The door to the turbolift had just swiveled itself into position with a hiss of finality as Deputy Director Walker Audenhoen shifted his gaze down upon his boots. Spotless and shining with an almost supernatural luster, the boots’ appearance betrayed their age by decades. A chime whistled in the pod, alerting Audenhoen that he had not, yet, assigned it a duty.
“77.” He declared, lifting his head needlessly as he clasped his hands behind him. There wasn’t a shred of nervousness within him as he stared blankly at the pods wall before him, a thought that felt odd to him. Although he had held Yularen in extremely high respect, he all but worshipped the current Director. The pod ended its journey surprisingly fast it seemed and let forth another brief hiss as the door rotated itself out ofhis way. He stepped into the corridor blankly responsive to his surroundings, still pondering his thoughts. He assessed the nature of his current order, how it had only come about after amalgamating his findings. A conclusion he would have come to in any event, taken from him as fast as it had been displayed. The Director would, at the very least, explain his decision in detail he knew, but Audenhoen could not shake the feeling that something was truly amiss. He continued his long strides down the corridor to the Director’s suite of offices, wondering to himself just how old the new interim Director was as he reached the doorway to the outer offices, a duo of black armored troopers standing at either side.
“Code Cylinder sir.” The trooper on Walker’s right pleasantly demanded with an outstretched hand, his voice an odd variation of modulated tones.
Audenhoen neither hesitated to reach for his upper breast pocket for the Cylinder nor changed his facial expression as he let his cold steely eyes do their best to penetrate the trooper’s visor. He slowly turned his head to shred the second trooper in that gaze as he dropped the Cylinder into the first trooper’s waiting hand. ‘The man had to be, what eighty-one?’ He continued his earlier thought as his Cylinder was returned to him.
“Cleared to proceed sir.” The odd modulated warbling from the trooper informed him, as the doorway opened without a sound. A deeply rich maroon carpet stretched before him through a large corridor, giving way to a vacuous office some meters distant. Audenhoen pocketed his Cylinder and strode forward, focusing on the solitary figure standing at the office’s far end with a hand upon the back of the high chair. With his long strides it didn’t take him long to reach the corridor’s end, to which he pulled up his pace and locked his arms behind his back. The figure hadn’t moved, continuing to stare out the large curved transparisteel framework. The man’s hairless head reflecting the light of passing speeders and cabs adding their bustle to the chaos of Coruscant. Walker watched as the man clenched his hand over the top of the high-backed chair, supporting his physical turn from the views outside.
“Walker, my boots are old….as am I. Eighty-three years the maker has graced me privilege to breathe this fine air.” Came the dry voice, sounding ancient yet full of fervent life. The authority within the voice hadn’t wavered one bit. Audenhoen was stunned momentarily to hear the man who had ushered him into his career address his very thought not moments before.
“Sir, you don’t look a day over sixty.” Audenhoen responded.
“First, let’s keep lies within the halls of politics and second, to hell with formalities, we’ve both served far too long to remember all the regulations in any case.” The Director said with a slight chuckle that turned itself into an irritating light cough, Walker approaching momentarily with a raised hand out of concern. The Director waved him off nonchalantly as he gave his chest a slight rapping, an effort to clear his lungs. “Retirement had found me working on a collection of memoirs and the occasional death stick. Stay away from those damn things. And for the love of all we’ve been through together, call me Barton will you.” He said with a friendly note of finality once his lungs cooperated.
“ISB Director Rear Admiral Barton Coburn. That’s a mouthful sir….Barton.” Walker responded with a slight ring of witticism, correcting himself in the process.
“Interim. Let us not forget that especially important detail. When called to serve, that was my only request.” Coburn added, a wry smile cracking his weathered lips as they parted from the pinched expression Audenhoen has always associated with the man. The Interim Director turned to face Walker, adopting an earnest expression that only punctuated the serious expression that was ever present. His deep-set eyes folded into their sockets as his furrowing brow brought the time earned wrinkles into contention with his eyelids and brows. He hobbled slightly as he turned fully, placing his weight on the hand that had yet to leave its place from the high-backed chair. “Forgive me Walker, but I must sit. Pull up a chair and join me will you.”
Walker Audenhoen did as suggested and slid his massive frame into an austere padded seat before the desk only after the Interim Director had swung his aged body into place.
“Physical damnation aside, my mind remains youthful fortunately.”
Walker nodded his understanding, “a much better alternative than the reverse...Barton.” He said, clearly having issues addressing the man by first name.
Coburn, although noticing the hesitation, decided to let the man figure it out for himself. “My apologies for broadcasting your summons to the whole of the complex Audy, there’s just too many buttons on that damn thing. This automated system is less automated than they think it is.” He said gruffly, waving his hand toward the comm suite situated toward the left of his desk. “Your work on that case was diligent, timely and exacting. You aren’t here because I take umbrage with how you’ve handled yourself in regard to it, rather the contents of its implications.”
Walker, appreciative of the man’s ability to come to the point so quickly, was slightly stunned at the speed with which the conversation had shifted.
“I, uh, thank you S….Barton.” He corrected himself right away.
Coburn nodded with a quick burst then continued, “I shut you down for security reasons Audy. For the integrity of our organization as well as your own. Lothal has been a question mark for Military Intelligence, and subsequently for us as well since the death of Jedi Kanan Jarus. Our Emperor declared it a victory upon his death, but the reality is far more telling upon examination of the details.” “This I am moderately versed in Barton. Without any established link to the factories, we have no way of securing any classified data within. I and my team have been monitoring shipping activity within that system precisely to that effect.” Audenhoen, feeling more comfortable in his place, spoke on the subject with anything but moderation.
“If any rebellious faction were able to get those factories up and running again, and that is hardly a firm IF, they could easily turn Grand Admiral Thrawn’s agenda right back into our faces.” Coburn added.
“Precisely my point Barton. Our surveillance is looking specifically for massive fuel shipments with a Lothal terminus.” Audenhoen responded quickly. “What my assistant and I have surmised however is a scenario employed by any factions utilizing alternative means of supplying those factories their needed power. It is not just the Defender’s that concerns us. They have the build lines to supply numerous types of weapons of war, as well as the skilled labor to do so in quick order. We trained them after all.” He finished with a deep inhale of breath.
“A point my predecessor brought up on more than one occasion at that.” Coburn’s expression turned dour, realizing it was this very reason Yularen was on the Death Star in the first place. “It would have been wiser to employ Imperial assets toward that end or placed the facilities closer to more heavily armed and guarded systems. But that is unimportant at this point.” Coburn felt abashed by steering the conversation toward pointless avenues of conjecture. “The bottom line is simply that our Empire will not accept terms in which we would have to secure a planet twice. It displays a weakness that is ultimately focused on our Emperor. We cannot subject him to that, nor could we subject ourselves to that.”
Audenhoen nodded in agreement but shifted in his seat uncomfortably, “Barton there is a difference between occupation and annihilation. We cannot allow those factories to come online under any circumstance.” Walker got up suddenly, crossed his arms before his massive chest and strode toward the view outside. ‘Why wasn’t his former admiral understanding how important this was.’ He could not shake the thought, “What is going on at Botajef?” He decided to ask, completely embracing the wash of camaraderie Coburn had insinuated. “Could Cain and his forces retake Lothal?” He continued without removing his gaze from the chaos of movement outside. He hadn’t seen the look of surprise that had pulled the skin higher on the forehead of the older man.
“Did I not just make myself clear? Retaking Lothal is off the table Audy.” “In the interest of Imperial integrity call it something else then.” Walker said in return.
Coburn was quiet for a long moment, tapping his conjoined hands lightly against his chin. He stopped abruptly and pushed himself to his feet, stabilizing the maneuver with both hands atop his desk. “Wait a minute. Your seriously considering obliteration aren’t you?”
Audenhoen turned from his outward view to face his old friend. “And why not? Is it so vastly different than what we’ve been able to accomplish under Protocol seventeen?” He said more than asked. “I am not suggesting a full-scale planetary bombardment Barton, merely a precise strike on the factories themselves. Cain’s fleet is in a prime position to do just that.”
Coburn studied the man before him, his upper lip quivering slightly. His eyes narrowed under the folds of his wrinkles, deep in thought. “Audy, have a seat please. There are a few things you should know.”
Walker eyed the aged Director as if trying to decide the worth of his words, deciding his actions in the past more than solidified Audenhoen’s trust in him. He dropped his arms to his sides and returned to the chair, an encroaching exasperation beginning to swell within.
“Audy take a breath.” Coburn said as he tortuously lowered himself into his own seat with a vivid groan. “I am not discounting the validity of your recommendation.”
“Then what Barton?” Walker was becoming agitated as he rose to his feet again.
“Your investigation was followed, traced, and mirrored outside these walls Audy! Now, shut up, listen, and sit the hell down.” Coburn shot out with intense authority, reminding Audenhoen specifically why he held the man in such high regard to begin with. Walker’s breath left him, his heart skipped a beat and he felt lightheaded. Without any hesitation he fell back into the chair with an audible groan, looking upon the Director with eyes wide and mind blank.
“The trace signal initiated the moment you began exploring that case file. A case which saw the destruction of an Imperial outpost and the loss of a light cruiser in less than four minutes. The signal itself, I believe, has yet to terminate. However, it is undetectable within our network. There are teams working on locating it, but we will have to assume for the time being that our Protocols, as well as the network itself, are compromised. Which brings me to Admiral Cain.” Coburn stopped for a moment to let the words sink in while he regained his breath. “Botajef is a twofold conundrum Audy. First, the loss of further assets to this particular case is unacceptable. The resistance to your assignments came from this office, I will not lie to you. However, there are higher level prescripts that would have negated your actions regardless.” His face was flushing a light reddish hue.
Audenhoen, unsure what was causing it, spent the brief respite wrapping his mind around what had just been said. “I am assuming there is an objective I am as of yet unaware of, or at the very least, requiring clearance I do not currently possess.” He said voicing his thoughts.
Coburn held a finger up in pause, a hand stretched across his chest in a useless effort to regulate his breathing. “As that information has made itself need to know in this case, I can proceed by saying yes to both points. Moving forward neither will be of hindrance.”
Audenhoen, appreciative of the upgrade in confidence, was still patiently waiting for the point.
“Botajef operates freely under the confines of Admiral Cain, with the full support of High Command mind you. Although he maintains a full attack fleet, it stands at the ready to protect the Imperial interests being manufactured planet side. As you know, we are actively pursuing all leads at our disposal to locate and eliminate all insurgent threats, we are also taking a proactive approach toward eliminating our own presence being spread too thin. Protocol seventeen provides for incredible response time to neutralize these threats as you know but the aforementioned pro-activity will come by way of flooding the galaxy with standard and 11-3k viper probe droids.” Coburn paused to breathe again, this time holding his hand up. Audenhoen nodded his understanding. “It is to that endeavor Cain finds himself currently, while also maintaining the manufacturing capability of AA-9 freighters within the shipyards themselves.” Coburn continued with ragged breath.
“Barton, take a breath. I understand what you’re saying.” Walker spoke up, to give the aged Director a moment to catch his breath as well as a moment for himself to digest everything thus far. He could feel the tug of numerous other questions taking form, all of them related to this conversation, however, they remained elusive in cohesion. He looked at the Director as the man began to regain an even rhythm with his breaths, contemplating the worth of the conversation versus what he already knew.
“Tell me about Raada Barton.” Audenhoen said, deciding to pursue a conclusion to this meeting.
Barton Coburn steered his own gaze straight into Walker’s steely eyes. “The moon is pointless by itself Audy; it is merely a connection point between numerous insurgents and fugitives.” The old man began. “We have used it in the past to cultivate but nothing more.”
Audenhoen began shaking his head slowly, “Barton, details are everything here. I can be of no use to you or service to the Empire if I’m to muddle my way through supposition to get to a point in which you could grace me with enlightenment right here and now.” He said with measured deliberateness, a tone he used right before he decided if he was still interested in each topic. Audenhoen watched again as the Director seemed to fumble with what he could or could not say, his lips clipping together as if to say something. Then the man did something unexpected and turned toward the cam to his right making a subtle motion with his hands. Walker had the immediate impression that he was waiting on a third party to proceed. He pushed himself up again from his seat, shaking his head. “With all due respect Sir, there is work to do. If there is nothing more…”
“Audy. For the last time, sit.” Coburn turned his head back to face him. “I ask for your patience as I am currently obtaining the clearance you will require in order for me to proceed with impunity.”
Audenhoen took in all that he could from the man’s visage, his posture, his bulging eyes, the beads of sweat lining his brow, clenching and unclenching of his hands. The man was on edge, nervous, and Walker had no idea why. Within seconds the door issued forth with a slight hiss at the end of the far corridor, Audenhoen turning to observe a heavily robed individual adorned in flamboyant colors flanked by a stocky Imperial General in dress green and brown leather accents. ‘Grand General Tagge?’ Walker shifted gears from frustrated annoyance to delighted curiosity. He rose from his seat out of respect for the General and turned his frame into a confined posture with his hands locked behind his back. Barton Coburn appeared from around his desk at Walker’s side, the elements of nervousness washed clean from his stance.
“General, Viceroy, thank you for your prompt response and presence. Perhaps we can bring this to conclusion in short order.
“Barton, it’s been ages...you look like hell by the way.” The General said with lighthearted sincerity, bringing a rare smile that graced the old man’s face with a certain awkwardness.
Coburn half turned to Audenhoen, “Audy, may I intro……”
“Grand General Tagge, it is an honor Sir.” Walker said quickly, firing a handout in greeting.
“Well Barton, it appears your request is warranted.” Tagge said with an awkward smile of his own, the hint of a laugh flowing from his words as he took Audenhoen’s hand in his own and applied a firm grip. “Please let me introduce Viceroy Janus Greejatus.” The General motioned toward the second man. Audenhoen swiveled to the colorful man, taking in the garish attire. Taking in as much as possible from the man before him without appearing dubious, he noted the bony structure of the man’s face, the sun starved skin clinging loosely at various points. The man’s sunken eyes and dark circles surrounding them looking as if he hadn’t slept in weeks. A yellowing stain across his lips informed Walker that the man indulged in pinches of spice in abundance. He decided within that moment that he didn’t like that man at all.
“Director, Deputy Director, it is a pleasure to meet you both in good health.” The Viceroy vomited his greeting, assuring Audenhoen that his assessment was correct.
Despite his misgivings, he extended his hand in greeting to which the Viceroy merely looked at, his own hands folded into the opposing arms of his red and blue robes. Walker retracted his hand and turned his focus to the General, deciding to ignore the arrogant man completely.
“If we could convene and find a conclusion to this briefing, I would be eternally grateful.” Coburn perked up, sidling back toward his seat.
The newcomers moved to occupy the seats before the Director’s desk, the emaciated Greejatus taking the seat Audenhoen had occupied. Without betraying his frustration, Walker slid over another chair from against the wall.
“Assurities that we are off the grid gentlemen, as Barton has already informed us, the integrity of the Imperial network is quite possibly compromised.” General Tagge spoke up, adopting a tone of authority but retaining the spirited look in his eyes. Walker noticed the man’s forehead extend farther back into his receding hair line, “It is to that end we feel it appropriate to elevate your clearance level in an effort to give you all the information you’ll need.” Tagge finished without taking a breath, very different from the last fifteen minutes of conversation with the Director.
“We are secure Grand General.” Barton responded in a clipped tone, Walker noticing the difference in the man’s dialogue with the General. The Viceroy merely nodded with half closed eyes.
“It is worth noting that your concerns regarding Lothal are warranted. To that end, the Director is correct however, the Emperor will not attempt to retake the planet.” Tagge said, a tone implying there would be no further discussion on the matter. “We lack the capability in any event, specifically in a system so remote.”
Audenhoen adopted a baffled expression, “Sir, the Director has made me aware of Admiral Cain’s objectives, but what of the other fleets? Surely Lord Vader could not have appropriated every vessel?” Walker elicited, gunning right for the point. He noticed the Viceroy spin slowly toward him but chose to ignore any other moves or expressions the man may have adopted.
Coburn chirped a slight laugh he had tried with all his might to quell, “I told you he was very direct Cassio.”
General Tagge let a slim smile betray him and covered his mouth quickly with his hand, “I can most certainly appreciate that.” He turned fully toward Audenhoen shifting his hand to pinch his chin between thumb and index finger. “I have given Lord Vader an essential free reign over ship assignments Deputy Director. He has been able to flush out and destroy a great deal of insurgents, collaborators and known Rebels.” He finished leaning forward.
Audenhoen could do nothing to hide his shock, “Lord Vader reports to you Sir?” The words felt awkward and weak.
“Since Cymoon, yes.” The raspy voice of the Viceroy answered, Walker’s eyes still locked on the Grand General, ignoring the Viceroy’s comment.
“That will remain the case until such time as our Emperor decides otherwise.” Tagge said as he crossed his arms before his chest and straightened his back in the chair.
Audenhoen accepted the response and decided to push forward with his questions to regain control of the conversation to his liking. “What of Raada?”
“A meaningless moon that we utilized years ago.” Greejatus rasped.
“With all due respect...Viceroy, you may be able to dismiss information, but I am not, nor will I accept an alternative where I must. Now, what of Raada?” Walker Audenhoen felt the words echo through his head, knowing they had their intended effect. He watched as both General and Director nodded to one another.
“There was an incident on Raada which took place almost sixteen years ago involving the same individuals you were able to identify earlier today. The incident itself resulted in the death of an Inquisitor by the hands of Ahsoka Tano.” Director Coburn spoke to the question before the Viceroy could intervene.
“Captain Miara Larte’s first adopted home.” Grand General Tagge added.
Audenhoen contorted his face into a dumbfounded expression, “Our files suggest she is Alderaanian.”
“Not by birth Audy, nor was she born of Raada, but that is neither here nor there. Its importance in the moment, we believe, could be a harborage for a group of insurgents, including but not limited to, Captain Larte, Keno escapees and quite possibly Tano.” Coburn managed without running out of breath or wheezing.
“Ahsoka Tano….” Audenhoen repeated the name a few times to make a connection, his gaze cast toward his boots. He knew he had heard the name in the past and tried with all his ability to disconnect that past from his finding earlier today, to remain objective. A holovid. He remembered a holovid captured several months past. “Nar Shadaa.” He mumbled as he looked directly through the three men.
“Precisely Deputy Director.” The Viceroy rasped, calling Audenhoen’s attention to the sickly-looking man.
“I can understand Lord Vader’s imperative then.” He paused, remembering the graphic video.
“She was presumed dead within the debris and rubble of Lord Vader’s Citadel on Mustafar just six months prior, however we have been unable to recover the body.” General Tagge added, Audenhoen beginning to feel weak at the knees. ‘What is the point of acting on intelligence when even a Deputy Director is so far out of the loop,’ he thought to himself. He raised his hand before all three of the other men as he fought back a sudden wave of nausea. He had no more to say he suddenly realized, feeling as though he had done nothing but waste his time for the last ten years of his life.
“Let us come to the ultimate point Deputy Audenhoen, we would like to appoint you to fill the duties of ISB Director. Barton has fully endorsed you….” Grand General Tagge began but was cut off.
“Providing you complete the assignment laid before you presently.” Viceroy Greejatus added with a little more life in his voice.
“Audy, hunt down that signal trace, and dig into any implications Raada may possess.” The Director said with a certain measure of pride in his voice.
“I will require Lieutenant Sigurn to assist.” Walker said without hesitation.
“Done.” Tagge added.
“What is available….” Audenhoen was silenced by Tagge’s head shake.
“Captain.” Tagge said.
“Deputy Director, as your troublesome findings this morning would suggest, we are all operating under the impression that the entirety of the Imperial network is at this time, compromised fully.” Another voice crackled in over the comm device built into the Director’s desk.
“You’ll be operating off the grid so to speak Audy.” Coburn added, “utilizing nonmilitary assets.”
“As of this moment Deputy Director Audenhoen you are granted top clearance and will be given full merits and status in accordance with that of the ISB Director.” Grand General Tagge continued the deluge.
“We have a shuttle waiting for you on pad eight, we will proceed when you are ready.” The comm voice added.
“What? Where am I going?” Audenhoen asked, knowing the questions sounded stupid.
“The Sidious.” The comm voice answered immediately.
‘What the hell is going on.’ Walker Audenhoen thought to himself, wondering just what he had gotten himself into.