Chapter 4
A great victory had been scored by the Rebel Alliance and the news spread across the galaxy like fire. In every star system, on every planet, beings of billions of different races, Human, Twi'lek, Rodian, Gran, Wookie, and many other beings in the galaxy began taking up arms to fight against the Empire. Star systems who had stayed neutral began declaring their independence to fight for freedom against the Empire. However, in the Outer Rim on Dantooine there was no victory for the Rebellion. It was an Imperial victory now locked in a battle with the Dantooine resistance aided by the Rebel scum calling themselves the Dantooine Cell.
A week after the planet wide revolution began the Empire had been having nonstop trouble with the resistance. They were stealing supplies, ambushing patrols, and spreading propaganda throughout the planet trying to convince citizens going about their daily life to stand up to the Empire. Worst of all the Rebel's Han Solo and Chewbacca had escaped with a Rebel spy and to their surprise and horror a Jedi! They hadn't expected a Jedi to be living here on Dantooine.
The whole thing was a surprise for General Mortem. The morning was going like every usual, his morning coffee with news of what's happening in the Galaxy, and having a conference meeting with his officers, then return to his officer to work on reports. All was going well, the second file of reports were finished and he was about to take a walk to stretch his legs and get another cup of coffee when a loud explosion made the General jump. Seconds later an officer came rushing in horror written all over his face yelling about a planet wide revolution! Mortem rushed from his officer to take charge of the situation!
Once he reads the command center was told that nonstop reports were coming in of armed civilians attacking there forces! Mortem expected something like this to occur due to his cruel actions against the people but he had to show who was in command here! Now they've taken it too far by fighting back. He should have never ordered the removal of targeting the cities and towns. Now he had to put this rebellion down with brute force! He ordered reinforcements from the fleet and to have his men eliminate this rebellion by any means. As the day went on more and more reports were coming in from officers of rebellions being quelled while others continued fighting.
"Always thought the people would fight back but I never would have expected the news of Han Solo to be here taking a spy back to the Rebellion and what's worse…he took a Jedi as well! How did it not occur to us that a Jedi was hiding in plain sight this whole time on Dantooine?" The 30 years old red head paced the conference room while the officers watched.
"It's as big as a surprise to us, sir." Replied an officer.
"Still, how could we not have noticed? A Jedi, here on Dantooine? And now that he has escaped with that filthy smuggler Solo he will join the Alliance and no doubt give them the fighting chance they need!"
"It appears that Lord Vader failed in his quest to kill all the Jedi." Another officer sarcastically said with a deep frown. "Could once Jedi really turn the tide of the war, General?"
Mortem looked to the officer with a nod. "You have not seen what a Jedi can do but I have. I know there power. I saw what they could when I was a child. If there were hundreds of Jedi then this war would be over for us!"
"Preposterous!" Cried a fat mustached captain at the far end of the table. "General Mortem, you said these Jedi are dangerous but you forget we have the power of the Emperor and Lord Vader, endless supplies, weapons, and credits to build our armies and fleets!"
"And dark siders." A new voice said making the officer jump in surprise. Everyone looked to see an officer holding a holoprojector with the image of a cloaked woman her hair falling to her upper back. Have you all forgotten that it wasn't just Lord Vader who hunted Jedi, but us Inquisitors as well?"
"And I assume you are one of those Inquisitors then? Who are you?" Mortem questioned his eyes staring at the nightsister.
"I am Inquisitor Zenobia. I was told the news of a Jedi escaping Dantooine, Genera." The Inquisitor replied. "So Lord Vader has tasked me with hunting him down. I have assembled my troops but I need a senior officer to command them that is where you come in, General."
Mortem frowned. "I have orders to command the forces of Dantooine, my lady."
"Your orders are to now assist me in my hunt for the Jedi Knight. I will have no argument on this, General. I will send a replacement for your transfer to my command. Your talents are wasted in trying to put down that resistance on Dantooine anyway. They will far more useful on the battlefields. Your transfer to my ship will occur when I arrive within the next 24 hours. You will be ready by then correct?"
"Yes, milady. I will be awaiting your arrival."
"Good, carry on gentleman." And the transmission ended leaving the conference call in silent.
"Those damn Inquisitors think there on pair with Lord Vader's statues just because they can use magic too." The fat mustache officer muttered getting agreements.
"The Force, Captain." Mortem corrected. "And I agree one hundred percent with you on that. Nevertheless, Inquisitors, like Lord Vader, have command off all branches of the Empire, army, and navy. So if I am to be transferred to her then so be it. It was a pleasure working with you all but now I am to assist in her hunt for the Jedi. Now that the interruption is out of the way the meeting will continue."
Hours later Mortem was back in his office gathering his items to prepare for his transfer over to the Inquisitor's command. He had never worked with an Inquisitor before, though he heard stories about officers who worked with them when hunting Jedi. He assumed that with so many Jedi eliminated the Inquisitors were not needed anymore. Now he, like those before, would be working alongside one of these hunting a Jedi. The Jedi who escaped his clutches. Who he had no idea was hiding here. It had fallen onto him to ensure peace and order were installed onto Dantooine! Why hadn't he known of this Jedi's presence? Could it be this Jedi had been hiding here living as a common citizen before the Empire arrived? That had to be the reason. If he remembered from what his soldiers described of him the Jedi was an old man in his 50's; grey hair, green eyes, and a green lightsaber wearing silver battle armor over civilian clothing. The civilian clothing confirmed he was living here but did they ever get a name of this Jedi? He would need to question the people in the town to discover his name.
Going to his desk he contacted the command center. "Captain, I want a search on that Jedi's name. Start asking questions now. I want answers for Lady Zenobia." He was determined to not sleep till those answers were given to him.
That was not a good idea on his part however…
The next day the Imperial General stifled a yawn. His determination to stay up all night to know the Jedi's name had deprived him of any sleep though he was finally able to learn the name of the Jedi.
Vince.
It wasn't much but it was something. People in town loyal to the Empire had said the Jedi was dubbed "Old man Vince" and he could tell why. With a name to go with his appearance the hunt for him would be much easier.
Another yawn escaped him bringing the man out of his train of through. He looked to the sky seeing it was clear and blue.
Blue… just like…his eyes…
A burst of anger filled the young man. He would never see him again.
"Tarkin…." he whispered his fist clenching and unclenching in anger at the loss of his mentor.
Grand Moff Tarkin, the icy chief commander of the Death Star, had been his personal instructor when training in the Imperial Military. He admired the man's though of fear keeping the local systems in line. So he, like Tarkin, would fill the people's hearts with fear and demonstrating the full power of the Empire. That would show anyone who fought back would face that power and be crushed by it in one swift stroke!
When news of his death reached him he was enraged by it vowing to obliterate the Alliance. With the task of assisting Zenobia in hunting Vince he would finally get to exact his revenge on the Rebel scum! So he should thank the witch for the transfer over to her command.
The sound of a ship's engines made him look to the sky to see a Lambda-shuttle approaching escorted by TIE's. The shuttle was there to take him to here. Once it landed he climb aboard with his baggage. He had to meet his commanding officer and preform his task as General to her forces.
The trip to theImperial Star Destroyer was quicker than he expected. Not that he was complaining. Trying the Inquisitors patience was something he wished to not do. Once aboard the massive warship he immediately departed the shuttle and was greeted by a naval lieutenant.
"Welcome aboard the Gargoyle, sir. Lady Zenobia is waiting for you on the bridge."
The bridge of the Imperial Star Destroyer was like those of the old Venator Star Destroyers of the Clone Wars. Grey, circular shaped and pit crews. Mortem did not approve of the bridge designs for the Star Destroyers of the Republic and Empire. There bridges were too high and easy targets. If its shields were lost then it was game over for the warships. What the Empire should have done was build a bridge inside the hull or more shield generators. Still these were the designs they chose and would stick to them till someone would finally suggest building them low to the hull or a second command bridge.
Reaching said bridge the General found the many mechanics, officers, and crewman at their stations and there at the front looking out the viewport draped in a crimson clock was his commanding officer. The Nightsister Zenobia and Inquisitor to the Empire. Straightening up he approached the woman showing his readiness to obey her command. He was about to spoke once she was in ear shot but she spoke first.
"Cis Mortem, born on Telos IV and passed the Imperial Academy on Corulag with rank Captain. Personally tutored by Grand Moff Wilhuff Tarkin before obtaining the rank General." Her voice was eerie and cold like it was in the holomessage. "If this file is true then I assume you will not fail, General Mortem."
"No miss. I assure you I will not. These Rebels are nothing to the might of the Empire. We will strike fear into them and drive them to the farthest reaches of the Outer Rim and crush them there!"
"Good. I assume you have information regarding my target?"
"Yes ma'am. I have news that will greatly help. I have discovered the name of the Jedi, his name is Vince. And we have an identification on him from security cameras in the docking bays. If you'll follow me, ma'am." The General led his superior officer over to a monitor where he inserted the security camera data disk. He brought the footage in Docking Bay 34 and fast forward to when the soldiers were trying to break into the freighter. Seconds later a shootout started with Han Solo and Chewbacca rushing into the view with a Bothan and "That," Mortem said pointing to an old man with a lightsaber. "Is Vince."
The Inquisitor was silent repeating the name over and over in head while staring at the Jedi studying every detail of his feature. So this was her target. This was the man she was assigned to hunt and kill. The way he dispatched the stormtroopers showed he was a powerful opponent and not to take lightly.
"It was wise to have you in command of my task force, General Mortem." Zenobia complimented as a sinister smile slow took shape. "With this my hunt for the Jedi will go smoother than I expected. Prepare travel for the Outer Rim. It is there that our hunt for the Jedi begins."
Taking last look at the Jedi she departed to her quarters to meditate and report the information to Lord Vader. As she did Gargoyle's crew set coordinates for the Outer Rim and jumped to lightspeed.
