Meanwhile, on Ylesia…
Worlds had been shattered by guns, famine, and plague since the beginning of Time, each time reconstruction began after the threat had passed. Each time, the world had been made of stone, its people made of flesh. The world of the Viscount Ierin del Forza had only inhabitant and existed around him – and inside him he felt that world collapse.
This was not unforeseen.
The Viscount had certain…assurances…that the Major would be rather harshly dealt with should he choose to betray his Inquisitoriate master but those steps were in place to guard against treachery of some sort. Had the Emperor summoned del Forza before him and asked of the secretive revenue streams pouring into the Inquisitoriate coffers, Meicomp’s family would have suffered a rather gruesome fate. The Major did not know his children and wife were under the protection of the Crimson Watch which would make his anguish so much more sweeter. However, the Emperor had not summoned del Forza – instead, Meicomp himself had. Another game was afoot.
“ Stand at ease, Major. Just what have you found out?”
Major Meicomp relaxed and sat as if conversing with an old friend rather than a man who had eliminated an entire city’s population for allowing to continue a small but popular insurrection on Torrus Prime. “ Large amounts of equipment have been sold on the black market to criminals – mostly Hutts and their agents – and the profits from these sales placed into accounts on Muunlist. The accounts are owned by front companies of the Inquisitoriate and the money routinely withdrawn.”
There now passed an uneasy silence between the two men. Perhaps one of the most resourceful agents in the employ of Imperial Intelligence, Major Meicomp had a reputation for brilliance and boldness and no small amount of courage. While he had never stormed a hill or participated in a pitched battle among the ranks of the armed services, he had been outnumbered hundreds to one in the lair of the Empire’s enemies and followed his orders without question and without hesitation. His boldness could not be question as he looked into the Inquisitor’s eyes without flinching.
“ So you know why I had you out here then?”
“ To eliminate those who knew of what had been done and eliminate any trace of it being done. To protect yourself.” The Major’s tone was not mocking or superior, rather cold and concise.
“ Correct.” Del Forza crossed the distance between then and sat down directly opposite the dining table from Meicomp. “ I had assumed you would find out sooner or later, at which time you would have been dealt with at which time I would have sent someone else, and another until the job was done. Grand Admiral Desaria’s campaign was not expected to take place so soon and so a certain…alacrity was required. I would have preferred to send my own men in your place, but you are trained in this aspect – they are not. Now what?”
“ I have no intention of exposing this, if that is what you mean.”
Del Forza grew cold and instantly impassive. Emotion drained from his face into the recesses of his soul. “ Obviously or I would be before the Emperor instead of you. What do you want?”
“ We can start with a promotion. Colonel has a nicer ring to it than Major. You will augment my salary – considerably.”
“ Material things, I expected more. These are easily done. There is something unsaid.”
The Intelligence man nodded. “ You are as perceptive as rumor says. You will transfer me into the Inquisitoriate and attach me to your staff. I will learn of higher command from you and when the time is right, I will assume control of Intelligence. Also, you will release my family.”
How did he? Del Forza remained emotionless but arched an eyebrow as a grin tugged at the corner of his mouth. “ How did you know about that?”
The Major barked a laugh. “ It is what I would have done in your situation. Now, Your Excelleny, if you will excuse me. I have work to do – you cannot afford my services if Grand Admiral Desaria stumbles upon our enterprise.”
Worlds had been shattered by guns, famine, and plague since the beginning of Time, each time reconstruction began after the threat had passed. Each time, the world had been made of stone, its people made of flesh. The world of the Viscount Ierin del Forza had only inhabitant and existed around him – and inside him he felt that world collapse.
This was not unforeseen.
The Viscount had certain…assurances…that the Major would be rather harshly dealt with should he choose to betray his Inquisitoriate master but those steps were in place to guard against treachery of some sort. Had the Emperor summoned del Forza before him and asked of the secretive revenue streams pouring into the Inquisitoriate coffers, Meicomp’s family would have suffered a rather gruesome fate. The Major did not know his children and wife were under the protection of the Crimson Watch which would make his anguish so much more sweeter. However, the Emperor had not summoned del Forza – instead, Meicomp himself had. Another game was afoot.
“ Stand at ease, Major. Just what have you found out?”
Major Meicomp relaxed and sat as if conversing with an old friend rather than a man who had eliminated an entire city’s population for allowing to continue a small but popular insurrection on Torrus Prime. “ Large amounts of equipment have been sold on the black market to criminals – mostly Hutts and their agents – and the profits from these sales placed into accounts on Muunlist. The accounts are owned by front companies of the Inquisitoriate and the money routinely withdrawn.”
There now passed an uneasy silence between the two men. Perhaps one of the most resourceful agents in the employ of Imperial Intelligence, Major Meicomp had a reputation for brilliance and boldness and no small amount of courage. While he had never stormed a hill or participated in a pitched battle among the ranks of the armed services, he had been outnumbered hundreds to one in the lair of the Empire’s enemies and followed his orders without question and without hesitation. His boldness could not be question as he looked into the Inquisitor’s eyes without flinching.
“ So you know why I had you out here then?”
“ To eliminate those who knew of what had been done and eliminate any trace of it being done. To protect yourself.” The Major’s tone was not mocking or superior, rather cold and concise.
“ Correct.” Del Forza crossed the distance between then and sat down directly opposite the dining table from Meicomp. “ I had assumed you would find out sooner or later, at which time you would have been dealt with at which time I would have sent someone else, and another until the job was done. Grand Admiral Desaria’s campaign was not expected to take place so soon and so a certain…alacrity was required. I would have preferred to send my own men in your place, but you are trained in this aspect – they are not. Now what?”
“ I have no intention of exposing this, if that is what you mean.”
Del Forza grew cold and instantly impassive. Emotion drained from his face into the recesses of his soul. “ Obviously or I would be before the Emperor instead of you. What do you want?”
“ We can start with a promotion. Colonel has a nicer ring to it than Major. You will augment my salary – considerably.”
“ Material things, I expected more. These are easily done. There is something unsaid.”
The Intelligence man nodded. “ You are as perceptive as rumor says. You will transfer me into the Inquisitoriate and attach me to your staff. I will learn of higher command from you and when the time is right, I will assume control of Intelligence. Also, you will release my family.”
How did he? Del Forza remained emotionless but arched an eyebrow as a grin tugged at the corner of his mouth. “ How did you know about that?”
The Major barked a laugh. “ It is what I would have done in your situation. Now, Your Excelleny, if you will excuse me. I have work to do – you cannot afford my services if Grand Admiral Desaria stumbles upon our enterprise.”