Grand Inquisitor Xorm caught the reflection of a scared woman in the black, shiny metal of the interrogator droid. He grimaced as he extended his fingers into the red leather glove. “Remarkable. I am actually getting cramps from hitting you. I haven’t had to work this hard in years.” Xorm spun as if trying to surprise someone. The prisoner could’ve cared less, her eyes already swollen shut. “I think I’ll take a rest. The droid here will make sure you are…entertained…while I’m gone.” Without waiting for a response, Xorm exited the room to the snap of Imperial Stormtroopers boots. The prisoner forced her eyes open and looked around the room to make sure Xorm had left. The interrogator droid closed in to complete it’s job. The prisoner spat out clotted blood and forced out the first words she’d spoken in days. “Operation Override.” The droid beeped a response and halted it’s forward progress. She pressed a button near the door and spoke into the wall. “Override systems in place. Computer, open up a path from Detention center Alpha to the Admiral’s yacht. Shut down all access to that path and send an assassin droid to Detention center Alpha for escort. Anyone attempting to delay the Admiral should be executed. Also notify the Admiral’s personal bodyguards to have the ship ready and waiting for a hasty retreat.” She released the button to wait for the computer to acknowledge, “Affirmative.” With that she turned to the droid, half talking to it and half to herself. “Now all we have to do is wait for an escort. This is the last time Bodo underestimates me. No…Bodo is dead. Tempest will pay for Bodo’s mistakes. Tempest and the Empire. I’ve got to get the word out to someone who’ll listen. But who would listen to an Imperial Admiral? And not just ANY Imperial Admiral…Admiral Romi Swood!”

Military Woman Wanted For Treason

Admiral Romi Swood has disappeared and is wanted for treason. Swood distinguished herself in battle during the Battle of Endor, but has lately been acting unbalanced. She was allowed to keep her rank, out of respect for her service, but was not posted to a position of any importance. It is suspected she may be under the influence of dangerous radicals, and has been in contact with known outlaws. It is the duty of all Imperial citizens to contact their nearest authority with any information they may have.

_ Max Rebo band announces new singing tour_

The Max Rebo band is performing a travelling tour along the Corellian Run. Fans are excited and the Sy Snootles following is reaching a fever-pitch. The recent craze due to her latest song, “Lapti Nek” is still building momentum. Said one Corellian teenager, “She is so beautiful. I could stare at her for hours.” The boy is not alone as it is now believed that there are more holograms of Sy Snootles in boy’s bedrooms then there are of Twi’lek slave girls. Sy Snootles will also be releasing for the first time her own brand of skin, eye, and lip products to a generation of girls desperate to imitate her and her rise to success.

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The Red lightsaber ignited with the familiar hum of death. She had just earned the legendary piece of equipment in the past year while working her way up the Imperial ladder in the COMPNOR service. Being a female, she tended to get passed over for promotion even though she outperformed every man in her unit. She had finally been selected for the elite Royal Guard training by catching the eye of Admiral Daala. There, she quickly adapted to a man’s game by killing every member of her unit while they slept. Her reasoning was, that if they were such great bodyguards, she wouldn’t have been able to kill them. That bit of reasoning is what caught the Emperor’s eye. He quickly moved her to Byss inside the Citadel Inquisitorius where she extended her training to Inquisitor/Jedi Hunter. After her training, she spent some time aboard different Capital ships where she plied her trade. Now she has been called once again. This time for her most important assignment yet. Commander of the ISB special unit “Tempest’s Hand”. A special forces unit, it would answer only to a handful of people. The member’s names would be wiped from the Imperial records. They would operate on the periphery of the law and seek out and destroy those that would oppose the New Order. She thought it best that she recruit unknowns. Plebes that could be molded to follow in her footsteps. She placed her ovoid helmet of the Royal Guard over her long locks. The crimson robes concealed her movements and her weapons. The list of possible candidates blinked on her holonet screen. They would be contacted and accompany her on a routine mission so she could evaluate them. She would be looking for loyalty, courage, chutzpah, and talent. Talent in fields that would best help her achieve her goals. A pilot. A tech. A medic. A soldier. A leader. Maybe force sensitive as well? Her holonet projector kicked to life as a robed figure appeared. She kneeled holding herself steady with her forcepike. “Do you have your team Inquisitor Omega?” “I have 12 of the finest selected for the prisoner escort duty my liege.” “Fine. Have they all passed every test?” “All but the last my lord. I plan on culling the weak. By combat.”

Fourth cycle, Day 23 Coruscant time, Year 3 of the New Era

Attention citizen:

Congratulations are in order on behalf of His Illustriousness Lord Tempest. You have been selected from an elite group of soldiers to participate on a Strike team with a highly competitive and limited membership. You are one of 35 officers, enlisted, and specialists that will be reviewed, judged, and eliminated down to two teams of six. The remaining 12 members will receive a pay grade and a special commendation from the Emperor himself. Muster for the Imperial Shuttle to take you to your assignment will be at 0600 hours local time. You will need to bring every piece of ID you possess including your apartment ID. You will be arriving on board the Tempest Class Star Destroyer Chimaera for your final transfer to a top secret testing facility. You are, of course, to destroy this communication upon receipt and not to speak of your commission to any family or friends. Thank you for your cooperation in this matter.

In his name,

Commander Omega Special attache’ to the Emperor TCS Chimaera 1107-ACH

The small clawdite boy was the thirteenth attendant to his excellency Lord Wrath. Currently, he cowered beside the command chair. “Where is your brother Mako? I dislike having to sense him and his motives. Besides, he shouldn’t be roaming free on an Imperial Star Destroyer. It’s easy to wind up…missing.”

“My apologies Lord Wrath. He told me he was running errands for you. I cannot keep track of him for he is my elder…”

“Enough. I really don’t care that much. Just make sure he has my cloak by noon. I am meeting a fresh batch of recruits from the surface.”

“Are these the recruits that will be hunting Jedi, Lord Wrath?”

“Eventually, perhaps. They have a long way to go before they can match even the most inexperienced Jedi. They must first serve their Emperor in more…fruitful ways.”

“Are you referring to the traitors milord?”

“Yes Mako. Hunters they will become. But before Jedi, they must hunt their own.”

“But why send inexperienced soldiers after them Lord? Why not hire bounty hunters?”

“You use a bounty hunter to capture traitors…you use surprise to find them. Besides, Lord Tempest sees something in one of them. He likened them to a seed. He said he must nurture that seed to ensure that it becomes a flower and not a weed.”

“And what if it does Lord? What then?”

“We cut it down.”

Just for the players benefit, when I refer to a rank in the Imperial Navy, here is the ranking system I am using.

Navy: Grand Admiral

Fleet Admiral

Rear Admirals

Captains

Commanders

LT commanders (Omega falls here)

Lieutenants (Crew Chiefs)

Junior LTs

Ensigns

Cadets

Recruits (conscripts)

Enlisted personnel

Fleet Chief Petty Officer

Master Chief Petty Officer

Senior Chief Petty Officer

Chief Petty Officer

Petty Officer I

Petty Officer II

Leading Crewman

Able Crewman

Crewman Apprentice

Junior Crewman

Cadet

Recruit

“Imperials huh?” The Twilek crime lord fingered a 4 inch scar across his cheek. “What exactly did they want with that many turbolasers? And why don’t they go through normal channels?” The chrome protocol droid answered matter of factly with a slight Coruscanti-Imperial accent, “Sir, you know very well we never ask that kind of question from a source with that size cash flow. Apparently, the Hutts have already cornered the market on another large contract they’re offering, we might want to jump on this one.” The Twilek turned to face the droid. “No. I didn’t get to where I’m at by jumping into things. Turn down the turbolaser contract but tell them I’ll up his spice contract on schedule.” “Very well sir.” “Oh, and Switch…why did Mena St. Clair come to see you?” “She had some…frozen goods to drop off. Said she needed to lay low.” “Hmm….okay…carry on.”

The throng of supporters gathered around the newly constructed Alderaan Plaza on the capitol city on Coruscant numbered in the hundreds of thousands. The centerpiece of the architecturally beautiful plaza was a golden building half contructed that stretched toward the sky at the unbelievable record of 482 floors. A golden statue that was to top off the masterpiece currently stood on a marble slab in the courtyard of the building. It resembled a human woman holding a baby, with one hand bearing the chains of slavery, and the other reaching up to grasp the golden ring of matrimony alluding to the Alderaanian tradition of both groom and bride holding a golden ring between themselves during a marriage ceremony. Emperor Mobodu’wan hoped it would show that even a lowly slave girl, say from Coruscant, could marry a noble from say, Alderran. The statue also favored a woman from his past. Currently, the large crowd awaited the first words of their Emperor who was to dedicate this uncompleted building from the 186th floor on the balcony. Multiple large holo screens would help the people see their illustrious leader. Emperor Bodo had just been confirmed by the newly formed Galactic Senate and was anxious to show his love for his people. Just before he stepped out on the balcony to greet his supporters, Bodo turned to a royal guard member at his right dressed in the red outfit of the Emperor’s Royal Guard. “Omega…remind me to tell you of your next mission when I get done here.” “kzzzzzzzt…My liege. Darth Wrath has already given me the training mission for the recruits…” The Emperor interrupted her. “Oh, that reminds me. I need to borrow your team…and let’s not tell my student about it…shall we?” “kzzzzzt..Yes, my liege. Szzzzzzk”

Drax sat in his cell, quietly shuffling the deck of cards before him. When he figured a way out of this mess he reminded himself that he owed Gresik for turning on him. The Bothan was quick to turn on his allies to save his own furry hide, that was for sure.

He had always been good at Sabaac. His father had taught him at a young age and he just seemed to run with it. While he could never predict how the cards would be dealt, he was very good at reading his opponents. It was almost as if he could peer into their minds and see what cards they were holding.

It was three years ago when his father ran afoul of some upstart crimelord and was killed by bounty hunters, that Drax found himself on his own. At thirteen years old and without anywhere to go, Drax began winning card games in the bowels of Cloud City. That’s where he first hooked up with Gresik. While not as skilled with the cards as Drax, the bothan had his own useful traits and was excellent at setting up marks.

Over the next few years the duo wracked up thousands of creds in winnings. Gresik would watch the tables for easy targets, Then Drax would swoop in and take all their money. Through all their misadventures they never managed to get too greedy… Until the 1st Annual Cloud City Sabbaac tournament.

Drax was initially resistent to the idea, but after much goading Gresik finally convinced his friend to enter the tournament. The first day had gone well, and Drax was progressing well through the brackets, when he felt a hand on his shoulder. “I think you need to come with me, sir.” Drax turned to find Lobot, the current Majordomo of Cloud City standing over his shoulder. Next to him in cuffs, stood Gresik. The bothan shrugged apologetically. Apparently Gresik had been caught hacking into the Cloud City Computer database seeking info on Drax’s opponents. When faced with imprisonment, the bothan didn’t hesitate to turn on his “friend”.

Lost in his thought Drax barely heard the Door slide open. “Prisoner Number:6255 You have a visitor.” came a voice over the small voicebox beside the door. Drax glanced up from his cards to see a striking woman, not much older than himself. Silky dark hair lay on her shoulders. The Crimson armor of an elite stormtrooper marked her as an imperial of some importance.

“Hello, Drax. I am Commander Omega. We have been watching you for quiet some time.” The woman spoke coldly.

“So. What do you want?” Drax spoke up trying to sound unimpressed.

“The force is strong in you. It crackles off you like lightning.” A slight smile appeared as she spoke. ” Why do you think your so good at Sabaac?”

“The Force? So what? You want me to become a Jedi or something? Drax shrugged.

“Or something…” Omega let her voice trail off.

“So what’s in it for me?” Drax stood up at last.

“You will recieve training, purpose and most importantly: Power.” As Omega spoke her voice wavered slightly.

“Sounds like fun.” Drax pocketed the deck of cards and exited the room passing his new commander.” So when do I get a Lightsaber?”

Omega’s grin returned, ” Soon enough…”

HGN ## Holonet Galactic News ## HGN Conflict over Amendments to Military Creation Act

Bodo Mobodu’wan, recently confirmed Emperor by the Imperial Senate seeks Senate approval for an increase in funding for the Imperial military. Citing recent acts of terrorism and the growing strength of secessionist movements throughout the Empire, the Emperor stated that the current size of the military is insufficient to secure peace: “Though the Emperor’s seat has been filled, the galaxy is still in a state of flux. Surviving elements of the old Rebellion unwilling to compromise with the New League of Planets formed by Emperor Mobodu’wan continue to plague the galaxy and the chaos of war has spawned an array of threats. Piracy is on the increase and is taxing our fleet resources and civil disorder in the occupied zones is straining the ability of the Imperial Army to maintain order. We also must deal with the problem of the missing Jedi Luke Skywalker, son of the convicted mass murderer Darth Vader. We can assume that the he will not stop his attempts to murder our beloved Emperor and seize control of the lawfully constituted government. The Admiralty and our Generals have asked for increased funding and more recruits to maintain economic and political stability.” It is suspected these amendments will pass with a healthy majority although there is an organized opposition party. One of the most outspoken is Senator Leia Organa of New Alderaan who stated: “The Imperial military is already 50% larger than it was at the height of the Clone War. I ask you gentlebeings to consider that the money being put into the military build-up would better serve the citizens of the galaxy if put into repairing the damage to our worlds from the recent war.” The self described “Princess” has also enraged many Senators by calling for the repeal of the punitive measures the Emperor imposed on Separatist planets and urging the Senate to meet with representatives of dissenting worlds to answer their grievances.

Annual Bespin Sabaac Tournament A Go

Despite weeks of scandal surrounding its leading officials, Cloud City has announced that they will be going ahead with their annual tournament. Details on application and travel arrangements will be coming in our next issue.

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