A new era

[Corran Vellar]

The Empire was on the cusp of chaos, word had finally been leaked that the Empress was gone. With the Year of Five Emperors still fresh in their minds, Moffs and high-qranking military officers began moving assets to prepare for another potential civil war. The Empire needed to respond with haste to prevent such an event from coming to fruition. It was time to find a new Emperor before another Gradan arose and caused havoc for the entire galaxy. But this was all of no concern to a particular businessman who was on his way to the Imperial Headquarters.

Imperial headquarters, Bastion

A hovervan dropped down and landed on one of the many pads that surrounded the Imperial headquarters on Bastion. The defensive turbolaser turrets tracked the vehicle until it was fully powered down. The armored door slid open and a well dressed human male stepped out followed by a crimson protocol droid. A brisk breeze flowed across the outdoor pad causing the humans black trench coat to ripple. Pulling the coat closed the man and his droid made their way to the entrance of the super structure.

A pair of stormtroopers and an Imperial Officer greeted the two. One of the troopers immediately started a weapons scan.

"Mr. Ryder," the Officer started. "We've been expecting you, I'm to escort you to Minister Lodd Sagras ."

Ryder nodded in recognition of the officer, something seemed oddly familiar about him. He waved it off as all Imperials being quite similar. As they began their scans Ryder made sure to reinforce his Force mask as to prevent any potential Imperial Force users from detecting his aura. The trooper doing the weapon scan paused at Ryder's right arm, his scanner making a high pitched tone.

"Sir, please lift your right sleeve." The officer ordered. "Are you carrying any weapons?"

Ryder complied, rolling it up slowly he revealed the metallic beskar-plated robotic arm. "Sorry, I use a powerful energy cell to run my prosthetic and its holocomputer." While this was true his robotic arm doubled as a stun gauntlet that also required that powerful energy cell.

The officer immediate looked embarrassed. "Sorry Mr. Ryder, no more delays, let us head on in."

The trooper put away his scanner as Ryder unrolled his sleeve. The small procession stepped off the landing pad and into the environmentally controlled interior of the Imperial HQ. Inside was pristine, everything was clean and orderly. Troopers patrolled the halls as Moffs and other members of the Imperial government moved about with the occasional mouse droid zooming by everyone. Ryder's small procession joined the hustle and bustle as the officer navigated them through the halls. After a while they entered a quieter part of the structure and the officer informed Ryder that the minister's office was just around the corner.

They made one final turn to see a small reception area with two doors on either end. In the small area were two soldiers stationed on either side of the hallway entrance and two royal guards stationed on either side of one of the office doors. Ryder was surprised to see royal guards protecting the minister, they were usually saved for the ruling council, high ranking Moffs, and of course the Empress herself.

"Please wait here momentarily Sir," the officer spoke, "the Minister will be with you shortly." The officer spoke, before stepping over to the unguarded door and walking through.

Ryder looked at CE, the droid gave him a robotic shrug before patiently turning to watch the door with the royal guards. Things were far too quiet here, but Ryder couldn't put his finger on any particular reason as to why. Little did he know that he was being carefully watched by an old friend of his.

[Corran Vellar]

Ryder’s grey eyes dashed up as soon as the guarded door slid open. He quickly stood, not sure who to expect walking out. His face flashed with rage momentarily before returning to its calm façade. An elderly man wearing fine yellow robes limped out, a cane in one hand. The senile man made eye contact with the CEO.

“Greetings young man,” the elder spoke, his voice soft. “You must be the famed Ryder.” He gave a slight bow in greetings. “I’m Lord Shen of the ruling council, I’ve heard much about your aid to the Empire.”

Ryder held himself back, this man had taken much from him in his past life. “Evening Lord Shen,” he barely managed to speak in a respectful tone. Ryder’s hands were clasped behind his back, his left squeezing his right tightly. “It is a pleasure to meet someone as important as yourself.” He gave a similar bow.

The royal guard took positions on either side of the Lord and prepared to escort him out. “The pleasure was mine Mister Ryder. I look forward to hearing more of your deeds.” He gave one last bow before departing.

As the senile-looking man turned away Ryder half reached for where his blaster would usually be. He cursed to himself before looking back at the now closed door. What were the odds he wondered. He stood, his mind racing as he waited to be called into the office Shen had just left.

Inside the office the Imperial officer had entered moments before Shen had appeared in the waiting room sat another older gentlemen. This one wore the traditional uniform of Imperial Intelligence and held the rank of director. He stared at a holoscreen depicting the waiting room. He smiled to himself as he watched Ryder’s reactions, however small, to the airing of Shen.

“Lieutenant, what metal would you say Mr. Ryder’s arm was made of?” He asked, as the officer approached.

“Sir, I believe it to be the famed iron made by the Mandalorians,” he replied.

“And this coppery tint, what would you say that is?”

“My best guess is a cortosis weave, at least from the few interactions I’ve had with it, Sir.” He paused a moment. “Do you actually believe Ryder is someone else?”

“Do these micro expressions make you believe these two just met?”

The officer took a closer look at the screen as the Director put a zoomed recording of Ryder’s face on repeat. “No sir, it looks like he has as fierce an unexplained dislike for the man as you do.” The officer stepped back. "How do you wish to proceed?”

“Bring him in.”

[Corran Vellar]

Ryder’s breaths came short and fast as his mind raced through ways to handle Shen. The odds were against the ex-Imperial Agent taking on the suspected Sith Lord and coming out alive. He was saved from his thoughts and potential actions as the officer that originally led him here reappeared.

“This way Mr. Ryder,” the man beckoned.

Grey eyes darted across the room to the officer and then back to the door he had assumed was the Minister Sagras’. “Of course,” he replied, slowly making his way to the man and the open door. Things didn’t add up and Ryder didn’t like it.

He stepped through the threshold of the door into a dimly lit office. A moment passed as his eyes adjusted to the lighting. Once they did they landed on the Director and Ryder held back a ‘I should have known.’

“Excuse me but I don’t believe you’re the Minister I’m suppose to meet.” Ryder spoke instead, holding his long running charade.

“Quite perceptive of you Mr. Ryder,” the aged man replied as he stood up with the aid of a cane. “I must apologize for any misconceptions you might have had for this meeting, but I needed to meet the growing leader of Black Star Systems. I’m Director Gregor of Imperial Intelligence.” He stepped out from behind his desk, a pair of piercing blue eyes examined Ryder from behind spectacles. “You have raised your company well. You’re praised by those on high.”

“The dignity of toil, to stay alive” Ryder replied simply, meeting the old Imperials gaze.

“It seems that we may have met?” He inquired raising a greyed eyebrow.

“I can’t say we have, I’d remember a face such as yours.” Ryder responded in turn.

“Indeed, perhaps you are correct,” Gregor continued. “Please, take a seat, I’d like to ask you a few questions.”

Ryder hesitated for a moment before finally sitting in the chair across from Gregor’s. His curiosity was piqued, and he wondered what the director’s game was today.