Alliances: Civil War II Chapter Forty-Eight

As Darkmagus strode through the corridors of the Imperial Star Destroyer Chimaera, his thoughts were now on the incredible power that was now his. In all the entire, known, explored galaxy, he was now a "second-in-command," second only to Palpatine. Yet he craved for even more power, the power to shape people's lives for his own ends and needs.

Soon he found himself entering the bridge, where he found Grand Admiral Thrawn talking to Servalan, now his second in command of the Imperial forces in the Alpha and Beta Quadrants. Thrawn was giving Servalan a tour of the ship, and he didn't need his powers to tell that Servalan was pleased with what she saw. She liked the power she had, and she had ambition. Perhaps one day she would try to usurp Darkmagus' power and position. That was something he had thought of many times recently. It would have to be dealt with.

As Thrawn saw Darkmagus enter, he broke off his conversation with Servalan and approached him.

"When will we be leaving?" Darkmagus asked.

"The course for Wayland is in the navi-computer," the Socratian replied. "We only await your order."

"And how long will this journey take us?"

"Just a matter of days. We will use the double jump-point technology once we leave Earth's solar system."

"Good. Then let us go. We have much to do."

Thrawn turned and gave the order to depart.

Darkmagus watched Servalan survey her surroundings. She would definitely have to be dealt with, he thought.

 

It was a cold night near the Dune Sea on Tattooine, and even though this was so, Ben Kenobi chose not to wear anything but his normal clothes. After eating his evening meal, he walked outside his small home, and began to gaze up to the heavens. He had first felt the change in the Force a few days ago. At first it seemed like a slight ripple, nothing more, nothing less. But as the days progressed, the feeling, the sensation, began to get stronger and stronger. It was like a feeling of anticipation, like he was about to be visited by an old friend or family member he hadn't seen in years.

Ben seated himself on a rather large rock which was not far from the front entrance of his home. He let out a huge sigh.

"So you are sending new friends and allies to Tattooine, Friend Phineas. A pity I will not be here to meet them."

And with that, Ben rose from his seat, and went back into his house. He knew that he was about to be drawn back into his former life.

 

For a while now, during their unexpected journey through the Delta Quadrant, the crew of the U.S.S. Voyager had heard whispers and rumors about the Galactic Empire. They heard that the Empire had developed some new form of warp technology and traveled to the distant Alpha Quadrant, and done something that no one had thought possible: take control of the United Federation of Planets.

Now, with Voyager in orbit around the planet Talaxia, Captain Janeway sat in her Ready Room, awaiting the news she did not want to hear. She did not have to wait much longer. A few moments later, the door buzzer sounded. Giving the order to enter, Neelix and Commander Chakotay entered. Janeway could tell instantly what the news would be.

"It is as we feared, Captain," Neelix said. "My sources on Talaxia tell me that the Imperials have developed some propulsion technology using something called a double jump-point."

"Double jump-point?" said Janeway. "That technology is mainly used by the Centauri, the Narns and the Minbari."

"That's not all," said Chakotay. "Neelix's sources told him that they had help conquering the Federation from within, and with the help of several new allies. The Sontarrans helped them, and the Imperials helped the Centauri defeat the Narns. The Centauri are now helping the Imperials."

"And many down below fear that Talaxia could be next," said Neelix.

"Is that all you could find out?"

"No," said Chakotay. "We managed to get the name of a planet: Wayland. Rumor has it that some sort of conference is taking place on this world. Several Kazon sects are reported to be headed there."

"Do you have co-ordinates for this planet?" asked Janeway.

"We have co-ordinates for the system," said Neelix. "We don't know where Wayland exactly is, though."

"The system co-ordinates are enough. Commander, have Mister Paris set a course for the Wayland system."

"Are we going to try and stop these talks?" Chakotay asked.

"No. We need to know exactly where we stand in this quadrant. If possible, we may be able to get hold of this new propulsion technology. It may help get us back home."

"Whatever's left of home, that is," said Chakotay.

"If there is anything left of home, then we'll fight for it," said Janeway. "There are bound to be some men and women fighting the Imperials somehow."

 

Devon Adair strode up and down Sickbay aboard the Pegasus station, the current political situation meaning nothing to her at the moment. She waited anxiously for Doctor Pulaski to return. A few moments later she did, data pad in hand.

"Well, Doctor?" Devon asked.

"I've never seen a case like your son's before," Pulaski replied. "It may take some time, but I'll run every test possible until I find some way of treating his condition."

"And what if you can't?"

"I'm not giving up hope yet, Commander."

Then, Devon's communicator sounded.

"Adair here."

"Devon, this is Commander O'Neill. The daily briefing is in five minutes."

"Understood, Commander. Devon out."

She switched off her communicator, and sighed.

"Will Uly be alright here, with you?"

"He'll be fine. I have some of the finest equipment in the Quadrant here. If I make any progress, I'll give you a call."