Disclaimer

All characters appearing in Star Trek, Star Trek: The Next Generation, Star Trek Deep Space Nine and Star Trek Voyager are copyright Paramount Pictures. All characters appearing in the Star Wars saga are copyright Lucas Arts and the Walt Disney Cooperation. No infringement of these copyrights is intended and is not authorized by the copyright holder.

All original characters are the property of Celgress.

Star Trek/Star Wars – Galaxy at War: Part Seventy Of Prisoners and Rebels Part I

by

Celgress

Star Wars Galaxy – January 1 ABY (2397 C.E)

Ylesia the Outer Rim, morning

Using the back of his hand Tom Paris wiped persistent sweat from his brow. It was only a bit past dawn and the tropical heat was already stifling. After being interrogated for months under conditions that would bring an Obsidian Order member shame, Tom had been shipped (along with most of his former crewmates of the ill-fated USS Titan) to this lovely planet. He had no idea where his wife B'Elanna was. Unlike Tom, B'Elanna was classified as a "high value" prisoner due to her engineering expertise although he did not know so.

Tom learned from one of his fellow inmates a talkative male Sullustan (smuggler and arms dealers) named Nien Nunb that Ylesia once belonged to a notorious criminal species known as the Hutts. In exchange for Imperial protection, the Hutts ceded the system, along with its surrounding sector, to the Empire. Once a hub for processing highly addictive spice Ylesia was now used for making chemical and biological weapons from the same general type of minerals. Both spice harvesting/processing and industrial-scale weapon manufacturing were dangerous jobs that depended upon one thing - cheap abundant slave labor.

"The rules here are simple: work hard, you will be treated accordingly, work poorly, you will die." Said a bald pale-skinned human Imperial officer. His name was Kalint and he was Commandant of the Yelsia Imperial Detention Facility. Kalint's right eye had been replaced at some point in time by a red lens artificial eye.

To Kalint's right stood a female Imperial officer her blonde hair tied into a neat ponytail. She gazed dispassionately at the gathered prisoners. Her black uniform marked her as a member of the feared Imperial Security Bureau or ISB.

On either side of Commandant Kalint and the ISB agent stood a Coastal defender stormtrooper aka Shoretroopers brandishing their blaster rifles. These troopers wore specialized tan-colored armor and brown pants made for humid climates. They were reminiscent of Scoutroopers in general appearance. More Shoretroopers (their weapons at the ready) were positioned around the large group of new prisoners just in case anyone tried something stupid.

"If any of you are thinking of escape don't bother. There has never been a successful escape from this facility. My record is spotless, I intend to keep it that way." Commandant Kalint said. He stopped here for a moment. "But don't take my words as sole proof for the hopelessness of your situation. Witness this demonstration."

A pair of Shoretroopers emerged from the barred entrance of a cavern behind Kalint and the ISB agent. Between them, they carried screaming and struggling a green-skinned female Twi'Lek clad in dirty rags. Before Paris' appalled eyes they took her to the nearby shoreline where after shooting their blasters at the ocean they threw her in. The Shoretroopers quickly retreated to safety mere seconds before a larger tentacled something dragged the girl underneath the once placid now boiling surface. Her last bloodcurdling shriek would haunt Paris' nightmares for the rest of his life.

"As you can see the native wildlife is rather unfriendly. So I wouldn't take an afternoon swim or go for a day of sailing if I were any of you." Commandant Kalint said with a sadistic chuckle, "dismissed!" Kalint saluted his troops who then dispersed the prisoners.

Barracks, that night

After a grueling day of "orientation" handling corrosive materials while wearing a faulty respirator mask followed by a meager meal, Tom Paris collapsed onto his bunk. A split second later lights were shutoff plunging the dormitory into pitch-black darkness. Tom laid there for a long time unable to sleep even though he was physically exhausted his mind refused to stop working.

"Psst, Nien, are you awake?" Tom whispered to his friend who lay on the bunk bed directly below him.

"I am now," Nien said in annoyance. "What do you want pale-skin?"

"Why don't the Imperials use droids to do the work here? It would be safer and more efficient." Tom asked.

"The same reason they don't use their personnel, droids are expansive political prisoners are cheap. If one of us dies they lose nothing but a problem." Nien said.

"Why do people in this galaxy tolerate such barbarism?" Tom asked.

"Because they don't know any better. We traded freedom for security at the end of the Clone Wars. Most people, not all thought it was the only way things could move forward towards a better tomorrow. Obviously we were wrong." Nien said.

A grumpy male Gamorrean shouted for Tom and Nien to shut up which they did, not wanting a confrontation. Nien's words kept ringing in Tom's ears - "We traded freedom for security." How easily desperation and ignorance can destroy democracy. What a beautiful yet fragile thing liberty truly was.

Kamino, morning

Sheets of wind-driven rain soaked the landing platform as an Imperial shuttle shakily touched down. Another day of endless storminess ravaged Kamino. When a male ISB agent stepped onto the soaked platform accompanied by his cadre of Stormtroopers they were immediately greeted by a security team. Unlike the vast majority of Stormtroopers, these wore pure black armor only silver-colored eyes and helmet accents broke up their eerie obsidian appearance. These were the rare and much-feared Shadow Troopers.

"Kamino is a top security clearance restricted world. Provide the necessary security credentials or you will be fired upon." The Shadow Stormtrooper Captain warned pointing the barrel of blaster rifle squarely at the interlopers. A black pad on his right shoulder was the only thing that set him apart from his comrades.

"Special Agent Vykk Draygo of the Imperial Security Bureau. I am here with my team to conduct a random inspection of this black ops research facility." The ISB Agent said without so much as a flinch. He handed the Shadow Trooper Captain an official Imperial information pad. "I'm sure you'll find everything is in order, captain."

"Have this taken to sector command for authentication." The Shadow Trooper captain said. He gave the pad to another Shadow Trooper without ever taking his eyes off of Special Agent Draygo.

"Until authentication is confirmed or refuted you will remain on your ship in temporary detention." The Shadow Trooper Captain stated. The tone of his voice made it clear this was non-negotiable.

"I would expect nothing less." Special Agent Draygo said with the barest hint of a grin.

Inside, three hours later

The female Vorta research scientist finished giving Special Agent Draygo and his group a cursory tour of the sprawling complex. "I'm sure you'll find everything in order, Special Agent Draygo. I regret that Agent Blackhole is not available to meet with you. Unfortunately, he is attending to an important off-world meeting." She said.

"His absence is understandable Director Colih (Cole-Lie)." Special Agent Draygo said. "Besides, I doubt he could match your charming company." He added with an impish smile. "Perhaps I can interest you in supper?"

"I'm flattered Special Agent Draygo." Director Colih said smiling back at Draygo. "While Vorta do not procreate in the same manner as most species, being clones, however, we do greatly enjoy sexual experimentation. I hope I'm not misreading your intentions or being to how you say forward? We have so few interesting visitors." Colih said cutting to the chase. She traced a hand suggestively along the front of his tunic.

"Commander we are on a tight timetable. We are due back at Imperial Center by 21:00 Core Standardized Time tomorrow." One of the Stormtroopers said rather loudly.

"Thank you for reminding me, trooper." Special Agent Draygo said a note of irritation on his voice.

"A pity, I would have rather enjoyed experimenting with you. I'll leave you to your inspection, Special Agent Draygo." Director Colih said.

"Farewell, Director Colih." Special Agent Draygo said.

"Farewell Special Agent Draygo. I hope we'll meet again." Director Colih said with a wink. She left with her four Shadow Troopers.

Once Special Agent Draygo & his group where alone they checked for any electronic monitoring devices. Certain they were not being watched Draygo rounded on the Stormtrooper who had ruined his impromptu personal meeting with Colih. "What the frak did you do that for?" I had her in the palm of my hand. Think of the intelligence I could have gathered."

"Please," The Stormtrooper said. The Stormtrooper removed their helmet to reveal a not at all pleased Leia Skywalker. "You just wanted to get in her pants."

"Maybe," Han Solo said with his trademarked loped sided grin. "Those ears of hers are exotic."

"I wouldn't know. Servants of evil aren't my type." Leia said after rolling her eyes.

"Maybe one night with me would covert her to our cause? Did you ever think of that, hmmm?" Han challenged.

"Please, as if," Leia said. "Don't flatter yourself, Captain Solo. You're not the Force's gift to sentient females everywhere you think you are. Don't be so delusional."

"What I'm not up to your high standards? Well, excuse me, Jedi Princess." Han said.

"I told you not to call me that anymore!" Leia fumed stomping her foot on the floor of the small vacant room they had ducked into.

"Pardon me, your highness," Han said with a scowl followed by a mock bow.

"You're both acting like unruly children. Quit down you guys before we attracted some unwanted attention. Kamino is such a remote system we might never be back this way. We have to make the most of this opportunity." Sabine said removing her Stormtrooper helmet.

"Sabine is right. Our priority is locating Commander Data, along with any useful information on secret Imperial projects, so we can leave this waterlogged dumped ASAP." Luke said taking off his Stormtrooper helmet. "I'm picking up a strongly bad vibe about this place. It stinks of the Dark Side."

"I sense it too, like a shadow lurking in the background," Leia admitted with a shiver.

"All the more reason to concentrate on our mission so we can leave, sis," Luke said.

"Relax," Han said. "I've got Director Colih wrapped around my little finger. They have no idea who were are. We're safe people."

"She's wrapped around something of yours all right," Leia smirked.

"Jealous much?" Han said cocking an eyebrow at Leia.

"I, what, no, of course not!" Leia stammered blushing despite herself. "How dare you insinuate such a thing! My thoughts are pure!"

"Now who is being delusional." Han laughed.

"Shut up!" Leia shouted.

"Make me!" Han shouted back.

"Guys, guys, hush," Luke warned.

"Here we go again." Sabine sighed.

Outside Blackhole's Inner Sanctum, a few minutes later

"What should I do about the rebels who have infiltrated our facility, Lord Blackhole?" Director Colih asked as she knelt before a shimmering hologram of a faceless dark-robed figure.

"I sense there are two young Jedi among their number. Jedi who I wish to test against several of our creations." Blackhole's hologram said in its electrically distorted voice.

"As you will, Lord Blackhole. I serve the Dark Side in all things as the Dark Side serves the Sith Order." Director Colih said bowing her head reverently.

"As do I." Lord Blackhole's hologram said. "Our supreme master the Emperor will be most pleased once these rebels are brought to heel. I ask you to make certain of one thing, Director Colih."

"Anything you need of me only ask it shall be done, Lord Blackhole." Director Colih said while her head remained bow.

"Make sure they cannot leave but do so subtly. Arouse no suspicion. They must be trapped here if our creations are to confront them." Blackhole's hologram said.

"Thy will be done, Lord Blackhole." Director Colih said raising her head.

"I sense they come seeking our advanced droid, the one called Data. Make certain they do not locate it." Blackhole's hologram instructed. He paused for a moment reconsidering his strategy. "Upon further consideration, perhaps we can use it as bait. Draw them into a trap of my design. Area 5-1 would make a fine proving ground."

"An excellent idea, Lord Blackhole." Director Colih said. "I'll see that the Shadow Troopers make the proper arrangements at once."

To Be Continued

Next - The Horrors of Kamino are unleashed!

Author's Note One -

Ylesia is a planet featured in Star Wars Legends.

Author's Note Two -

Agent Black is a character from Star Wars Legends as are the Shadow Stormtroopers. I'll be drawing heavily up Legends and Star Trek Beta canon to craft events in the "gap years" between "A New Hope" and "The Empire Strikes Back". Have I mentioned before how much I love Star Wars Legends material? Because I do.

Director Colih is the same female Vorta scientist Vader brought with him from the Milkyway Galaxy. She was instrumental in the creation of Vader's daughter Lady Kilyri/Darth Lumiya.