Coruscant, Core Worlds, Low Orbit
Aboard the Imperial Star Destroyer "Harbinger"

Bridge, Command Section

"Captain Santus, I believe I have something that requires your immediate attention." Ensign Haru Donnell called out to the Captain. A slim, young man that hailed from Corellia, fresh out of the Imperial Academy, Haru had been described by his instructors as "Clean, precise, and methodical." After graduation, he had immediately been taken under the wing of the aging Captain Santus, who had recognized his potential nearly immediately as a future commanding officer.

For now, however, Haru was delegated to intelligence duties aboard the ISD Harbinger, and so far, there had been no issues to speak of.

"What is it?" Captain Santus asked. Santus's blonde hair was starting to turn gray, but his stature and physique were still very much capable of seeing combat. As the Captain turned to approach Donnell's station, Haru pulled a data chip out of his terminal.

"I would prefer this conversation be in private." the ensign stated. "It is a sensitive manner that may concern…Lord Vader."

Santus raised an eyebrow, but seeing the seriousness in his student's expression, he settled himself and asked why that was the case.

"I believe I have found a rogue Jedi, but it will require some thorough explaining." Haru replied. Santus motioned him over to an unoccupied booth and terminal, and Haru straightened up before speaking quietly.

"During the final hours of the Clone Wars, a detachment of Clone Troopers, the 389th Strike Battalion, under the command of Jedi Master Kyris Marchen, was deployed to the planet Razkos. Their orders, according to old Republic records, were to stop a Separatist attempt to build an outpost."

"However, during the battle, two crucial things happened." Haru continued. "First, a solar storm blocked all communications to and from the Jedi and his forces to any Republic bases or stations in range. During this solar storm, Order 66 came down."

"The 389th, if my hypothesis is correct, thus never received the order, and Kyris Marchen may still be alive." Haru plugged the data chip into the terminal, and a star map appeared, with two lines highlighted in white.

"Recovered records from the medical establishment on Polis Massa indicate Kyris Marchen came there from Razkos, and then departed aboard a Venator-Class Star Destroyer, the Sentinel, along with three Acclamator-class transports." Haru said, indicating the first white line. "The second line represents all the possible routes they could have taken."

"Based on what logic?" Captain Santus asked, his curiosity piqued.

"Their fuel expenditures, adjusted for the travel between Coruscant, Razkos, and Polis Massa, a thorough analysis of hyperspace lanes in the area, and then, there's this."

Haru pointed to a small planet, a lone light in the blank section that depicted the Unknown Regions.

"That planet is the only place they would have reached, based on my previously stated conditions. If the Jedi and his forces are anywhere, it's here."

"Most impressive."Captain Santus smiled. "Come with me, ensign, I think it best to inform Lord Vader together. It is your work that has led to this discovery, was it not?"

Haru suppressed a nervous shudder, but nodded as they approached the holotable. After punching in some commands, the intimidating, fear-invoking image of Darth Vader appeared.

"My lord." Both the ensign and captain nodded their heads. "My student, Ensign Haru Donnell, has likely located a rogue Republic detachment, and their Jedi general."

"…Speak." Lord Vader responded. Haru stepped forward, produced the holomap and relevant records, and repeated his theory and the evidence supporting it. During this, he clenched his left hand several times, hoping to dispel any sign of nervousness. Lord Vader was silent as Haru finished speaking and then stepped back to his spot beside the Captain.

"Are you certain of this?" Vader asked again. The Sith Lord mentally admitted that an ensign producing such a claim and proof to support it was by itself most impressive.

"Yes, my Lord, I am certain." Haru replied. Lord Vader was silent for a few moments, before adding, "Has anyone else found evidence to support your findings?"

"No, my Lord. This was my discovery, and I only brought it to the Captain's attention once I was certain it was…airtight."

"Hmm. Your work is admirable and should your theory prove correct…you will be rewarded for your service" Vader spoke. "Captain Santus, do you support this ensign's claim?"

"Yes, Lord Vader." the Captain nodded.

"Then I shall send one of my agents to accompany you to this planet. There, you shall wait out of range until called for. You are to destroy this Jedi, and anyone that resists. Make no mistake, you shall follow my agent's orders as if they are my own."

"Very well." Captain Santus affirmed. “The Harbinger will depart immediately.”

“No, Captain.” Vader replied. “You shall accompany my agent aboard his ship, the Rogue Shadow. The presence of a Star Destroyer shall draw…unwanted attention. I want this done…quietly. Do you understand?”

“Yes, My Lord.”

The two Imperials lowered their heads as the Hologram vanished. As Captain Santus turned to ensign Haru, the young man quietly cleared his throat.

“I shall report to the hangar deck immediately.” Haru spoke.

“Good. Let us greet this…agent…together.” the Captain breathed, before telling the executive Officer that he had command of the Harbinger until his return. As they exited the bridge, a slim ship with a two-pronged front approached, as it came out of hyperspace.

——

“Proxy, is everything ready?” Captain Juno Eclipse asked their Holo-Training droid, who was standing next to her at a computer terminal. After their arrival aboard the Harbinger, Starkiller had departed to receive a briefing from the captain and the ensign. Lord Vader had previously commanded his assassin to expect the unexpected, and above all, eliminate the Jedi Kyris Marchen.

“Yes, Captain Eclipse.” Proxy replied. “Master should be rejoining us shortly. I believe his briefing has just concluded.”

“It did.” Starkiller huffed, as he took his seat next to Juno. “Looks like we’re all set. Juno, take us out.”

“Of course.”

As the two Imperial personnel took their seats behind Starkiller and Proxy, ensign Haru looked at Starkiller with hidden astonishment. Vader’s agent couldn’t have been any more than two or three years older than he was. Captain Santus, on the other hand, knew of the Imperial Inquisitorius and some of its members, and had initially assumed that Starkiller was one of them. However, the Captain quickly realized Starkiller was something else entirely.

The feeling of power and fury that the young man gave off made them both shiver, and the lightsaber that lay on the agent's waist did little to reassure them.

"Agent?" Captain Santus asked, and Starkiller looked over at the Imperial Officer with a raised eyebrow.

"What term would you prefer to be addressed by?" the Captain asked. "I don't believe I was told your name, nor your position among Lord Vader's agents."

"Just call me Starkiller," the Sith Apprentice replied. "and my position to my master is none of your concern."

Captain Santus nodded and laid back in his seat with a barely concealed shudder as the Rogue Shadow vanished into hyperspace.

Author's Note

I will admit that have been procrastinating so much recently about finishing my WIP chapters. Hopefully that'll change going forward.

This chapter goes up in honor of the final season of The Bad Batch, and in memory of Tech, CT-9903.

Next chapter - The Rogue Shadow arrives on Equis, and Kyris assumes their safe haven from the Empire is safe no longer. However, unforseen complications will lead Vader's apprentice and the General of the 389th to stand together in battle...

Coming soon, Chapter 13...Master and Apprentice.