Lieutenant Reksil spoke into the transmission speakers again. "Imperial
destroyer, Vindicator. General hail to any and all Imperial vessels. The
Death Star is destroyed. Please respond. This is the Vindicator."
No response. The Rebel Alliance was relentless. With the death of the Emperor, the Imperial Fleet was in retreat. Coruscant, the heart of the Empire, was signed away to the rebels by that cowardly governor. We could have held the capital. But no, the governor and his weak-kneed minions avoided a bloody conflict with a simple armistice. Some stormtrooper batallions left promptly, not wishing to stomach the surrender of the capital to Mon Mothma. A few others, sadly, surrendered. Or worse – joined the ranks of the New Republic.
Are we the only Imperial vessels alive, Reksil began to wonder. Then the speakers crackled. "Imperial destroyer Vindicator, we acknowledge ..." Another crackle. "... sustained moderate damage ... arrived in Endor to provide reinforcements ... engaged Ackbar's fleet ..."
Reksil repeated. "Please identify yourself, Imperial vessel."
"This is the Star Destroyer, Avenger. Request coordinates of flagship, Executor."
Reksil bowed his head. "Flagship lost in battle of Endor. Death Star destroyed. Imperial Fleet in retreat."
An awkward pause. "Acknowledged." Another pause. "This is Lieutenant Mitan."
Reksil adjusted his controls. He was losing the frequency. "Where is your commanding officer?"
Mitan spoke slowly. "Captain Zerrek died when a squadron of A-Wings strafed the bridge."
Admiral Tenvor nodded at Reksil, who immediately gave up his seat. It's been awhile since I handled the communications console. He pressed a button.
"This is Admiral Tenvor, provisional commander of the Imperial Fleet. We have formed an Imperial Council and request that all Imperial vessels rendezvous at these coordinates. Tatooine system."
"We have lost our captain," Mitan mumbled. "Our ship is damaged ... and some officers ... they're suggesting that we surrender our ship to the nearest New Republic vessel."
"And your thoughts, officer?" Tenvor wanted to determine his loyalties.
"Sir, I have served the Empire since the Academy. The death of the Emperor changes nothing. If your Imperial Council will have me, I will continue the fight ..."
A small cheer arose in the communications deck. "Thank you. As commander of the fleet, I grant you the field rank of Captain. Captain Mitan, direct your vessel to the Tatooine system. General Veers would like to speak with you."
Mitan gasped. "Veers is alive, sir? Yes, sir, the Avenger and all hands will meet you in Tatooine. Avenger out."
Veers stood in the rear. His face appeared troubled.
"You're worried some of the rank-and-file have lost the will to fight on?" Tenvor guessed.
"The situation is in flux. Many good officers died on the Death Star and on the Executor. At present, we have no Emperor, and only a skeletal command structure. The troops are ready to serve, but we need to give them reason to go on."
"The Avenger survived the Battle of Endor and will meet us in Tatooine," Tenvor reported.
"Good." We need to be certain the other vessels are as committed to the cause. Veers looked to Reksil. "Continue contacting any remaining Imperial vessels. I don't care if they're 12-man supply ships. I want a full report on a viable Imperial armada by day's end."
"Yes, General." Reksil saluted and returned to his station.
"Admiral," Veers continued, "assemble four of your best stormtrooper squadron and have them on stand-by. Prepare an Imperial shuttle for each of them. I will accompany the lead shuttle."
"You have an operation in mind?" Tenvor was puzzled.
"I intend to be ready," Veers began, "should members of those Imperial vessels choose mutiny over obedience. If they resist, we will take those vessels by force. I would hate to fight against Imperial troops, but I will if called upon." He looked through the bridge window as scores of TIE fighters formed a defensive perimeter around the Vindicator.
The Empire is hanging on by a thread. I will not let that thread snap because I was unprepared.
[On the Imperial Star Destroyer, the Relentless]
The young captain looked out the bridge window. Five more vessels had huddled together – here, in this godforsaken sector. Tatooine. A no man's land. Here, the New Republic had no jurisdiction. They were too busy reclaiming more valuable Imperial bases, shipyards and armouries. News drifted through the ranks that the Emperor and Lord Vader were dead. Good, the captain thought, I grew weary of their dalliances with the dark side of the Force.
Vader's death was especially satisfying. The dark lord had been disappointed that Admiral Ozzel arrived too close to the Hoth system, allowing the rebels to throw up a defense shield. The Imperial forces prevailed then, but it could have been a complete victory.
I'm ashamed that Ozzel failed. But I blame Vader for passing judgment on the admiral's mistakes. Ozzel was mortal after all. A loyal servant of the Empire.
And my father. A lieutenant scrambled up the platform to the bridge. "We have news, Captain. General Veers and a few surviving officers have formed an Imperial Council. We may have lost at Endor, but the war continues!"
Excellent. Perhaps I can redeem the family name after all. "Tell them this: Captain Silec awaits their arrival. The Relentless is at full strength and ready to take the fight to the Alliance. Long live the Empire."
Veers has assumed command of Imperial forces, Silec grumbled. I wouldn't be surprised if he gave himself a Grand Moff's rank by week's end. I changed my name at the Academy because I feared the shame my father could bring to my career. Now I'm in a position to claim the glory that rightfully belongs to the Ozzel household. And vengeance, my dear General Veers – the man whose confidence and military ambition led to my father's death – will be mine.
No response. The Rebel Alliance was relentless. With the death of the Emperor, the Imperial Fleet was in retreat. Coruscant, the heart of the Empire, was signed away to the rebels by that cowardly governor. We could have held the capital. But no, the governor and his weak-kneed minions avoided a bloody conflict with a simple armistice. Some stormtrooper batallions left promptly, not wishing to stomach the surrender of the capital to Mon Mothma. A few others, sadly, surrendered. Or worse – joined the ranks of the New Republic.
Are we the only Imperial vessels alive, Reksil began to wonder. Then the speakers crackled. "Imperial destroyer Vindicator, we acknowledge ..." Another crackle. "... sustained moderate damage ... arrived in Endor to provide reinforcements ... engaged Ackbar's fleet ..."
Reksil repeated. "Please identify yourself, Imperial vessel."
"This is the Star Destroyer, Avenger. Request coordinates of flagship, Executor."
Reksil bowed his head. "Flagship lost in battle of Endor. Death Star destroyed. Imperial Fleet in retreat."
An awkward pause. "Acknowledged." Another pause. "This is Lieutenant Mitan."
Reksil adjusted his controls. He was losing the frequency. "Where is your commanding officer?"
Mitan spoke slowly. "Captain Zerrek died when a squadron of A-Wings strafed the bridge."
Admiral Tenvor nodded at Reksil, who immediately gave up his seat. It's been awhile since I handled the communications console. He pressed a button.
"This is Admiral Tenvor, provisional commander of the Imperial Fleet. We have formed an Imperial Council and request that all Imperial vessels rendezvous at these coordinates. Tatooine system."
"We have lost our captain," Mitan mumbled. "Our ship is damaged ... and some officers ... they're suggesting that we surrender our ship to the nearest New Republic vessel."
"And your thoughts, officer?" Tenvor wanted to determine his loyalties.
"Sir, I have served the Empire since the Academy. The death of the Emperor changes nothing. If your Imperial Council will have me, I will continue the fight ..."
A small cheer arose in the communications deck. "Thank you. As commander of the fleet, I grant you the field rank of Captain. Captain Mitan, direct your vessel to the Tatooine system. General Veers would like to speak with you."
Mitan gasped. "Veers is alive, sir? Yes, sir, the Avenger and all hands will meet you in Tatooine. Avenger out."
Veers stood in the rear. His face appeared troubled.
"You're worried some of the rank-and-file have lost the will to fight on?" Tenvor guessed.
"The situation is in flux. Many good officers died on the Death Star and on the Executor. At present, we have no Emperor, and only a skeletal command structure. The troops are ready to serve, but we need to give them reason to go on."
"The Avenger survived the Battle of Endor and will meet us in Tatooine," Tenvor reported.
"Good." We need to be certain the other vessels are as committed to the cause. Veers looked to Reksil. "Continue contacting any remaining Imperial vessels. I don't care if they're 12-man supply ships. I want a full report on a viable Imperial armada by day's end."
"Yes, General." Reksil saluted and returned to his station.
"Admiral," Veers continued, "assemble four of your best stormtrooper squadron and have them on stand-by. Prepare an Imperial shuttle for each of them. I will accompany the lead shuttle."
"You have an operation in mind?" Tenvor was puzzled.
"I intend to be ready," Veers began, "should members of those Imperial vessels choose mutiny over obedience. If they resist, we will take those vessels by force. I would hate to fight against Imperial troops, but I will if called upon." He looked through the bridge window as scores of TIE fighters formed a defensive perimeter around the Vindicator.
The Empire is hanging on by a thread. I will not let that thread snap because I was unprepared.
[On the Imperial Star Destroyer, the Relentless]
The young captain looked out the bridge window. Five more vessels had huddled together – here, in this godforsaken sector. Tatooine. A no man's land. Here, the New Republic had no jurisdiction. They were too busy reclaiming more valuable Imperial bases, shipyards and armouries. News drifted through the ranks that the Emperor and Lord Vader were dead. Good, the captain thought, I grew weary of their dalliances with the dark side of the Force.
Vader's death was especially satisfying. The dark lord had been disappointed that Admiral Ozzel arrived too close to the Hoth system, allowing the rebels to throw up a defense shield. The Imperial forces prevailed then, but it could have been a complete victory.
I'm ashamed that Ozzel failed. But I blame Vader for passing judgment on the admiral's mistakes. Ozzel was mortal after all. A loyal servant of the Empire.
And my father. A lieutenant scrambled up the platform to the bridge. "We have news, Captain. General Veers and a few surviving officers have formed an Imperial Council. We may have lost at Endor, but the war continues!"
Excellent. Perhaps I can redeem the family name after all. "Tell them this: Captain Silec awaits their arrival. The Relentless is at full strength and ready to take the fight to the Alliance. Long live the Empire."
Veers has assumed command of Imperial forces, Silec grumbled. I wouldn't be surprised if he gave himself a Grand Moff's rank by week's end. I changed my name at the Academy because I feared the shame my father could bring to my career. Now I'm in a position to claim the glory that rightfully belongs to the Ozzel household. And vengeance, my dear General Veers – the man whose confidence and military ambition led to my father's death – will be mine.