One day after the incident on Saldaris, the members of the Emperor's Ruling Council have assembled at the headquarters of the Imperial High Command on Coruscant. Nearly one hundred advisors and high ranking military officials are seated in a massive hall, which contains rows of seats in a semicircle, facing toward a throne identical to the one in the Emperor's throne room. Along the exterior walls are numerous armed guards, as well as several black droids similar in design to HK-47. Grand Vizier Mas Amedda approaches the front of the throne, and faces toward the council members.

"This meeting of the Ruling Council has been called by order of Lady Thana, who will now appear to us via hologram." Mas Amedda says. The blue skinned chagrian steps aside, and a large hologram of Jyn appears in front of the throne intended for her.

"Welcome, members of the ruling council. I regret that I cannot be there in person, but I am in the outer rim aboard the command ship. My appearance in this form will have to be sufficient." Jyn says.

"Who is this?" A grand admiral asks.

"I am Darth Thana, princess of the Empire." Jyn answers.

"Preposterous! I have met Lady Thana before! She always appears in a mask! I have never seen you girl!" The grand admiral says.

"It's her, you idiot! If you value your life, you will keep silent, and apologize for your stupidity!" Isard shouts. The grand admiral has a sudden look of terror upon his face.

"Of course. I… apologize, your highness." The grand admiral says.

"Do not let this happen again, Grand Admiral Pitta. I do not tolerate disrespect." Jyn says.

"Yes, your highness." Grand Admiral Pitta says.

"Good. Now, for the reason I have called this meeting. As you are now aware, there was a theft of the Imperial Treasury on Eriadu ten days ago. This has created a… shortage in the annual military budget. After reviewing the facts, and consulting with the Banking Clan, I have made my decisions regarding changes that will need to be made. Project Blacksaber… is hereby terminated, effective immediately. I have already ordered the prototype vessel's destruction." Jyn says.

"Your highness, please! That is a vital project to the security of the Empire!" A grand moff says.

"It was a vital project, Grand Moff Severus. Now, it no longer exists. Furthermore, the following programs will also be terminated- shadow troopers, suicide troopers, Sun Crusher, Shadow Moon, Sanctuary Moon, and... Starkiller." Jyn says.

"You've just terminated several vital projects! You've essentially shut down the Advanced Weapons Research Division! I doubt the Emperor will be pleased!" Severus says.

"The Emperor… does not care. I have been given clearance by him to act as I see fit. These are my decisions, and they are final. No further complaints will be tolerated." Jyn says.

What is she doing? Isard thinks.

Your highness, if I may ask, what are these droids doing here?" Severus asks.

"Oh, yes. Meet the HK-500 series. A new class of combat droid intended to augment our stormtrooper ranks. Ten of them have been assigned to serve as additional security for this council. Other units have been deployed elsewhere for a trial run." Jyn says.

Interesting. My sources have heard very little of these droids. Either I have incompetent operatives, or Thana has somehow outmaneuvered me. Isard thinks.

"These… look like your personal droid." Isard says.

"Yes, they do. The design team used HK-47's schematics as a basis for this design." Jyn says.

"These droids hardly seem necessary, milady. This installation has the best security in the Empire." Severus says.

"Do you really trust stormtroopers to keep anything secure? In case you haven't noticed, their fire accuracy leaves a lot to be desired!" Jyn says.

"You raise a valid point, princess. I believe the governor is… finished with his interruptions." Isard says. Severus looks at Isard, then slowly takes his seat.

"Thank you, director." Jyn says.

"Anytime, your highness." Isard says.

"I have one more thing. Call it a… test of your resourcefulness and intelligence. The assembly hall is now sealed, and all communications are jammed. There are several hidden rhydonium explosives within that room. Find and disarm all of them, and you will... pass the test. I am timing you, starting… now!" Jyn says.

"Is she out of her mind?" Pitta asks.

"She has to be! What kind of test is this?" Severus asks.

This is… insane, Thana. What are you up to? Isard thinks.

"Stop arguing, and start looking for the explosives!" A grand admiral says. Several people start to run around the room, searching under tables, and other areas where objects could be hidden.

"Oh, about that timing thing. I lied." Jyn says. Her hologram vanishes, and the room is immediately filled with the echoes of loud beeping as the torsos of the HK droids open, revealing flashing red lights. Council members scramble to the droids, and attempt to disarm them.

What have you done, Thana? Isard thinks.

The beeping from the droids increases in speed.

She's going to kill us all! That means… Thana's plotting against the Emperor! I need to warn him! The comms are jammed, so… let's see if he can hear me through the force! I hope this works! My lord! Thana's a traitor! Isard thinks.

"I know." The disembodied voice of Palpatine says through the force.

You… know. Of course you know! You see everything! Thana's sealed the council chambers and rigged droids to explode! If we don't disarm these things, she'll kill us all! Isard thinks.

"Thana will answer for her treason soon enough! As for you and the other members of the council, your services are no longer required." Palpatine says.

You're going to let her kill us? No! Save me! I have always been faithful to you! I have given you my heart! You… said you loved me! Isard thinks.

"Sith… do not love. We have no need for such weakness." Palpatine says.

But, you said… Isard thinks.

"I lied. Farewell, director." Palpatine says.

Nooooooo! Isard thinks.

The beeping from the HK droids suddenly stops.

"Damn you, Thana! Damn you… to hell!" Isard shouts.

All ten droids explode, and the council chamber is consumed by fire. Soon, the entire Imperial Complex is consumed in a massive explosion.


As the building explodes, Jyn watches from a nearby balcony.

So... it is done. The Emperor is aware of my betrayal now, so I will have to move quickly. Jyn thinks.

After watching the explosion for a moment, Jyn closes her eyes, and vanishes.


A few hours later, Aboard the Executor, Jyn is in her office, seated behind her desk. The door chime sounds.

"Enter." Jyn says. The door opens, and Admiral Piett enters the office.

I'm glad Piett's agreed to support me. He's not only a competent commander, but he seems to be a good man. A rarity in the higher ranks of the Empire. Jyn thinks.

"Pardon the interruption, your highness. I have urgent news." Piett says.

"It's alright, admiral. Please, go ahead." Jyn says.

"Your highness… I've received a report from Coruscant. The Ruling Council… they're all dead. According to Intelligence, it seems to be some sort of rebel attack. The entire Imperial Military HQ… is gone." Piett says.

"Very good. Intelligence believes the rebels are responsible. As I intended." Jyn asks.

"The Emperor has ordered us to return to Coruscant immediately." Piett says.

"You know we're not doing that." Jyn says.

"Of course not, your highness. Orders?" Piett asks.

"Set course for the Rhen Var system, and take long range communications offline." Jyn answers.

"Take the comms offline?" Piett asks.

"That's right." Jyn answers.

"Won't the Emperor become suspicious?" Piett asks.

"He is already aware of my betrayal." Jyn answers.

"How… did he find out?" Piett asks.

"In our last conversation, he sensed that the commands he placed in my mind were gone. Also, I overheard him speaking to Isard through the force mere seconds before her death. He knows I've betrayed him." Jyn answers.

"What can we do, your highness?" Piett asks.

"Not a damn thing. The Emperor will not take action against this ship. He will allow me to return to Coruscant to face him. He will allow me the chance to challenge him. This is the way of the Sith." Jyn answers.

"So, he expects you to fight him. Can you?" Piett asks.

"I believe so. If all goes according to plan, he will be dead by this time tomorrow." Jyn says.

"I hope you succeed, your highness." Piett says.

"So do I, admiral. So do I." Jyn says.

Now, the council is gone. Soon, the Emperor will be as well. Jyn thinks.


In memoriam:

Director Ysanne Isard, Imperial Intelligence- The ruthless Director of Imperial Intelligence, Ysanne Isard was also the mistress of Emperor Palpatine. Before becoming director, Isard was responsible for some of the education of the Emperor's adopted daughter, and the two often worked together.

Grand Vizier Mas Amedda- A long time associate to Palpatine, dating to the days of the Republic, Mas Amedda served as intermediary between the Emperor and other high ranking Imperial officials. He also presided over the Imperial Ruling Council during meetings when the Emperor chose not to attend. During the council's final meeting, he would give up this role to Princess Thana, who assumed council leadership on the Emperor's order.

Approximately 100 advisors, governors, admirals, and generals- the members of the Ruling Council