Colonel Wessiri offered a friendly smile to the technician who reported the completion of maintenance on the Brayl-series freighter and leisurely made his way toward the boarding ramp.
As he stepped aboard, the ship's crew silently set about their duties.
Wessiri himself proceeded to the captain's cabin of the freighter, where he activated the holoterminal.
The Director responded almost instantly:
— Report, Colonel, — were the first words from Ysanne Isard's hologram.
— I have successfully arranged for the delivery of electronics to the shipyards, — the squadron commander reported. — Rendili StarDrive requires such imports, so this caused no issues.
— In other words, we have full access to the dock where the Lusankya is moored? — Isard clarified.
Wessiri smiled.
— No, Madam Director, — he said. — We have access to the Lusankya itself. The main hangar, to be precise.
The hologram's expression remained unchanged.
— Is that so, — she said thoughtfully. — Intriguing. The carelessness of the Rendilians has always irritated me, but now it works to our advantage.
— Precisely, — Wessiri confirmed. — The access codes are long-term, changing weekly. This aligns with one round-trip for parts.
— In other words, you've already obtained the access codes, and when you return with the first shipment, you'll receive new ones, — Isard summarized her understanding of the situation. — This is excellent news.
— I was confident you would appreciate this news, — Wessiri said with a faint smile. — Especially in light of the rout of the H1 and Devian factions orchestrated by Thrawn, while he himself survived…
A shadow passed over the face of the Iceheart.
— The failure of Rogue Squadron was entirely predictable, — she said indifferently. — Within acceptable parameters. Thrawn's survival will further serve our cause.
— The Rogues—
— The Lusankya will soon be ready, — Wessiri noted. — The installation of sublight engines, weaponry, and defense systems is underway… The Republicans will soon be able to deploy the ship.
— Only in their dreams, — Isard smiled. — They're rushing to have the ship participate in a counterstrike against Thrawn, whom the New Republic believes is weakened. This fits perfectly into the concept of a final blow. Soon, they will clash decisively, weakening both sides to the maximum.
— Since Devian fell to the Dominion's fleet, the New Republic's most likely next target is Lianna, — Wessiri reasoned.
— Precisely, — Isard said with a smile. — It's for this operation that the Republicans are preparing the Lusankya. Well… Let them. But only so that my return to the galaxy will be triumphant. With one strike, I will destroy both Thrawn and the New Republic's fleet, seizing control of Lianna. Following that, we will attack the Dominion and bring it under our control as well. Thus, I will present the Emperor not one victory, but four.
— Yes, Madam Director, — the Colonel agreed obediently. — I am proceeding to the rendezvous point.
— The Emperor's Wisdom will be awaiting you there, Colonel Wessiri, — the Iceheart declared coldly, terminating the holographic connection.
The man sat in silence for a moment before heading to the freighter's bridge.
***
Former Coordinator Sergius meticulously stowed his work tools in a specialized cart before unhurriedly making his way toward the hangar exit.
The Brayl-type freighter slowly departed Rendili StarDrive, moving away from the planet to engage its hyperdrive and leave the system for its mistress.
Bravo-Two, as if in passing, activated a small technical datapad.
The signal from the installed beacon was functioning perfectly.
As were the dozen buzz droids from the Morr't Project, which Colonel Wessiri would deliver directly to the Iceheart.
And then they would come for both their heads.
He would come, Bravo-Two.
Unlike many other Ubiqtorate coordinators, Sergius never left the deaths of his subordinates unavenged.
And with his transition to the service of Grand Admiral Thrawn, nothing had changed. On the contrary, this perspective found resonance in the heart of the Supreme Commander.
He only asked for patience.
— Very soon, we will meet, — the Dominion agent said softly. — And you, scum, will answer for the death of Molo and his team.
It will happen.
It must happen.
For now…
— Hey, worker! — the foreman called out to the Dominion agent. — Did you load fuel onto the Brayl?
— Of course, — Sergius nodded. — All set!
— Then don't just stand there, — the foreman waved toward the main dock airlock. — Go fix the fuel system on the Lusankya. There's an issue with power output again.
— On my way, — the agent directed his cart toward the indicated direction.
Very soon.
He just needed to wait.
***
The Svekk star system lay hidden in quadrant N-14.
Far beyond the boundaries of known space.
Deep within Wild Space.
Yet this did not deter the operational-tactical group, led by the Star Destroyer Relentless, from tracking down the location of the renegade Moff Delurin.
The search had taken the Dominion's Intelligence an eternity by the standards of fleet officers, but the result was worth it.
— Star system, detecting five planets from the local star, — reported the scanning systems operator. Then, a second later, he added:
— Apologies, six planets, sir.
Captain Mor kept his eyes fixed on the tactical hologram, which displayed data from the scanning systems of the entire task force.
The Interdictor-class Star Destroyer, named the Constrainer, with the characteristic languor of ships of its type, deployed the vectors of its gravity well projectors, blocking the system's exit vector just as an unknown starship appeared on the hologram.
Unknown only to those unaware of the purpose of their mission in this remote corner of the galaxy.
— Starship identified, sir, — reported the duty officer. — It's the Galactic Dragon.
— Inform the Chimaera that we've found the ship, — Alexander ordered, straightening his shoulders and approaching the central viewport. — Deploy the corvette, launch fighters, raise deflectors. Are the firing sectors assigned?
— Affirmative, sir! — responded the senior gunner.
— We're being hailed, sir! — came a report from the communications section.
— Connect them, — Captain Mor said, rolling his neck and adjusting his tunic.
From the nearest holoprojector emerged a three-dimensional blue-white projection of an older man.
He was clad in aesthetically intriguing armor, designed in the form of intertwining dragons or serpents. His shoulders bore the fleshless heads of some reptilian creatures.
Those skulls looked truly repulsive.
Moff Delurin and his dragon warriors.
— This is the Warlord of Wild Space, Moff Delurin, — the man declared in a booming voice. — You have violated the borders of my domain. Surrender to my forces immediately. Otherwise, my fleet will destroy your pathetic destroyer, and my dragon warriors will slaughter your crew…
Alexander smiled politely, though he currently felt an overwhelming desire to introduce his boot to the face of this vile slug who had fled to his tiny kingdom during the most challenging time for all patriots of Imperial tradition and law.
— This is Captain Mor, Star Destroyer Relentless, Dominion, — Alexander introduced himself. — I have a more compelling offer, Moff. In the name of the Supreme Commander of the Empire, Grand Admiral Thrawn, I order you to lay down your arms, set the Galactic Dragon to drift, while my stormtroopers and I tear your tin can apart from bow to stern. I assure you, afterward, I will chase you with kicks all the way to the capital, where you will be tried for treason. You can avoid bloodshed and prosecution by immediately swearing allegiance to Grand Admiral Thrawn and transferring control of your armed forces to me.
— There is no treason, — Delurin scoffed. — Nor is there an Empire any longer. Your upstart with aurodium epaulets has no authority over me. My cruiser is equipped with proton torpedo launchers, with which I'll happily punch holes in your vessel. Then I'll seize both your Relentless and the Interdictor. You thought you could capture me with four corvettes and two destroyers? Pfft, that's not even funny, fool.
— Well, I gave you a chance to save yourself and spare your crew's lives, — Captain Mor said with a crooked smile. — As for the fool… Count the ships first, traitor.
A moment earlier, three Venator-class Star Destroyers and four Acclamator-class assault ships carrying troops emerged from hyperspace.
— Think you can scare me with outdated ships? — Delurin laughed. — I'm trembling with fear…
— We'll see how you sing when you're choking on vacuum, — Mor smirked, turning toward the communications section. — Dragon-Two, open fire.
Before the Galactic Dragon could close to striking range, the ion cannon delivered its blow.
Two hours later, stormtroopers from the Relentless were already mopping up the few surviving reptiles and crew members aboard the immobilized ship.
Only then did they proceed to seize the Svekk system.
Dealing with Delurin's dragon warriors was no easy task, but when had Dominion stormtroopers ever failed to handle a situation?
***
Luke snapped his eyes open and felt himself falling forward.
The young man, momentarily disoriented, breathed heavily in an attempt to calm his racing heart.
It seemed he had been in meditation too long, as he struggled to regain his bearings and comprehend where he was.
Calling upon the Force, he calmed his mind, overwhelmed with visions of possible futures.
— Luke, — Irenz's voice came through the comlink. — Are you alright?
He had to rely on Jedi calming techniques to keep his voice steady.
— Yes, — he replied. — Everything's… fine. I'm fine.
— Doesn't sound like it, — Irenz concluded.
The Corellian woman had evidently picked up on something in his voice he couldn't hide.
— No, I'm fine, — Skywalker repeated.
— Interesting choice of words, — Irenz said, her voice tinged with skepticism. — 'Not fine' is somewhere else, isn't it?
Truthfully, he didn't want to discuss what he had seen, but…
Who, if not Irenz, who had become his friend during his self-imposed exile, deserved to hear the truth?
With reluctance, Luke realized he couldn't share his visions.
They were too… unclear.
He needed to process them first. Perhaps consult with Han, Leia, Chewbacca, Lando… The images of possible futures he had seen were too significant and troubling to simply "note."
— I saw many things, — the young Jedi replied, stretching his stiff limbs. — I'll return to the ship soon.
— I'll be waiting, — Irenz responded. — Good thing you answered the call, or after that scream of yours, R2-D2 was about to roll into that creepy cave to find you, despite your orders.
He was still trembling, his clothes soaked with sweat and clinging uncomfortably to his body.
But he allowed himself a smile.
The astromech had no love for this place on Dagobah, from which Luke always emerged exhausted.
And R2 was vehemently indignant whenever Luke, after resting, returned to the cave where he had first confronted his father, time and again.
But he had achieved his goal.
Probably.
When he emerged from the cave a few minutes later, he was met by Irenz's wary gaze as she stood beside their freighter.
And the deafening whistle of his loyal astromech, rising to ultrasonic frequencies.
R2 didn't stop expressing his joy at seeing his master alive, even after rolling forward and, like a devoted pet, bumping into Luke's leg.
His knee ached, but Skywalker smiled.
— Sorry for worrying you, — he said, casting an apologetic glance at the waiting woman and patting the astromech's domed head.
— Did something bad happen in there? — Irenz tried to appear composed, but despite the proximity of the Dark Side, Luke could sense her concern. — Before, when you went in, you… didn't make a sound. But now…
So he had screamed after all…
— That's awkward, — he tried to smile. — I just… fell when I finished meditating.
— Really? — Irenz smirked, giving him a classic Corellian look but refraining from pressing further. — There's still some food left from lunch in the galley…
— I'll eat en route, — Luke promised.
— We're leaving? — Irenz raised an eyebrow.
— Yes, — Luke nodded. — I… I saw a planet. We need to find it. What's there—or what could be there—plays a significant role in restoring the Jedi Order. I can't let anyone with ill intentions claim that knowledge.
— Someone like the Empire? — Irenz clarified.
Luke shook his head.
— Far worse, — he said. — The ones hunting that planet tried to abduct me on Polis Massa.
— I'll start preflight checks, — Irenz declared firmly, heading toward the boarding ramp.
— Thank you, — Luke said to his partner. — I'm a bit… out of sorts.
R2 beeped anxiously, extending a scanning antenna from his chassis.
— If you want, I can keep you company in the cockpit, — Luke offered, awkwardly looking away, aware of the absurdity of his impulse given the situation…
But Irenz, contrary to his expectations, didn't tease him.
Instead, the young woman simply smiled:
— I'm not opposed, — she said. — But first—shower. Sorry, Jedi Knight, but you smell like you crawled out of a sarlacc's maw.
Luke didn't appreciate the joke but forced a smile.
Because Irenz, unknowingly, had hit the mark.
That's exactly how Luke felt.
***
The Zygerrian twirled a credit chip between his fingers, as if the gesture could somehow verify its authenticity.
— Thanks for disabling the security, Alaf, — Jahan said, adjusting the unconscious body of Elli Stark slung over his shoulder. — I'd suggest you leave the Corporate Sector. The sooner, the better.
— I'll manage, — his counterpart replied indifferently. — Forget about Alaf, Cross. I'm Afar Sagaal Shan again. Alaf Sagaal Shan died today. Right during the explosion at the automated Rossum factory.
Speaking to each other using real names was a privilege both former Imperial agents reserved for a small circle of sentients.
And both knew that nothing in the galaxy could make one betray the other.
— Hinting you're going off the grid? — the spy raised an eyebrow.
— Shed one identity, adopt another, — the Zygerrian shrugged nonchalantly. — It's easier for me than for humans. Change my name, trim my fur, and I'm a different Zygerrian.
Cross carefully placed the stunned girl's body on the back seat of the airspeeder.
Then he straightened and looked the mercenary in the eye.
— The Hutts won't buy it so easily, — he reminded. — They know exactly what you're capable of. And how to find you.
— I got rid of my weapon collection long ago, — the Zygerrian smirked. — Let them search as much as their tails please.
— There's another option, — the Imperial said meaningfully, subtly nodding toward Rederick, who was peacefully asleep in the second speeder.
— Join the Dominion? — Afar laughed softly. — I doubt they'd appreciate that I tortured one of their agents half to death.
— Let's say the kid had it coming for not signaling the passphrase sooner, — Cross countered. — From what I hear, Thrawn welcomes former Imperials willing to swear allegiance to the Dominion. With your experience and knowledge of the underworld, you could be useful to them. Right now, you're a more valuable asset than that kid who nearly died from his own stupidity.
— Wanted to impress Vex, — the Zygerrian sneered, both scornfully and amused.
— At his age, I did the same when I first met Aveka, — Cross said with a wistful smile.
— Agents these days are slipping, — the Zygerrian shook his head. — No sense of generational continuity. The current Ubiqtorate isn't what it used to be. They destroyed a system that could've fixed everything if it had fallen into the right hands.
This rookie, — Jahan said, glancing at his Sluissi friend silently berating him for the delay. — He's got a lot to learn. Him and others like him.
— Planning to settle under Thrawn's wing? — the Zygerrian asked neutrally.
— Might give it a try, — the special agent replied after a brief pause. — If I decide this version of the Empire's no good either, I'll vanish again.
— And I'll have to hide you in Hutt Space again, — Afar said with a good-natured smirk.
— You made a tidy profit from it, — Jahan reminded him.
— Just like I did on this operation to rescue your girlfriend, — the Zygerrian noted. — Care to explain why you had to involve the kid?
— Simple test, — Jahan explained. — The new generation of agents isn't capable of sacrifice for the mission. Duty and honor mean little to them—I've dealt with the Ubiqtorate's new recruits. Rodian bounty hunters are more dangerous.
— So, did he pass your test? — Afar asked.
— He's got some spine, — Jahan admitted. — If he's not the only one in the Dominion with it, then I think I've found my quiet haven.
— Sure about that? — Afar nodded skeptically toward Aveka Dunn, lying unconscious in the seat next to the Dominion agent. Like Elli Stark, this woman from Jahan's past was also out cold, but knocked out by the now-sleeping Dominion agent himself—no easy feat. — He decided to take Vex with him.
— First trophy from a deep cover op, — Jahan sighed sadly. — You know the tradition. Plus, Aveka's got a lot of intel to extract.
— Seems to me the kid's fallen for her, — Afar countered.
— Who among us didn't fall for Vex after the first sparring match? — Cross chuckled good-naturedly, extending his hand. — If you need me, you know how to reach me or Alessi.
— Likewise, — Afar returned the handshake. — Hope it doesn't come to that.
And within a minute, he melted into the night.