In his cabin aboard the flagship assigned for his personal use, Admiral Akrey Dobramu bowed before the unimaginably huge hologram of Emperor Palpatine.
The man dropped to one knee without a shadow of hesitation even before the lord's volumetric image appeared, displaying his submission, loyalty, and gratitude for the promotion.
Not much time at all had passed since he had conquered the planet Khomm and opened the Empire's path to inexhaustible reserves of personnel.
Palpatine was clad in a voluminous, rich-cut robe of invariably dark, most likely black color.
Now the young and energetic Emperor no longer pulled his hood over his eyes to hide the cruel scars and disfigured appearance of the greatest politician of the last century.
Or perhaps in the entire history of the galaxy there had never been a sentient smarter or more far-sighted than Emperor Palpatine.
The result of the treachery of four Jedi Masters who attempted to arrest the former Supreme Chancellor in his own office in the Senate administrative building thirty years ago no longer needed concealment.
The Lord was young, full of strength and resolve, as evidenced by his activity in bringing order to that power and those territories within the Deep Core that he had subjugated after his supposed death during the Battle of Endor, which the rebels boast of so much.
"I see you have already settled into your new role, Admiral Dobramu," Palpatine said. "The promotion suits you."
"Thank you, my Lord," Dobramu humbly murmured, not daring to raise his eyes to his master.
In some cases, within the context of Imperial admirals, the term "admiral" could also be used as a general term for various admirals even if their actual rank was higher than the simple style.
But not in Dobramu's case.
He had managed to prove his faith in the New Order, his talent, which the foolish Thrawn had overlooked, as well as his loyalty to the Emperor.
Therefore, although he was not surprised that he received a promotion for conquering Khomm, he remained puzzled that he had been promoted by skipping one step, bypassing "Vice-Admiral."
Exactly the same way he had been promoted from simple captain to Rear Admiral.
This was flattering and clearly showed how highly Emperor Palpatine himself valued him.
An Admiral of the Imperial Navy commanded ten times more troops than an admiral of the same rank under the Galactic Republic.
Now, of course, it was a bit thinner, since not the entire fleet had survived the Imperial Civil War.
But this was only the beginning.
The main thing was to reclaim what was theirs, and then new ships could be built and the rebellious systems on the Rim could be subjugated.
And Admiral Dobramu would be there.
Admiral…
So much in that word.
It was not just a rank.
It was an indicator of strength and power, the authority he possessed in the military sphere.
And it also meant he was senior in rank to "Thrawn's heir," that spineless and utterly ordinary soldier Pellaeon.
An old man whose time had passed.
"Raise your eyes, Admiral Dobramu," Palpatine ordered.
Kneeling on one knee, Akrey, with his lord's permission, looked directly at the hologram.
"What are your orders, Emperor?" the young commander spoke, understanding that they had contacted him not merely to praise his work.
However, even in such a situation he would be immensely pleased with himself, for it was not every day Palpatine deigned to approach simple officers for a personal conversation.
Such moments should be remembered and cherished, told to children and grandchildren.
Palpatine smiled barely perceptibly.
"You always see to the root of things, Admiral Dobramu," he praised his subordinate. "That is what drew my attention. That is what sets you apart from the majority of admirals and higher ranks who serve me and have ever served."
The last remark awakened reverence in Akrey.
The Emperor was praising him so simply.
Saying that he stood out from the crowd of mediocrities who surrounded the Emperor only to profit from him.
After so many years, the Lord had noticed him and elevated him, and even praised him, pointed out his superiority?
Could there be a better day than this?
"And so, I trust in you and your ability to solve my little problem…"
What?
The Emperor had problems?
"I will carry out any order you give, my Lord!" Dobramu blurted out, embarrassed by his own vehemence. "Forgive my hot-headedness, but… I am ready to destroy any obstacle in your path!"
"Splen-did," the young Emperor's lips stretched into a blissful smile. "No one but you can handle what I intend to entrust to you."
"Thank you for your faith in me and my strength, Emperor."
"And I believe you will live up to my expectations," Palpatine said meanwhile. "Are you familiar with the name 'Hell's Hammers'?"
Dobramu furrowed his brow, trying to recall the name.
But soon he had to admit defeat.
"I have not heard of it, Emperor."
"Not surprising," Palpatine said in a benevolent tone. "The 'Hell's Hammers' were formed during the Clone Wars as one of the volunteer armored units. Glorious and combat-capable, they quickly earned themselves renown. When the Jedi showed their true face and I nearly fell victim to their plot, the Empire was established. The 'Hell's Hammers' swore allegiance to me. Perhaps you have heard their other name. The 'Imperial Hammers.' Or the 112th Tank Regiment of the Imperial Army. They are commanded by Senior Colonel Zel Johans."
Now it became a little clearer.
One of the symbols of inevitable punishment and the embodiment of the Empire's military valor.
The same as the 181st Fighter Wing of the ace pilot Baron Soontir Fel, whose face was known throughout the galaxy.
Akrey had been fascinated by the fleet since childhood, so he knew of the heroes of ground battles only by hearsay.
"Yes, my Lord, now I understand who you mean."
"Splendid, my admiral. Do you know that my emissaries have summoned every warlord loyal to the Empire to Deep Space?"
"Of course, Emperor."
"I gathered under my command everyone who wished to serve me and whom I could trust," the ruler of the Empire continued. "All they needed was to come to me and bend the knee. Any of their missteps would have been forgotten and forgiveness granted. Emissaries also arrived for the 'Imperial Hammers'…"
Palpatine fell silent, and Akrey did not consider it possible even to try to break that silence.
"Colonel Zel Johans did not answer my call," the Emperor informed after a couple of moments. "He and his unit settled on the planet Brintooin in the Seswenna system. And turned it into an Imperial outpost, exalting their own strength. The New Republic, which fought and continues to fight unsuccessfully against the Empire, did not dare to attack and subjugate Brintooin. To Colonel Johans's credit, I will say that he organized such a defense that the rebels could not have broken through without fatal consequences for themselves."
"Yes, my Lord."
What more could be said?
"My emissary received from the colonel one answer to my proposal to return to the Empire," Palpatine said meanwhile. "He has no ships to break through the blockade of the New Republic's rebel territory surrounding Brintooin and other worlds. And only by this did he frame his defiance. I was sure he would not let me down when the time came. But intelligence received alarming news for me. Not only from Brintooin, but also from Carida, and from the Tion Hegemony."
Isard had dug something up?
And he would be let in on this secret?
Oh, great spirits, what an honor, what trust!
"A connection is being traced between some parts of the Empire and traitors from the Dominion," Palpatine continued. "I want you to take your squadron and check these assumptions. In secret from everyone."
"Of course, my Lord," Dobramu agreed. "However, I consider it my duty to warn that, due to active combat operations on the front line, heading into the rebels' rear will not be easy."
"If you use well-trodden paths, then yes, your mission would be jeopardized from the very start," the Emperor smiled. "I will give you information about secret routes leading from the Deep Core to the southern sectors of the galaxy. My allies in the Tapani sector will provide your forces with reliable shelter before you move toward the designated targets. Your actions must be, as always, swift, terrifying in their destructiveness, and unstoppable. Everyone whose accusation is confirmed, you must punish as harshly as possible — as a reminder to the others of whom they truly serve. I will transfer to you several excellent warriors who will help you in this difficult task. Which, I am sure, you will handle."
"Yes, my Lord."
A smile appeared on Palpatine's lips.
"The time has come to show the galaxy the true face of my new future Grand Admiral," he announced. "The embodiment of the Empire's might and proof of its undying strength. How our allies and enemies perceive you depends solely on you."
Akrey felt as though he would burst from the honor and opportunities that had fallen upon him.
The Emperor had promised him the rank of Grand Admiral!
The first appointed by the legitimate ruler of the Empire after the Battle of Endor!
The first of the new generation of Grand Admirals — young and capable of action, not weaving intrigues and looking at pictures like the old senile men, of whose society the late Grand Admiral Thrawn had been a representative.
The same kind of traitor as Octavian Grant.
A dishonorable alien who had messed around and been destroyed, crushed like a bug under a boot.
"What to do with the worlds whose leaders are implicated in anti-Imperial activities?"
A short pause hung in the air, during which Palpatine seemed to choose his words carefully.
"Ah, yes, the planets… Find confirmation of intelligence data about the leaders' betrayal — burn those planets."
Akrey felt a wave of excitement run through his body at the upcoming operation.
In the deep rear.
Carrying the Emperor's light and fury.
Separate from the entire fleet.
Having under his command an entire squadron of superbly trained subordinates and the best ships in the Imperial Starfleet.
Alone against all the Emperor's enemies.
Having full authority to burn out the corruption from the Empire's body.
"It will be done, my Lord."