Jedi Knight Kyp Durron was rarely worried. He was now.
He got a very bad feeling when Han Solo was leaving Yavin Four. He even offered to join Han, 'just in case something happens'. But the old smuggler shrugged it off. He did extract a promise that Han make contact once he reached Kashyyyk. The contact never came. He called Kashyyyk himself, and was told by Mallatobuck that he already left.
He had the urge to contact Leia Organa Solo on Coruscant. He suppressed it. It was unlikely that he knew something she didn't. But keeping up with the Holonet news, he learned that the Chief of State dispatched the Lusankya to the Imperial border. That was serious business.
It took a big effort for him to persuade Master Solusar to let him go, but he managed it. So now, he was near Imperial space, in his X-wing, looking for the Lusankya task force.
He always seemed to arrive just after they left to another system. He had to admire the commander for his choice of strategy. Everyone knew the fleet was in the region, but nobody outside it knew exactly where it was, and almost nobody—inside or outside—knew where it was going next. It served for a curious psychological force multiplier effect. From news reports compiled by his astromech, he knew that that reports of piracy in all the surrounding sectors dropped almost to nil.
Suddenly, he was yanked out of hyperspace. Looking around, he gave himself a satisfied smile. The fleet was here.
"This is Jedi Knight Kyp Durron," he hailed the Republic forces. "Requesting permission to board the Lusankya."
"Hold your position, Jedi Durron," the reply came.
Kyp was never fond of military protocol, but he knew that arguing might get him labeled as "hostile" on the fleet's IFF systems—in which case, he would have to run, if only to avoid killing New Republic pilots. He did as he was told.
"Jedi Durron, you are cleared for landing bay six. You will shut down your engines as you approach, and our tractor beam will take you in."
"Acknowledged, Lusankya," he said. Whether this was standard or not didn't matter in the larger scheme of things.
When his fighter was pulled in, he opened the cockpit. "Don't let these people tamper with my modifications, TeeEight," he told his droid as he left.
Outside the hangar, several people were waiting for him. He recognized Corran Horn, who had trained at the Academy for a while, as well as Chewbacca. Wedge Antilles—probably in command of the fleet—and Lando Calrissian were standing next to Horn. Kyp didn't recognize the last two people, a man and a woman, both around Wedge's age.
"Welcome aboard the Lusankya, Jedi Durron," Wedge greeted him. Kyp shook the general's
hand.
"I don't believe you've ever met? Kyp Durron, this is Talon Karrde."
Kyp couldn't believe it. Why would a New Republic general join forces with—
His reaction must have registered on his face. "Surprised I'm working with a smuggler?"
When Kyp didn't reply, Wedge suddenly turned grim. "I see. You should know, Durron, that I don't exactly trust you. I allowed you aboard because Chewbacca insisted, and because Corran assured me you could be trusted. We are on a delicate mission here."
"What's that supposed to mean?" he asked. He was often mistrusted, usually because of his past actions, but, as it seemed more and more often these days, simply because he was a Jedi.
"It means that you will need my permission to take your X-wing out of the hangar. Our job is to stop a war, not start one."
"That's—" Kyp protested.
"All that means is that there are no exceptions for you. Every ship in this fleet has this restriction, and I don't see any reason to make an exception. If you disapprove, you are welcome to leave."
Kyp thought about it. But no, he would know more and be able to do more, if he stayed with the fleet. "I agree," he said. "General."
"If any of us will need to call on your Jedi skills, it will most likely be Talon," Wedge said. "So I suggest you get to know him and his people." Chewbacca voiced an agreement with that.
Kyp suppressed a flash of resentment. Anger is of the dark side. He would not walk that path again. If they think I should earn their trust, then I will.
Wedge than turned to Lando. "There's something I need to ask you about."
"Yes?" Lando replied.
"I put Corran in charge of Rogue Squadron," he said. "I planned to have Tycho command the fighter forces, but he came down with something."
Lando realized what Wedge was asking. "You can't..."
"I know you, Calrissian. You're going to stick around here until it's over. Am I right?"
Lando was silent. Wedge continued. "If it comes to battle, I need someone experienced with large-scale fighter battles whom I can trust. Aside from Tycho, you're the only such person aboard."
"Very well," Lando resigned. "I will become 'General Calrissian' again." He grinned. "Maybe, once this is over, I can get a holo taken with me in the uniform and Tendra."
Wedge laughed. "I think that can be arranged," he said. "I am needed on the bridge, gentlemen," he said. "General Calrissian, you should probably see just whom you're going to command."
"Yes, sir," Lando replied. He and Corran departed, as did Wedge. Kyp, Karrde, Chewbacca, and the woman were left alone.
"I guess we will have to work together," Karrde said neutrally.
"I think I can do that," Kyp replied.
"You don't like me, Durron," the smugger said.
"And you like me?" Kyp retorted.
"No. But I prefer to form my own opinions rather than follow preconceived notions."
"I see," Kyp said. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad. He smiled.
"Jedi Durron, this is my second in command, Shada D'ukal."
"Pleased to meet you," he said.
She shook his hand. "I always wanted to know if the Jedi are as good in combat as they are rumored to
be. Maybe this is my chance to find out."
Kyp looked at her. This was the last thing he expected. "You may be surprised," he managed.
XXX
Captain Adriff, of the Imperial Star Destroyer Chimaera, was not a happy man.
During the peace negotiation, Pellaeon showed him some top secret files. Adriff understood Pellaeon's arguments, and came to accept them, based on what he knew of the state of the Imperial Fleet.
Pellaeon confided in him, showing the real state of the fleet. The disparity was significant.
And so, after the assassination, Adriff took up the mantle and argued against Admiral Sarim, and his plan to fight the New Republic.
But the Moffs thought his fight with Sarim was personal—which it was. They never liked each other, not since the Academy. But then...
Adriff tensed. All these years later, it was painful to think about it.
He kept a holo of her on his person at all times... He wasn't one to believe in some mysterious Force, but he couldn't let go of that link.
Sarim was an idiot, but he had connections. He got Isard to promote him to commodore,and was given a fleet to defend Chandrila. That fleet included a Carrack-class cruiser Eternal, under the command of then-Lieutenant Commander Adriff.
The Rebels attacked. The battle was a disaster for the Imperials. Every ship in the fleet was lost or badly damaged. The Eternal was blasted in half; Adriff barely managed to get to an escape pod.
The planet did not escape unscathed, either. Numerous ships from both sides crashed—some in
populated areas.
The irony of ironies—one half of the Eternal destroyed her home town. She was killed by her lover's ship.
He could (and did) blame the Rebels. But he also blamed Sarim. If he was smart enough to win, she would still be alive. If he was smart enough to realize he couldn't win, he would retreat, and she would still live, as would many of their men. Sarim wasn't smart enough for either. He's lucky he didn't have to go into real combat since then. Anti-pirate actions didn't count.
Adriff was a very unlikely peace advocate, but he became one out of necessity. He was ignored. He was never going to say it, but the Moffs appeared to be dumb droids, with Sarim holding the restraining bolt controls. Sarim couldn't find a good reason to kick him out (although he was pretty sure it was just a matter of time), but he effectively exiled him.
Only a few months ago, he and Pellaeon were in this same region of space, testing the Predictor. Here, Pellaeon first suggested a peace treaty. Pellaeon frequently said that while had tried to learn as much as could from Thrawn, he wasn't Thrawn and never would be. Now Adriff knew how that must have felt. He wasn't Pellaeon.
"Sir," one of the bridge crew interrupted him, "sensors are detecting a hyperspace—"
"What in the name of Vader..." another voice said.
Adriff immediately snapped back into the present. "Cut the chatter, ensign," he said, "Shields up!"
"Shields up, aye, sir," the reply came.
"Fighters standing by for launch."
"Belay that," Adriff said. "Keep the hangar bays closed."
"Sir?" the young officer clearly didn't understand.
"Look out there, Lieutenant," he pointed at the viewport where the other fleet hanged silently. "I suspect that one ship alone outguns us. How many fighters do you think they have?"
"Sir," the communications officer called out, "we are receiving a transmission."
"Put it through," Adriff said. "Begin calculations for a hyperjump back to sector HQ."
"Yes, sir."
A hologram of a tall man wearing the uniform of an Imperial TIE pilot appeared. Adriff hoped his astonishment didn't register on his face, since he recognized the man.
He stabilized himself. "Baron Fel," he said. "This is Captain Adriff of the ISD Chimaera. State your intentions in Imperial space."
"Captain Adriff," Fel said. "I am General Soontir Fell, commanding the Empire of the Hand First Expeditionary Fleet."
"I know who you are, Baron Fel. I repeat: state your intentions."
"Very well, captain. Will you allow me and my staff to come aboard?"
"Why?"
"I prefer to keep the details of our mission of the subspace waves."
Adriff thought for a moment. Fel outgunned him. Having him aboard would sift the situation—if not in Adriff's favor, than in that direction. And had Fel intended to destroy the Chimaera, he already would have...
"How many people are you bringing with you?"
"Three of my staff, plus the shuttle crew."
"Very well. No guards," he said.
Fel looked up. "Who do you take me for?" He shut the comm.
Adriff sighed. At least things wouldn't be boring anymore. He switched to the ship's intercom.
"Get a guard of the hangar bay," he told the security chief. "I'm not expecting trouble, but we don't want to be caught unprepared." He didn't know what Fel was up to, he didn't know what 'The Empire of the Hand' was, and he had never seen a ship like Fel's Star Destroyer. You couldn't be too careful.