Nine years, five months, and twenty-seven days after the Battle of Yavin...
Or forty-four years, five months, and twenty-seven days after the Great Resynchronization.
And finally, after such a long wait and repair, carried out by the forces of the orbital shipyard, the Striking leaves the sally ports of the workshop bay, to make way for the angular heavy Dreadnought-class cruisers, which had arrived an hour ago, accompanied by a standby pair of Star Destroyers, already waiting their turn.
Commodore Dobramu smiled wryly as he watched two dozen Dreadnoughts crowding around the bays — the second batch, as he had heard from the local craftsmen. Those that Imperial mechanics and technicians managed to "patch up" in a hurry and send back to Tangrene. Given the independent arrival of the first four ships yesterday — a very solid force. I wonder, how will the five hundred and some workers left at the shipyards cope with the repair of such a massive amount of starships? Given that the crew members of the medium cruiser helped them repair the Striking, and two escort frigates of the Nebulon-B type, a Rebel strike frigate, and the first four Dreadnoughts are sticking out in the bays, waiting for their turn? However, the latter seem to be running, but in any case — so many years of downtime...
But besides the Dreadnoughts, the repairmen were also digging in the asteroids hanging a couple of dozen kilometers from the shipyards. And it would be fine if it was clear for what purposes all this was happening — why geological plasma drills, already nicknamed "diggers", are spinning there, why numerous tunnels are being made in them, and these incomprehensible works on installing projectors, similar to deflector ones... Yes, I would like to know why all this is, but no one will say anything — top secret.
However, one can not envy the guys from the shipyards now. They have a lot of work to do with these ships, asteroids, "Golan" and other work fronts — especially if the rumors that there are almost two hundred heavy cruisers are true. Those who managed to be on board these ships confidently claim — this is the Katana fleet. An ancient legend that has become a reality.
And yet, the Dreadnoughts will definitely participate in battles.
There was even a temptation — to request a transfer to one of these heavy cruisers, in order to participate in the upcoming battles, and not pull the strap in patrolling the Chasin system. But for this, it is necessary to talk directly with the Grand Admiral, and where he is being carried — it is not clear.
— Captain, — a watch officer approached him. — The shipyard dispatcher is calling us.
— Connect, — Akrei headed to the nearest console with a holoprojector, making it clear that he would accept the call from here. — Dispatcher, Commodore Dobramu.
— This is the dispatcher, — the voice of an unseen interlocutor sounded. — Striking, speed up your exit from the dock.
— What's the problem? — Akrei became wary. Looking at the scanners, he frowned. Tiny orbital tugs were slowly dragging the Dreadnoughts apart. But not into the bays of the orbital workshop, as is necessary to begin repairs, but on the contrary, to the external piers. Even the escort frigates, gleaming with their sides, with dismantled armor plates, were dropping docking sleeves, and the huge manipulators, with the help of which the slow elimination of damage was taking place, folded and pressed against the piers, ensuring safe maneuvering inside the repair bays.
— Striking, less questions, more work, — the dispatcher snapped tiredly. — We are taking the tugs away from you, you are allowed to use the maneuvering engines at ten percent power without accelerations and sharp steering wheel movements.
And this is something completely unimaginable.
Starships to be repaired were ALWAYS placed and removed from the repair bays of the stations only with the help of tugs — small ships equipped with high-power tractor beams. Coupled with stationary installations inside the bays themselves, the tug pilots could, albeit slowly, but without any delays and problems, control the ship. And only at a distance from the docks was it allowed to activate the maneuvering engines — it was believed that otherwise there was a possibility of damaging the station's hull during careless maneuvering. But the independent exit beyond the boundaries of orbital stations of this type is something new.
— Understood, — Akrei did not swear. It seems that the local workers relaxed in the absence of military command, and decided to show the military who is in charge here. Well, let this little revenge...
— Activate the maneuvering engines, — he ordered. — Five percent of the power for warm-up and testing, after a minute — increase to ten. Slowly take the ship out through the dock gate, move one kilometer away from the station.
— Why did the repairmen decide to violate their beloved protocols? — a quiet voice of one of the watchmen sounded. But no one deigned to answer him — those on the Striking knew no more than the inquirer.
It took five minutes for the medium cruiser to carefully overcome the gate of the outer bay of the repair station and began to move further away from the workshop. And during this time Dobramu watched as the orbital space around the shipyards was confidently cleared — somewhere the ships flew to the outer moorings on their own, somewhere they were towed aside by tugs. The Star Destroyers Imperious and Inexorable, having stopped loading, moved out of orbit to the side, placing themselves in a position between the vector of entry into the system and the orbital workshops themselves...
It gave the impression that they were intending to arrive at the shipyards...
— Multiple targets appearing! — a report sounded from the officer in charge of scanning systems.
— Battle stations! — Commodore Dobramu shouted, looking at his subordinates. They, first startled, immediately fussed. Buzzers roared and the watchmen rushed around the bridge. A second later, reports began to pour in:
— Deflectors activated!
— Artillery is aimed!
— The reactor is reaching full power!
— Aviation is ready to take off!
But why haven't the other ships of the fleet reacted yet!? Why haven't the aircraft been released?!
— CDP-Tangrene is on the line!
— Connect!
— Commodore Dobramu! — a hologram of Moff Ferrus himself appeared above the holoprojector. — How am I supposed to understand your actions?! Immediately announce a cease of battle stations, lower shields...
— Sir! But everything indicates an attack...
— There is no attack, Commodore! — the moff roared. — Grand Admiral Thrawn's fleet is approaching and they need the shipyards! Immediately stop doing this mess and follow the seventieth echelon along the vector to Chasin!
In fact, the governor of the Morshdine sector had just ordered him to get out of here. And although Akrei could start an argument about the fact that he does not obey the Moff, but this would not make much sense — now he is in Ferrus' territory and is obliged to follow his orders.
— Yes, sir, — the young commander of the medium cruiser recoiled. As soon as the hologram faded, he threw in displeasure:
— Stand down from battle stations. We are switching to the seventieth echelon, — he muttered, trying not to pay attention to the few snickers that sounded behind his back.
Oh, how advantageous he would have looked in the eyes of the Grand Admiral if there had been an invasion and he was the only one who was ready for it... Well, maybe he will have a chance to prove himself.
In the Chasin system.
Catching smugglers.
How humiliating for a combat officer!
If the Emperor were alive, he would have appreciated the commodore's desire to destroy the enemy.
***
Pelleon's report caught up with me on the way to the prison block of the Chimaera.
The fleet had completed the jump, and the dispatch service, slightly shocked by the number of ships needing repairs, which fell on its head, was frantically placing the ships in the free bays of the orbital workshop. Well, there is still time, and it's time to deal with a critical moment before going to the surface.
Strike while the iron is hot, as they say. This means that you need to give Moff Ferrus time to properly savor the fruits of my victory and dream, before making him an offer that he cannot refuse.
But first, having given orders regarding the prisoners, I, accompanied by Rukh, headed to the prison cell in which the most important of the prisoners I had obtained as a result of the ambush near Rugosa, was located.
The stormtroopers from the Marine Corps, guarding the cell, reported on the situation sparsely and tersely, before the door leading to the cell let me and the bodyguard inside.
In front of me, with her legs tucked under her in a "lotus" pose, a not-so-young, but with traces of beauty beginning to fade on her face, human woman was sitting right on the floor. Her eyes were closed, and her face was relaxed and at the same time focused. A rather slender, tightly-knit build, dressed in simple dark clothes, somewhat reminiscent of the Jedi tunics from the movies.
In fact, this is the only thing that at the moment somehow demonstrated her involvement in ancient Jedi knowledge. But she was not a Jedi.
— Do it quickly, — she said without opening her eyes.
— What exactly? — I asked, standing about a meter away from her. Rukh habitually chose a position for himself that provided him with the best opportunity for both attack and defense.
— You came to kill me, didn't you? — she finally opened her eyes. In them glowed the experience of years lived and hidden sadness. — So do what you came for, Imperials. And rejoice — you will be able to complete what the Emperor and Darth Vader failed to do. You will destroy the Jensaarai.
— Thank you for the offer, but not today, — I rejected the initiative. — My name is Thrawn. Grand Admiral of the Empire. Supreme Commander. And I came here for negotiations, not to destroy anyone.
— Really? — she was surprised. — You have unleashed all your fury on us, killed my protectors, simply baked their minds in their own skulls, cut me off from the Force, and now you want to talk?
— Yes, why not? — I asked. — Or will you deny that your people helped Leonia Tavira and her forces attack me?
— No, I will not, — she said.
— Will you deny that there was a battle between us, and that both sides suffered losses?
— No, I won't.
— Then what could be the grievances? — I asked. — You and your tribesmen came with a clear intention to kill me and my subordinates. You were rebuffed because any living being has the right to defend itself from threats. I am sorry that your people died, but mine died too. It was a fair fight.
— Neither I nor my defenders invaded your minds and burned them as if it was fire burning the ether, — she grimaced.
— Because you didn't have that opportunity, — I clarified. — If you had it — you would have done anything to please your mistress.
The woman winced.
— What do you want? — she asked. — To mock me before killing me?
— And without this, the negotiations will not take place? — I clarified. — Despite your desire to die, I still offer you an alternative.
— And what is it? — she asked.
— To live, — I said. — We examined the computer of the Invidious. And we know where your planet is. But I dare assure you — no ships are now flying there to destroy the Jensaarai settlement. Instead, I offer you and your people to enter my service.
— Leonia Tavira also said so in her time, — the woman said. — Her star destroyer was hanging over the heads of my tribesmen and could turn our settlement into a pile of slag at any moment.
— I see, this is a very interesting, albeit sad, story, — I said. — If you wish, you can tell it. This will make it easier for me to understand the reasons why you went into the service of the pirates.
— We had no choice, — she replied. — We, the Jensaarai, have never known peace. Neither after we separated from the Jedi, nor even after their destruction. First, the Jedi tried to kill us all and almost succeeded in this. Then Darth Vader, to whom we offered our swords in service, turned against us. There is no place for us among the powerful of this world — the Jedi see only the Dark Side in us, the Sith — only the Light.
— And in reality? — I asked.
— We are neither one nor the other, — she said hotly. — Once upon a time, our ancestors discovered the Sith knowledge and realized that they could gain great power not only from Jedi texts. The Order did not accept our point of view and persecuted us. We hid for many years until we were found again. The Temple Guards killed our leaders, and the rest barely managed to escape. An attempt to find refuge with Darth Vader also did not succeed. There were even fewer of us, and we fled so far, hiding from everyone who we really are, that we decided not to make contact with anyone anymore. We lived on Suzevfi until Leonia Tavira discovered us a few years ago.
— She was running away from pursuers and was looking for a place to hide, — I explained, having already familiarized myself with Tavira's personal data, obtained from her ship before the start.
And she settled down quite well — she hid a star destroyer in an asteroid cloud, controlled the locals, whom everyone had forgotten about. It is not surprising that after meeting the Jensaarai, she did not experience any problems in her affairs at all.
— We found out about this only after she deceived our trust, — the woman said with bitterness in her voice. Who, for a second, is the leader of the Jensaarai. At least, if you believe Tavira's journal itself. — We do not strive for war — only for the comprehension of the Force and are ready to defend ourselves. This is our philosophy. To become a Jensaarai, you need to go through the same training that the Jedi had in the past, including creating a lightsaber. However, that's not all. Each Jensaarai must create his own armor, using the ancient knowledge we found in the past to process cortosis and cover his armor with its threads. Only in this way did the student become a defender...
I have already heard some of this — from the runaway Jensaarai, Fodeum Sabre De'Luz. But it was not worth interrupting the lady. It is clear from her that without the Force, access to which was denied to her by the ysalamiri located nearby, she is by no means well. Perhaps, if she had been discovering the world of the Force from a very young age, then learning to do without it is another test. Well, that is the calculation — to make her more accommodating. And if for this it is necessary to listen to her old pain, then why not? I have time, but it is worth drawing information from a more competent source than an undereducated guy who lost his lightsaber. At a minimum — for broadening horizons.
— We choose some animal as our ally and protector, and then give his features to our armor. Each defender wears such armor without taking it off. And only the individuality of the armor allows us to distinguish each other visually, — a strange concept, of course, but why not? — Each such totem is a peaceful creature that will never attack first, but will only ruthlessly defend itself if attacked. This is a reflection of our meaning of existence.
— A satellite where we lived in secret from other settlers, Susevfi. That's where we first saw Leonia Tavira. She landed on the planet with her people. She started flirting with the local Imperial official, and when he rejected her, she brutally killed him. Then she declared the planet liberated from the yoke of the Empire and rebelled against the yoke of the New Republic. As Saara-kaar Jensaarai, the leader of my people, I came to Tavira to negotiate and stop the killings of civilians. After learning who I was, she was able to win my trust, and then betrayed me when she heard my refusal in exchange for her demand to serve her. She threatened to destroy the civilian population of the planet if we refused to help her. I had no choice, and I agreed.
Very interesting recruitment methods. Pure Imperial ones. However, what can you say if Tavira in the past was the wife of an Imperial Moff. Moreover, according to rumors, she personally got rid of her husband and his previous wife.
— For months my Jensaarai accompanied Tavira and her flagship on destructive campaigns, helping her rob and kill. We are not supporters of violence, but we understood that otherwise, the death of all living things in our world would be on our conscience. Some of us could adjust our connection with the Force in such a way that they felt danger through this great energy if it was directed directly at Tavira.
— And thus helped her avoid ambushes, — I realized. Very... interesting concept. I already have several options for its use in principle. However, what happened has already shown that this situation is not a panacea. Given that the ambush on Rugosa did not even imply Tavira's appearance there, the Jensaarai could not warn her about the trap. And, therefore, the system fails. If I am lucky, I will have to think about how to implement it to my advantage.
— And also influenced the minds of random visitors to the system so that they would look at her ship, but not see her, — said the saara-kaar. — But your Jedi... he was able to break through our defense. And when we tried to counteract him, to weaken him — he killed my students. The last ones who could have served Tavira and the cause of saving my people.
— Leonia Tavira is in my custody, — I reminded. — As is her ship. No pirate left the Rugosa system free.
— Several gangs are still on Susevfai, — she said bitterly. As soon as her ship does not return — they will kill everyone.
— I am sure that together we can cope with this problem, — I stated.
— Together? — she smirked. — How are you better than Tavira? You are using my position, took away my Force, and are about to start dictating your terms.
— But this way you will really listen to me, — I said. — And treat what you hear with great attention. The Force is still with you, but I am blocking it as much as I need to. I offer you my help in freeing your planet from pirates.
— And you want something in return, — she said confidently.
— Yes, — I said. — You will give me the pirates, their equipment and all the loot they have now.
— I thought you would demand our service... — the woman said in confusion.
— I am not going to demand anything from you, although I could, — I said. — The Empire under my leadership will no longer exterminate those Force-sensitive beings who do not directly threaten its existence, and not by their very fact of birth. On the contrary, I would like to offer you and your students to become part of the state that I intend to build. There you will be able to live without fear, learn and teach others, serve as emissaries of peace and justice — something that the Jedi failed to do.
— And as soon as we refuse — will you take our women and children hostage? — asked the woman.
— No, — I answered. — I will just wish you luck in solving the problems with the Jedi and the New Republic on your own, who were hunting Tavira and have information about who helped her in carrying out raids, — the last is pure bluff. But with the help of Imperial intelligence, it is not difficult to do this. — I assure you that after Rugosa.
— And if we agree to serve you — will you provide us with protection? — asked the saara-kaar.
— Protection, a place to live and study, access to new knowledge, — I listed. — After all, you do not think that the knowledge you have is the limit of your dreams?
— Naturally, we know that we do not know many secrets of the Force, — the leader of the Jensaarai snorted. — But... if you yourself do not possess the Force, how can you promise such a thing?
— I am sufficiently erudite to find and provide my allies with what is left of the ancient Sith and Jedi knowledge, — a simple statement of fact. And at a minimum, somewhere in the labyrinth under Mount Tantiss there is something that will interest the Jensaarai. And besides, in this galaxy there is the Yavin system, where the Sith once lived, Korriban, Ossus and many other worlds that were once Jedi or Sith shrines or strongholds.
— How can I believe an Imperial after all the evil that the Empire has brought to me and my people? — asked the woman.
— As a gesture of goodwill, I will do two things right now, — I said. — First, after you agree to cooperate with me, sensitivity to the Force will be returned to you. As long as we act together and protect the galaxy from great and small evil, you are my ally and you will never again be deprived of the Force by me.
— But you already have a powerful Jedi who killed my students, the best of the Jensaarai! — said the saara-kaar with distrust.
— Yes, there was a Jedi in my entourage, — I said, not going to reveal to the Jensaarai the intricacies of C'baoth's origin, and even more so to tell them that he finally came to his senses and went to his planet, waiting for Horn's arrival. — What he did to your people only confirmed my suspicions about his madness and the need to stop any contact with him.
— Will you kill him? — she asked, squinting.
— If there is hope that he can be helped — no, — I said. Although, I was not very hopeful that an adult defective clone could be corrected. But, in the end, the laboratories in Mount Tantiss are already operating and properly deconserved. C'baoth's genetic sample is available. If needed, we will create our own. And, if possible, an adequate one.
— But you do not believe in such an outcome, — Saara-kaar stated.
— I doubt that it is possible to fix him at all, — I admitted.
The woman was silent for a while before speaking again:
— Second, — she slowly and gracefully rose to her feet. — What else can you offer the Jensaarai in exchange for service?
— Rukh, — I nodded to my bodyguard.
The Noghri was almost instantly at the front door, after which he went into the corridor. I knew exactly that he was now going to the next cell to remove the ysalamiri. And also to meet someone who was waiting for my return to the planet.
I was not at all afraid that the Jensaarai might attack me with the Force — the ysalamiri, my favorite, was cozily snoozing on my shoulder. And I will fight off a simple melee attack.
I didn't miss how the woman's face distorted when, apparently, Rukh dragged a cage with a lizard away from the wall of the cell adjacent to this one. The Force was supposed to return to the woman.
And almost immediately after that, the Noghri returned to us accompanied by a young man...
— Someone else will tell you more about my offer. Let me introduce you, — I said, pointing to the freighter commander, — Mr...
— Mother?! — the Jensaarai student who lost his lightsaber, barely audibly exclaimed.
— Fodeum?! — the saara-kaar's eyes widened when she saw the young man. — How is this possible...?
I looked first at her, then at him. There is definitely a resemblance.
H-m. It came out awkward.
But then again, maybe it's for the best — after all, I distinguish how the woman looking into my eyes, who has finally found her son again for the first time in years, nods, in agreement.
Well, the local analogue of the "Wait for Me" program is ending its broadcast. It's time to get down to more important things.
***
The light lines of hyperspace habitually compressed into dots as soon as the Crusader was in normal space.
— Jump completed, Captain, — the senior officer reported to him. — Crusader is... okay.
I-Gor almost laughed when he heard the last part.
— The fact that three armor plates were turned inside out and the refrigerated food storage on the second deck depressurized is not a problem anymore? — he asked with a smirk.
— After the mess at Rugosa — it's a trifle, Captain, — the first officer replied in confusion, lowering his gaze. — Especially since we didn't really need those storages.
— Do you remember that Corellian smuggler that we detained near Duro when I just took over the Crusader? — I-Gor asked.
— The one who liked to hide contraband under the deck? — the first officer clarified. Having received an affirmative nod, he confirmed:
— I remember, of course, sir. We got about fifty thousand worth of spice contraband from his rusty bucket. Although I am sure there was more — we would have found it if we hadn't started shooting at the ship, chasing after his partner.
— Spice was not the only thing that this smuggler was transporting, — I-Gor admitted. — He also had a small hiding place on the stern. Remember, I decided to personally supervise the search in the engine room while you were busy with the bridge?
— Of course, sir, — the first mate became slightly tense.
— I have already come across this type of hiding places — inside the fuel tank, they make a secret compartment and store additional cargo there. That smuggler was carrying four boxes of elite single malt Corellian whiskey — one and a half thousand credits per bottle. I have been keeping them all this time in a refrigerated storage on the second deck.
— Unexpected frankness, sir, — the first mate admitted.
— I hoped that after the death of the Emperor there would be a sufficient reason to drink this nectar with the crew someday, — I-Gor admitted. — The second major triumph of our Grand Admiral in a row is undoubtedly a reason for this. Every battle turns out to be an unvarying success for us. Look, — he pointed to the Bellicose and the Imperious, which were frozen in a parade formation, which, like sentinels, had placed their sides perpendicular to the movement of the defeated, but victorious fleet of the Grand Admiral, allowing them to pass in front of their noses and saluting with volleys of turreted turbolasers. — "Triumphal arch". This custom is three thousand standard years old. I don't even remember the last time it was used. This is respect for all the winners — the survivors and the dead. This is the triumph of the Grand Admiral. A turning point, after which, if the Imperial Ruling Council does not start helping us properly, then they are indeed just a bunch of power-hungry idiots. Like Ubiqtorate, who fled from here, tucking their tails. Just think what Thrawn could have accomplished if he had received all fifteen of Ubiqtorate's destroyers, not just our old Victory-class? Oh, it's a pity that the compartment was twisted into hyperspace. The day off would have been much more fun...
— I agree, it's a pity, sir, — the first mate supported. — Do you think that our victories are just the beginning?
— I am sure of it, — I-Gor declared firmly. — The Empire has not achieved such victories for a long time. And in such a short time. I am sure that the future is with Thrawn. At least the near future. We will stick with him — and we will see how the Empire rises over the galaxy in its new greatness.
— You literally voiced the opinion of the entire crew, — the first mate chuckled. — But... do you not think that, given the ships captured by the Grand Admiral, Ubiqtorate will recall us, and the smart guys from Orinda will recall any of Thrawn's subordinate Star Destroyers?
— If this happens, it will only prove their short-sightedness, — the commander of the Crusader stated. — While they are sitting there, in the Imperial Remnants, and shaking over how not to lose new sectors and ships, Thrawn is beating the enemy where he does not even expect it. The return of three double-pairs at once under the command of the Empire is a resounding success. And it needs to be developed, not to pour sweetener into his reactor fuel. I do not know if this will actually happen, but if Ubiqtorate tries to recall us — I will not obey this order. And I hope that you and the crew will support me.
— Intelligence will consider this as treason, — the first officer noted.
— We serve under the command of the Supreme Commander of the Empire, — Captain I-Gor reminded. — If this is treason, then I do not want to have anything to do with those who think so.
The first officer thought for only a few minutes. Then, looking at the commander, he stated:
— Sir, I must confess something.
— Oh really? — I-Gor was surprised. — And what is it?
— We have something to celebrate the victory, — the first mate said, looking away. — That smuggler at Duro also had a habit of making a hiding place under the floor of the cockpit.... We definitely have about ten boxes...
Laughing, I-Gor heartily shook the hand of his subordinate, noticing out of the corner of his eye how tugs are heading towards the damaged ships of Thrawn's fleet in order to move the starships into the bays of the orbital workshop.
***
The dungeons of the moff's residence are not the gloomiest place where Lieutenant Colonel Astarion has been in his life. There have been worse workplaces.
But, unfortunately, at the moment there are no suitable places for keeping such a large number of prisoners of war on Tangrene. Instead, it was necessary to use the barracks of one of the military bases on the planet, but still not used after the evacuation of garrisons by Ubiqtorate — only they were extensive enough to hold almost seventy thousand captured Republicans, pirates and smugglers. And it took recruiting an entire legion of stormtroopers to provide their security. Well, planetary garrison bases are designed to house hundreds of thousands of infantrymen and many units of equipment — each. There is still room for holding more prisoners of war... It is a pity only that it is necessary to involve significant forces of stormtroopers to guard them. Simple infantry from among volunteers and army units could have coped with this, but it is better to entrust such a large number of prisoners to those who cannot be somehow moved to pity.
Although the lieutenant colonel was sure that using stormtrooper units for such purposes is irrational, he kept his thoughts to himself. The Grand Admiral knows better how to use his resources. Although, he can be understood — the regular army under his command is even smaller than the stormtrooper units. Well, at least the lieutenant colonel knew for sure that such activities for stormtroopers are only temporary. As soon as the available volunteers, assigned to the so-called "auxiliary troops", undergo appropriate infantry and shooting training, the protection of prisoners of war will fall into the scope of their tasks, and the stormtroopers will return to the performance of more significant tasks assigned to them.
And meanwhile, the reason why he was in the dungeons today is very unusual. As is the personal invitation of the Grand Admiral himself to conduct the interrogation.
Having passed the guard posts, Astorian, accompanied by the shift supervisor of the overseers, reached the desired cell. How many such prison interrogation rooms had he seen in his life? Thousands. This one is no worse than the others. You can even say that it is many times better, since it is clean here, it does not stink of human sweat and excrement. And there are no sounds of tortured sentients either. Not because of good sound insulation — the dungeons, in principle, do not hold guilty civilians or soldiers. For this, there are garrison guardhouses or ordinary isolators.
The metal door opened, and the lieutenant colonel stepped over the threshold. Looking up, he saw Grand Admiral Thrawn standing against the wall opposite the entrance, in the company of a gray-skinned alien.
— Come in, — Thrawn ordered, pointing to the place at the table usually occupied by interrogators. Astorian followed the advice, still wondering about the reasons that brought him here. What the Grand Admiral had planned, it was not yet clear to him. Except that the lieutenant colonel himself had nothing to fear — he works for the benefit of the Grand Admiral, not to his detriment. And the information received from Thrawn did not shine with details.
The Grand Admiral himself and his bodyguard moved closer to the entrance, standing so that the person who entered could not see them. Then, as if on an invisible command, the door opened and two stormtroopers led a man in armor and a body suit inside. Having unceremoniously seated him on a metal chair, they chained him to the metal bracket of the table and left the interrogation room, allowing the "security" to finally examine the person with whom he had to have a difficult conversation.
A neat short haircut, clearly of a military type, and Imperial at that. An attentive calm gaze. A well-developed body musculature. This man is clearly an Imperial serviceman. Moreover, judging by the body suit — a stormtrooper. He is holding himself straight, his posture is unbending. He does not turn his head from side to side, does not try to assess the situation. This man is used to acting only after receiving an order.
— Introduce yourself, — Astorian demanded.
— Stormtrooper TR-889, sir, — he answered in the same calm voice.
— Do you know the reasons for being here?
— During the assault on the enemy's Star Destroyer, I used a tactical psychological trick in order to make the enemy crew surrender.
What?
Astorian thought he had misheard.
— And what did it consist of? — he asked.
— I used the ship's internal notification systems to spread information about the death of the commander, — the stormtrooper replied.
— And why did you think it would work? — the lieutenant colonel understood that now, looking directly at the detainee, he has no right to look away — otherwise he will understand that they are not alone in the interrogation room. And Thrawn, apparently, has a great desire to keep his presence here a secret. For the time being, in any case.
— Simple calculation, — TR-889 said in the same matter-of-fact tone. — This Star Destroyer defected to the New Republic immediately after their commander did. During the assault, I noticed that most of the crew members encountered were humans. Nine out of ten. I assumed that they are all the same people who were under the command of Sair Yonka during his betrayal. Therefore, he has a reference significance for them and is a leader. The news of his death demoralized the enemy, and the ship was captured.
— Or your initiative could only aggravate what was happening, — Astorian roared, switching to psychological pressure on the interrogated. — They could have blown up the reactor and then everyone would have died. Both the rebels and the stormtroopers! Or they could have intensified their resistance and the troops suffered a much higher percentage of losses than is available!
In fact, Astorian had no idea how many soldiers died during the boarding actions. But he intuitively felt that his task was to morally crush the stormtrooper, to force him to destroy his impenetrable shell of calmness. Which is too obvious — even the elite stormtroopers, who had passed through the hellish millstones of advanced training after training on Carida, would have been psychologically broken by the very fact of interrogation.
— There was no risk, — the stormtrooper said firmly. — The enemy was well aware that they were surrounded, that their ship would be taken in any case. They are defectors, that is, their psyche is not so resistant to the ideas of the Empire. They could not yet properly accept the Republican ideology as dominant, therefore, they were guided solely by their leader — Captain Yonka.
— Don't you know a bit too much for a simple stormtrooper? — The lieutenant colonel squinted, trying to understand if his pressure was capable of breaking through this guy. Judging by the fact that his facial expression did not even change — not really. Not a stormtrooper, but a flint.
— ...The death of a leader is an extremely destabilizing factor, — Astorian realized that TR-889 was continuing his monotonous story. While anyone in his place would have just shut up and started to worry. No, this guy is anyone, but not a stormtrooper. — ...which takes subordinates and associates out of their usual routine...
— Have you experienced this firsthand? — The Grand Admiral unexpectedly intervened in the interrogation, appearing in the stormtrooper's field of vision. The stormtrooper, throwing a quick and wary glance at the figure in the white uniform, widened his eyes and got to his feet.
— Grand Admiral, sir, stormtrooper....
— Yes, TR-889, I have no problems with hearing, — the gray-skinned alien forcefully put the man back in place. — What is your name, stormtrooper?
— Personal number TR-899...
— I did not ask that question, — said the Grand Admiral. — You are an intelligent man, Major, as you have just carelessly admitted. You must understand that these conversations would not be held with you just like that. Your personal file has been checked, evidence of cleanups and data integration has been found. You work great, but I have even better specialists. So, I repeat the question — what is your name?
Even so? That is, this stormtrooper is not just a marine, but also a major, a battalion commander? Events are developing interestingly. Yes, of course, commanders in the Stormtrooper Corps are not simple performers, like ordinary soldiers, but they are far from being connoisseurs of psychology. They are taught the most effective killing, not evaluating the enemy from a psychological point of view. They are an elite brute force, trained to the highest standards, but by no means virtuosos of this kind.
The lieutenant colonel watched with bated interest as the impassive expression on the "stormtrooper"'s face changed from simple-carefree to tense and focused.
— Grodin Tierce, sir, — he said clearly, finally dispelling the myth about his belonging to the Stormtrooper Corps. "Dolls" go through such training that they forget their own names — they are given numbers and nothing more. All training is aimed at destroying pity, personal identity and self-determination. Deprivation of name is one of the initial stages. By the end of the training, the stormtroopers generally forget that they can be called something other than their personal number.
— Oh really, — Thrawn said. A shadow flickered across his face, and his gaze became more ferocious. — Is that all you want to say?
— I will answer all your questions, sir, — Tierce said.
— Then let's start with the simplest — why is a fighter of Palpatine's Imperial Guard masquerading as an ordinary stormtrooper? — Astorian barely held back from coughing. What?! This "stormtrooper" is also a commander of an elite unit that was engaged in guarding the Emperor himself?!
Yes, formally the Imperial Guard belonged to the Stormtrooper Corps, but again — only on "paper". In fact, they had their own structure and places of deployment, and nothing was known about their training at all. After all, their field of work is far beyond the understanding of ordinary sentients.
— After the death of Emperor Palpatine at Endor, the Imperial Guard was fragmented, — Tierce explained. — Some of us returned to bases, others began to serve military leaders. There are those who have gone over to the side of the New Republic. I chose the path of serving as a commander of a stormtrooper battalion. And my unit is one of the best in your fleet, Grand Admiral.
— And that's why you hid your past? — Thrawn asked.
— Many of those who are claiming or have claimed the post of Emperor use the Imperial Guards as a scarecrow to increase their own significance, — Tierce explained. — I want to serve by action, not by icon.
In fact, it would not have been difficult for the Imperial Guard to correct Tierce' personal file. So, if it were not for his excessive desire to be useful, then no one would have noticed him.
If it were not for the incident on the Rebel Star Destroyer....
If it weren't for...
— Your actions on the Freedom were aimed at attracting my attention, — Thrawn said, voicing the thought that had just come into the colonel's head himself.
— Yes, sir, — he confirmed. — I did everything to get under your command and watched your actions to understand and assess motives. To confess, I thought that you, like the other military leaders, would strive for personal power over the Empire and use all the resources of Mount Tantiss for these purposes. I apologize for my unworthy thoughts. My actions on the Freedom of Captain Yonka were aimed directly at your attention. As a stormtrooper, I could not come to you and report formally. Now, our meeting has taken place, and I can offer you my services not just as a frontline fighter, but also as an Imperial Guard.
— I don't need bodyguards, — Thrawn noted. — I have a Noghri.
— Who has already proven that he is not effective enough, — Tierce stated, without even looking towards the gray-skinned alien standing behind him. — I alone, with one battalion, captured a Star Destroyer for you, losing only one company. Moreover, only three stormtroopers died, the rest will go through a recovery course and continue their service.
— And why should I trust you? — Thrawn asked.
— Because it will take me only five seconds to kill everyone in this room, — the Imperial Guard calmly said, shaking his hands. The handcuffs, which were still on his wrists, clanged against the metal countertop. The lieutenant colonel thought that he would hardly have time to shoot at the interrogated, even if he intended to attack. Even if he hadn't handed in his service pistol at the guard post. — At the same time, I will spend three seconds asking you once again to be my direct commander.
— Oh really, — Thrawn said with interest. — Why me and not any other military leader or even the Imperial Ruling Council?
— You are efficient, — the guard replied simply. — They are passive. Simple logic. I am not a display case to serve as someone's toy and to indulge someone's ego. I am a soldier and am trained to carry out orders. You and your fleet are fighting. That's enough for me. I informed you about my past only in order to demonstrate that I have additional knowledge that may be useful to you in achieving your goals.
— How interesting, — Thrawn chuckled. — You are an impressive example of a human, a stormtrooper and a guard in one package, Major Tierce. Given the lack of unanimity between you and your colleagues from the Imperial Guard on the issue of a suitable master, I come to the conclusion that you are only striving to restore your usual picture of the world — to find a strong commander and serve him. Or am I wrong?
— The Imperial Guard was created to serve an outstanding person, — Tierce said, but his tone no longer sounded as confident as it had before. — Perhaps... part of our training contributes to this...
— Or you were all changed by the power of Emperor Palpatine for this, — Thrawn suggested. — I hope you are aware that our ruler was an adept of the Force?
— This information has no evidentiary confirmation, — the major said sharply, and his hands clenched into fists. His gaze became somewhat beastly, and his nostrils began to flare, indicating that the man was beginning to inhale more oxygen. He did not like what he heard.
In fact, Astorian himself did not really believe that the Emperor was some kind of adept of this Jedi magic. Another thing is Darth Vader...
— Don't you dare threaten me, Major, — Thrawn said sharply, reacting to the guard's words and actions. — The person who served Palpatine and maintained contact with him directly through the Force discovered your cleanups in the personal file. Perhaps you even saw her once in Palpatine's entourage. A young girl, red hair, green eyes. The Emperor liked to call her his favorite dancer...
— I understand who you are talking about, — Major Tierce said. — But the Emperor could not...
— Are you saying that I am lying? — steel rang in Thrawn's voice.
— No, sir, never...
— So, do you have a rebuttal to my words about Palpatine's belonging to the Sith Order? — to confess, Astorian had already stopped understanding the reason why he is here. It seemed as if Thrawn wanted to prove something not only to the stormtrooper. But what? The fact that Palpatine, who hunted the Jedi, was himself someone similar? But what does it matter if the Emperor is dead? There are more important things... — Or do you have a more reasonable explanation for the fact that the Emperor was able to emerge victorious from the battle with the Jedi Masters in the last hours of the existence of the Old Republic? Or will you find an explanation for how he was able to hide the nineteen-kilometer star dreadnought Lusankya in the middle of the Imperial Center, in its busiest part? Or will you give an answer as to how he could live for almost thirty years, controlling the Sith Lord Darth Vader? A Sith, one of those who know how to control the Force and are known for their ambitions on the verge of totally subjecting all living things to their power and building empires? Or do you have answers to the reason why in the Dafilvean sector, during the clearing of the New Republic base on the planet Ord Pardron, you, like the rest of the infantrymen and stormtroopers, acted more coherently, clearly and efficiently, as in the days of Palpatine, but your actions were coordinated with the help of the Force and the clone of Jedi C'baoth created by Palpatine's order, which I discovered on the planet Wayland, where you played the role of a commander of my cover squad? Perhaps you will find more logical answers to my questions, Major, than the recognition and awareness of the fact that Emperor Palpatine is a Force-sensitive sentient, a Sith Lord, and all of us are nothing more than his puppets, serving only one purpose — not to allow his enemies to grow stronger until he gathers under his command powerful forces capable of once again subjugating the galaxy to his power?
— No, sir, — Tierce answered clearly. His body relaxed — the man was responding to orders. The way he was taught to do it. Training was showing itself. — I have no more logical answer than the one you have voiced.
— Are you familiar with the name of the planet Byss? — Thrawn asked, changing his commanding tone, which made Astorian shudder, to almost caring intonations.
— Yes, sir, — the Imperial Guardsman confirmed, his voice regaining its former sharp and confident notes. — It is located in the Deep Core. Once there was an organized resettlement mission, but I do not have information about whether it was successful. Some parts of the Imperial Guard were stationed on Byss, but I myself was there a very long time ago and do not possess information about its achievement — there is an unknown hyperspace beacon system operating there...
— It is a pity that you do not have this information, Major Tierce, — Thrawn said. — You could go directly to Byss and ask your master why he called some of your comrades to him and weeded out others, like garbage, allowing them to serve those who were tearing his Empire apart.
— Emperor Palpatine... is alive?! — Tierce' body seemed to turn to wood, and his voice... faltered? But somehow unnaturally. — But... how...?
It cannot be said that Astorian did not understand his interrogatee. Now he experienced exactly the same thing as the guard — shock, incomprehension, disappointment, pain. If the Emperor is alive, then... why did he allow all this? The victory of the rebels, the collapse of the Empire, the internecine war that killed billions of Imperials?!
— Sith techniques, magic or something else — I don't know, I'm not interested in this metaphysics, Major, — Thrawn said. — You said that you do not want to be a statistic for someone's greatness. I suspect that you, with your talents, could have found a place as a military adviser with any of the military leaders, but you came to me. You wanted to serve the most efficient commander because otherwise you cannot exist — you were brought up for such purposes. You can kill me and everyone here in a few seconds — and I believe your words. Just as you must believe your commander. I am ready to accept your service, but in return I demand unconditional loyalty to me and execution of orders without delay and without regret. You will not like my decisions — that's for sure, I can promise. So decide for yourself what is most important to you here and now — to be an Imperial Guard serving Palpatine because you never had any other choice, or to remain in my service and carry out only my orders.
— But, sir, if the Emperor is alive... — Tierce said in confusion, but the lieutenant colonel did not believe him for a moment, — if he managed to survive after Endor...
— His body was destroyed, — the Grand Admiral said. — And you know about this. You are a very bad actor, Major Tierce. You knew everything I just said without me. Like any Imperial Guard — if you did not witness Palpatine's display of power, then you could not fail to know those who saw it personally. For example, those guards who were on the Death Star when Palpatine fought with Darth Vader's former secret apprentice — Galen Marek. There are not so many Imperial Guards to simply not notice their attrition. You are excellently trained, Major. And after everything you have been through, you have not lost your self-awareness and personality as such. It means that in the past you were not just a weapon in Palpatine's hands. Therefore, the question arises — why are you breaking this whole comedy in front of me?
Astorian watched in amazement as a slight smile appeared on the calm face of the major. Which, however, disappeared almost immediately.
— You are even more insightful than indicated in Palpatine's files, Grand Admiral, — Grodin Tierce said. — Yes, you are absolutely right — I know everything that you have voiced. And a lot of what you don't know. I was there, on the Death Star, when that half-breed in Jedi rags almost killed Vader and matched his powers with Palpatine himself. And if the Emperor hadn't finished off the bastard, my company and I would have been the next ones he would have sent to the slaughter against that kid. I saw how the Emperor did what he was killing thousands of sentients across the galaxy for. And I was silent, followed orders, throwing all this out of my head, not focusing on it. He could read the minds of any of us and killed without hesitation those who witnessed his sensitivity to the Force. I don't know why he did it, but he did it. He was a mad son of a bitch, and I was glad to learn that he had finally croaked. I stopped being someone else's slave — do you know what it's like not to belong to yourself, being in the very center of the Empire that is fighting slavery? I was proud to serve as a stormtrooper, I rejoiced when I was selected to become a guard. Understanding Palpatine's double standards did not come quickly, but it did come. You are right — I am smart. Devilishly smart. Therefore, I did not respond to the order to arrive at Byss in order to continue my service to the reviving Palpatine. Like some of my other comrades — we dissolved, became invisible, merged with the crowd of the same faceless and nameless clones. I did not lie — I was watching you, Grand Admiral. I stood guard at the Moff's residence when you talked to the pirates and hired them for dirty work. I was the one who prepared the hall of the residence for you to talk to Mara Jade. I saw how you broke her and if I could, I would have applauded you. But unfortunately, I only watched everything through a hidden camera of the video surveillance system — there are such in every residence. Imperial intelligence used them for surveillance and gathering compromising evidence. If I came to your service earlier to be a stormtrooper, who I always wanted to be, then after what I've heard... You are a damn smart sentient being, Grand Admiral. And therefore you will be disposed of. You are as always insightful, but you do not see the main thing — no one will allow you to gain too much power, enough to subdue the remnants of the Empire, and they are afraid of only this. The conspiracy that you only assume exists is wider than you think. Palpatine secretly controls almost all the Imperial Remnants, and they will become the staging ground for his invasion. You have very accurately identified his motives — he is not interested in the Empire, he is only concerned with destroying his enemies. I decided to reveal myself to you for one simple reason — I believe that you can stop him. Well, or at least try to do it. Your chances are higher than those of others. But you have something that they don't have — the desire to do it. I respect such people, even if you are not of our race.
The Grand Admiral did not answer immediately, silently examining the guard.
But the lieutenant colonel had a question:
— From all this tirade, you have not said a word about the reasons for your interest in the victory over Palpatine, — Astorian said.
— It's all ridiculously simple, — Major Tierce chuckled. — I want to live. Palpatine has already killed almost all those guards who showed willfulness and did not arrive at Byss after his death. My battle comrades, with whom I deserted, are no longer there. Those who were on Byss and reported Palpatine's and his entourage's intentions were also killed. The cover of a stormtrooper was saving me, but I am sure that it would not have lasted long. When Palpatine returns, he will use us again as he does any of his puppets. And then he will throw us out, after playing. Or finish us off for his own amusement. He is no longer who we remember him as. A greedy, crazy old man in a young body, obsessed with revenge and bloody reprisals. He will not even fight for the worlds — he will simply blow them up, thankfully his stock of superweapons is impressive.
— Therefore, you decided to make direct contact with me, — the Grand Admiral finished. — And you acted out the role of an "unknowing conscript" to find out if I would tell you the same thing as with Mara Jade. If what I voiced did not match — you would have killed us all.
— Of course, — Tierce answered simply. — The destruction of witnesses is one of the easiest ways to cover your tracks. And the level of training of the stormtroopers who guard these dungeons is such that to lure any of them here, kill them, disfigure their face, take possession of armor and hide is very easy. But, I dare assure you — you passed the test, Grand Admiral. And this time, without any traps and idioms, I am ready to cooperate. Command — I am at your full disposal.
— Not a bad performance, Major Tierce, — Thrawn clapped his hands. — But you are overestimating yourself. You certainly could have tried to kill me and Lieutenant Colonel Astorian, but you would not have achieved your goal. And I, in turn, would have lost only an excellent donor for cloning.
A smirk appeared on the face of the "stormtrooper".
— The Noghri would not have stopped me, — he stated. — Palpatine trained us to kill them like blind kittens when he found out that Vader had acquired such a brood. You will not find a better bodyguard than me.
— And no one said anything about the Noghri, — Thrawn said calmly.
And in the next moment, the air was pierced by a hiss, and a white-blue energy blade appeared in front of the former Imperial Guard's throat. And after him, at the same time as Major Tierce glanced at the source of the energy threat, a figure appeared from the air, without any warning, chained from head to toe in brown armor. A mask depicting some kind of animal rocked forward.
— Should I kill him, commander? — a muffled voice sounded from under the helmet.
— Good question, — Thrawn said. — I hope you are convinced, Major Tierce, that I do not need a bodyguard?
— Impressive, — he swallowed carefully and suddenly smiled. — However, I prefer ground battles to running around after someone. Stormtrooper TR-889 is ready to carry out any of your orders, Grand Admiral.
— Well, we have agreed, Major, — Thrawn said, looking directly into the discomfited Astorian's eyes. — You have heard a lot. And it is not difficult to understand what is going on. So I will ask only once: are you with me, Lieutenant Colonel?
But after all, he only wanted the Grand Admiral's help in restoring the Imperial Security Service... And now, he has received an offer to participate in the destruction of the insane former ruler of the galaxy, who intends to turn all of them into insane servants?
— Yes, why not? — Astorian tried to smile. But, as always, it looked like a snarl. — But... if we intend to fight against everyone, then we will need a lot of weapons, personnel, and especially — ISB employees. I and a dozen interrogators will not be able to cope with screening all those who intend to stand under your command, Grand Admiral. I simply cannot be in several places at once.
— Do not worry, Lieutenant Colonel, — Thrawn advised him. — This trouble can be easily resolved.