Chapter 17
Hotan was not calm. The accident with their scarce cloning cylinders was enough for him to be demoted back in the old days, then there was always the traditional punishment of Lord Vader for failure. Now, he was preparing to meet the last Imperial Grand Admiral, and failing this particuliar Grand Admiral didnt promise long life. His train of thoughts was interrupted by the shuttle ramp, which lowered with hissing streams of steam. Hotan gulped, and hardened his heart. Without fear he walked in long, easy strodes down the ramp. Deployed in the usual parade-style welcoming stand, two detachments of stormtroopers stood, indirectly guiding Hotan towards his destiny.
"Commander Hotan." Cayel nodded. Hotan saluted, glancing at the captain. He didnt know much about Cayel, but his appearance spoke for itself. Steel blue eyes burned in their holes, his skin was white with a touch of pale brown, perfectly matching his spotless olive grey uniform. Cayel motioned to the stormtroopers, and with perfect coordination they formed into a line and exited the hangar, but the last two stormtroopers neared Hotan, and assumed flank formation, a bit drawed, perfect for stunning or killing their prisoner if he broke loose.
The little group marched toward the turbolift that connected the command bridge and the hangar, and the turbolift carried them upward with incredible speed.
The bridge was busy as always. Officers buzzing around, checking display after display, doing as best as they could, hoping that they would advance through ranks faster. Hotan payed them little attention, as his entire being was focused on the reinforced door that faced the main wiewpoint. He took a deep breath before they entered.
The room was softly lighten, the copy of the admiral's crair from the bridge dominated the room which previously served as a storage room, holographic art samples hovered slowly in perfect circles around the chair. Their procession stopped infront of the chair, which rotated to face them. In the chair, a humanoid clad in spotless white uniform sitted, his glowing crimson red eyes were slits of light. Grand Admiral Thrawn. The last Imperial warlord.
"Commander Yalen Hotan reporting for duty sir!" Hotan saluted.
"Dismiss." said Thrawn, then continued: "Commander, what exactly happened?"
"The moisture in the fort caused one of the cloning cylinders to overload, and shortly after activation it exploded." said Hotan.
"How did you deal with this?" Thrawn grimly said. There was no doubt that Hotan's career or life depended on his answer.
"I pumped the air out of the chamber, then sent techs to install miniature moisture vaporators and to repair what could be repaired. After that, i proceeded to install miniature moisture vaporators in all chambers in effort to stop any further incidents."
Thrawn seemed to think about this, as seconds passed, Hotan grew certain that he was doomed.
"Your response to this is commendable. Among the best, though not much issues like this are known. Nevertheless, that doesnt lower the value of your move. The Empire needs quick and flexible minds, commander Hotan." said Thrawn.
"Sir?" asked Hotan confusedly.
"Captain, add a commendation to the commander's file, I will sign it personally." finished Thrawn. Cayel nodded.
"You are dismissed commander. Continue your good work."
"Thank you sir!" Hotan said, and clicked his heels in salutation. He exited the room, his step radiated with determination, and headed for his shuttle.
"Your thoughts captain?" said Thrawn after Hotan exited the room.
"In my opinion sir, you handled this superbly. Also admiral, Intel submitted a report on a possible target."
"Thank you captain. What is the target?"
"Rodia." answered Cayel.
"Not at this time." Thrawn waved a hand in dismissal.
"I urge you to reconsider sir, Rodia's defenses are low now, and the possibility that they are going to be as low as this are below ten percent."
"Your request is noted captain. But now is not the time for this."
"What is our next target then?"
"Belkadan." Thrawn smiled.
"Sir?" Cayel boomed with suprise.
"I am aware of the disadvantages, but the Vong operations at Belkadan are interfearing with our future operations. And we are not going to assail the planet with our ships... at least not directly." Thrawn said with amusement.
"Im afraid I dont understand sir." said Cayel helplessly.
"In due time captain, in due time. I belive it is time we aquire some ships. Contact captain Frey's and admiral Torroro's groups to meet us at Hoth by the end of this day. Be careful not to mention my name, just imply that a selected Imperial leader wishes their help."
"Very well admiral. Is that all?" Cayel said, surrendering to try to understand the admirals logic.
"Order Navigation to plot a course for Hoth system."
"As you wish admiral."
"If that is all captain..."
Cayel nodded, understanding the desmiss. He clicked his heels in salutation, and left to proceed the orders. The Empire was rising. Slowly, but shurely.
* * *
"Captain?"
"Aye?" said Frey, his muscular hands interwined on his chest.
"Meeting invitation sir. From captain Cayel."
"Now im intrigued. After his little exibition at Yaga Minor, he wishes to meet with us... very well. Prepare the 'Oathbraker' for hyperspace."
"As you wish sir. Navigation, plot course for the Hoth system. Enter as soon as posssible." said the leiutenant to his commlink.
Soon, they were in hyperspace, unaware that their joureny would take them before the most ruthless and cunning warlord since the beginning of time.
* * *
"Admiral, we are exiting hyperspace." informed Cayel.
Reverting to realspace proceeded as usual, and soon the planets of the Hoth system were infront of them, as well as the legendary asteriod field in which the Millenum Falcon hid from Lord Vader and his task force.
"Shields up. Scan the area." ordered Cayel.
"No ships in the area sir." the sensor officer reported.
"Order Phantom squadron to prepare for launching." ordered Thrawn from his command chair.
Cayel nodded to the communication officer. Thrawn turned the commlink on with a flick of the switch, and then boomed in his cool deadly voice: "Leiutenant Lomeir, is your group ready?"
"We are waiting for your orders admiral."
"Good. Wait for me in shuttle Alpha."
"As you wish."
"Admiral, we have ships entering the system." the sensor officer called out from the crew pit.
"Identification?" asked Cayel.
"Victory-class star destroyer the 'Oathbraker'. They are raising their shields." answered the sensor officer.
"Hail them, tell them we wish to come aboard." said Thrawn.
The comm officer transmitted the message, and Cayel gulped. It would be a waste if they had to take the ship by force.
"They have accepted sir." the comm officer replied.
"Very well. Follow me captain." said Thrawn, and rose from his command chair, and walked toward the turbolift.
The shuttle exited the hangar fluidly, with the elegance the Lambda-class shuttle was capable. Formed in perfect escort formation, two Phantom's flew. Their joureny ended into the hangar of the 'Oathbraker', which swallowed them like some ancient behemoth.
Stormtroopers and fleet officers lined in standard greeting formation, indirectly lying a path for the passengers. The path leaded to captain Frey. Tall and muscular, his black hair was as cold as space, partially hidden by standard Imperial issue cap. The shuttle ramp lowered with streams of hissing steam, but no one walked down. When Frey was about to order the stormtroopers to search the shuttle, they came. Two lines of dark hooded figures walked down the ramp, their long hoods hiding their faces, three of them formed on one side of the shuttle, and three formed on the other. Just as Frey started questioning himeself what the hell was going on, he was stunned. Shocked. Terrifyed. Saved. A figure clad in spotless white walked down the ramp, his fiery eyes burned with killing glow, and his pale blue skin was cold and without any trace of emotions. Flanking him and only a few steps behind, was captain Cayel, and a dark figure dressed like the ones that exited the shuttle first. The little procession stopped infront of Frey. Thrawn raised one blue-black ironic eyebrow, and Frey remembered. He clicked his heels in salutation, then assumed attention-stand.
"Admiral." he said barely controling the enthusiasm in his voice.
"Captain Frey I presume?" said Thrawn without emotions.
"Yes sir. What are your orders?"
"In due time captain. What is the status of the 'Oathbraker'?" said Thrawn, and in the background, Cayel smiled.
"We have two full TIE squadrons, forty turbolaser turrets, as well as forty ion cannons. We are equipped with three tractor beam projectors, we recently lost two in a battle." reported Frey.
"Very well. Prepare for hyperspace, we shall leave for our base as soon as we deal with admiral Torroro," Thrawn paused, and the glow in his eyes increased, then he continued dramaticaly: "and as soon as we collect the weapon with which we shall destroy Belkadan."
"Sir?" asked Cayel.
"In due time captain. I will explain everything to you soon. Captain Frey included ofcourse." Thrawn smiled, then continued: "Captain, I belive we should be heading for the bridge. Admiral Torroro shall be arriving soon, and we dont want to greet him unprepared."
"We are going to oppose Torroro's fleet? With one Victory star destroyer with unexperienced crew and one Nebulon B2 frigate? Thats suicide!" howled Frey. Cayel chuckled. He thought the same way Frey did, but thanks to Thrawn, he knew that no odds are impossible to beat.
"We shall see captain. I assume you wished to escort us to the bridge?"
"Yes admiral." Frey gulped and continued: "This way."
The stormtrooper greeting party disrupted, and they went toward the barracks. The six hooded figures entered the shuttle, but two of them remained one on each side of the shuttle ramp.
* * *
As soon as they entered the bridge, the sensor officer from the crew pit called out: "Captain we got ships entering the system in sector MK-32. Counting one Victory-class star destroyer, two dreadnoughts and one Interdictor. Identification coming in."
"Very good. Admiral?" said Frey, his gaze locked on Thrawn. His part was done. Now it was all up to Thrawn.
"Identification?" requested Thrawn.
"Victory star destroyer 'Fearbringer', Dreadnoughts 'Dark Eye' and 'Iron Heart', and Interdictor 'Stasis'."
"Captain, signal our forces to hyper in. Communication, hail them." ordered Thrawn, and Cayel proceeded his order, just as the communication officer proceeded his orders.
"Hangar control, allow the two starfighters to launch."
"Major Kowes, Im sending Ensigns Kowis and Kowas to join you. Launch from the 'Reaper' and rejoin formation. Attack on my mark." as Thrawn finished, just a little behind the 'Reaper', two Lancer class frigates exited hyperspace, and assumed escort flank formation.
"Captain, we got ships entering the system. Two lancers, 'Trident' and 'Warhammer'." reported the communication officer desperately. He didnt even finish, and two Strike-class cruisers exited hyperspace and assumed flank formation with the 'Reaper', the impressive fleet resembled a crude W.
"Admiral, we are intercepting a transmission from the 'Fearbringer'."
"Main screen."
An image of an elderly man appeared, his beard was trimmed, but had its fair share of greys. Rather intimidating.
"Idenify yourself or be destroyed!" shouted the man.
"This is Grand Admiral Thrawn of the Empire, aboard the Victory-class star destroyer 'Oathbraker'. Admiral Torroro, the Empire needs your services. It is time that we arise from the ashes, and remind the rebels and the Vong how the Empire fights." boomed Thrawn.
"What charade is this?" snarled Torroro.
"There is no charade admiral." said Thrawn calmly.
"Listen boy, I was there the last time someone impersonated the Grand Admiral and i DONT want to witness another cataclysm like that." shouted Torroro, his neck venes trembled with anger.
"Calm down admiral. I need you and your ships. One way or another." Thrawns eyes started to burn with killing glow.
"Hmm, yes. Pardon me." Torroro somehow restrained himself.
"Good. I am expecting you aboard the 'Oathbraker' in thirty minutes. Dont dissapoint me." Thrawn said viciously, and Torroro flinched.
"As you wish... Admiral." he said and broke connection.
"Your thoughts captain?" asked Thrawn while stroking his chin with his right hand.
"I dont think he will oppose us. From what I have heard about him, he gets angry easily, but always succumbs to facts and proofs. We have plenty of that." said Cayel.
"And yours captain?" Thrawn pressed on.
"Eh? Pardon me, but I was thinking of something to suggest." said Frey.
"Yes?" Thrawn encouraged him.
"Well, we all have, I mean, mine, Cayel's and Torroro's group, we have a severe lack of credits. And my Intel has located an appropriate target... appropriate for the size of our task force here... presuming Torroro joins us." said Frey.
"I am aware of the convoy stopping at Vorkraft station." said Thrawn.
"You do? Well, what do you think?" said Frey.
"I agree. Our total credit amount is below 100 000, and Vorkraft station is heaven for gamblers, smugglers, and other scum of the universe. After we have crushed Belkadan, Vorkraft station shall fall." Thrawn smiled.
"Admiral, a shuttle is launching from the 'Fearbringer'." sensor officer called out.
"Leiutenant Lomeir, order your team to meet us in the briefing room." said Thrawn.
"As you wish." boomed Lomeir beneath his dark hood, and Frey wondered what kind of a monster was hiding in thar hood. Thrawn left the bridge with Cayel and Frey in tow, and minutes after they left, Lomeir followed.
Hotan was not calm. The accident with their scarce cloning cylinders was enough for him to be demoted back in the old days, then there was always the traditional punishment of Lord Vader for failure. Now, he was preparing to meet the last Imperial Grand Admiral, and failing this particuliar Grand Admiral didnt promise long life. His train of thoughts was interrupted by the shuttle ramp, which lowered with hissing streams of steam. Hotan gulped, and hardened his heart. Without fear he walked in long, easy strodes down the ramp. Deployed in the usual parade-style welcoming stand, two detachments of stormtroopers stood, indirectly guiding Hotan towards his destiny.
"Commander Hotan." Cayel nodded. Hotan saluted, glancing at the captain. He didnt know much about Cayel, but his appearance spoke for itself. Steel blue eyes burned in their holes, his skin was white with a touch of pale brown, perfectly matching his spotless olive grey uniform. Cayel motioned to the stormtroopers, and with perfect coordination they formed into a line and exited the hangar, but the last two stormtroopers neared Hotan, and assumed flank formation, a bit drawed, perfect for stunning or killing their prisoner if he broke loose.
The little group marched toward the turbolift that connected the command bridge and the hangar, and the turbolift carried them upward with incredible speed.
The bridge was busy as always. Officers buzzing around, checking display after display, doing as best as they could, hoping that they would advance through ranks faster. Hotan payed them little attention, as his entire being was focused on the reinforced door that faced the main wiewpoint. He took a deep breath before they entered.
The room was softly lighten, the copy of the admiral's crair from the bridge dominated the room which previously served as a storage room, holographic art samples hovered slowly in perfect circles around the chair. Their procession stopped infront of the chair, which rotated to face them. In the chair, a humanoid clad in spotless white uniform sitted, his glowing crimson red eyes were slits of light. Grand Admiral Thrawn. The last Imperial warlord.
"Commander Yalen Hotan reporting for duty sir!" Hotan saluted.
"Dismiss." said Thrawn, then continued: "Commander, what exactly happened?"
"The moisture in the fort caused one of the cloning cylinders to overload, and shortly after activation it exploded." said Hotan.
"How did you deal with this?" Thrawn grimly said. There was no doubt that Hotan's career or life depended on his answer.
"I pumped the air out of the chamber, then sent techs to install miniature moisture vaporators and to repair what could be repaired. After that, i proceeded to install miniature moisture vaporators in all chambers in effort to stop any further incidents."
Thrawn seemed to think about this, as seconds passed, Hotan grew certain that he was doomed.
"Your response to this is commendable. Among the best, though not much issues like this are known. Nevertheless, that doesnt lower the value of your move. The Empire needs quick and flexible minds, commander Hotan." said Thrawn.
"Sir?" asked Hotan confusedly.
"Captain, add a commendation to the commander's file, I will sign it personally." finished Thrawn. Cayel nodded.
"You are dismissed commander. Continue your good work."
"Thank you sir!" Hotan said, and clicked his heels in salutation. He exited the room, his step radiated with determination, and headed for his shuttle.
"Your thoughts captain?" said Thrawn after Hotan exited the room.
"In my opinion sir, you handled this superbly. Also admiral, Intel submitted a report on a possible target."
"Thank you captain. What is the target?"
"Rodia." answered Cayel.
"Not at this time." Thrawn waved a hand in dismissal.
"I urge you to reconsider sir, Rodia's defenses are low now, and the possibility that they are going to be as low as this are below ten percent."
"Your request is noted captain. But now is not the time for this."
"What is our next target then?"
"Belkadan." Thrawn smiled.
"Sir?" Cayel boomed with suprise.
"I am aware of the disadvantages, but the Vong operations at Belkadan are interfearing with our future operations. And we are not going to assail the planet with our ships... at least not directly." Thrawn said with amusement.
"Im afraid I dont understand sir." said Cayel helplessly.
"In due time captain, in due time. I belive it is time we aquire some ships. Contact captain Frey's and admiral Torroro's groups to meet us at Hoth by the end of this day. Be careful not to mention my name, just imply that a selected Imperial leader wishes their help."
"Very well admiral. Is that all?" Cayel said, surrendering to try to understand the admirals logic.
"Order Navigation to plot a course for Hoth system."
"As you wish admiral."
"If that is all captain..."
Cayel nodded, understanding the desmiss. He clicked his heels in salutation, and left to proceed the orders. The Empire was rising. Slowly, but shurely.
* * *
"Captain?"
"Aye?" said Frey, his muscular hands interwined on his chest.
"Meeting invitation sir. From captain Cayel."
"Now im intrigued. After his little exibition at Yaga Minor, he wishes to meet with us... very well. Prepare the 'Oathbraker' for hyperspace."
"As you wish sir. Navigation, plot course for the Hoth system. Enter as soon as posssible." said the leiutenant to his commlink.
Soon, they were in hyperspace, unaware that their joureny would take them before the most ruthless and cunning warlord since the beginning of time.
* * *
"Admiral, we are exiting hyperspace." informed Cayel.
Reverting to realspace proceeded as usual, and soon the planets of the Hoth system were infront of them, as well as the legendary asteriod field in which the Millenum Falcon hid from Lord Vader and his task force.
"Shields up. Scan the area." ordered Cayel.
"No ships in the area sir." the sensor officer reported.
"Order Phantom squadron to prepare for launching." ordered Thrawn from his command chair.
Cayel nodded to the communication officer. Thrawn turned the commlink on with a flick of the switch, and then boomed in his cool deadly voice: "Leiutenant Lomeir, is your group ready?"
"We are waiting for your orders admiral."
"Good. Wait for me in shuttle Alpha."
"As you wish."
"Admiral, we have ships entering the system." the sensor officer called out from the crew pit.
"Identification?" asked Cayel.
"Victory-class star destroyer the 'Oathbraker'. They are raising their shields." answered the sensor officer.
"Hail them, tell them we wish to come aboard." said Thrawn.
The comm officer transmitted the message, and Cayel gulped. It would be a waste if they had to take the ship by force.
"They have accepted sir." the comm officer replied.
"Very well. Follow me captain." said Thrawn, and rose from his command chair, and walked toward the turbolift.
The shuttle exited the hangar fluidly, with the elegance the Lambda-class shuttle was capable. Formed in perfect escort formation, two Phantom's flew. Their joureny ended into the hangar of the 'Oathbraker', which swallowed them like some ancient behemoth.
Stormtroopers and fleet officers lined in standard greeting formation, indirectly lying a path for the passengers. The path leaded to captain Frey. Tall and muscular, his black hair was as cold as space, partially hidden by standard Imperial issue cap. The shuttle ramp lowered with streams of hissing steam, but no one walked down. When Frey was about to order the stormtroopers to search the shuttle, they came. Two lines of dark hooded figures walked down the ramp, their long hoods hiding their faces, three of them formed on one side of the shuttle, and three formed on the other. Just as Frey started questioning himeself what the hell was going on, he was stunned. Shocked. Terrifyed. Saved. A figure clad in spotless white walked down the ramp, his fiery eyes burned with killing glow, and his pale blue skin was cold and without any trace of emotions. Flanking him and only a few steps behind, was captain Cayel, and a dark figure dressed like the ones that exited the shuttle first. The little procession stopped infront of Frey. Thrawn raised one blue-black ironic eyebrow, and Frey remembered. He clicked his heels in salutation, then assumed attention-stand.
"Admiral." he said barely controling the enthusiasm in his voice.
"Captain Frey I presume?" said Thrawn without emotions.
"Yes sir. What are your orders?"
"In due time captain. What is the status of the 'Oathbraker'?" said Thrawn, and in the background, Cayel smiled.
"We have two full TIE squadrons, forty turbolaser turrets, as well as forty ion cannons. We are equipped with three tractor beam projectors, we recently lost two in a battle." reported Frey.
"Very well. Prepare for hyperspace, we shall leave for our base as soon as we deal with admiral Torroro," Thrawn paused, and the glow in his eyes increased, then he continued dramaticaly: "and as soon as we collect the weapon with which we shall destroy Belkadan."
"Sir?" asked Cayel.
"In due time captain. I will explain everything to you soon. Captain Frey included ofcourse." Thrawn smiled, then continued: "Captain, I belive we should be heading for the bridge. Admiral Torroro shall be arriving soon, and we dont want to greet him unprepared."
"We are going to oppose Torroro's fleet? With one Victory star destroyer with unexperienced crew and one Nebulon B2 frigate? Thats suicide!" howled Frey. Cayel chuckled. He thought the same way Frey did, but thanks to Thrawn, he knew that no odds are impossible to beat.
"We shall see captain. I assume you wished to escort us to the bridge?"
"Yes admiral." Frey gulped and continued: "This way."
The stormtrooper greeting party disrupted, and they went toward the barracks. The six hooded figures entered the shuttle, but two of them remained one on each side of the shuttle ramp.
* * *
As soon as they entered the bridge, the sensor officer from the crew pit called out: "Captain we got ships entering the system in sector MK-32. Counting one Victory-class star destroyer, two dreadnoughts and one Interdictor. Identification coming in."
"Very good. Admiral?" said Frey, his gaze locked on Thrawn. His part was done. Now it was all up to Thrawn.
"Identification?" requested Thrawn.
"Victory star destroyer 'Fearbringer', Dreadnoughts 'Dark Eye' and 'Iron Heart', and Interdictor 'Stasis'."
"Captain, signal our forces to hyper in. Communication, hail them." ordered Thrawn, and Cayel proceeded his order, just as the communication officer proceeded his orders.
"Hangar control, allow the two starfighters to launch."
"Major Kowes, Im sending Ensigns Kowis and Kowas to join you. Launch from the 'Reaper' and rejoin formation. Attack on my mark." as Thrawn finished, just a little behind the 'Reaper', two Lancer class frigates exited hyperspace, and assumed escort flank formation.
"Captain, we got ships entering the system. Two lancers, 'Trident' and 'Warhammer'." reported the communication officer desperately. He didnt even finish, and two Strike-class cruisers exited hyperspace and assumed flank formation with the 'Reaper', the impressive fleet resembled a crude W.
"Admiral, we are intercepting a transmission from the 'Fearbringer'."
"Main screen."
An image of an elderly man appeared, his beard was trimmed, but had its fair share of greys. Rather intimidating.
"Idenify yourself or be destroyed!" shouted the man.
"This is Grand Admiral Thrawn of the Empire, aboard the Victory-class star destroyer 'Oathbraker'. Admiral Torroro, the Empire needs your services. It is time that we arise from the ashes, and remind the rebels and the Vong how the Empire fights." boomed Thrawn.
"What charade is this?" snarled Torroro.
"There is no charade admiral." said Thrawn calmly.
"Listen boy, I was there the last time someone impersonated the Grand Admiral and i DONT want to witness another cataclysm like that." shouted Torroro, his neck venes trembled with anger.
"Calm down admiral. I need you and your ships. One way or another." Thrawns eyes started to burn with killing glow.
"Hmm, yes. Pardon me." Torroro somehow restrained himself.
"Good. I am expecting you aboard the 'Oathbraker' in thirty minutes. Dont dissapoint me." Thrawn said viciously, and Torroro flinched.
"As you wish... Admiral." he said and broke connection.
"Your thoughts captain?" asked Thrawn while stroking his chin with his right hand.
"I dont think he will oppose us. From what I have heard about him, he gets angry easily, but always succumbs to facts and proofs. We have plenty of that." said Cayel.
"And yours captain?" Thrawn pressed on.
"Eh? Pardon me, but I was thinking of something to suggest." said Frey.
"Yes?" Thrawn encouraged him.
"Well, we all have, I mean, mine, Cayel's and Torroro's group, we have a severe lack of credits. And my Intel has located an appropriate target... appropriate for the size of our task force here... presuming Torroro joins us." said Frey.
"I am aware of the convoy stopping at Vorkraft station." said Thrawn.
"You do? Well, what do you think?" said Frey.
"I agree. Our total credit amount is below 100 000, and Vorkraft station is heaven for gamblers, smugglers, and other scum of the universe. After we have crushed Belkadan, Vorkraft station shall fall." Thrawn smiled.
"Admiral, a shuttle is launching from the 'Fearbringer'." sensor officer called out.
"Leiutenant Lomeir, order your team to meet us in the briefing room." said Thrawn.
"As you wish." boomed Lomeir beneath his dark hood, and Frey wondered what kind of a monster was hiding in thar hood. Thrawn left the bridge with Cayel and Frey in tow, and minutes after they left, Lomeir followed.