Chapter 18
CQB-6
"Quick, quick, quick!" Iona urges as the troopers move the weapons, armor, and equipment into the armory. "Leave the weapons we don't know how to operate; we were lucky once, we don't need another misfire. I want them secured before the rest of the prisoners arrive!"
Although tiny, with a matching voice, the droid is impressed. Iona grabs a corpse by the hands and struggles to drag it. A trooper grabs the ankles and together they toss it into the pile. The imperials work swiftly, following her example, while technicians study the captured droids. The sweat on her brow proves her conviction and her bloodstained clothing confirms it.
"How's the girl, CQB-6?"
I didn't hear him coming, surprised, CQB-6 turns slowly to face the Grand Commander. "She's efficient and driven, stripping corpses is a thankless but necessary job. Yet, comm officer Constance doesn't complain. She'll make a fine officer, but she's already an efficient leader."
"Agreed," the commander replies calmly. "But I meant the Twi'lek."
"Oh, yes! Yes, sir." CQB-6 wonders if he should broach the incident in the cafeteria. It's been decades since he's seen a force-user. It took everything not to strike; miraculously, it ended without bloodshed. He pretends ignorance, "After the cafeteria, Master Sergeant Serrano escorted us to the detention block. We gathered supplies for her and she swiftly fell asleep."
"Good, that child has been through enough, thank you. Iona, take a break," the commander calls. She huffs, wiping her bloody hands on her pant legs.
"Sir, we have a few weapons we don't know how to operate," she says breathlessly as she motions. "We can't be sure where the trigger is, and accidentally shot that one."
"That's a Geonocian sonic blaster! I haven't seen one of these in a decade!"
Iona stares uncertainly, nearby the deck officer watches with a raised eyebrow. A few troopers give him a look, then continue working diligently. CQB-6 watches their lack of interest with disappointment and records their characteristics to report them later.
Ignoring their indifference, the commander holds it up, "This weapon is devastating. It unleashes a meter-wide sonic ring that erupts on impact. The bugs made it for the tight confines of their tunnels. When the Clone Wars began, it was devastating to us. The blast of sonic energy ruptured organs and flowed right around a lightsaber. The Jedi couldn't block or reflect it."
The deck officer watches patiently while Iona seems more attentive but exhausted.
"Ugh, no one cares about history. The geos were stronger than they looked. Aim down these targeting vanes along the side. If you're caught in a tight spot, such as hallways or tunnels, grab this and you're good. The trigger is where we traditionally place our shoulder."
The commander deftly removes the E-cell and hands it over to a trooper on his way to the armory. Then he turns to look at the arriving pirates, escorted by stormtroopers. The Thalassians glare hatefully before they're forced to their knees. Their captain twists angrily in the grip of the stormtroopers, tears an arm loose, and shoves a guard. His fellow pirates laugh and cheer him. Then stormtroopers kick his legs out from beneath him, and another clubs him with a rifle butt, causing him to cease. Incensed by the attack, the pirates spit and curse at them.
"A Kaloth battle cruiser can hold a crew of one thousand, four hundred, and sixty-four crewmen plus an additional seventy-five passengers. Or more if the crew disregards safety measures." CQB-6 mentions. "Of that, a mere fifty Thalassians remain."
"It's a good start," the commander growls. CQB-6 detects his hatred and decides to investigate it later. The last of the pirates, rogue droids, and wounded imperials return from the battlecruiser escorted by spacetroopers. The Draugr and Laou accompany them. Despite the huge spacetroopers and their assault armor, it's the two aliens that the Thalassians fear.
CQB approves.
"Shut those droids off," the commander points, and the stormtroopers escorting them press the switch for the astromechs and the lumbering labor droids. The last one, a filthy N7 sentry raises its hands higher, but the stormtroopers shake their heads, unable to find a switch.
"My shutoff is behind a locked access panel, I will voluntarily shut down," the sentry offers. Without warning, it slumps over, the lights in its helmet and chest dark.
The commander nods approvingly before approaching the pirates. He studies them silently for a moment. Then he points at the control center and gives it a thumbs up. Lights flash near the hanger doors in warning, and with the hum of machinery, the bay door opens before gravity flushes the dead pirates out of the airlock. Horror races through the survivors.
"Imperial scum!" The captain roars. "You promised to release us."
The commander firmly places his boot on the pirate captain and forces him face-first on the ground. He groans in pain. The giant worm and grey alien laugh at the brutal expression of dominance. Once he's certain he has everyone's attention, the Grand Commander speaks.
"Against my better judgment, you will be released-"
"NO!" The Draugr roars. "That wasn't our deal! Kill them!"
The Grand Commander turns suddenly towards them. Iona and the deck officer are equally shocked at the interruption.
"Yes, KILL them," Laou agrees, then pauses and offers. "I KILL them?"
"No," the commander motions for calm, and removes his boot from the pirate captain. He motions for the stormtroopers to lower their blasters, before approaching the aliens. CQB-6's antennas capture hundreds of frequencies perfectly, far beyond human capacity. He easily eavesdrops on the commander, "I haven't had enough time to earn your trust, yet. Instead, I'll promise you. If we release them now, they will lead us back to their bases and supplies."
The Draugr's eyes narrow disbelievingly but the large worm nods, accepting his words.
"Board your shuttle," the commander yells at the pirates. "Every inch of it has been scanned, and its weapons are disabled. Leave, before we change our minds."
The pirates rise sluggishly, scowling and bitter. CQB-6 watches the commander nod to his troopers, who encourage them with a shove and kicks. The pirate captain and his guard scowl one final time at the commander, before declaring, "This won't be the last time you see me!"
"No, it isn't," the commander whispers as the ship rises from the deck and exits the hanger. Then his voice changes completely, "Deck officer, who is your best with droids?"
"That would be me," he mutters wearily. "What can I do for you, sir?"
"Are you still needed here or can your personnel handle it for an hour or two?"
"They'll be fine, sir. The fighters are repaired enough to fly again."
The commander glances at CQB-6, "I know you can use computers, will you help wipe these pirate droids so we can put them to work?"
"I'm sure the deck officer will happily walk me through the process."
"Sure," the deck officer wipes a hand over his face. "We'll get it done, sir."
"I know you're exhausted. Grab a hoversled and don't hesitate to snatch up an idle technician. Focus on the second-degree, the astromechs. Once one is done, it can help with the rest. Afterward, call the bridge and send them to where they're needed. All the others can wait."
"Yes, sir," CQB-6 replies swiftly. CQB-6 wants to remain with the commander but he understands that the ship must come first. Even if he considers the work beneath him and a distraction from his duties. The commander and his loyalists endure, and so will CQB-6.
The commander turns to Iona but his eyes pause on a heavy junk droid with a protocal droid's head. CQB-6 follows his gaze, noticing that the droid is covered in blast points and carbon scoring. At some point, someone hacked off its leg at the knee.
"Iona, with me," the commander whispers. Then says with more force, "Let's go."
Agent Windsor
At an incremental rate, the download of the battlecruiser's databanks crawls ever so slightly forward. Agent Windsor stares at it, willing it to increase speed. A wave of intense frustration washes over her, flushing her skin until it burns hot. She wants nothing more than to shriek in fury. Instead, she clenches her hands even harder, neatly folding them behind her back.
Nearby, the interrogator droid's repulsorlift hums softly, maintaining its position in midair. The droid doesn't engage in idle chatter, and she has no desire for it either.
"I appreciate your frustration," a memory rises unbidden.
Agent Windsor squashes the memory, returning her gaze to the display. Has it decreased? She could swear it's gone backward. After a few moments of staring, she shakes her head, dismissing the thought. No, it hasn't. It's just frustration taunting me.
Idle distractions and weakness bid her to sit or lean against a wall. Excuses rush to the defense, she can watch the download as effectively if she's sitting or leaning. Her back isn't exposed. Agent Windsor glances over her shoulder, into the silent corridor. The battle had ended hours ago, and even the deck-by-deck searches had concluded. The ship is silent…
…and filthy. The strongest opposition to sitting is the grime covering every inch of the ship. Bile rises in her throat thinking about it, dismissing the thought of sitting.
Five years ago…
"Remain objective but act swiftly to preserve this world's infrastructure."
Concise and even-toned, Major Partagaz was always in control. Of himself, of the room, and of the ISB he led. Major Partagaz was a symbol of ego-free management. Politics may require charisma and emotion, but getting things done requires willpower. He had it in excess.
How would Partagaz react to her situation? The fall of the Empire? She wonders.
"As you're well aware, the rebel attacks have become more frequent, coordinated, and effective," Partagaz continues. "I appreciate your frustration. You spent a significant amount of time dismantling the insurgency and compelling the royal family's fidelity."
"Yet, it was undone in a matter of months," she notes. "While I was elsewhere."
"Quite. I apologize for pulling you from your current operation but your subordinates will conclude it and you're connection to this planet makes you the best candidate."
"I appreciate your support," Agent Windsor replies before pointing out. "So we're clear, you understand I must make critical replacements, regardless of political entanglements."
"I do. Remember that many projects depend on manufacturing here. A squad of stormtroopers, reinforced with CompForce troopers will meet you when you land."
"Stormtroopers? I don't need hammers. I need intelligence and surgical precision."
"Everything you need, merely ask for," Major Partagaz assures her seriously. "Half a dozen cities are in open revolt, we've lost a thousand troopers, and the southern hemisphere is crippled by mass protests and strikes. Order must be reinstated, by any means necessary. I do not mean to increase the pressure upon you but be warned, the Emperor's gaze has turned to this world. Failure is not acceptable, and you know what will happen if he doesn't receive results."
Yes, Agent Windsor admits. She knows full well what will happen, a slaughter.
"It will be resolved," she promises and the hologram blinks out. She was never particularly fond of lambda shuttles but the circumstances were dire. She left the instant she received her new orders and less than a rotation later, the ship lands at her destination. Shockingly, instead of a full presence, a junior officer meets her with a young maiden. Nearby, a platoon of stormtroopers stands in formation, with a squad of heavily armored CompForce.
The CompForce squad stands out with its grey-white battle armor, reinforced by heavy black bodygloves. These troopers carry heavy blaster rifles a meter in length.
The junior officer waits until she acknowledges him, "Agent Windsor, lieutenant Gov-"
"Silence. Go tell the Lt. Governor and tell him to gather his officers."
With a start, the officer gaps before sprinting across the landing pad.
"Agent Windsor," the young maiden bows deeply. "My father appreciates your intervention in my former engagement and this new arrangement. I am ready to serve you."
"You serve the Empire," Agent Windsor reminds her sharply. "Listen. Learn. You will meet your betrothed momentarily and a lifetime of indolence has made him ill-suited to rule. At first, you will manage him and this world. Theoretically, to free him to pursue his whims. By the time he realizes he's been pushed aside-if he realizes, your rule will be secured."
"Yes, my lady," the maiden bows again.
As they march in her wake, Agent Windsor crosses the rooftop. The governor's mansion is a towering, grey, and stark building that mirrors the empire. The landing pad on the roof allows access to the top floors, housing the upper echelons of the imperial bureaucracy.
Nearby, the royal palace remains dark and in mourning. She recalls it glowing with light and activity. At all hours royal guards, attendants, and courtiers were active. A pang of guilt, sharp as glass pierces her heart.
The imperial agent stifles the painful feeling as she presses forward with swift steps. The maiden and the troopers hurry to keep up with her as she stalks through the halls until she reaches the governor's office. Within, a dozen officers, officials, and a variety of aides await her. They sit around his desk, intended to display a unified front, and unimpressed with her.
Behind the LT. Governor, the last member of the royal family watches with fearful eyes.
She marches directly up to them, "With only months into your term, you have succeeded in losing the crowned prince and destabilizing the planet-"
"They were traitors! I hung the king and queen for treachery!" The LT. Governor huffs, jowls on his cheeks shaking. "I'd do it again, without hesitation!"
"At his death, the governor handed you a stable planet. In three months you failed to control an imprisoned prince, who died during an escape attempt." A pang of guilt stings Windsor again, catching her off guard and pausing her. The Lt. Governor huffs and puffs, excuses pouring forth. Windsor speaks right over him, "When the king and queen demanded you take responsibility, you had them executed. Now, the world is at risk-"
"Enough!" The sweaty, and red-flushed Lt. Governor roars. "I have powerful friends!"
"Your father has powerful friends," Agent Windsor counters. "He's the primary sponsor of several senators. Congratulations, you have been promoted to Governor, of Mestra System."
"I-! Wait-what? I've never heard of Mestra System."
"Few have, it's an asteroid field in the Minos Cluster," Windsor motions to a pair of CompForce and a team of stormtroopers. "These men will help you pack. There's a shuttle waiting on the pad above to take you there immediately."
"What! No, you can't!" He screams as the troopers seize him. "You'll regret this!"
"Would any of you like to join him?" Windsor asks. Not a single person moves.
"Blast you all!" the former Lt. Governor howls as he's dragged out. "I made you! None of you would be anything without me! Curse you!"
"Are you all certain?" Windsor asks patiently. No one volunteers to join him. "In that case, you are under arrest for conspiracy to overthrow the royal family, and criminal negligence. Tomorrow, there will be a public trial, where you'll be convicted and sentenced to hanging."
"What! No!" They cry as the remaining troopers seize and bind them. Two reach for their blasters but the troopers move too quickly. The rest plead for mercy. Once the room is emptied of all except a few admin and imperial officers. She orders, "Now bring me all the intel you-"
"AGENT WINDSOR!" She's torn violently from her memory, jumping to the Grand Commander. He stands next to her, glaring, while Iona and a bridge officer wait behind him.
"What?" She demands, irritated she didn't hear him coming. "Why are you yelling?"
"I called to you three times!" He snarles, and Agent Windsor looks past him, noticing the worried look on Iona's face. An older officer studies her with narrow, skeptical eyes.
She looks at her IT-0 droid, and it intones flatly, "The commander is telling the truth."
Windsor blinks as she hunts for a justification, "I'm sorry. I'm waiting on the download."
The Grand Commander points and she notices it's complete. Windsor blinks, how long has it been? Then she looks back at the commander.
"Wait," the commander steps closer, staring directly into her eyes. He demands in a whisper, "How many stims have you taken?"
Several lies and misdirections rise within her but she ignores them, "Two."
"A doctor knows how addictive they are, Doctor Wither wouldn't have made this mistake," the commander growls under his breath, shocking her, and keeping it between the two of them. A series of emotions pass through him, his exhaustion making him easier to read. "Return to the Inevitable. Sleep. We'll call you when we arrive in the Yavin system."
She begins to argue, "I-"
"IT-0, see that Agent Windsor returns to her quarters and sleeps."
"Yes, sir," the droid drones evenly.
Furious, both at herself and at him for ordering her away. She resists the urge to stomp her feet but stops at the blast doors. "You never asked why I betrayed you, commander."
"Good try, Agent Windsor. Sleep well."