Chapter 13: Getting Ready

Imperial Castle, Mobotropolis, 21st October 3241, 10:15 pm…

"Grand Inquisitor, I just got word that the Star Destroyer escort you requested for your trip to Mustafar has been approved by the Emperor." An aide said as he walked up to Elias. "They'll be here in a matter of days."

"Good." Elias said. "Make sure they come as soon as possible. I would not allow the Freedom Fighters even the slightest opportunity to attempt a rescue."

"Yes, Grand Inquisitor." The aide said before leaving.

Elias nodded before he continued on his way to his scheduled meeting with Governor Tarkin, Admiral Balor, and General Okada. General Okada would be accompanying Elias and Cersei to Mustafar, mainly to provide military assistance in the event of an attack enroute. Elias was not bothered the course of the two years he had known Okada, the general had proven to be a very able one, and had grown more ruthless. He showed respect to the Empire, mainly because it was the regime he served, and served with honour. And Cersei was well, Cersei.

He was driven from thought when he saw the Third Brother waiting for him.

"About time." The Third Brother said. "I was wondering if I would have to go into the meeting alone." His tone sounded as if he would have preferred to do so.

"When and if you become Grand Inquisitor, then you can decide when to arrive for a meeting." Elias replied, shoving past the Third Brother. "And by my count, we're early by about fifteen minutes. Plenty of time to arrive and get ready."

The Third Brother scoffed. "Well regardless, for the record, I still think we should be the ones interrogating the Jedi, not Lord Vader."

Elias whipped around and pinned the Third Brother to the wall, his mask barely hiding his anger. "Lord Vader is our master!" Elias snarled. "Try to consider that the next time you speak of disobeying him!"

The Third Brother smirked. "I care not for who he is to you. If I die, the Empire would lose Shili."

Elias smirked. "And then the Empire would take it back, kill everyone you know and love, and ensure that no other planet dares secede from the Empire." Releasing the Third Brother, Elias said: "Try and consider that, the next time you're feeling arrogant enough to challenge a command of Lord Vader's." With that, Elias swept into the meeting room.

The Third Brother scowled, folding his arms. "You may think you have the upper hand, Grand Inquisitor." He said under his breath. "But you have no idea of who you are messing with." At this, the Third Brother followed Elias into the meeting room, muttering oaths of revenge under his breath.

Inside the meeting room, 10:30 pm…

Elias still felt weird seeing Governor Tarkin sitting where Dr Eggman had sat during their meetings. He was accustomed to seeing the Doctor's massive, overweight carcass accompanying the seat Tarkin was sitting on now, not the thin, precise features of Governor Wilhuff Tarkin.

Admiral Balor was sitting to Tarkin's right, and General Okada to the Governor's left. Neither were smiling.

On his side of the table, Elias had Frederick the Cat, and the Third Brother, the former on his right, the latter on his left.

An observer could possibly say that the two sides looked more like two factions in a war meeting for peace negotiations rather than a full war council, which it was.

Finally, Tarkin stood up, hands firmly clasped behind his back. "Gentlemen, we are at a pivotal point in this war with the dissidents on this planet. We lost the chance to make an example of one of them, but managed to capture another, whom Lord Vader has personally requested to be delivered to him. A duty our two friends from the Imperial Inquisition have committed to. General Okada and Colonel Aryn will be accompanying them, the latter of whom could not be with us, as she is currently making preparations to leave already."

Good, Cersei, Good, Elias thought. He had instructed Cersei to use that lie to mask why she had been missing meetings: Severe morning sickness, a common symptom of early stage pregnancy, something she had done well to mask.

"I still maintain that we should be the ones interrogating the Jedi." The Third Brother said. "He simply isn't Lord Vader's problem."

"Yet Lord Vader has specifically requested him." Frederick interjected. "With men like Vader, we must always honour their wishes."

"Quite right, Frederick." Tarkin said. "Lord Vader has never been the most patient of people."

"In other words, keep those opinions to yourself." Elias said, giving the Third Brother a harsh look. "If you actually have anything useful to contribute, then you are welcome to share. If not, then be quiet."

The Third Brother scowled and sat back, folding his arms.

Elias turned to General Okada. "General, has your aide provided you with more details of our security detail for the journey?"

The General nodded. "Two Star Destroyers, each with a full detail of Stormtroopers, as well as fully armed and operational."

"Excellent." Elias said. "When will they be here?"

"Ten days hence." Okada said. "It will take time to gather the necessary crew as well."

Elias nodded. "Very well." He remarked. Sitting forward, Elias tented his hands. "Will that be all, gentlemen? Preparations have to be made on this end of the galaxy as well."

Tarkin nodded. "That is all, gentlemen." He said, before turning and leaving the room.

Rising to his feet, Elias said: "Okada, Frederick; with me. I would have words." With this, Elias turned and left the room himself, with his two companions in tow.

Outside the Meeting Room…

"Frederick, we'll need your men on board with us to ensure complete safety." Elias said as they walked along.

"What, Argo and Alec both?" Frederick asked.

"Yes." Elias replied. "I'd prefer they were the ones guarding the prisoner, not an ordinary Stormtrooper detail. Stormtroopers are prone to incompetence, your men are not."

Frederick nodded. "Very well."

"Are you doubting the capabilities of my men, Grand Inquisitor?" Okada asked.

"No." Elias replied. "I am purely saying that they can be incompetent. I never said they were incompetent."

Placated, General Okada resumed walking with them.

Turning next to Frederick again, Elias stopped. "Gather Argo and Alec together. I would instruct them personally on what is to happen should something like a rescue happen."

Frederick nodded and said: "Consider it done." Before turning and walking away.

Elias turned now to Okada, to make conversation, but they were interrupted by Cersei.

"Colonel. I thought you were preparing to leave." The Colonel asked.

"I was, but that's finished now." Cersei replied. "Now all that's left to do is wait for the security detail to arrive. Then we can finally deliver the Jedi to Lord Vader."

"Yes, finally." Okada said. Turning to Elias, he said: "I'll take my leave now, Grand Inquisitor." With that, Okada too turned and left, leaving Elias and Cersei alone.

Turning to Cersei, Elias said: "My room. Now."

Elias' quarters, 10:45 am…

"Your lie worked." Elias remarked as he sat down in his desk chair.

Cersei nodded. "I thought it would. I'll have to come up with a different one tomorrow, to avoid anyone growing suspicious."

"The best lies always have a hint of truth to them." Elias replied. "Next time, I suggest you say that you're ill. Say a bad cold, or something of that kind."

Cersei nodded before turning around. "I'm still worried." She said. "About everything: The baby, the constant lying. It feels wrong."

Elias listened intently before he recognised her back was turned. Frederick's advice again replayed in his head:

I know you care for the Colonel deeply, but your love for her will only weaken your resolve. By killing her, and the child you know she carries, you restore the strength of your resolve, and ensure you continue the work you've done for the Empire with the same zeal I saw you with when I first met you two years ago. Frederick had said.

Elias stood up, his hand reaching towards his lightsaber, mentally preparing himself for the blow that would rob him of the woman he loved, and the mother of his-

He shoved that thought aside, finding his resolve. The woman in front of him was nothing but a liability. The unborn child also. Both would merely weaken his resolve and dim his loyalty to the Empire.

His hand found his lightsaber hilt, and he made to unhook it, when Cersei suddenly turned.

"Elias, are you alright?" Cersei asked.

Elias folded his arms. "I'm fine." He replied. "I share those concerns also. But don't be worried. Remember what we agreed to do."

Cersei nodded. "Once our mission to Mustafar is over, I ask for leave, and use the time to see my family. Once the baby's born, I leave it with them and I return to duty."

"Exactly." Elias said, holding her by the shoulders. "Everything will be alright in the end, Cersei. All we need to do is be prepared for it."

Cersei nodded before kissing Elias, as she had done in the past.

Elias returned the kiss with all he had, before suddenly breaking it and pushing Cersei down onto his bed hard.

"What are you doing?" Cersei asked.

"You've got the rest of the day off, so what's the bother?" Elias asked as he leaned down.

Only the morning sun shining through the window could capture what the couple were doing, their erotic shadows dancing against the wall.

Outside Elias' room…

Pitiful, The Third Brother thought as he arose from his position outside the Grand Inquisitor's quarters. He had stealthily followed the Grand Inquisitor there once he had spotted him walking there with Colonel Aryn, his lover and the mother of his child.

And as the Third Brother suspected, they were now fornicating.

Walking down the corridor, he shook his head in disbelief. Why would anyone bother settling down with just one woman, when you could have many? That had been the case on Shili, as the Third Brother's family had many slave girls, mostly used for pleasure.

Putting this thought aside though, the Third Brother thought on how he could best take his revenge on the Grand Inquisitor. He was already planning to kill the Colonel, but the Third Brother wondered what else to do beforehand.

Then it hit him: An idea so good it made the Third Brother suppress a giggle. All he needed was a sharp knife. A very sharp knife.

With this and other dark thoughts on his mind, he decided to head to the castle armoury, to find what he needed there.

Classic Galactic Empire: Constant attempts by others to advance themselves for their own gain, as well as revenge for past wrongdoings.

Sorry for the delay in updating. My evening was filled completely by watching the Royal Rumble on the WWE Network. Pretty good show overall, but it could have been better.

My thoughts on the beginning of the Road to Wrestlemania aside, thank you all for taking the time to read this chapter. If you enjoyed it, then leave a review in the appropriate section, and tell me what you enjoyed and what you think I can do to improve. In the event that you really enjoyed it, then please favourite and follow this story, so you will be updated whenever I upload a new chapter.

Again, thank you, and I will see you with the next chapter (Coming up straight after this one), which sees Roman and his compatriots make plans for Seth's rescue.

T-Rock14