( P.S. If you got an alert for a new chapter sorry but there were some errors, missing words + grammacal errors within the story that annoyed me so I decided to update the chapter before I continued with Chapter five. So if you have already read this, know I added nothing new to the story so just dismiss this Chapter if you've already read it. If not then enjoy Chapter 4! )

It had been around 2 weeks or so since Riser had graduated from the Imperial Cadet Program. He was sitting in his quarters, on board his parents Imperial Star Destroyer, as he laid in his bed and was tired from the first day of official special training. He was being specially trained by the Grand Admiral himself because of his exceptional unwavering loyalty and extreme willingness to serve to the Empire to the Max. There he would learn more about different Planets' culture and battle strategy since his opponents would be merger rebel cells but was firmly taught not to underestimate an enemy, albeit, small or large.

His quarters comprised of a small bed in the right hand corner, a small end table + sink combination at the end of his bed and to the far left of it was a small metallic table with a computer setup so that if needed to, he could do paperwork in privacy.

He was impatient and absolutely despised lazing about, so he decided to head towards the training room to get some extra fitness in. While walking towards his destination, he ran into his father. Now his father was a much older man who had a set gray hair and brandished grey imperial officer suit alongside his piercing blue eyes and 6'1 stature.

"Ah my son, how does training fair for you? I hear the Grand Admiral has been giving you a good mouthful to learn," said his father.

"Yes father, It's been quite exhausting nonetheless, but I am willing to learn about the Empire's enemies and bring them in for their crimes, like you guys did," he enthusiastically proclaimed.

His father face went from stone-faced to troubled in a quick second before he complied the next sentence into his lips, "Hmm, I see. Yes, our enemies and has Thrawn explained why these people deserve it?"

"Not really, all he said that was they are enemies to the Galactic Empire and threaten our way of life and economy. I agree with them that they need to be captured, tried so that we may live peacefully and prosperfully," explained his son before continuing with, "Why do you say all of this now Father? You've been acting weird for awhile now."

His face drifted away from his sons' eyes as he chose his next statement carefully, speaking out like this could incite treasonist intentions and that was the last thing he wanted the Empire to realize.

"Just when you get older, try to figure out things for yourself and don't always do what people want you to," before his face going back to its loving father smile and finishing off with before walking forwards, "Be careful my son, not everything you hear is the truth."

Riser stood there, taking into what his father said just now.

'What did he mean, "not everything you hear is the truth."?'

He shook it off but took a note of it at least, for his father's sake. As he continued down the hallways of the Star Destroyer, he passed many officers and troopers scuttling about, talking about topics that were unimportant to him: ship reports, rebellion activity, potential trade routes. Although there was one conversation that caught his ear quite quickly: discussion of potential defectors within the Empire. He listened in very close but hid, so that he may hinder the conversation.

"Did you hear what Thrawn said in today's meeting Helia," whispered one of the officers.

The female officer said to be named Helia, replied back with her own whispered voice, "Yea, I heard it might be the Mack's but I don't think the son's involved though."

"You never know Helia, the son could just be feigning ignorance to throw us off, he could be plotting with them. After all, he's their kid."

' Wait what was this he was hearing? His own parents? Betraying the Empire? They were the most radical for the Empire's causes then anyone he had the chance of knowing.'

Although it was starting to somewhat fall into pieces for him. What his father had told him before he left him to go wherever he was going.

' Not everything you hear is the truth.? '

Not only with this information but also the fact that they had been acting different ever since their last assignment to Onderon around 10 months ago now. Before that assignment, they were sent there to blockade the planet on accounts that the rebels were planning something on the system. When they came back, it was almost like they were completely new individuals to him. He always knew his parents growing up as cold, heartless and destructive to anyone but their family but when they came back, they were more depressed and cynical, almost like their lives up until now were complete lies.

Could it be his parents? If it was, he had to know why they would even think about defecting from the Empire now. They were on the verge of complete control of the galaxy and it would be a waste of their lives to just leave now. The more he thought about it, the more betrayed he started to feel from his parents. Here they taught him their ideals alongside the Empire's and in all fairness, they practically drilled it into him. Now he was hearing now that they could be potentially leaving the Empire and not only the Empire, him. They had never told him anything about what happened on Onderon and albeit, no-one knew what happened; besides Grand Admiral Thrawn.

These conflicting thoughts kept his mind wandering to conclusions to conclusions, with each being similar or different from why they hadn't told him. That's until he came down to one certain conclusion to why they hadn't told him: They didn't trust their own damn son!

This enraged him more than ever in his life. His own parents didn't trust him with what happened! He turned back immediately to confront his parents but was stopped in his tracks when an ear-piercing alarm blared throughout the complex destroyer. That's when his heart would dropped at the sound of the intercom sounding throughout the alarm:

"This is Grand Admiral Thrawn, Fera and Hades Mack are escaping this Star Destroyer, stop them and arrest them now!"

The word he never thought he'd hear in his life, ever. The words that his parents were trying to defect from the Empire.

He raced back down the hallways he just passed and officers yelled at him whilst he was doing it. They thought he was in alliance with what his parents were doing but he wasn't, he was running to find them but not to arrest them but to get the answers that he rightfully deserved. He had finally reached the end of the hallways and took a left and ran into his mother surprisingly.

"Mother! What are you and dad doing?"

His mother, on the contrary to his father, looked young for being in her early 50's: long brown hair and pools of honey that were her eyes. She stood around 5'10 stature and was still in shape for her age.

"Son we don't have time to talk now. We have to go before the Empire catches us," proclaimed his mother.

"NO! I am not going anywhere with you traitors! Not until you tell me why you're leaving," Riser yelled, trying to choke down his tears.

"Son, not right now please. I know you want to know, I know you want to know why we are leaving and what happened on Onderon but if we get out of here, Your father and I can explain everything, I promise."

He wanted to believe his mother and father's intentions were truthful but the ideals of the Empire had corrupted him to the point where he couldn't bring himself to follow her. So when she tried to drag him with her, he stood there in one place and just shook his head.

"But son… you have to… please," said his mother, practically choking back tears.

"I am sorry mother, I...I.. I just can't. If what you say is true. Then I want my own evidence. I won't tell anyone I saw you leaving but don't come back for me, I am sorry," he said as walked away from his mother. Fera yelled for her son to come back but soon realized that officers were coming after her and had to make a break.

That would be the last time he saw his parents…. Right?

He woke up after someone tapped his face.

He was in his quarters on board his star destroyer, was panting and with a cold sweat dripping down his head. He looked around fanatically with his sonic blaster in hand, pointed at the individual who disturbed his slumber and noticed it was just Arihnda Pryce a.k.a Governor Pryce.

"Oh it's just you Arihnda, god, don't wake me up like that, especially if I'm tossing and turning in my bed. I could've shot you or worse," the agent sighed.

The governor looked at him with concern and asked, "what was the dream about Riser?"

"Well it was just a dream/flashback of when my parents betrayed the Empire by defecting, anyways what did you need," questioned the agent.

"Well Thrawn sent me personally to retrieve for another plan he wants you to do and told you to meet him in the bridge. That's all he told me," the governor said.

The agent grumbled and groaned at hearing this request and Pryce knew he didn't like going through some of thrawn's plans sometimes, despite if he was a genius or not. He yawned one last time before rolling out of bed and proceeded to get changed into his uniform.

Few minutes passed and Pryce couldn't lie that Riser wasn't not attractive rather he was probably the finest, most clean looking agent and/or soldier she had ever seen. Though she blushed at his muscular body and quickly turned around when Riser turned around while changing into his unique agents' uniform. He chuckled at this and said, "Why are you being so quiet Arihnda? I have practically known you since I was a kid, you had to expect me to grow up sometime."

"We..Well yes that much is true, still surprises me how tall you are," Pryce responded back, stumbling over her own words as she spoke.

He chuckled even more now as he finished completely getting dressed and started to walk past her before, suddenly, he pinned her up against the wall near his desk, arms above her head with one hand and he cupped his other hand around her chin. He got super close to her ear before whispering rather flirtatiously, "For an older woman, you're pretty attractive yourself. I wouldn't mind going a couple rounds with you," before pushing off her gently and walking away, towards Thrawn's office. He so badly wanted to look at her blushing red face but he didn't need to as he heard her yell, "Just get to the damn bridge before I throw you in the Brig!" He couldn't help himself from bursting out laughing in hysterics as he made his way towards the Bridge.

As Riser entered the Bridge, he saw Grand Admiral Thrawn around the central console inside the bridge looking at some type of schematics. When Thrawn noticed the younger agent, he turned off what he was looking at and proceeded to gesture over the agent. When Riser finally reached the central console, Thrawn began discussing his plan with him.

"Head Agent Riser Mack, As you may have heard from Governor Pryce, I have to discuss with you another plan to finally capture these pesky rebels," he said.

"What plan have you conspired this time Grand Admiral," questioned the Imperial agent.

"This plan I have built will involve collateral damage to someone you once knew but trust me, their sacrifice for our Empire will provide us with the needed victory we need to stop these Freedom Ringers."

Sorry if this chapter a bit short than the rest, I didn't want to rush the plan Thrawn has in stored for the Freedom Ringers and so I decided to wait until next chapter to do it!. Also you just got a pretty good snippet of Riser Mack's past life! Has he always been this complacent? He is just feigning loyalty, will leave soon, will he die?Anyways hope you enjoyed today's chapter! ( P.S. If you got an alert for a new chapter sorry but there were some errors and missing words. )

Have a great Morning, Afternoon and/or Evening!

~Skully