"Sector General"
By: Admiral Christoffer Tarkin - Galactic Empire Officer

Location: Tae'Remok System
Date: Saris 24, 3 ABY

***

The Super Star Destroyer Nemesis came out of hyperdrive. It was now near the Tae'Remok sector where it was headed. Aboard it, the Sector General was informed of the arrival upon the desired destination. He frowned and folded his hands. The Emperor had a special task for him, which relied on that particular system.

Tarkin had kept in total secrecy what made him go to that system, and those who were under him knew better than to pose questions about his orders. He was the former Grand Moff's twin brother, and together they had come up with the Death Star, which had destroyed Alderaan. Unfortunately the super weapon had been destroyed, and it had cost Christoffer his twin brother's life. But he was patient and knew how to wait for revenge.

He was the sector's General, and he ruled it in fear and with an iron hand. Rebels caught by his forces were not simply killed or disentegrated, but tortured and forced out of information first, so it could serve him usefully. He even presided some of the interrogations himself, when it concerned higher ranked officers. He had a way to take away the information that was quite effective.

In his private office he stepped upon a dish that gloomed as he stepped onto it and kneeled. The image of the Emperor came up before him and told him to stand up and even naming him friend. Tarkin standed and faced the image.

"My liege, I have arrived at the designated sector," Tarkin informed Palpatine.

"Good. Proceed as planned," Palpatine replied

"Very well... As you wish," Tarkin said before breaking communications and leaving for the bridge. Upon arrival he could see the planet. Ta'Karada was one of the planets belonging to his sector that was not Imperial Friendly. Nor was it Rebel friendly for that matter. It was a neutral planet. Tarkin did not like such a thing, but now that he was here, the Rebels in this sector would have to double their cautions. And even then perhaps they would fail.

But he was here not to monitor Rebel activities, but for a larger deal. And he could see the Emperor's interest after having been briefed personally by Palpatine, as member of his secret order. Lord Vader had also shown interest in this mission, although his search was for one Skywalker...

"Prepare my shuttle!" he ordered. "And have a garrison ready to leave with me. I am going to the planet's surface so inform the ruler of this planet of our coming."

"Training Session"
By: Alisson Blair - Royal Messenger/Hitwoman/Spy
Kal'Aran - Jedi Master

Location: Royal Palace Gardens - Arcadia
Date: Saris 24, 3 ABY

***

She was upside down, standing on one arm only. It seemed hard but to her it came through her as regular training. Something she had picked up from Kal'Aran's wisdom about fitness and agility that a Jedi should master in order to be prepared to anything and any challenge that might overcome.

She breathed and concentrated as she felt all things that surrounded her, all the life belonging to the plants and the animals that were about, all the inanimate objects that constituted the scenario. The rock, the pebbles, dirt or water.

She knew her master was also there, standing beside her, watching her as she trained and concentrated in feeling the Force, for it was present in all things and bonded all in one. It was something to live with. It could not be totally controlled but only bent in a certain direction and in small amounts.

As he watched he closed his eyes as well and felt the Force affecting her as well as vice-versa. She had indeed come a long way since he last left, but he also felt a certain anxiety within her, and that had to be tamed so that she wouldn't suffer the same fate as did Obi-Wan Kenobi's Padawan. But she seemed to go in the right directions by herself, and that made Kal'Aran glad.

"Yes... Feel the Force surrounding you. Feel it in all things," he whispered to her.

She kept her eyes closed and her breathing smooth and controlled. He told her that she could stop, that it had been enough concentrating for the day and she did nothing less than what he had asked, getting back onto her feet.

"Good!" Kal'Aran smiled. "Now clear your mind..." he told her next. She nodded and did so. A most relaxing exercise that she even enjoyed.

"Now, could we perhaps do some lighsaber practice, master Kal'Aran?" she asked of him.

"Later. I would like to see you use the force. Force push, pull, lift... Use anything you will around you. Feel the objects. I trust you remember this still."

She nodded with a sly grin. Facing a rather large rock she stretched her arm, hand open and began to lift it. It was a heavy rock, but its weight would only matter in a physical realm, if she would try to lift it with her hands, not in the ways of the Force. "Different only in the mind," as Kal'Aran would put it. She then moved it across the path and set it down slowly. She could do this but it left her somewhat tired.

"You still see the object as it seems to be," Kal'Aran told her. "It seems large but it is only affected the same way as any other smaller object. If you cannot truly feel the object you will always be exhausted by doing so, whenever the object is large. You must forget what you see and see only what you feel..." He then smiled and added, "But you are much better than I had thought."

"Thank you master." She smiled back. "Now for Force push and pull..." she said as she turned to her belt, where she had her lightsaber, hanging from a low branch in a tree. She Force pushed her belt onto the ground and out of the branch and while it was in mid air she pushed her double-edged lightsaber only, into her hands.

"Impressive!" Kal'Aran laughed. After all this time and she was still the same child. She obviously wanted to train lightsaber with him. "But beware of your desires and learn to control them as well as your feelings. Now, prepare your guard," he told her as he withdrew his own lightsaber.

She immediately withdrew both blades and made a strong firm stance to start with. His blade crossed with hers and she stepped back to gain more space and cross her blade over to use the other end as a counter-attack. Alas, it seemed she was yet too unexperienced for Kal'Aran as he had dodged the attack and pulled her using the force. She fell down and lost her lightsaber as it fell from her hands.

Kal'Aran moved towards her and swinged his lightsaber towards Alisson. However, she had gotten up fast and Force jumped high to a branch on a tree and pulled her lightsaber back to her hands. "Impressive!" he told her. "Shows you've become more resourceful."

"I'll catch you still..." she said almost playfully as she jumped back down and thrust her weapon towards her master. It had almost caught him by surprise but he was able to circle motion and get her weapon out of the way and consequently out of her hands.

"It seems I have still much to learn," Alisson admitted as she came to a full stop.

Kal'Aran safeguarded his weapon. "Perhaps, but you still surprised me. You have indeed made progress while I was absent. Now, let us go back inside... Enough for today, Alisson."

"Very well." She nodded as she picked up her lightsaber from the floor.

"Imperial Landing"
By: Admiral Tarkin - Imperial Sector General
High Prince Airan Valreth - High Prince of Tae'Karada

Location: Royal Palace, Arcadia
Date: Saris 24, 3 ABY

***

The Imperial transport landed on the Royal platform of the Tae'Karadan palace after having been granted the permission to do so. As the Imperial transport's platform lowered itself, out came two platoons of Imperial Stormtroopers immediately forming two lines in front of the lowered platform. Afterwards, out came Admiral Tarkin along with two personal special Imperial guards in their red cloaks and masks marking the difference.

Tarkin was received by a royal Guard that took the Admiral and his Red Guards to the room where the High Prince would meet them. Tarkin merely wanted to make his presence there official, but something told him that the High Prince would not be too glad about the Imperial Forces rising in numbers in this system as they made profit out of trading with the Rebels also...

A door at the far end of the hall slid open and ten Tae'Morad guards strode through in full battle dress. The jet black armour and featureless black mirrored faceplates on their helmets gave them a truly sinister look.

Walking behind the Tae'Morad was the High Prince, dressed in formal attire. He wore a scowl as he marched along, a glare for the man who had decided to disturb his afternoon. However, Tae'Karada had to remain neutral, and to snub Tarkin would no doubt make his planet's position with the Empire more tenuous than it already was.

"Good afternoon, Admiral Tarkin," Airan Valreth said with a slight inclining of his head. "Welcome to Tae'Karada. To what do we owe the pleasure of this visit?" He seated himself in his throne, the gesture calculated to enforce his dominion in this meeting.

"I come to personally thank you in the name of the Galactic Empire as to our commercial relationship. We look forward to upgrading our bonds and perhaps enrich our commercial ties with you," the Admiral said seriously. Of course he needn't say that this meant they would not be allowed to do commerce with the Rebellion, or they would find trouble and opposition in the hands of the Empire.

"And, how do you propose we accomplish this? We find it prudent to post such a question toward the Empire in this sort of situation."

"Prudent?" Tarkin asked with a raised eyebrow. "A rather harsh word wouldn't you say so? It gives the feeling that one is under danger of some sort." The Admiral didn't pursue that matter however. "Our bonds, as in commercial activities. Well, let's say the Empire is satisfied with the performance and quality of powercells you provide us; along with some other materials..."

"We are always happy to increase our trading relationship with the great Galactic Empire," Airan said. "However, the Emperor must understand that we will not submit to an Imperial presence on this planet, nor will we allow the freedoms of our people to be diminished."

"Are you implying that planets who are confederate to the Galactic Empire are not free? I assure you, High Prince Airan, that I strive to forsake the planets belonging to my cluster free from the Rebellion disease. Do not worry, for the people are free and that personal trading never was forbidden, as long as you do not hide rebels nor trade with their factions."

The stipulation was unpleasant. To forsake the Rebellion's credits would place Tae'Karada further with the Empire, and neutrality was paramount. "Admiral, we are aware you have enforced the Imperial presence in this sector. Reports have reached us of attacks on neighboring systems, neutral systems. We must wonder if the Empire is aware of neutrality."

"Attacked?" The Admiral smirked. "I am afraid your intel has misinformed you. The Empire has not attacked any non-rebel faction without just cause. Furthermore High Prince Airan, let me tell you this: Neutrality these days is an illusion and a bad excuse! Either you are sympathetic to the Empire and thus our ally or you are for the Rebellion and thus our sworn enemy. Anything in between sets you aside with filth, such as bounty hunters or crimelords."

"We see that you have a preoccupation with semantics, Admiral Tarkin. We choose no sides in your conflict. There is no room for discussion on this matter. Your presence here causes us to grow restless, and the more influence you try to gain only makes it worse for you. It is unlawful, Admiral, to occupy a system flying a neutral flag without the consent of the system's acknowledged leadership." Airan leaned forward. "We have given no consent."

"You should know that, as Sector General, it is I who decide which laws are to be complied or not, so I needn't ask for any permission to do as I will! The Emperor trusts my judgement and that is why I occupy the position I do. And due to your lack of cooperation it is I who grow restless!" the Admiral replied. He then sighed "You are young, High Prince Airan, but be not foolish."

"Do not threaten us, Tarkin," Airan growled. "The more you push at us, the more appealing siding with the rebels becomes. This is our planet and our system and we have chosen neutrality in this conflict. As High Prince, our word is law. You bear no jurisdiction within this system, and are here at my suffrance. If you push us, we will respond with whatever force is required to remove you from Tae'Remok. We are loath to dig out the sand upon which we stand, but for the sake of our people we will. Do not make us take action we each shall regret."

The Admiral could not help but laughing out loud. This idiotic man really thought he could stand a difference at all against the Empire. "Itchy, are we?! My boy, let me tell you that if you were to join the Rebels you as well as your people would be made to suffer greatly, so do not push my patience or your luck, for this is no game you play... Moreover, taunt me not, for that is also bad diplomacy, and bad policy for your interests, I assure you," Tarkin replied almost as handing over an ultimatum with immense freezing and disturbing calm. He paused briefly and then continued. "Alas, I believe that, as you put it eloquently, you dig out the sand on which you stand, so perhaps it is time for this conversation to come to an end... I came here to establish a concordance but you, High Prince Valreth, disappoint me greatly. Be sure that your failure at this meeting will cost you and yours. And this is no threat I assure you," Tarkin told Airan before leaving the room and consequently the palace, returning to the SSD Nemesis.