The journey home…

The next day brought with it a remarkable sense of peace. Devastator was in transit to Coruscant, and the officers aboard the bridge seemed all too eager for the comforts of home.

Tremayne stayed aboard, offering us his assistance until we reached our destination. Once there, he would go on to train a new generation of Imperial Inquisitors.

The circumstances of Thalis’ capture and the subsequent events on Devastator were for the most, carefully swept under the table, yet the rumors of how I’d successfully cheated death were rampant among the officers of rank, as were the tales of Thalis’ brutal interrogation. To them, it was a matter of pride; vengeance for the attempt on my life, and properly justified. It confirmed the overall belief that the Jedi were indeed our enemies, and resulted in a more unified crew.

I realized during the journey back to Coruscant, that my demeanor as an  Admiral had greatly changed. I had likened myself to the seasoned space Admirals of my father’s time; stone-faced and overly analytical. Nights without sleep had taken their toll…I now wore my fatigue as openly as my rank badge.

My feeble attempts to conduct business as usual could not elude Vader. Perceptive to a fault, he had fixed his eye on me, monitoring me for a complete shift at the bridge before discreetly pulling me aside.

“Relived of duty, Admiral…return to your quarters until you are capable of performing.”

“My lord…” I argued, “The ship is at peak efficiency…”

“You are approaching your limits, Brisard…sit down before you fall down.”

“Lord Vader…”

“That is an order.”

Dejected over being dismissed from my post, I made my way to the officer’s mess hall. Lost in fulfilling my duties, I had been without food the entire day.

I sat down just as a voice from behind broke the silence.

“Surely you don’t intend on eating alone, Admiral…”

I flashed a bright smile, turning to greet the High Inquisitor.

“Antinnis…”

“Aria…” Tremayne smiled, moving to sit across from me, “You’re looking better…I’m glad.”

“I wish I could convince Lord Vader of the same…” I argued, “I was ordered away from my post.”

“Lord Vader will reinstate you to active duty when you are ready, and not a moment before.” Tremayne replied, “He has a right to protect the best officers in his service. I fail to see your point in engaging him on the matter. His words are law.”

“I see every point in contesting my suspension when I’m entirely capable of performing admirably.”

“Say what you will…only, another day’s rest wouldn’t hurt, and you know it.”

I paused, taking my colleague’s words into consideration.

“Maybe you’re right, Antinnis…I don’t know anymore…”

Tremayne placed a comforting hand atop my own.

“Lord Vader interrogated and tortured Adal Thalis more severely than anyone I’ve ever seen taken captive. He did so because of you…because he had your best interests at heart. Trust him now. You owe him that much, if not more.”

“You always did have a knack for putting things into perspective.” I replied, “How long has it been now since your transfer from Exactor?”

“Ten years.”

“Ten years…” I echoed, “Kriff, has it really been that long?!”

“Sometimes it feels even longer…I work alone now, of course. It still feels awkward without Lord Vader nearby. Opinions of cyborgs have dwindled so sharply…I’m met with rejection and inferiority at each turn; a far cry away from what I enjoyed in Vader’s service. Worst of all, the caliber of my work goes unappreciated by the Moffs and Admirals I find myself called to serve.”

“It won’t be like this forever, my friend…”

“If I only knew that to be true…”

“Trust that the day is soon coming in which the Moffs will get their comeuppance. Do not lose hope.”