Information

“I must ask you warden, how a pair of smugglers not officially on the prisoner registry, locked away in an isolated top secret high security level of a heavily guarded facility in the middle of coruscant were found dead!?” You asked the hologram of a visibly nervous warden of the Coruscant detention

“The logs have shown no evidence of unauthorized entry into the detention center my lord.” The warden said. “An interrogation was conducted shortly before the smugglers were found dead.”

“Who conducted this interrogation?”

“ISB Captain Nask the log reports.”

You sighed in frustration spending every second of listening to the failures of your organizations security. “Bring Captain Nask to me at once. I will oversee the rest of this investigation.”

“Does this mean your returning to the capital my lord?” The warden said trying to hide the tension of his voice.

“I’m already here. I will discuss your demotion another time.” Cutting the transmission as your shuttle exited Hyperspace over Imperial Center.

“If I may comment your majesty, I would hate to be in his position.” Juno commented in the pilot seat.

“It’s not me he needs to be scared of Captain.”

“Take us to ISB, than take Barriss to the palace to take care of our guest.”

Juno nodded and headed directly to ISB headquarters executive landing zone. The unexpected arrival of the emperor meant allot of heads were going to roll. And that might be more literal than one might imagine.

—————

The Imperial Security Bureau, the antibodies responsible of removing unwanted viruses plaguing the empire. Those who would try to tear down the new order from within would be wise to avoid the specter of the ISB. Right now the reputation of the bureau had taken an embarrassing blow in the wake of the deaths of the smugglers. You and your apprentice expected an explanation as to why this was allowed to transpire. When you entered the head office, you were met by Agent Alexsandr Kallus and a cadre of other officers were watching security footage from the detention center. You and Ahsoka’s arrival made all activity cease. A few men cleared their throats and wiped the sweat from their foreheads. Agent Kallus however stood stoic when you approached.

“Your majesty, lady Ahsoka, be assured that my teams investigation into the security breach has been very—“

“Quit the boasting and get to point Kallus!” Ahsoka fumed.

Kallus swallowed and looked at Ahsoka. Regaining his composure. “Very well, the two smugglers, both male Weequays died of poisoning. A strong one if I may add. The logs show Captain Nask being the last person to visit them while they were still alive. Making him our only suspect.”

“Have you extracted any information from them?” You asked.

“The two are affiliated with the Hutts, but this was outside of any typical Hutt spice run and we found allot of credits, more than a usual smugglers pay grade. They must have been making money on the side.”

“With the way we’ve been putting pressure on the criminal elements, working for the competition would be fatal.” You added.

“Why risk getting caught just to kill two smugglers?” Agent Kallus asked.

“To silence them, prevent us from learning where they were taking their cargo…” you stopped and thought.

“Master?” Ahsoka asked.

“Where is their ship?” You asked Kallus.

“It’s impounded here, the technicians are looking it over now and—“

*Beep* *Beep*

The communicator on Kallus’s belt rang abruptly. The agent excused himself. A stormtrooper commander was on the other end.

“This is Kallus, have you arrested Captain Nask?”

“We found Captain Nask dead in his home sir.”

“WHAT?!”

You look to Ahsoka who is just as shocked as everyone else in the room.

“Our assassin may be more skilled than we realized.” You said.

“Do you think their a changeling? How else could they have tricked security?” Ahsoka asked.

Before you respond, you feel a disturbance in the ****. You see a glimpse of a ship exploding in the hanger of the building. The assassin will be here. The vision ends and you look at Ahsoka.

“I felt it to. Their gonna destroy the ship along with all the evidence.”

“Take my guards and a security squad. Prepare an ambush at the hanger. Go!”

Ahsoka didn’t hesitate and bolted from the room along with your guards.

“Sir, Captain Nask’s code cylinder was just used to enter the building.”

“Don’t sound the alarm!” You command. Agent Kallus looks confused.

“My lord?”

“Let the imposter head to the hanger bay unopposed. But lock down all the exits and hanger doors.”

“Yes my lord, shall I provide backup?” Kallus replied.

You nod and the agent runs out to meet up with Ahsoka. You eventually leave but you are not in a hurry. You allow your mind to guide you to where you need to be. You will soon unravel this mystery.

—————

Ahsoka stood in the hanger behind the large cargo containers that spread throughout the hanger. She was flanked by a dozen stormtroopers weapons set for stun. The hanger itself was dark apart from a few lights shining over the smugglers vessel. A VCX-100 light freighter, a little worn out but still a very functioning ship. It was tethered to the floor with magnets to prevent theft. Code breaking computers were outside and plugged into the ship.

With the trap set, all that was left was to await the uninvited guest. It wasn’t long until the main hanger doors opened and a male looking figure in an imperial officer uniform walked through the hanger bay towards the ship. Ahsoka signaled the troopers to hold until the right moment. Once the captain reached the ship entrance, Ahsoka gave the order and the stormtroopers revealed themselves blasters pointed directly at the Captain.

“Stop right there!” Ahsoka ordered. “On your knees and raise your hands slowly!”

The Captain did not say a word but began to raise his hands very slowly above their head. However, the Captain pulled a flare stick from their cap and shot it in the air. All the troopers were blinded and let their guard down. Quickly the Captain pulled two grenades and threw them into the smuggler ship and blew it into a smoldering wreck.

Ahsoka recovered most of her vision in time to see the assailant running towards her. Ahsoka did not have the time to spark her sabers before the captain rushed the Togruta and the two exchanged blows. Ahsoka struck back and grabbed the captain face. Captain Nask jumped over ahsoka’s head and bolted for the hanger doors. Dodging the few stun bolts headed his way.

Once the captain left the hanger, four forcepikes lit up and held Nask in place. The Captain was brought to his knees by the royal guards. You were standing right behind the guard looking down at the struggling imposter. A tear was across the left cheek but no blood. You realized the imposter wore a face mask. So you removed it and you saw the face of a woman. Brown hair, blue eyes, and very beautiful.

“You must be Dryden Vos’s lieutenant, Qi’ra.” You smirked. But the woman did not answer, she continued to struggle against the forcepike field.

“Stun her.”

The gaurds hit her with a stun blast, knocking her ****. Ahsoka brushed off her wounds and had a look at Qi’ra.

“This ones a fighter alright. I’m gonna be feeling this in the morning.”

You chuckled and turned towards the approaching agent Kallus.

“The ship is a wreak along with the equipment. We will do what we can to salvage the data. What shall we do with her?”

“I will take her to the imperial palace. I will conduct my own interrogation.”

Agent Kallus nodded and returned to the hanger. Ahsoka had two stormtroopers carry Qi’ra to your landing pad.

“So Crimson Dawn was after Celeste.” Ahsoka said.

“It looks that way.”

“It won’t be easy to get any information from her.”

“Yes, but my techniques are very specialized for women like her.” You winked. Ahsoka gave a smirk, understanding exactly what you meant.