I boarded my personal starship and began maneuvering toward Darth Serevrus's flagship, the Dark Eclipse. The exterior was like any other Harrower-class dreadnought; however, a massive projector was mounted between the two forward prongs of the warship.
"Approaching the Dark Eclipse now," relayed Raina. "Sending landing codes."
"The Dark Eclipse if my memory serves me correctly," started Lokin. "Is among one of the top warships in the entire Imperial Armada."
"Looks like any other warship to me," retorted Kaliyo as she took a seat in the chair to my left.
I bring us in closer, eventually landing us in the number one hangar, just behind the massive projector. I extend the landing gear and the boarding ramp. We touch down with a small thud. I get up and attach my mask to my belt.
"Orders sir?" asked Raina.
"Don't stray too far from the ship," I replied.
"Will do, sir," replied Raina as I made my way out of the ship.
I walked down the boarding ramp and looked out toward the massive projector sitting outside of the hangar.
"Let's hope that projector is worth hindering the landing and takeoff procedures," I thought to myself. I turned toward the turbolifts and made my way to the command deck.
I arrived on the command deck and made my way toward the front. I looked out toward the bow of the ship, taking in the enormity of the projector mounted.
"How can those adegan crystals power something of that scale anyway?" I thought to myself, leaning closer to the viewport.
I heard a few footsteps approach from behind me: it was Zai'ev, accompanied by Zar'ix and Veriss.
"Guess you couldn't head off to your next contract huh?" I asked.
"Nope," replied Veriss as she and Zar'ix walked over and looked out of the viewport.
"Hey, Six," started Zar'ix. "How does this thing even work? I doubt the crystals we nabbed can power this thing."
"I'm afraid that's classified," replied Zai'ev as he adjusted his white officer jacket's sleeve.
"C'mon Six," started Zar'ix as he turned to face Zai'ev. "No shame in telling us."
"I'm afraid that Cipher Six is right in witholding such information," remarked a voice. I looked past Zai'ev to see Darth Serevrus approach. Zai'ev moves out of the way and lowers his gaze; I do the same. Veriss and Zar'ix bow their heads slightly.
"Considering you are guns-for-hire," started Serevrus. "I can't have any weaknesses in my weapon exposed."
"Fair point," replied Zar'ix with a shrug.
"Cipher Six," started Serevrus. "Are the crystals aboard?"
"Yes, my lord," replied Zai'ev. "They were brought aboard just awhile ago."
"Very good," remarked Serevrus. "Let's proceed with constructing then. Cipher Nine?"
"Yes, my lord?" I replied.
Serevrus activates a nearby console and opens up some files; they were locked.
"Press your hand against the scanner there," ordered Serevrus. I nod and move over to the console. I remove my gloves and press my hand against the scanner as a horizontal line scans the surface of my hand.
The console beeps a cheery tone as the file opens up, revealing the plans for the final phase of construction.
"I see," remarked Zar'ix. "So those crystals serve as a means to focus Force Lightning into a much stronger energy."
"Precisely," remarked Serevrus. "Now that you know, it would be very foolish for you to share any of this."
I looked toward Zar'ix who appeared to have trouble breathing. I shifted my eyes down toward Serevrus's right hand, which looked as if he was holding something tightly.
"G-got it," replied Zar'ix, gasping for air. Serevrus releases his grip and Zar'ix gasps for air.
"Cipher Six," started Serevrus as he turned toward Zai'ev. "Take these plans down to the engineers. We are to move with haste. Our window of opportunity may close before we can take it."
"It will be done my lord," replied Zai'ev. Serevrus nods then walks past him toward the turbolift. The turbolift doors close behind him, allowing us to breathe more easily.
Zai'ev walks forward and downloads the files to a datapad.
"How many more files are there?" I asked.
"We only needed this file in order to finish construction," replied Zai'ev. "Now that we have what we need, please be sure to delete the remaining files."
"Will do," I replied. Zai'ev nods and makes his way toward the turbolifts. I walk back to the console and look over the remaining files.
"Wait a second," started Veriss.
"What is it?" I asked as I looked toward her direction.
"How about you give us those files and we'll make it worth your while?" suggested Veriss.
"You know I can't do that," I replied. "And you know the costs of crossing Sith!"
"Yeah, you're right, we do," replied Zar'ix. "But we know when a good opportunity to save our asses comes our way."
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"Sith only use us for certain purposes," started Veriss. "Once our purpose is fulfilled, we're taken out. You of all people should know this."
"I am among one of the most useful tools a Sith could have," I started. "I doubt that will happen."
"You know in the back of your mind that it can happen," replied Veriss. "Let's have a look in those files and see if there's anyway we can sabotage this weapon of theirs."
"This is highly treasonous," I whispered.
"But it will benefit you when things don't go your way," replied Zar'ix.
"This could be the only chance I get to prevent mother, and possibly father, from dying," I thought to myself.
"My loyalties are to the Empire," I finally said. "I'm deleting these files."
"Fine," replied Veriss.
"C'mon Zar'ix, we still need to split costs from the last job," said Veriss, as she and Zar'ix begin making their way toward the turbolift.
I look at the remaining files, hand hovering above the option to begin deleting the files.
"My loyalty is to the Empire," I thought to myself.
"My loyalty is to the Empire," I repeated, inching my hand closer to the screen.
"My loyalty is... to...," I shake my head and sigh. I quickly press my hand down against the screen, and the files begin erasing.
"The Empire," I thought to myself, feeling a small part of me fade away.
YOU ARE READING
Cipher Nine: The Untold Stories
FanfictionA few years after the Sacking of Coruscant, a young Nai'riss Darkmoore, born to an Imperial officer and a Republic Senator, begins her training with the Imperial Intelligence Service. During her training, she runs into friends and foes alike, and t...
