A/N: So. I work extra hard so that you could have two chapters to read over the weekend, and what do I get as a reward? ONE MEASLY REVIEW! BY SOMEBODY I PERSONALLY KNOW! JEDIPIRATEELFYDUDE AND DANTE-RAVEN, WHERE'D YOU GO? AND SHELLEY KNIGHT AND MASTEROFALLDIMENSIONS, I AM IN YOUR FAVORITES/C2, BUT YOU DON'T REVIEW! REVIEW, PEOPLE!
Dodonna watched as the yacht vanished out of the Obliterator's hangar. When it had vanished into hyperspace, he turned and made his way to the ship's conference room.
He didn't get lost-a first for him, this ship was huge-and entered the door to find his senior commanders and the Jedi-including the fully recovered Lak-waiting for him. He sat down at the head of the table.
The timing of this could hardly have been better. The information Karrde had been carrying-Karrde was correct in thinking that the Rebels and copied it-was a map of a high value Imperial target, along with statistics on defenses and other important information. It just so happened that the Obliterator was scheduled to supplement the garrison there in three days' time.
They immediately began planning the assault.
In the tallest tower of the Imperial palace, a young Imperial officer waited patiently for his Emperor's attention. Palpatine had given orders saying that he was not to be disturbed-meaning that he was probably busy entertaining one of his harems. No one would ever know, of course. There were not-so-secret passages connecting the Emperor's quarters to those of his mistresses.
Finally, the holographic communicator sparked to life, displaying a grotesquely large portrait of the head of the most powerful man in the galaxy.
The officer had known what to expect, but he still jumped at the sight. He immediately bowed, averting his eyes from those of the man he was pledged to serve.
"Enter."
"Yes, your Majesty."
The door slid open to admit him. Careful to keep his eyes on the floor, he took a deep breath and entered the room.
When he was standing in front of the throne, he knelt down, keeping his eyes on the floor.
"Yes?"
"Your Majesty, we have a disturbing development on Varn."
"And?"
"Two Imperial officers were shot and killed in a refresher. They were on-planet to arrest Talon Karrde, and employee of Jorj Car'das, a smuggler and information trader."
"I see. And why was Karrde on-planet?"
"He was making a delivery of a datacard containing some highly sensitive information. Exactly what it was, we do not know, but we received an anonymous tip that the information would be disastrous in the hands of the rebels."
"I see. And Karrde's contact?"
"He was arrested by the two officers prior to their capture of Karrde."
"So they succeeded in capturing Karrde and were then killed."
"Yes, your Majesty. Karrde escaped, but we still have his contact in custody. So far he has been rather resistant, but General Cody is confident that he will talk."
"And if it is discovered that he knows nothing about the contents of that datacard?"
"Then he will be considered expendable." The officer shivered. That was the polite way of saying that Cody's stormtroopers would use him for target practice.
"Excellent." The Emperor paused for a few moments. "Very well. Keep me informed of any developments in this matter."
"Yes, your Majesty." The officer left the room as fast as he could without being rude.