Chapter 2. Please know that any mention of the letters SPG last chapter was meant to say UNIG (please read info chapter to understand what UNIG is.)

Fleet Admiral Jorol Rahn, Lambda Class Imperial Shuttle, in geosynchronous orbit above Coruscant. 1 BBY.

To say that Fleet Admiral Jorol Rahn was nervous was an understatement.

Since he had awoken to the day, he had been shaking with anxiety. Not only was he nervous and unsure of why he had been called out to this conferenced, but he was also a few minutes away from meeting with one of the most unnerving men in the galaxy.

However, the ride in the Lambda Class Imperial Shuttle felt like it was taking hours. The dull, grey architecture of the federal district in Imperial City seemed to roll by a million times. Jorol checked his uniform was in pristine condition to not bore himself.

A shudder made him straighten up, as did the other men in the seating area of the Shuttle. Jorol looked them over and played their names over in his head

The short, athletic man opposite him wore the standard grey Captain's uniform, his rank badge displayed on his chest and his hat perfectly symmetrical to his head. Jorol remembered his name as Dextjov Faleese, Captain of the ISD Colossus. His record, if Jorol thought correctly, was only small, the fact being that this officer was relatively young in both career and age. He seemed jumpy and nervous, his grassy green eyes darting from left to right, just like Jorol, however he hid it better.

Jorol panned his eyes to the right. An imposing figure stared straight and the ship's wall ahead of him. His build was quite tall and muscular. His name was Ganio Torpoli. He also had the rank of a Captain but Jorol could tell people respected him as a lord. This man, Jorol pondered, looked like he couldn't be deterred by a horde of raging Acklay's charging at him. He had an air of steel about him, a trait that Jorol thought would suit any type of mission fine.

The craft jumped a little as the landing gear made contact with the landing pad. Jorol used this as the sign to get up. The back of the ship's wall opened out into a ramp that extended from the shuttle. Jorol walked down it, as did the other two men in the ship, and looked upon the Imperial Naval Intelligence Agency Headquarters. The thunder-cloud coloured structure was ugly in Jorol's opinion. The near-windowless building stuck out like a sore thumb amongst the more decorative ones surrounding it. The only lively thing on the Intelligence Headquarters was the massive Imperial flags draping down its side.

"Quite uninviting..." A quietly displeased voice murmured behind him. Jorol turned and saw a surprised look on Captain Faleese's face, clearly disgusted by the blandness of the structure.

"Is it your first time here?" Jorol asked. Faleese nodded.

"I'd only ever seen it in Holopics, I suppose they made it look grander."

Jorol chuckled "Very true." He turned back forward and noticed that a group of Stormtroopers were approaching them. An escort squad.

The lead Stormtrooper was dressed in normal attire but with blue markings across his chest, shoulders and had a blue stripe running through his helmet. Jorol recognised him as a Stormtrooper Commander

"Fleet Admiral Sir" the Stormtrooper started "if you and the others would follow me."

Jorol glanced back at his peers and proceeded forward with them. The Stormtrooper entourage surrounded the three navy personnel in a protective formation and led them inside the Intelligence building.

Jorol composed himself as they neared the conference room. Beyond the reinforced doors, he was to meet the most influential and powerful men in the galaxy, not to mention unnerving.

Beside him, Captain Faleese didn't notice the single bead of sweat run down his face or that his hands were noticeably shaking. No doubt, Jorol thought, that Faleese was thinking about the horrible stories he heard about the powerful man.

Jorol glanced at Torpoli to his right. A deadly frown was set across his face. The truth, however, was that he was masking his fear behind the scowl.

The Stormtrooper Commander silently gestured something to his men and they moved on the three navy officers. Jorol did not change his face as the troopers began to pat him down, searching for anything resembling a threat. Not that it would matter if he got past the search with something, there was likely highly trained bodyguards beyond the doors capable of detecting the slightest of suspicious activities and unhesitating to blast a threat dead.

"You're clear." The Stormtrooper stated "Fleet Admiral your seat is number 7, row Aurek."

Jorol nodded as a guard entered a code into the control panel. The Heavy Durasteel doors in front of him opened outwards revealing the massive conference hall inside.

The Fleet Admiral brushed off some nonexistent dust from his uniform's shoulder and walked in.

"Fleet Admiral present!" someone bellowed from across the room and a mass of Imperial Navy personnel rose from their seats and saluted Jorol as he strode down the carpeted isle. Several eyes of Navy Officers and crewmen followed him as he found his seat, right at the front of the hall, facing the pulpit. To his sides, he saw other high ranking officers, some of whom he recognised, while others he did not know.

When Jorol sat himself down, the rest of the room copied and a low murmur settled in. A movement to his left caused the Fleet Admiral to glance at a white bearded man with ageing features scouring his face. He gave the man a warm smile.

"A pleasure to meet you" he looked at the mans name tag on his chest "Admiral Vash."

"Likewise. Why it is an honour to meet Fleet Admiral Rahn!" Vash responded excitedly. Jorol couldn't help but laugh at the man's amazement towards himself.

"Thank you for that, though I must ask, why are you so awed to meet me?" The Fleet Admiral questioned with genuine curiosity. Admiral Vash's wrinkling features turned into an emotion of surprise.

"Don't you know? You're famed for quelling that Dug rebellion cell over Malastare. You destroyed a fleet of twelve cruisers with your own Star Destroyer."

"Ah, and got promoted to Fleet Admiral, of course I remember." Jorol laughed with Vash. He remembered that endeavour well. It was a little over three years ago now, when he was stationed in Malastare space, though it felt like an eternity. A few of the native Dugs of Malastare had formed a rebel cell and gathered armed cruisers to expel the Empire's presence on their planet, despite their chances of succeeding. At the time, Jorol had been attending a meeting in a space station above the planet when the Rebel cell attacked. Rushing to his ship, the ISD Colossus, Jorol had fended of the fleet of twelve by himself and won, earning him a grand promotion to the rank of Fleet Admiral. The event had obviously been noticed throughout the Imperial Navy, Vash confirming this.

"On a more important note, do you have any idea why we have been called here?" Vash spoke up, knocking Jorol out of his memories. He relayed Vash's question in his head. The Fleet Admiral couldn't actually think why they had been called here but of course their were rumours that it was going to be an effecting event, going beyond Jorol's lifespan and further.

But it was certain that it was important.

"Honestly, I don't have any knowledge on why we're here but it must be very serious especially because 'he' is going to be here." Jorol replied. Vash nodded and touched his chin in thought.

"Yes, The Emperor is hosting this conference. I tell you, half my crew are hiding behind cover, ever since the 'clean out', many faint at the mere thought of him."

Jorol felt his blood boil when the 'clean out' was mentioned. Not that he would show the anger in front of other Imperial personnel for the threat of treason, but the Emperor had killed, without hesitation, many good officers and friends that day. This purge of the Imperial Navy had left Jorol scarred, also reminiscing the fact he had escaped it because of the Dug Rebellion he managed to quell, otherwise he probably would be dead. He shook his head, why was he thinking about that kind of thing when the Emperor could arrive any second.

Jorol peered round from behind his chair. Rows upon rows of people stretched back to the far wall, all wearing the grey of an navy officer or the black of a crewman. However, dotted in amongst them was the cream white colours of a uniform. The Imperial Security Bureau was here. Those people made Jorol shiver. Not only were they the main killing force behind the purge, but the people who worked for them were naturally sadistic. Jorol couldn't think of a time he had come across a likeable ISB officer.

Avoiding eye contact with any ISB agents, Jorol scanned the rest of the hall and spotted the company he had earlier. Captain Torpoli and Faleese sat in the crowd of murmuring people looking straight ahead. Like earlier, Torpoli had a face of Durasteel whereas Faleese showed his nervous emotions, probably unwillingly.

On the far right of the atrium, Jorol recognised some of the higher ranked personnel of his crew. A hint of pride ran through the Fleet Admiral as he observed his faithful men, they had gone through so much together: The purge of the Navy, The Malastare incident, just to name a few. He wondered, however, if this upcoming task that was supposedly life changing would test the crew to their limits. They just had to pull through, otherwise he could end up losing what he held dearest.

Jorol froze as a eerie silence swept over the conference hall. The low murmuring of people chatting ceased in an unusually creepy fashion. This could only mean one thing.

The door at the far end of the hallway began to open. The very air seemed to decrease in heat and a cold gust of air swept throughout. Everybody stood absolutely still. Not a sound was made but the quickened pace of hearts and the shallowest of breathing. As the doors opened out fully, the mechanic clunk made a few people jump. An entourage of red clad troopers walked in. They wore a blood red cloak that encased their legs and torso and a crimson helmet with a small eye slit to match. Imposingly, they started to walk down the isle. The guard surrounded a smaller figure, dressed in a robe as dark as the blackest of night. A hood obscured most of the persons face but one glance and anyone would recognise who it was.

"All rise!" An autocratic voice hollered and every being in the atrium rose from their seat. The entourage of Royal Guard and the black clad figure strode down the pathway to the pulpit at the front.

Everyone's eyes faced forward as the group passed but some people turned to look at them behind their back. The air of the room was a dispiriting mix of tension, fear and anxiety as the most feared and powerful man in the galaxy impotently graced their presence.

The Royal Guards dispersed to the left and right of the man as he walked up to the pulpit. The Emperor's head was bowed for a few moments...and then he looked up.

At that moment everyone kneeled as perfectly as they could and bowed their heads accordingly.

After an agonisingly long wait of utter silence and tension, a hawkish, spine-shivering voice broke the curtain of hush.

"Please sit." The Emperor Sheev Palpatine of the Galactic Empire commanded in a cold sneer. His ageing, wrinkled features turned upwards in his observing of the assortment of Imperial navy personnel below him. That was right, Palpatine thought, 'below him.'

The people obeyed his instruction and they sat back down in their seats, this time with an aura of discomfort. Palpatine waited a moment before continuing.

"The Empire has been graced with an opportunity that will benefit us." He began in the cold voice. Jorol listened intently. "One which will expand our influence throughout the whole galaxy."

Palpatine then paused a moment before announcing "A stable gateway has been found into the unknown regions."

A wave of surprise and shock swept across all the beings in the room. Jorol turned his head to look at Admiral Vash, who had a face of genuine curiosity. A very quiet murmur began but ceased after a moment.

"To achieve peace, justice and freedom throughout our Empire and the galaxy, we, the people of the present, must expand into these newly discovered regions and claim it." The Emperor proclaimed. In his mind, Sheev's true intentions played. Not only did he have control of most of the original galaxy, but he would conquer the rest of it and have his long awaited absolute power. Palpatine allowed himself a quick, rare grin. The Sith would become almighty, with the Jedi all but extinguished.

"The task I have bestowed upon you will be perilous. That is why each and every one of you are here. In the name of me you have served well, keeping all threats at bay from disrupting our peace." Palpatine explained. "I have specifically chosen you for this, it would be wise not to fail, my friends."

Jorol involuntarily shivered at those last few words as did a few others beside him. The Emperors unnaturally yellow eyes seemed to bare down on them, sending them an indirect threat.

However, Jorol finally knew why he had been specifically told to come to this conference. As Fleet Admiral, it seemed he would be the one commanding this operation to explore the unknown regions. An excited feeling raced through his body. Would he go down in history as a legend? Or would something in the unknown regions forever taunt him? Jorol mentally shook his head. There was no need to be thinking deeply like that when he could be the one leading a historical expedition.

As if on cue, Palpatine's dark, emotionless voice sounded

"Fleet Admiral Jorol Rahn?" The Emperor coldly called out. Jorol stood immediately.

"My lord?"

"You will be the supreme commander for this operation." Palpatine stated, in a tone that required no protest. Jorol felt his heart race. It was really happening.

"Of course my lord. I promise I will not fail. Your objective is in g-" Jorol began to mumble without thinking, courtesy to fear and nervousness, but the the Emperor cut him off.

"Enough! I'm am certain you will not fail. But know that I will not tolerate foolishness such as this in the endeavour. Or else..." Palpatine annunciated in a baleful advisement.

"Yes, my lord..." Jorol whispered in anxiety and even fear. The threat made by Palpatine had not only shaken Jorol scared down to his core, but had given the rest of the conglomerate of Navy personnel a good wake-up call to the dictator-like attitude of the Emperor.

"Now..." Palpatine calmly resumed "I am hoping for a rapid conquering of the unknown regions and want no contest. If we are to achieve galactic piece and the destruction of any rebellion, then the creatures of the unknown regions must submit to our cause."

"Any sentient beings you discover must at once be informed of our galactic power so we do not have any disputes. Am I understood Fleet Admiral?" Palpatine questioned, thoroughly expecting an agreement.

"Yes my lord." Jorol confirmed, swallowing a lump in his throat. However, his mind raced with worry. The instructions the Emperor had given him were preposterous! He had been commanded to basically make undiscovered creatures submit to a government they knew nothing about, creatures that were yet to be introduced to the galactic community and its species. They wouldn't even be able to understand the language he spoke to them in.

Palpatine grinned enthusiastically. "Good, do not fail me Rahn." He warned. Jorol saluted and then sat back in his seat uncomfortably. Admiral Vash caught his eye and he gave a reassuring nod. Jorol returned it with a shaky smile before letting out a quiet exhale of relief.

"In three days time, all of you will be travelling to the Utegetu Nebula, where the entrance to the unknown regions is located." Palpatine explained "From there the hyperspace lane is clear and you can begin my task."

The Emperor then paused for a second, like earlier, to let his words sink in to the navy personnel before him. He wanted these people to know the importance task he had bestowed upon them for it would shape the future of his galaxy in his favour. Not only would the unknown regions be a useful resource deposit for the Empire, it would also create advantageous outposts to counter the steadily growing Rebel Alliance. 'Things look favourable' the Emperor thought optimistically.

"Now head out and prepare, and conquer in the name of the Empire!" Palpatine bellowed like a patriot. The answer to this from the crowd was a congregation of salutes and a chorus of "For the Empire!"

Jorol also saluted at this moment, a new sense of devotion propelling his actions. Despite his earlier worries, it looked like the future seemed positive, especially as he was given a lead role and had a chance to prove himself as a worthy officer of the Empire again. Indeed, it seemed positive.

However, he still had his doubts.