Executor-class Star Destroyer Tyrannus
Two days after the fall of Coruscant

“Were you able to get everything we need?”

“Pretty much. I have to admit, these Imp quartermasters don’t jerk you around once you’re part of the fold. Everything I asked for that they had, they gave me.”

“I’m surprised there weren’t any problems.”

“Given that there’s a new war against an impossible opponent, and resources might get scarce real quick? Yeah, I was thinking the same thing, Solir. We’re being paid to fight with these guys, after all. I figure Vos issued some standing order for everyone to be resupplied to full strength before we reach Nirauan.”

The lounge aboard the Spinning Dagger was quieter than usual, since it was occupied by only three people. Or at least this was how it felt to Brel Nayigon. She was seated on one of the chairs that ringed the dejarik table in the corner of the room, while her commander, Solir Marakis, and his second-in-command, Runo Ganetta, discussed the Legionnaires’ status since they had been rescued from Coruscant. As the next person in the command line, she was included in most meetings concerning the mercenary company’s affairs, and most times she was grateful to be involved. This time, however, Brel was barely paying attention to what was being said.

“It would’ve been nice to get my hands on some charges for our disruptors, but apparently the Imps don’t carry those.”

“That would probably be because our disruptors are illegal.” Solir smiled as he said this, with that small smirk that made him seem like a Core Worlds gentleman. “If we had more time, I would contact Merrba and have him acquire the other supplies we need. We’ll have to survive with what we have.”

“You don’t think Selere will mind when we use our less-than-legal equipment? I actually like the bastard, but that’ll change if he tries to take our flame projectors.”

“My understanding is that we’ll have relative autonomy on the field. And if it turns out we don’t, we can turn off our comlinks.”

“Good. Speaking of Merrba, I have to make sure Trann installs that third layer of encryption over our databanks. Though I wouldn’t be surprised if before long the Imps learn all of our secrets anyway.”

Runo chuckled after he said this, but Brel thought she felt something else, a brief and sudden sense of dread that passed over her and then disappeared. She glanced up toward Solir, and somehow knew that the feeling had originated with him. His expression was as light and serene as ever, but beneath that there was a dark worry. And Brel had felt it as well.

Her mother had always told her that she seemed to be attuned to other people, but only recently had she actually been able to know what someone else was feeling. During their escape from Coruscant, a sudden flash in her mind of something terrible happening had saved her comrades more than once. Neither of these things happened very often, but enough to distract her and make her wonder if her perception was higher than others.

Now she knew that Solir had some kind of secret. She wasn’t sure if liked this sense she seemed to be developing.

“You still with us, Brel?” Runo asked.

Her head snapped up slightly. “Yeah, sorry,” she said to both of them. She tried her best to put on a sheepish expression, without showing her anxiety. “I’m just tired.”

“You’ve seemed unwell since we left Coruscant,” Solir said. “Is everything all right?”

The Legionnaire commander sounded genuinely sincere. When Brel shifted her gaze to him, she found that she didn’t feel comfortable looking him in the eye. She felt like she had invaded his privacy, even though she had not intended to. She hoped that it didn’t show in her expression.

“I’m fine, really,” she lied. “Just need to relax.”

“We can finish without you if you’d prefer,” Solir said. “I want you to be rested and recovered before we reach Nirauan.”

Brel nodded in acquiescence, grateful for the chance to leave, and rose from the table with a parting wave. As she left the lounge, she heard her two comrades resume their discussion, and thankfully did not hear her name mentioned.

Instead of heading to her bunk, she quickly exited the ship. She had someone to find. She had to talk to Herret Myyl.

The Tyrannus, being a Super Star Destroyer, was larger than any vessel Brel had been on before, as well as most of the space stations. Back when she had been living with her family and the rest of the performing group, they had only set foot on small transports; with the Legionnaires, she had only been involved on operations on starships the size of average Star Destroyers. Having been aboard the Tyrannus for only a couple of days, she was still lost as to where everything on the ship was located. Luckily, she knew where the rest of the Legionnaires likely were when they were not aboard the Spinning Dagger.

Three decks above the docking bay where the Legionnaires’ vessels were berthed was the nearest crew mess. When Brel entered, the room was about half full of off-duty stormtroopers and pilots, some still in uniform. The Imperials were strict on serving alcohol to their soldiers, but a couple of tables were boisterous nonetheless. Same with the last times she had entered the mess, Brel had to take a moment to move past the unreality of being welcome in a room full of Imps.

Amid the standardized uniforms, it was easy to spot three of her comrades seated at a table near the far corner of the room. They didn’t notice her approach since they were focused on the sabacc game set up between them.

“Your move, Ren,” Cartan, the Ryn pilot, was saying to one of the others as Brel walked up.

“Take it easy,” Renneth Garec replied with a small smile. The calm sharpshooter was staring intently at his cards, taking his time to make a decision the same way that he would on a battlefield.

“Good afternoon, Brel.”

The other two men looked away from their cards after Herret Myyl spoke. Brel smiled at them in greeting, while inwardly she wondered if Myyl had already known that she was coming. The Iktotch’s extrasensory abilities were what Brel needed to talk to him about. A sudden bout of nervousness gripped her, causing her to hesitate before speaking.

“Do you want to join in, Brel?” Renneth asked, gesturing to an empty chair.

“Not before I have your credits,” Cartan interjected. His love of gambling was apparently in full throttle.

“Next time, guys,” she said kindly. “I’m actually here to steal someone away. Herret, do you mind…?”

The Iktotch studied her for a moment, and then simply nodded. His apology to the other two Legionnaires was short, and they didn't protest his departure; Brel knew that Herret wasn't the most sociable person, and Renneth and Cartan preferred people that could engage in lengthy conversations.

Once they were out of earshot of the others, Herret asked her, “I imagine that you're ready to begin?”

“Is that an educated guess or do you know for sure?” Brel replied.

“Both. My affinity for precognition isn't the only skill that I rely on.”

“So how do you want to start?”

“With a quiet place for you to free your thoughts.”


Pwar Dev was alone aboard the Nek's Tooth, taking advantage of the perfect silence to organize his thoughts. Though the Legionnaires had been hired by the Empire and were technically allies now, Solir had still ordered that at least one person be present on both of their ships to ward against potential trespassers. While Cartan normally spent the bulk of his door aboard the Tooth, he had asked Pwar to take over so that he could stretch his legs elsewhere, to which Pwar had immediately agreed.

He had wanted time to think.

He needed time to plan to kill his commander.

Now that he had made the decision, it was interesting to think about how he had felt prior to Coruscant, compared to his feelings now. Before, he had had the utmost respect for Solir Marakis, even to the point of true admiration. While he didn't engage in politics, Marakis was the kind of man who believed in fighting for the right side, and that being a mercenary didn't mean you had to commit evil. That was what Pwar had come to believe when the Legionnaires were involved in the defense of his homeworld years ago.

Everything changed when the Legionnaires were signed over to the New Order, one of the most vile and oppressive governments in the history of the galaxy. It was that choice that made Pwar realize that his commander was an opportunist, going where the money was instead of holding out for the good fight. The new Cree'Ar Dominion deserved to be fought against, but not in league with the Imperials.The Legionnaires should have been letting the New Order burn after Coruscant, and ensuring that when the fires were put out the other, more benevolent governments had emerged to take its place.

After two days of careful thought, Pwar knew that he could not stand aside and let Solir tarnish what the Legionnaires represented, or ruin the good that they could do for the galaxy. Once Solir was removed, Runo would likely abandon the contract with the New Order and seek out new employment. If not, then Pwar knew that enough of the Legionnaires would join him in leaving on their own.

But first, Solir would have to die.