Author's Note: I am so painfully aware that I am late for this chapter, and I will tell you all why that has been. But before I start that, how about I tell you all we have reached a 1,000 view milestone. I am happy for the support, and am glad some people are enjoying the read, but anyhow; course work and finals has hoarded me down for quite some time, but I am thankfully finished and out on break so I can shift my time or at least some of it into doing these chapters, and just working to finish the story. I am also leaving on a vacation in about seven days so that'll bog down any work I can do since I write my stories on a desktop, rather than a laptop. At any rate, I wish you all a Happy Evening (or at least from where I am) and I hope you all enjoy the chapter! As always, feedback or criticism is very much appreciated.

"That is impossible…I haven't used any of my log-ins to purposely delete any files on the-…Thrawn, you have to believe me, this can't be right, there has to be some mistake," I tried to defend my innocence.

The Grand Admiral smiled and stated, "Relax, Grand Moff. I am fully aware that you haven't done this, despite your login codes staring right in-front of me. I believe we have an infiltrator that is very good at what he does…"

I couldn't believe what I was hearing and I asked, "But…who…Eridau practically loves me, and especially my family in the past, there shouldn't be anyone trying to get-…"

I began to ask myself who might be out for me or trying to get me out of this position and I began to make a list of a few people, but none of them would make sense, especially Krennic since he was practically a friend and I had made sure that he was twisted around my finger. Not to mention the fact he was on the Maw Installation for the past two weeks or so, so it was impossibility in itself.

"Do you know when it was last modified or accessed?"

Thrawn took a second to look back at the changelog before looking up to me with a placid face, "It was changed three days ago, so that definitely narrows down some options."

I still couldn't believe my ears that it had happened so recently, not to mention that it had gone under my nose, especially since I use my datapad for a majority of the things I do instead of my personal terminal.

"Grand Admiral, do you think this'll set us back? My datapad has a lot of things that are classified, and I'm sure that if some rebels got their hands on some sensitive things, they would have an utter field-day."

He shrugged off my worried tone and stated, "It'll all be handled, Grand Moff. I will get to the bottom of this, don't you worry none."

With that, the Grand Admiral left his now claimed office and I began to look through my datapad looking through all the personnel that were guarding or stationed inside the Governor's Palace three days ago, which was easily some five hundred or so people. I decided to get rid of any stormtroopers being it would be highly unlikely they had the code cylinders into my office, let alone the ability to sneak into my office without being seen. That limited the whole list to about fifty different people, who were all my personal advisors, some lieutenants I had hired to make sure the troopers ran daily drills and exercises to prep them for a problem, and of course my squad.

In the long run, I couldn't find anything, let alone the security tapes that would suggest that someone had entered my office and used my terminal, but anything was possible, and it is most likely they were deleted by the spy who has infiltrated us. I also asked around to see if anyone had seen anyone going into my office, or going into the main security office with all the main servers inside them, but they said that they had seen multiple people from the officers that were on the list, to many upon many of stormtroopers. By the end of the day, I had made no progress and it seemed like I was creeping up to a dead end which may have no exiting.

With that said, multiple data breaches and incursions began to happen in the database, and the Imperial Network was being compromised to the extent that it was affecting numerous and critical parts that turned inside the Empire. Trade routers were disappearing, ships being released to unknown people, multiple upon multiple files being copied and then swiftly deleted, planets began to subtly start disappearing and that is only starting on what has started happening. I might've gotten the chop by the Emperor if Darth Vader hadn't found a rebel outpost on the snowy planet of Hoth and found a lot of the missing information that had been stolen, and some key rebellion assets and leaders being executed by the Dark Lord himself. Despite this though, Thrawn and I were coming up with nothing, despite our extensive efforts into finding out who was responsible, until finally one day, everything stopped and an uneventful day had dawned.

The spy, or whoever it was, had been on an un-caught spree for four days or so, until he finally stopped on the fourth day. The only way I had known was the fact that the spy was no longer using the remote connection that he had installed on my terminal. This didn't ease our worries though, for the spy was still loose on the planet and we still had no idea on who it was, let alone have any clue as to who it may be. I even tried to get the Omicron Regiment on who might've been doing it, but they eventually came up with nothing but useless results. Jaxor tried his very best to apprehend the spy by doing a complex trace-route, but by the time he was through the third out of five encryptions the spy had put up, he was closed out and the connection had stopped.

Thrawn eventually gave up on the security breach as he had to quell the problems with the missing resources and multiple vessels that had been 'stolen' and unaccounted for by companies and corporations. Saying the problems were just problems is a bit of an understatement though, as multiple Nebulon-B Frigates, and numerous Imperial Vessels were being raided and stolen beneath the noses, especially millions upon millions of credits and strategic materials. From what it seemed like, the Empire was beginning to crumble into ashes and disorganization after the security breach had happened. In-fact, this might've not happened, had Grand Moff Tarkin not blown up Scarif, and created the whole need to create a new network or planet to make sure our secrets and the database safe.

In addition to that, the Emperor was smart, but also not so in this case. Sure, we have a database that cannot be dismantled or destroyed by blowing up the main servers, but now it is easier to gain access to and steal away, as where if it was in a big database on a single planet, you could defend it and not worry about remote breaches. In the end, it is even more so counter-productive, as multiple garrisons of troops in the Outer-Rim are not only lacking food, their weekly salaries, and weapons and munitions, but with all of that, chaos is brewing and I knew I was going to have one hell of a push back and riots break out across the systems that Thrawn and I control. Though, it seems the problems with the rebellion have been rather quiet, probably due to Vader hunting down the Resistance leaders and being so close on their tails.

There is also rumors that the second Death Star is about a quarter of the way completed, which only leaves me in a state of disbelief as something that is supposed to be two times the size of the old one, will be done in easily a fourth of the time, where the first one took nearly two decades to build. The Emperor and Lord Vader are doing feats that only a genius could pull off, but then again it is very possible that the Emperor could be a genius, perhaps on par with Thrawn's level, but…with two different outlooks and reasoning's for doing things. Eventually, I made my way over to the quarters I had made for the Omicron Regiment after dealing with the two previous pilots I had used for my shuttle and my Tie Phantom…permanently. The Regiment's pilot was somewhat apprehensive at the idea of flying my personal ship so early on and asked why, and I stated that they had been reassigned to another system due to 'family-related issues.'

With the security breach, the possibility of a traitor being within my ranks, Grand Admiral Thrawn taking control of my sector, and the fact that a new crime syndicate by the name of the Zann Consortium has been making plays on Hypori, Mandalore, and Ryloth, a sense of dread began to wash over me, as we had too many problems to deal with here in the Outer Rim. Pirates, Rebellion Cells, the actual Resistance movement, the Zann Consortium, and Defectors have become a common occurrence in the coming times. Eventually, Thrawn came to me after I had moved most of my work to a new office that was by the Regiment's barracks.

"Reylan. I need to speak with you for a second concerning some issues."

I stood up in my chair and brushed the paperwork to the side as I gazed in the Chiss's red piercing eyes.

"If these issues are concerning the previous riots and outbreaks that have been occurring on-…"

The Grand Admiral immediately shook his head and stated, "I'm not here to talk about that, Reylan. I'm here to talk about you actually."

I gulped for a second as I saw his red eyes began to stare at my figure, before directing them to elsewhere around the room.

"It has become quite apparent to me that, you have not been working as efficiently as I had thought you could. On Taris, I had thought you were more than a capable officer, but with the recent security breach, and Lord Vader and the Emperor having to…combat these hindrances, I am beginning to wonder what has happened to you since our last time working."

I rose in eyebrow and blinked before answering, "Err…Thrawn, nothing has happened ever since then. I am as level-headed and efficient as can be."

Thrawn would look at me with a questionable gaze as he asked, "Then do you mind telling me about your family? Surely that hasn't left your head yet."

I had nearly forgotten about what had happened at the lakeside manor, the smell of the wood and structure burning to ash, the plants and crops distinct aura in the air, the feeling of…dismay as I stared at my families' bodies.

"What about my family, Thrawn? What type of point are you trying to make here?"

Thrawn would state in an affirmed manner, "I know you are still trying to find the people who killed your family. I have some information that may help you find closure."

My blood began to boil at the thought of Thrawn ever helping me, "Tell me, why are you even helping me, Thrawn?"

Thrawn parried with a smirk on his face, "I look after my men, and I take time to make sure that they can perform at peak performance. I don't need second doubts and I don't need troubled men. I need results, and I can't get my results, if my men are not one hundred percent sane and clear-minded."

My back sunk into the back of the chair, and I folded my hands together as I looked the Grand Admiral in his red eyes again.

"Well then, I'm waiting. What do you have that might help me?"

Thrawn didn't waste a second of breath, "I assume you know the Kelrion Family. In-fact, you should know Admiral Kelrion if I am not mistaken considering you two went to school with each other."

My voice spoke up with a curious disposition, "Yes…I went to school with Admiral Kelrion, what does this has to do with the murder."

"Everything, Grand Moff Praxon. The Kelrion Family, if you do not recall, had a lot of political influence on Eriadu and ran against your father for the representative position underneath the governor. This was a long time ago of course, but sure Admiral Kelrion shared some distaste towards your father, especially after his father drunk himself to death after the election considering he lost."

My mind began to race as he pointed these facts out to me, "You see, Reylan. Admiral Kelrion hasn't let go of the fact that your family killed his father, who he looked up to very much. In-fact, his mother was grief-stricken and stayed in a catatonic state until he moved out, in-which she was then sent to a nursing home to be looked after. Admiral Kelrion is the person who hired special op mercenaries to kill your family."

I shook my head and stated, "This is all circumstantial and I don't see an ounce of evidence…these can just be inference, I don't think Admiral Kelrion would have my family killed."

His smile cracked just a tad bit more as he stated, "Oh, don't believe still? Well, I think you'll believe him."

Just as he finished his sentence, two death troopers walked into my office with an emaciated and horrifically ill person that wore armored greaves that bore a resemblance to Mandalorian Armor.

"You want to go home and see your family, Le'tuk? I suggest you tell the Grand Moff here what crime you have committed." The Grand Admiral stated in a commanding tone.

The man looked up and I could hear his struggled breathing as the death troopers let the man go and walked out of the office.

"G-…Grand Moff, I'm so sorry for what I did. The…the admiral paid us to kill your family. I-…I swear it was…strictly professional and I did not…want to do it, I didn't want to kill your family, they were…so helpless and defenseless and…I'm…I'm just so sorry, I wa…I want to see my family again…I don…I don't want to die, please…Please!"

The man's words was filled with regret and complete and utter contempt for his actions as he laid there on the floor, with a little blood dripping from his mouth and the struggled breathing from the man continued.

"What was the name of the admiral, 'mercenary'?"

He stated without a second hesitation, "Ad…Admiral Kelrion…he gave us the contract…five hundred thousand imperial credits."

I thought to myself for a moment as my mind raced with hatred, rage, and emotions that if I just let go for a single moment, I would snap and probably butcher the man for what he had done.

"Thank you for telling me, 'mercenary'…go to your family…but remember this, because of you, I won't be able to go back and see mine…be lucky you have one now. Now, leave my sight before I decide to kill you."

The man was so grateful and kept on saying that he would leave immediately and that he was going to quit the mercenary business and never do it again, in which I just pushed off as I tried to control my emotions. The Grand Admiral turned to me after the man was escorted out by the death troopers.

"I must say, Reylan…that must've taken a lot of willpower to not just butcher that man in-front of you."

I nodded my head and sat back down at my desk and stated, "Thrawn, could you please tell Kelrion to come to this office to speak with you…a favor, if you would. I would also prefer that you don't tell him that it is I who will be in this office to confront him on this issue."

The Grand Admiral cautioned and stated, "Revenge is only a temporary thing, Reylan. Admiral Kelrion might've killed your family, but he is still a capable officer within my ranks. I would prefer you don't slaughter him…but, if you can't help yourself, I won't hold it against you."

He went to leave my office and said as he exited, "I will contact him however."

So I waited in that office for three hours, doing nothing but paperwork, as I tried to let my anger and rage be subdued by the multiple reports, requisitions, and other things I had to worry about as coordinated the trade and supplies around the Outer Rim, while Thrawn stuck with the military campaigns. Eventually however, the door to the office would open, and in would step a jet black haired admiral of average height with a goatee and bright grey eyes.

"Oh…this must be the wrong office," he said as he started for the door again.

I stood up from my chair and stated, "Kelrion. What a surprise! What are you doing here?"

The Admiral stopped walking towards the door and looked at me and put on a feigned smile.

"Well, I'll be damned. It is you, isn't Reylan?"

I nodded my head and stated, "Yes, it is me…it's so great to see you again, but…why are you here?"

Admiral Kelrion replied, "Well…Thrawn ordered me to this office in particular because he had something important he wanted to discuss with me…but, I am sorry for what happened with you…I didn't think that Thrawn would take over…you've been such a great Grand Moff."

I could almost tell the lies that were slipping through his teeth as he said that last phrase and I curtly replied, "Thank you for the compliment. Here, sit down…let's catch up first."

The man gestured to the door and stated, "I should really get going. I don't want to keep the Grand Adm-…"

I ordered to Kelrion, "Sit down, and have a damn drink for me. Thrawn can wait just a few minutes."

He obliged my order and sat down in the chair across from me, as I grabbed some Ord-Mantellian Ale from the mini-bar I kept near my personal terminal. After I was done pouring the drinks, I typed into the terminal to lock the door so that I had Kelrion all to myself. I then returned to my seat and past the drink to the Admiral as I smiled. I could sense his guilt and uneasiness begin to wash off of him as he sat there second by second. Eventually, after gulping down my shot of the Ale, he asked me a question.

"So, what has been up lately Reylan?"

I decided to be blunt and get around to the issue and just toy with him, "Well…I've been mainly just doing some paperwork, making sure everything is being supplied and well-routed around the Outer Rim, while also planning my parents and little sister's funeral."

Kelrion completely feigned a sorrowful facial gesture and stated in a low tone, "I'm…you have my condolences Reylan…I didn't know your family died…"

I continued on the topic and stated, "Well…thank you, Kelrion…but my spies say it was done by an imperial higher-up, or a political enemy from the past, it had to have been something political or some past grudge or something. But I made sure the damn mercenaries paid. We captured four of them, and after I completely dismembered the bodies of two of them, and tortured the third one, the fourth one began to squeal like a pig except for the name, but I am so close to knowing…man, I cannot wait to get my hands on the bastard who ordered it."

Kelrion by the time I finished was literally shaking in his chair as he avoided eye contact with me, and that's when I went in for the kill.

"Is something the matter, Admiral Kelrion? Do you have a sickness or something?"

He shook his head and stated nervously, "N-…no, I just…I just am really cold in this place…you guys have the conditioner running in this plac-…place, twenty four, seven…I assume."

I then heard a beep come from my datapad, and I told the admiral to hold on for a second. I received an email from one of my spies finding a Consortium Outpost on Saleucami, but I stated with one last beautiful ploy.

"Oh…I just received an email from the torturer. He says he had the name of the person now."

Kelrion immediately stood up and stated, "I must really get going now. Thrawn must realize I'm late…"

He made his way to the door and tried to get it open multiple times by pressing the button.

"You know, Admiral Kelrion…I didn't really receive a message from the torturer. It was a simple scouting report…however; I do know you are the person responsible for my families' death. And you have made quite a grave mistake."

His skin began to go pale as he stood there, just gazing at my sinister smile that was plastered on my face.

"Do you believe in retribution, Kelrion? An eye for an eye?"

He remained silent as I walked closer and closer to him before I stated, "As much as I would like to kill you, and mercilessly torment you until you die of either exhaustion, or just pass out into a never-ending coma again, but…I believe Thrawn had a point. You are a valuable resource to my plans, as you are to Thrawn's plans…so; I'm not going to kill you."

Relief seemed to wash over the Admiral like a big gust of wind, before I continued, "However, that doesn't mean you don't deserve this."

I immediately pulled out my SE-14C blaster, and unloaded a three-round burst into the Admiral's right leg, as he screamed out in pain. I then kneeled down to the Admiral and ordered, "Apologize, and tell me that your father was nothing but a helpless drunk that killed himself out of spite for his inadequacies rather than just for failing his son."

He sang like a bird for me, and begged me not to do anything more to him and that he would be an obedient little admiral to Thrawn and myself. I then went over to the intercom and called for some guards to come in and remove the admiral from my office. I then slouched back in my chair and smiled as Thrawn appeared to be right, revenge would've been temporary and only last a short time, but if you can mentally fuck a person for the rest of their life, and make sure they pay for what they have done, it is so much better than just giving the person the easy solution of death.

After finishing up the rest of my work for the day, I locked up my office and began to walk back towards my own quarters, when I was approached by Jaxor.

"Grand Moff…I have some disturbing news…I believe that the hacker is looking through our database again. I think I might've narrowed down some areas where I could check for the hacker, but I'll need one of your code cylinders for permission."

I looked at my lieutenant before pulling off one of my code cylinders and handing it to him as I asked, "Which areas are you going to go look?"

Jaxor replied without a second's notice, "I believe the most probably areas to check is the sublevel's servers as there is a primary computer there, and if anyone has above a Captain's insignia, which may be so, they could easily get in there, and I was also going to check the Comms Relay since it's relatively unguarded."

I nodded my head and stated, "Alright, just be sure to come to my quarters after you are done checking. I'll expect my code cylinder."

The lieutenant nodded his head and saluted me, before walking off. I eventually got to my quarters, sat down and enjoyed a cup of the nice and calming black tea that I had recently got another shipment of, and then sat back in a loveseat while I waited for the return of the lieutenant.