Over the next several weeks Kallus accompanied Pryce on various missions. He soon found that Kiara had been correct to warn him against sharing every bit of information that he found would be helpful to the rebellion. He learned so much that he knew would be beneficial, but he knew if too much was leaked out that it would lead back to him; and likely quickly. So, despite wanting to share all that he could he instead limited what he would share with his contact via his Fulcrum identity. Having access to so much information that he couldn't share, however, could be very frustrating at times.

Kallus read over the reports regarding the manufacturing wing of the Imperial Complex. The number of accidents and defective equipment coming out of the factory had increased by more than four hundred percent. It didn't take a genius to figure out that the citizens who had been recruited to work at the factory by force were taking what chance they had to get back at the Empire in the only way that they could. The thing was, due to the high rate of malfunctioning vehicles, Thrawn was making a personal visit to the factory. He was due to participate in an inspection of the factory line in less than a quarter of an hour. He set the files aside and began to head to the manufacturing wing of the complex

Pryce sneered in her annoyingly superior tone and instructed, "Agent Kallus, make sure the workers are all present and accounted for."

"Yes, Governor Pryce." Kallus then strolled over toward the workers. "Look sharp. This factory is being honored by a surprise visit from Imperial High Command."

It was at that moment that Thrawn stepped forward to address those who had been gathered for his inspection in the eerily calm tone that the man seemed to maintain nearly effortlessly. Only slipping up and showing any emotion on very few occasions.

"Thank you for the introduction, Agent Kallus. My visit is not an honor, however, but an investigation. Vehicles assembled in this factory malfunction at a rate far higher than that of others. I believe poor craftsmanship is to blame, and it has cost your Empire troops and missions. This will not be tolerated." The Chiss walked before the gathered workers as he spoke and paused at one of the men before continuing. "Worker 5473. You were pressed into the Empire's service?"

Kallus heard the old man's voice tremble slightly when he replied, "Yes, sir. After losing my farm."

"Do you stand by your work?"

The worker hesitated a bit before answering Thrawn's question, "I do."

"This 624-AVA is the last bike you personally inspected and assembled. Please, demonstrate for me how quickly it can achieve full speed." When the worker didn't move from his place in line Thrawn added as troopers moved to force the man over to the bike. "We don't have all day."

The worker reluctantly climbed aboard the bike at the testing station and fired up the engine. As the bike accelerated Kallus saw where the undercarriage began to glow red hot. The bike was malfunctioning and everyone in the room knew it. Finally, the worker called out desperately.

"Something's wrong. It's overheating. Gonna have to shut it down."

That was when Thrawn coldly informed the worker, "No. The demonstration is not yet over." He then used the override on his datapad and powered the bike to full power.

Kallus watched as the bike began to release smoke and its alarms went off.

"I can't stop it!" Those were the last words that the worker said before screaming in pain when the bike exploded under him.

Kallus had seen, even been a part of many heartless acts over the course of his career but watching what could only have been deemed an execution of the worker shook him. Horrified him. For a moment Kallus's face lost his look of boredom that he tried to maintain while around his superiors.

"Now that I have your attention, know this. Whatever you build here you will test personally." Thrawn brushed a bit of debris from his shoulder nonchalantly as he spoke. "I expect your malfunction rate to drop substantially." After seeing to it that his demonstration had the intended effect on the remaining workers he walked toward Lieutenant Lyste. "See to it that no one leaves or enters the facility. I wish to inspect the line for sabotage."

As Thrawn continued both Pryce and Kallus fell in step with him to leave as Lyste began to set things in order for the inspection. As the trio walked Pryce began to ask her questions of Thrawn.

"Grand Admiral, you don't think the rebels have infiltrated section A-2 as well, do you? The secrecy of that project is-"

Thrawn strolled confidently slightly ahead of his two subordinates with his hands clasped behind his back. "Is imperative." Thrawn finished Pryce's sentence. "Which is why I've ordered anyone attempting to enter the area without my personal code to be terminated on sight. You should not have compromised security here by hiring locals."

The reprimand hit Pryce where it hurt the most, her pride. After all, she felt an overwhelming need to show that she was capable of doing her job well. "This factory has quotas to meet."

Kallus figured that he'd interject into the conversation and perhaps get some information that could provide useful to his contacts. After all, this sort of thing is precisely what he was here for as an ISB agent, was it not? "I can question the workers, but I won't know if they are lying without more information about this new project."

When he mentioned that he needed more information all he got in return was a sneer from the governor. "All you need to know is that the Admiral has a new fighter initiative here."

That confused Kallus. Why would a new ship be considered worthy of all of this secrecy? "A new fighter? Difficult to see how one small ship will change much."

At that point Thrawn turned to face Kallus. "Agent, victory and defeat are often determined by the smallest detail." He then turned to look up at a freshly assembled walker. "For example, take this walker. Is this your work?" Thrawn asked a nearby worker.

"Yes, sir. I oversaw its construction."

Thrawn then instructed Kallus to use his datapad to have the walker step forward. When Kallus complied, the walker took a couple of shaky steps before falling over. With only a look, the Chiss gave the order to the troopers to take the worker into custody as he began to plead for his life.

Kallus was released to begin his investigation and when he returned to the Grand Admiral's office sometime later with Lieutenant Lyste at his side, he found the man studying various bits of art. All of it appeared to be linked directly to the crew of the Ghost.

"Sir?" Lyste asked since he was unsure of why they had been asked to come to the office.

"Lieutenant, what can you tell me about this?"

The younger man seemed confused as he looked to the cut away piece of wall that Thrawn had brought to his office. "Uh... It looks like a section of the retaining wall, sir."

"Ah. Agent Kallus?"

Kallus knew that a more thorough answer is what was being asked for. After all, the markings on the section of the wall bore those of the same crew whom he'd been asked to deal with for the last couple of years. He'd studied much of the same information already that the Chiss now had scattered around his office.

Kallus straightened his shoulders as he replied, "It's the mark of the Phoenix Squadron. A creature of flight rising in the flames. A symbol of their commitment to victory."

"It is that and more," Thrawn said coolly as he continued to study the painting of Sabine Wren. "I've seen it everywhere, marking territory. It is a commitment, but to this world specifically. These rebels have an attachment to this place and will always return." Kallus watched as the admiral then turned as if deciding that the matter of the artwork suddenly held no interest to him any longer. He spun quickly and addressed the younger officer, "So, have you found more subversives?"

That made Lyste nervous, and he stumbled when he had to confess that he'd lost two of the workers who were left in his care earlier. Kallus tried to suggest that he'd be able to find them if an alert was issued only to be shot down by Thrawn. He knew that the individuals who had infiltrated the factory would have found new disguises.

When Kallus was told that the rebels in the base were likely to be after information regarding section A-2 he secretly hoped that they'd succeed since he didn't like the idea of a fighter that even he didn't have clearance to see. That couldn't be good news for the Rebellion. As soon as Kallus was able to slip away, he headed down toward the section in search of the rebels.

He didn't have to even get out of the lift, however, before he came face to face with two individuals in trooper armor. Their body language told him that they were the rebels that he'd come down to the level to find. Thinking quickly as more troopers began to come into view, appearing to have been chasing the two who had called for the lift, Kallus ordered the two to enter the lift with him.

"You two, come with me to secure the perimeter." Once they were inside, he figured that he needed to start a very quick discussion so that he could determine just who these particular rebels were so that he could best figure out how to get them out. To be honest, though, he suspected based on their height that they were the Jedi and Padawan. "Don't move, rebels."

Looking back, Kallus would admit that his wording could have been just a bit better. He suddenly found himself up against the wall while trying to fight off both rebels.

"Listen to me. I'm Fulcrum." Kallus spat out in an attempt to halt their assault. When the smaller trooper scoffed in disbelief it confirmed that these were indeed Jarrus and Bridger.

"You want us to believe that?" Kanan asked just a bit amused.

Okay, so Kallus didn't really blame them for not believing him. "By the light of Lothal's moons."

When he spoke those words both of the Jedi removed their helmets in disbelief. He reminded them both that Zeb trusted him on the ice moon and that he'd been the one to save Sabine at Skystrike Academy. Just as he was trying to save them, now.

After some back-and-forth Kallus led them to a communications center where they would be able to get a signal out to their friends to help get them out of the complex. He'd even been able to add a bit of dramatics by warning those inside that rebels were following him as he fired his blaster in their general direction. He just wished that he would have been warned that the two Jedi intended to slam one of the troopers into him by using the force. Getting a trooper's helmet slammed into his forehead wasn't what he'd consider fun. He knew that he'd be sporting a good-sized bump on his forehead for that.

After the droid got the information that was needed and Kannan was able to call for his friends, Kallus was again taken by surprise when the boy decided to help him make the scene look convincing that he hadn't actually been a willing participant in their escape. Bridger had sent him through the glass display and hurled him across the room, knocking him out. When he woke up he joined the others in the room in their displays of confusion as to what had happened.

After the Jedi escaped, Kallus was called to Thrawn's office along with Pryce and Lyste.

"Agent Kallus, I read your report. Several troopers confirmed your encounter with the Jedi. It was very helpful. You know, after analyzing the rebels' escape, it's clear to me they had help from one within our Imperial ranks."

Pryce's shock and revulsion at the idea that there was a rebel agent among the Imperial ranks was clear. She was insistent that all personnel must be interrogated immediately. Thrawn, however, wasn't as hasty. In fact, he appeared to be amused.

"Patience, Governor. Acting out of emotion will not serve us here. We must wait and watch. And when we find our spy, and we will find them, we shall turn them from an obstacle to an asset. Wouldn't you agree, Agent Kallus?"

Kallus couldn't believe that Thrawn had already figured out that there was a spy in his ranks. He'd thought that he'd covered his tracks well. "Your strategy is without flaw, Grand Admiral. As always."

He briefly wondered if the admiral had any clue that he was actually speaking to the very spy that they were discussing the eventual capture of.

When he was released from the office to continue to do his job Kallus headed toward his own office and only once he had his door closed did he allow for a sigh of relief to escape him. Thrawn may know that he had a rebel spy present at the Imperial Complex, but he couldn't know who it was. Not yet. He'd just have to be more careful. Maybe he shouldn't have acted so cocky when Valour had told him that it was harder to go unnoticed in the Empire than he'd given her credit for.

Kallus did his best to wait to send out any calls to his rebel contact when Thrawn wasn't on Lothal. He figured that would be the best way to go undetected since he was his biggest threat of being found out. Of course, that would only work when Kallus was actually on Lothal. However, when he was stationed on one of the Star Destroyers that he frequently was stationed on, he'd have to figure out a way to safely get a transmission out should he need to.

He thought back to the fact that Kiara had left her ship nearby and decided that he might be able to put the ship and its droid to good use.