Earthlings 2: The Dark Age

8

19 BBY, Ryloth

Senator Tara Valorum's private shuttle, the Vigilante touched down at the public hangar in Lessu among other Imperial vessels. The doors opened, allowing Tara and her sister to disembark along with their escort, Commander Kal just as a few attack shuttles landed as well. From the 1st one disembarked a clone captain and the oh so infamous Admiral Edmon Rampart... Tara had heard of this man's dealings on Kamino, what with implementing his 'War Mantle' business into the Empire. Toni had also spoken ill of him last week; apparently she'd heard horror stories from the padawan Leda Delvin during the war.

But if he was stationed primarily on Kamino, why was he on Ryloth; that was Tara's question. How widespread was this... War Mantle? Was that all he dealt with? How powerful were Imperial admirals such as him? Tara had yet to find out.

"Oh, there he is," Toni muttered besides her. 

Tara glanced over. "Just... don't make trouble, and you'll be fine."

"What, you think you'll lose me on Nur?" Toni raised a brow. "Everyone knows my past already, sister."

"Oh, very nice," Tara remarked sarcastically before her eyes returned to Rampart.

"Ah, Senator Valorum." The Admiral spoke in a voice smoother than Tara would have expected from an Imperial officer. He could easily have been mistaken for some kind of bureaucrat.

"Admiral Rampart," Tara replied curtly. "My condolences for the casualties suffered in the attack recently. I do hope Senator Taa and your son are recovering well."

"Thank you," Rampart said softly. "I'm sure they are. But in the meantime, I must visit the perpetrators of the attack."

"Perpetrators-?" Toni piped in. "Who could possibly have the malicious intent to murder a Senator and a child?"

"Local insurgents led by Cham Syndulla," Rampart replied. "Taa's political rival."

Cham Syndulla... Tara thought, listening. The Liberator of Ryloth wouldn't possibly incite an uprising now that Ryloth was free, much less attack Senator Taa without a valid reason. 

"Well, Captain Howzer and I must go now," Rampart said, turning towards the building. "Care to join us?"

"It would be my pleasure," Tara replied from the side of her mouth. Time to see exactly what this whole deal was...

"I'm surprised that man didn't kiss your hand upon arrival," Toni whispered besides her. "He seems like the type of person to do so."

"Oh, please..." Tara scoffed as discreetly as possible. "He probably saves that kind of cheesy behavior for his wife."

"Ah, yes... his wife." They headed towards the detention level, where a few Twi'leks were held in cells with ray shielded doors. Passing by a few cells, they stopped at the cell holding General Syndulla along with a blue skinned Twi'lek male Tara assumed was his lieutenant, and a green skinned female who was probably his wife.

"Ah, Cham Syndulla," Rampart began, gazing into the cell. "The Liberator of Ryloth... now the Traitor of Ryloth. Attempting to assassinate your own senator ? How unfortunate for your people to see you fall."

"They won't believe your lies," The orange Twi'lek seethed.

"Taa said you'd be a challenge, but he was mistaken," Rampart remarked. "Your loyal followers will be even easier to deal with. Your daughter too."

The air got tense at Rampart's words. Everyone was clearly affected; Toni put a hand to her mouth, and Howzer and Kal looked at each other nearby. Tara blinked momentarily, surprised at the revelation that Cham had a daughter. Then she put on her emotion mask again.