Colonel Wessiri gave a friendly smile to the technician who had reported the completion of maintenance on the Brill-series freighter and leisurely headed toward the ramp.
When he boarded, the ship's crew silently began performing their duties.
Wessiri himself went to the freighter captain's cabin, where he activated a holoterminal.
The Director answered almost instantly:
"Report, Colonel," were the first words from the hologram of Ysanne Isard.
"I have successfully negotiated the supply of electronics to the shipyards," the squadron commander reported. "Rendili StarDrive is in need of this kind of import, so it caused no problems."
"In other words, we have full access to the dock where the Lusankya is berthed?" Isard clarified.
Wessiri smiled.
"No, Madam Director," he said. "We have access to the Lusankya herself. The main hangar, to be precise."
The hologram's expression didn't even think of changing.
"Is that so," she said thoughtfully. "Interesting. The carelessness of the Rendili people has always irritated me, but now it plays into our hands."
"Exactly," Wessiri confirmed. "The access codes are long-term, changing every week. The timing coincides with one round trip for parts."
"In other words, you have already received the access codes, and when you return with the first batch of cargo, you will be issued new codes," Isard outlined her understanding of the situation. "This is excellent news."
"I was sure you would like this news," Wessiri smiled almost imperceptibly. "Against the backdrop of the rout of the ×1 and Devian factions that Thrawn orchestrated, while he himself remained alive…"
A shadow passed over the Iceheart's face.
"The failure of Rogue Squadron was more than predictable," she said indifferently. "Within acceptable limits. The fact that Thrawn survived will only further our cause."
"The Lusankya will be ready soon," Wessiri noted. "The main engines, weapons, defense systems are being installed… The Republicans will be able to use the ship soon enough."
"Only in their dreams," Isard smiled. "They are rushing to get the ship into a counterstrike against Thrawn, whom the New Republic believes is weakened. This fits into the concept of a final blow. Soon they will clash decisively with each other, weakening both sides to the maximum."
"Since Devian fell to the Dominion fleet, the most likely new target for the New Republic is Lianna," Wessiri estimated.
"Exactly," Isard said, smiling. "That is precisely the operation the Republicans are preparing the Lusankya for. Well… Let them do it. But only so that my return to the galaxy will be triumphant. With a single blow, I will destroy both Thrawn and the New Republic fleet, seizing control of Lianna. Following that, we will attack the Dominion and subjugate it as well. Thus, I will present the Emperor with four victories instead of one."
"Yes, Madam Director," the colonel agreed obediently. "I am moving to the rendezvous point."
"The Emperor's Will will be waiting for you there, Colonel Wessiri," the Iceheart stated coldly, cutting off the holographic connection.
The man sat in silence for a while, then headed for the freighter's helm.
* * *
Former Coordinator Sergius meticulously placed his work tools into a special cart, then unhurriedly headed toward the hangar exit.
The Brill-type freighter was slowly departing Rendili StarDrive, heading away from the planet to engage its hyperdrive and escape the system to its mistress.
Bravo-Two, as if casually, activated a small technical deck.
The signal from the installed beacon was working perfectly.
Just like the dozen buzz droids of the "Morrt" project that Colonel Wessiri was delivering straight to the Iceheart.
And then, those responsible for both their heads would come.
He would come. Bravo-Two.
Unlike many other coordinators of the Ubiqtorate, Sergius had never left the deaths of his subordinates unanswered.
And with his transfer to the service of Grand Admiral Thrawn, nothing had changed. On the contrary, this point of view had found a response in the heart of the Supreme Commander.
He only asked to be patient.
"Very soon we will meet," the Dominion agent said quietly. "And you bastards will answer for the deaths of Molo and his group."
It would happen.
It would definitely happen.
Well, for now…
"Hey, worker!" a foreman called out to the Dominion agent. "Did you pump fuel into the Brill?"
"Of course," Sergius nodded. "Everything's great!"
"Well, don't just stand there like a statue," the foreman waved his hand toward the main dock airlock. "Go, get the fuel system on the Lusankya working. They're having power output problems again."
"I'm on it," the agent directed the cart in the indicated direction.
Very soon.
Just had to wait.
* * *
The Svekk star system lurked in Quadrant N-14.
Far beyond the limits of known space.
Quite deep in Wild Space.
However, that did not stop the operational-tactical group, led by the Star Destroyer Relentless, from searching for the location of the renegade Moff Delurin.
These searches had taken Dominion Intelligence almost an eternity by fleet officers' reckoning, but the result was worth it.
"Star system, registering five planets orbiting the local star," the scanning systems operator reported. Then, a second later, he added:
"Correction, six planets, sir."
Captain Mor kept his eyes fixed on the tactical hologram, onto which data from the entire group's scanning systems was being plotted.
The Interdictor-class Star Destroyer named Prison with the characteristic languor of starships of this type spread its gravity well projector vectors, blocking the vector for exiting the system just as a contact for an unknown starship appeared on the hologram.
Unknown only to those who did not know what they had come to this distant part of the galaxy for.
"Starship identified, sir," the watch officer reported. "It's the Galactic Dragon."
"Inform the Chimaera that we have found the ship," Alexander ordered, straightening his shoulders and approaching the main viewport. "Launch the corvette, deploy fighters, raise deflectors. Are the firing sectors distributed?"
"Aye, aye, sir!" the senior gunner called out.
"We are being hailed, sir!" came the report from the comms section.
"Connect us," Captain Mor cracked his neck and straightened his tunic.
A volumetric blue-and-white projection of a middle-aged man materialized from the nearest holoprojector.
He was clad in armor that was quite interesting from an aesthetic standpoint, made in the shape of some kind of dragons or snakes intertwined with each other. On his shoulders sat the fleshless skulls of some kind of lizards.
These skulls looked truly disgusting.
Moff Delurin and his Dragon Warriors.
"Commander of Wild Space, Moff Delurin, speaking," the man said in a booming voice. "You have violated the borders of my domain. Surrender immediately to my forces. Otherwise, my fleet will destroy your pathetic Destroyer, and the Dragon Warriors will slaughter your crew…"
Alexander gave a polite smile, though at that moment he felt an extremely strong desire to introduce his boot to the face of this vile slug who had fled to his tiny little kingdom during the hardest time for all patriots of Imperial traditions and legality.
"Captain Mor speaking, Star Destroyer Inexorable, Dominion," Alexander introduced himself. "I have a more interesting proposal, Moff. In the name of the Supreme Commander of the Empire, Grand Admiral Thrawn, I order you to lay down your arms, put the Galactic Dragon into a drift, before my stormtroopers and I pry open your tin can from bow to stern. I assure you, I will then kick you all the way to the capital, where you will be convicted of high treason. You can avoid bloodshed and prosecution if you immediately swear allegiance to Grand Admiral Thrawn and transfer control of your armed forces to me."
"There is no treason," Delurin snorted. "Just as there is no Empire anymore. Your upstart with aurodium epaulets is not my authority. My cruiser is equipped with proton torpedo launchers, which I will gladly use to punch holes in your vessel. And then I'll capture both your Inexorable and the Interdictor. You thought you could capture me with just four corvettes and two Destroyers? Pff, that's not even funny, you fool."
"Well, I gave you a chance to save yourself and the lives of your crew," Captain Mor said with a crooked smile. "As for the fool… Count the ships first, traitor."
A second earlier, three Venator-class Star Destroyers and four Acclamator-class assault ships carrying troops emerged from hyperspace.
"You think you can scare me with this old junk?" Delurin laughed. "Oh, I'm so scared, so scared…"
"Let's see how you sing when you get a taste of vacuum," Mor snorted, turning toward the comms section. "Dragon-Two, open fire."
Before the Galactic Dragon approached within firing range, the ion cannon struck.
And another two hours later, stormtroopers from the Inexorable were already finishing off the rare surviving reptiles and crew members aboard the disabled ship.
Only after that did they begin capturing the Svekk system.
They had to work hard with Delurin's Dragon Warriors, of course, but had there ever been a situation Dominion stormtroopers couldn't handle?
* * *
Luke's eyes snapped open, and he felt himself falling forward.
The young man, having lost his spatial orientation for a moment, breathed rapidly, hoping to calm his wildly pounding heart.
It seemed he had been meditating for too long, as he couldn't quite come to his senses and realize where he actually was.
Calling upon the Force, he calmed his mind, which was overflowing with images of a possible future.
"Luke," the voice of Irenez reached him, coming from his comlink. "Are you alright?"
He had to resort to Jedi calming techniques to keep his voice from sounding worried.
"Yes," he replied. "Everything… is fine. I'm fine."
"Doesn't sound like it," Irenez concluded.
The Corellian woman had obviously caught something in his voice that he hadn't managed to hide from her.
"No, I'm fine," Skywalker repeated.
"What an interesting way to put it," distrust crept into Irenez's voice. "'Not fine' is somewhere else, isn't it?"
Honestly, he didn't want to discuss what he had seen, but…
Who else but Irenez, who had become a friend during his time of voluntary hermitage, deserved to hear the truth?
Steeling his heart, Luke realized he had no right to reveal his visions.
It was all too… Blurry.
First, he needed to think it all through. Perhaps — consult with Han, Leia, Chewbacca, Lando… The images of a possible future he had seen were too important and troubling to simply be "noted."
"I saw a lot," the young Jedi replied, stretching his numb limbs. "I'll be back at the ship soon."
"I'll be waiting," Irenez replied. "Good thing you answered the call. After your scream, R2-D2 was already planning to go after you into that horrible cave. Even despite your orders."
He was still trembling violently, and his clothes were soaked through with sweat, sticking to his body and giving him a most unpleasant feeling.
But he still allowed himself a smile.
The astromech did not love this place on Dagobah, where Luke always emerged quite exhausted.
And R2 would be categorically indignant when Luke, after resting, would return to the cave where he had first fought his father, over and over again.
But he had achieved his goal.
Probably.
When, a few minutes later, he emerged from the cave, he was met by the wary, cautious gaze of Irenez standing next to their freighter.
And a deafening whistle from his loyal astromech that bordered on ultrasound.
R2 did not stop expressing his joy at seeing his master alive, even after rolling over and bumping into Luke's leg like a loyal pet.
His knee hurt, but Skywalker smiled.
"Sorry for making you worry," he said, looking apologetically at the waiting woman and patting the astromech's domed head.
"Did something bad happen in there?" Irenez tried to appear unruffled, but even despite the proximity of the Dark Side, Luke could feel her anxiety. "Before, when you went in there, you… never made a sound. But now…"
So he had screamed after all…
"Awkward moment," he tried to smile. "Just… fell over when I finished meditating."
"Oh, really?" Irenez snorted, giving him a traditional Corellian look, but didn't continue her interrogation. "There's some food left from lunch in the galley…"
"I'll eat on the way," Luke promised.
"We're leaving?" Irenez raised an eyebrow.
"Yes," Luke nodded. "I… I saw a planet. We need to find it. What's there," he hesitated. "What could be there plays a big role in rebuilding the Jedi Order. I can't allow anyone with ill intentions to get their hands on that knowledge."
"Someone like the Empire?" Irenez clarified.
Luke shook his head negatively.
"Much worse," he said. "Those who tried to kidnap me on Polis Massa are hunting for this planet."
"I'll take care of pre-flight checks," Irene declared, heading for the ramp.
"Thanks," Luke thanked his partner. "I'm a little... out of sorts."
R2 beeped excitedly, deploying a scanning antenna from its body.
"If you want, I can keep you company in the cockpit," Luke offered, awkwardly looking away, understanding the absurdity of his impulse given the situation...
But Irene, contrary to his expectations, didn't even think of teasing him.
Instead, the young woman simply smiled:
"I don't mind," she said. "But first — a shower. Sorry, Jedi Knight, but you smell like you crawled out of a sarlacc's mouth."
Luke didn't appreciate the joke, but he still managed a strained smile.
Because Irene, without knowing it, had hit the mark.
That was exactly how Luke felt.
* * *
The Zygerrian spun a credit chip between his fingers, as if the gesture could somehow help verify its authenticity.
"Thanks for disabling the security, Alaf," Jahan told him, adjusting the unconscious body of Ellie Stark more comfortably over his shoulder. "I'd advise you to leave the Corporate Sector. The sooner, the better."
"I'll handle it," the other man replied indifferently. "Forget about Alaf, Cross. I'm Afar Sagaal Shan again now. Alaf Sagaal Shan died today. Right around the time the 'Rossum' automated factory exploded."
The two former Imperial agents could only speak to each other using their real names within a small circle of beings.
And both knew perfectly well that nothing in the galaxy would make one betray the other.
"You hinting you're going off the grid?" the spy raised an eyebrow.
"I'll shed one identity and take on another," the Zygerrian shrugged casually. "It's easier for me than for humans. Change my name, trim my fur — and I'm a different Zygerrian emigrant."
Cross carefully laid the body of the girl, knocked out by a stunner shot, onto the back seat of the airspeeder.
Then he straightened up and looked the mercenary in the face.
"The Hutts won't fall for that so easily," he reminded him. "They know exactly what you're capable of. And how to track you down."
"I got rid of my weapon collection ages ago," the Zygerrian smirked. "Let them search as much as their tails desire."
"There's another option," the Imperial said meaningfully, nodding almost imperceptibly toward the peacefully sleeping Rederick in the second speeder.
"Sell myself to the Dominion?" 'Alaf' laughed softly. "I don't think they'd appreciate me torturing their agent half to death."
"Let's say the kid's own fault for not stating the password sooner," Cross countered. "From what I've heard, Thrawn welcomes former Imperials willing to swear allegiance to the Dominion. With your experience and knowledge of the criminal underworld, you could be useful to them. Right now, you're more valuable than that punk who nearly died from his own stupidity."
"Wanted to impress Vex," the Zygerrian snorted, both contemptuously and mockingly.
"When I was his age, I did the same thing the first time I met Aveka," Cross said with a wistful smile.
"Agents are getting smaller," the Zygerrian shook his head. "No continuity between generations. The current Ubiqtorate isn't what it used to be. They destroyed a system that could have fixed everything if it had fallen into the right hands."
"This new kid," Jahan said, looking at his Sluissi friend who was silently berating him for the delay. "Still has a lot to learn. Along with others like him."
"Decided to settle under Thrawn's wing?" the Zygerrian asked with neutral intonation.
"I could try," the special agent replied after a few seconds of silence. "If I realize this version of the Empire is no good either, I'll disappear again."
"And I'll have to hide you in Hutt Space again," Afar chuckled without malice.
"You made good money off it," Jahan reminded him.
"Just like I did on this operation to rescue your girlfriend," the Zygerrian noted. "Maybe you can explain why you needed to involve the kid?"
"A simple test," Jahan explained. "The current generation of agents can no longer make sacrifices for the sake of a mission. Duty and honor mean little to them — I've encountered the Ubiqtorate's new agents. Rodian bounty hunters are more dangerous than them."
"And did he pass your test?" Afar inquired.
"There's a core inside him," Jahan admitted. "If he's not the only one in the whole Dominion, then I think I've found my quiet harbor."
"You sure?" he nodded doubtfully toward Aveka Dunn, lying in the seat next to the Dominion agent. Like Ellie Stark, this girl from Jahan Cross's past was also unconscious. But this one had been knocked out by the peacefully snoring Dominion agent himself. Which was quite a feat. "He decided to take Vex with him."
"First trophy during deep infiltration," Jahan sighed sadly. "You know the tradition. Plus, there's plenty of information to extract from Aveka."
"I think the kid actually fell for her," Afar disagreed.
"Who among us hasn't fallen for Vex after the first sparring match?" Cross laughed good-naturedly, extending his hand. "If you need me — you know how to contact me or Alexsy."
"Likewise," Afar returned the handshake. "Hopefully it won't come to that."
And a minute later, he vanished into the night.