T-minus 9: Grand Admiral Zaarin
"From the first, there were anomalies about the situation with Grand Admiral Zaarin, things that gave me pause. The second guessers would have it that I was remiss in not advising caution more strongly. But one does not antagonize Lord Vader with too much talk of circumspection, you see - not, at least, without great risk."
Vice Admiral Thrawn, as quoted in Vradek's 'Interviews"
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Grand Admiral Demetrius Zaarin was a gifted scientist and a brilliant tactician. Having risen to be one of the most powerful vassals in Emperor Palpatine's employ, and complete loyalty was expected of him... but Zaarin had other plans.
Now, on Coruscant, Imperial City, Grand Admiral Zaarin was meeting with his fellow conspirators.
General Rom Mohc sat across from him, enjoying a sip from his glass of Alderaanian ale, while sitting in a chair next to him was Admiral Sarn and Grand Admiral Martio Batch from research station Imdaar Alpha. High Inquisitor Ja'ce Yiaso, a Zabrak alien from Iridonia and his personal bodyguard, a huge Kentarian alien by the name of Chrome, and besides him was Judge Advocate General Micah, and what looked like his daughter, a small indiscript child... but with her eyes, it was difficult to tell exactly how old she was... by the name of Chi'anna. Inquisitor Volytar, and his bodyguard a Talortai which went by the name of Chambers. The Falleen Prince Xizor of Black Sun, with his personal bodyguard the beautiful woman Guri, which Chi'anna kept a close eye on. Each was powerful in their own right, and each waited for word from the one that called them together.
"My friends." Zaarin began. "Ive brought you together because each of you has a gift. A gift of foresight, and a brilliance that is unrecognized in the Empire as it stands today. More and more you are played off each other in the Emperor's mad ploys to destroy the Rebellion. It is my opinion that Palpatine is obsessed. Obsessed with destroying all those that oppose him. He is the most powerful being in the galaxy, and all he wants to do is build his huge planet crackers. He doesnt care about the honor of the fighting man.." he nodded his head at Rom Mohc, who raised his glass and nodded. "He doesnt care about the needs of those that create the fighters that carry our illustrious pilots into combat..." Sarn and Batch both nodded as well. "And as for the aliens amongst us... Need I say more?" he asked. Ja'ce Yiaso and Prince Xizor both nodded. Each saw the wisdom of the Grand Admirals words. Then Zaarin went for the throat.
"I intend to replace Emperor Palpatine on the throne."
At first, the comment was met with silence, then finally Prince Xizor stood up slowly. "You cannot be serious. What makes you think you could defeat Palpatine? You are only one Admiral with a single fleet. He has thousands to replace you... possibly millions."
Zaarin nodded. "Individually, yes. I would be defeated. But if we put our forces together. Martio.. .you have been working on the TIE Hunter project, and the TIE Phantoms... Mohc, you have been creating your Dark Trooper project... Micah, you have been experimenting with genetic splicing for as long as I have known you..." he looked at the little girl Chi, which stared back at him with far too knowing eyes. Zaarin turned to face the Inquisitors. "And the Inquisitorius has access to the deepest recesses of Emperor Palpatines libraries and information centers. Prince Xizor, you run Black Sun.. a limitless source of manpower and money and weaponry. I myself have been working on the advanced starfighter projects, and the TIE Avengers and TIE Defenders have both passed inspection tests and are ready for mass production. If we all united, nothing could stand before us."
Judge Advocate General Micah stood slowly. A tall, lanky human with a long mustache and dusky blond hair, he looked around at those assembled. "Emperor Palpatine is panicking. His Death Star was destroyed by a Jedi, and he has called all of the Grand Admirals together to plan their counter-attack. He is distracted. Now would be the perfect time."
The others sat in silence for a few moments. Finally Inquisitor Volytar asked in a smooth voice. "You do realize that if we fail... it means death."
Chambers, his Talortai bodyguard huffed in laughter, while little Chi'anna looked up at the bird like alien. "You do not fear death?"
The Talortai looked down at the little child. "Feh. I have been alive since the battle of Fornax... Darth Nihilus would have eaten you for breakfast, little one." he said with a sneer.
Chi'anna surprised him by giggling. "I dont think so." she said defiantly. Micah looked at Chambers with a grin. "My little Chi is more than she appears."
Prince Xizor nodded. "As are all of us. But the bottom line is... if we do this, there is no turning back. Failure means death. I only want one thing... and thats Vader... broken at my feet."
Chi tensed up at those words, and growled low in her throat. Micah placed a hand on her shoulder. "Calm yourself little one. Xizor was only stating what we all want.. the defeat of the Emperor and Vader."
Chi shook her head. "Vader is mine."
Grand Admiral Zaarin looked at the little assassin and around the room. "Im sure there is a big story why a little girl wants Darth Vader... but that is besides the point. If we decide, it must be now. All for us uniting against Emperor Palpatine?" he raised his hands...
And so did all the others.
Zaarin smiled, pleased. "Excellent. Its unanimous. We must move our forces in secret until we are ready to strike... and we must wait until the right moment. When Palpatine is the most vulnerable...we will take the throne by force."
Chi looked at those around the room and made a silent vow. Vader will not be harmed.. he had knowledge that Chi wanted... and nothing stopped Chi from getting what she wanted.
Nothing.
