บท 76: Joys, sorrows (II)
On this particular day, Garm Bel Iblis came to a stark realization: his peaceful and orderly world had begun to fracture. A fracture so deep that it threatened to swallow all the bright, kind, and pure moments of his last few years, moments that once brought him solace. Even the long-faded satisfaction from the victory at Tangrene—where his modest fleet utterly crushed an Imperial base, humiliating the Ubiqtorate—had lost its warmth.
It had been his last great triumph. Since then, he had hunkered down at his base, "Peregrine's Nest," retreating from warfare to engage in diplomatic battles instead. And now, it felt as if Palpatine himself was mocking him from beyond the grave.
"Are you absolutely sure?" he rasped.
"Yes, sir," replied Irenez, trying her best to avoid the commander's face, now dark with barely concealed fury. "Sena and her team died on the Coral Vanda. The second cover group searched the wreckage of the cruiser as instructed by the beacons, scouring the site thoroughly before the New Republic ships arrived. The bodies were badly damaged by the pressure and sea life, but we were able to identify Sena and both operatives from the first group."
"How did they die?" Bel Iblis asked in a strained voice. "Did they drown?"
"No, sir," Irenez responded in an even, clipped tone. But Garm knew she was seething with the same anger that now churned within him. The loss of comrades was a constant in this war they were waging. But to ever grow numb to it would be to lose one's humanity—to become a droid made of flesh and bone. "They were shot."
"Hoffner?" The former Corellian senator frowned deeply.
"Possibly," Irenez replied, uncertainty in her voice. "The second group didn't have time to search the entire ship—just a small part. But Hoffner's body was never found. He may have been in a different part of the ship when it happened. However..."
"Why was Sena in his cabin, then?" Bel Iblis demanded. "And why were there dead security officers nearby? What were the men from the first cover group doing there? No!" He slammed his fist onto the table. "They were killed during the deal!"
"I doubt Hoffner could have taken out Sena and six men," Irenez countered, shaking her head. "According to information from our Bothan contact, some of the dead near Hoffner's cabin had mechanical injuries, not just blaster wounds."
"So there was a struggle," Garm remarked, his nostrils flaring as he drew a sharp breath. The storm of rage subsided momentarily, allowing a different part of him—the one that had kept him alive through so many years—to take control.
The ability to analyze facts.
"Sit down," he instructed, waving a hand. Irenez obediently sank into a chair. "Let's start piecing this together. Have our people's bodies been recovered?"
"Yes, we retrieved them before the New Republic ships arrived," she confirmed.
"Make sure they receive proper burials," Bel Iblis ordered as he pulled a few sheets of flimsiplast toward him, uncapped a marker, and prepared to write.
Irenez allowed herself a small, fleeting smile. The Corellian didn't dwell on prolonged mourning. These were his comrades—almost like family. Almost…
But that didn't mean Bel Iblis wouldn't seek vengeance for their deaths. Nor that he wouldn't try to uncover the full truth.
"Let's review what we know," he said, and his voice had already shed its sadness. Now, sitting across from her was the commander for whom she, the late Sera, and tens of thousands of others had risen against the Empire. "After Zsinj's defeat by the coalition of the Empire and the New Republic, and the subsequent division of territory, there was a brief lull. Then, about two months ago, the Empire launched a sudden raid on the Saarn system. A single Star Destroyer, likely the Stormhawk—unless the engine signatures were masked—obliterated the New Republic base."
"And no response," Irenez noted.
"No," Bel Iblis replied, "but Fey'lya claims that Mon Mothma reacted by officially removing Saarn from the New Republic's list of active bases. The planet is no longer considered strategically important."
"I wouldn't trust Fey'lya," Irenez said cautiously. "That slippery politician..."
"No one does," Bel Iblis retorted. "I know the type too well. He smiles at us now because he needs us. Otherwise, the Bothan would've slit our throats long ago, branding us as an illegal militia."
"And yet, much of our fleet was funded with his credits," Irenez pointed out.
"Believe me," Garm said grimly, "Fey'lya wouldn't have offered us so much help if he couldn't find a way to distance himself from any fallout. What's next?"
As he spoke, Bel Iblis began sketching circles on the flimsiplast, each symbolizing key events.
"The Imperial raid in the Draukyze system," Irenez reminded. "Same pattern as Saarn. A destroyer arrives, wipes out the outpost—no survivors. Eyewitnesses provided the details."
"With these attacks, the Empire surely counts them as victories," Bel Iblis mused. "Then, the raid on Obroa-skai. Their objectives remain unclear, but they acquired a copy of the planet's information database from the locals."
"There's no point digging into the archives," Irenez added. "We have no idea what might have piqued the Imperials' interest."
"Agreed," Garm nodded. "It's nearly impossible to pinpoint what they were after, given the sheer volume of data they stole. But one thing stands out about Obroa-skai."
"They withdrew without a fight."
"Exactly," Bel Iblis said. "The bases on Saarn and Draukyze weren't defenseless—they had turbolasers and starships, yet the Empire crushed them. But in Obroa-skai, they ran from four escort frigates and a few battered fighters."
"I wouldn't say the New Republic's ships were falling apart," Irenez protested. "Sure, they were old, but let's not exaggerate."
"The Empire could have easily engaged them," Garm pointed out. "No, they wouldn't have won, but they could've inflicted real damage. Instead, they chose to flee. Why?"
"Were they afraid?" Irenez speculated.
"And yet, they traveled deep into New Republic space while negotiations about Obroa-skai joining the Republic were still ongoing?" Bel Iblis asked, his tone dripping with irony. "No, they raced in because there was something they desperately wanted—something they feared losing once the treaty was signed."
"And they got it," Irenez added, "and didn't want to risk losing it, so they ran."
"That's how I see it," Garm agreed. "Then, not long after, the Empire launched a coordinated strike in the Dufilvian sector, hitting multiple systems simultaneously..."
"...Except the ones they didn't know about," Irenez interjected. "If they had known about our secret base here, they would've come for us too."
"Without a doubt," Bel Iblis nodded. "Which means their raid on Obroa-skai wasn't an attempt to find our hidden systems. They weren't after us. If they were, they would've stayed until they blanketed the sector with spy droids. For now, they have no clue about Peregrine's Nest."
"Do you think information about us is out there somewhere?" Irenez asked.
"I can't rule it out," Bel Iblis admitted. "But the Empire exploited the moment when the sector fleet was stretched thin. They committed a significant force—at least four Star Destroyers in the Crondre system alone. Who knows how many more hit Ord Pardron's base?"
"Could they have been the same ships?" Irenez mused. "They used asteroids to destroy the bases."
"Possibly," Garm acknowledged. "Or they want us to think that. But why drop an orbital defense station on Crondre's medical base?"
"It was in their way," she offered.
"Four Star Destroyers couldn't handle a single station?" Bel Iblis raised an eyebrow. "No, they could've dismantled it in under an hour. Instead, they crushed it with asteroids, as if they had no intention of landing. Why?"
"Strikes, just like Saarn and Draukyze," Irenez guessed. "They wanted to wipe out New Republic installations."
"But they didn't conquer the sector," Bel Iblis observed. "It doesn't add up. If their goal were territorial expansion, the Dufilvian sector could have easily fallen into the Empire's grasp. Establishing a base here would have allowed them to quickly seize two or three neighboring sectors, forming an entire enclave on the southern frontier of the New Republic. But they didn't. They wiped out the fleet, then simply vanished."
"It doesn't make sense," Irenez responded.
"Actually, it does," Bel Iblis said, stroking his mustache thoughtfully. "Saarn and Draukyze were just tests of the New Republic's strength. The raid on Obroa-skai brought the Empire something—we don't know what. Then they went quiet for a while, only to return and obliterate the New Republic's presence in the entire Dufilvian sector. Afterward, they just left behind ruins, two demolished bases, and a fleet reduced to scrap. And now, silence. No, Irenez, the Empire got something critical from Obroa-skai. Whatever it was, it enabled them to coordinate their attack on the Dufilvian sector. They wiped out our forces and then left, or at least they want us to think their objective was purely terror. But the fact they didn't claim the sector suggests their real goals are far less obvious."
"What do you think their true objectives are this time?" she asked, her curiosity piqued.
"We'll figure that out," he corrected, his tone sharp. "The Empire's leadership is clearly calculating their moves well in advance. The raids on Saarn and Draukyze weren't synchronized, but the attacks on the Dufilvian sector were perfectly coordinated. This suggests they have developed some kind of superweapon or system that allows them to cripple the New Republic's forces across an entire sector. Perhaps the Dufilvian sector wasn't strategically vital; they chose it because it was far from large bases and had weaker defenses. No, Irenez, I am certain that the Empire was testing their new weapon there. Judging by how they've gone quiet again, I expect another attack soon—one potentially even more devastating than we can imagine."
"I don't disagree, Commander, but are you entirely sure?"
"With the limited information we have, it's impossible to know exactly what the Empire is planning. But I have no doubt that the attacks on Coral Vanda, Nklonn, and the triple strike on the Sluissi sector are all interconnected. They're pieces of the same puzzle."
"If it weren't for the strike on the Dufilvian sector, we wouldn't have sent Sena to meet Hoffner to purchase more dreadnoughts from the Katana Fleet," Irenez lamented. "Perhaps their deaths are tied to this..."
"I'm certain of it," Bel Iblis said bitterly. "The Empire must have retaliated for our victory at Tangrene. They likely had Hoffner or Sena under surveillance. Our people fought back, but Hoffner... he could've been captured."
"And if that's the case, he might tell them everything," Irenez said, her face paling. Garm nodded grimly.
"I never trusted Hoffner's claim that he only had ten heavy cruisers," Bel Iblis said. "I suspect he had more ships in better condition. The entire fleet is likely still out there, hidden somewhere in the galaxy."
"Commander, if the Empire takes control of the Katana Fleet..." Irenez whispered, the gravity of the situation weighing on her.
"It wouldn't be a disaster on a galactic scale," the Corellian replied. "Each ship would need extensive repairs, and they'd need crews trained to operate them. That would take the Empire years."
"Unless they already have half a million trained sailors," Irenez interjected.
"If they did, Tangrene wouldn't have been such an easy raid for us," Bel Iblis countered. "And the Empire wouldn't be lying low right now. No, they might get their hands on the Katana Fleet, but it'll be a long while before they can use it to its full potential—certainly not by the end of this year, and probably not by next year either. Remember how long it took us to train our own crews? A year. So, we have time to track those ships down, wherever they're hiding, and either destroy or capture them."
"I wish I shared your optimism, Commander," Irenez sighed.
"After the Empire nearly found Peregrine's Nest, optimism is more like sheer luck," Bel Iblis remarked with a bitter smile. "Especially with their new weapon..."
"But eyewitnesses reported that it was just regular ships," Irenez protested. "No Super Star Destroyers, no Death Stars..."
"It's not about the ships," Bel Iblis clarified. "The Empire has developed the capability to coordinate attacks across multiple systems with pinpoint precision. Normally, that kind of operation would be impossible."
Irenez fell silent, pondering what had just been said.
"According to Fey'lya, the attacks on New Republic bases in the Sluissi sector weren't as precisely coordinated as those in the Dufilvian sector," Irenez pointed out.
"There could be many reasons for that," Bel Iblis replied. "Perhaps they're covering their tracks, trying to make the destruction of the Crondre and Ord Pardron bases look coincidental. Or maybe their weapon has limited range, which would suggest we're dealing with a person rather than a machine."
"That's disturbing," Irenez remarked. "Up until now, the Empire's superweapons have always been massive guns or colossal ships. But this... a tactical advantage like this... Have you ever heard of anything like it?"
"Honestly, no," Bel Iblis admitted. "There were rumors during the Clone Wars about Jedi who could influence their allies in battle, but the stories were often exaggerated—wild tales about them eating children or starting the Clone Wars themselves. I've never seen or heard of anyone witnessing something like this. It might just be another myth, but we should keep it as a working theory for now. That said, the idea of the Empire being aligned with a Jedi seems unlikely. It's hard to imagine those two forces working together."
"And the only known Jedi left in the galaxy is allied with the New Republic," Irenez added.
"The only known Jedi," Bel Iblis corrected her. "Palpatine may have claimed he wiped out the entire Order, but two years before the Battle of Yavin, I personally saw a young boy and his teacher—a well-known Jedi general. If I hadn't seen what that kid could do, I wouldn't have believed it."
"But Luke Skywalker joined the Alliance right before the Death Star was destroyed," Irenez noted.
"I'm not talking about him," Bel Iblis said. "I'm talking about Galen Marek and Rahm Kota. Marek was a Jedi raised by Darth Vader, who later betrayed him, while Kota was a respected Jedi General. Those two would have been formidable allies in our fight."
"You've never mentioned them before," Irenez said thoughtfully. "Should we try to contact them? If the Empire has a Jedi on their side..."
"I don't know where they are," Bel Iblis admitted. "There were rumors that Marek captured Darth Vader just before the Battle of Yavin. Kota was with him—they had their own resistance cell."
"But Darth Vader lived for five more years, all the way to Endor," Irenez pointed out.
"Yes, they couldn't hold him," Bel Iblis agreed, his voice suddenly quiet.
"Commander?" Irenez asked gently, sensing his unease. "Are you all right?"
"Yes," he replied softly. "I was just thinking... Galen Marek displayed abilities far beyond those of any Jedi I've ever known. And now the Empire has someone—or something—capable of coordinating their forces on an unimaginable scale. It could be a Jedi, maybe a surviving Jedi hunter who once belonged to the Order. But... what if it's..."
"Galen Marek?" Irenez finished for him. The Corellian nodded silently.
"Even if it is him, we can always inform Luke Skywalker or one of his allies, like General Solo," she suggested. "He's a Corellian, after all..."
"We met Solo once," Garm mused. "He was much younger then—probably doesn't even remember it. But as a last resort, that might work."
"Fey'lya could also be an option, if we're desperate," Irenez added.
"I doubt that very much," Bel Iblis said. "If the Bothans discovered Galen's whereabouts, they wouldn't try to stop him. They'd likely attempt to manipulate him for their own gain."
"To counterbalance Leia Organa Solo's faction and Luke Skywalker?" Irenez asked.
"No," the Corellian responded. "More likely, they'd try to eliminate him. Fey'lya's ambitions are clear—he wants to climb as high as possible in the New Republic's hierarchy, perhaps even becoming head of state. If he could ride the wave of our group's reputation, he'd do it. Or, if he saw us as a threat, he'd destroy us."
"Using Galen Marek?" she asked. Garm nodded again.
"Sir, wouldn't the Bothans rather have their own Jedi?" Irenez asked. "Mon Mothma has Skywalker..."
"If Galen Marek is alive and not on Skywalker's side," Bel Iblis said gravely, "then Skywalker doesn't stand a chance. Luke is a good man. He destroyed the Death Star, he defeated Palpatine and Vader... But Marek... Marek once brought an Imperial Star Destroyer down from orbit to a planet's surface with his bare hands."
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