“The impossibility of breaching the entirety of Imperial data should be noted, however, protocol seventeen has opened the lid on multi-phase encryption.” Walker Audenhoen informed Grand General Tagge as they made their way through the grand corridor. Striations of gray and white teemed through the highly polished black stone, imported from some outer rim territory Walker didn’t remember, seeming to absorb the clacking sound their boots should be making.
“In the wake of discovery, it is always important to note as well the opportunity exposure presents.” Grand General Cassio Tagge responded; his lips pulled into thin lines.
“Referring to DS1 isn’t entirely out of context, however, we are all aware that Yavin Four was but one of many strongholds.” The cackling voice of Viceroy Greejatus interluded.
‘Doesn’t this man have anything else to do,’ Walker asked himself.
“In fact, that is not what I was referring to at all, Viceroy. Perhaps less interruption and a steady dose of paying attention would be recommended, lest we find ourselves talking about vastly different topics altogether.” Tagge snapped, surprising Walker with both his witticism and audacity. Despite the mild tension the trio had not missed a step, Audenhoen taking care to absorb the minutiae of details the General employed in his interactions with the political representative. His attention drawn to the man’s body language as well as his insistence upon looking in the distance, beyond the Viceroy, when addressing him directly.
“Our Emperor is well aware of the existential threat that persists outside this system, even within it I would wager.” Tagge chose his words carefully Audenhoen noted, as the man cast a sidelong glance toward the Viceroy. Walker understood that the General’s comment could be taken in multiple ways, which was precisely his intention.
“Forgive me but in the interest of moving forward, I think it wise to disable protocol seventeen for the time being. It has proven both useful as well as detrimental, and until such time as I locate the origins of the rogue entity it would prove to be the later in most cases.” Walker interjected as they neared the doorway to the landing platform tower.
“Highly advisable Deputy Director, I am sure the Emperor would agree with your suggestion. However, that would necessitate the elevated success rate of the Grand General’s own initiatives.” The Viceroy responded, Audenhoen wincing as his comment had been so expertly turned into a verbal weapon.
“Between Lord Vader, Cylo and myself that will not be a problem, provided political hindrance is at a minimum.” General Tagge navigated the slight.
As they approached the doorway, it slid open before them exposing a short corridor with a bank of turbolifts at the opposing end.
With a humorless chuckle Janus Greejatus bowed with a short genuflection that conveyed no trace of respect, “I regret that I must leave you here, other matters require my attention. May your endeavor end in the highest success Deputy Director. Grand General.” He nodded toward each man individually before turning around and heading back the way they had come. Tagge watched the man sweep himself clear of their presence, his hands lightly pulling up the robes he wore to keep them from touching the floor. Audenhoen had noted the same action before but watched his retreat now with disdain, preferring to keep the finery of politics out of the natural order of security business. Walker turned his gaze toward the Grand General, seeing the same expression he knew he conveyed on the man’s face. General Tagge turned toward Audenhoen as he chuckled in response to the shared thought both men were experiencing. Walker couldn’t help but feel both relief and a mild enthusiasm as they clearly identified under identical precepts.
“I hate that man.” Tagge said what Walker already knew. Both men turned fully toward the bank of turbolifts and continued as the door closed behind them.
“I am sure all of these walls have ears General, but I completely agree with you.” Walker admitted.
Tagge responded with a slight laugh, “How is it that you know the Director...Walker is it?”
“Audy. I served under him for a handful of years aboard the ‘Hand,’ as well as other appointments. He’s a good man.” Audenhoen responded in all sincerity. “He’s like a father to me to be completely frank Sir.”
“Lola Sayu.” Grand General Tagge said and stopped short, contorting his face into one that expressed esteemed respect. Nodding his approval, the General clapped a hand on Audenhoen’s shoulder, “Cassio. You can call me Cassio. You know Barton only took the job because of you.”
Audenhoen laughed to himself, “He would never have admitted that to me.”
“That’s Barton.” Tagge responded as he continued to the turbolift, “through and through.” Audenhoen depressed the activation switch on a central panel between all three lift entrances. The door rotated open on the right lift and the two men stepped inside. Audenhoen pulled his code cylinder out of his breast pocket and inserted it into the lifts access port. “Three” he said, as the door slid back into position and the lift activated. He retrieved his cylinder from the port, “What is the ‘Sidious,’ Cassio.” He said a few seconds later, hesitant to use the General’s given name.
“Command ship of a fleet that answers only to the Emperor himself. Captain Sylde commands. The man should be Admiral, but he denied the promotion in favor of remaining with his fleet.” Tagge informed him. “He is one of the sharpest minds the Empire has produced.”
“I have never heard of any of this. Sylde. Sidious. Why now?” Audenhoen was annoyed at the blind side.
“It is deliberate Audy. Some things the Emperor wishes to keep for himself. Contingencies I would wager. But in any case, why now? Because that man and his fleet are precisely what you will need to succeed in your objective.”
The lift stopped as the door swiveled open. Audenhoen had always appreciated this view of the cityscape. A transparisteel panel surrounded a platformed ring broken only by access doorways to the three landing platforms on each level, providing a stunning view of the Bureau’s campus and surrounding monads. A pristine Lambda T4 resting patiently on pad eight highlighted the scene.
“Apologies for changing the subject, but as we have a moment alone I would ask you about Cymoon Cassio.” Audenhoen said suddenly.
“Complete chaos Audy. Lord Vader prevented catastrophic loss but was unable to contain the Rebel threat.” General Tagge responded without hesitation. “He is an efficient problem solver..most times but operates with abandon.” He continued, working diligently around his personal description. “If this is about Lothal again, I agree with you.” Tagge turned to him fully. “As was made clear, an occupying force returning to the system is out of the question. However, a small team insertion is anything but.” He finished with a wink. “You will come to understand that who you’ll be working with will be quite beneficial for all parties concerned.” Tagge, who had no issues expressing his thoughts outwardly, smiled brightly as he clapped his hand on Audenhoen’s broad shoulder again.
Audenhoen meant to probe further but decided against pushing too hard for information he knew would be at his disposal presently anyway. He submerged any remaining misgivings he had about this ‘calling’ and began working up his anticipation of operating without concern of oversight. They reached the hatchway for pad eight within moments, General Tagge pulled up short of engaging the sensor for the door, “Audy, the Interim Director was quite serious. The job is yours upon your return with his full endorsement, and after the few moments we’ve been able to converse, mine as well. Trust yourself, and trust Sylde.” He concluded with a smack of his lips as he crossed his arms behind his back.
Audenhoen suppressed the misgivings that were working their way into his psyche, things were moving much too fast and with far too many conveniences for his liking. An entire fleet he wasn’t even aware of? The notion was ludicrous, yet the shuttle waiting just meters away for him was as real as he was. He knew he would exchange pleasantries with whomever this Sylde was then sit Areti down and go over every detail of the briefing he had endured as well as any progress she may have made in his absence. They would attack this about face in priorities the same way they attacked every case file they collaborated on. He had requested only one thing for a very direct reason, she knew his thoughts before he did.
With a slight bow and a quick ‘Sir,’ Audenhoen turned to exit the tower with a renewed vigor, certain he was in over his head, yet determined to take full advantage of the opportunity to dive into data he had previously not had access to. As the door opened for him a brisk crosswind reminded him to secure his footing as he approached the shuttle. The fore boarding ramp was lowering for him as two armored troopers decanted to take up positions on either side of it. Dark gray armor, streaks of black and trimmed in red, they reminded him of the dark trooper prototypes that had crossed his attention some time ago, yet for some reason they seemed even more imposing. Audenhoen cast a glance back over his shoulder to see Grand General Cassio Tagge give him a departing wave before turning back for the lift entrance. The man looked defeated to Walker, a certain surrender to the pressures that had been at his heels for the last six months. If not for Dantooine the man wouldn’t even be alive Audenhoen reminded himself, a fact the General was more than likely reminded of daily. He had to give the man credit for the way he handles himself through it all, Walker realizing that he really did hope the man would succeed in his own endeavors. He turned back toward the shuttle’s ramp and without any further hesitation, ushered himself aboard without giving the troopers a second glance.
Areti Sigurn, the lone passenger in the shuttle’s expansive cabin, was busy hammering away at her personal data pad as Walker Audenhoen cleared the boarding ramp. He did his best to contain the smile he knew would betray him otherwise as he shook his head slightly, “Is there nothing that would stop you from your work Areti?” He asked, knowing the answer.
“Sir?” She looked up from the screen only long enough to register the rhetoric within the question. “An idea I had to trace that rogue signal. Now, we wouldn’t be able to prevent it from accessing sensitive data, but this algorithm will map its activity, giving us both likely source area as well as past action.” She said after returning her gaze and focus onto the well-worn data pad in her hands. Audenhoen took note of the small cables that ran from the device into one of the packs she had unloaded onto the seat adjacent to her.
“A wise precaution.” He stated with a hint of both sarcasm and appreciation, nodding toward the pack.
She patted the seat on the other side of her, Walker taking the cue that she didn’t wish to speak louder than necessary as he cleared the distance in three long strides, swiveled himself and sat down next to her.
“I don’t trust anyone Sir, not even you.” She whispered with a tight smile across her lips.
He laughed slightly at the comment slapping his own knees with his massive hands pushing himself back into the headrest.
Several blasts of air brought his attention to the boarding ramp, the sentry troopers taking up positions on fold out metallic seats stationed just inside despite the empty cushioned acceleration chairs throughout the cabin. His focus again honed in on the armor. The color scheme, he had to admit, did inspire thoughts of intimidation, an inferiority in their presence he couldn’t explain. It was the surface of the armor itself that caught his attention fully. There was no luster to it, no reflection of either direct or ambient light, a dull flat gray that absorbed it all. He noticed the porous nature of the surface, explaining the dull sheen, yet creating more questions than answers as they sat facing each other.
They could both feel the rumble through the shuttle as the boarding ramp sealed itself with a high-pitched hiss, the repulsors pushing them effortlessly off and away from the landing pad. Audenhoen noted the sudden headache and it’s just as sudden retreat as the entirety of the cabin pressurized in preparation for space travel, a process that would have been spaced out more uniformly so as to negate the effects in a more casual transport. He knew this was anything but normal.
“I didn’t have much time to gather our things, but you do have several changes of clothes.” Areti said without taking her eyes off the data pad’s screen, “The rest of our gear,” she began patting the pack next to her, “what I could bring anyway.”
“You did fine Areti and thank you.” He said with sincerity.
“Sir, I understand the gist of our mission, but this does not look like nonmilitary assets to me.” Areti responded in her matter-of-fact tone.
“So much for secured classified briefings.” Walker said with an audible laugh.
Areti dropped the data pad to her lap and turned her head to face him, “As you said Sir, the walls have ears,” her sly smile creasing her lips again, however none of her other features conveying any sentiment.
He couldn’t agree more with her ascertation. She had clearly noted the troopers, their nonstandard issue FWMB-10 heavy blasters and dual holstered STW-48’s. More fire power alone than any trooper he had ever seen before. “He mentioned the Sidious. Any idea what that refers to? Definition notwithstanding.”
“IGV-55 surveillance vessel. It appears we won’t be entirely out of our element.” Areti said, busy tapping and swiping away at her data pad again.
They both felt the jolt as the ship angled its trajectory skyward and sped away, avoiding all the sky traffic lanes exiting Coruscant. Minutes later they began to decelerate, a detail Audenhoen had only noted from his years of service in deep space despite not having any visual point of reference or perspective. They heard sudden discharges fire through the ship as its maneuvering jets angled their trajectory and a loud clunk sourced from below their feet answering Audenhoen’s unspoken thoughts concerning docking a T4 with an IGV.
“This is going to be a little disorienting Areti.” He said eyeing the hatch centralized in the floor of the cabin.
“I understand the basics of its Sir.” She responded as she tucked her data pad into the pack and secured it.
The armored troopers got up from their fold out seats and proceeded toward them stopping at the circular access hatch in the floor. An audible whine chimed through the cabin as one of them reached down to flip open a small access panel and punched in a string of characters, just as quickly closing the panel with a click. On a few second delay, the hatch doorway swung open exposing a small cylindrical tube with a short ladder extending to an adjacent opened hatchway. Areti got up and peered through, feeling a slight wave of nausea grip her, understanding in that moment what Audenhoen had warned her of. She was staring at the ceiling of whatever compartment the IGV’s access hatch opened into.
“Just do as I do.” Audenhoen advised her as he got to his knees and pulled himself into the cylinder by way of the ladder, within seconds disappearing into the cabin above them. Areti was certain that was the way to describe their orientation, but her mind repeatedly registered that they would be descending. The nausea became more intense the longer she thought about it and decided to work out the final calculation of her algorithm mentally rather than focus on the task at hand.
“Toss me the pack Areti.” Audenhoen said through the opening.
Again, Areti could not wrap her mind around the physics involved as she looked at the pack and simply dropped it through the hatch, and sure enough, she saw his hand extend to grab it from the adjoining compartment. “Hold on Sir, I’ll grab our other bag.” She quickly retrieved their personal belongings and dropped them through the hatch as well. Blowing out a tenuous breath she repeated his actions and climbed into the cylinder. Hand over hand she pulled her way through, feeling as though she were standing on her head. The closer she got to Audenhoen the more at ease she felt as gravity began to normalize and her actions began feeling more natural until she peered her head through the hatchway to see him waiting for her with his arms folded across his chest, “I don’t ever want to do that again.” She said as the nausea finally subsided. “Why an IG and not something with a hangar?” She hadn’t meant to voice her thoughts, “It is quite difficult to transfer personnel I’d wager.” She decided to finish the thought out loud.
“It is at that, but it also discourages unwanted parties from making the attempt.” A pleasant voice responded from behind them. It was at once commanding and deep enough to quiet a room Audenhoen thought as he and Areti turned around. Standing just inside the doorway of the hatchway airlock they had just decanted into, a trim man no taller than one and a half meters had his arms clasped behind his back akimbo. His attire was cut to Imperial regulation but was a spotless black from neck to toe offering no insignia of rank or other decoration. Audenhoen noticed the informalities in the details, cuffs unbuttoned and rolled back slightly, the collar hanging loose about his neck as it too was minus the top buttons and no cap adorning his head, his dark hair trimmed short and high about his forehead.
“Captain Sylde I assume.” Audenhoen stated, silently wondering how one so young was held in such high regard.
“Your assumption is correct, a testament to your reputation Deputy Director. Captain Evan Sylde, welcome aboard the Sidious.”
Several light thuds shook the cabin slightly as the docking mechanisms released their respective holds from both ships. A duo of troopers entered the cabin from behind Sylde, accessing a similar panel within the floor to secure the hatch. Neither of them was armed, that Audenhoen could see, and one wasn’t wearing a helmet, a human male with long blond hair striking Walker as an oddity in contrast to the remainder of the armor he had on.
As if the man were reading his mind, Sylde let loose a short chuckle. “You will come to see that formalities themselves are at cross purposes with our agenda.” He said plainly as the troopers retreated from where they had come. “If you follow me, I’ll show you to your quarters. Apologies again for my choice of vessel but room is limited as I am sure you have already surmised so you’ll both be bunking together if that is acceptable.”
Neither Walker nor Areti gave it a second thought and followed the man’s retreat from the airlock compartment and into a narrow corridor with a multitude of open doorways along its length. Cables, slim and thick alike braided together, ran the length of the corridor branching into various rooms. Audenhoen was overtaken momentarily by the cacophony of sound assailing him. Whines, chirps, and chimes of various pitches seemed to emanate from everywhere as they added a certain melody to the low bass hum of the ship’s power core. The mechanical thumping and gyrating of power generators themselves flooding the corridor in an acoustic nightmare worthy of some Coruscanti sub level night clubs. Both Walker and Areti looked at each other as they followed the rapid pace of the Captain silently communicating the questions they both had. She motioned toward her own collar as she watched beads of sweat form on his forehead, running freely over his temples and down his cheek. He nodded in the affirmative as she backhanded the sweat from his head, reaching up to unclasp his top button as well.
“Why is it so hot in here Captain?” Audenhoen asked, wondering why they didn’t just condition the recycled air.
“There isn’t much aboard this ship that would fall within Imperial regulation Deputy Director.” Sylde began.
“Audy is fine.” Walker interrupted.
“Very good, Audy. As I was saying, we operate well above our rated power capacity and have since added generators and power core to satisfy our needs. This generates a tremendous amount of heat that we wish to not waste added power conditioning. There is no need to cling to regulation aboard this vessel Audy, feel free to make yourself as comfortable as you wish.” The words strung together in what sounded like deliberate preparation to Audenhoen’s ears as he removed his uniform coat entirely, swinging it over his shoulder. “As a precursor to what may be a briefing forthcoming with the crew of this ship, I will jump right to the point and offer my suspicion with ninety percent accuracy that we, and I say that with purpose, believe we know whom you are looking for. Seven?”
“Ninety-point eight Sir.” A heavily modulated electronic voice answered immediately. Audenhoen strained his neck as he glanced about him, to keep himself from tripping over cables but also to locate the voice.
“Shipboard central AI Audy.” Sylde answered the question Walker was preparing to ask. “Hands free data acquisition answered in real time provides our fleet the ability to focus on mission objectives and solutions in lieu of additional personnel. The bonus of fact versus subjective perspective allows us the freedom to act quickly.”
Audenhoen had to respect the explanation knowing full well most fleet commanders wasted precious time and resource to satiate vanity alone, “Seven you said?”
“At your service Deputy Director.” The AI answered.
“Feel free to utilize Seven at your leisure...both of you.” Sylde said, turning his head slightly over both shoulders. Stopping abruptly, he half turned before one of the open doorways, all of which were bunkrooms offering little by way of comfort save stacked beds and small work desks filling each. Sylde proffered a hand, motioning for them to enter. “This will be your room for the duration of your stay. Please, feel free to make yourselves as comfortable as possible. In the meantime, I will update my crew of your arrival. I will return in say, an hour? We can then proceed as we agree sees fit.” Sylde finished, turning his body to leave them.
“Sir?” Areti spoke up, Sylde turning back toward her. She looked to Audenhoen before proceeding, awaiting his approval. With his nod of consent, she turned back to face Sylde, “Seven, what is the duration of travel with a Raada terminus?” She asked with her head tilted toward the ceiling.
“Approximately sixteen hours twenty-three minutes.” Seven replied.
“Captain.” She began.
“Sylde or Evan please.” He interrupted.
“Evan, perhaps we could make way as soon as possible for Raada. Time is against us in this pursuit.” Areti said with sincere conviction.
“Seven, please do as Miss Sigurn has suggested. I think we can all agree that is in our best interest.” Sylde commanded the AI.
“At once Sir.”
“Audy, Miss Sigurn.” Sylde said as he bowed slight at the waist and left them alone.
Areti made for the doorway to close the hatch as Audenhoen coughed to get her attention. “Unless you intend on undressing, in which case I’d rather not be in the room, I wouldn’t bother with the door.” He said as he rummaged through the secondary bag of personal items.
“I suppose that’s a good point.” Areti said slumping her shoulders.
“And no designs on the bottom bunk, you’re up top Agent.” Audenhoen said with a laugh.
“I was hoping that was the arrangement. Brings me back to my academy days.” She replied with her own lighthearted smirk, seating herself in the workstation chair. “Sir?”
“Areti. We’re not on Coruscant. Walker, please. I insist.” Audenhoen cur her off. “You heard the Captain; formalities are a thing best kept within the confines of either HQ or imposing vessels with decked hangars.
She laughed inwardly at his jest, never having seen this side of the man, “Walker.” She began awkwardly, “I don’t believe I’ve ever heard you speak this way.” She smiled at him, feeling as though the man were trying to bring himself down out of the stratosphere of regulation and protocol but understanding that he was in fact in his element displaced from fanfare and politics. She let her comment work its way through her own thoughts and musings for a while as Audenhoen continued rummaging through the pack for something more casual to wear. “What are we doing here?” She asked, causing him to halt his actions momentarily.
“Following orders.”
“Yes, but why us?” She questioned.
Audenhoen stared into her eyes, unblinking orbs of innocence he thought, “Do you want the truth Areti?”
The condemning looks her eyes adopted as he continued staring into them told him she would accept nothing but the truth, a tilt from her head suggested he get on with it.
“We’re expendable.” He said, maintaining his own gaze. “I’ve been promised Directorship following an impossible mission.”
“Walker, you wouldn’t turn down an impossible mission anyway, why tempt you with promises of anything?” Areti asked out of genuine curiosity, adopting a pensive expression as she fumbled with her fingers.
“Areti, they understand fully how exposed the Empire truly is without extensive encryption coding...I don’t need to be telling you this, what they need, when things go absurdly wrong, is someone to take the fall when that exposure goes critical.” Audenhoen said without a trace of remorse or melancholy, it was spoken as matter of fact.
“Alright then.” She said clapping her hands as she jumped up from the chair, “Let’s figure this out.”
“I concur.” He said, his smile returning.
“Things are about to get very interesting I think.” Areti exclaimed.
“Indeed, they are.” He said returning to the pack. With a sharp exhale he tossed items from both hands back into the pack. “Where the hell are my pants?”