A long time ago in a galaxy far far away…..
A year has passed since the Great Jedi Purge and the transformation of the Republic into the Galactic Empire.
Upon learning that one of his probes has discovered a star system in the Unknown Regions, the evil Emperor Palpatine desires more information.
But with his forces stretched thin consolidating the new regime's grip on the galaxy, the enigmatic ruler on Coruscant must turn to the criminal element.
Enter Cad Bane, one of the deadliest bounty hunters in the known galaxy.
Deep Space
The Justifier, a scorpion-shaped starship, was on an approach vector with a Venator-class Star Destroyer.
The crew could not be more different. One was a Duros clad in a wide brimmed hat, a brown duster, and a grey shirt, trousers, and fingerless gloves. Not to mention the breathing apparatus on his neck and the two LL-30 blasters on his hips.
He was none other than the infamous bounty hunter, Cad Bane.
The other crewmen was a techno-service droid known as TODO-360.
"Mr. Bane." TODO said worriedly, "This could be a trap."
Bane simply shook his head and swished a toothpick around in his mouth.
"If they wanted to get us, they'd have done it on Nar Shadda."
Just then, the ship's comm crackled to life.
"Vindicator to unknown ship, identify yourself."
Bane held down a button and responded, "Justifier to Vindicator. Requesting permission to land."
A tense few seconds passed, and then.
"Permission granted."
Bane saw the Venator's hanger bay doors slide aside and piloted the Justifier towards it. From there, the Duros flipped some switches to start the landing sequence.
After setting the ship in the Venator's hanger, Bane unstrapped himself and stood up from the pilot's seat.
"Stay here, TODO." he ordered.
"As you wish."
Bane lowered the entrance ramp and walked into the hanger, where he was greeted by an Imperial Navy Officer.
Though they had never met before today, and would likely never meet again, Bane knew the officer's face. He also knew the voice that said, "Welcome aboard, bounty hunter."
Both belonged to his onetime mentor Jango Fett. The man who had served as the genetic template for the Republic's Clone Army.
Bane ought to know; He'd put countless numbers of Clones in their graves during and after the war.
"I am to escort you to Admiral Tarkin's office." the Clone officer continued.
"Lead the way." Bane replied with a tip of his hat.
He followed the Clone through the ship and boarded a lift. Eventually, the two arrived at a door. One of the guards was also a Clone while the other had different armor.
"So the rumours are true. Clones are on their way out." Bane mused as the door opened and he entered the office.
Within, Bane saw two seated Humans. One was clad in the grey-green uniform of the Imperial Navy and had fair skin and salt and pepper hair. Bane knew this man to be Admiral Wilhuff Tarkin, Regional Governor of the Outer Rim territories.
He did not know the other Human, also fair skinned and white-haired, but he knew that his white tunic and black trousers marked him as a member of the Imperial Security Bureau.
"Welcome aboard, bounty hunter." Tarkin curtsied.
Bane tipped his hat towards the Human.
"Thank you, Governor. Now would one of you care to tell me what this is all about?"
Tarkin nodded towards the ISB man.
"Colonel Yularen, if you please."
The other man cleared his throat and began to explain.
"A few days ago, a scout probe in the Unknown Regions transmitted some most unusual data. It appears there is an uncharted star system."
After finishing his explanation, Colonel Yularen took out and activated a holoprojector. True to his word, there was a star with well over a dozen planets in orbit.
Putting a hand on his chin, Bane said, "I had no idea the Empire was exploring the Unknown Regions."
"Neither did we, at least until we were informed by The Emperor." Tarkin put in.
After switching off the holoprojector, Colonel Yularen continued.
"With that in mind, here is your task, bounty hunter. We want you to explore that system."
Bane removed the toothpick from his mouth before replying, "It's risky. I'd be going in blind."
"The Empire will gladly pay well above your usual rate, including your retainer." Tarkin stated before putting a briefcase on the desk and opening it.
Bane put the toothpick back in his mouth and glanced at the unmarked Imperial Credits within. After satisfying himself that it was over and above what he usually charged, the Duros met Tarkin's gaze.
"Don't get me wrong, Governor." Bane said, "I'm not one to look a gift bantha in the mouth, but don't you have people for this sort of work?"
"We do." Tarkin replied with a raised eyebrow, "But the Imperial military has it's hands full dealing with restive elements across the galaxy."
The Admiral's demeanour told Bane that he wasn't being entirely truthful.
"You called me cause I'm expendable." the Duros mentally concluded, though he kept it from showing on his features.
"I'll take the job."
Later
As the Justifier flew away from the Venator, Bane typed in the coordinates that Colonel Yularen had bestowed on him. Along with those, the ISB had furnished the bounty hunter with topographic scanning equipment as well as fuel and provisions.
"You pick up any bugs in that stuff?" Bane asked TODO.
"For the third time, it's clean." the techno-service droid complained.
"It better be." Bane retorted menacingly.
Once the calculations were finished, the Duros pushed on a lever and watched as the distant stars became blue streaks in the viewport.
Cad Bane had begun his journey into the unknown.
