To Command a Galaxy...
SUBMITTED BY:
LC Syrtaras / SCS-1O / VSD Striker
The mighty black hull of the Super Star Destroyer Vengeance was gliding through the blackness of space surrounded by patrolling fighters, Star Destroyers and other capital ships. The whole fleet was orbiting a brown green rather small planet. "Ok, that was it. Excellent job, gentlemen." The Grand Admiral rose from his command chair, signalled to a Lieutenant to turn off the comm and walked towards the turbolift. "Captain, I will have to talk to Grand Admiral Stele. Try to contact him, and inform me when he is responding. I also want to be informed when our ... guests arrive – I want to speak with them before they'll be interrogated. For now, I am in my room should you need me. You have the bridge, Captain." "Grand Admiral Stele, sir?" "Yes, Captain. It is important. You do not have to know anything else at this time. I'll let you know soon enough. For now your orders are clear." "Yes, sir." Captain Paron watched as the turbolift doors closed behind the Grand Admiral. He had not shown any sign of the confidence he had to feel. Paron for his part could not hide a satisfied smile. And he could feel how the tension, that he had felt the whole day and especially during the battle, began to fade away. Yes, it was an excellent job they had done today. It was not only one of the rebels' hidden outposts or one of their command centres; they had managed to take Argon II, the seat of the rebels' headquarter. And along with that the Empire now finally had captured the supreme commanders of the Rebellion: President Solo and Admiral Antilles.
He thought back to the days when he was an Ensign, now 22 years ago. At that time the Empire had already been ruled by the resurrected Emperor Palpatine for eight years. The fleet under the command of Grand Admiral Daemon had managed to recapture several of the Rebellion's key systems with the help of some kind of ancient technology that had been discovered by the Grand Admiral. Captain Starbug was in charge of this ... project for a while, and although dangerous, it proved to be very effective. But with the Empire expanding again and many new recruits joining the ranks, High Command could again rely on standard Fleet and Army units and this project was given up for security reasons and the technology was hidden again somewhere at a secret location.
The Empire had achieved the incredible task of re-conquering half of the galaxy when he had joined the Navy, and now he could see what he always had dreamt of: the final, ultimate destruction of the Rebellion. From this day on it could only be a matter of time until their organisation would collapse. But even now the Empire had to remain vigilant, for there are always individuals who want to spread chaos and oppose law and order. He smiled. Vigilant. That was also the name of a Victory-class Star Destroyer from the now legendary 'Sector Group One', the Fleet all of the Empire's current military leaders had served in, and without which the Empire wouldn't be where it was now. Paron shook his head to get rid of those memories. His thoughts should be here and now, no matter how fascinating the Empire's glorious past was, because if all Imperial Captains would stand on the bridge dreaming of the old days, the Empire's future could be a lot less glorious.
He glanced at the comm station. "Lieutenant, you've heard the Admiral's orders." " Yes, sir." "And when Grand Admiral Stele responds, the transmission should be send directly to Grand Admiral Syrtaras' room. I am sure that their conversation is so highly classified that you couldn't imagine the punishment if you only hear a single word." "U-understood, sir!" Paron wondered what could be of such importance that two of the Empire's highest military leaders had to contact each other via Holonet. All twelve Grand Admirals usually met on Coruscant every two years to report to the Emperor about their tasks, but this was something special. He gazed out the viewport and saw a bulky troop transport escorted by a whole squadron of TIE Advanced. That had to be... "Sir, the transport is hailing us. They request clearance to enter the main hangar. They say they have a ... special cargo." "That's ok Lieutenant. Tell them that they may land. And I want to have ALL imaginable security measures to be initiated immediately. I'll personally inform the Grand Admiral and then we'll ... welcome our guests." Smiling tightly he left the bridge. The certain gleam in his eyes had the Lieutenant carry out his orders without hesitating.
Paron keyed for deck three as he entered the turbolift. That was only two decks below the bridge and it was the deck where Syrtaras' private quarters were located. He took a deep breath before he said: "Captain Paron here, our..." the door slid open and Syrtaras stood before him "Our guests have arrived, Captain. We shouldn't have them wait too long, should we?" "Uh, yes Admiral." "Good, then I think we should head towards the hangar." They both went to the turbolift and as it was on its way to the hangar Paron asked himself what Syrtaras had to discuss with this rebel scum. "A question, Captain? Supposedly about our meeting with President Solo and Admiral Antilles." "Indeed, sir. I do not see that it's necessary to discuss anything with those men. They are traitors to the Empire and they should be executed." "On the contrary, Captain. It is highly important to talk to them as you will soon find out. And concerning your wish to see them executed. It might not come true as soon you probably'd want it to. But you will be explained everything when the time has come. Now all you need to know is that Emperor Daemon has planned something special with those men" The turbolift doors opened and they entered the Vengeance's main hangar.
A whole battalion of stormtroopers stood at attention when they stepped into it. They walked all the way down to the transport that looked rather small compared to the size of this hall. Behind the hangars energy field Paron noticed the usual fighters on patrol and in the distance there was a Star Destroyer orbiting the planet like they did. When they reached the transport its main entrance opened and two older men appeared on the ramp down to the hangar floor. It were Solo and Antilles each escorted by a pair of stormtroopers their hands on their backs. They were pushed down the ramp by the stormtroopers and stopped in front of Captain Paron and the Grand Admiral. "Please relieve them of those ... bonds. They are our guests." The troopers seemed surprised but they did as they were ordered. The two prisoners looked at Syrtaras in disbelief. "Mr. Solo, Mr. Antilles, I am Grand Admiral Syrtaras. It is a pleasure to meet you. Welcome aboard the Imperial Super Star Destroyer Vengeance."
To be continued...
by Lt. Commander Syrtaras