshik has been watching the exchange between General Delvardus and Admiral Pellaeon, Teshik is slightly surprised that General Delvardus states that he is aware that Teshik is alive.
Teshik thinks to himself that General Delvardus must have a good bargaining chip to play that hand so early on I wonder what it is.
Teshik gets up and opens the door between the viewing room and the room were General Delvardus and Admiral Pellaeon are meeting.
Meeting Room
As Teshik enters the room, Admiral Pellaeon and General Delvardus stand to attention this confirms General Delvardus reports that Teshik is alive. Teshik indicates for both of them to be seated.
Teshik without any preamble asks, "General Delvardus what can you bring to my command?"
General Delvardus replies, "Sir, I can bring two assets, firstly I have a good intelligence network within the various Imperial Warlords."
Teshik replies, "That would be very useful in dealing with the various Imperial factions, however not much use against the true enemy, the Rebels."
General Delvardus continues, "Sir, the second, is a customize version of an Executor class star destroyer, this I have named the Night Hammer, I would give this warship to you sir as your new command ship." Then taking out a small data stick and placing it in the holo display, this then shows the general characteristics of the Night Hammer.
After studying the Night Hammer on the display and thinking about the usefulness of the intelligence information that General Delvardus intelligence network could be, Teshik says, "Welcome back to the Empire, General Delvardus."
General Delvardus smile grows and he replies, "Thank you sir"
Teshik says, "As you have an intelligence network I will place you in charge of gaining the most information you can on our fellow Imperials, along with the Rebels. Though Imperial Intelligence is already doing this, it will be useful to have a second source of information in these matters, for verification purposes. You will have you own branch of Imperial Military Intelligence specifically to gain intelligence on the various Imperial Warlords, after that a sector command would be appropriate for you General."
General Delvardus replies, "Yes sir, thank you sir, I won't let you down sir."
Over the next hour they go into details on how this will work, though General Delvardus is glad his plan has worked, he knows that Teshik will not break this deal.
Within a few weeks Grand Admiral Teshik will take the Night Hammer as his new flagship, with Captain Frisk becoming the Captain of the Night Hammer, the Eleemosynary will remain as part of Teshik command squadron. The former crew of the Night Hammer will be transferred to other warships in Teshik fleet they will be replaced by more loyal crewmembers, mostly clones, along with the Night Hammer being checked for any booby traps (none have been placed) Delvardus is not stupid to do something like that.
The aligning of the two largest Imperial factions has not gone unnoticed by the other Imperial factions and the New Republic.
Imperial Faction, The Protectorate
In the Protectorate, the news of the combining of the two largest Imperial factions attracts the attention of both Lord Brandl a former Imperial Inquisitor and the commanded of the military forces of the Protectorate, Fleet Admiral Feyet Kiez.
Both are worried by this move, there is nothing that the forces of the Protectorate can do about this situation, therefore Admiral Kiez merely goes about planning for a possible attack against the Protectorate, along with the possibility of reinforcing the defenses of the Protectorate.
They are unaware of General Delvardus faction joining with Teshik or even that Teshik is alive, though Lord Brandl does have certain suspicions, but nothing he can convert into solid proof.
For now, all they can do is continue to build up the Protectorate's defenses, wait, and watch.
To be continued.
