Roman had just gotten out of the bath in a clean robe with a glass of Death Stalker Fire Whiskey in his hand.
Even the pumpkin-spiced scented candles, which were supposed to relax him, did nothing to improve his mood.
He wasn't sure who to be angrier with, Qrow certainly for how he'd made a mess of his coat, which his personal associates were currently cleaning, or toward the kid for having the gaul to peek into his head.
He really didn't want things to go that way, blood was always such an unpleasant thing, but he hadn't made himself the undisputed kingpin of the underworld by being soft.
Off to the side, he saw Neo playing darts with a picture of Jacen, who already had several darts in him.
He still had a bit more information regarding what Jacen could actually do.
From how Neo described from her fight with Jacen, it seemed that the Jedi had a kind of code of honor regarding killing, yet he had the eyes of someone who'd undoubtedly killed before.
Then there was this Dark Jedi or Sith who gave the White Fang members at the Black Citadel those droids.
If Jacen's words weren't just wild exaggeration, and Roman had a feeling that most of it wasn't unfounded, particularly the part about them working him like a puppet.
Roman Torchwick was no one's puppet; he lived by his own rules, and the foremost principle was in how good he could lie, steal, cheat, and survive.
Yet, he also had no reason to doubt Jacen's words regarding the dreadful way the Sith disposed of their enemies.
That meant trying to seek that one out was off the table.
"What are your thoughts, Neo?" Roman asked.
Neo turned to him and began making gestures with her hands.
Being mute, this was how she communicated.
"I think we should get rid of both," she said through her gestures.
"Right, but the question is, how do we accomplish that?" Roman asked.
"Jacen probably has other abilities he didn't mention, and we don't even know what this Dark Jedi or Sith might be capable of."
"We should try to find out," Neo said through more hand gestures.
He rather wished his men, who had been sent to investigate the remains of the Black Citadel, brought more than just the tattered remains of the White Fang members.
One of those droids might have yielded better results if they hadn't blown up.
Though, perhaps something was, in fact discovered.
His men mentioned finding a different droid further away from the citadel.
He still had his men studying it, though he half expected it to self-destruct as well.
Imagine his surprise when it didn't.
Roman looked for a spare change of clothing.
"I need to see that other thing they found, Neo," he said as he dressed himself decently.
Neo looked at him with confusion.
"I'm willing to bet that we may learn something after all," he said as he adjusted his hat and then grabbed his cane with a flourish.
"It's not like the other ones they described," Neo said through more gestures.
Roman nodded, "Regardless, we may learn more through it rather than without it," he said.
Neo grabbed her parasol and then followed Roman out the door.
The abandoned warehouse Roman used while in Vale still had a group of his own technical analysts working on the droid when he arrived.
As he got closer, he finally got a better look at the thing.
It was smooth, shiny enough to see one's reflection in it, and was almost entirely black.
It had the shape of a kind of saucer with two identical top and bottom coverings.
The lower half of it had a trio of limbs, which ended in three-fingered mandibles.
What served it for a face held a single large lens with a smaller lens on the side.
According to the ones who brought it to him, the primary lens was glowing with a red light.
The top panel was removed as the analysts had their equipment attached.
Roman looked at the panel, which had a symbol he didn't recognize.
None of his other associates had seen it, even Lil' Miss with her web, could not find out who used the sigil.
It was circular, and engraved in silver.
The interior had six points that met the outer circle, while a matching design was in the center.
"Well," Roman said as he lit a cigar.
"Have we learned anything from this thing?"
The tech observing a monitor looked at him with misgiving, "Boss, this is unlike anything I've ever seen," he said.
"Normally, cracking matrix is my specialty, but this thing has a system, unlike anything."
Roman showed him a curious look, "You've been able to crack the codex of an Alteasian supercomputer, yet you can't figure this out?"
The man looked at Roman, "Boss, I doubt even Atlas could develop something this complex," he said.
Roman shook his head in disappointment, "One doesn't put up such a complicated matrix without reason," he said.
"Nothing is unbreakable."
As Roman watched his men working, Neo was twirling her parasol out of boredom.
Who or what did this droid belong to?
Just then, as the techs continued, Roman heard the sound of electricity, and before he could say anything, a surge shot out from the top of the droid, traveling through the equipment and frying the technicians at work.
The smell of burned flesh was thick in the air, and Roman nearly dropped his cigar.
When the last technician fell motionless, the small lens on the face of the droid began to glow.
Then, a hologram projected from the lens began to project a few feet in front of him.
A human man, about in his mid-forties, wearing an all-black uniform, with a clean-shaven face, black hair cut short with white on the temples, now stood in front of him, both hands behind his equally black cape.
There was nothing Roman could identify regarding anything suggesting decorations or badges of honor.
In fact, the design of the uniform was simple yet purposeful, with the cut of the tunic, the creation of the pants, and how they tucked into the high boots.
The only thing that stood out was a plaque on the left side of his tunic.
It was gold, but with six red squares on the top and six blue squares on the bottom.
The only other thing on him was one metal cylinder on one side and two on the other.
"This is Director Jerec Khan of the Department of Imperial Military Research Bureau," the man said.
"Might I know the name of the one who so boldly thought to tamper with one of our Seeker Probes?"
Roman wasn't sure what rank a director was supposed to be, but assumed that it was something like the head of a company or something else of high rank.
He adopted his customary grace, "Forgive my curiosity, Director," he said, giving a tip of his hat.
"I'd never seen such a remarkable device, and I tend to want to know that which I don't know."
Jerec grinned without showing his teeth, "I'm certain there are many things that would be curious to you," he said.
"You don't strike me as some local official, so that would make you either a well-connected criminal or, better yet, a crime boss."
"Guilty as charged," Roman said in admiration of Jerec's insight.
"Roman Torchwick, the undisputed kingpin of Remnant, keeper of dark secrets, an acquirer of critical information or valuable items, for the right price," he showed his customary grin.
"Then let us discuss business, Mr Torchwick," Jacen said.
"The Empire doesn't take kindly to wasted time."
Imperial and empire rang through Roman's head.
Jacen was perhaps the first human he'd learned of that wasn't even born on Remnant, he'd done digging into any birth records, and the ones his men found were as phony as anything he could concoct.
Now, he was speaking to another human who represented an imperial power.
"For starters," Roman began.
"Is your empire familiar with something called a Jedi?"
Jerec's eyes hardened and he spoke severely, "The Jedi are traitors representing a bygone age," he said.
"The galaxy is better off without their ilk."
Did that mean the Jedi once served with this empire?
"Might I inquire as to what the Jedi did to your empire?" Roman asked, though a slight grin from Jerec told him that kind of information didn't come cheap.
"I would think a man in your line of work would know when not to expect answers to be given freely," Jerec said.
"Forgive me," Roman said.
Jerec straightened up, "However, this one sample is one that I give so you know why the Jedi deserve neither mercy nor forgiveness," he said.
"For years, a galaxy-spanning event known as the Clone Wars claimed the lives of uncountable billions, between the Republic, which preceded the Empire, and the Confederacy of Independent Systems under Count Dooku, once a former Jedi."
Roman remembered tales of the Great War and how it spread throughout the world, but he couldn't envision an entire galaxy with hundreds of worlds at war with each other.
Roman risked a glance out through a window, it showed the night sky with the shattered moon and the stars beyond.
No one in Remnant even considered the possibility that there might be life out there, much less human life, which was said to have sprung up from the dust of this world, and somehow, the faunus also emerged from that distant age.
He turned his attention back to Jerec, "Which side did the Jedi fight on?" Roman asked.
Jerec snorted, "Some would have it said that the Jedi served to defend the Republic while fighting Count Dooku and his vast droid armies, but I'm willing to let you in on a secret," he said.
"The Jedi planned to take over the Republic, and they orchestrated the war to weaken it while Dooku was made their scapegoat."
Roman was shocked by that, Jacen being part of a group that was plotting treason.
"Their plot wasn't as solidly planned as they'd hoped," Jerec began.
"Chancellor Palpatine, who served as its steadfast leader throughout the war, was made aware of their plot and secretly laid out an executive order which would turn the Jedi traitors' army against them, though this plan came about after members of the Jedi Order attempted to assassinate the man and left him damaged."
From Jerec's reaction, it was clear he must have seen whatever happened to this Palpatine after the attempt on his life.
Roman wondered if Jacen was part of that group, but he quickly dismissed it.
Jacen didn't seem like the kind to go and attempt to butcher an unarmed man.
"I assume, when this order was given, every Jedi was executed for treason?" Roman asked.
"For all their faith in some mystical field of energy, it didn't save them in the end," Jerec's tone held noticeable contempt, as though he had a personal grievance against the Jedi.
"Shall I assume you have encountered a Jedi on your Remnant?" He asked.
Roman had to think before he said anything.
Jacen being involved in such a wide-encompassing deception and treason, which marked him as an enemy of this empire for the attempted assassination of their leader, complicated things.
He wasn't exactly keen on telling them anything, but he wanted to rid himself of anything that would try going into his head and digging up things from his past he'd long ago buried.
"There is, and I think there's also something called a Dark Jedi here," Roman said.
"How do you know they aren't one in the same?" Jerec asked.
How was Roman going to answer that one?
"Does the name Jacen Arkos mean anything?" Roman asked.
Jerec's eyes seemed to get harder than steel and colder than an Atleasian winter.
"Jacen Arkos is dead, alongside his treacherous master Draco Jedite, who was once an apprentice of Dooku before he left their order," he said harshly.
So Jacen was trained by someone who was in turn, trained by the enemy leader he supposedly fought against.
"Draco and his former padawan were preparing an assault of their own, Draco, in an attempt to take his old master's place when Dooku's head came off while Jacen served as his loyal dog," Jerec actually spat upon the ground in disgust.
One thing Roman knew was nothing was ever that simple.
There was always some misinformation or misdirection from whatever genuinely happened, but he knew it wasn't smart to go out and ask about it.
Jerec was about to be disappointed with what Roman was about to say.
"Jacen Arkos is alive," he said, then motioned for Neo to come beside him.
She was in shadow, and when she fully emerged, she'd taken the appearance of Jacen himself.
Jerec's eyes widened, then observed as Neo did a flip then, landed back in her original appearance, and gave a low bow of theatricality.
"I'm impressed," Jerec said, though his mood quickly changed back to severity.
"Have you captured him?"
"We might have if we didn't have a run-in with a local huntsman named Qrow Branwen," Roman said.
"Further, it seems this Dark Jedi, if it's actually not Jacen, got a hand on a few of Dooku's so-called droids."
Roman quirked a grin, "I should hope to be compensated for this information," he said.
Jerec was about to say something, but a female in an olive green uniform with red hair in a tight bun whispered something in his ear.
Jerec nodded at the woman, and she walked out of frame.
"I should like to ensure we have a method of communicating while we deliberate on what you might be able to provide, price shouldn't be an issue, but mind you I can't guarantee anything as the Empire is quite busy," he said.
Jerec pressed a switch off the screen and a compartment opened in the seeker.
Roman nodded for Neo to go take it and she moved cautiously toward it.
"That's a special comlink with an encrypted frequency, which we can use as soon as we reach an accommodation," Jerec said.
Neo grabbed the device and gave it to Roman.
It was no more significant than the palm of his hand.
"Then, I'll look forward to your decision," Roman said, bowing slightly.
"Oh, and you both ought to leave that location," Jerec said almost off-handedly.
"Once the comlink is removed, the seeker is set to self-destruct."
Jerec's image faded, and Neo had just enough time to open her parasol to protect Roman from the blast as the seeker exploded.
When Neo closed her parasol, all that was left behind was a blackened spot.
"Why the hell do these damn things explode?" Roman said, dusting himself off.
Neo shrugged and then studied the comlink Roman held in his hand.
"Now we wait to hear what this empire will be willing to pay us," he said.
It was a dangerous gamble, but if it meant he could get rid of two unnecessary problems, it would be worth it.
Perhaps, Roman could make himself immortal with this discovery of the millennium.
An entire empire out beyond the stars.
Atlas had attempted to explore the possibilities of space travel, but it was all but abandoned as any rockets launched eventually lost all power as soon as they left the atmosphere.
No one had figured out the mystery, and therefore it was still unexplored.
No one would ever forget his name once this discovery became common knowledge.
Still, he couldn't help but feel that as angry as Jerec appeared to be regarding the subject of the Jedi, the topic of Jacen appeared to be an even deeper personal matter.
Come to think of it, Roman couldn't help noticing Jerec's eyes, the same blue-gray as Jacen's.
However, that could simply be a coincidence as eyes didn't necessarily mean that one was related.
Jerec waited for the image to fade before he let a cold fury set in.
After everything, he'd hoped he'd never have to hear that name again.
Jacen Arkos, among all the other names among the unaccounted-for Jedi kills, didn't it just have to be him?
He couldn't let this occupy him, he had to compose himself for an important visit.
As he adjusted his cape, he left the room escorted by a pair of helmeted stormtroopers.
It was a slight regret that the clone troopers, which had such efficiency even before they picked up a blaster, were being replaced by more of these TK units.
To be sure, they could be accurate, but the constant joke about stormtroopers being unable to hit anything was beginning to annoy him.
The few clone troopers that stayed were becoming a minority, not to mention their accelerated aging was a factor.
As he made his way to the hangar bay of the facility, which served as the headquarters of the Imperial 13th Research Bureau, technically a branch of the Imperial Department of Military Research, but it had a secret purpose this far away from the Core.
The facility itself followed a similar design to the Wheel, a space station which served as a casino hotel, this facility wasn't designed for luxury.
While there were living quarters and recreational areas for those stationed here, it was primarily a research facility and top-secret operations center.
As a result of this facility's secrecy, external communication was limited and monitored by Imperial Security Bureau personnel who were stationed to ensure secrecy was being maintained.
The only transmissions that were permissible were those that were under a special encryption that Jerec himself had designed to be used and only to those that had the proper clearance as being on a need-to-know basis.
Equipment with state-of-the-art technology and sensors, an array of turbolasers, point defense laser cannon batteries, and tractor beams, complete with a broad complement of TIE fighter craft with about seven Arquitens-class command cruisers, five Imperial Class Star Destroyers, and the Acquisition, an Interdictor Cruiser which served as Jerec's mobile laboratory and command ship whenever he made personal voyages, the facility itself was armed and very heavily defended.
While Grand Moff Wilhuff Tarkin was overseeing a top-secret project known only as Project Stardust, which continued in secrecy and on schedule, or while his own college, Doctor Royce Hemlock, was about to oversee the Emperor's operations on Mount Tantiss on Wayland, he was overseeing other projects which were only known to the few members of the High Command.
It also served as the Emperor's secret research facility to study the Unknown Regions.
As they walked across a causeway, he looked out the viewport, seeing an assortment of scientists hard at work on research and experimentation.
They continued past another viewport where mechanical work was taking place.
He observed the work on four tall exoskeleton suits of armor styled after the stormtrooper armor, entirely black and made to be intimidating.
This was where the Dark Trooper project, birthed by Galen Magnus upon becoming a Fleet Admiral, was taking shape.
While most in the Imperial Navy favored the widely accepted Tarkin Doctrine, ruling through projecting power through massive capital ships and instilling fear into the heart of the Empire's enemies, Galen had insisted that they focus on improving the more minor things such as the ground troops that made up the bulk of the Empire's military.
Even Jerec shared the same mindset through his own research.
However, technology could only do so much.
He knew that this facility also housed his own projects regarding genetic engineering and cloning experiments, not unlike Doctor Hemlock, though Jerec had been exploring genetic engineering for years.
He regarded the Dark Troopers, which was still in production.
Several discarded prototypes lay in storage on the walls.
In theory, this generation of exoskeleton could allow highly trained personnel to perform the duties of one squadron of standard troopers, equipped with heavy blaster rifles, top-of-the-line sensors, rocket packs, and even equipped with a cloaking array.
Additionally, the armor it was made with was composed of phrrik alloy, which was a rare ore known for being nearly indestructible.
Commander Gideon, a member of the Imperial Security Bureau overseeing the Mandalore sector who also saw value in the Dark Trooper project, suggested utilizing Beskar, though it wasn't so much gathering the ore that was a major problem.
The exoskeleton didn't move as smoothly as it should have, the joints took too long to move, and when it walked, it practically lumbered.
Other prototypes did improve, though not nearly to the expectations that Galen set.
Worse yet, they took up so much power that it was impractical to leave them active, and they took forever to go online.
The biggest issue wasn't so much what it could offer, but that every credit seemed to be filtering into Project Stardust.
On this point, Jerec agreed with Galen that focusing on the Stardust project was a shortsighted investment.
Jerec, too needed funding for his own project, Project Phoenix.
Born from his applications into genetic engineering, he could create a new superior body while only adding the genetic attributes of a specific species that was spliced in, then through the use of a neural network implanted into the brain of both the main subject and the engineered clone, that mind would download into a new body upon death as though it were a droid having its entire being transferred into a new machine.
However, Project Phoenix also had its drawbacks.
When so many things revolve around financial funding, other projects take a back seat over Orson Krennic's supposed stroke of genius with Project Stardust.
However, the discovery of Remnant had the potential to add another element to his project, and if it happened that he discovered something that could be useful in completing Galen's Dark Troopers, then he'd have a powerful ally and be recognized for his own contributions.
The Empire needed less wasted investments and more innovative ones.
The hangar bay was filled with a rank and file of various troopers, it looked as though he expected Lord Vader to check on their progress or perhaps the Emperor himself was inspecting the facility.
That was a rare occurrence, though the Emperor often made it his job to ensure his secret facility was yielding results.
His eyes fell upon a man with raven black hair, a patch over his eye with a bang covering the top of the scar which ran down to his cheek, wearing an olive green uniform of an Imperial Army commander with his rank insignia marking him as an appointed senior officer.
Captain Talon Krieg seemed to be the model imperial soldier, in fact, he stood so still that he might have been made of stone.
However, a soldier was the kinder application when referring to the captain.
One who earned titles like, the Demon of Kallos, the Emperor's Butcherer, and the Mad Hunter could hardly be compared to a mere soldier.
Others have even given him the moniker of the Bloody Talon.
Both Tarkin and Galen said that sometimes even a mad dog had some use, though Jerec knew Galen wasn't overly fond of how Talon conducted warfare.
"He's come to inspect his advanced ground troop project," Talon said without turning toward Jerec.
"Admiral Magnus has every right to inspect what could become an asset to the Empire," Jerec said.
Now Talon directed his icy blue eye upon Jerec, "You've found something, Director?" He asked with apparent interest.
"All in good time," Jerec answered as a lambda shuttle folded its lower wings and landed.
The row of stormtroopers lined up in front of the shuttle on either side while Jerec and the Mad Hunter stood at the center.
The ramp began to lower, and the sound of footsteps started to come down the ramp.
Galen Magnus, even at 35, still carried that legendary Corellian swashbuckling charm which was a refreshing sight with half the members of the Imperial High Command either going gray or already having white hair.
Though, the most interesting thing about him was his uniform.
It was still the standard imperial gray-green, though the only difference was the rank plaque, which now marked him as a full Fleet Admiral
Galen had been a Vice Admiral the last time he was here, though some time had passed since then.
Galen had a squadron of imperial troopers of his own, which according to their poster, indicated that Galen himself had appointed them on merit.
"Director," Galen said when he was finally in front of Jerec.
"We welcome you to the facility, Admiral," Jerec said.
"I appreciate the hospitality, Director," Galen said.
As per his usual domineering, Galen had the usual dash of charm while demonstrating the model of a proper imperial officer.
Lately, the Imperial Navy had a fair few gifted and unorthodox officers; foremost among them was a member of a species once only rumored to dwell somewhere within the Unknown Regions, but now were as real as any human throughout the Empire, the Chiss.
The fact that a near-human could even make a thriving military career within an empire where humans were not only predominant, but also detested anything that wasn't completely human, was almost impossible to believe.
Whatever career Galen himself had forged for himself during the Clone Wars, it was clear that he admired the Chiss, all of which occurred as a result of when Commodore Thrawn, as he was ranked at the time, thwarted Governor Quest's secession of the planet of Botajef.
Ever since, Galen had been following Thrawn's rise through the ranks with great interest.
To be sure, Galen had the skill and ability that made most within the Imperial Navy go green with envy, not to mention he had powerful friends within the Imperial High Command, the ISB, and Naval Intelligence.
However, Galen only ever used those allies whenever it was strategically necessary.
"Admiral Thrawn has been one of the best military strategists I've ever encountered," Galen said, perhaps reading Jerec's face.
"Even during the Clone Wars, I'd never met anyone who even came close."
Talon scoffed, "I'd almost think you'd want him dead before he overshadows your reputation," he said.
Galen showed a look of over-exaggerated inspiration, "Oh, of course, why don't we cut him up into little pieces then display them like a macabre form of artwork," he said.
"I'm sure Admiral Thrawn would be glad to know he'll become an exotic work of art."
Talon growled with Galen's sarcastic tone, but it wouldn't be wise for him to try making a move when an Admiral spoke his mind.
It was no secret that Thrawn was disliked because he didn't follow the standard set by the current imperial navy, even more so because a majority of the Empire already hated non-humans, yet even Jerec, who'd only met the Chiss on the few occasions he'd been on Coresaunt, couldn't argue that his methods yielded results.
Galen had even stated that the Imperial Navy could profit from Thrawn's insight, even if the Chiss couldn't entirely maneuver around the concept of politics.
Jerec cleared his throat, "If we might convene in the briefing room," he invited.
Galen quickly dropped the hardness once again, being the charming officer, "Lead on Director," he said.
"I'm certain this will be an interesting conversation."
Talon sneered as the Admiral led them through the corridors as if he actually owned the place.
He'd heard of how he could become ruthless, with some rumors even speculating that Galen could become worse than Governor Tarkin whenever the mood caught him.
Looking at the man now, Talon wasn't impressed.
He looked more like some swashbuckling smuggler who talked about nothing but good alcohol, beautiful ladies, and how to navigate from place to place.
As they continued toward the debriefing room, Talon was more interested in whatever report Jerec was about to deliver.
If there were things he could hunt and kill, that was a bonus.
He always did his best work while out on the field of battle, it felt pure, even euphoric.
Talon often shared the viewpoint of his fellow imperial army members regarding that there wasn't any real enjoyment in standing on the bridge of an Imperial Star Destroyer watching turbo-lasers rain down.
There was great enjoyment in being close enough to an enemy to plunge a vibroblade into their chest or hearing the sound of a blaster score a fatal shot, or more theatrically, the sound of flames as they roast enemies alive.
Yet the planning out stage always bored him.
They finally entered the debriefing room, which held a long black table with about thirteen chairs around it, each with a built-in com and equipment whenever the individuals in the seats had a presentation.
In the center was a holo-projector, which would pull up any necessary data.
During the times Talon had been assigned to this backwater in the middle of nowhere where the only proof of anything from within the region this facility studied was the Chiss commander, Talon became familiar with how the director conducted the day-to-day business of the facility.
This particular debriefing room was what Jerec typically used during routine reports from the thirteen supervisors in charge of various departments within the facility.
He also used it for personnel from the High Command who had the proper clearance, which, given the nature of the Dark Troopers, Galen himself possessed.
"What might I ask, has you in a state of excitement and frustration, Director?" Galen asked.
"It must be something significant to get the Mad Hunter's blood pumping," he said, addressing Talon.
Talon was about to say something, but Jerec motioned for him to sit.
"What makes you think he's both?" Talon asked.
Galen began to count points on his fingers, then pointed out as he hit the point, "The Director's posture is forcibly stiff even as he's sitting down he doesn't take a more relaxed position, indicating that this information is double-edged," he said.
"The excitement likely comes from one of his survey teams discovering something out in the Unknown Regions or at least on the border, something which might be a valuable asset to the Empire. Yet, some information received also contained information the Director didn't like, as indicated from the barely visible white bands around his knuckles, the result of clenching one's fist in frustration."
Talon was momentarily dumbfounded, Galen was able to break down the telltale signs that indicated Jerec's mood over whatever he'd discovered.
"There's no way you could possibly guess that," Talon said, not wanting to let on that he was actually impressed.
"It's not a crime to be impressed when people utilize deductions to gauge people's mental state," Galen said.
"I'd raise a glass of Corellian Whiskey if I actually got a compliment from the Bloody Talon himself."
Was this man actually mocking him with this parlor trick?
"I'd sooner fall into a Sarlacc pit before complimenting you," Talon said harshly.
Granted, it wasn't a wise move for Talon to talk that way to a senior officer, but this little game Galen was playing was getting annoying.
Galen either didn't notice or care about Talon's apparent disrespect because he immediately motioned for Jerec to begin his brief.
"We received a communication from one of our seeker probes from the Arquitens-class command cruiser, Harvester," Jerec began, pulling up a holo map of the location.
"It's terrestrial with a breathable atmosphere, and the bio-signs indicated a large assortment of life forms."
Talon attempted to pay attention even though he always found briefings of this sort dull.
"You say we received a transmission, that indicates someone ended up tampering with it when it was brought to your attention," Galen said thoughtfully.
Now, this was something Talon was looking forward to.
Either in hunting down the one who attempted to tamper with the probe or perhaps there might be more worthy prey.
"Yes, admiral," Jerec said, keying in on his chair then bringing up the image of an orange-haired man, about in his mid-twenties or early thirties.
Talon noticed a look in the man's eye that he was too familiar with, the look of someone with something to hide.
"He has the look of a criminal," Talon said.
"Indeed," Galen said as he studied the image.
"He presents himself in a gentleman's manner, but from the narrowness of his eyes completely with sharp and purposeful mascara, indicates an inner capacity for manipulation, not to mention cruelty when the occasion called for it, it further indicates a secretive nature making him not merely some common criminal, but more likely a crime boss."
Talon heard Jerec clearing his throat before he continued, it was likely the Director was more impressed by Galen's deductions than Talon himself was.
"The man identified himself as Roman Torchwick, even admitted that he was indeed a crime boss," Jerec said.
"Mind you, admiral, this facility has a few bits of information regarding local species, yet to be engaging with a human this far from known space is in of itself a curious discovery."
"They speak in some unknown backwater language?" Talon asked.
"Oddly, Mr. Torchwick seemed to have a decent basic language," Jerec said.
That part Talon hadn't even considered a possibility.
To find a human this far out from the Core that spoke basic was impossible, yet Jerec insisted that this was a breakthrough.
If only he would get to the exciting part of this conversation, Talon thought darkly.
"In addition to introducing himself, Mr. Torchwick delivered an unexpected revelation in more ways than one," Jerec said.
The image of Torchwick shifted, and the figure of someone Talon had only seen from the imperial archives regarding unconfirmed Jedi kills.
Before his assignment to this facility, Talon and his squadron had been assigned to aid Lord Vader's 501st legion in hunting down any Jedi that escaped Order 66.
Those had been truly glorious moments indeed, though it was on one occasion that cost him his eye when a Jedi padawan attempted to take his head off, only for Talon himself to gut her.
Now, Jedi were becoming rare prey, and all Talon had for targets were rogue elements, separatist holdouts, and would-be insurgents.
Though Talon felt his adrenaline rushing, that black-to-red hair, there was only one person who matched that.
Galen beat him to it, but his tone didn't hold contempt.
"Well, well," Galen said.
"Jacen Arkos lives."
This took him aback, "You don't sound surprised, admiral," he said pointedly.
"You even sound like you're praising this Jedi scum."
Galen looked into Talon's eyes, though he didn't show apprehension, in fact, he gestured to himself.
"You forget, captain, I was the admiral for the late Draco Jedite," Galen said.
"The boy was as much my protege as he was Draco's."
"I'd be careful with that kind of talk, admiral," Talon said.
"It almost sounds like treason."
Galen still wasn't deterred, "It's not treason to show respect toward an enemy, particularly not when they've rightfully earned it," he said as though explaining something to an ill-tempered child.
"To show respect for traitors makes you, by definition, a traitor," Talon said, getting to his feet with his hand on the handle of a vibroblade.
"Respect doesn't excuse anyone from Imperial retribution for misdeeds, insurrection, or sedition," Galen said, getting to his feet then moving to the side with a clear path toward him.
Talon came to face Galen squarely, this time with his vibroblade out, "How long will it be before you end up like any other traitor, admiral?" He asked, adding sarcasm to Galen's title.
Galen simply brushed his fingers through his hair, "I urge you to reconsider your next move, captain," he said flatly.
"You may be the one I execute for disrespecting a senior officer or unjustly murdered because the Mad Hunter couldn't keep his bloodlust in check."
Galen's eyes became steely as he finished his line.
"Then I'll simply have to gut you before that," Talon said.
Then Galen actually turned his back to him, "If you wish to butcher me on mere suspicion, captain, I'll give you this one chance," he said.
That was enough for Talon, and he actually charged at Galen before the Director could stop him, as if he actually could.
However, when Talon closed the distance, something happened, like time had been cheated.
In a blur of motion, Talon was now pinned to the floor, one hand stuck with his own vibroblade, the other arm pinned behind his back, and a blade mere inches from his neck.
Talon was stunned, rarely could anyone take him by surprise, even most of the Jedi he'd fought.
"It was so easy to lure you in," Galen said contemptuously.
"You were so fired up over the topic of treason, and you can't resist an opportunity to kill an easy target, especially when that target was someone you already intended to kill."
"You kriffing-," Talon tried to say, but Galen's blade got so close to his pulsating curated artery only lightly touching the sensitive skin of his neck.
"Careful, Captain," Galen said coldly with an undertone of menace.
"One wrong move, and you'll be living up to that fancy little sobriquet, Bloody Talon."
There were very few people in the galaxy that Talon could say he truly and rightfully feared.
Lord Vader, whom he served under during the purge, had carved a ruthless reputation, not to mention was lethally capricious when it came to people who failed him.
Governor Tarkin was already a competent but utterly ruthless leader, if his actions regarding how he'd made even the legendary pirate queen Ca'anna scream in pain as he had her and her crew thrown into a sun was anything to go by.
Then, of course, the Emperor himself was perhaps the most terrifying being in the galaxy.
He never even considered that Galen himself would actually be able to inspire terror into him, though this could easily be a bluff.
"Be messy for you to slice my throat, Admiral," Talon said.
"It'll be cleaner than if you died of Synox poisoning," Galen said in an arctic voice.
Now, Talon did stop struggling and regarded the knife at his neck more intently.
Synox was one of the subtlest yet one of the most lethal poisons in the galaxy used by members of a mercenary order known as the GenoHaradan.
Tasteless, odorless, and uncolored, even the tiniest drop could induce lethal, not to mention painful results for the victim.
If Galen actually was bold enough to impregnate his blade with Synox.
"Willing to bet your life on it that the blade I have at your throat is impregnated with Synox or not," he said.
Talon's eyes widened as he felt the blade nick him and felt a thin trickle of blood.
"Oh no, that was a mistake," Galen said, pretending to sound lamenting.
"Feeling a bit faint, dizzy, or like your innards are in discomfort?" Galen asked, feigning concern.
Suddenly, he convulsed as though he had a ripping pain in his guts, like his organs were on fire.
These were undoubtedly signs of the Synox already doing its nefarious work.
"I could save you, of course," Galen said.
"It might not be too late for the antidote."
Talon barely registered that the knife at his neck and the one in his hand had been removed as he writhed in pain.
Blood was dripping onto the floor from the wound in his hand.
He knew it wouldn't be long before the poison made him start to hemorrhage, but he wasn't about to go without taking the traitorous Admiral with him.
Like an animal on the throes of death, he lunged toward Galen, but failed to notice that the admiral had his blaster, a personally modified DL-44, aimed then fired a blue ring at him.
A stun blast, Talon staggered against the incoming blackout then heard a second stun blast, which eventually blasted him into utter blackness.
As consciousness began to take him, he looked at Galen with a look of madness while Galen's stare was equally as cruel and unforgiving as he'd seen on the face of Governor Tarkin.
The last thing he heard was Galen's contemptuous voice, "When mad dogs bite their master, they get put down."
Jerec felt an uncomfortable chill run down his spine.
Talon lay there on the floor, motionless.
While it seemed like he was indeed suffering from the effects of Synox, there were no signs of hemorrhaging, no blood from his eyes, nose, mouth, or pores.
Galen twirled the blade which had been resting on Talon's neck, and he actually licked it, sending a shudder through Jerec.
Then Galen's ruthless face became almost humorous, and he actually started laughing as though this was some prank.
"You made him think it was poisoned," Jerec said thoughtfully.
Galen nodded, "A skilled warrior can strike fear in more ways than merely physical attack, Director," he answered.
"The best weapon a warrior can use is the imagination of their enemies, which works best if you introduce the right amount of uncertainty."
Jerec saw Galen twirl his blaster before returning it to its holster.
Jerec was sure he'd seen a second stun beam hit Talon, but he couldn't see who it was.
"You can show yourself now, commander," Galen said.
Jerec was stunned, there wasn't anyone else here except for the three of them.
Then, a flash of blue-violet shimmered, and suddenly, Jerec saw the unmistakable form of a Purge Trooper.
The appearance took him aback, Jerec wondered what a Purge Trooper was doing out here unless this was the answer to discovering Jacen and an Inquisitor was about to be summoned.
His armor matched the same all-black style of other purge troopers, though the red pauldron on his right shoulder marked him as a commander.
The style mirrored the style of the old Phase 1 and 2 armor worn by the clone troopers, even the helmet was reminiscent of the helmets some clone commanders wore, combined with a black skirt cape that came to his knees.
He had a DC-15LE strapped across his other shoulder, and he was aiming a DC-17 blaster pistol at the unconscious Talon.
"That will do, commander," Galen said, and the trooper dutifully holstered his weapon.
"Yes sir," the trooper said in a voice Jerec was surprised to hear.
The trooper keyed a code on his wrist comlink, and a pair of stormtroopers entered.
"The captain requires rest," Galen said.
"See you it that he gets plenty of it."
Jerec saw the two stormtroopers look from each other, then at Jerec himself.
"You have your instructions, trooper," Jerec said with authority.
Without a second's thought, the pair of troopers eventually dragged the unconscious Talon out of the room.
"You were saying," Galen said, having sat down with the purge trooper standing beside him.
Looking at Galen, it was impossible to believe he was being cruel and sadistic a moment ago.
Galen went from being a ruthless officer of the Imperial Navy and switched back to his more welcoming swashbuckling manner as though it were a stage drama with him in the lead role.
Jerec's eyes then fell upon the purge trooper, and his eyes registered a question.
"The voice is familiar," Galen began.
"The face doubly so," the trooper said.
This had to be one of the last of the old clone troopers which still operated within the Empire even after the passage of the Imperial Defense Recruitment Bill, though Jerec heard it said that Galen was among those that ensured a prosperous retirement for the clones when they left active service.
"Which one is this, if I might inquire," Jerec said.
The trooper looked from Jerec to Galen, then with a nod from the admiral, the trooper removed his helmet.
Older though it was, Jerec remembered how many years he'd seen soldiers with the same face.
He sported a dark gray beard, which followed his strong jawline then met at a mustache, though it was kept neat rather than unruly.
His hair was also the same dark gray, with one side cut short while the other was kept a bit longer.
Yet what stood out most was the two scars that ran down his face, one across his left eye and the other starting from above his right, then stopped at the lower portion of his left cheek.
"I presume you know of Commander Shade?" Galen asked.
Knew him, Jerec thought, though darkly.
That particular clone had served under Draco Jedite during the Clone Wars, subsequently, the one who'd followed his orders and killed the former Jedi Master.
Others might have considered that as completing their orders, but Jerec knew this Clone, and perhaps others like him, had only done the job halfway.
Now, here he was, seeing that shapeshifting associate of Roman Torchwick taking on the form of Jacen, the one who got away.
Shade studied the image of Jacen, "He hasn't exactly been keeping a low profile," he said.
"Perhaps you'll be able to finish what you should have, Commander," Jerec said, barely restraining his anger.
"Assuming you aren't getting sentimental in your advanced aging."
Shade scoffed, "I already got his master, Jacen will wish he'd died the same day when I find him," he said.
"That time will come later," Galen said.
"Obviously, this can't be the real Jacen, he doesn't even have his lightsaber."
Realizing that Jerec had let things go off track, he recomposed himself, "Indeed it wasn't, sir," he said.
He let the recording play through, then watched as the girl flipped then changed into her real form.
Shade's eyes widened, and Galen looked impressed as well he should.
"She surely can't be a clawdite or a shi'ido," Galen said thoughtfully.
"Clawdites can only maintain a shape for a limited time before experiencing discomfort, and between both species as mentioned earlier, there's a large window of time between transformations, yet this girl was able to take on a detailed, not to mention precise form of Jacen, then back into herself almost instantly without discomfort or distress."
"I'd found that extraordinary myself," Jerec said.
"I have a kind of theory, though I suspect you've worked that out."
Galen shrugged, "Explain, please, I'd much rather hear it from the source than merely go by what I've put together in my mind," he said.
Jerec cleared his throat, "I would need test subjects to support this, but I theorize that this girl's unique abilities might be one of several on this, Remnant," he said.
"You recommend that we utilize Mr. Torchwick as a resource?" Galen inquired.
"Obviously, I'm not going to take the word of any criminal, whether they're a common thug or a mastermind," Jerec said.
"If nothing else, it would give us a baseline to start with while we have a team of my researchers to delve further for information that might have conveniently slipped, Mr. Torchwick's mind."
"We'd still have to account for Jacen," Shade said.
"Then when the time comes, Commander, I hope you'll do a more thorough job of blasting that kriffing scum off the face of the galaxy," Jerec practically spat venomously, though a dangerous look came into Galen's eyes.
"Jacen could become an asset to us if given the proper motivation," Galen said.
"However, as I know that might be unlikely, Jacen definitely will have to die, though not immediately."
Jerec's eyes narrowed, "What do you mean?" He asked.
"There's a much larger picture that is more important than even the death of Jacen Arkos," Galen answered.
Jerec thought about it for a moment, "The Empire could potentially set it up as a proper outpost lying just on the border of the Unknown Regions," he said.
"Have you ever had vessels undertake a voyage into the Unknown Regions itself?" Galen asked.
Jerec's face flushed, "That's a bit more complicated," he said reluctantly.
Tapping a key, he brought up their position from the Unknown Regions, which was an unreadable blank.
"Simply going into the Unknown Regions directly is dangerous in and of itself due to unstable hyperlanes turning it into an eternity of chaos."
Suddenly, Galen looked at him as though surprised Jerec hadn't already concluded.
"You mean to consult Admiral Thrawn for his insight?" Jerec asked.
Galen paused momentarily, "That can be a topic for when I depart for Coresaunt tomorrow," he said.
"I urge you to use only your best to do the research without drawing unwanted attention."
Another thought struck Jerec, "You're not suggesting a diplomatic approach, are you?" He asked in surprise.
"I see no reason why not," Galen said.
"Though, that is merely my recommendation, ultimately, as you are the administrator of this facility, the choice is yours to make."
It was technically accurate, but Jerec didn't need Galen to tell him.
Still, it might well be valuable to accept his recommendation.
"Anything you could provide would be helpful, admiral," Jerec said with genuine respect.
Jerec then returned to the image of Roman's associate.
"What's the story about this short little girl with the umbrella?" Shade asked regarding her.
"Mr. Torchwick introduced her as Neo," Jerec said.
"What exactly can you deduce from studying her?" Jerec asked.
"From her physical appearance, she's athletic, more likely in an acrobatic form, indicating she's likely a skilled fighter or personal bodyguard for Mr. Torchwick," Galen explained.
"She's also mute," Galen added.
Jerec didn't even consider that, he merely assumed she was better at whatever her boss had her do, which didn't involve talking.
"Mr. Torchwick spoke the entire time, and I notice the few times he stopped, differing to his associate, who was responding utilizing sign language rather than speaking with him, though how she has been rendered mute is anyone's guess," Galen said.
"Of course, she could just as easily be using that sign language because she assumes we aren't familiar with that form of communication, regardless of the fact she didn't speak or even clear her throat, which indicated she's definitely mute."
Jerec waited for Galen to finish his deliberations.
"There might be a way to work win the hearts of this world if that is part of your recommendation, Admiral," Jerec said, then keyed the frequency for the seeker probe before it was disabled.
"The probe captured this interesting bit of information."
He let the anticipation build as he brought up footage from what appeared to be a mountain base where Jacen, in the company of others, were fighting against battle droids.
"Clankers, out in this region?" Shade asked in evident surprise.
"They even got their hands on Rollies."
Jerec saw Galen's eyes narrow, "Ah, who'd guess there'd be a separatist hold out this far out," he said.
"I shall definitely mention that in my report."
"I will personally broker a deal with Mr. Torchwick myself," Jerec said.
"Surely you weren't thinking of paying him with Imperial Credits," Galen said humorously.
"Might I inquire what we should use as payment?"
Galen reached for a comlink, "Bring in the coraska gems and other items from Dooku's war chest," he said.
Dooku's war chest?
A minute later, four stormtroopers were escorting two large chests on a repulsor platform, which clearly contained vast quantities of coraska gems, gold, other precious gems.
"I personally had a fair amount of the war chest moved to one of my personal stores," Galen said.
"Most of it I have distributed into my Dark Trooper project for further research, others for Imperial projects I feel have practical value, and the rest is what I utilize in place of worlds that don't utilize credits."
Jerec stared at the perhaps overly generous payment, "This is rather generous to give a crime boss," he said.
"Inform him that so long as he gives us decent information, this will be how much we pay him," Galen answered.
Jerec eventually nodded, "I'll inform him at once," he said.
"During my time here, I'll be supervising and adding modifications to my Dark Trooper project, then tomorrow I depart for Coresaunt to bring this news to Governor Tarkin," Galen said.
"I can handle the bureaucracy while you conduct your research."
Jerec looked at Shade, "Will he be providing his skill in hunting Jacen?" He asked.
Galen looked at Shade, then back at Jerec himself, "Shade will be among those we send to keep an eye on Jacen while operating as additional information-gathering sources," he said.
"We have others?" Jerec asked.
The look that appeared on Galen's face made it abundantly clear that even that information was best kept secret and, therefore, it wasn't a topic for discussion.
Jerec showed a slight bow, but before he reached the door, Galen's voice spoke.
"One more bit of advice, Director," Galen said, though from his tone, he was exercising his authority as a Fleet Admiral.
"Don't allow that blood-addled beast out on a rampage, keep him on a leash."
Jerec couldn't argue the point.
Talon was known for being bloodthirsty and easily distracted when he let the thrill of battle take over.
Not to mention, his methods were hardly subtle.
Jerec had utilized Talon several times and still viewed the captain as the monster he's been known for.
How long would it be before Talon's bloodlust couldn't be controlled, and the Empire would have to, as Galen eloquently explained, put down the mad dog?
"I will take that under advisement," Jerec nodded.
The door opened, and Jerec's assistant entered the room.
"What may I do for you, Director?" She asked in a precise military manner that was the hallmark of the Imperial military.
"Admiral Magnus wishes to modify his ongoing project," Jerec said.
"Provide an escort to section number 7 and inform Supervisor Liam."
Galen stood up, and as he did, Shade placed his helmet over his head and began walking alongside him before departing the company.
"The clone isn't accompanying us?" The assistant asked.
"Commander Shade has his orders," Galen answered.
She looked at Jerec in question, "Time is of the essence," he said, motioning for her to carry out her own orders.
"Carry on," Galen said as she led him toward the turnolifts that would take them to the proper location.
Jerec meanwhile took his own personal lift, which would get him to his own laboratory, which was in the centermost section of the facility.
He had a lot to think about, though he still burned with anger that he'd still have to listen to reports regarding Jacen's activity before the opportunity to kill him arose.
Shade was making his way throughout the facility, passing the occasional tech, scientist, and other imperial personnel on his way to meet with his associate for his mission.
A row of stormtroopers walked past him, giving him a wide berth due to his status as a purge trooper, though few knew that he was a clone.
Inwardly, Shade looked at the stormtroopers, who, while capable in combat, didn't have nearly the level of training that he and his brothers did.
Lord Vader had utilized him alongside whatever remained of his brothers during the Jedi Purge, which was a mop-up operation to hunt down Jedi that had survived when Order 66 was issued.
As a clone, he'd followed his orders, though his target was hardly an easy mark as he'd served with Draco Jedite throughout the war.
In the end, Draco had sacrificed himself so Jacen could escape.
"Good soldiers follow orders," he whispered more to himself.
All of his brothers had followed orders, and those who didn't were executed as traitors for aiding the treasonous Jedi.
Yet, as years went by, he'd noticed the steady decline of clone troopers, even more so when Admiral Rampart had ordered the destruction of Tipoca City, effectively ending the age of the clone troopers and heralding the beginning of the age of the Imperial Stormtroopers.
Moreover, he'd begun feeling something that he'd struggled to suppress: regret.
He didn't hesitate to attack Draco, even when he looked the valiant warrior in the eyes and killed him.
Yet, that slight sting of regret always resurfaced, threatening to cloud his mind with unwanted distractions that would keep him from performing his duties.
Clones were typically created to be ruthlessly pragmatic and theoretically immune to superstition, yet Shade suspected Draco was, in a sense, haunting him.
He still remembered those eyes moments before Shade had pulled the trigger that ended Draco's life, then remembered looking at the lifeless body before setting his mind to finding and destroying Jacen's escape pod.
However, even in death, Draco's cunning paid off as a controlled detonation left their ship crippled and disabled.
Now, seeing that shapeshifting assassin take Jacen's form, he committed himself to the task he'd been ordered to execute, though with the understanding that it would come later.
Part of Shade had to admire how Jacen had lost almost none of his fighting spirit, which had often been his most prominent trait, in addition to being as good a lightsaber duelist as his master.
When their reunion inevitably came, Shade wouldn't let sentimentality interfere with his orders.
Jacen would die, and any who helped him would perish as well.
Shade eventually reached the hangar bay, which was sparsely occupied after Admiral Magnus's arrival.
His associate with whom he'd be working with was supposed to be here, but he wasn't told who it was.
They simply went by the code name Silencer.
During the war, he remembered how often code names had been used, sometimes by Draco or Jacen during covert operations.
"You're late," a female voice said off to the side.
Shade started and moved his attention in the direction of the voice.
It wasn't a fully mature voice, but it was undoubtedly female.
His eyes eventually met the figure of a girl with red-gold hair that came to her shoulders and piercing emerald-green eyes.
She looked to be about fifteen or sixteen years of age, though her figure was noticeably lithe with hints of muscle, suggesting intense physical training.
Rather than wearing a uniform, she wore a dark gray body suit with a belt featuring a K-16 Bryar Pistol to her thigh and a matching dark gray jacket.
Shade immediately got over his momentary disbelief, "Silencer?" He inquired professionally.
"Not bad, trooper," she said, seeming to be impressed, but Shade thought there was a hint of sarcasm in her tone.
"It's so rare that I get to see a soldier with the same face I've seen in old holovids."
"You don't see many like me around anymore," Shade said.
"However, you can rely on my skill to assist."
"We'll be operating unconventionally, Commander," Silencer said.
"I'll be operating more internally while you coordinate with our other agent who's already on that world."
Shade momentarily wanted to know how she knew, but decided it wasn't his place to question his present orders.
"Yes, ma'am," Shade answered.
His eyes were directed to the small craft in the hangar bay.
It wasn't exactly a pretty ship, but it wasn't designed for luxury.
"As soon as we arrive, this ship returns here to be slagged," Silencer said.
Given the secrecy of their mission, it made sense to ensure their arrival was as inconspicuous as possible.
Though once again, Shade would somehow have to coordinate with another agent who apparently had already been there.
"I suppose we'll have limited contact?" Shade asked.
Silencer nodded, "Only during unique circumstances will we communicate," she said.
Realizing that was as good a response as he'd get, Shade followed her to the small craft.
When they got to the ship, Mara Jade, as she was known to a select few within the Empire knew her as, was getting herself into the mindset of achieving another critical mission.
The Emperor had told her of a great disturbance out in this region of space, and even before she took the assignment, she knew it didn't have anything to do with a rogue Jedi Knight, even one with Jacen Arkos's reputation.
Something dark had caught the Emperor's attention, and she knew that her best chances at finding out what it was would be by sticking with Jacen.
Her training under the supervision of the best combatants, not to mention her own training through the Force under the Emperor himself, had been her greatest gift to fulfill her master's will.
The Emperor had said that the clone troopers were renowned for their effectiveness, and indeed, from the times she'd undergone intensive study, their reputation wasn't exaggerated.
Still, while they'd be working together to investigate this new world to uncover the disturbance, it was her job as the Emperor's Hand to do the more significant things.
If nothing else, this would be an interesting challenge, even more so than when she'd successfully broken into Grand Moff Tarkin's estate, which earned her the title she carried with secret pride.
The first step was to find Jacen and win his trust, fortunately, she felt she'd have ample opportunity to do so.
She'd studied the Imperial Archives for information on Jacen.
He was supposed to have good instincts, not to mention was skilled with the lightsaber, though, if it came to killing him, she felt she was a match.
His greatest wound, which he appeared to carry well past the end of the war, was the Fall of Taris, which saw the death of fellow Jedi Knight Maru Thorne, someone he'd practically considered a brother.
The Jedi Order hadn't even bothered searching for his body, and the force that Jacen had with him wasn't equal to the task.
She scoffed, the Jedi deserved their fate after what they were planning, even more so after seeing how arrogant they were.
Clearing her mind as she'd been taught, she got into the pilot's chair and started the warmup sequence.
Jerec was already furious by the time he reached his personal office.
Yes he'd perform his duties, but at the same time, he wanted to rid himself of Jacen Arkos permanently.
Even before he rose to prominence within the fledgling Empire, he'd had limited contact with the Jedi.
He'd devoted his time into turning his genetic engineering research to meet the needs of the Republic, which proved impractical until the outbreak of the Clone Wars when he had an opportunity to oversee the Kaminoans as they produced the clone troopers.
He, alongside Doctor Hemlock, saw the potential in exploring the possibilities of such an advanced level of cloning knowledge.
Though, his research wasn't always meant to be used like this.
Throughout his youth growing up on Coresaunt, he devoted himself to the medical sciences, and even made great strides in the field of genetic engineering.
He initially devoted himself to genetic engineering as a way to improve the human body, thus providing better healing, stamina, and a form of longevity.
When he was married, he doubled his efforts to provide for his wife and his son.
However, she was a believer in the Force, which the Jedi placed such a reverence for as if it were alive.
Jerec himself never believed in the concept of the Force, while he'd witnessed what Jedi could do with it, he attributed it to a strange mutation that could be identified through the concentration of organelles known as midichlorians.
Despite this, he truly loved his wife for her wit and tenderness of heart.
However, she also hoped that whenever she had a child, it might become a Jedi like the one's she held in high regard.
Jerec had learned not even to bother talking his wife out of something whenever she put her mind to it, though when she suggested having the child be born on a world that was sacred to the Jedi, he strongly protested as the Jedi knew nothing about childbirth, owing to the Jedi abstaining from having families or even having children of their own.
The results were worse than he'd anticipated.
She'd delivered their first son certainly, but the droids told him that there was internal damage, which wouldn't have been a problem if they'd delivered the child in a certified medical facility.
Jerec could do nothing as his wife practically bled to death, but before she passed away, she made him swear to give their son over to the Jedi if he was Force-sensitive.
Jerec held his son, noticing that he had a unique hair color which combined his black hair with the red of his mother.
As his wife died, the last thing she did was say his name, Jacen.
Without delay, he conducted a blood test on his son to see if he possessed a high concentration of midichlorians, which marked him as Force-sensitive.
The count read that it was about fifteen thousand, and further proof, such as the subtle movement of objects or levitation, confirmed it.
However, Jerec felt only loathing for the thing that had killed his wife.
All her belief in the Force, and she still died, leaving him with this abomination.
For a time, he'd thought about strangling the child, but as an act of mercy in honoring his wife's last request, he'd called for a seeker to take his son to the Jedi Temple and even gave him his wife's last name.
Afterward, he erased all traces, never even giving his child a second thought.
He'd hoped never to encounter the boy he'd cast aside, and a near-chance encounter on Coresaunt nearly ruined the solace he'd placed.
He'd further hoped that Jacen would be among the names of the Jedi killed during Order 66, only to discover that the boy had survived.
One way or another, he would see Jacen dead even if he had to do it himself.
However, Galen would never allow a personal matter to interfere with Imperial business.
He wondered whether Galen himself might actually place a misguided sentimentality before his duties to the Empire in this instance, if that occurred, Jerec would be the one to benefit from Galen's destruction.
He'd have to be meticulous in bringing this about as Galen had powerful allies, not to mention his brother Tyrian was just as capable and even more dangerous through his connections within ISB.
For now, he'd arrange the meeting.
With a deep breath, he keyed in the frequency to the comlink.
Roman had been listening intently to Jerec's proposal, which even came with payment not with traditional money, but in gems, which Roman had never seen before, among other precious items.
"The Empire is willing to hire your services both in information and the movements of Jacen Arkos," Jerec said.
"Then I'll be sure to provide the essentials," Roman said with his usual grace.
"We'd like to discuss further matters in person as well as deliver your payment for the initial information," Jerec said.
"Preferably somewhere secluded like, this area."
The familiar ruins of the Black Citadel had come into focus.
Roman's surprise was genuine, with Jerec identifying the spot where his men found the probe that self-destructed after he got the comlink.
Though he supposed the Empire likely saw whatever occurred during Jacen's daring mission.
"I'll arrange it myself," Roman said.
"The Empire will remember your service," Jerec said, though Roman suspected there was a double meaning to it.
Sure, he'd give the Empire information, but only he controlled how much information they needed to know.
"I'll do my utmost," Roman said, ending the transmission.
Roman gave a sly grin as soon as the transmission completely vanished.
If they thought he was simply some backwater punk, that just worked in his favor.
That meant they'd underestimate him, and when the time came, he'd turn the tables on them with whatever technology they had.
Roman could make an absolute fortune to set himself up for life if he could get his hands on what he suspected was higher technology than even Atlas had at its disposal.
Though he'd have to bid me his time and let them focus on Jacen alongside his dark counterpart, if indeed there actually was one.
The bits of information he'd gotten from Jerec gave him much to think about.
Jacen was a fugitive for betraying this Republic, which became the Empire after this Clone Wars and that his master was a former apprentice to the Confederacy's leader, Count Dooku, plotting to take over the late count's position, though their army was eventually turned against them when the chancellor and subsequently Emperor Palpatine had issued an executive order labeling all Jedi as traitors marked for execution.
Roman was almost impressed, but then again, it probably meant that anyone that was believed to be helping Jacen would end up being targeted by this Empire as conspirators.
When the Empire came, he'd make sure to have his own network keep an eye on them.
Roman looked at Neo, who was noticeably concerned.
"Yes, it's dangerous territory, but we've had our share of dangerous situations," Roman explained.
"We've never experienced anything like this!" Neo exclaimed as loudly as her gestures would allow.
Roman nodded in agreement, "There's always going to be high stakes whenever we gamble," he said.
"Fortunately, we're both very good at cheating."
Roman took a few steps in Neo's direction, then placed a hand on her shoulder, "Everything is ours, and now more than ever, I'm going to need you by my side," he said.
Neo's expression softened, and she gestured, "Someone has to watch your back," she said.
In that instant, the image of Avantine appeared in Neo's place.
He'd already lost something precious back when he was still Remus Brunswick.
He'd almost forgotten her laughter and her voice.
The only thing he remembered was her pale, emaciated form lying in that bed, then the horrific sound of her screaming when he tried to touch her hand.
Now Avantine was gone alongside everyone else who wasn't able to escape that hellhole the farmstead became.
Remus Brunswick had died that day, and Roman Torchwick emerged from the ashes.
Still, he couldn't shake off Jacen's words when he rudely gazed into his mind and saw Avantine.
Of course, she'd be disgusted, but that was part of his past he had burned away; the only thing that mattered now was the here and now.
Neo placed his hat onto his head, and Roman quickly recomposed himself.
"Time is of the essence," he said in his customary tone.
He made his way outside, with Neo following behind.
END