Nine years, nine months, and twenty-three days after the Battle of Yavin...
Or forty-four years, nine months, and twenty-one days after the Great Resynchronization.
(Five months and eight days since the Arrival.)
Whistling a cheerful tune, quietly enough not to pester the surrounding beings with unnecessary questions about his mental state, Moff Victus entered his office.
The man walked to his desk, carelessly tossing a datapad with the latest intelligence data onto it, and flopped into his chair.
Turning his back to the entrance, still humming the well-known melody, he poured himself a glass of Corellian whiskey.
The drink had cost him a great deal at the time — it was, after all, a collector's series.
He'd kept this bottle virtually untouched for several years because there'd been no occasion to open it.
But today's news had definitely pleased him.
It might not be a grand victory, but there was still a good reason to celebrate.
Because the threat, while not yet past, had been postponed.
And judging by the trend, it was fading away entirely.
Taking a sip, he savored the truly divine taste of the drink, then added ice and turned to face his workstation.
"Your bantha!" He instinctively recoiled, splashing whiskey.
"You're in a good mood, Moff Victus," said the man standing before him.
About five meters and a heavy desktop separated them, but the very fact that a man who hadn't been there a few minutes ago was in his office was frankly frightening.
As was the fact that the security alarm hadn't gone off.
And not a single Hutt-forsaken sound had been heard!
"You've gotten completely brazen!" he roared, setting the glass aside and shaking droplets of the precious collector's liquid from his tunic. "This single glass cost a couple of hundred credits!"
"An expensive vessel for overhyped swill," the man chuckled. "Should I compensate you for the drops you spilled in a fit of fear?"
"How did you get into my office?!!" Victus snarled back, letting the jab pass and scanning the room to understand how this could have happened without his knowledge.
"The same way as always," the man replied calmly. "With your permission, I'll take a seat."
"I didn't permit that!" the Moff hissed.
"I'll take a seat anyway," the man pulled up a soft armchair and lounged in it as if he were the owner of the office. "It occurred to me that, in light of recent news, we should talk."
"Well, such thoughts haven't crossed my mind," Victus grumbled. "I've changed my mind."
"Oh," the visitor smiled knowingly. "I think it's because you've received data about the New Republic withdrawing some of the ships blockading Lianna."
"Our intelligence works; it doesn't rely on cheap tricks," the office's owner snorted.
"Now I understand where this sudden pride and arrogance came from," the visitor smiled. "You actually believed everything would work out."
"The New Republic has withdrawn half its star cruisers," Joshua said. "And the rest pose no threat to us in a direct attack — we'll tear them apart right in orbit."
"Only if you call Moff Gronn and his ships for help," the guest smiled.
"We're perfectly capable of fighting off that junk the New Republic is trying to scare us with on our own," Joshua declared.
The visitor smiled for a moment, then asked:
"So I take it that's a subtle hint that you don't intend to continue our cooperation?"
"I'm telling you in plain language," Moff Victus said irritably. "You came to me in a difficult time. And the agreement — my loyalty in exchange for preserving Lianna's security — was dictated precisely by the New Republic threat. That's gone now."
"That doesn't mean the threat won't reappear," the visitor noted. "I wouldn't advise you to just up and refuse cooperation with me and those who sent me here."
"Go to hell!" Victus advised. "Do you think I haven't figured out which way the wind blows? Maybe the New Republic is lying about how they're acting against us, but your 'benefactor' is clearly just using the situation to his advantage. You took advantage of my desperation and conveniently showed up at the right time, in the right place. The pressure is off. According to my information, the New Republic is postponing the assault on Lianna. That breather will be enough for me to buy help."
There were thousands of mercenaries and pirate fleets in the galaxy who would gladly provide their services in exchange for cold, hard credits.
To tell the truth, Joshua had already lined up a good dozen fairly large groups that would, one way or another, assist him in defending Lianna.
"You reproach us for acting according to circumstances," the interlocutor laughed quietly. "As if that were something bad."
"Get out of my office," Joshua snarled. "Before I call security and you spend the rest of your life in a detention cell."
"As you wish, Moff," the interlocutor declared in an icy tone, his goodwill evaporating instantly. "With that, our offer is withdrawn. The next time you need our help, remember first what you said here and now."
"I certainly won't forget it," Joshua snorted.
"And we certainly won't either." The look the interlocutor gave him was deeply unsettling.
But the choice was made.
Backtracking now would be foolish.
And pointless.
* * *
The hologram of the New Republic Defense Force Supreme Commander, General Garm Bel Iblis, looked imposing.
Anyone who could claim to have known the Corellian during his time in the Senate, or had seen holo-recordings of his speeches, would say this being had returned to the past and once again, as before, embodied power, confidence, and resolve.
Lord Quest was precisely one of those people.
"Citizens of the New Republic!" Bel Iblis addressed the viewers in a booming, resolute voice. "In this difficult time for our state, I am pleased to inform you that deliverance is near..."
"Oh, sure," Jax snorted, sitting nearby and fidgeting with the dice he was making spin before him with telekinesis.
The Emperor's Hand chose to remain silent about such childishness, turning his attention to the Republic news broadcast.
."..several years ago, brave soldiers of the New Republic, under the command of General Wedge Antilles, captured the Star Dreadnought Lusankya," the hologram reminded. "This symbol of Imperial-era terror has long been in the New Republic's reserves. But now, the time has come. We have repaired this vessel, and now it will serve the right cause, transformed from a tool of terror and oppression into our sword against the forces of evil..."
"And a scratching post for his own libido," Carnor added.
Sartsev remained silent, intrigued by the Republic military leader's message.
Beings like him didn't often appear in news reports, broadcasting across the entire galaxy.
It seemed the Corellian had decided to follow the example of Grand Admiral Thrawn, who had first put such a practice into motion. And he was reaping decent political dividends from it.
The talk and gossip that Sartsev's personal informants relayed to him said it all.
With the loss of the Ubiqtorate, the military — who previously wouldn't have dared peep against the current authority — were starting to lift their heads, discussing the events unfolding in the galaxy.
But that was only half the trouble.
In the Pentastar Alignment, the crews of several combat starships had already deserted — along with their ships. You didn't need to be a prophet to know exactly where they had gone.
The Dominion was welcoming defectors with open arms.
And the fact that Grand Moff Kaine had done nothing to punish the deserters only added fuel to the fire.
The hastily created punitive squads couldn't cover the vacuum of durasteel will with which the Ubiqtorate had held power in Imperial Space. Or in the Alignment, for that matter, to be honest.
Many military personnel in Orinda remembered the Ubiqtorate for destroying the passenger liner carrying the families of the Void Wanderer's crew and the show trial execution of General Theol Drost, who had helped the traitors.
And now, potential defectors were clearly plotting something sinister.
In the best-case scenario — desertion to serve Thrawn, whom they clearly saw as an independent ruler.
In the worst-case scenario — with their help, the Grand Admiral might attempt to organize a military coup in Imperial Space.
Without directly interfering in what was happening inside the territories controlled by Orinda, the Grand Admiral could use the traitors to destroy the Imperial Ruling Council.
And then, with ease, exploit the power vacuum resulting from these "unfortunate accidents" and seize Orinda and its territories for himself.
Whether this happened now or after the conspirators got rid of Palpatine was not so important.
The main thing was that such a possibility existed. And with each passing day, it became more and more real.
Spies had been reporting ever since the Void Wanderer's desertion and the subsequent disappearance of the Ubiqtorate's destroyers that the Bilbringi garrison was showing insubordination.
Just like on Ord Trasi, there was a considerable number of Thrawn's supporters there — supporters he had, for some reason, decided to forget about six months ago, ceasing to use those shipyards.
Back then, it had seemed like just a whim from an overreaching Grand Admiral who had decided to go on a solo performance. Good riddance, as far as they were concerned.
But in the current situation, a rather unpleasant picture was beginning to emerge.
Sartsev had done extensive work to move Drost's and Captain Abyss's acquaintances and colleagues, Thrawn's supporters, away from Bilbringi and Dominion territories — to the southern borders of Imperial Space.
But there were always those who fled their posts and were clearly heading for Thrawn.
The Ubiqtorate had killed many, holding the rest in check through fear of execution.
And now the Imperial Intelligence command was gone.
Most of the agents and operatives (why hide it — virtually all of them) had been killed. Agent Blackhole had vanished, along with the remnants of his fleet.
And once again, the threat of rebellion loomed.
Yes, that was probably exactly how Thrawn had planned it.
And he had undoubtedly been nursing this plan ever since his return from the Unknown Regions.
And now, step by step, he was implementing the total subjugation of the Empire.
And Palpatine was in his way...
Something that could serve as a basis for getting closer to him. But that was a stupid idea — the conspirators would give themselves away, and the Grand Admiral would easily dispose of them, simply reporting them to Palpatine.
No, the game had to be played more subtly.
"We have suffered greatly from the baseless and barbaric attacks by the Empire and its satellites on the New Republic," Garm Bel Iblis continued his broadcast.
"Oh, sure, 'baseless,'" Jax snorted. "First, he himself broke the unofficial truce and kept attacking Imperial facilities, and now he's pretending to be innocent."
"We have lost many, but now we are ready to strike back at our enemies," the Corellian declared. "I am pleased to announce that the repairs on the Lusankya will be finished in three days. And immediately after that, citizens, we will strike our enemies, completely eliminating the threats to the New Republic's existence. One by one, we will root the Imperials out of the galaxy's body and establish peace. For the better development of freedom and prosperity for every world..."
After enduring a few more minutes of Republic propaganda, Lord Quest turned off the recording.
Listening a second time to the Republican's pompous promises about destroying all supporters of Imperial values who were not their allies and posed a danger did not bring Lord Quest any pleasure.
"The Republicans have completely lost their nerve," Jax declared, flicking his hand to send the dice into the wall.
The force of the impact was such that the tiny objects shattered into pieces with a characteristic sound.
"They dare threaten us," the Guardsman continued his rant. "When I come to power, I'll strangle every last one of them with my own hands."
"Patience," the advisor replied, processing mental operations. "We need to act more subtly."
"You suggest we keep rattling our sabers, waiting for the time to carry out Palpatine's orders?" Jax bared his teeth. "I'm sick and tired of wasting time and waiting until I can cut through his rotten neck and take what's rightfully mine."
"But we shouldn't commit stupid, rash acts either," Quest stated judiciously.
Of course, the Imperial Guardsman had no right whatsoever to the Imperial throne.
Even as a Force-sensitive being, he remained nothing but an impostor who, as yet, represented nothing more than a bundle of ambition.
And this suited Sartsev perfectly — pushing forward a young and brash pretender to the Imperial throne so that he himself could remain in the shadows and hold power over the entire Empire, while Jax played the role of nominal leader.
As the Emperor's Hand, Sartsev had shone at court and enjoyed the life he had been granted. He was the only one lucky enough to escape Palpatine's wrath after he had bedded the mistress (and fellow secret agent of the Emperor) of the ruler of the Galactic Empire.
After Endor, the idiot woman had, of course, disappeared and was probably dead, but Sartsev, who had briefly considered finding her, was no longer interested.
His mind was occupied with how to replicate the fate of Sate Pestage in his best years. Avoiding the unpleasant end, of course.
And Carnor Jax was a perfect fit for that role.
Ambitious and arrogant, he had nonetheless served with distinction as one of the Emperor's bodyguards in the past. However, throughout his service in the Empire, his loyalty was tied not to Palpatine, but to himself and his chances of rising to the heights of power.
It remained a mystery how Jax had managed to pass the grueling selections for the Imperial Guard and conceal his thoughts and intentions from Palpatine for so many years, not to mention his Force-sensitivity.
Jax had not been present on the second Death Star during the Battle of Endor, and thus had avoided death.
Along with part of the Imperial Guard, he had remained at the Palace on Coruscant when news of Palpatine's death arrived. Since Jax had no significant position at court at the time (and without his helmet, only his fellow guardsmen had seen him back then, let alone anyone more important), he had realized his ambitious plans for power by serving Sate Pestage, who had taken the Emperor's place.
After the Grand Vizier died with his throat crushed by Admiral Krennel's mechanical hand, Jax "inheritedly" came under the wing of Imperial Intelligence Director Ysanne Isard, along with the rest of the Guardsmen.
And that was when the feeding of his ambitions with real deeds began.
Persistent and zealous service to those in power had borne fruit.
On Isard's orders, Jax and several other Guardsmen were placed under the command of one of Isard's agents — Lumiya. Who, it turned out, was a Force adept.
It was Lumiya who first recognized Jax's potential in the Force and began training him as her Sith apprentice. Together, they had eliminated many of the former Emperor's dignitaries who had ensured his defeat at Endor, including those who were versed in the Force.
Whether Jax had been trained by anyone besides Lumiya, Quest didn't know, but he assumed his ally wasn't being completely open with him. During his Force training under Lumiya, Jax had specialized in telekinesis and precognition.
It was she who, by advancing and mentoring her apprentice, gradually introduced him into circles of power, arranging meetings with many high-ranking figures in Imperial politics.
That was how he met Lord Quest, who had already taken his seat on the Imperial Ruling Council.
As an experienced and skilled intriguer, Sartsev Quest saw in Lumiya's apprentice exactly what he needed to seize real power in the Empire for himself.
A nominal leader and military commander.
Trained as an Imperial Guardsman, Jax — since he had been in the Emperor's personal guard — possessed outstanding command abilities that could prove useful in future military campaigns.
After Lumiya disappeared, killed during another hunt on Isard's orders, even before the latter was splattered across the orbit of Thyferra, Jax was left alone, and now Quest could mold him into whatever he wished.
Time passed, but the goal of the former Emperor's Hand remained the same: gaining control over the Empire.
Not a piece of it, not Imperial Space, but the entire Empire.
And for that, it was worth straining his mental faculties to eliminate any obstacles in his plan.
"Things are about to get really hot," Jax declared. "The Republicans, if they're not lying, will bring the Lusankya into service in three days. We'll need a powerful strike group under operational command to be able to strike wherever that worthless Corellian sticks the Star Dreadnought."
"The strike group is already assembled," Quest stated. He had given that order back when the ship had first appeared at Rendili.
The best captains and crews available in Imperial Space.
And most importantly — utterly loyal to Quest himself.
"In that case, we should launch a preemptive strike," Quest declared. "Destroy the ship before it becomes a threat to us. The New Republic with the Lusankya on one side, Kaine, his Alignment and the Reaper on another, Thrawn on a third... We might not last long enough after the old man on the throne dies if we leave a ship like that in Republican hands!"
A valid and timely observation, but there were certain nuances.
Thinking like a military leader and Guardsman, Jax sought to destroy the enemy, without much consideration for alternatives to his decisions.
It was precisely this narrow-mindedness that made him an excellent puppet.
"By the time Palpatine dies, you will have already taken his place," Quest promised. "I figured out the secret of his immortality during my last assignment to Byss."
"Really?" Jax perked up. "And what is it?"
"Clones," Sartsev looked at his co-conspirator. "He has so many they'd make a whole combat squad."
"So he can prolong his life indefinitely," Jax said, disappointed.
"Only if you don't kill them all," Quest remarked cheerfully.
"I'm not suicidal," Jax firmly defined his place in the galaxy.
"Of course, of course," Quest agreed. "I've found a way to contact Palpatine's personal physician, who services the clones. When things start, I'll have more opportunities to visit Byss. I want to try the option of bribing the doctor."
"So he'd sabotage the clones?" Jax immediately caught on.
"Yes, that would solve the rebirth problem," Quest confirmed. "But killing him still has to be done first."
No matter how he felt about Jax, compared to Palpatine's power, the former was merely a pale shadow. In open combat, the Emperor would simply destroy the insolent Guardsman and not even notice he'd done it.
"I need knowledge of the Dark Side," the Guardsman declared. "I've already mastered everything I know. To kill Palpatine, I need more..."
Idiot, Quest concluded.
"Everything must be done gradually," he said emphatically. "First, we need to get you back into Palpatine's inner circle."
"That won't be so easy," Jax stated. "The psycho might remember I didn't answer his summons to appear on Byss."
"Who would think you're the first to do that?" Sartsev grinned. "There's nothing terrible about it."
It would have been much harder if Quest, as he had previously planned, had trusted his premonition and made Jax a member of the Imperial Ruling Council, placing an operational group under his command to earn political points in small campaigns against the New Republic.
But the distortion in the Force that the former Emperor's Hand had sensed about six months ago, while pondering those very thoughts, had stopped him from making a rash decision.
And as time showed, it had been the right move.
"We need to figure out how to get close to Palpatine," Jax said furiously, sweeping his closed Guardsman helmet off the edge of the holographic terminal with a blow of his hand — a role he continued to play.
Nothing was simpler for keeping an ally always at hand: pass him off as your Imperial Guardsman, protecting you day and night.
And no questions about why you spent so much time together behind closed doors. Naturally, they were both working.
"Stop damaging your uniform," Quest ordered, using telekinesis to pull the helmet back. "I've already solved that problem."
"I wonder how?" Carnor asked sarcastically.
"The same way as always — groveling and describing how worried I am about the future of the Empire and the Emperor's safety," Quest chuckled softly. "The old senile fool is so filled with the belief that he's surrounded by nothing but loyalists that he doesn't notice people practically spitting in his back."
"Yes, you have to hand it to him — gathering the most talented scum available in the Empire all around him," Jax laughed, supporting his comrade. "So, what did you do?"
"I arranged for you to become one of the Imperial Sovereign Protectors," Quest said.
A shadow crossed Jax's face.
Only the best of the Imperial Guardsmen were specially selected to become Sovereign Protectors. In the past, they underwent years of selection and training procedures aimed at achieving perfection in military matters. Extremely high standards were set for combat training, endurance, strength, agility, mental sharpness, reaction time, loyalty, and intellect. They accompanied Palpatine on his secret trips without pause or were dispatched by him on the most important secret missions in the Emperor's own interests.
Among their duties was piloting small escort craft for Palpatine's ships, such as his personal shuttle.
As a rule, those who lacked a strong connection to the Force received basic training in the fundamentals of handling that energy. Combined with careful selection and brainwashing during preparation, this was enough to make them worthy opponents for various kinds of gifted individuals: Jedi and Sith who risked trying to kill Palpatine in direct confrontation.
But still, the entire complex of training for service at such a high post was guaranteed to destroy any trace of independence and personal ambition in them. It was rumored that the best of them were later trained as dark Jedi, but there was no way to verify these rumors, because if there was one thing the Emperor knew how to do, it was keep his secrets.
Even so many years after his apparent death, no one had managed to solve the mystery of the past — whether or not Shadow Guardsmen trained as Jedi existed in his circle.
Perhaps all the rumors were created just so that Force-sensitive beings would strive for selfless service to Palpatine, and this approach might help identify potentially dangerous individuals capable of sensing and directing the Force.
"You want to send me for brainwashing and drill, Quest?" Jax hissed, placing his hand on his blaster.
"I need you," the advisor stated. "I wouldn't risk it that way. No, you'll be made a Sovereign Protector without any screening. As far as I understand, someone has opened a hunting season on Palpatine's Dark Side Elite. Membership in the Sovereign Protectors and your Force-sensitivity will allow you to get close to Palpatine for the decisive blow at the right moment. Besides, it will give you a chance to find those who will serve you later."
"There are bound to be people in Palpatine's inner circle who will happily switch sides when I destroy him," Carnor reluctantly agreed with the reasoning. "Alright, but how do you plan to achieve this?"
"General Bel Iblis will help us with that," Quest smirked, nodding toward the holoprojector.
"The Lusankya," Jax narrowed his eyes.
"Exactly," Lord Quest agreed. "In the past, it was the Iceheart's favorite toy, which she so ineptly lost. Along with her own life. You will lead a strike group consisting of Star Destroyers from the strike group I already told you about. You will strike Rendili, capture the Star Dreadnought, and bring it to Orinda. I will deliver the ship and you to Palpatine. Preliminary arrangements for your transfer to the Sovereign Protectors are already in place. Palpatine, frankly, doesn't care — he's dreaming night and day about capturing Skywalker and destroying the New Republic."
"Then what's the whole circus for?" Jax winced.
"For your future advisors," Quest chuckled. "Such a grand victory over the New Republic, snatching the Lusankya from them right after they decide to go on the offensive, will be the prologue to your ascension. You will prove to everyone in the Empire and the other Remnants just how great and talented you are in military affairs."
"And you won't miss the opportunity to use the situation and say you've been preparing for this ever since the Lusankya fell into rebel hands," Jax wasn't asking, he was stating. "You want to curry favor with Palpatine to have a safety net in case I fail, don't you, Advisor?"
And this perspicacity of his did not please Quest.
As an obedient puppet, he suited Sartsev perfectly, but as a man capable of discerning hidden pitfalls, ready to play his own game...
It seemed the seeds of Lumiya's teachings had not been fully eradicated by the former Emperor's Hand.
Ambition was beginning to outweigh the usefulness of this being.
Sartsev knew perfectly well the strengths and weaknesses of the man standing before him, and knew he was not particularly skilled in subtle Force manipulations to read the advisor's emotions.
But if he could so easily see Sartsev's plans, this could become a problem.
Even when they first met, Jax had proven he possessed precognitive abilities, and not just those used on the battlefield.
For some reason, he couldn't predict Thrawn's strikes, but he had seen through Quest.
For the first time since they had been working together.
What was that, if not a warning sign?
Quick decision-making and the ability to find optimal solutions in the most hopeless situations — that was what had always set Quest apart at the Imperial Palace.
He easily destroyed his own plans if they could interfere with achieving more important goals.
And now the time had come to do exactly that.
Jax was starting to interfere with the plans.
Quest didn't need a puppet like that.
"I have no intention of betraying the one on whom my future greatness depends," he said as naturally as possible, displaying disgust and mistrust. "We are bound. If you fail, I fail. I know enough about how Palpatine dealt with those who let him down. I have absolutely no desire to die and resurrect like Bevel Lemelisk. The Lusankya operation is conceived solely to give you weight in Palpatine's circle. If I wanted to gain more influence myself, I would have led this attack personally."
"But you decided to send me," Jax observed. "While Palpatine ordered you to sit and prepare, you decide to send a strike group halfway across the galaxy. Smells like treason. How many of us will Palpatine decapitate for failure?"
"Not a single one, if you succeed and return his favorite toy to him," Quest declared. "Now that the New Republic is hysterically preparing for Thrawn's next strike, which he announced against Sluis Van, all routes to Rendili are open. We cannot allow that accursed alien to claim all the glory for himself. We too must demonstrate our ability to exterminate enemies. The more casualties among the Republicans, the heavier the blow — the faster Palpatine will draw you close and turn his back to you."
"Winners aren't judged," Jax intoned the ancient wisdom.
"Exactly so," Lord Quest confirmed. "Despite the certainty that Palpatine will dispose of Thrawn, we must demonstrate that while the Grand Admiral busies himself collecting Star Destroyers and fighting minor skirmishes, we are doing everything to please the Emperor. He has always been susceptible to flattery and pandering to his ego. The operation to capture the Lusankya is the surest way to distinguish ourselves. The more we demonstrate our usefulness to Palpatine, the better our chances that he will allow us, and us alone, to manage the Empire's affairs and destroy Thrawn. I don't know if you follow the news, but the Dominion is about to expand to fifteen sectors."
"Half of which are backwater fringe territories."
"Not for someone like Thrawn," Sarcev objected. "He has already destroyed two rebel factions and has had plenty of fun with the Republicans. Besides, it looks rather suspicious that, despite having talented commanders, Kaine simply cannot track down the Republican raiders and the missing cargo — that bothers me. As does the fact that Thrawn, even though his starships are constantly fighting, has no serious logistics, repair, or supply problems whatsoever."
"You think the Grand Admiral and the Grand Moff have conspired behind Palpatine's back?" Jax grasped instantly, confirming his insight once again.
And thereby signing his own death warrant.
"Yes," Quest said more calmly. "Which means we will have the opportunity not only to use the disappearance of the Tyrant as a pretext for attacking the Dominion, but also to turn all these minor deficiencies and inconsistencies against the Pentastar Alignment. Your victory over the Republicans will allow me to push you forward as the warlord for such operations. Crush the traitors — and the entire war machine will bow before you after Palpatine's death, fearing what you could do to them for disobedience."
"I like this plan," Jax grinned, suspecting nothing.
He grabbed his helmet and headed for the exit.
"Prepare your ships, Councilor. I will bring us victory."
With those words, he left the room, leaving Lord Quest alone with his thoughts.
Sarcev chuckled softly and walked over to the plush sofa.
Settling into it, he leaned back, studying the starry sky painted on the ceiling of his quarters.
As he had anticipated, Jax hadn't even suspected the trap — Sarcev could guarantee that, because unlike his protégé, he had an excellent command of the Force.
Jax had become an undesirable figure, and therefore the plan needed revision.
Of course, he would not give the Guardsman hi ships.
Instead, the Councilor would assign to the strike group those starships whose crews clearly sympathized with Thrawn. Yes, the ships would be lost, but it was better to eliminate all the undesirables at once than to pick them off one by one.
Was he confident that Jax could achieve victory?
Yes — if he hadn't shown his stubborn streak.
In that case, Sarcev would have shared his thoughts on what General Bel Iblis's message actually meant.
Unlike the former Guardsman, the Emperor's Hand understood perfectly just how professional the Corellian was. There were no mistakes or bravado in Garm's message, as Jax had perceived it.
It was a subtle calculation and manipulation.
Could the Guardsman have seen through the double game?
He was certainly capable of it, but he had crossed the line separating reason from foolish ambition.
And it was extremely unlikely that he would think to examine the old intelligence operational summaries concerning the movements of Republican fleet ships. A small parting gift left by the Ubiqtorate before its obscure demise.
Sarcev ran the revised plan through his head again and again.
And in the end, he realized it needed improvement.
In addition to the ships of potential traitors, he should send several more whose loyalty he did not doubt.
Jax might have gained sudden insight, but at the same time he was incapable of thinking his tactics two steps ahead.
Otherwise, he wouldn't have so foolishly flaunted his knowledge, instead operating from the shadows as a Sith should.
Three or four Star Destroyers with loyal crews would be enough to throw the Guardsman off balance if he suddenly realized that the strike group's crews were not as loyal as he had been told.
All that remained was to figure out what to do with the plan to eliminate Palpatine.
Known as an intriguer and a ladies' man, Sarcev was less suited than any other Imperial dignitary to be the ambitious, charismatic nominal leader of the Empire.
And breaking into Palpatine's inner circle, the way Jax had... was impossible for him.
Someone else was needed. Someone more capable...
Still, how wonderful it was that when he proposed the candidate for Sovereign Protector to Palpatine, Sarcev had wisely not given his name.
After all, anyone could be under the red-and-black armor.
He only needed to be loyal, prepared, and sensitive to the Force...
He would have to search thoroughly.
* * *
After the agent's hologram finished its report, it took me a few seconds to make a decision:
"You've done well, Bravo-I," I said. Not a single muscle moved on Torin Inek's face. "Wrap up your operations on Lianna and proceed to the Bosph sector."
"What will my assignment be, sir?" the man clarified.
"Establish contact with the local underground and the management of the mining enterprises," I ordered. "We know that Bosph is under siege, under sanctions from the Corporate Sector. You need to secure the local leadership's agreement to join us in exchange for our patronage and protection."
"It will be done, sir," the agent replied, and the hologram faded.
Exactly two seconds passed before Captain Pellaeon broke the silence of my dimly lit quarters.
"This is bad," he said. "Moff Victus has balked, which means the agreements on Lianna have gone up in smoke."
"You are quite right, Captain," I agreed. "We have no chance of voluntarily obtaining the orbital TIE-series small craft assembly workshops and Lianna's patents for producing the equipment we need.
It's unpleasant when agreements fall through.
However, to be honest, I hadn't expected it to be so simple.
Provoke the New Republic into attacking Lianna, arrive at the head of the fleet and drive them off, receiving in exchange what I need to produce TIE-series equipment. Because I need the latter on a truly massive scale.
We are spending considerable sums to refit old fighters and interceptors to plug the gaps and provide the defense forces with starfighter wings.
TIE fighters were practically not being produced — we were repairing old ones, selling them under Krenn's old contracts, which would soon be closed. For now, linear fighters of this type still remained aboard the regular fleet's heavy cruisers — because there is no way yet to produce the necessary number of TIE Interceptors. Too many ships in the regular fleet need to be equipped on a 'here and now' basis.
"Has the Red Star Squadron finished in the Korva sector?" I asked the commander of my flagship.
"Yes, sir," Pellaeon confirmed. "They are currently undergoing emergency repairs at the orbital shipyard in the Meram sector and are guarding supply convoys to Korva. We are establishing defenses and bases in the new territories."
That was understandable.
Several major hyperlanes lead into the Dominion.
There's the Veragi Trade Route in the north of our territory, through the Kanz sector. Captain Dobramu is currently working there, laying minefields using the space boulders of Project Asteroid-II, unaware that his work is nothing more than one big piece of disinformation.
There's the Braxant Run, which begins at the Hydian Way on the eastern edge of our borders and passes through the Quelli, Venin, and Lahara sectors. As well as the Oricio and Nunian sectors, which are not under our control but are inconveniently located between Venin and Lahara.
The Celanon Spur, originating in the Pentastar Alignment, crossing sectors occupied by Imperial Space, passing through our sectors of Lahara, Tragan, Ciutric, Sprizen, Quelli, and ending in the D'Asta sector, from which the Hydian Way is a stone's throw away. And from there you can reach any point in the galaxy.
The Salin Corridor, starting in the Quelli and Sprizen sectors, crossing half the galactic arm, essentially connecting the Hydian Way and the Perlemian Trade Route, which run through the northern part of the galaxy...
And these are only the major hyperlanes by which one can reach one of the Dominion's points — from the northwest, northeast, west, east, south...
Of course, the astrographical position is such that one could try their luck and send ships by the "star-to-star" method, but due to the peculiarities of the occupied region of space, numerous gravitational traps and distortions, such a journey is extremely dangerous and would take weeks, if not months.
I demonstrated the foolishness of such "lone infiltrators" to the enemy in the battle for the Oplovis sector.
Filling all the space around the Dominion with camouflaged asteroids is a dream, and an impossible one at that. That's thousands and thousands of light-years.
The only sure way to block the enemy's approach is to leave mines right in the middle of the road.
And the main routes are effectively blocked. Once the stations with gravity well generators are delivered to their positions, we will have the ability to stop the first strike on the doorstep.
And then... there will be war.
And slaughter.
"Inform Commodore Shohashi that his subordinates will have a new assignment," I ordered.
It took a few minutes to coordinate all the starship movements.
It turns out to be quite a lot, actually.
"Additional forces are coming under his command," I explained to Gilad the essence of what I had planned, transferring it to a data crystal. "The deployment point and assembly area are indicated here. After the briefing is over, tell the task force commanders to begin the move."
"Yes, sir. Will there be orders for us?"
"Of course," I confirmed, opening the section of my computer dedicated to intelligence data. "The intelligence network reports ship movements near Rendili. Our people at the shipyards report that the Lusankya is in the process of installing her final main engine."
"They are about to be ready to begin the operation," Pellaeon noted.
"Yes, but where is the crew?" I posed the question. "A Star Dreadnought, which, as they know, nearly half the galaxy is hunting for, remains without a crew during the final fitting-out period?"
"A trap for us?" Gilad tensed. "They want to lure the fleet into attacking Rendili?"
"Frankly, Captain, they aren't stupid enough to believe that such cheap disinformation would be interpreted by us as a sign of weakness. They have grown considerably in quality over the past while. The mere fact that Garm Bel Iblis discussed in detail with Mon Mothma and the members of the Provisional Council in the Imperial Palace a plan to lure us into a trap, and then spent a long time moving among the ships of the Defense Forces, shows that he has several surprises in store for us, which he intends to keep secret until the moment of implementation."
"But surely they must realize that a Star Dreadnought without a crew is a tempting target," Pellaeon insisted. "For us, and for the Imperials. Kaine might not need another Executor, but for Orinda it's an opportunity to enhance his prestige. Their fleet is ready to attack, their army is mobilized. If not us, then they will strike."
"They won't," I assured him. "Imperial Space, just like the Pentastar Alignment, is preparing for the Emperor's campaign. We know that Palpatine expects Isard to steal the ship. Therefore, no one else will interfere with her, fearing Palpatine's wrath. Judging by the data on the location of the Victory-class Star Destroyer that the Iceheart has, she too is preparing to attack. The Lusankya is sufficiently automated to be taken from the shipyards by relatively small forces before the New Republic ships, which are clearly nearby, can react."
"Sir, but in that case, I don't understand at all what the point is of demonstrating the super Star Destroyer's defenselessness," Pellaeon admitted. "It's clear the New Republic doesn't know who gave what orders to Kaine and the Ruling Council. They know Isard is alive and surely understand she'll try to capture the ship. And we've stated our interest in the Lusankya too. But by the hutt, how do they intend to accomplish anything? What are the stakes?"
"An excellent question, Captain," I praised him. "The problem seems unsolvable, doesn't it?"
"Exactly," Pellaeon confirmed.
"Well then, let's solve it piece by piece," I suggested.
Gilad looked at me with a rather suspicious glance.
"So, we know that the Lusankya is about to be ready for service, but she doesn't even have a single watch aboard," I said. "We know that there are up to a hundred star cruisers and support ships of the New Republic's Third Fleet in the Auril sector. We also know that the Republicans are continuing to pretend they plan to attack Lianna as soon as the Star Dreadnought completes repairs. What would you do in this situation?"
"Knowing the intelligence data and what Source Delta told us..." Gilad thought. "The New Republic believes Lianna is our ally. If they can capture the planet, they'll weaken us..."
"In the long term," I agreed.
"Gaining control of Lianna, and with the Lusankya and the support of the Third Fleet, they could hold the planet indefinitely," Pellaeon continued. "Our available forces are sufficient to retake the planet..."
"But the losses would be heavy, wouldn't they?" I asked.
"Up to half our starships," Pellaeon confirmed. "And the rest would be so damaged they'd be out of commission for a long time..."
"And that would open the path into the Dominion for the New Republic," I said.
"But we know they plan to lure us into handing over the Lusankya," Gilad reminded me. "To lure us into a trap and crush us."
"And to that end, they've invited one of the capable admirals from the Second Fleet to command the Lusankya," I noted. "Furthermore, Bel Iblis, at the behest of Organa-Solo, knows that I have planned an attack on Sluis Van, where they have amassed a large number of Imperial ships."
Gilad looked at me as if he might find the answer on my face.
"They're not planning to conduct two or three major operations at once, are they?" Pellaeon declared. "That would leave many of their sectors uncovered for a long time."
"They've effectively already stripped them bare, preparing for operations against us and Lianna," I stated. "But yes, you're right — they clearly can't handle two large-scale operations. However, Bel Iblis is starting to move his ships from Lianna toward Sluis Van. And yet, as far as we know, the starships haven't reached their final destination yet. Which is rather strange, given the time that has passed."
"Then what are they hoping to achieve?" Pellaeon asked rhetorically, staring stubbornly at the table.
"Come now, Captain," I encouraged him. "You've dismissed what we know but they don't. And that's a substantial part of the plan."
Gilad looked at me.
For a few seconds he seemed frozen, and then his face lit up with an idea.
"That's it!" he said impulsively. "Bel Iblis isn't just luring us after the Lusankya. He's hoping someone else will strike too!"
"Partially correct," I agreed. "They intend to lure the real Isard out for the capture of the super Star Destroyer, wherever she might be hiding. Additionally, they clearly expect that Imperial Space won't sit still upon learning the Lusankya is virtually ready. The temptation to possess such a ship is too great."
"And then the whole plan becomes a chain of events," Pellaeon continued. "Isard has a large number of informants and clearly knows that her ship is almost ready to move. It would be naive to think she's somewhere far from Rendili."
"Of course. Operational intelligence is useful only when you can use it as quickly as possible. We know that Isard and her Star Destroyer are near the Ruul system. It's not far from Rendili, and there's also a fairly advanced computer center left over from the Empire in the B'omarr monastery temple there. Isard has every opportunity to receive information quickly, and therefore she has begun to act."
"She must understand that the 'window' of time is quite small," Pellaeon picked up. "The absence of one engine won't affect the Lusankya's power. Isard doesn't have enough people to simply wait for the crew to start arriving on the ship."
"Which means she will strike just before the crew arrives," I agreed. "Four standard days, according to Garm Bel Iblis's message, which was broadcast on the HoloNet. She simply won't have another chance to capture the ship. And without the Lusankya, there's no restoring the Emperor's trust in her. The Iceheart and Palpatine have a rather strange relationship, but she is loyal to him and would rather die than fail her mission."
"They're intentionally provoking her," Pellaeon understood. "Which means they at least have an inkling of how she intends to capture the ship and will be on their guard."
"Yes, the trap is clearly set," I agreed. "However, it isn't designed for Isard alone. To inform her, they wouldn't have needed to use the HoloNet. The absence of a crew and Bel Iblis's statement that the ship would soon be fully crewed and then begin combat operations against the New Republic's enemies — that's a rather strong declaration."
"A blatant threat," Pellaeon realized. "It's clearly meant to agitate Imperial Space. And the Alignment too..."
"Captain, don't forget the timeline," I reminded him. "Iblis said three standard days until the ship is ready."
Pellaeon thoughtfully tugged at his mustache.
"They're banking on Imperial Space," he declared. "For Kaine to send his ships to capture it, it would take at least five days. Especially since he would have to travel through New Republic territory or Imperial Space."
"And the latter would need no more than two, maybe three days at most to reach Rendili," I stated. "And that's if they can assemble a suitable strike group within a day."
"Their forces are on the border," Gilad drummed his fingers on the tabletop. "Which means they could gather no more than a fairly small number of ships within a day. At most — a dozen or two Star Destroyers."
"That number should be enough to breach the defenses of the Rendili shipyards and reach the Lusankya's construction berths," I stated. "Now correlate that with the data about the relocation of ships from the Auril sector to Sluis Van."
"Those starships never reached their destination," Pellaeon said. "Bel Iblis has set an ambush! Somewhere along the shortest route from Orinda to Rendili, a trap has been set for Imperial Space's strike group!"
"Exactly, Captain," I allowed myself an approving smile. "Using the same trap three times. First — to capture Isard. I'm certain that most of the technical personnel on board the ship are special agents of the New Republic, who will allow Isard and her people to seize the Star Dreadnought, and then simply kill them or take them prisoner. It will all happen quietly, without any shooting, and any possible changes in the ship's position can easily be explained by her preparation for acceptance trials. Then, unaware that the Lusankya is a trap, Imperial Space, having sent its strike group of Star Destroyers, will fall into the ambush, where Bel Iblis's ships will destroy them."
"And then they offer to exchange the super Star Destroyer for Skywalker and lure our fleet into the trap as well," Pellaeon laughed. "Sir, that's a brilliant trap! One bait and three catches at once!"
"As I said, Captain, the New Republic has started looking into studying its mistakes."
"But there's an inconsistency," Pellaeon said unexpectedly. "Palpatine ordered the Ruling Council to prepare for the campaign."
"As far as we know — yes."
"Which means they won't risk attacking, so as not to fall out of his favor!" Palpatine declared.
"That's possible," I agreed. "However, let's bet that according to our intelligence, a conspiracy against Palpatine is brewing inside the Imperial Ruling Council. Therefore, the conspirators need resources and a symbol of their own success. The beauty of the situation is that they don't know Isard is alive and that she's the one tasked with capturing the Lusankya. So there's every chance the conspirators will make their move. And note, it's very easy for them to write off all losses and failures. They already sent the Tyrant and the Star Web to their deaths, making it look like the orders given to them were forged. Lately, three interdictor cruisers have defected from them — and that's only the ones we know about at the moment. Yes, if they fail, they'll look pale, but if they succeed, a number of councilors could increase their popularity ratings. Including before Palpatine himself. Moreover, as with the Tyrant, I suspect that Lord Kvest, by sending ships to capture the Lusankya, will try to accomplish several of his own goals at once. For example — he'll send those he considers undesirable to himself, one way or another, there. With the fall of the Ubiqtorate, according to intelligence and Grand Moff Kaine's words, quite a few military and civilian personnel are thinking about leaving Imperial Space and joining the Dominion. It's unlikely that Lord Kvest and other conspirators won't try to use the situation to get rid of them by someone else's hands. I fully admit that Kvest might suspect the trap being set and eliminate those who don't support him using New Republic forces."
Pellaeon nodded, agreeing with my thoughts.
"Sir, but in that case, we lose the Lusankya," he stated. "Because if we go after her now, we'll fall into the same trap as the Imperial Space strike group."
"Don't be so naive, Captain," I advised. "The Imperial Space plan to capture the Lusankya became obvious when they got rid of the Tyrant and the Star Web. That was nothing more than a test of reaction with additional motives. Because they still think we destroyed the ship and crew, since they haven't made contact. Double benefit — use the ship as bait, and if it's destroyed, gain grounds for attacking the Dominion, and also use this method to test Palpatine's reaction to what's happening. The latter succeeded — no reaction to the loss of the ships. So the combination continues. Besides, don't forget that Isard has informants among the Imperials as well. She understands what this situation threatens her with and will act accordingly. To avoid revealing herself prematurely, she'll strike exactly when she's ready and disguise it as actions of Imperial Space. The best way to hide her tracks for the time being."
"I understand that, sir, but… You haven't answered the question — how will we get the Lusankya then, since we can't reach her in time without risking a trap? Not to mention that according to your plans, you intend to use Isard and hand her over to Shohashi as payment for an alliance."
"Exactly," I confirmed.
Pellaeon had been told a lot during our visit to Lorrd.
But again, not everything.
"But how, if the Iceheart is captured by the Republicans and the Lusankya is outside our sphere of influence?" Pellaeon wondered.
"Study the art, Captain," I advised again.
"Of course, sir, but… What art will help us win this game of holochess if we're threatened with a stalemate?"
"Don't exaggerate, Captain," I smiled. "Better contact our secret cells of clone pilots in the Core Worlds and arrange a meeting point for them at these coordinates." I handed over another data crystal.
"Yes, sir, of course," Pellaeon faltered. "But you know there will only be a few of them. Five or six squadrons, no more…"
"And that's all we need, Captain," I stated. "Their task is simple — guard the target until we arrive at the rendezvous point in five days."
The expression on Gilad's face clearly showed what "my brain exploded" looks like in reality.
"Sir, I don't understand," he admitted. "How and why would we go there if both Isard and the Lusankya are captured by the enemy? Fighting the entire New Republic fleet for them is stupid."
"Of course it's stupid," I agreed. "That would be sabotage, which we won't engage in. No, Captain. Bel Iblis's plan is good. I'd even say it's magnificent. But it has a significant flaw. Even two."
"I'd like to know what they are," Pellaeon grumbled. "Since I'm your deputy, sir, and the second-in-command of the Dominion's armed forces, I need to understand what the plan is based on."
"On two simple things, Captain," I said. "The plan was developed for one simple purpose — the New Republic intends to simultaneously gain grounds to start military action against the Empire, which would violate the unofficial truce. As a bonus, they get Isard and the opportunity to show their citizens that they can still solve problems. And by defeating me, they intend to go on the offensive. I'm sure Bel Iblis secretly hopes that we'll also go after the Lusankya and, perhaps falling into the trap, fight among ourselves. No, I truly admire the strategic approach and the plan he's developed and intends to execute. Under other circumstances, it would clearly work. But there are a couple of nuances. First — our special forces and assault commandos have already deployed to the target, and intelligence has been operating there for so long that Coruscant can't even imagine. And second. Hoping to capture Isard on Rendili during the theft of the Lusankya, Bel Iblis, showing miracles of tactical skill and experience, forgot that the Iceheart is far from stupid."
Gilad blinked twice before saying:
"She figured them out," he whispered.
"Exactly," I nodded. "And we figured her out."
"This will be a slaughter," Pellaeon sighed.
"On the contrary, Captain," I assured him. "It will be beautiful."