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Fleet Subspace Interception, Cryptoanalysis Section, Naval District, Kuantus Ring, Nal Kuat
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Gage Kuat felt a tad overdressed for his surroundings. His attire this evening consisted of one of the finest formal tunic and slacks Alferon had ever purchased for him. It resembled something the Terrans would call a tuxedo. No doubt it cost the equivalent of a year's salary for the sailors and naval troopers who manned the powerful interception station.
He chuckled to himself as he passed through the guard station. It was a strange thought that he felt more comfortable dressed as a human-mynock hybrid, prowling the night, than he did in fancy evening attire. The momentary mirth passed quickly enough. He was irritated that his presence was being pulled away from where it was truly needed; protecting the innocents of the Empire.
Three small fires had been ignited over the past two weeks in rather vital industrial facilities. Luckily, they had been spotted early and extinguished without any loss of life and with only minor, easily replaceable damage. That was until the conflagration at Warehouse 78 last night. The blaze there had burned for hours, torching the entire warehouse, stuffed with rations and supplies slated for a battalion of the 41st Legion stationed on Judicar.
The Mynockian had reached the fire first and discovered that an incendiary dart attached to a timing chrono had started the blaze. His investigation would have gone further had it not been for the need to rescue several dock workers from the creeping blaze and the arrival of RescueOps.
A real firefly was turning his warehouses into pyres and Gage was pretty sure whoever it was, was working hand and hand with the mysterious Fulcrum. Every single target had contained potentially vital supplies for various units and ships of the Imperial military.
Gage entered the security building where he was stopped by a single Naval Lieutenant. The man wore spectacles and looked more at home in an Archive than serving in uniform. He was backed up by a rather dour looking Trandoshan Naval Trooper who held his hand on the grip of his holstered DH-17 pistol. The Lieutenant spoke for both of them. "Excuse us, my Lord, standard security protocol for the facility."
"I understand." Gage indicated he was prepared for their security verification. He had one of the most recognizable faces in the Empire, but the military didn't take any chances. The lieutenant had him stand in front of a TT-8L Gatekeeper droid mounted on the wall in front of a large durasteel blast door. The droid instantly scanned Gage's retinas, dental imprints and took a complete x-ray of his body. Gage was thankful they didn't require blood or genetic sampling, though he would have provided a sample if they had asked.
"Odd. You've got a rather large amount of stress fractures for someone your age, sir." The Lieutenant commented on the image of Gage's skeletal frame.
"My med-droids have been telling me the same thing. They want me to take it easier on the scoopball court." Gage mimicked swinging his backhand with a scoop racket.
"Indeed, sir. I've yet to hear of the droid that graduated medical academy. All programming and no real experience." The lieutenant nodded to the Trandoshan to open the blast door. "You check out, my Lord."
Gage entered the SigInt chamber and stepped into a low-lamp LED-lit chamber. The blast door closed behind him as soon as he was clear of its frame. The room was filled with twenty-five model 608 Mega-puters; each manned by a single T-series tactical droid arranged in a circle around a central platform that faced a forward wall covered with technical monitors. Signal data from across the galaxy flowed across the screens at speeds that could rival lightspeed.
Standing in the central ring, in the red uniform of Naval Intelligence, was the Clawdite, Cato Succubi. Towering over the spy was a two and a half meter tall Super Tactical Droid. They both turned as Gage climbed up to the platform to join them.
"My Lord, welcome back to AMETHYST." Cato Succubi saluted.
Gage was not a member of the military, but he had been given clearance by no less a personage than General Travles of the ISB, Fleet Admiral Gentis and even Empress Phasma herself to be here. The Mega-puters had been in use for a year but he had designed and upgraded the tactical droids based on Separatist designs since the attack on Nal Kuat and donated them to Project AMETHYST. He was especially proud of the service provided by their leader and manager. He looked up at the tall droid. "Giving good service, Keanu?"
"I serve the Empire, my Lord." The advanced droid responded. He was painted in Imperial blue with gold trimmings. The droids were not approved for front line service. Their tendency to rely on odds and statistics in a war against Clone Troopers led by Jedi failed the CIS time and time again. But they did have their uses. Inside Project AMETHYST they fought their own war.
"How goes it today?" Gage asked.
"Over one hundred and twenty-thousand API addresses isolated and shut down in the last rotation. All in the act of slicing into the HoloNet." Cato Succubi reported what she could. Some of their operations were not yet cleared for general release until reviewed by Admiral Murp and General Travles' offices. "We've confirmed that the enemy's moved at least two cyber-divisions to Mars, most likely in an attempt to use our captured gear against us."
"That makes a confirmed nine cyber-divisions aligned against us. We have damaged the one stationed in Japan enough that it was shut down. We estimate that it will be back up and running in 3.8 days." Keanu reported. His deadpan delivery made it tough to judge if the droid was bragging or not.
"Any sign of breaches in the military networks?" Gage asked.
"We changed our CommScan and Subspace codes as soon as New Ryloth fell. Repeated that again when Mars finally fell so all the gear the Earthlings are using should be neutralized. No telling what the First Order is using against us, but all we've detected from them is signal searches from their base on Titan." Cato said.
"They don't seem to be taking the war as seriously as their Confed partners, do they?"
"Not really. I've heard through the grapevine that the guys who are holding that First Order prisoner say he's pretty conceited. Looks right down his nose at the Empire like we're the scum he scraped off the bottom of his flight boots." Cato admitted.
"Oh." Gage hadn't been informed of any prisoner. There were still some things Intelligence apparently kept from him. "Are they returned to Titan?"
"Not as far as we know. Three of their ships were dispatched to New Mandalore where they got their nose bloodied by the Mandos."
"Aye, it's been all over the HoloNews."
"Hardly a peep on the Earther's main news channel, CNN. Almost like they're pretending it never happened. They're still playing off to their people the Roblin Raid as a futile pinprick, but you can tell it really yanked their tail."
"How so?" Gage asked the Clawdite. He hadn't expected much to be accomplished from the small bombing raid.
"Anytime the name Priscilla Mayhew or the Kazoookians come up it really seems to rankle them. Supposedly the Confederate upper classes hold any Earther who sides with the Empire in worst contempt than the Jedi were held in after the Clone Wars. There is a lot of chatter in their lower classes which isn't making President Harris very happy."
"Well, I won't lose any sleep over that." Gage smiled. Harris was perhaps the most hated man in the Empire, behind the deceased regicide Eritech. Though new names had appeared in the HoloNews lately. Names like Crisis, Jethran and Vala Ren were on the lips and in the nightmares of Imperial citizens the past few days. "What are we doing to keep the President up at night?"
Keanu raised a hand and then pointed at a stream of code on the central screen. "We have sliced a high value target on Earth and were about to terminate it."
"Explain." Gage stared at the data stream trying to make sense of it all.
"We breached the security of Amazon Web Services and its Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud." Cato pointed out. "We have designed an advanced mauler virus and were about to download it through their relay station on Luna. Once it activates it will create a feedback loop to fry their mainframes at Amazon while atomizing its complete library of data storage."
"I thought Amazon, as a member of the Trade Federation, was a warehouse shipping company?" Gage played dumb.
"It is, but its Web Services are actually where it makes most of its profit. Its business application provides web services to nearly every small to large business on the planet. Its customer base includes everything from Netflix to Space Force's military contractors to anyone who has ever pushed save on their datapads. We will hamper a large portion of their economy with a single strike."
"As well as erase the last twenty years of their art, writing and culture." Gage said.
"We estimate we will eradicate 87.68 percent of the last century's works produced by the Earthlings." Keanu stated.
Gage shuddered slightly. It was one thing to go to war with a society. It was another to wipe them from existence. "It seems a tad extreme."
"So was their attack on the rings here." Cato pointed out. "If the First Order had brought in their big ships the Kuati culture would be nothing more than fiery clumps of ash slowly drifting down onto the sands of Nal Kuat." Now it was Cato's turn to shudder. "I hate sand."
"So besides the three ships that just got their noses bloodied by the Mandalorians, where is the rest of the First Order?" Gage asked.
"Presently the status of the First Order's remaining fleet is in flux." Keanu declared without explaining anything.
"He means they're on the move. New Mandalore got a signal through ten hours ago. They confirmed Titan was empty on their deep space telescopes and sensors except for the two ships that survived the Battle of Fiji."
"Where did they go?"
"New Ryloth apparently. The Confeds normally switch their codes every three months, but since the war started, they've been too busy with their rapid expansion to get new encryptions to their wide flung forces. As such, they've been making do with the same code for six months now." Cato started.
"We've made considerable progress in its decryption due to their error." Keanu added.
"Aye. Space Force's 2nd Fleet at New Ryloth was ordered to set sail one rotation ago and we just decoded that they are to rendezvous with their 1st Fleet at Kafrene Outpost. They've been moving under radio silence but there has been an uptick in signals emanating from the colonies along the Bloodstripe as they move coreward. Some of the messages we've cracked indicate the First Order are providing an escort for the Space Force armada."
"So this is Matchstick. We've suspected as much. We just need to decipher where their Target Alexandria is located."
"Still no luck in that area, I'm afraid." Cato pounded her fist into her opposing open palm in frustration.
"Why are they jumping from system to system? I know we suspect that Space Force's hyperdrives aren't up to our standard but they should be able to manage a single jump to Kafrene Outpost by now." Gage asked.
"Perhaps they haven't mapped the Bloodstripe as much as they'd like." Cato suggested.
"Likely analysis of their operational history suggests an unfamiliarity with coordinated hyperjumps with multiple vessels. My conclusion is they still lack the experience for such lightspeed maneuvers with fleets of considerable size." Keanu explained, which made some degree of sense. The Earthlings were still newborns to space warfare, but they were learning fast.
"Kafrene puts them in logical strike distance of much of the Bloodstripe, including the Kuat System." Gage observed.
"That's why our work here is so important, and why we can't thank you and KDY enough for contributing these droids." Cato said. "We've come at their signals from every direction. The Confederate Holo Scramblers are almost childish but their most secure codes still take days to piece together."
"What are their intentions beyond Kafrene Outpost then?" Gage repeated the question on everybody's minds.
"Unknown, sir." Keanu stated. "Target Alexandria is a mystery, despite being the focus of their communications regarding Operation Matchstick. We do know their order of battle and even the commanders involved in the enemy's current deployment."
"Oh?"
"Akfar is leading 1st Fleet along with a small contingent of First Order ships. We assume as bait to draw out the Ares. Jethran is commanding the First Order Fleet, the 7th Fleet of Conquest, as well as the 2nd Confederate Fleet. They will remain at Kafrene Outpost until 1st Fleet locates and engages either the Ares or the majority of our remaining Star Destroyers. Then Jethran will sail in with his heavy hitters, the Fatalizer and Mizery, and destroy them in one decisive battle." Cato explained.
"I've heard Minister Saria and others at the Rhombus disagree with Naval Intelligence's assessment." Gage said. He had loyal Kuati sources in high places.
"The Rhombus is far away. Gentis is here. Or he was. He might still be here on the rings." Cato alluded.
"What do you mean?"
"You haven't looked outside in the past few hours I take it. The Fool, Slash and Quill left with their battle group this morning while the Ares departed in the last hour for parts unknown." Cato reported.
"Gentis is beginning his deployment. Nal Kuat is the most logical target."
"By all analysis. We are still awaiting either a confirmation from Fulcrum or the beginning of the attack to develop before we are absolutely positive to the identity of Alexandria." Keanu stated.
"By then it would be too late. The enemy's 2nd Fleet contains the Earth's invasion barges does it not?" Gage asked.
"Aye, my Lord. Which is why it's imperative they are never brought into the engagement. If they are, then we've already lost."
"Which is why it is so important to focus our energy on discovering Alexandria so that Gentis may lay his trap." Gage said. "And that is why our role tonight might be the greatest service we ever provide for the Empire."
"Drawing out Fulcrum is going to be difficult." Cato agreed.
"All analysis of his increasing number of dispatches indicates Fulcrum has ties to the political and military elite on Palpatine Prime and here on Nal Kuat." Keanu deduced. "Recommend counterintelligence with sentient assets to draw him out."
"Exactly my plan, my friend." Gage smiled at Cato. "Don't you think it's about time you got dressed for the evening, my dear?"
Cato took a step back and gave herself a little shake. As she did so her Clawdite features shapeshifted into a stunning figure of a human woman. Her chosen brunette avatar could have doubled as a top-tier fashion model. Gage looked on in appreciation. "As a spy, I would have to say you are worthy of a Bond girl, my dear."
Cato shuddered again, this time turning her face into that of the most famous Scottish Bond of them all. "I'll have a vodka martini, shaken, not stirred."
Evidently, they were both fans of the same holodramas. Gage smiled at her. "I think I prefer your first choice to Mr. Connery."
"As do I. If you'll excuse me for a moment." Cato left the room for several minutes. Gage spent her absence having Keanu familiarize him with several of their running SigInt operations. When the Clawdite returned she was wearing an alluring silver evening dress which her artificial curves filled out in exactly the right places.
Gage held out his arm for her to take. "Shall we?"
She took his arm as they went through the blast door. The surprised look on the security detail's faces showed that they weren't expecting him to reemerge with such a stunning beauty. Cato winked at the blushing Lieutenant and then whispered to Gage. "It's a shame I won't be able to use this disguise again after tonight."
"Oh, why is that?"
"After we arrive at the gala, everyone is going to be curious as to who was the piffer on the arm of the most eligible bachelor in the Empire. This face will be on the cover of half the gossip holomags by tomorrow." Cato explained.
"Ah, yes. The paparazzi. I've been dealing with those hounds my whole life. I know how to handle them." Gage replied. The media had been especially intrusive during the time following his mother's murder. Alferon had protected him and the Kuati community had shielded him from the worst of the media's assault. Nowadays, his primary motivation with the media was keeping their eyes off his activities as the Mynockian. His best method of doing so was keeping them locked fully on his alter ego of Gage Kuat.
Cato Succubi stopped short when they emerged from Project AMETHYST's SigInt bunker. Her eyes were firmly focused on the airspeeder parked before her. "Dank farrik. That thing looks like it's worth more than I make in a decade standard!"
Gage smiled humbly. The XJ-16 Nexu wasn't even due to be released by Narglatch AirTech until next year, but the war had halted all civilian vehicle manufacturing. This one luxury model was the prototype of a line that would never be made. Instead of scrapping the little airspeeder they had made a back-channel deal with Alferon to purchase it for the Kuat of Kuat. "It's brand new, hop on in and we'll see what she can do."
Gage held the door for Cato, who showed a long area of leg getting into the tiny passenger compartment. He carefully climbed in the right sided driver's compartment. It was such a tight fit that it nearly felt as if he was wearing the XJ-16 rather than driving it. The twin hot rod engines purred like the predatory feline she was named after. Just merely tapping the accelerator with his foot pressed both of them back into their Numatra snakehide leather seats.
The flashy airspeeder climbed into the Kuantus Ring's airways; narrow tunnels cut to run along the roadways filled with the evening's traffic of military and civilian airspeeders. Traffic was down as rations cut into fuel allowances and more and more beings were called into the service. Big railcrawlers raced along all four sides of the ring transporting materials and workers to the hundreds of factories and shipyards circling Nal Kuat. In several locations the armored walls gave way to transparisteel barricades, allowing glimpses outside the ring. The most noticeable difference from this morning was the disappearance of the Ares, which led one to notice that the majority of the Navy had also slipped their moorings and vanished into the Void.
Gage weaved in and out of the traffic so fast that he barely had time to acknowledge the surprised or envious faces that watched him zip past. He wondered how many good-natured curses were sent his way as he charged along the airway.
He soon arrived at his destination; the Kuat Blight Resort and Casino, the location of the Imperial Heroes and War Bond charity drive that he had been invited to. It was rumored to be a who's who of the celebrity and political elite of the coreward Bloodstripe. Though the Empress herself had been invited she had declined. Nonetheless, with an event so important for the war effort it was anyone's guess if she'd actually travel in from Palpatine Prime or not. Gage doubted it, nor did he expect the Prime Chancellor, but he was sure there would be some surprises and some excellent networking opportunities for his actual work as the CEO of KDY. A venue like this, on the eve of an approaching battle, would hopefully be just the bait they needed to draw out Fulcrum.
The casino's entrance was crowded with a wide assortment of luxury airspeeders, hoverlimos and expensive sports landspeeders. Valets were rushing through the waiting line trying to assist the guests as fast as they could. A small platoon of HoloNews reporters and holocam droids hovered near the exiting celebrities, snapping as many pictures as they could. They were only prevented from getting any closer to their targets by several tuxedo-wearing Gamorrean guards working for the casino.
"It's going to take forever to get through that, even in this thing." Cato theorized.
"I see another spot where we can set down." Gage said. The casino faced the great expanse of Niobe Plaza, named after his late mother, and contained the towering Fountain of the Core at its center. Gage aimed the XJ-16 for the great pool surrounding the waterworks and settled the car at the water's edge. The Nexu hovered several centimeters above the water and allowed Cato to step from her side of the vehicle directly onto the walled edge of the pool. As soon as she was out he spun the vehicle around so that he might exit as well.
As he did so he was approached by an Abednedo who had been sitting on the edge when they made their landing. The man mumbled about the audacity of the rich and elite before yelling at the driver of the XJ-16. "Hey, you can't park here! This is a public fountain."
Gage stepped out of the Nexu and down from the ledge. As he did so the Abednedo came face to face with him. "I said, you can't . . ."
The alien's skin turned to white as he slowly realized who he was yelling at. "By the Six Gods! You're Gage Kuat."
"I am."
"I'm sorry for yelling at you, my Lord. I didn't know."
"No harm done, my friend. You're absolutely right though. Beings can't go about leaving their airspeeders parked all over the place." Gage flipped the Abednedo a hundred credit chip. "Why don't you take it for a spin and then find me a more suitable parking spot."
The Abednedo's eyes went wide at the suggestion. "Of course, My Lord. I will take excellent care of it."
Gage smiled at Cato and chuckled. The Abednedo was probably going to have the time of his life, and it wasn't like Gage was worried about the XJ-16 getting stolen. Alferon was back home tracking every movement of the vehicle and could even override controls if the Abednedo got a little careless behind the wheel.
Cato tucked her arm in his as they crossed the plaza. "Remember we can't go in there with our blasters on stun. We need a game plan."
"You are the one with the most experience in the arts of espionage, so I will bow to your wisdom." Gage told the ex-bounty hunter turned spy.
"The Fleet's location will be the bait. Fulcrum will no doubt be focused on where it's currently deployed. Being who you are, beings will necessarily assume you've been informed of Gentis's movements. What I need you to do is interact with your cronies and fans, get them into small groups and drop hints, they don't need to be true, about where the Fleet sailed to. Fulcrum will report what they overhear. We know he's due as we've intercepted Space Force transmissions begging for information. Once we decrypt his next broadcast with a false target location we can narrow down the search by whoever was within earshot of your faux slip up." Cato briefed.
"I suppose we can also review casino security tapes as well."
"Naturally. The Casino's security will not defy the ISB with privacy claims over the needs of Imperial security."
"We're getting close. Time to go to work."
"Says the Empire's biggest playboy." Cato joked and squeezed his bicep. Her eyes squinted a little to show her surprise at how rock hard his arm was.
They approached the entrance behind the crowd of reporters outside the casino. They were busy snapping pictures and firing questions at the guests as they arrived. Currently, Moff Leida Hinter commanded their attention. The newly returned Moff wore a military blouse with more rank cubes attached than Gage had ever seen on an officer. She also, perhaps in tune with the formal vibe to the evening's event, wore a floor length gray skirt. She posed majestically and let the photographers take as many shots as they liked from whichever angle they desired.
"Our main focus needs to be the return to and liberation of Mars. I'm currently in talks with Minister Saria to take control of all of our new legions. As you know the Navy is dragging its heels. They seem more concerned with losing territory for the Empress than gaining her planets back."
"Is it true the Earthlings are backed by Imperial defectors from the Home Galaxy?" Xander Know from the Orion HoloTribune shouted his question.
"I'd expect such gossip from the Daily Holo or Imperial Enquirer. Such petty rumors are beneath the Tribune, Xander." Hinter patronized the ambitious reporter.
"But the enemy used Imperial gear when they attacked us here at Nal Kuat. And the Mandalorians are reporting that they destroyed at least one Star Destroyer over Earth in their recent battle." Leia Lana from the Rotational Planet added.
Cato whispered in Gage's ear. "I don't trust Hinter. She was held in captivity for at least a rotation. There's no telling what the Earthlings did to her or got her to agree to. Plus, there's the whole matter of surrendering an entire Legion. Her whereabouts during the last six months don't align with Fulcrum's but that just proves she wasn't working alone."
"I have a feeling you're not going to be able to trust many guests tonight, my dear." Gage smiled back. Hinter may be a swaggering schutta but she was no traitor.
". . . The War Ministry will be issuing a statement in the next few days from the Rhombus. That's all I can say about that for now." Hinter obviously loved keeping the media dangling on a hook.
Another familiar voice cut through the others. This one belonged Bicky Veel, an intrepid reporter from the Daily Holo. She was familiar because Gage had the pleasure of spending several evenings with the stunning news hound shortly before the war broke out. "Lady Hinter, is it true your escape from Mars was facilitated with the assistance of the Gran Kajidic? And is this the cause for the recent release from Nal Kessel of Brakatak the Bull?"
A flash of anger crossed the Moff's features before she quickly regained her composure. She ignored the question. "I'm afraid I must hurry inside. We are doing important work here today. Remember every war bond you buy takes us another hyperjump closer to victory."
The reporters clamored for more answers to their questions as the Moff turned her back on them. The next guest coming up the stairs was Senator Fain from Arde World and the politician held little interest for the reporters. Instead, one of them suddenly noticed the elegantly dressed man and women quietly squeezing their way through the throng of reporters. Bicky Veel was the first to recognize him as he made it to the front of the crowd. The Gamorreans also recognized him and let him and Cato through. "Gage! I mean, my Kuat of Kuat, my Lord!"
Gage turned and helped Cato free herself of the Press. He waved to the reporters and shook hands with Senator Fain and her husband. "Hello, folks. What a lovely evening for a war bonds drive. I know the Empire has been rocked back on its heels lately, but with the whole Empire pulling together I'm sure we can once again bring peace to the Milky Way."
"Wow, my Lord, who is your friend?" Xander Know practically whistled at Cato.
"Lady Karlo has given me the honor of being my guest tonight." Gage named one of Cato's aliases. It wouldn't pay to name the ISB agent while they were on Fulcrum's trail. "I'm luckier than I deserve, that's for sure."
"That didn't answer anything." Xander grumbled under his breath.
"Lord Kuat, what do you know about these mysterious rumors of ship attacks behind enemy lines? Have your drive yards provided the Navy with a new ship type?" Bicky Veel asked.
Gage just smiled and waved to the cameras. "As you all know the HoloNews is openly broadcasted. I'm not going to comment on current operations or equipment if it puts the lives of our valiant fighting troopers at risk. I hope you all enjoy this fine evening."
He put his hand on Cato's back and steered her towards the entrance. A torrential stream of questions followed them up the stairs. The reporters' inquiries quickly faded away as it became evident that Gage wasn't going to answer any more of them.
There was no Majordomo at the casino to announce the arrival of the high-profile guests. Everyone was equal here and they all entered on their own into a vast gambling floor edged along the far side by a large stage. Most of the guests were crowded around the multitude of gambling tables from Pazaak, Outlander, Hintaro, Spin-and-Win, Fan-Tan, and Three Handed Princess to Spinner Pits and Jubilee Wheels. There were rows of noisy Lugjack and One-Armed Smuggler machines. Dealers from a variety of different species called their patrons to place their bets as a massive Herglic pit boss looked on.
Scantily clad waitresses kept the drinks flowing as even more scantily dressed female and male escorts clung to the sides of their hosts. The usual Twi'lek girls were in attendance but were strangely outnumbered by their Zeltron and Human counterparts.
Near the entrance the five-time pod racing champion Clegg Fastburn entertained a bevy of young models with stories of his glory days. The trio of bored piffers looked more interested in the credits in the driver's wallet than his tales. Stationed at the bar were several Holodrama stars. Gage recognized Atom Rimward, Ban Afflict, Kristan Bail, Michell Kiton and Gorge Cloon among them. The film studios had been in hyperdrive turning out patriotic war holodramas ever since the attack here on the Ring.
There were several cheers and calls, especially from the native Kuati when Gage entered the room. He politely smiled and waved with his free hand. As was expected he was greeted by his friend and mentor Lucious Farnmir, the Moff of Nal Kuat. "Good evening, Lucious. It looks like a good turnout tonight."
"Aye, my Kuat of Kuat. But don't let appearances deceive you. This is merely the edge of panic disguised as merriment." The older man said. Luscious was of his parent's generation and had gained his experience serving the original old man of the Empire, Kuantus Kuat. Hard times had made a hard man.
"It looks like everyone is having a wizard time." Cato observed.
"Ah, Moff Farnmir, may I introduce you to Lady Karlo." Gage said. The Moff bent formally at the waist. He gave Karlo a strange look before hiding what he was truly thinking. Karlo was an old Kuati family name, but as far as anyone knew, no Karlo had ever come through the 'big jump' with the rest of Tarkin's Fist.
"An honor, Lady Karlo. But alas the beings of the Ring are on edge. I'm afraid it's the departure of the Fleet this afternoon. It hasn't been announced by the HoloNews but beings are starting to notice. Rumors are the Navy abandoned us. Even though I know for a fact that Admiral Gentis is still very much present and in command at Naval Fleet Headquarters here on the Ring. I spoke with him a mere hour ago."
"The Fleet Admiral didn't come tonight?" Gage asked.
"His duties keep him much too busy to attend a social event, my Lord. Especially if what I heard was true." Farnmir looked about and leaned closer so that only Gage could hear him. "Matchstick is about to ignite."
Gage wondered where Moff Farnmir had heard such highly classified information. It was beyond absurd to think the current Moff could have come across such information illegally. He was associated with some of the most powerful elite in the Empire, perhaps one of them had a slip of the tongue. Farnmir couldn't be Fulcrum could he? The Kuati were extremely loyal to the Empire, his belief in them was marrow deep. "He is probably making plans to join the fleet at Serana. Keep that information to yourself, my friend. Tell no one."
"Yes, My Lord. I have taken precautions in case the panic breaks out, which it surely will if the Navy suffers another defeat or another planet down the Bloodstripe falls. Especially Anax or Judicar as they will isolate us from the rest of the Empire. The problem, however, is that the best of my constables have been pulled into military service. I've had to rely more and more on security droids to keep the peace."
"I understand. It's a problem with no foreseeable solution in the near future. The Empire has always had manpower issues when it comes to conflict with the Earth."
"Aye. The weight class nearly killed us the last time around. They couldn't get off their own world until the very end. Scary times." Farnmir admitted. His worries were justified. The Earth had the First Order on its side now, and with their outside assistance had overrun half the Bloodstripe. Only their recent resupply breather at Kafrene Outpost had stopped them. They could be here in a week and Gage knew all too well they didn't have the ships to stop them.
"I will keep that in mind, Luscious. We've got to keep the Ring calm. There's been a new rumor every day since the attack. Bombings in Rodia II, aquifers being poisoned on Gree Yos, saboteurs on Next-1 or commando raids on Anoat Major. It's all panic bubbling under the surface. When the next attack comes there will be riots in the roadways. We must do everything we can to keep the beings safe."
"Aye, my Lord. Kuat before all else." Farnmir swore.
"No, not this time. Kuati are in this just as much as the next citizen. If the Empire falls, so does Kuat."
"Understood, my Kuat of Kuat. I will issue the necessary orders. I fear the attack is coming soon."
"As do I, my friend. Stay vigilant." Gage told the older man. If only they knew where the enemy was going to strike. No doubt with the sailing of the fleet many beings on the Rings believed the Navy was abandoning them to the inevitable assault by the enemy. After all, the mightiest drive yards in the Galaxy were here, who wouldn't want to capture that prize?
Tearing him from his thoughts, Cato tugged on his arm. "It looks as if you are being hailed."
Gage looked near the stage where an Ortolan stage manager was coming his way. The small elephantine female bowed at the waist and spoke quietly. "My Lord, are you ready? After the opening act is done, we were told you would be introducing the main entertainment for the evening. We'd also hoped you'd say a few words about the bond drive?"
"Of course. Of course, my assistant told me all about the arrangements." Gage did recall Alferon mentioning something about it before he left the mansion earlier. At least he recalled who was performing for the charity event.
The Ortolan led the two of them to the stairs leading up to the stage. The comedian, a Corellian with oily, slicked-back hair and robes that looked like they came from the Old Republic's Senate Hall was just finishing up his act. Gage recognized him as Bail Byyr from the late night Holoshows. "The Empress never bothered with the corruption in the Senate. She's always had a lying, cheating, stealing Prime Chancellor in charge of that department."
He got a few laughs from the patrons who were more focused on their gambling and networking activities. Seeing the Ortolan signal to him, Bail Byyr quickly wrapped up his act. "It's a real honor tonight that I have the pleasure of introducing one of the Empire's finest citizens. May I have a round of applause for Lord Gage Kuat."
Gage received more applause for walking out onto the stage than Byyr did for his last few jokes. Bail Byyr's eyes went slightly wide when he checked out Cato on Gage's arm. He ran a finger under his collar to mock his rising temperature. The comedian turned to the crowd. "Whoever said credits can't buy happiness does not date in the same circles as you, my Lord."
Gage gave off a fake chuckle and smiled for the crowd. "Welcome everybody. It's great to see such a wonderful turn out. Buying war bonds is just as important as what our brave troopers and sailors do. That's why all winnings by the casino tonight will be donated to the war effort. On top of that, everything raised in tonight's charity variety show will be matched by the First Vault and Trust of Muunilinst Secundus."
"Perhaps his Lordship would like to make the first charitable donation tonight and purchase some bonds?" Bail Byyr asked. Gage laughed again. He wasn't bothered by the gesture. So many war bonds found their way back into his corporation's multitude of subsidiaries to make war material anyway.
"I'd be happy to. Let's kick it off with one million credits, shall we." Gage promised to a round of cheers and applause.
"I will donate two million!" A voice called from the back of the room. There were some astonished gasps from the mostly Kuati audience. Who would have the audacity to show up the Kuat of Kuat on the Kuantus KDY Ring over Nal Kuat itself?
Heads turned to the being entering the dance floor in front of the stage. Finely dressed in a Shimi-designed gaberwool tuxedo with a large red Kinyen Star medal pinned to the lapel, he parted the crowd like some kind of Christian prophet. On his arm was the lavishly dressed Theelin bounty hunter, Latts Razzi. Only one man could be so bold, the Gran gangster, Brakatak the Bull.
"What do you say, rich boy? Can you pony up the credits at your own shindig?" Brakatak smirked before snapping his fingers at a nearby waiter for drinks for him and Razzi. Everyone's eyes were upon him as they whispered hushed rumors about the Gran to one another.
"This isn't an auction, Mister Brakatak, everyone's credits go to the same worthy cause. Winning the war." Bail Byyr meekly interrupted the crime-lord.
"Stuff it, jokester." Brakatak warned the comedian. "What's two million to the heir of Kuantus Kuat?"
Alferon had spoken with Gage about the need to conceal his alter-ego's work. Beings suspected less of the buffoon than they did of the serious-minded inquisitor. Gage raised his own glass to Brakatak and offered his most gregarious smile to the crowd. "Absolutely stellar idea, my friend. I'm surprised you have enough assets unfrozen since your recent release."
Brakatak scowled as gossip swirled around the room. Several eyes darted to the nearby Moff Hinter. The more popular rumors in the tabloids suggested she had pulled some strings to get him, and his girlfriend, released from the ultra-pressure mines of Nal Kessel. Gage's own sources had heard Brakatak had traded his smuggler services and got the Moff off of Mars in exchange for his release but couldn't say so as it was a military secret at the moment. "I suppose I could raise you to three million just to get a raise out of the fine folk here tonight."
"Three million credits. I happily give such a sum to show my loyalty to our Empress, but then again it would be a lot easier if all these credits were filtering back into my coin purse rather than KDY's." The Kajidii countered.
"Well put. Well put." Gage laughed at the rebuttal. "I swear for every war bond I buy tonight I will put in an equal donation to the Refugee Relief Fund, which has done such a wonderful job providing shelter for those that have fled the occupied colonies. And I raise my war bond purchase to ten million credits."
There was an excited gasp followed by a round of applause from the crowd. Gage came down from the stage and faced off with the Gran crime lord. "No need to match it, Brakatak. No one here doubts your loyalty to Empress Phasma. After all, if the Empire falls where would all of our guests tonight get their spice from?"
Brakatak laughed at that. He winked and clinked his glass against Gage's. "I hold at three million, and I drink to you, Gage Kuat. I hope we find other things we can agree on."
"As long as it benefits the Empire." Gage agreed. Though he doubted it. Ever since Brakatak's release there had been an uptick in crime and smuggling coming from the Gran Kadijic. Nothing that would hurt the war effort, though. Many of the Kajidic had even infiltrated the military, but none of them had done anything as damaging as the Crimson Dawn, who had unwittingly smuggled the First Order commandos into Palpatine Prime in an attempt to assassinate the Empress. If they had succeeded, they would have thrown the 2nd Galactic Empire into chaos just as the Confederacy of Earth Nations unleashed their offensive down the Bloodstripe Run.
The two men excused themselves as other guests wanted to speak with both of them. Gage made a mental note to check the security holos of who spoke with Brakatak tonight. Despite his loyalty to the Empress, the Gran was still a crime lord. The Imperial government might have been willing to cut a deal with the Kajidic, but the Mynockian was not as willing to compromise.
Bail Byyr took the microphone again. Gage was supposed to introduce the next act, but his exchange had distracted him and carried him from the stage. "And now Lordas and Ladies, it is my special privilege to introduce the feature performer tonight. All the way from her estate on Trekkee Beekaala, the Pantoran Songbird, Ladye Chuchi!"
There was another eager round of applause as the lamps dimmed. The room was still lit by low lamps over the gaming tables and bar area. A single spot lamp snapped open, revealing Bail Byyr had vacated the stage for the beautiful Pantoran singer. She was accompanied by a twenty-piece Bith band which had emerged as if from nowhere in the few seconds the stage was dark.
Where have all the good men gone and where are all the Gods?
Where's the roadway wise Lord Hoth to fight the rising odds?
Isn't there a white knight upon a fiery steed?
Late at night I toss and I turn and I dream of what I need
I need a hero
I'm holding out for a hero 'til the end of the night
He's gotta be strong and he's gotta be fast
And he's gotta be fresh from the fight
The singer jumped right into her concert with the rousing Bonnie Tyler cover. Not many beings knew it was an Earth song. Even less cared.
"We need to watch that one." Cato whispered to Gage. She and Latts Razzi were staring vibrodaggers at each other as they retreated away from each other on the arms of their respective male escorts.
"Brakatak is guilty. Of that I have no doubt." Gage admitted. "But he's no Fulcrum."
"How do you know? His smugglers were able to get a YT-2000 all the way to Mars and back. That's deep behind enemy lines. There's no telling what else they could have delivered during their time on the red planet." Cato argued.
"The Gran Kajidic is loyal to the House of Yos. Brakatak is a master of covering up his wide variety of criminal enterprises and he has friends in high places to help him do so. He's even friends with the Grand Master of the Jedi Order from what I understand. But the only reason he ever got caught and went to Nal Kessel in the first place was he didn't want to pay his taxes to the Senate. He was more than happy to pay them to the Empress when she handled the Treasury. He'd never do anything like what Crimson Dawn did with those assassins and put the life of Phasma Yos at stake." Gage explained.
"I heard he lauds Emperor Yos as the Great Emancipator and the reason he rose from slavery after the 'big jump'."
"Many beings in the Empire can say the same thing." Gage said as he scanned the room. The hairs on the back of his neck raised as if he were under observation from a sharpshooter's scope.
In a way he was, for a second later he was approached by a sniper. "Lord Kuat, it is mighty fine to see you here tonight."
"Mister Farvakine, it must be wizard to be back on your feet again." Gage exchanged nods with the leader of the veteran's political union, the True Victory Legion.
"The scum in the First Order sent their very best against my troopers and I when they tried to take out our Empress. Their best fell far short when it came to dealing with true Stormtroopers of the Empire." Marrin Farvakine boasted. He was wearing what appeared to be a civilian cut of an Imperial officer's uniform in gray cotton with the armband of the True Victory Legion wrapped around his right arm.
The True Victory Legion had soaked up almost fifty dead fending off the First Order's commandos during the first day of the war. They had lasted long enough for the Royal Guard and Admiral Gentis and his Stormtroopers to arrive to save the Empress. Gage had been there in his guise as the Mynockian and witnessed how they had bravely sacrificed themselves to save their monarch.
Before the war the True Victory Legion had been a powerful unit that had leaned heavily on the Senate and battled their opponents from the debate stage to the roadways of nearly every colony in the Empire. Since the war, their stalwarts had rushed to reenlist back into the military. With their training and the Confederacy charging down the Bloodstripe Run, the Rhombus had been eager to snatch them up again. Marrin Farvakine spent his time since being injured in the attack reminding everyone that would listen of the sacrifice his organization had made for the Empire.
"The Empress was lucky you were there." Gage acknowledged.
"For the sake of the Empire, our lives are but a small price to pay. Though it is a price some might not be willing to pay." Farvakine nodded his head to a group across the room. Gage turned to see to whom the unpleasant veteran was indicating. He spotted the Ambassador from New Mandalore, Birgaan, sharing a story with the Jedi Temple's representatives; Master Hja and her Padawan Wef Iselo.
"The Jedi lost two of their Order, El-Les Nein and Rajine Qiyn, protecting Empress Phasma." Gage argued. He too was scanning the room. He preferred to talk to anyone but the unpleasant ex-stromtrooper. He'd even speak Brakatak the Bull again if it meant not listening to Farvakine's boasting.
Farvakine scowled. "It's not the Jedi I'm talking about. They proved themselves in the last war . . ."
"Eventually." Cato added.
Gage whispered in her ear. "Please, don't encourage him."
"Those clones are a dead weight tied around the Empire's neck. Their presence on Earth enraged the Terrans enough to go to war with us again. And they dragged the First Order into it. No way did those bottom feeders want to work with clone scum. They jumped right into the sleeper with the Confeds." Farvakine ranted so hard he didn't notice the way beings around them stared or how hard Gage was rolling his eyes.
"The New Mandalorians have been pinned to their island home, cut off from Imperial help. It was with their assistance that the Roblin Raid was launched, and let it be known that just a couple of weeks ago they managed to down the only First Order vessel destroyed in this conflict so far."
"You sound like you admire them, kriffing copies." The political organizer swore.
Gage glared at the older man. "All beings in this Galaxy deserve life, sir. They deserve justice and should be respected as equals."
"A fine sentiment coming from you. You're the Kuat of Kuat after all, born with an aurodium spoon in your mouth." Farvakine argued.
"Come on, Lord Kuat. Let's dance." Cato tugged at his arm.
"A stellar idea, my dear. This company has grown rather boorish. Excuse us, sir, for just like your former followers, we have much better things to do." Gage made an offhand bow and turned away from a scowling Farvakine. True Victory was dwindling away in the Empire as total defeat from the CEN loomed as a very near possibility. Hopefully, it would soon be forgotten along with all of Marrin Farvakine's anti-clone ideals.
Various dancers filled the floor space in front of Ladye Chuchi's stage. Cato was pleased to see many of them were performing the Margengai-glid, which was a popular step that had swept the Empire in the past year. Its rise in popularity had completely missed Gage who spent nearly every free moment in the role of the Mynockian. "Do you think we can trust him? The assassins did infiltrate the Empire in the guise of True Victory Legion stalwarts."
"True Victory may be loathsome but they're viciously loyal. And all of the assassins were identified as unknown First Order troopers. Farvakine was fooled just as badly as Imperial Intelligence and the ISB. And let's not forget, that while True Victory may be a thorn in the side of the Imperial Patriotic Party and the Galactic Democratic League, they are honor bound to the Empress."
"That wouldn't stop them from finding a way to stab New Mandalore in the back. Speaking of which, what do we know about Ambassador Birgaan?" Cato asked as she pressed her shape-shifting body next to his.
"Birgaan was a lieutenant in the 212th Legion during the war. He defected like the rest of them after the Battle of Four Navies. He's pledged to Clan Cody, which is influential in the Mandalorian's Foreign Service. So far, he facilitated open intelligence trading between the two allies whenever communication can be maintained between us and Earth, which is rare." Gage reported everything he had heard about their ally's ambassador.
"He did get a new wing of MegaFortresses out of the Roblin Raid. But that's all we could offer them so far. They must know we can't relieve them for some time, maybe years. Perhaps, they might decide they can get a better deal out of the CEN?" Cato suggested.
"Good luck to them. President Harris is the greatest alien hater in the Galaxy. If he captures New Mandalore it will result in a genocide so evil it will make the Great Jedi Purge look like youngling play." Gage offered.
"And the Jedi? One of the Masters is here, Tenel Hja. Its rumored she once had an affair with the notorious Justin Mallory. A connection like that with a Hero of the Confederacy is suspicious."
Gage raised a suspicious eyebrow of his own at the Clawdite. "The Jedi? Are you serious?"
"The Old Empire hunted them to the brink of extinction. They must have policies in place to ensure their New Temple's survival."
"They'd be no better than lab womprats in the CEN, and we've intercepted blast to kill orders from First Order units in regards to the Grand Master. Who I may remind you nearly lost her daughter on Mars in the recent cataclysm there."
"Moff Hinter also reported the First Order had some sort of Dark Jedi on Mars. She believes that figure was responsible for the sabotage of Mars's shield." Cato disclosed. "Leave it to those sorcerers to launch their own private war while the Galaxy burns around them."
"True, but none of that means Fulcrum is one of them. C'mon, we are not going to learn anything out here on the dance floor." Gage suggested.
"Let's split up and cover more ground."
"I will stop by the bar and get us another round. You do a circuit and meet me back at the kirgatz tables."
"Deal. And remember to stick with the plan."
Gage gave her his savviest smile. "Hey, it's me."
"That's what I'm worried about." While most of the crowd watched Cato slip away, Gage turned and expertly made his way to the bar.
Beings made way for him as he approached the bar. One of the benefits of being the Kuat of Kuat, though he loathed taking advantage of it. To him all beings were worthy of respect unless they threatened harm on others. He saw it as his duty to protect them.
And when he reached the bar, he immediately spotted someone in need of protection. Two high ranking officers of the Stormtrooper Corps flanked an older gentleman at the far end of the bar. The way they gestured and pointed accusing fingers at the man indicated that their chosen victim was under a full attack.
As soon as Gage peered over, he recognized the man caught in the middle. He should, as he had been a near permanent fixture of his childhood. His mother, Niobe, had not been a well woman and suffered from a mysterious ailment. She had tried a wide variety of medicines and programs to alleviate her symptoms but had only had luck with a health regimen prescribed by the man at the far end of the bar, Dr. James McCoy, formerly of Earth.
McCoy had become famous during the war with his wildly aggressive child birthing techniques centered on ultrasound technology and a procedure dubbed the caesarian section. Its introduction into Imperial society along with the opening of the colonies and several Senatorial bills aimed at land grants led to a massive baby boom after the Empire-Earth War. In just twenty years the 2nd Galactic Empire's population had tripled in size with no signs of slowing. While lauded as a brilliant scientist and physician it hadn't come without loss. James had not only been cast as an exile from his home world but his beloved wife, Tonia, had passed away from a sudden brain aneurysm three years ago. Alferon and Gage had attended the funeral, where James had buried her, instead of the customary pyre, on Mars so that she may eternally look up and see Earth in the night sky.
The Nautolan General Galveson of the newly formed 1st Legion training on Hsskhor, and the Kage General Sodi of the last full Legion, the 41st Elite, badgered the doctor for unknown reasons. Their only peers, Generals Dritwright and Hasa of the 212th and 501st were of course not present tonight. Hasa held the line with the battered remnants of the 501st on New Thyfeeria while Dritwright had gone into captivity with the 212th on Mars.
Sensing he should intervene and assist the outnumbered physician, Gage took his drinks and interjected himself into the heated discussion.
"But he was perfectly healthy last week, Doctor. I don't understand." Galveson demanded answers.
"Chirgotta is not a disease to be messed with gentlemen. It can have a rapid onset, but we know how to cure it. Unfortunately, the treatment calls for hospitalization and isolation of the subject for two weeks." McCoy tried to explain.
"This couldn't have come at a worst time. He's our best commander." Sodi stated.
"Who is?" Gage interrupted. "And why is our best commander not here tonight or with our boys at Gort?"
The two Generals' eyes narrowed. They both knew perfectly well the fleet was not at Gort. Sodi answered for the two of them. "Admiral Vertitas has been taken sick and is under Dr. McCoy's care."
"Chirgotta. It's an intestinal parasite. Mildly contagious but treatable with modern Imperial medical treatments. I have been trying to assure these gentlemen that Admiral Vertitas will make a full recovery." McCoy explained.
"He didn't have it before his medical exam last week. And now when the fleet is shipping out with the CEN at our doorstep he's laid up in bed." Galveson worried.
"We still have the Fleet Admiral. Surely the fleet is in good hands." Gage pointed out.
"Gentis is here at Naval Headquarters. He can run the entire war from there, not just fleet actions. He's put Admiral Banjeer in charge and he's untested. Vertitas led the Roblin Raid and the attack on Ro-Loo." Sodi explained. "Who knows how Banjeer will handle a run in with Akfar's 1st Fleet, or Empress forbid, the First Order's warships."
"Well certainly, you can't blame the doctor here for the Admiral's ill health." Gage explained. "Intestinal parasites happen when they happen."
"Indeed. That is what I was trying to tell them, my lad." McCoy defended himself. "I'm giving his treatment all I've got."
"It seems as if it's the will of the Force." Gage told the Generals.
"The Light Side or the Dark?" Galveson asked with a tone dripping of sarcasm.
"If the fleet is destroyed before you can build us more ships, Lord Kuat, then it will take more than my Legion to hold our enemies at bay." Sodi said.
"The Ares is a pretty large ship to take out. As far as I've heard the First Order doesn't have any ship near her size." Gage tried to soothe their concerns.
"But at least two half her size with moon-killer cannons. Gentis can't risk the Ares right now. The Empress won't let him besides." Galveson disclosed, which got a concerned stare from each of the men in the circle. Without the Ares, the fleet consisted of the Slash, Flood and the Quill at the moment.
"If the Admiral is truly healing, then I leave him in your care, doctor." Sodi downed the remainder of his glass. "Excuse me, sirs, Lord Kuat, I must return to my command."
"As must I." Galveson saluted Gage. While not in the military hierarchy, military officers had some difficulty figuring out where he fell in their scheme of things. They did know enough that it wouldn't do their careers any favors to anger the Kuat of Kuat and CEO of KDY. Gage merely half-bowed in response.
McCoy raised his glass to Gage's. "Thanks for the assist, lad. Those officers haven't been that tense since Seco stabbed us all in the back."
"Before my time, doctor. How have you been?" Gage inquired. He had been forced to cancel several dinner requests from the good doctor since the war broke out and it had been some time since they had caught up.
"I'm keeping busy. I've been working with the Imperial Medical Corps. That's what brought me into contact with Admiral Vertitas. It's been interesting. Space battles provide a widely different assortment of casualties than the ground-based warfare of the last conflict. My Imperial colleagues may be used to it more, as most of them served during the Clone Wars, but it's all new to me. I'm learning quite a bit, as I informed Alferon at dinner last week."
"I'm sorry. We will, all three of us, get together soon. I promise." Gage vowed.
"Good, I'm interested in picking your brain. And with Tonia gone, I could really use some of Alferon's cooking." They both smiled at the doctor's suggestion. McCoy had provided great comfort after his mother's death and Gage wished he could have done more after the passing of the doctor's wife.
"Ah, his Braised Shaak Roast was your favorite if I recall. I will have Alferon make the arrangements for dinner next week. I will find the time, this time, I swear." Gage said.
"I look forward to it. Didn't I see you come in with a supermodel earlier? I don't want to keep you from your date, my boy." McCoy said.
"A pleasure as always, doctor." Gage shook hands with his old family friend in parting. McCoy was already ordering another drink as Gage scanned the room to see where Cato Succubi had gotten herself.
After several minutes of perusing the room and greeting dozens of colleagues and industrial rivals, while dropping hints of a dozen locations as to where the fleet might have gotten off to, he finally located the ISB agent talking with a Prime Chancellor. Well not just one, but two Prime Chancellors. Canir Lusix Tanax, the current Moff of New Thyfeeria, and Bela L'hnnar, the woman who had defeated his mother and took her seat as Prime Chancellor before being ousted from politics all together years later after an influence peddling scandal. The three females were sharing a toast with Wilhuff Favreau Horst, the CEO of Imperial HoloNews.
Tanax spotted his approach first. The two and a half meter tall Canir of the Vratix came to her full height and spread her upper tridactyl arms toward him. "Gage, my boy. It has been far too long."
Gage leaned in for a warm hug and a peck on the right side her face next to her protruding mandible. "Aunty Lusix, it is so good to see you. I wasn't aware you were off New Thyfeeria."
Lusix Tanax had been a political rival but close friend of his mother's. Since New Thyfeeria shared a system with Nal Kuat and Nal Kessel the Vratix had almost continuous contact and trade with the Kuati. New Thyfeeria, the sole bacta producer in the galaxy, was the outer world with an orbit that generally found it near the entrance of the Almuhit Maelstrom, thus making it the guardian of the Kuat System. Tanax, in her role as Moff of New Thyfeeria, had been sequestered on her planet training her drones to defend the Empire since the attack on Nal Kuat.
"I only left my hive briefly. I had to deliver something into the Empress's safe keeping on Palpatine Prime. I only stopped here on the Rings on my return journey for tonight's event, but my shuttle is waiting to whisk me back to New Thyfeeria at a moment's notice." Tanax said.
"Surely, the Confederacy won't attack tonight." Horst chuckled before downing his colorful drink.
"There's no telling what the Earthlings will do. No one would have ever imagined their alliance with our bastard relations in the First Order." L'hnnar said.
"But New Thyfeeria is beyond the range of their bombers. Surely they'll attack the next planet down the Bloodstripe, um Anax, isn't it? That logging world is much closer to Kafrene Outpost than the jewel of your world, my Lady." Horst strategized. Was he trying to get something out of the Vratix leader?
"They're in for a nasty surprise if they do." Cato said. She nudged Gage. "My Lord here says the fleet is waiting for them at Judicar within striking distance of Anax."
"Is it now? That's interesting." Horst rubbed his chin.
"You can't print any of that." Gage told the news magnate.
"Of course, I loyally serve the Empire." Horst smiled a grin that no one trusted. If he was Fulcrum he could have the fleet's location broadcast live across the HoloNews. It would be treason, but he could do it.
"What was so important that you needed to temporarily vacate your hive on New Thyfeeria?" Gage asked the Vratix.
"The future of my species. When Mars fell I was able to facilitate the laying of a new Canir egg. If I were to fall on New Thyfeeria my hive would be pressed to produce another without my guidance. The egg, along with a dozen of my best drone warriors, were placed under the care of the Royal Guard in Jobal. That way, if I were lost . . ."
"Force forbid." L'hnnar gasped.
"Another hive could be raised in the capital and the supply of bacta would be assured for the Empire."
"Sensible." Cato said,
"And prudent." Gage added, thinking of the unknown location of Target Alexandria. New Thyfeeria was certainly an option. The loss of the Vratix home world would be devastating to the Empire, but it would be absolutely crushing to the Kuati and the rest of the Kuat System.
"That's why I must hurry back to New Thyfeeria. Our defenses have been augmented with the survivors of the 501st Legion and another wing of TIE fighters, but it won't be enough if Harris turns his evil eye on my planet." Tanax explained.
"Whatever you need, you have but to ask. The Kuati stand shoulder to shoulder with the Vratix." Gage swore.
"I know, my boy. You have your mother's conviction." Tanax laid a chitinous arm on his shoulder.
They spent several more minutes conversing about the plans both worlds had for their shared defense. Bela L'hnnar surprised him by explaining she had forsworn all politics during the current conflict and had rededicated her life to the Rights of Sentience and assisting the growing refugee crisis within the remaining Empire. Horst, of course, was there for the stories, but excited that the Fleet Admiral had allowed his reporters to become embedded with frontline military units. A privilege that had been banned in the Old Empire. Gage didn't perceive any signs that either of them was Fulcrum, but then again if one of them was a master spy for President Harris they'd never have survived so long if they tipped their hands so easily.
In the end it was Tanax who excused herself first. She was in a rush to get back to New Thyfeeria. Horst needed to assist running the charity show and L'hnnar was being called up on stage by Ladye Chuchi to speak about the plight of refugees. Thus, allowing Gage and Cato to continue on their mission.
They circumnavigated the gaming tables, rubbing elbows with dozens of sentient species and celebrities. Gage was invited to play several die games whenever a table's players recognized him. He had Cato blow on them for good luck, and hopefully, won more credits than he lost for the war effort.
He was at one Jubilee Wheel when he felt a tug on his elbow. Gage spun around. As Kuat of Kuat it was unheard of for anyone to touch him in such a manner over his home world. That's why it was such a surprise when he turned and found himself facing the most diplomatic man in the Empire, Galleros Ratua, the Imperial Minister for Diplomatic Services.
"Lord Ratua, I didn't know you were on Nal Kuat." Gage greeted the diplomat.
"The Prime Chancellor has little for me to do these days. The Alliance with New Mandalore is strong but severed, and the CEN is refusing to talk with us, as is the reverse." Minister Ratua said.
"As it should be. They are allied with the First Order who attacked this very ring six months ago." Gage said, noticing for the first time the Minister's companions, a dour looking human and a towering Wookiee.
"My point exactly, which has left me to turn my work towards other avenues. I wonder, have you perchance met with Captains Feyyr and Vaspar of Kazoook?" Ratua introduced his two friends. One of which, Gage realized, was a human born on Earth.
"A pleasure gentlemen. I am sorry we haven't met earlier. I hope the offices of Moff Farnmir have assisted you in settling in here on the Kuantus Ring." Gage bowed to both of the Kazoookians who saluted in return.
The Wookiee, Feyyr, barked something, which Vaspar translated. "You have been most gracious. The camps you set up are well provisioned and the Kazoookians are happy to have been provided work."
"Several Kazoookians have even entered Imperial service, even participating in the Prince Consort's recent raid over Earth." Ratua added.
"Is that so? Every hand is needed if we are going to beat the CEN." Gage said.
Feyyr growled again. Vaspar translated. "We are more concerned with hitting back at the First Order. They are, after all, the ones who struck us at Kazoook."
"A sentiment I fully concur with." Gage said, knowing full well it wasn't the Confederacy of Earth Nations that attacked Nal Kuat.
"That's why I brought these gentlemen here to talk with you, my Lord." Ratua said.
"How may I be of service?"
"While many of the Kazoookians are happy to stay here and fight our enemies, a few are dedicated in their desire to return to Kazoook and solidify the new alliance with the 2nd Galactic Empire. Captain Vaspar here has been selected by his people to lead such a mission." Ratua explained.
"Noble. But the Sagittarius Arm is quite a distance away. Before the war, we were just starting to explore it and publicly lost a rather large hyperspace scouting vessel in that area." Gage said, while having his own suspicions about what happened to that particular ship.
"The Convor Incident." Ratua informed his companions.
"With both of your Lucrehulks dragooned into the Imperial Navy it will be tough to get Fleet Admiral Gentis to release either of them."
Vaspar answered for the Kazoookians this time. "Nor would we have the crews to man them. The Orion War is important to the Kazoookians who arrived in the Empire. Our alliance must win it. I wasn't so sure when I arrived here in the Empire, but I have seen the things the First Order perpetrated and what President Harris turned the Earth into with his evil Confederacy. Once they're done with the Empire, they will find Kazoook again and raze it. That can't be allowed to happen."
The man had turned his back on his home world and dedicated himself to Kazoook, Gage realized. "You'll need a ship."
"The crux of the matter, my Lord." Ratua stated. "With production centered on warships during the current conflict, we figured you'd be the person to come to with a solution for our situation."
"How many crew and passengers are we talking about?" Gage asked.
"About two dozen. Half Kazoookian representatives and an Imperial DiploServe mission to set up an embassy with Kazoookian leaders." Vaspar said. Feyyr grunted in agreement.
Gage thought for a few seconds. "We did have plans for a line of YT-2400s, which was slated to go into production for deep-void hyper-route exploration. But the project was shelved with the onset of the war."
"I believe I heard something about that." Ratua said. "Exploration coreward of Palpatine Prime toward the Centurian Arm of the Milky Way. Ambitious."
"Indeed. We don't even have a fully occupied Orion Arm yet. But I think the Convor's disappearance had put a damper on the Hyperspace Guild's activities before the Nal Kuat raid." Gage said.
"Could you build such a ship?" Vaspar asked.
"I could, but I won't." Gage said, causing both Kazoookians to look at him with blank expressions. "You will."
"My Lord?" Ratua prodded.
"I freely give the plans to the Kazoookians as a sign of friendship between Kazoook and the Empire. Come by Moff Farnmir's offices tomorrow. I will have moved some driveyard equipment around and freed up at least one of the smaller yards. The Kazoookians have already proven themselves masterful shipwrights and should have the ship built in a couple of months." Gage explained.
Vaspar stepped forward and shook Gage's hand before Feyyr shoved the Earthling aside and picked up the Kuat of Kuat. To the astonishment of everybody in the casino, even Ladye Chuchi paused her song, the Wookiee picked up the Kuati and gave him a tight hug. For a moment, Gage wished he had brought his Mynockian armor along to prevent him from being crushed to death. The Wookiee set him back down before casino security could intervene. The way Gage slapped the Wookiee on the back and laughed assured everyone that all was fine.
The two Kazoookians turned out to be fine drinking and gambling companions. Vaspar was a treasure trove of stories of how the fledgling CEN converted space shuttles into corvettes and the building of Lucrehulks in the middle of a Kazoookian jungle. Feyyr could even be understood after some hashing and rehashing of his grunts and barks, and, of course, many, many drinks. After some time they figured out how they'd go about rendering a YT-2400 under the nose of wartime production demands.
Cato had been circulating throughout the evening and, like Gage, had eventually run down every lead and came up empty on the identity of Fulcrum. The night had not been a complete bust as the casino had raised just over a hundred million credits in war bonds, with Gage's initial purchase being the largest of the evening. Giving the false impression they were leaving for a drunken tryst, the pair of spies slipped out of the gala under the gaze of scores of jealous eyes.
To his surprise, Gage found the XJ-16 parked out in front of the casino and being watched over by an overly protective Abednado. "My Lord, this thing can really fly. Thank you for one of the best nights of my life."
Gage laughed and slapped the Abednado on the shoulder. "Think nothing of it. I'm glad somebody got to appreciate it. If you'll excuse me, friend, but the lady and I have plans for the rest of the evening."
The Abednado looked Cato up and down. Gage could see what he was thinking behind his eyes and chuckled to himself. If you only knew, my friend, he thought. In truth, the stunning espionage agent was twice his age and a leathery-appearing Clawdite, but then again, we were all one with the Force once the lamps went out.
The night ride back to the Project AMETHYST building was much slower than their earlier drive. Partially that was because, since he had been drinking, Gage relied on the autopilot, and secondly the roadways of the ring were filled with gravtrucks full of Naval Troopers. They were being mobilized to the ring's defenses. Battle was on the horizon.
Project AMETHYST was quiet and cool and environmental controls kept the building comfortable for droids rather than sentients. Though they didn't appear so from outward appearance, Keanu and the rest of his cadre of tactical droids were engaged in a flurry of activity. Code flashed by their screens at a lightning pace. Keanu knew they had reentered the bunker but didn't turn and great them.
"Project Commander, report." Cato ordered the droid as she shape-shifted back into her base form.
"Fulcrum has sent a broadcast." Keanu looked up at them and reported.
"Fierfek! Has he sent our fleet location? That would narrow down his identity." Gage said, as he recalled the dozens of fleet locations and their recipients throughout the evening.
"No indication. We are still decoding it, but the source signal was positively sent from a transmitting beacon on the surface of Nal Kuat." Kenau said.
"That doesn't mean they were dirtside. Fulcrum could have relayed the signal from here on the Ring." Gage said.
"Another section has been decoded. It's about Alexandria." Keanu said.
Gage and Cato nearly ran to the droid's side. "Read it!"
"Possible heir has been moved to capital from Alexandria." Keanu deciphered. "Context needed?"
Gage looked at Cato. "New Thyfeeria! Tanax sent a Queen egg to the Empress for safe keeping."
"So Alexandria is New Thyfeeria. That's on our doorstep." Cato replied. Of course, what she had noticed, was the message confirmed that Fulcrum was at the Gala tonight. How else would he have learned of Moff Tanax's movements?
"I don't see another option."
"We've got to notify the fleet." Cato turned to another tactical droid. "Put me through to Naval Headquarters. The Fleet Admiral's office."
"Roger, roger." The droid answered.
"There is something else." Keanu said. "This one is a sighting report from Kafrene Outpost, transmitted from the Recyclopper."
"By the light side, what now?" Cato asked.
"The First Order has joined Space Force's 1st Fleet. They are about to set sail."
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Up Next- A meeting at the mid-point