FORSAKEN IV - Harbinger of Chaos

CHAPTER FORTY-TWO

"Anyone looking at them would believe that they're really running the galaxy," said Armand Isard from across the room as he observed Dhorr working the crowd. "What's this?" he said to a passing waiter droid, carrying a tray.

"Baked dru'un slices in fish sauce," said the droid.

"Ugh, I can't stand ethnic foods. I'll pass."

"I didn't take you for the fundraiser kind, Director," said Sly Moore, coming over.

"What's so shocking? COMPNOR is in every aspect of the Empire, including frivolous events."

"Not a believer in the cause?"

"Oh, don't get me wrong. The way Tarkin has been pounding the criminal syndicates in the Outer Rim, its citizens are going to need a lot of cheap housing to keep them warm during the night. But I don't believe for one second what's happening here tonight is going to have any lasting impact."

"So, you're not here for the food or the charity, just to remind people COMPNOR is always watching?"

"The open bar doesn't hurt." Isard raised his glass of Cheedoan whiskey. "Speaking of whereabouts, is it true the Emperor is not currently on Coruscant?"

"The Emperor is where the Emperor wants to be, Director. That's the whole point of being an emperor. I find it unbecoming a man of your station to entertain unfounded rumors."

"Are you kidding me? That's two thirds of my job. Take Director Eisvolk, for example. I went to her office this morning to inquire about the investigation on Senator Dhorr and found out she was gone."

"So?"

"Nobody could tell me her whereabouts."

"She's an intelligence officer. Secrecy is part of her job."

"True, but Eisvolk has a history of working at the fringes of the intelligence establishment with little to no supervision—every time her career takes a turn for the worse, the good Colonel always finds a way to turn it in her favor."

"Don't tell me you're just jealous of her craftiness."

"I'm worried about her connection to Senator Dhorr."

"Alright, Director. I'll bite. What do you mean?"

"I find it curious why no one seems to be able to find any relevant intelligence on a senator that has upset the political scene in such a short span. Then, Director Eisvolk receives an untraceable anonymous tip about the attack on the senator that failed to kill both of them. Afterwards, when Dhorr's bill is defeated in the Senate, the Colonel goes mysteriously missing."

"With all due respect, I think you might be enjoying the open bar a little too much." Moore's comlink beeped with an incoming call. She checked the ID. It was Ochi.

"I'm still trying to connect the dots. But when I do, I bet it's going to lead to Eisvolk."

"Tell you what, Director. If you ever happen to find anything alarming, why don't you come into my office and let me know. You know the Emperor takes security quite seriously and holds those who champion it in the highest regard."

"Thank you, Administrator. I'll do so."

"Now, if you excuse me, I have to take this call."

Moore walked away, leaving Isard to savor his small victory. Administrator Moore could provide him with the opportunity to have a direct line to the Emperor, independent of the Joint Chiefs and COMPNOR.

"Cushnip with fral?" said a passing waiter droid.

"Pass." Isard cringed.

Moore walked out into the deserted terrace. "What do you have to report, Ochi?"

A small hologram of the assassin projected over the comlink. "You were right, the Jedi are hiding on Pantora," he said. "I found four of them in Ro Station: the Kage, the Zabrak, the Miraluka, and a young Twi'lek girl that wasn't in the files you sent. But someone was already waiting for them."

"Who?"

"Someone from the IMI with the highest security clearance likely."

Eisvolk. Moore glanced into the party as if she could still see Armand Isard. Maybe the director of COMPNOR was right after all. The Umbaran knew the Senator was a Force-sensitive—strong enough to resist her mental influence. This wouldn't be the first time the Jedi of the Outcast interfered with the Empire. If Rhea Dhorr was one of them and Eisvolk knew about it, why would she keep it to herself?

"The Kage and the Miraluka were arrested during an IMI raid," Ochii continued. "The Zabrak and the Twi'lek escaped. I almost captured her if it wasn't for the intervention of Pantoran Security. One of my informants, who had direct access to their starship, told me the freighter was stolen from the fuel depot where it was impounded. It's safe to say the free Jedi escaped aboard it. The other two were taken off-planet on an Imperial cruiser with a TIE fighter escort to parts unknown. That's all I know. How would like me to proceed?"

"See if you can pick up the trail of the Outcast and let me know."

"Very well." Ochi ended the transmission.

What the is Eisvolk scheming? But more importantly, what are the Jedi up to this time? Sly Moore had to be careful how to proceed with this information. If she played her cards right, she could be an integral part of whatever Imperial ruling government will take over from the Emperor. On the other hand, if she made a mistake, she could end up with nothing. With the Emperor and Darth Vader dead, there was only one option left with the power to fight the Jedi. The Umbaran made a call.

"Administrator Moore, what I surprise," said the Grand Inquisitor via hologram.

"I have information regarding the location of a Jedi," she said, keeping an eye on the partygoers to make sure no one hears.

"Is that so? Where?"

"Here in Coruscant."

"Impossible." The Grand Inquisitor had no idea how a Jedi remained undetected in Coruscant, under the presence of the Emperor and Darth Vader, but it had been done once before by the Theelin who travelled on the Outcast.

"I can see her from where I'm standing." Moore looked at Rhea Dhorr inside the apartment, across the room. "Perhaps you want me to put her on the comlink?"

"That won't be necessary. I'll be heading to the capital immediately."

"Not just you. Bring every Inquisitor you can. You're going to need them."

"For one Jedi?"

"I promise you this is a Force-sensitive like nothing you have ever encountered before."