Brentaal IV
A shuttle and two escorting starfighters appeared out of hyperspace and approached the sphere of Brentaal IV. The three craft weaved through traffic, cruising past a series of freighters and ore haulers as they approached a large orbital station. The trio, after receiving clearance, dipped towards the planet, passing beneath the station and a defensive platform. The escorts tightened formation as they dropped into the atmosphere.
The heat of the systems primary beat down on the city of Oradin, and dusty winds blurred the pilots vision as he approached the landing on the roof of the Grand Oradin Casino. He slowed the shuttle, anticipation his closing distance, and engaged the repulsors expertly and in time. The shuttle touched down with little more than a shudder. "All clear, Vizier Oradin." Lt. Dax said as he punched in the shutdown sequence. Shan nodded in approval as she stood. She took up position behind a quartet of royal guard at the back of the shuttle. Air rushed in as the hatch began to open, mixing the cool, regulated air of the shuttle with the heat and grit of that of Brentaal IV. Shan shielded her eyes as they stepped out onto the ramp and down to the landing pad.
"Vizier Oradin, pride of Brentaal," called a man as he stepped up to meet with Shan. He was a short, stalky man of middle age. His grey hair was pulled back, and his smile revealed years of neglected hygiene. Two of the crimson robed guardsmen cut him off, closing rands around the politician and crossing their force staffs. He did not attempt to break their ranks, instead stopping and bowing with his hands visible and at his sides. "My apologies, but I have important confidential information for the Vizier."
"If you wish to speak with Vizier Oradin, you must contact her office through the appropriate channels," replied one of the guards.
"I cannot. They are involved! I have vital information about a plot against the Vizier," the man replied, growing more impatient with each word.
Algoz, Shan thought instantly. "Take this man into custody, Lieutenant. He is obviously a risk to himself and others."
"As you wish," Lt. Daxx responded. The man, though protesting, allowed himself to be restrained.
The strange man called over his shoulder as he was being escorted away, "I'd have my offices swept if I were you. Not even in your fathers casino are you protected from this threat."
It was getting dark in Oradin, and the traffic outside the Central Government Building was thinning. shan sat on a stool in a narrow corridor facing a small cubical surrounded by red light. Facing her, int he center of that cell, sat the man who had been identified as Crix Hampner, Imperial Intelligence. He was not nearly as stocky in his jail-supplied clothing, his previous bulk being attributed to the body armor under his disguise. His long grey hair was draped over his shoulders now, and his teeth apparently had not been part of the disguise.
"Who are you," Shan asked.
"I am Crix Hampner, Imperial Intelligence."
"Why are you here?"
"I've come to warn of a plot against you."
"And what sort of plot does Lider Algoz put into motion against me?"
Crix tilted his head slightly, questioningly. Suddenly his eyes narrowed in understanding. She had no idea. "My Lady, I'm afraid you are mistaken. The threat against you comes not from the Dark Lord of the Sith, but from the Director of Intelligence."
Her eyes widened in surprise. "Director Issard, but why?"
"Isn't it obvious," he stated. "You're a threat to her power. You are strong, charismatic, and very popular. You have the prosperity of your home world around you, a prosperity that has out shined the many ongoing hardships within the rest of the Empire."
"So why would an intelligence officer of the Empire come to me with this information?"
"My loyalties, as a son of Brentaal, are to my people first, to the Empire, second."
"You dare speak such things? The Empire does not accept split loyalties, and talk like that could be considered treason."
"I will not stand by and watch all I have fought and worked for, what my fellow patriots fought and died for, be torn apart by an individuals quest for power. While leaders like Shan Oradin and Lider Algoz work tirelessly to keep the Empire together, you are being thwarted at every turn by your so called superiors. Even now, in orbit over Rendili, Darth Algoz attempts to repel invaders while his officer core is plagued with incompetent academy dropouts placed there by the Director."
The Battle of Eriadu, the Maleficent at Thyferra, could it be true that Darth Algoz was not responsible for these upsets? He'd had, after all, a stellar record up until recently.
"And what reason do I have to believe any of this," she asked.
"Because you had a sweep of your offices performed, and you recovered not only listening devices, but a range finder as well."
It was true. she had been cautious, at the urging of Lt. Daxx, and sent her own guards to clear the room. A number of surveillance devices had been found, as well as a digital range finder that owuld give an assassin the ability to fire a missile from a considerable distance with complete accuracy. She knew deep down that Crix was telling the truth. She knew there was much more information to be shared. "I hope you don't have any plans. We have a great many things to discuss."
