Chapter Five:
In the Shadows of Coruscant
Coruscant, Undercity, Level 1316, a few days before Empire Day.
The sunlight barely shone upon the denizens of the undercity, the only lights that were cast upon Level 1316 came from the active neon signs as well as the headlights of the occasional passing speeder, Imperial gunship or transport that carried various goods off-world.
It was on Level 1316 where shady business could be conducted in the capital of the galaxy, under the Empire's nose, even with the occasional Stormtrooper patrol. A cloaked figure walked through the crowd, often looking over their shoulder, as a twitching gloved hand clutched at a holographic communicator attached to their belt.
Beneath the sleeve of their cloak, an armband with a sinister insignia rested on the figure's shoulder, the insignia of the organization known as Crimson Dawn. The figure glanced around, observing the police patrols and a couple of white-armored stormtroopers talking with a few dealers.
As far as anyone else knew, business was business, there was nothing else to worry about.
Quietly and swiftly, the figure ducked into an alleyway just before an Imperial gunship passed by, heading to a lower level of the city. It was reported that the ISB was looking for a fugitive that had been discovered recently, the mysterious hooded agent didn't care about that, it wasn't his business. And yet, the Empire was still important.
The figure made sure he was safe, then the hand reached up and grasped the hem of the hood, lowering it to reveal the pale face of a half-human with a cybernetic eye named Hu'Quey, who'd been working with Crimson Dawn for the past several months, and he was aware of who the true leader of the operation was.
Hu'Quey picked up his holo-com from his belt, his finger tapping the activation button. Within a second, a holographic image appeared, depicting the hooded cyborg Zabrak known as Maul.
"They are planning to unveil a statue of Emperor Palpatine during the Empire Day parade..." Hu'Quey reported, "...and it's near the Imperial Military Compound. Nearly every Moff and high-ranking Imperial commander will be there, and word has it that Palpatine will be there to personally handle the honors of unveiling the statue."
"You've done well to gather information on behalf of Crimson Dawn, Hu'Quey..." Maul told him, "...and Darth Sidious' presence at the compound provides a bigger opportunity. My agents are in position, ready to spread cause through the capital of the Empire, and the plan for the attack is in place."
"Chances are it may be a body double instead of the real Emperor." Hu'Quey said warily.
"I will take that into consideration, my agents have already informed me that the Emperor rarely leaves the palace, preferring to rule from the shadows while Mas Amedda does most of the work. We must keep Darth Vader in mind as well, he is known in the ranks of the Empire and many people across the galaxy are aware of him, but they do not know who he truly is. Continue your work, Hu'Quey."
"It will be done, Lord Maul." Hu'Quey bowed his head.
The transmission ended and the half-human raised his hood once more, then he exited the alleyway and wandered through the crowds, unknown to the denizens of the underworld. And the Imperials suspected nothing, even as a Stormtrooper briefly glanced at Hu'Quey passing by...