Chapter 9

Once again Trent found himself crawling through the ventilation shafts of the Imperial facility. This time however he was accompanied by his former master, the two of them traveling to the information center in the facility. Mace was leading Trent since only he knew the way. They walked very quietly so as not to bring attention to themselves. At last they made it to the center and came to a grate. They sliced it open and dropped in, careful not to arouse the attention of the two guards. With a quick flick of his wrist Mace sent the two guards flying into the wall, knocking them out. After that he flicked his wrist again toward the security camera and tore it off the wall.

"Good," Mace said. "Now hopefully we will have no more interruptions. But we don't have much time; they'll soon realize something's wrong. Go keep watch." Trent followed Mace's instructions and guarded the door while Mace went over to the computer terminal and began infiltrating the database.

"Have you sensed anything, Trent?" Mace asked after some time.

"No," Trent said. "But master, you are a Jedi, how do you know how to slice a computer?"

Mace smiled as he continued. "Even a Jedi has some skills they are not particularly proud of. Okay, I got in. Come take a look." Trent walked over to see the information that was on the screen.

"According to this," Mace said. "this is an Imperial research facility set up to conduct secret experiments. The facility has been set up as a companion to another secret facility somewhere located around Kessel. This one though, since it is located on Coruscant, is more readily available. Some of the information here says that many things are occurring here. Four things are codenamed: Operation Shake, Operation Control, Operation Obsolete, and Operation Superior. Let me see if I can find anything else. Go back and watch the door some more." As Mace said that one of the guards stirred but with another use of the Force the guard was out again.

"It's strange," Mace said. "This computer not only serves as the central computer for recording all research done but also for recording all communication both within and without the facility. And so far I have not discovered anything regarding the fact that the Emperor is coming here. Here we go. I have found the background information on the different operations here.

Operation Shake seems to be independent of all the rest. According to this the Imperials are building some sort of device which will generate massive ground quakes."

"I knew the Imperials were evil," Trent said. "But I would never think they would murder their own people, especially not on the capitol planet. At least not without some other motive."

"Your correct, Trent," Mace said. "Despite the staggering losses that would occur the Imperials would falsely accuse the Rebels for the sabotage. Without any proof against the Rebels, or anything to incriminate the Empire, the people will have to believe what they are told. This would result in a severe loss, if not entirely, of support for the Rebellion."

"They really are monsters." Trent said.

"Yes they are, but this operation has not been activated yet. I think the machines you saw in you first trip here were the earthquake devices." Mace said. "Let's see what else there is."

As Mace continued looking through the files Trent began to get a sinking feeling in his stomache. His mind wandered back to the person he saw floating in the tube, trying to put a name to the face.

"The next one is Operation Control," Mace said. "It is a simple operation: the Imperials simply turn other innocents into sleeper agents for them. Then they release them back into the galaxy to do their bidding. They have done much with this already, turning many into their puppets. But it seems this operation is tied into another one as well: Operation Superior.

Through a combination of robotics and other devices they are turning their subjects into supersoldiers. Some are the brainwashed victims they have captured while others are there own soldiers. They are transformed into a mechanical organism which they can control like a droid. They can also act like sleeper agents, waiting for the time to strike and show their true power. So far this operation seems to still be in the testing stage, but apparently a prototype supersoldier is almost ready."

As Trent listened he remembered what he had heard Dr. Ixit saying, about how the prototype was almost ready. Could that person in the tube have been the prototype they were talking about? And who was he and why did he seem so familiar to Trent?

"The last project Operation Obsolete is not at all what it sounds like. Here the failed results of the brainwashing and supersoldier experiments end up. The subjects brains are removed and placed in androids, which look like stormtroopers. Other stormtroopers, who have done least well in the field, are also placed here. This transforms them into killing machines with no emotions, no fear, and are made to only follow orders."

Trent continued thinking about the person he saw in the tube and was deep in thought as Mace continued.

"Fortunately except for the sleep agent project none of the other projects are operational. Maybe I can find something else here to help us. I fear we are running out of time." Mace continued his search.

"I think I found something," Mace said and leaned closer to the screen. "It appears to have been recorded almost three years ago. I don't know who recorded it or for what but from it there seems to be a record of a sequence of events. It says they found a subject for one of their projects, near death. They brought him in and treated him and then began to start working on him. At some points the subject nearly died but because of the tests done on him he was kept alive."

Trent heard footsteps approaching. "Mace?"

"Distract him."

Trent did so, making the approaching person think he heard a noise on the other side of the facility. The footsteps got quieter.

"The subject was placed under close observation as the tests continued. Apparently this person was being used in Operation Superior."

Trent's eyes widened.

"The tests have gone well on the subject with many positive results, and he is nearly finished."

"Mace," Trent said. "I think we're going to have company soon."

"Yes, I know, I've felt it too." Mace said and went back to reading the information. "Three years ago when the person was found, despite being near death, he put up a big fight against the Imperials. They seem to have carried him from what, in his ramblings, said was his home. Eventually they extracted the person's name, though they never call him that. His name is-" Mace stopped and gulped.

"Mace?" Trent asked a little suspicious. "What is it?"

"The person's name, and where he was found exactly." Mace said. "He was found in a dirty alley, in a corner, while his home was burning around him. His name is Kirrick."