What's up, everyone! Hppe you all are doing well. I have both good and bad news. Bad news is that I've made no progress on my sequel rewrite because I can't come up with anything. Good news is I've decided to refocus the story to centering around myself as an Admiral in the Empire. I will also be making an ORIGINAL piece of music for every chapter at the bottom of the post. Hope you enjoy!
Star Wars: Admiral
Chapter 1
Rakata Prime, 9 BBY
I stand on the bridge of the ISD Helios, staring out into the black void of space. It has been a short campaign exploring the world of Rakata Prime on the very edge of the Unknown Regions. According to Imperial records, the Rakata used to be a Force-sensitive race a few dozen millennia ago, but their connection to the Force was severed in an event which is still poorly understood.
My right ear perks up, a muscle I know all too well pulling it backward, sensing an approaching officer. The hard click of boots on the polished metal floor signals the newcomer’s halt before a man’s grim voice comes from behind.
“Admiral. You have an incoming transmission from Lord Vader.”
I immediately turn on my heel and stride from the bridge, heading for my personal meeting room. Upon arrival, I order the stormtroopers on guard to leave as the blast doors close behind me, locking me alone in the darkness. Suddenly, the holoprojector whirs to life, projecting a flickering blue image of the Dark Lord. Taking a moment to gather my thoughts, I make the first move.
“Lord Vader. The campaign on Rakata Prime is proceeding ahead of schedule. We have successfully established a base of operations on the surface and are currently beginning to explore.”
I don’t fear Vader, unlike the majority of the Imperial navy. I was never bothered with accolades or promotions, instead focusing all of my energy into getting the job done. It was this work ethic and dedication to my duties that saw me rise to the rank of Admiral far faster than my peers, who were all captains at best.
Vader speaks, causing the hairs on the back of my neck to instantly stand in nervous anticipation. In all my time in the Navy, I never got used to the aura of darkness and destruction that shrouded the Sith, even from the other side of the galaxy.
“Admiral Deare. Your success on Rakata Prime pleases me. However, I have new orders for you.”
I wait with bated breath, keeping my head bowed low and my expression unreadable.
“I am personally reassigning your fleet to the Death Star”, Vader continues. “You are to search the galaxy for Rebel cells, hidden Jedi, and other criminal elements. Grand Moff Tarkin will have more details. Do not fail me, Admiral.”
The transmission ends abruptly, unlocking the doors and reactivating the lights. Squinting my eyes against the sudden light, I rise to my feet as the guards return to their posts.
“Understood, my lord”, I mutter to myself. I turn and return to the bridge, my black cloak swirling in my wake.
“Helm”, I say as I enter. “We have new orders. Set a course for the Death Star.”
The helmsman nods, his fingers dancing across controls as he plots the course.
“Course is set, Admiral. Estimated travel time to the Death Star is 14 hours at maximum speed.”
I stride over to the viewport, gazing out at the vast expanse of space. Suddenly, the stars begin to lengthen, going from small white dots to long streaks, until the Helios enters the swirling blue vortex of hyperspace.
“Very good”, I say, turning back to the helmsman. “As we approach, prepare the fleet for docking procedures. We will need to be ready to move out again quickly if required.”
As the helmsman acknowledges my orders, I turn to the comms officer.
“Open a secure channel to the Death Star. I wish to inform Granf Moff Tarkin of our arrival and confirm our mission parameters.”
As the channel opens, I straighten out my uniform, ensuring everything is perfectly immaculate. This is the Empire, after all.
“This is Admiral Deare aboard the ISD Helios, sir. We have new orders from Lord Vader to move to your position and assist in the hunting of the Rebels. We are currently en-route to the Death Star. Estimated transit time is around 14 hours.”
“Admiral Deare”, Tarkin replies, his voice both respectful and professional. “I see Lord Vader has a fine taste when it comes to Admirals. Your victories against the Rebels as well as your recent exploits in the Unknown Regions have become the talk of the town amongst the political elite. You may dock at the Death Star and report directly to me upon arrival.”
Tarkin’s image flickers out, leaving only the noise of the Helios’ engines and the chatter of the bridge crew. “I am retiring to my private quarters. Inform me when we have reached our destination.”
I turn on my heel and stride out of the bridge, cloak flowing behind me.
Hours later, I receive a message from the bridge informing me that the Helios is about to exit hyperspace. I exit my quarters and begin to walk down the corridors of the star destroyer, marvelling at the polished black walls and floors that sparkle with the light of a thousand stars. Mouse droids scurry underfoot, leading different groups of officers and techs to their required positions. Troopers and low-level officers alike salute me as I make my way down the glistening halls to the thick blast doors of the bridge.
The automatic doors slide open with a hiss as I stride onto the bridge, uniform immaculate and chin held high. I turn to the helmsman, awaiting a report.
“Death Star imminent, sir. Thirty seconds and counting.”
I nod in acknowledgement before turning back to face the swirling vortex of hyperspace. In an instant the pulsing blue light lengthens into white streaks across the viewport before solidifying into the small dots of distant stars. Ahead, a massive sphere of grey metal and durasteel comes into view, complete with a deep trench and large circular superlaser on the northern hemisphere.
“All hands, commence docking procedure”, I say, my voice carrying across the bridge. “I want this ship refuelled and restocked for departure at a moment’s notice.”
The bridge erupts into a flurry of activity as the crew in the pits leap into action, contacting the Death Star’s boarding technicians to allocate a hangar and the appropriate supplies. Once the Helios has been successfully docked, I turn and stride out of the bridge toward the turbolift.
As I walk along the hallway to the Helios’ turbolift, I am joined by my second-in-command, Commander Reigns. A tall man with a muscular build, long hair and a pointed beard. Reigns had started his career in the Navy as a junior lieutenant fresh out of the Royal Imperial Academy aiming to live up to the legend of his father, who was a highly successful officer during the Clone Wars. He had risen through the ranks with surprising swiftness, outclassing and outperforming everyone in his class with a level of skill and dedication that I had never seen. He had been assigned to the Helios three years ago, and had been instrumental in the success and reputation that the ship had managed to gain.
“Sir. The Helios has been docked and is being refuelled as we speak.”
“Very good, Commander. I trust our previous assignments in the Unknown Regions have been properly distributed?”
“They have, sir. We have multiple star destroyers en-route to Rakata as we speak.”
He turns to look at me as we stop outside the turbolift, allowing a rare glimpse of curiosity to show on his usually serious façade.
“I heard we have new orders, sir. Straight from Lord Vader himself. I was not aware that we were even on his list of candidates.”
“That’s what happens when you succeed in the Empire, Commander. You get noticed. Even by beings as important as Vader.”
The turbolift doors slide open, and we both step inside as they hiss closed behind us. A slight jolt underfoot signals that the life has begun its descent.
“But we must not lose sight of our current objective, Commander. I must meet with Tarkin to discuss the finer points of our new orders. I expect you to take full command during my absence.”
Reigns looks slightly surprised as he hears the order. Up until this point I would always retain control of the Helios, even if I was otherwise engaged. However, he had proven in recent missions that he was more than capable of commanding the ship.
“Don’t look so surprised, my friend”, I say, slinging an arm across the shoulders of the younger officer. “You’ve grown immeasurably these past years. Gone are the days of the young lieutenant who was still wet behind the ears with dreams of living up to his father’s legacy. It’s time you were introduced to the big leagues. Consider this a qualifying round.”
With a final pat on the back, I stride out of the turbolift doors as they slide open, leaving Reigns standing in the turbolift to collect his thoughts.
The doors of the turbolift to Tarkin’s office on the Death Star slide open with a smooth hiss, revealing a spacious area of gleaming wooden walls and softly carpeted floors. Posters and banners depicting the Grand Moff in various poses line the walls, with the Imperial insignia carved onto the far wall above a circular conference table complete with a holoprojector.
Striding into the room, I take a quick glance at the décor before moving into the centre and standing at attention.
“Admiral Deare reporting, sir!”
Tarkin rises from his position at the head of the conference table in a way that both demands and shows great respect and professionalism.
“At ease, Admiral”, he says, moving to stand beside me. “As I said over holo, your recent accomplishments have been gaining a great deal of attention. I daresay you may rise to the position of Grand Admiral sooner than you think.”
“Thank you, sir”, I say, keeping my voice professional and not allowing any trace of the butterflies in my stomach to creep into my tone. Praise from Tarkin was almost unheard of. I had never thought I’d ever hear it given to another, let alone be the recipient of it. “Just doing my duty to my Empire.”
“And you are doing an excellent job of it”, he says, the fleeting ghost of a smile crossing his face. “But enough pleasantries. It is time to discuss the details of your new assignment.”
With a click of his fingers, the lights in the room dim and the holoprojector in the centre of the conference table activates, displaying a map of the galaxy.
“As I'm sure you are aware, these Rebels have been proving extremely challenging to control. They have been disrupting supply depots, intercepting cargo ships, and spreading distrust and dissent wherever they go.” He pauses for a moment before continuing. “We also have reason to believe that there are numerous Jedi assisting them. This cannot be allowed to continue for any longer than it has to. The Jedi present a critical threat to the Empire. Lord Vader and his Inquisitors are actively hunting them, but even they cannot be everywhere at once.
“Therefor, your mission is twofold. Your primary objective will be to hunt down eliminate the Rebels wherever you find them. Your secondary objective will be to capture or eliminate any Jedi that you find along the way. Both Lord Vader and the Emperor himself wish for them to be captured and delivered in one piece, however if lethal force is necessary, you have full permission to use it.”
He pulls a data chip out of his breast pocket and inserts it into the holoterminal. The map of the galaxy disappears, replaced by a slowly scrawling list of names.
“These are the Jedi that are as of yet unaccounted for. I will provide you with a copy of the list for your own perusal.”
I slowly scan the list, looking for any familiar names. Some jump out immediately, such as Kenobi and Yoda, whereas others are more obscure. I continue to read the list until… no. It couldn’t be. I watched him die. My mind is immediately thrust into the past, replaying events that I had thought I had locked away. Explosions, blaster fire, and a flash of green. I quickly snap myself out of my recollections as Tarkin finishes speaking.
“The Empire is depending on you, Admiral. Do not let me down.”
“I will not fail you, sir”, I say in reply. Without waiting for permission, I turn and stride out of the room, mind ablaze with confusion.
Music: