Author's Note: Well, I got a few things I need to address this chapter as apparently a few people are interested in a few things. First thing I want to address is the fact that we now have 600 views, and I just want to say if we can get to 1,000 views sooner or later, I'll have to do a special chapter or something as a milestone. Secondly, I got about four private messages regarding on who the 'mysterious guy' as they referred to him as, and I just want to say that he is a person of importance and he will be addressed later on if I feel like breaking the masquerade, but if not, I suppose I will just leave it up for viewer predictions and theories. Thirdly, I just wanted to thank you all for the support you have all given the story so far even though it is still so small compared to certain larger stories. Anyways, I hope that I addressed the issue on the 'mysterious stranger' and from there, hopefully you can just wonder and think about who he is and his relevance, but with nothing more to say, Enjoy Chapter 11!

I had another nightmare about my sister and my imagination creating horrifying and gruesome replays of what might've happened in my sister's last seconds. I would wake up dead out of my sleep and would feel my heart having palpitations but I could do nothing but calm my breathing and sit there for a few seconds, as I tried to regain my bearings and control my breathing. The stress I had been suffering lately also hasn't been a help much, and in more shocking news, the rebellion fervor is getting closer to the Core Worlds, as some systems in the Expansion Region and Mid-Rim are starting to collapse, and now the Grand Moffs are scrambling to settle this on the threat of death by the Emperor, or so that is the rumors I've heard. I couldn't go back to sleep however due to my dreams this morning, so I just decided to have a nice hot cup of Eridaun tea and just get to work in my office, despite it only being 2 A.M.

I had been putting off the visit for a very long time, yet I may not get a better chance to do it considering I had been to seven different battlefields this past week ever since the Tarisian issue. Even though the control of the Outer-Rim has stagnated and the rebellion or other planets have been staying in line for now, it seems like I have things under-control for the duration of time, and considering I had been curious about the Maw Installation, this might be one of my only chances to visit the facility. I knew Director Krennic might be sleeping at this time, so I went over to my office to do a background check for some pilots that I might take for this trip and for those that might be loyal and can be bribed easily if something was to go wrong. Sure enough after going through about a thousand different portfolios, and a few hours later, the sun was beginning to rise on the horizon and I had come to a conclusion on which I would choose.

They weren't the greatest pilots I had underneath my belt, but they were the most loyal from previous records, they had a lot of great blackmail I could use against them if they decided to murmur about the Maw Installation, and they were corruptible for sure. I approached the two of them after making my decision and enticed them about what I had in store this morning and to where we will be going and that it was of the most importance to keep this between the four of us, and with a little confusion on who the fourth person said, I sealed the deal by revealing it was Krennic. They both grew a long face with a little worry, for they knew that the Director was very good at handling my spy network, and taking it upon themselves, they decided to say yes for the job.

After the talk with the two pilots, who I told to wait for me on my Lambda Shuttle, I went immediately to the Director's office so that we could leave immediately. I used my code cylinders on the door, and walked into the man's room, only to find him still wrapped underneath the sheets of his bed. I couldn't believe a man who was supposed to be used to get up at the crack of dawn was still enjoying the comfort of rest. I walked over to Krennic's side of the bed, and gently tapped the man's shoulder, and after some taps, his eyes shut open with a rapid movement, and immediately got out of the bed, on the defensive.

"Oh…Reylan…fucking hell, don't you know not to wake a rested imperial man? If he awakens from his slumber, you don't know what may happen," he joked sarcastically.

"Nice to see you up in the later morning, Director; however, we don't have time as a luxury, so I suggest you get dressed and get excited. We are going to the Maw Installation."

Orson immediately walked to his wardrobe and started to get changed in which I called back, "I'll meet you on my shuttle. Don't keep me waiting, Director."

I checked around the exterior and even with an acute sense of paranoia checked every nook and cranny on the shuttle as I waited for the Director, waiting to see if I would find some kind of tracking device or bug, but to my dismay and relief, I never found any by the time the Director arrived on-board. I walked over to cockpit and told the pilots that we were leaving immediately, and that they were to come out of hyperspace near the coordinates I had given to them on a piece of paper that I would most likely incinerate when we got there. The Lambda-shuttle took off with lightning speed and I felt the slight angle shift in gravity until we had left the planet, and felt the jump of light speed.

"Well, Director. This may or may not be your lucky day, but not only will you probably go into a field more to your liking, or we come to a dead-end where there is nothing there but starved scientists and the like."

Orson scoffed at my comment and put on a stolid face, "Oh, which would be utterly regrettable…such a loss of good talent. It's almost a shame that I don't have Galen here with me; he might've been a great aide to me on some projects, assuming I gave them all a second glance over to make sure no hanky-panky went on."

I did a double-take to the Director and asked with a bit of snide, "Wait…'hanky-panky'…where the hell did you pick up a phrase like that?"

The Orson shrugged it off by doing a dismissive manner with his hand and stated, "Ehh, don't worry about it. I just learned it from my mother when I was younger, and I'd have some hope that it might honor my mother a bit by using such a phrase."

"Obviously, your mother was a very unique person to have adopted some type of phrase like that," I laughed at the end.

The white-uniformed man looked towards the ground and nodded his head sullenly and weakly replied, "Yea…she was."

He and I didn't talk much about his mother after that and mainly shifted out talks to a more relevant topic, involving a certain Emperor and a certain brutal enforcer that takes brutal action, and asks questions later.

"Krennic, you mind if I ask what your view on Vader and the Emperor are?"

The Director must've thought I was joking or something for he responded, "Are you openly asking me to 'talk' about treason?"

I smiled at his statement and stated, "It is just us, and I am sure you don't exactly forgive Vader, let alone Tarkin for their atrocious actions. No?"

He nodded at my statement and replied, "You have a point, but if you want to know, all I will say is that the Emperor seems to be causing some major problems for the Empire, especially with his new construction progress, and not even allowing me in such a project just disgraces me beyond any doubtable reason. Let alone Vader, he is the one that denied me any chance to save the superweapon."

I took in his account and then asked, "What about Thrawn?"

His eyes went wide at the mention of that name and he said, "What about him? He is an alien that cheated and deceived his way to the top. I don't trust aliens, and I especially don't trust those that are at the very top."

I refuted his statement and asked, "And what if he actually made it to the top with hard-working and years of effort? Like you?"

He seemed unconvinced at the truth I was speaking and he dismissed the idea.

"There is no way an alien got to the top by those ethics. It is just impossible, especially considering their inferiority."

I decided to speak a little advice to the Director and stated, "It would be wise you keep your remarks to yourself for the future, because apparently the Grand Admiral knows about your racism, and if I think I know how this 'Civil War' is going to end, it'd be wise you don't voice your open concerns."

The Director seemed visibly angered at my defense of the Chiss, but eventually he let out a sigh and stated, "Perhaps you are right…least thing I need right now is to have problems with higher authorities, especially considering what had happened with Mas Amedda and myself."

I was glad Orson began to realize his mistake and I patted him on the shoulder and congratulated him, before I then looked to staring at the wall for a few minutes. We didn't talk much more after that, except for the exception of what projects might await us in the Maw Installation and as to why Tarkin had kept the area completely hidden, especially to the Emperor. Yet, after that hour long discussion seemed to end, we didn't speak for the remainder of the trip until we had arrived and the co-pilot invited us to the cockpit to see what was going on.

Before us, was a nebula field that was spread across a massive distance, and multiple weird phenomenons were ahead of us, and very odd anomalies. I had to look through my datapad to distinguish what was exactly going on here, and after a few scrutinizations through the entries, I told the pilots to pilot us through the nebula really carefully, and to avoid the anomalies as all costs. After very slowly thrust and careful navigation through the nebula for a few minutes, we came to one of the anomalies that was a distinct blue, and a piece of black metal right in-front of it. I took a glance at the datapad entry and smiled and said the pilot to thrust full power ahead into the blue anomaly. The pilot was hesitant, so I pushed forward for him, and eventually I felt like I had made a mistake and we might be thrusted into a different dimension.

The anomaly we entered made the area around the shuttle shift from green and yellow colors to white and bright purple ones, before eventually the sound of us coming out of hyperspace vibrated through the hull, and a very large asteroid like facility appeared in-front of us. I was in complete awe at the facility, and the multiple bases that seemed to be attached to the asteroids, and the scaffolding and tunnels from one asteroid to another had been deliberately defended by quad turbolasers and Golan Space Defense Platforms. Eventually, we were pinged by the traffic controller in one of the towers on the installation, and wanted to ask if we were the cargo transport that had come to deliver supplies. I decided to get on the mic and tell them that we were representatives sent by Tarkin and that I would be the installation's new director for the time being since Tarkin is currently very busy.

We were directed to one of the three hangers on the installation and were greeted by a platoon of stormtroopers, and some officers who were much honored to have a Grand Moff on the installation that wasn't Tarkin. I had asked what the progress on the projects has yielded, but the officers said the head scientist could tell us once we had reached the lab. The base itself was very loosely constructed, and a real marvel of technology as to how they could actually build this as a sound facility. Despite what I had observed though, we eventually came to a very refined and septic lab that had multiple levels and multiple personnel working on experiments, blueprints, and the like, and a lot of engineers donning space suits to go to work on the next shift on whatever they were building. I was eventually brought to the head scientist who shook my hand and introduced himself.

"It is such a pleasure to meet you, Grand Moff. I am so used to seeing the face of Tarkin; it is refreshing to see a new face. I am Head Scientist Carleigh. Welcome to the Maw Installation."

I pulled back my handshake and introduced myself as well with a feigned happiness, "Pleasure to meet you, Mister Carleigh. I am Grand Moff Reylan Praxon. Truly is a pleasure to see what you guys have for us and have accomplished."

The scientist nodded and stated, "Well…we have finally made the breakthroughs necessary to create twelve sun-annihilating warheads that Tarkin had requested, and they had been loaded onto the Suncrusher project, and the ship itself has made it through all the field-tests, thus making it ready for service. Hopefully, Tarkin is very appreciative of this project, it has the most appreciate results, and if need-be, we can create more of the warheads."

I thought for a second I didn't hear them and asked, "Sun-annihilating warheads?"

The Head Scientist raised his eyebrow and said, "Yea…Grand Moff Tarkin requested that we make them for the launcher on the Suncrusher…did he not inform you of this?"

I nodded my head and replied calmly, "It would appear so. The only thing he told me about was some of the Tie Phantom prototypes, and the original sphere concept for the Death Star is stored here, along with your other projects, including the Suncrusher."

The scientist was convinced by my answer and stated, "Well, no worries then. I'm sure Tarkin will appreciate our work nonetheless. But, a worth-due caution, please tell the Grand Moff that he shouldn't play around with the warheads. They are VERY destructive; perhaps even more so then the super laser on the sphere. One star explosion could destroy an entire region in space, and I do not recommend using it aside from just using it as a tool of warning. Of course, if the Grand Moff sees fit to destroy a region, then…by all means I have no say on what Tarkin does or does not."

I nodded my head and asked, "Question though. Are any of the Tie Phantoms ready for take-away?"

The man nodded and said, "Of course. We have an entire squadron of Phantoms waiting to be taken away. If you want, we could manufacture some more until Tarkin gets the materials and resources to fund some more…which reminds me. The Grand Moff has stopped paying most of us, whether it is just a connection issue, or just another problem with the transfer system, but I just wanted to make sure the Grand Moff know of this issue."

I recorded that comment as a number one problem, so I decided I will have to try and carry this as long as possible.

"So, the Suncrusher and the Tie Phantoms are all ready for take-away. Alright, well, I think I will need to take one away to show Tarkin what his fruit has bared, and we will be back for the Suncrusher when the time arises. You have done well though, Mister Carleigh. Keep up the work, and I will be back to inform you about your payment issue, but like you said, it is probably a communication or transfer system error. Happens all the time, no?"

The lab-coated man shook his head and said, "Yea…you are right about that, but it always comes in eventually. Anyhow, you can take away one of the prototypes, I hope that the Grand Moff will be pleased, and we will be anticipating your return."

I went to walk away, but then I quickly turned back and stated, "Oh…I totally forgot. The new facility director is with me also, so I hope you and your men will be able to get along with Director Krennic. I assume Tarkin has spoken of him in the past with you all?"

The man shook his head and stated, "I don't think I ever heard that name…should I know him?"

I feigned surprise and said, "Of course. This is one of Tarkin's project managers, he worked on the actual Death Star project, and he just recently promoted him to guide his special research division, a.k.a. the Maw Installation. He will get you all on track if you guys lose motivation or something of the like, especially since the Grand Moff found a defector trying to leave not too long ago."

The Head Scientist gulped and asked, "A…a defector?"

I nodded my head and replied, "That is why Tarkin saw it necessary to put the Director here, to make sure things stay on track and more projects can be concepted by the Director. I also had to concur, since I am the new manager of the installation also, so it'll be great to keep my right-hand man here to make sure he serves both of our wills."

I paused for a minute and asked sarcastically concerned, "Will there be some type of problem, Mister Carleigh?"

He shook his head really rapidly and stated in a broken manner, "Err…of-…of course not; Grand Moff…the-…there won't be any problem. I will personally make sure there are no defectors."

I nodded my head and waved goodbye to the scientist before giving a glance towards Krennic and nodded to him, as he did the same back to me with a smile. I took a step out of the laboratory and walked back to the hanger with my Lambda Shuttle where I entered the cockpit and told one of the pilots of a Tie Phantom I require for my service. The co-pilot took one of them from out of the Bays, and followed my Lambda Shuttle out of the Maw, and before we knew it, we were back into the sea of anomalies, nebulas, and phenomenons. After we had exited the dangerous terrain and I was sure the Tie Phantom had been unharmed, and the pilot was still alive, I retreated back to the passenger bay.

"You are affecting the future very adversely by the decision you had taken today, but I didn't expect anything short of what you had just done," a familiar voice called from behind me.

"Let me guess," as I turned around to look at the figure, "Of course it is you."

The same figure that I had practically labelled the 'anomaly and 'thing' of miracles' was standing there in a Grand Admiral uniform and stated, "Of course it is me. Did you not predict that I would be here after you visited such a 'dangerous' and quite interesting place?"

I sat down in one of the chairs and looked at him with a puzzled face and stated, "I didn't to be quite honest. Though, now looking back on it, you always do appear at times of poor timing. Though, now you have two people in your fold and game, Thrawn and I…which makes you in danger if I say so myself."

The 'odd thing' shook his head and said, "If you still make such a deduction like that, Reylan…then I should say I am disappointed in you, but in contrast, I could say I saw that one coming also. I have met many people like you before, Reylan…and let us just say they always make a bad decision which just ends up being their pitfall, no matter their intelligence or perception."

I stood from my seat and stated, "Perhaps it is just my arrogance, but I have seen my own eyes and they haven't lied to what you have accomplished. I suppose I just need time to adjust, but like I said beforehand, you appear at some of the worst times, and I do not appreciate that."

He smiled deviously and asked, "What are your thoughts of Tarkin's idea of the Suncrusher?"

My neutral facial expressions turned towards ones of malice and hate just like that and I practically demanded, "How in the bloody hell do you know all of these imperial secrets? That shouldn't even be possible unless you actually visited the damn place."

He simply shrugged it off and looked at me in silence while he waited for me to say something, or do some sort of action.

"You know what, I don't need to know…soon, nothing will interfere with my plans, and no-one will be able to question my motives or what I do. Not even the Emperor, or Vader, or Thrawn. My ambitions know no bounds."

The white-uniformed 'thing' stated in an incredulous attitude, "Spoken like a true self-centered person who puts himself first and strives to do exactly what he wants and doesn't care about what others thinks. That is why I picked you and Thrawn to observe, you two are both so entertaining compared to Vader who countlessly tries to hunt down his son and usurp the Emperor, and the Emperor trying to obtain his 'immortal' life like the old tale of Vitiate."

I raised my eyebrow at the comment and stated, "You do not know me, and you certainly can't judge me for my traits…however, you don't have any right to observe me, nor Thrawn…and yet again I am at a loss for words," however, a thought popped up in my head, so I continued, "Curiously though, who in the hell is Vitiate?"

"Vitiate was once a mighty ruler and the Emperor of the Ancient Sith Order, and the Eternal Empire, but…I wouldn't be surprised if you don't any what any of those things are considering how much Palpatine tries to censor and prevent the spread of information, even before the Clone Wars happened. All in all though, he absorbed multiple people to 'have eternal life' until he permanently died one day. Eternal life is such grandeur for everyone, and everyone wants it, yet in my opinion, I find it to be a punishment more than anything; however, he wanted it, and everyone seeks it, even Palpatine, a person afraid of death."

I debated whether or not to comment that this might've been one of the most in-depth and longest conversations we have had, but I wouldn't want to kill the mood so I asked, "The Ancient Sith Order? I remember reading a small excerpt from some tattered book that had barely survived through the many years about something like that. Is it possible that is the one you are speaking of?"

His head nodded up and down and stated, "From what limited knowledge you have, I know you are speaking of the one I mentioned, but…the Ancient Sith Order were little more than children playing with lightsabers and 'the ever so iconic Force' with what they had no tangible knowledge on. There is some credit where I should give due though, as some users were most 'gifted' than others, but…I grow weary of this conversation and I'd rather not dig up old history and explain it to people who wouldn't understand it."

I then made an inference and asked, "Then perhaps you are a historian…is that why you know so much?"

He laughed for a little while before answering, "In a very broad and general way, I guess you could say I am a historian…but it is too general to be relatable for me if anything," he paused for a minute, before getting up from and wall and stating, "I believe that I must get going now though, but I will say one thing to you, Mister Praxon. I have most thoroughly enjoyed our little chat. See you around."

And so the man walked into the ramp room, and considering he might've pulled a stunt on what might've happened on Coruscant, I just let out a sigh and decided to not even bother to check if he was in the room, or if he had just upped and disappeared like those so many other times. Eventually, however, we arrived back to Eridau and the Tie Phantom that had followed us back; I told to dock it in my private hanger and to enable the cloaking field on it so that if anyone was to perhaps enter my private hanger, they might not find it. After sorting out the rest of the details from our little trek, I told the pilots that they might be my personal bodyguards, assuming they are decently familiar with Tie Fighters and could escort me to planet to planet assuming the need arises. Any doubts that I had about them from there on out were now one-hundred percent sealed, since they were both in my pocket now, not only with bribery, and the other atrocities they had committed, I could potentially court them and sentence them to death if the need ever arise. In which case I would just execute them and find more reliable and trustworthy pilots.