Chapter 9
Night of the Banquet
Canterlot, Equestria
Twilight Sparkle, Princess of Friendship
I hummed to myself as I trot into the main banquet hall, smiling slightly. Everything was coming together: from finding the perfect musical group, having perfect silverware placement, and in general a lot of other work. It kept me busy…. Which was good. Busy kept my mind off RD. She has been missing for so long. Nobody has seen her since the Imperials came, which made my suspicions of them ever more apparent. I mean, people like Varinth were trustworthy enough. But then there were people like Tailon, Pier, and others who seemed to want nothing to do with us, and have even shown blatant disregard and segregation towards us. It was very distasteful.
Regardless of my personal feelings, though, they are still guests, and Celestia requested to actually meet these strange creatures. I sigh, shaking my head as I try and focus on the task before me. The banquet was just about complete, and the only thing remaining would be the Ptincess herself showing up, as well as the Imperial Guests.
"You seem distracted, Princess." I give a small, surprised jump as I heard the voice behind me, turning quickly to see Caramel Dust, one of my most trusted Royal Guards, have a similar reaction.
"Oh, I'm sorry to have startled you." He suddenly stammered. I give a small cough, standing again with a small giggle.
"It's fine, Captain…. I was just deep in thought." He gazed at me with light, caring eyes.
"Is it about Lady Dash again, your highness?" I sigh, nodding.
"You know me too well, Captain." This makes him chuckle slightly, as he responded sith a genuine smile, "well, that's why you put me in charge of protecting you, my lady." I smile at that.
Caramel was indeed one of my most trusted guards, and Captain of them to boot. He was a close friend, who would give his life for my protection. I tilt my head downwards at him respectively.
"I appreciate it, Caramel…. And actually, I have a job for you. Can you be in the main square to greet the Imperials when they arrive?" When I said his first name, Caramels orange face blushed slightly, and he gave a small uncomfortable chuckle.
"Your will is my command, your highness." And with that, he respectfully bowed and trotted over to Flying Colors, telling him something before the both of them exited the room. I roll my eyes, a humored smile spreading as I watched the two of them walk out. I turn back to the set table, breathing out a shallow sigh. The table ready to go, I realized my work was done. Thinking quickly, I turn towards the kitchen, heading there to see if Pinkie needed any help with the food.
The Avenger, Equestria
Jeriff Pier, Imperial Field Officer
I take a deep breath, straightening my uniform as I stood outside of Varinth's quarters. Whatever Tailon had planned, it was happening tonight. I only knew some of the plan, but Tailon refused to let me in on the whole plan. When I questioned him on it, he simply told me that I knew what I needed to know, and that that was good enough.
I suddenly stand erect as the door opens, and out steps Varinth, grey haired and cleaned up for the banquet. He gives a small start as he sees me stand there, but recovers quickly as he stands at attention as well.
"Ah, Pier. Is it time to go already?" I nod at him, lowering my head slightly.
"Yes sir, the transport is ready to go." At this, Varinth nodded, stepping out of his room and walking down the hall with me steadily behind him. It only took a few minutes before we were in Hangar Bay D, a small Imperial Patrol Transport ready for lift off. Inside the transport were 4 other officers, 2 black uniformed stormtrooper officers, and 2 Stormtroopers meant to act as an escort. As we approached, Varinth leaned over and whispered to me.
"Where is Tailon?" Doing my best to mask my sudden paling of my face, I retain my calm and professional voice as I respond confidently.
"Sir, I meant to inform you that Tailon would not be able to join us tonight. There was a small incident that occurred in the Barracks about an hour ago, and he needed to handle it." Though not looking thoroughly convinced, Varinth nodded and stepped into the transport, myself close behind him. I take a deep breath as the transport lifts into the air, the repulsor engines shooting the small transport towards Canterlot. Whatever was going to happen, it was about to happen right now.
Agent Tailon, ISB Agent
I watched as the transport left the hangar, hands behind my back as I stared at it until it was out of view. I then wheel around, facing the two black uniformed Stormtrooper Officers behind me, standing at attention.
"Has the guard on the room changed?" I ask. One of the officers takes a small step forward.
"No, sir. A small guard detail stand inside and guard the outer perimeter of the Communications room. There is a total of 9 men, all confirmed to be traitors and a part of Varinths rebellion." I nod at this, starting to walk away from the viewport window towards the barracks, the officers following close behind. It didn't surprise me that the guards were all certified to be loyal to Varinth over the whole of the Empire. It really was a pity.
"Foren, is your men ready to move to retake the ship?" Captain Foren, the other officer behind me, nods.
"Yes, sir. We have identified and tagged most of the known traitors. Fortunatly for us, most of the Stormtrooper Corp is still loyal. The only traitors come from the Combat Driver and High officer departments. I also have a team of men getting ready in Barracks H preparing to storm the communications center."
At this, I smile some, coming to stand in front of the door leading into Barracks H.
"Excellent work, Foren. Have your men get into position: Don't make any moves until I give the order. I don't want a transmission being sent to Varinth and the bloody natives that would come to his aid." Foren nods, saluting before departing as I give a sigh and press the switch next to the door to the barracks. So it begins.
Caramel Dust, Royal Guard to Twilight Sparkle
"Do you really think she could be into me?" At hearing this, Flying Colors slowly turns to me as we stand on the open grass in the Palace Garden,
"Excuse me?" He says with a concerned voice. I blush slightly as I bashfully flick my left hoof back and forth.
"I-I mean…. You think the Princess might actually like me? Like, like LIKE me?" I grin slightly as Flying rolls his eyes.
"Come on, you know she has the hots for the OTHER Royal Guard." I groan at that.
"Ugh, Flash Sentry…. Nice guy, but not really her type." At this, Flying raises an eye brow.
"And YOU know her type? Or that you are her type?" My blush deepens as I wheel on him.
"Oh, dont even, Flying! I AM her type!"
Flying looked as though he was going to respond, when suddenly a whirring sounded in the distance. We turned towards it, and saw as a small craft approached from above. I instantly recognize it as the Imperial Patrol craft, meaning the guests had arrived. I stand at attention, Flying following suit.
"We will discuss this later." I whisper, making Flying silently glare at me before standing in erect again. As the craft landed, I automatically recognized Varinth as he exited the craft, followed by several other officers I had seen over the past few days. I bow slightly.
"Admiral, the Princesses await you in the main hall." Varinth smiled, surprising me as he bowed respectfully back at me.
"Well, lead on then. Wouldn't want to keep the Princesses waiting.
Agent Tailon, ISB Agent
It wasn't very long before I was marching down the hall towards the Communications Center, about 12 Stormtroopers and a Black uniformed Officer trailing behind me. As we approached the corner to the communications center, I raised my hand, signalling the squad to halt. Taking a deep breath, I round the corner alone. At the end of the small hall was the door to the Communications Center, two White Uniformed Security Officers guarding the door. They were unarmed, but carried holstered blasters on their hips. The second one of them spotted me, they both stepped forward.
"Agent Tailon, this area of the ship is off limits. Please turn around." I stare at them, taking note that their hands were dangerously close to their weapons.
"In the name of the Empire, I order you to stand down and let me pass." I growl at them, giving them one final chance to back down. They made the foolish mistake of ignoring that order.
As soon as the first security guard began pulling out his weapon, the Stormtrooper Officer rounded the corner, firing his E-ll at them. One of the three bolt fired slammed into the first guard, sending his lifeless body back from the blast as it hit the well. Before the second one could even realise what was happening, the Stormtroopers rounded the corner, firing a multitude of bolts into his body.
"Hey, I hear blaster fire!" A voice shouted from inside the room, and the durasteel door blocking us from the Communications hub opened, the curious face of a Security officer poking out. Within a second, that officer was lying on the ground, a blaster bolt leaving a smoking hole in his chest and shoulder. I stood there, unmoving as I watched the stormtroopers storm the hub, the security not even standing a chance as they were quickly overpowered by the Imperial Forces. I step into the hub, taking note that all of the traitors were dead, with only one stormtrooper groaning on the ground in need of medical attention.
"Sir, the hub is ours!" The officer exclaimed, smiling as the stormtroopers set up a small perimeter around the room. I grin as I step over to the Long Range Comm, my hands trembling slightly at the sudden power at my hands. Finally, after weeks of planning, the Empire would truly score a major victory.
I worked to adjust the frequency on the Comm, my heart stopping slightly as the closest connection beeped with a signal in the Geonosis System. The signal was Imperial.
Suddenly, a garbled but clear voice came across the waves, and I gave a triumphant smile as I heard the words.
"This is Admiral Zinel of the Imperial Armada over Geonosis. State your business, and why you are contacting over a restricted Imperial frequency?"