Credits will be transferred into your account for your unintentional useful activity.
breathe
The Empire will also pay your employer so that your status within the Guild is not threatened due to this failed hunt.
breathe
I feel you may be of use to the Empire.
breathe
Someday.
With that, Vader turns with a sinister swish of his cape and stomps out of the room. The door hisses shut behind him.
Makrus shudders. "Creepy git."
"Could be a day or so more. You were barely alive when they got you on board. And the only reason you were taken along at all was because I signed a contract with Vader. I am still payrolled as a mercenary, but... you will call me Commander Makrus from now on. I knew you wouldn't go for it, so... here I am. In the Imperial Army."
"It just means I will have more connections, doesn't it?" Makrus says. "Don't you worry your little head, Rylis. This won't change my availability one bit, should you need me. I've made sure of that."
Makrus starts to head towards the exit.
"Just be glad that you don't have to work for the Army. Their Generals can be rather... stupid, sometimes. One even tried to join me in battle on Renatasia. Got himself vivisected. Couldn't get those stains off my armor, needed a new set. You think they'd try sticking to what they're good at.
"But nonetheless... I think you'll find that the Empire pays well. I'm not saying join up like I am, but... they make the Hutts look poor. The Emperor certainly knows how to spend his funds!"
-
As predicted, it is a full two days before you are released from the bacta tank aboard the Star Destroyer Blackguard. As soon as you are well, stormtroopers escort you to the starship hangar in the Star Destroyer's underbelly. Amidst the TIE Fighters, the Crimson Dawn sits waiting on the reflective black floor of the hangar. It has been cleaned and fueled.
"Compliments of the Empire," a stormtrooper tells you. "Lord Vader has asked that you leave immediately if you will not consider an Imperial contract. I suggest you follow his orders, miss."
With that, you are free to go.
The Crimson Dawn has two messages waiting for you in its databanks. The first is from Makrus, alerting you too late that Snith is wanted by the Empire as a rogue agent. The second is from Ripper, the Trandoshan Guildmaster you work for. He explains to you that he has received a sizeable amount of credits from the Empire because you failed to meet your latest deadline. While he is shocked and appalled to have heard that your bounty escaped you, he is far more pleased that the Empire gave him a small fortune. You will not have to worry about deadlines for awhile, Rylis. Especially if the Empire keeps this coming, assuming you decide to work for them at some point. He sounds hopeful, but not too hopeful. It is no secret that you dislike the Empire, and that is putting it mildly.
But you certainly cannot disagree with Makrus or Ripper. When checking your account, you nearly fall out of your seat when you see those zeroes. Certainly enough to have all your equipment replaced! Snith absolutely ruined your armor and you never got your jetpack back. Maybe you can buy a better one.
So, as the Crimson Dawn drops out of the belly of the Star Destroyer and zooms away, only two things are really bothering you about this whole thing...
1) Kyle Ragnor escaped. You NEVER let your bounties escape. Even though the bounty on Kyle seems to have been taken down, you doubt you will ever let him escape again...
2) You know what became of Snith, but... whatever happened to the Control?
Imperial Palace, Coruscant
The trinket clatters onto the polished stone floor once it drops. The crystal orb, set into an intricate decorative piece, glows dimly in the darkly lit throne room.
Lord Vader kneels before the high-backed chair of Emperor Palpatine. The Emperor does not face him. Instead, the chair is facing the spiderweb window behind him, glaring into the rainstorm that is showering Coruscant.
I have retrieved the artifact, my Master.
breathe
"Excellent, my Apprentice," Palpatine croaks. "Has the Renegade been dealt with?"
Yes, Master. I finished him myself.
breathe
Dry but sinister laughter floats out from behind Palpatine's chair.
What would you have me do with this... thing?
breathe
Slowly, the high-backed chair swivels away from the window. The cowled old man continues to cackle as he turns to face his Apprentice. Once the chair finishes its turn, the Emperor rises from his throne, clutching a twisted black cane to support himself.
"The artifact is of no concern," Palpatine croons. "It is a useless bauble for those of weak influence. I already hold sway over the Galaxy and this bountiful Empire, Lord Vader. We have no need of its services."
Raising a gnarled hand, the Emperor conjures lightning from his fingertips. The bolts snake through the air and connect with the Control. The sheer power causes it to pop, sending sparks and glass across the floor of the throne room.
Vader stares at the destroyed relic.
breathe
"You may go, Lord Vader," Palpatine tells him.
breathe
Yes, my Master.
breathe
End