Chapter 2: The Secret Service

The Secret Service

"Halt! Access permits!" ,somebody barked at Aslan and Kaliyo. The former stopped as if struck by lightning. At the entrance to the Intelligence Center, a resolute woman checked everyone who wanted to enter the building. Her posture was straight as though she had swallowed a broomstick, and her uniform was perfectly impeccable. She must have been in her mid-forties - definitely not new to the organization, nor consigned to the scrap heap. With a critical, almost suspicious expression, she checked the identity documents of the agent and his punchy escort. Aslan looked visibly tense. His heart was beating up to his neck. He was thinking hard. Could there be a problem with Kaliyo? After all, she was not human, and besides, she certainly had a dubious record. What if she did not measure up to the ideals of some high-ranked superior? Had she done something before their common mission that infuriated the Empire? Or was he the problem after all? No, unlikely. It has worked out well so far, and he could hardly have made personal enemies in such a short time. Why did it take so long then?

"Alright, pass!", the redeeming answer finally came.

The agent was truly relieved. "Phew, I don't want to know what happens if you give her the wrong documents."

"Then she'll surely turn into a swamp wampa and eat you alive," joked Kaliyo, amused by Aslan's reaction. He easily coped with Karells Javis and his bodyguards, but he looked old against an imperial control hag. In fact, the Empire must have drilled its lackeys to discipline and obedience. The Rattataki could only guess how hard the training must have been for her partner. She almost felt sorry for him.

The agent could only sigh after this silly remark and continued to stride determinedly

through the corridors of the operations center. He was curious to see how his superiors assessed him. After all, it had been his first mission. But the mission had been a great success, so he had a good feeling about it.

The Imperial Intelligence Center was a single huge surveillance station. Cameras were placed in every corner of the complex to ensure complete observation. These halls urged every mortal being to restraint and caution. One could not help but to be feeling watched by hundreds of eyes. Each false step could be punished with serious consequences. At this point, the intelligence center was very similar to their sibling building wings. The chilled and filtered air, barely perceptible, was creeping down the hallways like a wandering ghost, causing goosebumps and adding to the trepidation.

On their way to the debriefing, the two passed countless places, where intelligence officers analyzed vast amounts of information. Fixers were busy day and night to maintain this incredible large technical network. "If you ever lose something, you know where to ask," Kaliyo said, slightly snappy due to the exaggerated effort.

"If that happens, they'll probably know it first.", Aslan confirmed the interjection of his partner. Concentrated and attentive, he let his gaze wander through the rooms as he passed. These halls were going to be the core of upcoming operations - his eyes, his ears and, in case of doubt, his life insurance.

The debriefing room seemed downright tiny compared to most of the other rooms the two had passed. In its middle there was a wide table, which could just accommodate six people. The cold, metallic-gray walls were just far away enough to enclose the table and seats. The overseer was already waiting in the room, along with three other persons, awaiting the agent and his new partner.

"Welcome to Dromund Kaas, Agent Taranus. Please have a seat." While the adressed complied, Kaliyo hesitated a moment because she was not named, but then seh sat herself next to Aslan. Nobody was allowed to leave her standing that easy. After her blatant threat to the Keeper on Hutta, she would not have been surprised if he developed a certain aversion towards her. After all, for most people it was unheard of to be treated like this by a stranger. The Rattataki, however, was surprised by his stoic reaction. A Sith would not have tolerated such behavior and might have killed her on the spot.

"Before we start the debriefing, I'd like to introduce you to our operations team." The Keeper pointed out to a woman on his right: this is Informer 5. She will be your eyes and ears during future missions. She has been specifically trained for hidden scouting and information gathering. She passed the academy as one of the best."

Aslan nodded approvingly and wondered about the fact that the outwardly rather slender-looking young woman with her delicate features was operating as a field agent. On the other hand, he was also not the best fighter and his combat test results were usually moderate.

The overseer continued, pointing to a tall blue-skinned man with an icy, stoic expression.

Further on, this is Watcher 7. He's a Chiss and recently joined the Empire as part of an exchange program. He is highly intelligent and trained to rapidly analyze large amounts of data and work out solutions. You will be depending on his prowess if you want to survive out there, agent."

The practice of integrating aliens into the Imperial military and intelligence was only recently introduced. The imperial society, dominated by humans, did not trust them, and so non-humans, if they did not end up as slaves, were hitherto at best employed as mercenaries.

"And last but not least, this is Fixer 13. He used to be a field agent until a serious injury forced him into back office. Because of his experience and knowledge, he has a good feel for the necessary equipment and will always supply you with the best equip the Imperial Intelligence Service has available."

It seemed a bit ironic to Aslan that the Fixer was assigned this number, after not being exactly blessed with luck. Maybe he received a blessing in disguise. Believing the rumors, the average life expectancy of a field agent was significantly less than a year. Aslan fervently hoped that he himself would later be found in the upper percentiles of these statistics. Professional preparation and deployment increased this opportunity, but even experienced agents were never immune to surprises.

"And now, regarding the mission on Hutta: The Intelligence officials are very pleased with your results, agent. Reportedly, business with Nem'ro is going as expected - The Hutt let us know that he appreciates our efforts to establish his trade monopoly. Still, he would have wished that we had acted more resolute against his rival, but all in all, you did a good job, Agent Taranus."

The Minister of Intelligence told me to call you to another urgent mission of highest priority. Recently, a slave revolt has started in the jungle of Dromund Kaas. This alone does not pose a serious threat yet. However, our scouts report activities of force users within the slave camp."

The agent was irritated: "Could it be the Jedi?"

"There are no indications of Republic or Jedi activities, but there are sources that claim that a group of rogue Sith are secretly planning an overthrow, so it is quite possible that they will use the uprising for their political ends. That is, we must nip this attempt in the bud."

Aslan dutifully stated: "If necessary, we can leave immediately."

Kaliyo smiled. An army with that vigor would bring the Republic to its knees in no time.

"I appreciate your commitment, agent, but this mission is headed by higher authorities."

This statement again caused confusion for the agent. Which institution should be even higher? At least none within the Imperial Intelligence. Did that mean ...?

"The Order of the Sith will lead this mission. After this, you will immediately go to the Sith Sanctuary to meet Lord Baras, who will provide you further instructions. Always make sure to never contradict him and to obey his orders at all costs. During this mission you will be subjected directly to Lord Baras, but our team will oversee the mission and support you from here. Good luck, agent."

Aslan looked around again before leaving the room with Kaliyo. He was honored by the Keeper's words and the confidence of the Minister of Intelligence. On the other hand, he was pretty nervous about the burden such a mission brought along. The anticipation he had felt at first had vanished, giving way to a queasy feeling, accompanied by mild abdominal pain. A mission directly under the command of a Sith Lord? The Minister of Intelligence had to really trust him a lot. Compulsory fulfillment or not - this circumstance caused the agent discomfort. There was a lot at stake.

As they left the building, Aslan reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a small box. For difficult situations, he always had some medical preparations ready, which he made from various herbs of his Alderaanian home, which could have stimulating or tranquilizing effect. At this moment it clearly needed a sedative.

Aslan hesitated to remove the drug and paused briefly. Seven years had already passed after his mother's death. She was a diplomat on Alderaan and promoted the favor of the local nobility in the service of the Empire. After a sudden, severe illness, she bravely fought against the inevitable end, which she finally met after half a year.

That she persevered for so long, was not only due to her strong will, but also to the sacrificial commitment of her son, who devoted himself to traditional medicine and the effects of medicinal herbs at this difficult time. But in the end, his commitment was in vain. The treacherous poison, which is believed to be the cause of the disease but has never been proved, turned out too strong for the delicate body of Taliarya Taranus.

As valuable as his knowledge was, Aslan wished he had not achieved it under these circumstances. The death of his beloved mother deprived him of his last hold. When he was 13, his father fell victim to a terrorist attack. After the forced Peace of Coruscant, the presence of the Imperial military on Alderaan was a provocation to all loyalists of the Republic. A group of radicals had decided to fight them at all costs. These cowards had neither honor nor decency. For Aslan, it was as if part of him had died, too. Now he was a full-orphan.

Seven damn years of suffering and privation, born by the hope of one day finding the cowardly murderers of his parents and delivering them to their just punishment. He would find them - no matter how long it would take ...

But right now, he had to fulfill his duties as an agent.

Chapter 1

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