Nine years, five months, and six days after the Battle of Yavin...
Or forty-fourth year, five months, and six days after the Great Resynchronization.
Captain Kalian stood on the bridge of the Steel Aurora, a Victory I-class Star Destroyer, phlegmatically gazing at the white and blue tunnel of hyperspace through which his ship was breaking through to the distant Sprizen Sector.
Sprizen Sector.
Bordering the territory of the Ciutric Hegemony, controlled by Prince-Admiral Delak Krennel, one of the warlords allied to the Imperial space, the Sprizen Sector included about a dozen well-known and a considerable number of completely unexplored star systems.
The planet Abafar was located in the backwater system of the same name, located in square H-5 on the tactical coordinate grid. There was little of note or value in it — therefore, the Imperial Ruling Council, under whose control this region was, did not even bother to organize an outpost in the system — the Empire frankly didn't care about the sector itself. Even the simplest patrol never appeared here.
And now, the Grand Admiral ordered to send a whole Star Destroyer to a remote system! It was as if the times of the Empire's former greatness had returned, when Victory-class vessels operated on the outskirts of the galaxy. The armaments and air wings of such ships were enough to disperse lightly armed rustbuckets of pirates and smugglers. True, in the past, they operated in pairs... Two Victory-class vessels are more than a formidable force in the absence of enemy capital ships.
However, now the young commander of the Star Destroyer was interested in something more than simple memories of the past.
The reason why the Steel Aurora was sent to the planet of the same name in the Abafar system. Considering that the Grand Admiral has only nine Imperial-class and only two Victory-class Star Destroyers, then excluding Interdictor-class Star Destroyers from the combat equation, it turns out somewhat... wasteful. Any of the Victory-class vessels can easily kick the ass of a rebel corvette or frigate, and with a lucky combination of circumstances — also a Mon Calamari star cruiser, which formed the basis of the Rebel fleet.
Perhaps, the Steel Aurora is to accomplish something important, since they sent us to such a backwater, and even 'supplied' us with a high-ranking officer of the Imperial Security Bureau, who has some business on this mossy planet, about which the Grand Admiral did not inform the ship's commander." Perhaps he considered it redundant information. Perhaps — the mission is secret (which explains the presence of a high-ranking ISB officer on board) and Kalian simply does not have sufficient security clearance for disclosing mission information. But, what is even more plausible — it's a test.
Various rumors circulated in the fleet about the reasons why the Grand Admiral, having as many as nine first-class Star Destroyers at his disposal, especially singles out only six of them, which make up his personal armada. No one knew the exact answers, and therefore fleet officers, prone to gossip and rumors in their narrow circle over a glass of something low-alcohol, could only make guesses. And the most reasonable ones boiled down to the fact that only the commanders and crews of these six ships deserve the Grand Admiral's trust.
At a time when the Imperial Remnants first had a Grand Admiral in many years — one of the twelve intelligent beings trusted by Emperor Palpatine himself, a genius of tactics and strategy, it is not difficult to understand — scores with the rebels will be settled very soon. And if so, then the duty of every self-respecting Imperial officer is to participate in this.
And if this assignment is a test, then it should be carried out with maximum efficiency to prove to the Grand Admiral: Captain Kalian and the five-thousand-strong crew of his Star Destroyer are worthy of becoming part of active combat operations. Star Galleons can wander in the backwaters of Imperial Space, at worst. But in no way a Star Destroyer. Even if it is a Victory I-class.
— Time to arrival, Captain? — Lieutenant Colonel Astarion inquired dryly, approaching the starship commander almost silently. Kalian suppressed an involuntary urge to shudder all over his body from surprise, as well as from the desire to instructively tell the "security officer" that sneaking up on the commander of a warship like that is, at the very least, immoral...
But he is ISB, he won't understand. More precisely — he will understand, but will ignore it, because he will not consider it something worthy of his attention.
— Four minutes, — the commander of the Steel Aurora checked with the chronometer. Turning to the crew members on the bridge, he commanded:
— Yellow alert level! All crew to battle stations!
The ship's buzzer wailed briefly, making it clear to everyone on board that the calm pastime was over. Now it was time to work.
The watch officer immediately began to duplicate the orders, bringing them to the attention of subordinate officers.
In a minute and a half, every crew member was already where they were supposed to be according to the battle schedule. With the exception of the watch officers — they are already in place until the relief watch arrives.
There was no need to check whether the order was carried out or not. Kalian had trained his crew well enough not to even think about whether they would meet the time allotted by the regulations for this or not. He knows perfectly well that they will make it.
Usually, ships of the Imperial fleet, if not sent to a combat zone, emerge from hyperspace at a "green" alert level. Only the watch responsible for the operability of the ship's many systems is at their posts. The rest of the crew is either in their bunks or busy with their own affairs. "Yellow" level prescribes all crew members to arrive at their duty station — on the artillery deck, in the hangar, in the engine room, or elsewhere. "Red" meant that it was time to launch fighters and interceptors — all twenty-four machines on board the ship, into space, turbolasers — aimed at their firing sectors, gunners have already put their hands on the control panels of deadly weapons, and concussion missiles or proton torpedoes are already being loaded into launchers...
The chronometer obediently counted down the last moments of the flight, and the light tunnel crumbled, turning into the familiar blackness of vacuum, strewn with the lights of distant stars.
— Watch officer, — Captain Kalian addressed the officer responsible for the actions of the watch on the bridge. — Report on the situation.
— No enemy starships detected, — he reported, having checked with the officer responsible for scanning systems. — Allied and civilian ones — also. Orbit is clear.
— Sounds good, — Kalian stated. — Launch duty fighters. Reduce alert level to "green". Prepare landing craft and escort fighters. Lieutenant Colonel Astarion — do you need your own shuttle?
— I will go with the landing party, — the counterintelligence officer threw out. — Bring the ship into orbit over Pons Ora city. In its vicinity, during the Clone Wars, the Confederacy of Independent Systems located a facility for mining volatile and explosive fuel — rhydonium. Our goal is to study what is left and start mining. I will take command of the ground units — one battalion will be stationed in the city itself, the second — at the mining site.
Turning around, he strode towards the exit from the bridge.
"So that's why we were sent," Kalian thought. "Well... an unusual decision on the part of the Grand Admiral."
Rydonius is quite well known in the galaxy. A volatile, almost gaseous substance with extremely high energy output. Compared to conventional fuel, of course.
However, rhydonium did not meet the safety requirements imposed by shipbuilders. Yes, this substance could significantly accelerate the engine of any small ship — perhaps even by orders of magnitude. But the use of rhydonium led to the actual destruction of the ship's propulsion system, destroying fuel lines, combustion chambers. Not to mention frequent detonations in engine rooms during prolonged use of this type of fuel. Modernizing the power system required such colossal funds that it is impossible to imagine that rhydonium would one day replace standard and practically safe fuel.
Therefore, no one in their right mind would agree to such an upgrade — these are additional tens, if not hundreds of millions, needed to re-equip one ship. And especially to have fuel tanks with rhydonium on board a warship that can and should participate in battle... Suicide. Of course, if you value the crew and your goal is not to blow up the ship — even small volumes are enough for critical damage. After all, it is a volatile substance. The effect of a thermobaric weapon when a fuel tank is damaged. It's strange, of course, that the military did not use this substance in their ammunition...
Wait. And who said that the captain's mission is not precisely to obtain a new weapon to defeat the enemy?
If so, then of course, this explains absolutely everything that is happening. After all, how can volatile and explosive fuel, suitable only for use in "disposable" engines, help the fleet? As an explosive? What nonsense — the fleet does not use kinetic weapons that could have such a "filling".
But...
"Oh well, what's the difference? After all, he is carrying out the Grand Admiral's order. And he definitely knows what he is doing."
By the way, about orders...
— Communications section, — Captain Kalian turned on his heels towards the "pits" and the rear of the combat bridge. — Connect me with the Chimera.
***
— Grand Admiral, sir, — Captain Pellaeon appeared on the threshold of the cabin. — A dispatch from the Steel Aurora.
— Just in time, — I tore my gaze from the computer screen. — Tell me, what does Captain Kalian report to us?
— "No enemy presence noticed on Abafar," — the commander of the Chimera began to read. — "Ground units landed. The city and its landing pads, as well as mines, are under control. Work is underway to clear old CIS rhydonium quarries. Local residents own their own mines with a low level of substance extraction. Lieutenant Colonel Astarion intends to seize them..."
— Unacceptable, — I stated. — We will not seize anything from the planets of the Empire. ISB, as always, unnecessarily complicates the situation. Inform the Lieutenant Colonel to stop complicating the situation. It will be much more effective to negotiate with local residents and provide them with rhydonium mining equipment. Their mining is our money and transportation. Mutually beneficial cooperation.
— Sir, — Pellaeon delicately coughed into his fist. — We don't have that much funds in free circulation to pay some miners...
— I know about our tight situation, Captain. But thank you for reminding me. This is not a question of spending. But only a question of efficiency. Nothing more, nothing less. How much time will it take us to obtain mining equipment, learn how to use it and start mining? Even if Captain Kalian and Lieutenant Colonel Astarion take the entire planet prisoner — we will not avoid problems in the form of miniature uprisings. It is another matter when we start buying rhydonium from local residents. Judging by everything, they mine it in small volumes, therefore the costs will not be the greatest. Moreover, rhydonium is needed by us not only in the short term. Order to send a Star Galleon to them with the equipment necessary for storing and transporting rhydonium.
— As you say, sir, — Pellaeon saluted. — A report has arrived from the Nemesis. They have arrived at Myrkr. The source of the signal is Talon Karrde's base.
— Curious, — I stated. — Signs of life?
— Scanners don't work there, — Pellaeon reminded, frowning.
— Good that you remember that, — I hastily praised the Captain, mentally scolding myself for the oversight. Thrawn never forgets anything! A slip-up, however. — Land ground units. Order the stormtroopers to act in strict accordance with the situation. Surround the base with several cordons so as not to allow our target to slip out, if it suddenly changes its mind regarding its role in the further future of the Empire.
— Yes, sir, — Pellaeon saluted.
— Orders for the Noghri have been passed? — I inquired.
— Yes, — replied the commander of the Chimera. — Two combat detachments are already moving towards Hypori.
— What about our unit sent to the Sluis Sector? — I inquired. I need to demonstrate to Pellaeon that the sensor malfunction on Myrkr is no more than his test, and not my own oversight.
— In sixteen hours they will reach their positions and will be ready to start the attack, — the officer assured me.
— Remind them that their actions should coincide with the attack on Nklonn, — I stated. — We absolutely do not need the base on Sluis Van to be able to send reinforcements to Lando Calrissian when Captain Brandei and the Executor begin their attack. Is there news from the Bilbringi shipyards?
— Yes, sir, — Pellaeon confirmed. — The installation of a prototype cloaking device on a ship to test the operability of the entire cloaking system has begun. We will be informed separately upon completion.
— Good, — I stated. — Has the Ubiqtorate responded to our request?
— A message has arrived that one of the coordinators is ready to meet with you, — Pellaeon stated.
Well, this is already disrespect. A coordinator is a mid-level executor who oversees the activities of agents in certain sectors. No more than an intermediate link between performers and the leadership of Imperial Intelligence. This is not even the Ubiqtorate, which is higher than the command of the intelligence officers. This is exactly — "a formal answer" that I do not need. Not good.
— This does not suit me, — I stated. — Such disrespect should not be ignored. Do we have data on the ships and crews of Star Destroyers that are on Tangrene?
— Of course, sir, — Pellaeon stated. — But they... after all, they are subordinate to the Ubiqtorate...
— The Armed Forces are subordinate to the Supreme Commander-in-Chief, — I cut off. — The Ubiqtorate is taking on too many unnecessary functions. However, as always. Send me information about the Tangrene defense fleet. We will solve the problem of sole command.
***
Mara Jade opened her eyes, hearing a quiet, barely audible buzzer sound.
Consciousness, trained by years of service to Emperor Palpatine, instantly shook off the remnants of drowsiness from her body, switching to assessing reality.
Her shelter is intact, no disturbances of the situation are noticed. Consequently, the unknown enemy did not cross the perimeter of the base, but only...
Casting a glance at the screen, which displayed images from several dozen holocams placed by her, the red-haired beauty only sighed, shaking her head.
She was wrong twice.
Firstly — the enemy is not "unknown". On the contrary — well known. And it's not a fact that it is an enemy.
Secondly — the sentients who quickly, but cautiously spread throughout the base did not cross its perimeter. They simply landed in the very center of the base on their Sentinel-class landing craft. And now, a half-company of stormtroopers in snow-white armor methodically and intently searched one room after another in the abandoned base. A strange tactic — stormtroopers do not act so stupidly, at least — before. Now, as she heard, in many Imperial Remnants there was a practice of putting well-known white plastoid armor on ordinary civilians and passing them off as Stormtrooper Corps fighters. Well, if so, then... It turns out that the beacons were left not by Thrawn at all. Although... who knows what kind of mess is now going on in the inner workings of the Imperial Remnants. Suddenly, rumors are not rumors at all and in fact now stormtrooper armor is given to all sorts of mediocrities who are not versed in the tactics of ground units...
The girl clicked the switch, switching from one camera to another, until she was convinced of the fallacy of her assumptions.
No, not mediocrities arrived on Myrkr at all.
The Sentinel in the center of the base is only part of the ground detachment. Three more similar vehicles were located along the perimeter of Karrde's abandoned base, and now a company and a half of stormtroopers blocked the retreat into the forest.
And, judging by the fact that the only reason she was able to calculate the presence of a blocking detachment was the hulls of their ships, they are clearly not yesterday's farmers working here. It is possible that the half-company in white armor is just a "distracting" factor that should "scare away the game" and make it rush towards the saving forest massif. Directly into the hands of other stormtroopers. The fact that the cameras do not capture snow-white armor beyond the perimeter of the base does not mean anything at all — there are no idiots in the Stormtrooper Corps who would wander through the jungle in their everyday uniform.
The girl, recalling stories about the ground part of the Battle of Endor, bit her lip. Okay, she got too heated about the idiots. But she was firmly convinced that the perimeter of the base was surrounded by stormtroopers whose armor was painted in camouflage colors. Not to mention that the second wave of blockade is certainly held by some other units.
It ached in the pit of her stomach...
The actions of the stormtroopers here on Myrkr, verified by circumstances, and not according to the textbook, evoked a feeling of nostalgia in her. While the galaxy was flying to hell and everything that Palpatine built was torn apart by ambitious warlords or rebels, and she herself was losing everything she had achieved for the umpteenth time, it was somehow pleasant to see that the guys in snow-white armor remained true to their traditions — to be just as executive and soulless harbingers of death.
True, judging by the fact that a whole army of stormtroopers and Imperial soldiers was not enough on the wooded moon of Endor to stop a detachment of rebels — questions still remain about the competence of the guys in white armor.
However, as well as in her own...
Mara felt some numbness from the fact that she remembered the reproach expressed by the red-eyed Grand Admiral to her address right now.
"Luke Skywalker is still alive."
That's what Thrawn told her at their last meeting. Here, on Myrkr...
A phrase that seems to have no meaning. After all, what business does the former Hand of the Emperor have with the fact that some Jedi Knight is alive. Especially — the only one in the entire galaxy. And, in general, not such a big splinter in the ass, compared with stories about how the Jedi from the Order destroyed by order of Emperor Palpatine could suck blood...
If it were not for one "but".
The very one because of which she almost went crazy at the moment of the Emperor's death. Even being hundreds of light-years away from the Endor system, she saw Palpatine's death... He broadcast what was happening into her mind. How he sat aboard the Death Star II in his chair, with irises of eyes burning with molten amber, watching the lightsaber duel between Luke Skywalker and Darth Vader. How both interrupted their fight and turned against the Emperor, destroying him... How on the verge of death he looked at a point through space and time, looked directly at her, giving his last order...
The one that only she — the Hand of the Emperor — could hear. The one who could hear any of his orders through hundreds and thousands of light years...
"You will kill Luke Skywalker."
The girl shuddered. An echo of memories swept over her, stirring up what she had tried to forget...
For a moment, it seemed to her that the phrase sounded in her mind as if Palpatine himself had uttered it. But it was impossible.
He is dead. And she spent years forgetting everything she had been taught. And even the skills of using the Force. Only then did Palpatine's voice and his last order leave her alone. And since then, when she managed to do it, she could at least partially live as she should, as she wanted... Completely pushing out of her head all the enthusiastic memories of the Empire, deciding to live in reality, and not in the past.
But today she remembered the Emperor's order. For the first time in many years. It was only worth having a positive attitude towards the fact that still remained unchanged in the Empire and here...
Jade bit her lip.
It seems she shot herself in the foot. Wishing to return to the service of the Empire, she forgot that she would have to finish unfinished business. And until she does this — the voice of the Emperor, repeating the same order over and over again, his last will, will torment her day after day.
And Thrawn had to remember it! Sith take that moment when they met, and the Chiss reminded her...
Wait a minute! How did he know?
The thought was fresh, sobering and coincided with the moment when the brave guys in white began to inspect the residential modules.
Only she alone in the entire galaxy could hear the Emperor's voice! Because she was his Hand! She felt the Force! And she could command it! It was with the help of the Force that Palpatine transmitted his orders to her!
And the Force, as Mara understood it, is not "HoloNet News", where every first and capable hacker can connect to the broadcast channel. But even if it were so, and someone else could hear Palpatine's will, then this sentient being should also have sensitivity to the Force!
And the Grand Admiral was not such. More precisely, it would be correct to say that Thrawn himself did not possess such powers. But his other colleague, Nial Declann, was a Force-sensitive sentient. However, Declann, like many others, died along with Palpatine.
Then... HOW, THE HUTT, DID THRAWN FIND OUT PALPATINE'S LAST ORDER!?
She had no answer. But there must be one. Necessarily. Thrawn didn't come up with such a good reason for her, forcing her to rummage in herself. No, of course, he could, it was not for nothing that Palpatine valued him. The Chiss could guess for himself that Palpatine before his death would try to leave behind some message in order to add bitterness to the triumph of the rebels.
But Thrawn could never know what exactly Palpatine's order was.
And yet, he possessed such information. The only question is — from where?
You can guess right up to the second coming of the Galactic Republic, and still, it may be a mistaken guess.
Mara got up, deciding that there was no more sense in watching the Imperials.
They will not leave — she herself called them here. In order to return to the Empire.
She has nowhere else to go.
And therefore, enough of sitting here and indulging in speculation. It will be much easier and faster to do quite differently.
Thrawn, at a meeting with Karrde and Jade, directly said — he intends to return "to the ranks" everyone and everything that the Empire has lost, if these "resources" are ready to serve the Empire under his leadership. A simple and uncomplicated solution.
Thrawn told her that Karrde was not honest with her and other subordinates of his. In the first case, he was right. In the second... No, most likely someone from his organization is definitely privy to Karrde's plans completely. But not her.
Well, dear Grand Admiral. Did you want the Hand of the Emperor to leave the one who hides his dirty secrets and affairs from her? The Hand of the Emperor has left. Did you want the Hand of the Emperor to return to service? Bravo, you have achieved your goal. She has returned. And she will serve the Empire under your leadership, Grand Admiral.
But only under one condition.
You will have to be extremely frank, red-eyed Grand Admiral.
Extremely!
***
Well, the Ubiqtorate has settled in nicely. Really settled in nicely.
The fleet defending Tangrene — both the planet and the shipyards themselves — even in the quantity and quality of capital ships surpasses mine.
Six Imperial I-class Star Destroyers. Three Imperial-class Star Destroyers, but already — "twos". And one single Victory I-class. A simple calculation of the guns of this fleet, as well as — the defense forces of Tangrene, gives a great idea that an attempt to attack this object with my damaged ships will only lead to the fact that I will wash myself in blood.
All ships in the "service" of the Ubiqtorate are staffed with crews with combat experience. Such veterans of the remnants of the Imperial fleet.
Tyranny, Titan, Warrior, Arbiter, Assassin, Blackstar — these are Imperial I-class Star Destroyers. Evisceratoк, Red Dragon, Eradicator were Imperial II-class. And a lonely Victory-class named Crusader. I'm not even talking about the armada of frigates, corvettes and other ships — I'm interested in capital starships.
The flagship of this entire armada is the Red Dragon. A very interesting Star Destroyer from the point of view that it is the only one of all equipped with TIE Avengers.
TIE Avenger.
Fairly successful attempt to move away from the concept of cheap and unreliable TIE fighters, whose pilots died in droves when colliding with more expensive, but higher quality X-wings of the New Republic. A very interesting development, as it assumed both the installation of a hyperdrive and deflectors. But too expensive for widespread use in the vast fleet of the Empire.
My cheekbones even ached from the realization of how many promising projects the Empire "put on hold" due to economic costs. The main idea of the New Republic is quality to the detriment of quantity. In the Imperial Remnant — vice versa. There are vulnerabilities in both concepts of the military-industrial complex, however...
Censored words are running out! Is it really so difficult to accumulate money and start modernizing the fleet? After all, in essence, after the Battle of Endor, the Imperial Remnant did not build so many starships, spending more and more money on... It is unknown where. Thrawn, in the events known to me, did not interfere in the affairs of politicians and economists, preferring to deal exclusively with military aspects — this is one of the conditions for his recognition as Supreme Commander. Although... I have a suspicion that there were not many people willing either. Imperials prefer to sit in their sectors, praying that the evil and insidious rebels will not take away their last possessions. Unless Ardus Kaine is building up forces. Maybe try to conclude a new, more "active" alliance with him? The only question is — will the Grand Moff agree to this? After all, he will easily respond, as I remember from what I read, to the proposal of the Reborn Emperor to participate in the destruction of the New Republic. It is quite possible that he already knows about Palpatine's resurrection, and therefore is accumulating forces in order to show himself in the best light to the old new master. The very fact that he kept the Reaper in combat-ready condition is a constant problem.
Of the additional ones — the Ubiqtorate's unwillingness to meet me halfway. Negotiations at the highest level through a coordinator — like spitting in the soul. Or is it a test — will I "wipe it off" or not.
In any case — this does not suit me. And therefore, it is worth reminding the arrogant guys that the Armed Forces of the Empire are subordinate to me. Yes, this only applies to those that the Imperial Ruling Council has allocated under my command. But...
Well, let's use the good old and wise trick. "Don't know what to do? Act formally."
Is there a Supreme Commander? Yes. Are the Armed Forces subordinate to him? Subordinate. Is there a whole fleet that can be useful? Yes.
Well, let it be useful.
— Captain Pellaeon, — I contacted the commander of the Chimera via comlink. — Transmit a message to the Red Dragon: "Prepare for review and march." Address the message from me personally. And inform them of our arrival time.
Tense silence sounded from the speaker. Surely Pellaeon's gears are now creaking in his head. After all, I have just gone beyond the scope of my agreements with the Imperial Ruling Council, interfering in the activities of third-party imperial authorities. And I actually intend to mobilize the fleet belonging to the Ubiqtorate, leaving their base with minimal cover! And this is almost a declaration of war on one of the most powerful organizations of the Empire! Of course, one should think about whether we can, whether we can withstand it? That's what Pellaeon is thinking about.
And at the same time, we will check whom he is more loyal to — me, who has already brought victory to the Imperials after many months of their inaction, or to the Imperial Remnant, which is desperately looking for how to satisfy its personal interests.
— Captain? — I asked into the comlink.
— Message sent, sir, — Pellaeon replied. — I apologize for the delay — I was personally drafting its text.
— Good, Admiral, — I reported. — Contact the ships of the fleet — we are moving to "yellow" alert level.
— Yes, sir! — the commander of the Chimera reported his decision (even two) quite cheerfully to me. He is a simple-minded, straightforward and loyal man. He has just confirmed his loyalty.
Loyalty to me.
Well, perhaps I was biased towards him in the matter of competence and intelligence. Let's see how events unfold further. Perhaps the deputy should not be as "bright" as his boss and simple execution with an ordinary level of initiative is enough.
I don't know... in my past life, I didn't get along very well with deputies.
***
Karrde reread the message received from the intelligence agency of the New Republic once again. And pondered.
— Do you think it's a trap? — Aves impatiently watched as "Claw" thoughtfully examined the ceiling of his residence on the planet Rishi.
A small, in general, even "modest" dwelling a few blocks from a group of warehouses where numerous stocks and unsold goods, for which a buyer has not yet been found, are stored. But it will definitely be found.
— Hardly, — "Claw" stated after five minutes of tense silence. — If they wanted to catch us, they would have done it in the Dafilvean Sector.
— How so? — Aves was surprised, scratching the back of his head. — Actually, we had "clean" data on the identification codes on the freighters...
Yeah, right. Aves is Aves. He is smart, proactive, loyal... but not Mara Jade.
— The New Republic knows me by sight, — "Claw" reminded.
— Where from? — Aves widened his eyes. — After all, we transmitted information to General Cracken of the New Republic intelligence only on your behalf. And no holocard with appearance was attached.
— You forgot that I helped them on Tyferra to solve the issue with Booster Terrik? I am sure that General Cracken, like the entire New Republic intelligence, knows me by sight better than I do myself, — Talon said. — No, they want to negotiate.
— So we already gave them a message about the Imperials collecting asteroids, — Aves reminded. Reminded disapprovingly — after all, the organization did not receive a single credit for this gesture of goodwill.
— No more than bait, — Talon explained. — So that they want more. And they did want to. That's why they are offering a meeting. They want to understand if they can get another piece of information for free, and if they have to pay — how much.
— Are you going to try to pawn off military junk on them again? — Aves suggested.
Talon smirked, running a hand through his beard.
— If they had the money to buy it, they would have bought everything we have in warehouses long ago, — he said with a good-natured chuckle. — No, Aves. I am sure that they want to try to get information for free about who exactly defeated them in the Dafilvean Sector.
— Do you think it was our acquaintance with red eyes and blue skin in a snow-white uniform and polished boots? — the assistant grinned.
— Do you have other candidates in mind? — "Claw" inquired.
— Well, in general... — Aves hesitated. — The Imperial Remnants have a lot of military. Someone from them could have stepped on a rancor's sore spot, so they arranged a demonstrative flogging. The same Kaine. He has a whole Super Star Destroyer — the only one in the entire territory of the Empire.
— Grand Moff Ardus Kaine generally doesn't care about the New Republic, — Karrde said. — As well as about the Empire as a whole. He has his beloved Five Star Oversector, and he is happy with everything. He has not taken large-scale actions for five years, accumulating forces. If it were him, he would have chosen territories closer to the Oversector. No, it's our old acquaintance, the Grand Admiral. Of course, if there were identification codes on the destroyers, we could assert this for sure, but...
— Imperials are no longer so gallant, — Aves chuckled.
— It's not about gallantry, — Talon noted. — They don't have that many Star Destroyers to allow the New Republic to count them by identification codes. By turning off transponders, the Imperials are trying to avoid identification of their ships in the hope that someone will not have that much brains to think that the Imperial Remnant has more Star Destroyers than there actually are.
Aves sheepishly scratched his stubble. Yes, he would definitely have fallen for such a trick.
— So, will we sell the New Republic the name of the Grand Admiral? — he suggested. — For a couple of million.
— In no case, — Talon shook his head. — The New Republic believes that it has gotten rid of all twelve Grand Admirals. The name of the one they clearly do not know is very expensive. Much more than they can offer.
— Then I don't understand at all why the Hutt we should meet with them, — Aves complained. — I think they themselves know that the Empire attacked — Imperial ships throughout the sector gave them a thrashing. You are not going to sell the name of the Imperial commander...
— Not yet — for sure, — Talon clarified. — But I will hint to them that I know him. Let them scrape their coffers, maybe they will break a couple or three "piggy banks" — it doesn't matter to me where they get the money from. But I will not sell them the name of the Grand Admiral for less than ten million. Even if they offer me an exclusive transportation contract within the New Republic.
— Well, you've gone too far here, — Aves laughed.
— Not at all, — Karrde remarked coldly. — Han Solo has already tried to contact smugglers with an offer of legal transportation. He was carefully hinted to get lost with such initiatives further to Coruscant. But they gave my name for contact. And now, taking this opportunity, Mrs. Leia Organa Solo, almost the first diplomat of the New Republic, is flying to negotiations with us. And it would be okay if she went aboard a Mon Calamari star cruiser, but no. A convoy with supplies and humanitarian aid is moving separately, but the Millennium Falcon and Rogue Squadron — separately. It turns out curious. Han Solo wanted to build bridges regarding the work of smugglers on freight transportation lines in the New Republic — and for this he needs our organization. Leia Organa Solo plans to talk to me "regarding previously reported information about what happened in the Dafilvean Sector," — "Claw" read part of the message sent by General Cracken from memory. — And they are taking an elite squadron as escorts. Whose commander is Wedge Antilles, a protégé of Booster Terrik, my... companion. And Corran Horn also serves in the same squadron. A quasi-Jedi, married to Booster Terrik's daughter.
— You raised a lot of money at Horn's and Booster's daughter's wedding, — Aves reminded of a long-standing dispute with Terrik Sr.
— I am sure that Booster is no longer offended, — Talon smirked. — At least the bet was fair. A curious company is gathering... It looks very much like the New Republic has gathered everyone they could to make offended-begging faces and get something for free from me.
— And Terrik himself will not fly in by chance? — Aves inquired.
— Booster does not interfere in the affairs of the Republic, unless they directly concern the safety of Antilles, Horn or his beloved daughter, — Karrde noted. — Especially in such troubled times when the Empire has trumpeted throughout the shadow HoloNet that it is ready to shell out a lot of money for combat starships.
— Here, by the way, — Aves looked at him uncertainly, — a good deal. Maybe we should get involved? Minimum risk, huge profit.
— Let someone of the level of Niles Ferrier or that head-injured pirate deal with hijackings, — Karrde said with shades of irritation. — Yazuo Vein. I remembered his name. No, hijacking ships is not our business.
— Are you sure? — Aves clarified. Talon, without hesitating for a second, silently nodded. — I heard that a DP20 frigate disappeared from Corellia...
— So what? — Talon clarified. — Ships disappear throughout the galaxy. Someone loses, someone finds.
— That's how it is, — Aves agreed. — But as your first assistant, I am obliged to keep my finger on the pulse... So, just yesterday it became known that two CR90 corvettes were hijacked from Corellia at once.
— Let me guess, — Karrde squinted. — The ships have just completed repairs, but due to some signals, the crew was forced to leave the board of the starships, after which they waved goodbye to them?
— Uh-huh, — Aves nodded. — Are you thinking about the same thing as me?
— If you are thinking that "Sly" has made a good profit at the expense of sloppiness and his "fail-safe" hijacking scheme, then yes, I am thinking about it, — Karrde said.
— But I figured it out, — the first assistant reported. — And why did "Sly" so actively start hijacking ships? And not just any, as he always did, but those that are barely repaired. After all, he usually stole even those from which the plating was about to peel off. A buyer will still be found...
— I think, and in this case, "Sly" has a solvent client, — Karrde answered dryly.
— Thrawn? — Ave clarified. "Claw" silently nodded.
— Our Grand Admiral is doing his best to assemble a fleet for himself, — the smuggler said thoughtfully. — As escort ships, these starships have proven themselves well in the service of the Rebel Alliance and the New Republic. High speed, good turbolaser armament... I remember Warlord Zsinj used several such ships with cardinal rebuilds as light carriers. If desired, a whole squadron of fighters or interceptors can be placed on the hull or in the hold...
— "Claw", have you not thought that all these body movements of the Imperials could hit us? — Aves inquired. — If this guy has a lot of light ships, it will cost him nothing to return the old money and start inspecting any freighters...
— Even in the past, we knew how to negotiate with the Imperials, — Karrde reminded. — And now we have good contacts in the Imperial Remnant. He starts hunting for us, interferes in business — we will find how to get rid of his annoying attention. In the meantime... I think we need new freighters.
— Why? — Aves was surprised.
— I want to create a front company not directly related to me, — Karrde explained. — The Solo family will obviously try to offer us to participate in transportation throughout the galaxy. We will not do this directly — too noticeable. And trade with the Imperial Remnants brings more income than with the New Republic. No, let a third-party organization deal with this enterprise. Find ships and suitable sentients for crews.
— So, — Aves looked at his boss in confusion. — If legal transportation will not bring us big money, then why spend money on them?
— Information, — Karrde sighed. — The Empire will pay a lot of money for stories about how exactly the defense systems of certain planets are arranged in different sectors of the New Republic. Grand Moff Ardus Kaine is periodically indulging in interest in such issues — and pays excellently for them. At the meeting, we will probe how deep the New Republic's pocket is and decide whether it is worth informing them of similar details regarding the Empire.
***
The Coordinator finished reading the report, put the tablet aside, noticing that the long-range communication holoprojector blinked red.
Fastening the collar of his uniform shirt and tunic, he touched the activation key. The hologram that appeared, a quarter the size of a real person, was well known to him.
— Bravo-2, — the supervising officer of the Ubiqtorate addressed him without preamble. — What is happening in your area of responsibility?
"You might think you're not aware? Or since when has the Ubiqtorate stopped monitoring its own agents?"
— Grand Admiral Thrawn was not delighted with the meeting with me, — Sergius said. — I believe that he considers it offensive for himself to communicate with an ordinary Ubiqtorate employee instead of representatives of the leadership. He clearly demonstrated this by sending a message about mobilization to the commanders of the Tangrene defense fleet.
— It seems this exotic is taking too much upon himself, — the Curator snorted. — He is not in a position to demand anything from the Ubiqtorate.
"No", Sergius thought. "Quite the opposite. Supreme Commander after all. Especially — just having won a resounding victory."
— Sir, — the coordinator continued to maintain cold professional politeness. — The Grand Admiral defeated the enemy fleet and bases in the Dafilvean Sector. This caused a huge response in the hearts of the military stationed on Tangrene. The first victory over the enemy after the destruction of Warlord Zsinj. As far as I know, significant trophies have been captured, including rebel ships. With a probability of seventy percent, the Grand Admiral intends to contact Imperial Intelligence to carry out the following intimidation actions...
— I have read your analytical note, Coordinator, — the Curator interrupted him. — "To provide all possible assistance to the Grand Admiral to strengthen the authority of Imperial Intelligence among the Imperial Remnant."
— Exactly, sir, — Bravo-2 agreed. — This would be the most favorable course of events. Thus, we will be able to authoritatively declare to the Imperial Ruling Council that the Ubiqtorate and Imperial Intelligence have made their efforts in the matter of destroying the rebels. This will allow us to finally deal with the Imperial Security Bureau and optimize the system in our interests...
— ISB is already practically exhausted, — the Curator stated. — They are no longer our rivals. No need to build a long-term strategy based on taking counterintelligence into account as our opponents. Very soon they will finally prove their incompetence and the Imperial Ruling Council will give them under our control. The Grand Admiral poses a greater danger.
— As you say, sir, — Sergius did not argue. And what's the point if the Ubiqtorate has already decided everything? — Will there be any instructions?
— Yes, — the Curator was quick to report his decision. — We are recalling the Tangrene defense fleet to Yaga Minor, to headquarters. Let Thrawn now try to command ships subordinate to Grand Moff Ardus Kaine.
Bravo-2 continued to remain silent, analyzing everything he heard.
After the rebels attacked Tangrene, the Ubiqtorate realized that, remaining at the disposal of the rapidly losing power Imperial Ruling Council, they were also losing their positions. Therefore, all Ubiqtorate facilities and intelligence command resources were moved to the Five Star Oversector. The reason for choosing a new location was not brought to the attention of ordinary performers — orders are issued from above and are not subject to discussion. In no form.
That is why, in response to a request for a meeting from the Grand Admiral, the Ubiqtorate simply brushed it aside, slipping him Bravo-2. He is also being written off "from the accounts." Tangrene is losing its significance for the Ubiqtorate. It looks like the intelligence command has decided to defect to the side of a stronger Imperial Remnant — the Five Star Oversector. If the process of transferring information and transferring employees only hinted at this, then the recall of the fleet guarding both the planet and the shipyards in its orbit spoke for itself. When the Ubiqtorate recalled only one Imperial-class Star Destroyer from Tangrene, replacing it with a Victory, Bravo-2 already then, two weeks ago, realized that the final withdrawal of troops was approaching. But so soon...
— Sir, — Sergius said cautiously. — Without the fleet, the base and shipyards will become vulnerable to the enemy. Especially considering the fact that the enemy still considers it part of the Ubiqtorate system...
— All the better, — the Curator baffled him. — We need to reduce costs and our own communications. You will stay on the planet along with several groups of agents in case of need. Major Molo Himron will command them, — Bravo-2 began to guess what was happening. But he wanted to listen to everything to the end. — Thrawn wanted Imperial agents for himself? Well, let him think that he got them. Of the fifteen garrisons on Tangrene, only one will remain — it has already been formed from the least effective parts of the remaining units. To make everything look decent, the Crusader will continue to guard the shipyards. Small ships are also being withdrawn. According to our information, Thrawn's ships were damaged in the battles in the Dafilvean Sector. Consequently, for some time they will be at the shipyards and will ensure security. Let him deal with the planet and shipyards himself further. The Ubiqtorate will not allow anyone to dictate terms to it!
— Yes, sir, — Sergius snapped. — As I understand it, the maintenance of Tangrene is now fully transferred to the Imperial Remnant?
— Exactly, — the Curator reported. — Your task is to track the activities of Thrawn and officers who want to act under his command. The Ubiqtorate must know their names immediately.
— Will be done, — Bravo-2 answered calmly.
— Were there any other requests from the Grand Admiral to the archives of Imperial Intelligence? — the Curator unexpectedly asked.
— No, sir, — Sergius replied in an unwavering voice.
After waiting for the end of the transmission, he slowly unfastened the collar of his uniform tunic. Then, he unbuttoned the collar of his shirt as well.
"So that's how it is."
The Ubiqtorate is abandoning Tangrene. Surely that destroyer, to replace which the Crusader arrived, was just taking out the top ranks of Imperial Intelligence and the most valuable sources of information. It seems they have long agreed with Grand Moff Kaine about patronage, abandoning the Imperial Remnant and defecting to the side of the Five Star Oversector, as the strongest.
So, all archives are also moved to Yaga Minor. Most likely, only general databases were left on Tangrene, which have many copies in all Imperial Remnants. And which are constantly of interest to Grand Admiral Thrawn.
As the coordinator of everything happening in the Morshdain Sector, Bravo-2 perfectly tracked all incoming requests for information, compiling reports for the Ubiqtorate. How big an official crime did he commit by concealing from the command the increasingly frequent requests of the Grand Admiral regarding the events of the Clone Wars? It doesn't matter anymore. He has been effectively written off.
This was not said directly, of course, but no one will ever say so.
The Ubiqtorate has weeded out the unnecessary, leaving them only for the appearance of their presence. Thanks to multi-channel communications, they can operate from anywhere in the galaxy, and no one will guess that the command has settled on Yaga Minor.
Simple and tasteful. Moreover, it is still a big question — is the Ubiqtorate and Imperial Intelligence now in the Five Star Oversector? Or was this data reported to Bravo-2 to cover up the tracks?
Sergius could bet his monthly salary that it was the latter.
It was not for nothing that the Curator told him that his task from now on is to record the names of Imperial officers who will strive under the banners of Thrawn.
Most likely, he himself was also recorded as a supporter of the Grand Admiral. As well as Major Molo Himron with his operatives. And the Crusader...
Rummaging through his memory, Sergius even smiled. And how could he forget? After all, he himself informed the Ubiqtorate that Captain I-Gor was expressing irritation with the inaction of the Tangrene defense fleet, while the Imperial Remnants could easily strike at enemy worlds and subjugate them without much difficulty.
The Moff in charge of the Mordhstain Sector is also a supporter of Thrawn. After receiving a message that the Grand Admiral was heading to Tangrene, the Moff developed simply indecent activity in preparing the shipyards for receiving non-human ships.
So, he was also "written off". I am sure that the last remaining garrison on the planet also once expressed words of support for the Grand Admiral.
Shipyard workers... who in the Ubiqtorate generally considers them people?
In general, the situation is more or less clear.
Imperial Intelligence got rid of the unreliable, transferring them to the actual disposal of the Grand Admiral, who is too dangerous to keep in power. Inadvertently, the initiative of the Imperial Ruling Council to appoint the last Grand Admiral as ruler of the Imperial Remnants (in case he, of course, achieves a turning point in the war with the rebels) pressed on the Ubiqtorate's sore spot, which has its own plans for everything that is happening in the galaxy. So, they decided not to allow the Grand Admiral access to optimal resources in order to slow down the growth of his victories, and therefore — authority — in the Imperial environment.
Why? In order to prevent an equal confrontation between Thrawn and Grand Moff Kaine, obviously. The Ubiqtorate intends to make the Grand Moff the new Emperor. As the most capable organizer. That is why the Ubiqtorate does not want to help the Grand Admiral, even a little — their protégé will not appreciate this.
Consequently, in the near future against Thrawn and his allies... No, the Ubiqtorate will not start a war inside the Imperial Remnant. No way. They understand that then the rebels will seize even more territories.
Then how will they get rid of Thrawn?
A hired assassin? Perhaps. But not now — they need the Grand Admiral to win. As many victories as possible. And only then will he become truly dangerous for Kaine — when he begins to annex more and more territories. And before that, he is needed by them only as a source of problems for the rebels...
Sergius moved away from the desk, massaging his temples.
How simple it was when he was just the commander of a special detachment of Imperial Intelligence. Carry out assignments, think at your level... But no, he always thought more broadly. That's why he got the position of coordinator here on Tangrene. And now they got rid of him.
He could swear that no matter what reports he sent from this moment on to the Ubiqtorate, no one would read them. No, for show, work should continue. As a semblance of what is happening. But no accurate data...
The command very wrongly thought that it could so easily get rid of its employees. It's a pity for Himron and his people — these are very promising guys, real aces in their field. Specialists for all occasions. And now they were written off only because Himron speaks positively of Thrawn, as a sentient who continues to correspond to the ideals of the Empire. One phrase: "He will lead the Empire to victory!" cost Molo his career. And his guys supported the commander, sharing his views.
Sergius knew this better than anyone.
It was he who reported the decrease in loyalty of the Major and his subordinates to the command. And he himself was disposed of, like garbage.
Is it offensive? No. He assumed that this could happen. But he didn't think it would.
Maybe it's worth trying to jump over the Curator's head and contact someone higher up? Almost impossible — he knows no one except his Curator.
It turns out, only one thing remains...
As the Curator said — "Thrawn wanted Imperial agents for himself? Well, let him think that he got them." But now this applies not only to Major Himron's group, but also to himself, Sergius.
I wonder, does Thrawn only need spies, or will a operative-saboteur also do?
Ubiqtorate Coordinator, Operative Bravo-2, Sergius.
***
—— You know what, dear Grand Admiral, — Yazuo Vein barely contained his rage, looking at the indifferent holographic image of the Imperial commander. — These games of yours don't fit in any rancor's ass! We had an agreement — a dozen ships in exchange for my guys. I delivered the ships to you. And not a hutt was said about me having to drag my ass to the Ubiktorate base! I, by the hutt, still value my ass and its contents!
The Grand Admiral calmly listened to the entire tirade, after which he began to examine his gloves with a bored look.
— Mr. Vein, — he said in a calm tone. — I understand your concern about my order. And I'm even ready to put myself in your position. After all, you will greatly risk your beloved part of the body, finding yourself in the territory of an Imperial institution, which for five and a half years has been trying to find those who are in one way or another involved in the theft of twenty Tartan-class patrol cruisers and seven Carracks, — the half-blooded pirate felt shivers running down his spine. No way? Since when have the Imperials learned to put two and two together? — I suggest you stop playing with my personal time and stop pretending to be uninvolved. I don't care about your past and I'm not going to persecute you for the theft of Imperial property. Of course, if you return it voluntarily as a sign of your gratitude and respect for the Empire. It's not difficult to come up with a suitable cover story to clear you of the charges. So, a test of honesty. How many Tartans do you have left?
— Three, — Yazuo lied. This Imperial was starting to displease him more and more.
— I doubt your sincerity, Mr. Vein, — the Grand Admiral said disappointedly. — But as a sign that you have given us as many as a dozen Tartans for free...
"Oh, you..." Yazuo fidgeted in his captain's chair, glancing through the viewport at the Strike-class medium cruiser hanging nearby.
— ...I will forgive you this little lie, — the blue-skinned alien said. It's interesting, how did he become an Imperial officer? With their well-known dislike of various non-humans. — Moreover, in gratitude for your help, I will fulfill my part of the deal — and give you all your crew members who have experienced Imperial hospitality. They will be at the Imperial base on Tangrene soon, — Yazuo gritted his teeth. Trickery, it is. Either fly to the Ubiktorate base, or you can forget about your subordinates. If he refuses to pick up the prisoners, the rest of the group will decide that Vein chickened out and does not intend to rescue the guys. And this will undermine his reputation and bring discord to the group. — Well, since we have no more reasons to work with each other, you are free to fly away... — yes, with pleasure, I'll just warm up the nozzles. And I'll get out of here as far as possible. The hutt with these ships — the other six will always be found to sell. To the Five Star Commonwealth, for example. And not to this overly cunning red-eye. I just need to figure out how to rescue my friends... — However, I have a more solid offer for you. And this time — paid.
Yeah, we know your "payments". You give them your all, and they not only steal fourteen starships from under your nose, but also take crew members prisoner. And they are clearly pulling you to where you wouldn't go in your right mind. Because Imperial Intelligence will skin him for the hijacking that happened almost six years ago.
— After everything that has happened, I don't really want to work with the Empire, — Yazuo Vein said.
— No one is offering you to work for the Empire, — the Grand Admiral noted. — Work for me personally.
What the heck? How is this supposed to be understood? Aren't the Grand Admiral and the Empire one and the same?
— I'm totally confused, — Yazuo frowned. — What's the difference?
— It's not necessary for you to know, — Thrawn stated. — The main thing is that you will receive payment for your services. And nice bonuses on top of that.
— Sounds promising, — Yazuo scratched his ear. — And what kind of work is it?
— To begin with, bring the six Tartans you have left to the Pakuuni system, — the Grand Admiral stated. — You will be paid the full price for them. Considering that you won't get even half the cost of the starships anywhere else — this will cover your losses for most of the other ships. After that, go to the Tangrene system — I will be waiting for you. Agree to work for me — you will have no problems with the Empire. If you don't agree... well, I think you understand—I don't make offers that have a chance to be refused.
Yeah, it's clear, what is there to say. Say "no" now — and the Strike will fire at you with all its guns, then not even the wreckage will be found. Say "yes", but in fact refuse to cooperate — there will be big problems. And so the New Republic almost got on his tail when he tried to sell one single Tartan four years ago...
And on the other hand... six Tartans at full cost — that's a little over twenty-five million. Huge money, which you can use to really expand. And no one else in the crew will complain that they are eking out a living with small robberies, having a gold mine in their hands. Plus some work from the Imperials...
— At least hint at what my line of work will be, — Yazuo suggested. — While I'm flying to Tangrene, I'll at least use my brain to figure out how to do everything in the best possible way.
— Details of the work — upon a personal meeting, Mr. Vein, — the Grand Admiral stated. — But, so that you don't get bored during the flight, I advise you to read an article called "Privateering" on the HoloNet.
After the hologram disappeared, a predatory smile formed on the half-breed's face. Looking at the crew members who were waiting for him expectantly, the pirate smiled even more menacingly.
— Well, here is our lucky ticket, guys, — he declared. — Contact the base, let them haul these Imperial buckets here.