"A Killer's Profile"
By: Admiral Tarkin - Imperial Sector General
Daemor'rah - Jedi/Bounty Huntress

Location: SSD Nemesis, Tae'Remok System; New Plouton, Tae'Karada
Date: Thaniss 2, 3 ABY

***

Tarkin's chambers' doors were allowed to open and in came the Lieutenant who had been ordered to gather profiles of bounty hunters on Tae'Karada's surface. Handing a small padd over to the Admiral he awaited either for a response or to be excused.

The Admiral viewed the profiles. There weren't many bounty hunters on the surface to be found, but apparently these were the ones that could be summoned faster and easier. Of course he could always afford to have a known one, such as Boba Fett, but this would mean he'd have to wait. And time was something he had not at the moment.

He passed from one profile to another, just viewing them from the top, when he stopped at a certain one. A known name from the old days. Someone who would serve the purpose just perfectly. He had her immediately brought over to see whether it was possible to acquire her services.

***

She had set herself in a deserted alley and sat on the ground, her long-projectile rifle leaned against her body. She never needed to fully rest or sleep, and was able to keep herself always at least half awake, so that she was always alert as to her surroundings.

She sensed something coming in her direction. She jumped back up and immediately got her blasters out and pointed them in the direction of the main street. As it were, only a small R2 unit showed up. It was coming towards her, but stopped at a rather long distance and tossed over a small portable holographic message unit at her feet, before heading back out.

Sensing no danger she picked it up and read the message. It was from the Galactic Empire, requesting that she would go to the SSD Nemesis to meet with Admiral Tarkin. Something about requesting her services. As it seemed interesting enough she reported to the Docking Bay so that she could be transported to the Nemesis.

***

As the Transport arrived at Docking Bay 1, Daemor'rah was guided to the Admiral's chambers. She had never seen such an immense starship before, but this fact didn't impress her one bit.

On her way she was asked to deliver her weapons. Of course this would imply leaving not only her blasters and her long-projectile rifle but also her trophies. Waving her hand she told the officer that she didn't need to hand over her weapons, and almost automatically he repeated her words and let her pass by.

She was shown the way and left at the door of Tarkin's chambers. As the doors opened before her the Admiral greeted her. He frowned as he realised she still had her weapons, but he had expected this to happen.

"Daemor'rah... It is a pleasure to meet you, and be able to acquire your services," he told her.

"The pleasure is all yours, I assure you!" she told him rather coldly. "And my services have not yet been acquired."

"Yes, well, I am sure that my proposition is of interest to you. I realise you are a Jedi Huntress. Well, I want you to go after a Jedi named Kylas. He is set in Kandran's ship. I want him dead. Name your price..."

"An interesting proposition... 2 Million because I like the job and because you need it," she told him with a grin. "Any other jobs?"

Tarkin smiled. "Your price shall be met," he told her. "And if you seek any other jobs then I could hand you one other. A man called Vicks Mason, owner of a Correllian ship called the Tae'Karada Star. I want him brought over alive. The prize on his head is now at 500 000 credits, and this price is not negotiable."

"Humm... I will have him caught," she said lightly.

"Then I let you to your affairs. You may go..." Tarkin said as he turned his back on her and the doors slid open once more. Daemor'rah was shown her way back and smuggled back onto the surface of the planet, the same way she had been smuggled out.



"Imperial Progress"
By: Admiral Tarkin - Imperial Sector General
Emperor Palpatine - Ruler of the Galactic Empire

Location: SSD Nemesis
Date: Thaniss 2, 3 ABY

***

Stepping into the circle and igniting itself with a red light, the holographic image of the Emperor appeared and Tarkin kneeled down and bowed to his master. There was progress to be told and surely the Emperor would be pleased with some things at least.

"My liege..." Tarkin spoke. "I have new information as to my progress. The meeting with the ruler of the Tae'Remok system did not go as expected. It seems the Royal family is more interested in keeping bonds with the Rebellion than with the Galactic Empire. For their foolishness I have the planet under a blockade.

"I figure they will be trying to use several means to free their system, so I have ordered a fleet to join me. So far the fleet consists of 12 Imperial Star Destroyers, 5000 fighters, 50 Cruisers and the Nemesis. I believe this will serve the Imperial cause well as well as your personal request. Kandran will be hurt in his business due to the blockade and this might distract him.

"As for the twins... I have learned that Xilun has trained one of them in the past. Perhaps I can persuade him to aid the cause of abducting them both. I have also learned that Kylas is their Jedi master now, so he might have to be distracted also... I will see to this at once."

"You will have Thoamis killed," came the grating voice from within the cowl. The shadows caught the sallow, sunken features, making the Emperor seem even more decrepit than he already appeared. His sickly, yellow eyes fixed on Tarkin, and he scowled. "Have you seen the twins, Tarkin?"

"I have not seen the twins personally, but I have learned that they are in Kandran's ship. Xilun knows where... Worry not, Master, I shall not fail to capture them," Tarkin replied.

"Only those girls interest me," the Emperor said. "They will either come into the darkness or they will be destroyed. The rest are of no consequence."

"Your wishes are my command, my liege..." Tarkin nodded.

"Do you have anything else to report, Admiral Tarkin?"

"The Rebellion... They may yet pose a threat. I sense the Tae'Karadans are about to become one with the Rebels and their cause. Conflict may yet be impossible to avoid, Master," Tarkin informed.

"You will launch your attack before the high prince can form his alliance," the Emperor said, his mouth twisting into a cruel sneer. "Wipe them out, Admiral. Do not fail me; dire punishment awaits those who fail me."

"It is I who will punish those who oppose the Empire, my liege," Tarkin replied.

Thin lips twisted into a smile -- on any other being, it could have been a pleasant gesture, but on Emperor Palpatine it only made the skin crawl. "Very well," he said. "What progress has been made with the planetary shield?"

"I have inside intelligence on the planet's surface working on that. I am expecting progress on that side. As soon as the shields go down I shall send AT-ATs and AT-STs."

"You will report as soon as there is change," Palpatine said, sickly eyes boring into the admiral. "If you cannot bring what I have foreseen to pass, I will have Lord Vader assume control of the fleet, and reduce the planet to ashes."

"To have his expertise brought over would be an honour, Master..." Tarkin replied. "But I do not think it will be necessary. Now, if you'll excuse me Master, I must tend to my duties," he said respectfully.

"Do not fail me, Admiral Tarkin," the Emperor said, once more. "Or I will see to it personally you join your brother." With that, the connection was severed, and the holographic image faded into nothingness.