7 Extraction (1/2)
Two weeks later, Inferno Squad had been officially organized within the Imperium. The Corvus was given a retrofit with greater computer systems than previously thought to be state-of-the-art belonging to the Empire. It's Holonet Transceiver was replaced with a Quantum Entanglement Transceiver, a point to point system that couldn't be tracked nor intercepted by third parties, codenamed QET.
Inferno Squad was to be a member of the Shadows Organization, as special forces, even though the two members of the Squad were not force sensitives.
Docked with the Guardian, Iden and Del were standing on the bridge with their standard crew which had originally fled the Empire together. They all looked toward the man who was standing personally on their bridge.
He was dressed in a black naval uniform with a Grand Moff rank insignia on the center his collar plate beneath an embossed inverted Imperial Emblem, though he was a Grand Moff. His uniform looked much like the Moff uniform from the Fel Empire from Legends. This is what made it appear that the Empire had changed, even in appearance of their uniforms.
”Inferno Squad and members of the Corvus Crew, the Imperium is going to send you on a mission to acquire Garrick Versio. The Corvus will be attended by three Imperial Class Star Destroyers to the planet of Bespin. The Dauntless has been tracked there. We can only assume he is attempt to acquire fuel and weapons for the shattering former Empire he still serves.” Tobias remained confident in tone and stance. His hands were held militantly behind his back and his head held high with dignity and professionalism. He didn't stutter once, he kept his cool, he didn't dare sweat.
”The Corvus will exit hyperspace along side the Marina, Attribution and Colossus. They will immediately hail the lone Dauntless and attempt to bring Admiral Versio over to our side. Should 'diplomatic' means breakdown, Inferno Squad is to infiltrate the Destroyer and acquire him by force.”He continued to brief the group of elite before turning to look out the viewport windows of the bridge. Staring at the long length of the retrofitted Executor Class Star Destroyer.
”Should this operation go as planned, the Corvus crew and Inferno Squad will be given the newest Star Destroyer class being developed by Research and Development, as their center of command. Consider it a guaranteed promotion.” Rune's eyes centered on Iden Versio who was watching the Grand Moff as he gave his speech.
Being given a new Imperial Star Destroyer of a new class, excited many of the people on the bridge. Though it meant they had to learn more systems, and have a larger crew, they would most definitely have a larger 'boat' covered in guns.
”As for Star Fighters, your TIE's have been replaced with Predators. Research and Development jokingly call them Eyeballs.” He gestured towards the holographic projector commonly used for communication between ships and Imperial command. Suddenly a TIE Predator appeared, having the typical appearance of a TIE canopy fighter's cockpit with triangular wings reaching out to the sides at an angle.
”These fighters are twice as fast as regular TIE fighters, capable of reaching 2,000 kilometers per hour in atmospheric flight. They can go over 45,000 kilometers per hour with their forward deflector shields on maximum capacity. They have enhanced shielding, and hyperspace capabilities. They even have a integrated astromech for advanced operations and remote summonings.” He informed them, telling them of the new fighters which replaced the TIEs which had originally been in the hangar of the Corvus. Many of the people were bewildered with the design, and was wondering why they had been shunned from being able to enter the bay.
”Sir, How many of these predators do you have?” Del asked as he raised his hand and spoke at the same time. Not really waiting for the man to call on him, feeling rather familiar with the Moff.
Grand Moff Rune didn't have a bad reaction to this, it was as if he expected the question or was waiting for it. ”We currently have over a thousand on board the Guardian, and a hundred and forty four on each of the Star Destroyers present in the Naboo System and four on board the Corvus.”
Iden stared at the man having been given advanced weapons, more advanced than the Empire had given her originally. Her father would definitely see that the Empire was strong. Stronger than he ever thought it would be.
”When does this operation start, Sir?” Iden spoke up as she stepped forward with her hands folded behind her back. Seeing how he didn't react badly to Del, she seemed to find he was more casual than most Imperial Officers.
”Forty-five minutes. Be ready to sortie. Your new armor should be located in your personal quarters,” Tobias nodded to her before shooing everyone off. ”I will be using a droid during the rest of this operation, as I have to remain on Naboo for this duration.”
With that the Grand Moff and two officers made their way off the bridge and back through the docking port so they could return to the Guardian. Within moments the Corvus broke off away from the Star Dreadnought and began to rendezvous with the Imperial Star Destroyers at the edge of the system.
...
[ Two hours later, in the Bespin System on board the Star Destroyer Dauntless. ]
”Sir! We have multiple unknown Hyperspace vectors opening up to the Galactic Northeast. What are your orders?” Admiral Versio's lieutenant asked as he walked up to him with a quick pace.
”Unknown? Put all fighters on high alert. If it's rebel rabble, we will stand up against them until the fuel and weapons have been fully loaded.” The Admiral commanded, this was met with a nod and salute before the man returned to his station and relied the orders to ready against a possible liberation force.
However as these ships came out of hyperspace, they were quickly identified as Imperial Star Destroyers from the portview windows of the bridge. ”Star Destroyers?” Furrowing his brows, Versio made his way over to the sensor station of the bridge and looked over the information with his direct subordinates.
The first thing he noticed was the transponders were releasing an unknown code. The icon over their position on com-scan seemed to be appear as an inverted Imperial Symbol. It was the exact opposite of the normal systems.
”Sir, it's the Corvus!” The Lieutenant stated as an identified ship dropped out of one of the corvette hangars of the Attribution and moved into the front of the battlegroup.
Gideon Hask who was standing in front of the window clenched his jaw at the sight. ”Traitors...” He growled as he looked towards Admiral Versio for his orders. However he was stunned to see the man with a curious disposition.
”Sir! We're being hailed!”
AdmiralVersio looked over at Commander Hask and nodded slightly, ”To the ready room.” The two of them made their way over to the holoprojector. The lights in the room dimmed and the doors sealed each all four sides.
That's when a Hologram of a Imperium Uniform clad Iden Versio appeared with her hands folded behind her back. ”Father,” she addressed the Admiral without honorifics and not even his last name or title. ”Gideon,” her eyes narrowed on the man she had shot in the knee just prior to running away from the Empire.
”Daughter,” Garrick Versio replied without any hesitation as she had addressed him, but he sounded bitter due to the casual discourse.
”Traitor,” Gideon said bitterly as he hadn't been ordered to sortie and attack the inferno squad for treason against the Empire. He very much wanted to get his revenge.
”We are here to extend an invitation for you to join Grand Moff Tobias Rune's reformation of the Empire known as the Imperium.” Her voice was unfaltering as she said this, despite the presence of her former squad mate.