Revan's Heir: Age of the Empire

Chapter Seven

Allana stood beside Thrawn as he sat behind the desk in his office, waiting for a response from Vader to Thrawn's message. Blue static fizzed over the communicator, drowning out the sound of Allana's thundering heartbeat. The nervous tension was thick in the air, one would not need to be sensitive to the Force to feel it.

"You have nothing to worry about, Lieutenant Commander," Thrawn consoled. "All you need to do is describe the infiltrator to Lord Vader in as much detail as you can recall."

"I understand, Admiral," Allana replied, straining to smooth her tone. She caught her breath as the image of Vader appeared before them, standing just a few feet tall in the hologram over Thrawn's desk. His arms were crossed over his chest, his gaze focused on Thrawn.

"I trust you did not contact me to waste my time, Grand Admiral." He sneered at the title. Thrawn offered an empathetic smile in response.

"Of course not, Lord Vader. I am afraid I have encountered a situation that requires your immediate attention." Allana kept her stare to the floor, avoiding looking forward until it was necessary.

"Go on," Vader permitted.

"We took custody of a shuttle traveling through restricted space belonging to the crime syndicate Crimson Dawn. Thanks to the efforts of Lieutenant Commander Amaryllis, who is here with me, we were able to capture the vessel's captain. A young woman named Qi'ra."

"Is this information pertinent to the matter that needs my attention?"

"Our prisoner was rescued by a Force-wielder who infiltrated my Star Destroyer." Thrawn summarized. Vader stood thoughtful for a moment, Allana could feel his look shift to her.

"A Jedi?"

"I do not believe this was a Jedi, Lord Vader," Thrawn responded. "Lieutenant Commander Amaryllis engaged the intruder, and several witnesses report that he carried a dual bladed, red lightsaber."

"A Sith," Vader said softly, seemingly to himself. Allana looked up as Vader began to speak to her. She stood at attention, enforcing her stance as she prepared to speak. "What can you tell me about the Sith, Lieutenant Commander?"

"He was a Zabrak male," she began, keeping her expression neutral. "He had a black and red skin pattern, and the lower half of his body was cybernetic." Vader was silent, but Allana could feel that her description stirred strong emotion within Vader.

"I believe I am familiar with the Sith you speak of," Vader replied after a long pause. "I will dispatch a team of Inquisitors to investigate."

"And what of our escapee?" Thrawn asked, his hands woven under his chin.

"If the fugitive is located, she will be taken into custody," Vader assured him. "Mending your wounded pride is not my priority, Grand Admiral. The capture of this particular Force-sensitive is imperative."

"I understand, Lord Vader," Thrawn responded dryly. The communication ended abruptly, leaving Allana winded as she drew deep breaths at Thrawn's side. Out of the corner of her eye, she could see the corners of his lips flatten into a thin line.

"Well, I suppose that will be the end of that."

"Is there anything else that you require of me, Admiral?" Allana asked, stepping over to the opposite side of his desk. He hesitated before looking up at her, his mind toiling with the frustration that rolled within him.

"There is the matter of your castigation," he said coarsely. Allana's stance remained unchanged, though Thrawn could see the line along her jaw bone tighten. She was silent, looking to him as the anticipation rose. Her emotions opened a portal into her mind, allowing him to see the dread of failure and the concern that her failure would result in devastating disappointment. But whose disappointment does she fear? Thrawn couldn't help but wonder.