Space - Aboard the Imperial Star Destroyer Chimaera

Ferroda Grey lowered the shuttle to the deck with a faint clank in the aft hanger of the Chimaera. "Shuttle 37 down;" announced Kyle into the comms. "Awaiting further orders."

"Shuttle 37, acknowledged. Shut down all systems and prepare for unloading."

Kyle acknowledged and turned to the others. "Alright, just keep your cools and follow my lead and Ferroda's. If my memory serves me, they unload everything from all the cargo ships before letting any of us leave. We have a couple hours at least."

"Great;" said Shada impatiently, "can we get going now?"

"Hey;" Ferroda said, not harshly or unkindly, "it's easy to tell you have a serious paramilitary background and you know that missions like this have an extremely low success rate. Take a deep breath and trust us. Our whole purpose here is to get Karrde out and we will but if you act rashly in an operation like this, the whole thing could be blown."

Shada wanted to snap at him but elected instead to take a deep breath, readjust her black officer's cap. "Alright; I'll follow your lead."

Ferroda smiled and said, "Good; right, let's go."

They moved to the center of the storage compartment and Ferroda and Kyle examined the area before Ferroda pointed at an area of plating. "There, Kyle?"

"Looks good - outta sight and no critical systems. Would you like to do the honors?"

Luke stepped forward and said, "Allow me; got to be useful somehow on this trip."

Kyle chuckled and Ferroda gave a lopsided smile. Carefully, Luke ignited the emerald-bladed lightsaber and began to cut. He beveled the edges so that, when they hopped out, they would be able to simply slide it back in place. Suddenly, there was a bright spark and the lights went dark. Shada muttered "What the-"

"It's alright;" said Kyle. "I don't sense anyone's interest. We'd better hurry though."

Luke finished his cut and Ferroda used the force to move the piece out of the hole. One by one, they dropped through to the floor, rolling fluidly to their feet. "Alright;" Kyle murmured, "Hide the sabers but keep those blasters ready. Imperials always walk in some kind of formation whether there are two, four or even more. Shada, you're technically the highest rank so you'll be ahead. Luke and Ferroda will be behind you and side by side and I'll bring up the rear."

Marching as he had ordered, they made their way to a bank of turbo lifts. The only reason anyone paid even a modicum of attention to them was because of Shada. Women were still not terribly common in the military and seeing one was just interesting enough to warrant a glance. Seeing her hard gaze and officer's insignia, none of the passing Imperials dared allow their gaze to linger, nor did they even contemplate having a conversation with her. They quickly made it to the turbo lift and Kyle keyed it for non-stop ascension. "Alright, we need to get to a terminal somewhere out of the way when we're done. I'm having the lift take as both up and across and making the route a little bit longer and more zig-zagged so that security won't be able to track it as well. At the terminal, we're going to cut transfer orders for Karrde from one block to another. From there, we simply grab him another uniform and sneak him out on the shuttle."

"I remember Jade Skywalker mentioning something about a contingency?" said Shada, arching one eyebrow.

Luke chuckled, "We have a few in mind, depending on what goes wrong. They all generally end up with us deactivating the tractor beam and shooting our way out."

"Wonderful;" she muttered. Not long after, the doors opened and they stepped out with a purpose. Right off the lift was an unoccupied terminal. "Will this due?" asked Luke.

Kyle studied it with a frown. "It's a standard duty console. The average trooper or crewman could check duty rosters, maintenance or delivery schedules, the mess menu - stuff like that. Hopefully, with Mara and Wade's security gizmo, we can get in further too."

Luke handed him the code cylinder. In a few short moments, Kyle gave a low whistle. "Damn! This is fantastic! With Mara's codes and Wade's unbelievable technological skills, we have access to a good amount of the ship. Alright, cutting transfer orders now and making them look like they're coming from the ship's captain. Let me see here - HAH! Pure sabaac! Alright, orders cut! Karrde will be transferred to Commander Lana Stardome;" and he pointed at Shada, "that's you, by the way."

"Great;" said Shada, as she looked around.

"Stop that;" murmured Ferroda. "You might draw unnecessary attention. Nothing says 'I'm up to no good' like looking around conspicuously."

Shada actually chuckled and said, "I was looking bored more than anything, Grey. Now hurry up, troopers. I don't have all day."

The others were forced to suppress chuckles of amusement. "Alright, all finished here;" said Kyle. "Let's go."

In lockstep, they marched to the detention block. When the doors opened, the man inside looked at them with little interest and asked, "what can I do for you, Commander?" There was no missing the mild sneer in his voice.

Shada narrowed her eyes and stepped right up to him. "You can try to keep some military baring, Lieutenant. I have a transfer order for the prisoner in cell Fourteen-Besh. Bring him to me, immediately!"

The Lieutenant seemed less than impressed. "I'm sorry, Ma'am. I wasn't notified of any transfer. Do you have the orders?"

Shada glared and gritted out, "Of course I have the bloody orders, Lieutenant - or you could have one of the guards look it up right there;" and she pointed to one of the terminals. "or is that too difficult for you and your men?"

The Lieutenant's eyes bulged with temper but he managed to say, "Check the orders, Trooper."

It was only a moment before the guard said, "The orders are here, Lieutenant. It seems someone forgot to contact us with a notification."

"Indeed, they did;" growled the officer, glaring at Shada. "Bring the prisoner out for the Commander. But I am going to send this report higher up."

"Oh and so will I, Lieutenant;" Shada growled. "So will I."

After a few minutes, Karrde was brought to them and Shada signed the transfer order before motioning that the others follow her with the prisoner.

Captain Pellaeon was monitoring the bridge deflector control overhaul when one of the officers hurried to him and said, "Captain, the officer in charge of the current shift in prison block BKL-4432. A female commander came and picked up Karrde. Apparently, she's taking him to another block by your orders."

Pellaeon frowned and accepted the datapad. It was unlikely that Thrawn had used Pellaeon's authorization to issue such an order since he could just use his own. "Get me the roster of all naval officers of the rank of commander and try and match it to the name on the orders. When you get finished, transmit the results to me. Also, send a security squad to the receiving block. Lock down all hangers as well. I am going to see the Grand Admiral."

"No need for that;" said the Grand Admiral from behind him. "Do you have something to report?"

"I have a rather uncomfortable question, Admiral;" said Pellaeon apologetically as he motioned to an abandoned section of the bridge that wasn't populated. Thrawn's blue-black eyebrows raised and he followed Pellaeon to the corner. "Did you use my verification code to transfer Karrde from one block to another?"

Thrawn's eyes narrowed and Pellaeon nodded briskly. "I have a security team on the way to the receiving block and all hangers are currently locked down. If I were to hazard a guess, Karrde's people managed to sneak aboard disguised as shuttle crew members."

Thrawn was clearly unhappy but, rather than venting his anger and frustration, he controlled it. "No, I don't think so. There is no conceivable way that Karrde's organization, as resources and vast as it is, would be able to get aboard and fit in so seamlessly. No, Captain, I think that the Rebellion is involved. They have many former-imperials who would fit in perfectly."

Pellaeon was about to protest but then remember that Rianna Saren had once been a rebel commando. "If that is the case, Sir, then I'm guessing that they are after the capital ships as well. Additionally, sir, we need to assume they have another plan in the works. Perhaps the escape pods or a rapid insertion and docking of an escape ship for them to board."

Thrawn was nodding, "Very good, Captain; lock down all escape pods and have a constant sensor scan. Have all security personnel on alert as well and begin a complete ID check of all aboard. They cannot be allowed to escape."

"Of course, Sir. Sir, what of the patrol at Endor?"

"Have them continue, Captain. Organa Solo won't have simply abandoned the Millennium Falcon in orbit there. Sooner or later, she'll return and when she does, I intend to have her."

"Of course, sir;" replied Pellaeon before turning his attention to capturing the intruders.

Thrawn's mind began to race. He knew that there was no way even the best commandos of the Rebellion could hope to succeed without know Imperial protocol and having proper access codes. Mara Jade Skywalker's past would provide them a great deal of access to the Chimaera's computer system. "Captain;" he said suddenly, "have the Chimaera's main computer shut down."

Pellaeon froze, "Shut down, sir?"

"Carry out your orders, Captain."

"Yes, sir;" said Pellaeon through stiff lips. Doing such a thing would cripple the ship and leave it blind.

It was lucky that they weren't in a turbolift car when the main computer shut down. Kyle had suddenly felt a nudge from the force. "Give me a moment;" he said and trotted to a computer console. It didn't power up. "They shut down the ship's main computer;" he said in surprise. "That's a new tactic. Only Thrawn would hamper his own efforts and assume that it will negatively affect us more."

"And he's right, unfortunately;" said Ferroda. "Where are we headed, Kyle?"

"Well we were headed back to the hanger we came in but we may need to come up with a better idea."

They looked at one another for ideas until Luke suggested, "How about the deep vehicle storage bay? They'll expect us to go to the escape pods or the main hangers. If we can snatch a ship from deep storage, that might take them by surprise."

"Or leave us pinned in the depths of the ship;" said Shada. She had freed Karrde and handed him an extra blaster pistol. "Besides;" she continued, "how are we going to get their if the lifts are down."

"Well we aren't far, thankfully;" said Ferroda. "We'll just have to use maintenance shafts and the like. Come on. We don't have time to argue. They'll be on us in-"

"Stop right there!" came an order from a nearby cross section. Four Navy troopers were there and went for their blasters. Neither of them had a chance. Kyle and Ferroda dropped them with precise blasts.

"Alright, time to go;" said Luke.

They disappeared into the nearest maintenance hatch and worked their way through the superstructure of the ship at a run. "Are you sure you know where you're going?" demanded Shada.

Ferroda, who was leading the way, answered "Oh yeah! Memorized the schematics for these beasts ages ago. Come on."

The reports that came in by comlink and intercom were not encouraging. They mostly stated the same thing - no sign of intruders near the detention levels. No sign near the hangers either. Pellaeon was fuming but one of the reports interested Thrawn. "It seems that someone tried to access a console not far from the aft hanger."

"Good;" growled the captain. "We have the ships in the hanger locked down."

"They won't be going for the hanger, Captain;" said Thrawn thoughtfully.

Suddenly, Pellaeon's comlink pinged. "Report."

"Sir, we found team 114;" came the reply. "They're dead - very precise shooting with blaster pistols."

"Transmit the location;" demanded Pellaeon. When he saw it, he looked at Thrawn. "Where are they going, Sir?"

Thrawn's eyes narrowed for just a moment and then widened. "Get two squads to the Millennium Falcon, Captain - NOW!"

Pellaeon relayed the orders and then looked at his superior. To his shock, Thrawn had a thin smile. "I do believe that we have them, Captain. They are going to try deep storage, thinking that the ships there wouldn't be guarded. Hopefully, they will be very wrong."

Luke and the others looked around the storage area. As they had hoped, it was empty. "All clear - for the moment. I'm willing to bet Thrawn won't have overlooked this though."

"If he's half the brilliant mind Mara says he is;" commented Kyle, "you're definitely right."

"Here's a hanger bay computer link. Want to try your luck?" asked Ferroda

Kyle shrugged and winced. "I could but the computer would record the attempt so if it doesn't work-"

"SSHHH!" said Shada, "Listen."

The heavy vehicle lift was coming from the area below. Luke shrugged and said, "They're bringing something up this way. So long as it isn't an all terrain transport, she should be fine. Kyle, I don't think you have a choice. You should probably try-" but he trailed off as the ship on the lift became visible. "That's- there's no way. It can't be!"

"Oh it is, buddy;" said Kyle. The Millennium Falcon was rising on the lift. Immediately, he tried the computer and, to his surprise, it powered up. "Must be on a secondary system."

"It is;" murmured Ferroda as he looked over Kyle's shoulder. "Most hanger controls and lift controls run off a secondary system so that vehicle and troops can move about or come and go as need. Slice in and check for other prisoners."

After a moment, Kyle sighed with relief. "Nope. She was found abandoned over Endor. No prisoners."

"Great;" said Luke, "and we're going to take her back. Let's go."

"Hold on now, Skywalker;" said Karrde, "wouldn't Thrawn expect this."

As if to prove his point, when the lift itself appeared beneath the ship, a naval trooper and engineer appeared standing upon it. "Hey;" Ferroda called to them. "New orders from the Grand Admiral. He want's it moved back down."

The trooper scowled and went for his blaster. Both he and the engineer were cut down by blaster bolts before they had any chance. "Get this thing moving back down. We don't have a lot of time. Luke, go start preflight;" ordered Kyle.

Suddenly, two stormtrooper squads came through the doors. "Oh kriffing-" but their blaster fire force Kyle to cut off his own cursing. "Alright," he said to Ferroda, "it's time to break cover."

Ferroda nodded grimly. Just them, a yellow and a green lightsaber came to life while Shada and Karrde returned fire. Before breaking cover, Ferroda had gotten the ship moving back down towards the hanger bays below. Now, the troopers focused their fire on the two lightsaber wielding intruders but were picked off either by the other two or by their own blasts being deflected right back at them. Behind them, the ship was fired up and Luke called, "We're ready to go in two minutes - three tops. Get in here and shut the ramp behind you."

They obeyed quickly and Luke lowered the repeating blaster cannon to drive the Imperials to cover. "This is going to take some tricky flying;" muttered Luke.

"Can you handle it?" asked Kyle anxiously.

Luke shot him a look and prepared to lift off as soon as they lift was low enough for him to take off and clear the hanger ceiling and catwalks. Just as he thought they were there, the lift stopped. "Stang;" muttered Kyle. "Can you get through?"

They could see the exit. They could see the Star Destroyer's main hanger through a crack that looked too small for the Falcon. Luke sighed and said, "Well, Han is going to kill me but here goes nothing."

"Wait!" said Shada, sounding on the verge of panic as they lifted less than a meter off the Falcon's landing struts. They slotted back into their compartments and Luke used the ship forward his eyes closed. The front forks of the freighter eased through and just as it looked like they were about to make it unscathed, Luke winced and their was a rending shriek. "There goes the dorsal scanner array;" he said apologetically.

Luke quickly dove for the docking port as TIE's were already beginning to scramble. "Anyone want to take the guns?" he asked, sounding just a little nervous.

Wordlessly, Shada and Ferroda hurried to the wells that led to the quad guns. As they shot through the massive hanger bay, blaster shots pinged and sizzled off the armor. And then they were out in the black of space, skimming along the bottom of the Star Destroyer, heading aft. The TIE's were screaming after them but Luke gave a small smile. With a flourish that would even impress the ship's owner, Luke suddenly banked, spun and blazed out towards the stars, away from the ship. Over the intercoms, Kyle whooped and Shada said, "Nice moves;" and actually sounded impressed, if grudgingly so.

"Thank you; we're clear. Making the jump to hyperspace now;" Luke eased the levers forward and the stars turned to lines. They were away.

Everyone aboard sighed with relief. "Alright;" Luke said into the comms. "Meeting in the lounge."

They all looked very tired but relieved. "Alright, first things first;" said Karrde. "Where are you taking us?"

"Coruscant;" said Kyle. "From there, Rianna has arrangements for you to get to wherever you need to go."

"That's good;" said Karrde, "but first I want to meet with your leaders about Captain Solo's proposal."

Kyle and Ferroda looked at each other before saying, "We'll head up to the cockpit, Luke."

Luke nodded distractedly and focused on Karrde and Shada. "So you've rethought about Han's offer. Are you taking the New Republic's offer or are you thinking of something else as well?"

Karrde and Shada shared a glance and shared a slight nod. "Both but let's table the original offer for another time. Your navy needs war ships and transports, right?"

"Desperately;" said Luke, eyeing them each wearily. "Why do you ask?"

"What would you say;" asked Shada between glances at Karrde, "to two hundred pre-Clone Wars era Rendili Dreadnought-class Heavy Star Cruisers - all slave-rigged to cut down on crew requirements to a fraction of the original necessary numbers."

Luke straightened up and gazed at them. "Do you mean the Dark Force?"

Karrde and Shada nodded. With a sigh, Luke brushed his blond hair out of his face and said, "Give me a moment and let me grab something to drink. I'll just bet Han has something strong stashed away."

Space - Aboard the Imperial Star Destroyer Chimaera

The Millennium Falcon flickered and was gone. With clenched fists, Captain Pellaeon prepared for the worst from his commander. The worst didn't come. Rather than find someone to vent his rage on, Thrawn commanded, "Recall the TIE fighters to their stations, Captain. Secure from intruder alert, and have Systems Control work to get the main computer back on line."

Pellaeon once again had to remind himself that Thrawn was not the Lord Darth Vader. As if an afterthought, the Grand Admiral said, "Oh, and the supply unloading can be resumed."

"Yes, sir;" he said, frowning as he transmitted the orders.

As if answering an unasked question, Thrawn said, "We've lost a round, Captain. No more."

"It seems to me, Admiral, that we've lost far more than that;" countered Pellaeon. "There's no chance that Karrde won't give the Katana fleet to the Rebellion now."

"Ah;" Thrawn corrected with an upraised finger, "but he won't simply give it to them. Karrde's pattern has never been to give anything away for free. He'll attempt to bargain, or else will set conditions the Rebellion will find unsatisfactory. The negotiations will take time, particularly given the suspicious political atmosphere we've taken such pains to create on Coruscant. And a little time is all we need."

Pellaeon shook his head. "You're assuming that ship thief Ferrier will be able to find the Corellian group's ship supplier before Karrde and the Rebellion work out their differences."

"There's no assumption involved, Captain. Ferrier is even now on Solo's trail and has extrapolated his destination for us ... and thanks to Intelligence's excellent work on Karrde's background, not to mention Lord Diabolis's underworld contacts, I know exactly who the man is that we will be meeting at the end of that trail."

Pellaeon was still doubtful but he did not argue. The admiral had not earned his doubt yet. "Instruct Navigation to prepare a course for the Pantolomin system, Captain;" ordered Thrawn. "Departure to be as soon as the supply shuttles have been unloaded."

Kashyyyk - The Shadowlands

Darth Diabolis and Silri were in their traditional Sith and Nightsister garb as they travelled in the darkness of the Shadowlands of Kashyyyk. It was during daylight and yet, the darkness was nearly complete. "This place is amazing;" murmured Silri.

"The wroshyr trees were once no more interesting than most others. It was the Rakata of the Infinite Empire who used primitive, yet effective, technology to terriform this planet, making what was once a fairly moderate world intended for agriculture to what it is now."

"Fascinating;" murmured Silri. She stretched out with the force and felt all the animals around them. Many were aggressive. The most vicious predators lived on the the planet floor while most herbivores lived in the branches and trees above. "What are we looking for, my Lord?"

"I'm not sure. Darth Revan visited here before and after the Jedi Council used the force to wipe his mind and transplant his memories. Both times, he was tracking a star map. We must follow the force to a nexus. I'm certain that the star map is there. Hopefully, there is also some of Revan's other treasures."

"I wish we had brought our rancors with us;" murmured Silri.

Darth Diabolis chuckled and unclipped his lightsaber. Silri pulled her weapons as well. As they moved through the undergrowth, predators roared around them but there was no sense of danger in the force as they strode threw. In an a space between the trees, they stopped and Diabolis closed his eyes and reached out with the force. A little over a kilometer ahead of them, he could sense a concentration in the force. "Ah, yes;" he said. "This way, my dear."

Silri was looking around them both. "Some of the beasts are getting more than just curious about us. I think they may attack soon."

Diabolis nodded and said, "I trust your instincts, my dear. Keep your senses open and let me know if or when they decide to attack."

As they traveled, however, Silri's alert expression became a rather perplexed one. "The further we travel, the more anxious they get. Huh. They've stopped following altogether now. I can sense we're getting close and the beasts must not like the feeling of the nexus. Are they force sensitive, my Lord? I can't sense any strong connection."

Diabolis was frowning slightly and stroked his clean-shaven chin. "No, I think that there is something else in the area that they fear. If my memory serves me, there was a dark side monster here but Lord Revan killed it on his second visit. Perhaps there were more. I'm not sure, but we will find out shortly."

Gradually, the trees began to change as well. They went from looking strong and colorful to looking brown and menacing. The power of the dark side was getting much stronger. Suddenly, Silri stiffened. "We aren't alone;" she hissed and spun, planting her back against her master's. Neither of them moved but occasionally, with the use of force-enhanced senses, they saw flashes of white or heard the faintest scrape or rustle. Diabolis felt just the barest hint of annoyance. "Whoever you are out there, come out. We have no quarrel with you and are simply passing through."

There was no response but the next time there was a rustle in the undergrowth. Reaching out with the force, Silri caused powerful winds to blow towards them. The bushes, branches and even some rocks and bark moved towards them - along with a bulky, hairy and stark white figure. With a growl of surprise and an athletic roll, the being came up crouched and glaring. "As I said," Diabolis said, "We mean you know-" but he frowned at the weapon in the Wookiee's hand. "What is your name?"

The Wookiee snarled and suddenly, the weapon in his hand activated. It was a purple-bladed lightsaber. Silri frowned and casually began to circle while Diabolis said, "It is an honor to meet you, Tojjevvuk. How did you wind up down here in the Shadwolands?"

Tojjevvuk snarled again and brandished the weapon aggressively. "There is not need for violence;" said the Dark Lord soothingly.

The Wookiee however, wouldn't hear it and charged. Lifting his hand, Diabolis sent a torrent of force lightning into Tojjevvuk's chest. Silri used her lightwhip to wrap around the lightsaber in the Wookiee's hand. With a quick flick of her wrist, she sent the lightsaber right to her master's hand.

Diabolis ceased his attack and studied the weapon. It was Darth Revan's weapon when he was a Jedi Knight and war hero of the Old Republic. "Where did you find this?"

Demanded the Dark Lord, his voice allowing for no argument. The Wookiee slowly stood to his feet, snarling and growling. "I see;" murmured Diabolis. "And there was nothing else?".

"What is he saying, my Lord?" asked Silri.

Diabolis received the Wookiee's answer before replying to his apprentice. "It was buried beneath the star map. Both of them were unburied when a nearby tree root lifted them both up. There was nothing else there but the lightsaber and the case it was in."

Turning his attention back to the Wookiee, Darth Diabolis said, "My thanks, Wookiee. We are taking our leave now."

The Wookiee snarled and crouched in a combat stance. Silri blasted him with force-lightning and snarled, "You are in no position to make demands, beast! We are leaving and you can find your own way off this planet."

Turning, they walked away.

"Run the ship through pre-flight, my dear;" said Diabolis. "I will be entering the coordinates of our next jump."

They both worked quickly and efficiently. "Take us away, my dear;" said Diabolis fondly, "and perhaps when we are in hyperspace, we can-" suddenly, he cut himself off and frowned. That frown turned to a glare. "That misbegotten pale freak!" he snarled. "He has tested my patience for the last time. Continue, Silri. I'll be back."

Striding to the cargo hold, Diabolis said in an ice-cold voice, "You might as well show yourself, Tojjevvuk. You cannot hide from me."

The Wookiee stood from behind the stock of emergency rations and equipment and made a grumbling statement. "No, you could not be of any use to me, Wookiee;" said Diabolis curtly. "You could have found another way off the planet or lived out your days in the Shadowlands."

The Wookiee snarled. Diabolis nodded as he approached the creature. "That weapon was meant for a Jedi Knight who turned into one of the greatest Dark Lords of the Sith of all time. Your using is dishonors his name. Now you sneak aboard my ship. You have exactly one chance to explain why I should let you live. How can you be of any use to me, Tojjevvuk?"

The Wookiee gave series of growls and snarls before going silent. In short, the Wookiee said that he was very skilled with mechanical matters, not to mention a fierce warrior - basically the same thing that could be said of any Wookiee. Diabolis was not interested but he was willing to allow Tojjevvuk to serve him if he could. "Very well, I will let you live. You will serve with my technicians on Wayland."

Suddenly the Wookiee straightened and roared angrily. Diabolis gave a cold smile. "You have two choices, die here or be my slave."

The Wookiee roared again and charged. Diabolis didn't bother drawing either of the lightsabers at his disposal. He simply lifted his hand. The furry bulk lifted off the ground, clutching at his throat. With a quick squeeze through the force, he snapped the monsters neck. With disdain, the Dark Lord used the force to bring the corpse to an airlock and space it. With a sigh, he went back to the bridge.

"Where are we going, my Lord?" asked Silri.

"Rakata Prime - also called Lehon: it was where the Star Forge was millennia ago and it also held a temple. If I were to hazard a guess, that is where Revan heard his armor and mask. Take us into hyperspace."