Elom
Admiral Konstantine stood upon The Relentless. His flagship hovering in high orbit above the mining world. Watching his fleet, Konstantine's blue eyes gazed out over the surrounding area.
His orders were clear, do not engage any Rebel attacks against his forces, but observe and record their tactics and strategies used in the battle. Standing tall, Konstantine observed the various transports moving in and out of the system.
"Admiral, we're detecting several Rebel craft coming out of hyperspace." Konstantine blinked. His eyes sweeping the space within his view. "Have the fleet on full alert." He ordered. His posture remaining tall and prideful.
"Yes Admiral." From the distance. Several Rebel craft, including a stolen Quasar Fire class cruiser-carrier dropped from hyperspace. The rebel feet was joined shortly by the Ghost. "Move the fleet into attack formation."
The captain of The Relentless blinked. Taking a step forward, he spoke. "But sir, Grand Admiral Doom ordered us to observe them, not to engage." Konstantine's eyes remained focused on the Rebel command ship. A fire flicking in his eyes, burning with pride growing brightly.
"I don't care what that alien orders. I will not be denied the glory of taking out these Rebels." The captain stiffened, before nodding. "Yes Admiral."
Konstantine smirked as a Rebel ship was downed. The continued bombardment of his forces pushing the Rebels back. Watching in satisfaction. Konstantine smiled.
Seconds later, The Duchess dropped from Hyperspace. "Sir, you have a call from Admiral Pellaeon." Konstantine gazed upon the Imperial two class Star Destroyer. A hologram flicking to life before him. Pellaeon's eyes narrowed. His expression showing disappointment.
"Admiral Konstantine. Grand Admiral Doom requests your presence upon The Phoenix at once." Konstantine nodded. The hologram vanishing in seconds. "Captain, set course for Lothal at once and prep my shuttle for departure."
Lothal
Konstantine followed two Shadow Troopers. Walking down the hallway that lead to Doom's office. To a room nearby, Doom fought against four droids of unknown design.
His uniform was gone. His upper torso was bare. The many muscles he had showing. A six pack could be seen as his right hand caught hold of a droids hand and delivered a kick to it's head with his left foot. Stepping back, Doom turned fast, blocking an incoming punch before bending down quickly and swiping the droids legs out from under it.
Moving rapidly, Doom quickly positioned his body into an unknown form. His arms held before him, ready to strike upon the droids. Charging forward, Doom brought his left fist up, punching a droid upon the head. His body showed no motions of feeling the pain as he grabbed and flipped a droid over his head. Standing tall, Doom noticed Konstantine. "Override code: Galea"
The droids were quick to shutdown. Doom watched as the door closed. Konstantine blinked before he was escorted into the office. Gazing round, Konstantine noticed the many objects lining the room. His gaze soon fell upon a Mandalorian helmet. Resting near the square lightsaber blade, It was an ancient helmet, but kept up to date with many Mandalorian designs.
"The Helmet of Mand'alor. Obtained from my collection of items from a secret vault of mine. A unique item to remind me of an old comrade turned foe." Konstantine blinked, his gaze soon turning to face Doom.
"Now, your performance at Elom was wasteful." Konstantine blinked. "You say that, you let your forces get attacked, I prevented the Rebels from obtaining or freeing any of the slaves upon the world." Konstantine said with a smile of pride. Doom narrowed his gaze.
"You disobeyed a direct order from your superior officer. You ignored the command structure, showed disrespect for your comrades and shamed yourself before your crew." Doom scolded. His posture towering over Konstantine. "And, you have little to no tactical or strategic knowledge. You left Thrawn to die, you abandoned a superior officer in the face of battle."
"And I'd do it again if it meant I lived to serve another day." Doom stood before the image of the orange symbols. "If you had done that within my kinds navy. You'd be killed for treachery and for running from a battle. Lucky for you that you are not, among my kind. Guards, leave us." The two Shadow Troopers turned and left. The door closing behind them.
"Now, I'm going to make myself clear. I've seen your kind of people before. And they are insults to the very Empire. If you fail to obey a direct order from me or another of your superior officer, I will end your family before your eyes, they will pay for your mistakes and idiotic behaviour. Do I make myself clear?" Konstantine gulped. Doom had just threatened his family. Konstantine could hardly do anything. He had been backed into a corner that he couldn't escape from.
Slowly shaking, Konstantine nodded. "Yes Grand Admiral." Doom soon stood back. "Now, return to your post at Elom, and never engage the rebels again. Let us hope you have not thrown a hinge into my plans." Konstantine was quick to leave. His mind racing with many thoughts. He would have to do well to keep his pride in check, least his family pay the price.
Yavin IV
Sabine sighed, listening to the message form Fulcrum over and over again. "It's hard to believe that he came out from that meeting with Doom different. I wonder what happened within?" Sabine said, hers eyes full of curiosity. Kanan shrugged his shoulders. "Whatever it was, it made Konstantine fearful. And his pride is often what has him disobey orders. So what was it that caused him to become so scared?"
Sabine sighed. Her eyes darting towards the holotable. "I'm finding it odd, every system we've travelled to, the Imperial forces have refused to fight back and aid the local Imperial forces. Somethings not right." Mon Mothma nodded. "Indeed General Wren. What is the Empire planning?" Sabine thought long and hard for the next two minutes. Her mind retracing the battle that lost their only capital ship. "Back at Lothal, the Fourth Fleet never engaged us. It remained out of the battle. I think their observing us. Learning our moves."
A new voice soon spoke, rusty red droid entering the light. "Statement: Imperial forces have start to enter these systems with heavy forces." The droid was quick to pull up select systems. The rebels watched before eyeing the droid. "And how can we trust you?" The droid stood back, his orange eyes glowing as he observed each of the rebels.
"You can trust him Sabine, because he's my droid." Sabine's eyes widen in shock. The voice she heard, she hadn't heard for 18 years. Turning fast, Sabine rushed forward, leaping into a hug with the new comer. "Ok, I can understand your excitement at seeing me after 18 years. But still, yikes." Sabine released the newcomer and punched him in the shoulder. "Never scare me like that again."
The newcomer chuckled. "I'll try, but I won't grantee it won't happen." Sabine sighed. "You still have that rash side Ez" The newcomer walked into the light. "Ahsoka Tano, Senator Mon Mothma, it is nice to see you again."
"Likewise Padawn Bridger" Ezra smiled. "Padawn is old I'm afraid." Ahsoka blinked. "Old, what do you mean?" Ezra chuckled. "A day before coming to Mandalore, I completed my training under Master Kenobi. I was quickly knighted and given command of a small portion of Kenobi's fleet which came with me to Mandalore." Kanan slowly breathed.
"Well, care to explain how you found us?"
_
History lesson time: Elom was a world that the Empire wouldn't leave. It's mining potential making it a prime world to hold. It makes sense for the Rebellion to attempt and free it from the Empire.
Doom's combat fighting references Thrawn in Rebels.
Konstantine attempts to cover up his own goals but fails as he's backed into a corner.
Ezra's first appearance in the story after being mentioned many times and hinted that he's alive. Along with the many facts that Doom has provided about his past family.
Doom reveals he has a secret vault of artefacts and objects but doesn't reveal where it's located.
Fulcrum gets his or her first mentioned in to the book.
Like how Thrawn's override code was someone who worked alongside him. Doom's is similar in many ways. But varies in another.
Doom's office now includes the helmet of the Mand'alor. Helping to set up a future confrontation between him and a Mandalorian.
Konstantine is put in place by Doom. Showing Doom's ruthless leadership tactics by forcing those under his command to obey, least those close to them pay the price.