Empire's End

Old Friends

"Captain, Grand Admiral Rae Sloane has ordered all ship commanders to the Vanquish. Our ship has also been rerouted around the front nose of the Vanquish by orders of the Grand Admiral." Informed one of the bridge crew as Sorfe entered.

"Very well. Prepare my shuttle for transport." he stopped, thinking about Course. "And commander, you are in charge of making sure that first officer Course is taken care of." he managed to say. To that, the young officer nodded and strides away. Sorfe soon following suit to the hanger.

The shuttle he was boarding was old and not really a shuttle. It was an LA-AT gunship used by the Republic during the clone wars. It was still retro fitted to hold standard clone armour and weaponry, Sorfe thought it was worth keeping around, for nostalgic purposes and also for credits. Clone war era ships are worth quite a few on the black market.

When he arrived in the hanger of the Vanquish, he was greeted by a squad of heavily armed stormtroopers. Those of whom held modified E-11 blasters in their hands and were on high alert. They checked Sorfe's uniform very thoroughly and ordered the pilot to return back to the Obediance. With confirmation from his Captain, he complied.

After the inspection, the stormtroopers gestured for Sorfe to follow, so he did. He was led into a large room. It used to be a lecture or debriefing room for stormtroopers. Now it was a large conference room filled with high ranking Imperials from the top to bottom. Now he understood the tight security. They were the last remnants of the Empire.

The room was filling up as when he arrived. He waited around 15 minutes silently whilst pondering his next course of action. Where to get supplies for his ship for example was one of the more pressing issues. As he waited quietly, there was a an order given to stand. He complied without hesitation. So did the entire room of Imperials. Suddenly, from somewhere on the catwalk above them, a metal door slid open. Revealing Grand Admiral Sloane, accompanied by a squad of stormtroopers and the Shadow Council. They walked silently, heads held high  showing no weakness. Then, breaking the silence, the Grand Admiral gave the order to sit.

"Greetings, I am Grand Admiral Rae Sloane of the Imperial Fleet. I would first like to apologise for the tight security here aboard the Vanquish. In truth, there is a traitor amongst us."the room burst into small pockets of conversations as people looked around them as if looking for the traitor. For a slight second, Sorfe thought of Course in his cell. No, it couldn't be he thought. Course had always remained loyal to the Empire from the start. It couldn't be him. He simply brushed it off as a coincidence and right timing. "That traitor, known as the 'Operator' by our spies, has given away our fleet location to the New Republic. Rest assured, this traitor would be apprehended. A special ISB unit has been preserved for this very problem."she stopped as her eyes gazed out into her audience in silence whilst trying to remember what else was on her mind.

"Now, the reason you have all been gathered here is that I am to inform you that the New Republic has given us a choice to surrender." Now there were bigger stirs of arguments then before, it was much more apparent. "Judging by our current situation, surrendering is not too bad of a decision one could make. So I am giving you all a choice by the next cycle. Those of you who might want to flee and surrender to the New Republic, you will follow General Landal tomorrow. His ship is leaving for Chandrilla at 8 quarter IGC time. Those who are still willing to serve what remains of the Empire stay behind. Further instructions would be given then. You are all dismissed."

Immediately, some protests and brawls were happening in the Obediance when Sorfe had informed the ship. His own bridge had become a war zone, though not as intense as the one seen in other ships, the air was full of stress and uncertainty. It could be any moment when a fight would form amongst the crew. Amidst all this chaos, there is only one person whom Sorfe could trust. He quietly walked to the lift and made sure no one was inside before he made his way to the brig. When he opened the cell door, Course was waiting for him.

His eyes were droopy. Dark circles began to form below his eyes. His uniform was wrinkled from his collar to his sleeves. His cap was placed beside him, showing his untidy hair. He looked up towards Sorfe, a grin starting to form.

"What are you smiling for?"asked Sorfe.

"Nothing. Just... you're helpless without me." answered Course, his smug still present.

"What are you talking about? I've come to check on you."

"Really. Ship in distress, people leaving the fleet and you've come to check on me." Course said sarcastically whilst beginning to lay down on the bench he was now so accustomed to.

"I came to get a second opinion."

"You already have hundreds." He began to readjust his position. "What you need is a competent one."

Sorfe was now become inpatient and a little annoyed. It's true what Course had said to him. He came to get advise from his intelligent First Officer. He really did need Course by his side.

"Just- " he began. "tell me what you think."

"I think we should surrender." Course said, as clearly and as bluntly as he could.

"You took an oath when you enlisted." Course rolled his eyes at this comment. Sorfe ignored him and continued "You said that you would serve this Empire as best you could. If necessary, give up your life for it."

"The Empire is gone Sorfe. That oath no longer matters."

"Perhaps" replied Sorfe. He didn't know what else to say. There was a moment of silence until an idea sparked in his mind. "I need your help." he finally said.

"Of course you do." replied Course. Sorfe tried not to show his annoyance with that comment and continued on.

"You are my closest and most trusted ally, I can't do this without you." he finally blurted out. With that, Course just rolled his eyes and begin to lay down, using his cap as shade from the light. "-and I might be able to help with Quint."