FORSAKEN II - Eternal Dawn

CHAPTER FIFTY-TWO

A pile of rubble, glass, and twisted ferrocarbon beams was all that remained of the classified research laboratory in Christophsis. After days of recovery teams sifting through the wreckage looking for survivors and any salvageable research material, the Imperial Press Corps went into hyperdrive to do damage control. HoloNet News reports about the incident claimed a group of terrorists— possibly linked to Saw Gerrera's Partisans—had stormed the facility, looking to release a cache of the deadly Poltur Virus, which was being studied in the lab to develop a cure. The timely intervention of the Imperial Navy prevented the catastrophe by having no other choice than to destroy the building, saving the city. Sadly, the courageous act was met with a second sacrifice, as the Hypori's Revenge met her end during the ensuing fight. Her captain, the war hero, Villen Haibak, was hailed for his bravery and decisiveness. Plans to celebrate his selfless service with full Imperial honors were underway. Regardless, fears of the virus being released by the attack concerned the people of Chaleydonia. Emperor Palpatine himself visited the site of the tragedy to reassure its citizens there was nothing to fear.

Concentric circles of security were stablished around the debris. Patrol troopers controlled the widest perimeter, diverting all traffic and denying access to that part of the city. Stormtroopers were posted closer, making sure the area was secure under the protection of TIE strikers. Around the lab, death troopers were deployed to protect the high-ranking officers present—only the Imperial Press Corps was allowed in this area. The Imperial Royal Guard guarded the perimeter outside the remains of the research lab. A lone silhouette ambled around the debris.

Emperor Sheev Palpatine—the Dark Lord of the Sith, Darth Sidious—walking amidst the devastation made for a powerful statement in the HoloNet news. In reality, his visit to Chaleydonia were greater than a simple propaganda affair. He roamed through the site sensing in vain for any traces of the darksparks or the Exobogans.

Waiting by the wings, Grand Moff Tarkin, the Grand Inquisitor, Commander Eisvolk—her injured arm rested in a splint—and the First Sister waited for the Emperor.

"This is an action that will not go unpunished," the Emperor spoke in his rasping voice.

"Rest assured, your highness, that if the culprits are anywhere in the Outer Rim Territories, they will summarily be found and dealt with accordingly." Tall, gaunt, and with an unmistakable military bearing, Wilhuff Tarkin was the governor of the Outer Rim. "I will personally make this my top priority. This kind of wanton sedition is precisely at the core of the creation of my security doctrine. It won't be tolerated."

"Master," the Grand Inquisitor bowed his head. "It's true that the Jedi had managed to escape several times, but the Inquisitorius have remained close to their trail ever since they left Coruscant. Regretfully, my Inquisitors have proven ineffective at the task of eliminating them. But I pledge to hunt down these Jedi personally and get rid of the scum once and for all."

The Emperor's scarred mien hardened. "What makes you think you won't fail again, Grand Inquisitor? Or worse, end up like the Fourth Sister did?" The Emperor couldn't conceive losing a dark side adept to the light. Why would anyone embrace weakness willingly?

"My loyalty is undeniable, master. I will not rest until their severed heads lay at your feet."

"I much rather have the heads of those who failed me rest in front of me."

The comment made the Grand Inquisitor cast his gaze down.

"It's clear these Jedi are too much for the Inquisitors and require a different approach." The Emperor relished in the surprising ways the Force linked seemingly disconnected events.

"Not everything was lost, master," Karabra said.

"Silence!" the Grand Inquisitor said. "How dare you speak when you're the one responsible for the loss of this facility? I will deal with your incompetence once we return to our headquarters."