Codename Fulcrum

Chapter 1: Codename Fulcrum

"Now, Agent Kallus, I won't ask you again, where is the rebel base?" Thrawn's voice sounded bored in the small room that young Ezra Bridger once called home.

Former ISB Agent Alexsandr Kallus once again ignored the blue man's question, pulling at the binders connecting his hands to the pipe running along the room. He knew even if he was somehow able to free his hands from the binders, Grand Admiral Thrawn would just put him right back in them. Or worse. Man, he really packed a punch.

THUD  Speaking of punches, Alexsandr groaned as the Grand Admiral landed a hard and precise punch on his already hurting - and probably bruised, if not broken - ribs.

"I am growing increasingly bored of your non-compliance, Kallus. But, I suppose maybe I am asking the wrong questions. Whatever made you want to betray the Empire, hmm? You were top of your class at the academy, even receiving praise from Admiral Yularen. A successful career, and even at such a young age, on track to climb the rankings within the Imperial Security Bureau. Whatev-"

"I'm going to stop you right there," Kallus tried to growl at the Imperial standing before him, but all his raw throat could muster was a harsh whisper, "because you'll never understand. Heart of a rebel, remember?"

"Ah yes, but such a weakness had its seed planted in something else. Something - or maybe someone? - gave you the idea that you could betray your emperor and get away with it. Maybe it has something to do with the young Bridger boy?" Thrawn gestured to the room around them, where a thick layer of dust had settled on Ezra's old belongings. "This is, after all, where you've been sneaking off to send out your coded Fulcrum transmissions.

"Or maybe that Lasat, Garazeb Orrelios? Well, I'd suppose it wasn't him - you did ultimately bring the destruction of Lasan and the Lasat people, did you not?" Thrawn gave Kallus his signature smirk, knowing that the last comment hit home.

"And I'll spend the rest of my life atoning for that." Kallus shot back, mildly aware that he was letting Thrawn get under his skin, but also no longer caring.

"Or I suppose I'm forgetting the obvious, what about that pretty Jedi that you always seem to be chasing? Your... resolve to capture the rebels aboard the Ghost greatly increased after she joined the crew. I thought you would be smarter than to leave everything you've ever known for some girl........"

Growing bored of hearing Thrawn's voice, or maybe unable to focus any longer, Kallus's thoughts drifted. How was he going to get out of this? Did the rebellion receive his transmission in time? Would the rebels come for him once they realized that the Empire knew he was the rebels inside man? Would he even live that long?

Another punch, this time to the left cheek, told Kallus that his inattention had not gone unnoticed and only angered his captor more. Only Kallus no longer cared what Thrawn had to say. He has his own thoughts to worry about.

Another hit, this time more squarely to the side of his head, put Kallus out cold.

***flashback***

Must.... warn..... the rebels.....

Suddenly Kallus was back on his speeder, headed towards the old communication tower on the edge of the city.

Entering the operations center at the top, he walked to where the transmission equipment was, and with a quick adjustment to the frequency, his Fulcrum insignia materialized.

"This is Fulcrum with an urgent message; Thrawn knows about-"

Suddenly, the insignia turned red and feedback came blaring through the device. He barely had time to wonder what was causing the interference before he heard the chilling voice of the last person in the galaxy he wanted to be near.