On the planet Mandalore, in a large, colorfully decorated office, fifty five year old Empress Sabine Wren is seated behind a large desk, typing on a computer terminal, when a faint chime sounds. Sabine stops working, and presses a button on her wrist comlink.
"Yes?" Sabine asks.
"Forgive the interruption, my Empress." An older male voice says over the comlink.
"It's alright, Admiral Kryze. What can I do for you?" Sabine asks.
"A large Imperial fleet has entered Mandalore space. They are holding on the outer edge of the system." Kryze answers.
"Have they taken any aggressive action?" Sabine asks.
"No. They are holding position. Their commander has contacted us, and requested to speak with you." Kryze answers.
"I see. Put them through to my office." Sabine says.
"At once." Kryze says. Several seconds later, a hologram of Vastia appears in front of Sabine's desk.
You! I'll rip out your spine if you set foot on my planet! No. I need to relax. Put on my Empress face, and pretend to be nice. Sabine thinks.
"Vastia Ren. What brings you to Mandalore?" Sabine asks.
"Empress Wren, I am here on behalf of the Emperor to negotiate with you. By the way, you may call me Grand Inquisitor Shan. The Knights of Ren no longer exist." Vastia says.
As if I care what your fracking name is! Sabine thinks.
"Very well, Grand Inquisitor. What can the Kingdom of Mandalore do for the Empire?" Sabine asks.
"The Empire wants a formal alliance with Mandalore." Vastia answers.
"An alliance. For what purpose?" Sabine asks.
"Bringing order to the galaxy of course. There are terrorist elements that seek to destabilize our glorious Empire. We have need of your warriors and ships to aid us in our mission of peace." Vastia answers.
Nice speech. Come down here and deliver it in person. I'll put my darksaber through your heart right after. Sabine thinks.
"Mission of peace? Is this the same peace that was brought to the Hosnian System by Starkiller Base?" Sabine asks.
"The attack on the Republic's capital was an unauthorized action by Snoke. I had nothing to do with it, and the government I represent did not support the attack." Vastia answers.
Damn, she's a pretty good liar. Good thing I'm smart enough to see right through it. Sabine thinks.
"I see. What about the attack on the Jedi Temple? The murder of Jedi and civilians? The kidnapping of children? I believe you were personally involved with all of those acts!" Sabine says.
"So, you are familiar with my work." Vastia says, with a mischievous smile.
Smug bitch! Awfully proud of yourself I see! Sabine thinks.
"You killed my best friend's wife, and you damn near killed my husband! As far as I'm concerned, we have nothing to discuss! So, why don't you just come down here, so we can face each other, saber to saber!" Sabine shouts.
"Tempting, but I have my orders. The Emperor wants you to commit warriors and ships to our cause. You are also to publicly divorce Kyle Katarn, and declare him an enemy of Mandalore. Do these things, and your world will be allowed to remain independent." Vastia says.
You psychotic bitch! I'll end you for this! Sabine thinks. Sabine slams her fist on her desk.
"Allowed to remain independent? We are Mandalorians! We will not bow to the likes of you! Tell your Emperor that Mandalore refuses his demands!" Sabine shouts.
"You have one hour to reconsider, Empress. If you do not change your mind, then I will take my fleet to Garos, and slaughter all of your rebel friends, starting with your Jedi husband! After that, I will come back here, and take Mandalore by force! Your warrior clans will learn their place!" Vastia says.
No! The Empire knows where they are! Dammit to hell! Sabine thinks.
"You will be the one learning your place!" Sabine shouts.
"One hour, Empress. I hope you make the right choice." Vastia says. Her hologram vanishes. Sabine stands up, and takes her darksaber from her belt. She ignites the black blade, and walks to a wall containing a mural of numerous colors. Sabine howls in rage as she furiously destroys the artwork.
Several minutes later, Sabine has calmed down, and is now seated at her desk. She presses several buttons on her computer terminal, and a distorted hologram appears in front of her desk.
"This is Fulcrum." The hologram says.
"This is Starbird. Code 1." Sabine says.
"Understood. On my way." The hologram says, as it vanishes.
Seconds later, Ahsoka appears in front of Sabine's desk.
"Thanks for coming. I know it's short notice, but we have a little...Imperial problem." Sabine says. She offers Ahsoka one of the chairs in front of her desk. Ahsoka approaches the chair, and slowly sits down.
"What's the situation?" Ahsoka asks.
"There's an Imperial fleet on the outer edge of the system, and I've been contacted by it's commander, who just so happens to be a psychotic murdering slut who deserves a very slow and painful death." Sabine answers.
"Vastia Ren, in command of an Imperial fleet? What is she doing here?" Ahsoka asks.
"The new Grand fracking Inquisitor demanded that I give ships and warriors to the Empire. She also demanded that I divorce Kyle, and declare him an enemy of the state. I will do neither." Sabine says.
"I don't expect you to. Did she make any kind of threats?" Ahsoka asks.
"The Empire knows where the Resistance base is. I think you might have another spy. You need to find another base as soon as possible." Sabine answers. Ahsoka sits in silence for several seconds, thinking about what to say next.
"Even if base is compromised, we can't evac until the spy is dealt with." Ahsoka says.
"Of course. I should have thought of that." Sabine says.
"You have a great deal on your mind. You have to consider the lives of all of your people before you decide what to do next." Ahsoka says.
"I've already decided. I'm not going to help the Empire. Not even to keep my family safe! I'm going to tell that bitch that she can go frack herself!" Sabine says.
"I know that you fear for the safety of Kyle, as well as the rest of us on Garos. Don't worry about us, Sabine. The force will be with us." Ahsoka says.
"I know." Sabine says.
"As for your Imperial problem, I think it's reasonable to assume that Vastia has sensed my presence by now. We shall see what action she takes." Ahsoka says.
A few seconds later, a chime sounds, and Sabine answers her comlink.
"What is it? I ordered no interruptions!" Sabine says.
"My apologies, your grace, but there is an Imperial shuttle headed for the palace. They are not responding. Shall we shoot them down?" A male voice asks over the comlink.
That would be so easy wouldn't it? Shoot her shuttle down, then, boom! No more Vastia fracking Ren! It just wouldn't be as...fun as fighting her, face to face. Sabine thinks.
"No, captain. Allow them to land. I'll deal with them myself." Sabine answers.
"Yes, Empress." The captain says. Sabine presses several buttons on her comlink.
"Admiral Kryze, come in!" Sabine says.
"Kryze here, Empress." Kryze says over the comlink.
"Planetary defense has just picked up an imperial shuttle headed for the palace." Sabine says.
"We're tracking it. You want me to send a squadron?" Kryze asks.
"No, admiral. Keep all fighters on standby alert. I'll deal with the shuttle." Sabine answers.
"Very good. What of the Imperial fleet?" Kryze asks.
"Do nothing, until I say otherwise." Sabine answers.
"Understood, Empress." Kryze says. Sabine shuts off the comlink.
"I was supposed to have an hour to consider her demands." Sabine says.
"It is very likely that Vastia comes because she senses my presence, and believes that you are harboring a Jedi." Ahsoka says.
"If she starts anything, I'll destroy her, and her fleet! Nobody threatens Mandalore and lives!" Sabine says.
"I think some restraint might be wise. See what she wants first." Ahsoka says.
"You're right. I need to act like a leader. I need to keep my emotions in check. Still, facing...her. It's going to take every ounce of willpower I have to not kill her the second I see her face." Sabine says.
"I'll go with you. I'll be at your side to...step in if things get out of hand." Ahsoka says.
"Thanks, Ahsoka. I appreciate it." Sabine says.
"Anytime. Now, shall we? Let's not keep psycho bitch waiting." Ahsoka says.
"Psycho bitch?" Sabine asks.
"It's what Ezra calls her, and it fits." Ahsoka answers. Sabine laughs.
"Yeah, it does." Sabine says. The two women stand up, and exit the office.
