Waiting Game
Cham continued to pace and worried about the mission. He worried about his Free Ryloth Movement members and the former Avengers helping them. The words terrorist rang in the back of his mind because he was waiting for an explosion to the airship the Whirlwind. Cham was waiting for death and destruction in the sky that would terrify the Imperials in his country out of their arrogant dull stupor that they used to rationalize ruling the country. No...Cham said to himself shaking his head. You are not a terrorist but a freedom fighter.
You are fighting for the Twi'lek's that are suffering under Imperial rule. The ones who are sex slaves, the ones who are wallowing in poverty, the ones jailed without a trial, and the ones suffering from many other afflictions ignored or caused by the Imperial Officers and Stormtroopers stationed throughout the country. You are a freedom fighter. Cham calmed himself and after a few moments was rewarded for his newfound patience with a communication from Mockingbird. At that moment Cham could see the Imperial Super Star Destroyer the Whirlwind rattle and shake. The cause of this shaking were small explosions inside the rear of the airship that resulted in billowing clouds of smoke filling the sky.
"It's a complete hyperspit show Cham. Everything is in chaos. I can't even get in contact with Captain America and the others. I lost contact with Isval and the White Widow. It was a risky play by Nomad to sabotage the Hyperdrive systems to create an explosion because it would disrupt communication signals surrounding the Whirlwind. Only chatter I'm picking up is just non audio emergency transmissions."
Cham cursed under his breath. He was hoping for more damage to the Whirlwind.
"I'm going to have to contact Belkor to get a better idea of what's going on. If it's as bad I fear then I'll have to bring the remainder of my Free Ryloth forces out of hiding to aid the former Avengers and Isval."
Mockingbird reluctantly acknowledged this course of action by Cham and replied that she'd continue to monitor things as best as she could from her airship.
****
Belkor started to sweat when he saw the smoke and flames from the Whirlwind from the observation window of the Communications base. He was told by Cham the explosives would cripple the airship carrying the Emperor and Vader to such a degree if the pair weren't killed they'd be easy pickings for Free Ryloth operatives who snuck onto the Whirlwind. Yet the damage wasn't even close to what Cham promised. Belkor was confident that the Emperor and Vader were in a more compromised state but he was certain they were still alive due to no Code Red transmissions from the Whirlwind.
The Imperial Officers inside the Communications dome struggled to monitor the scene in the sky using Imperial probe droid's due to the billowing smoke. Belkor rehearsed his reactions to this chaos hours earlier in a mirror. His handsome face albeit with wrinkles in his eyes but chiseled features needed to be in shock and dismay. Not for too long though Belkor coached himself at that time. He would need to transition into fiery decisiveness quickly. Once Belkor combed his hands through his thinning but shiny and smooth black hair he would need to take charge of the situation.
This is what Belkor did screaming at subordinates to gather information on the damage to the Whirlwind with more fervor than usual. The junior officers scurried like ants to perform their tasks and the highest ranking officer gave Belkor a datapad containing all the authorized rescue and maintenance airships with their personnel ID tags. He saw Isval's name on maintenance airship number 41518 and arranged the deployment of these airships to the Whirlwind so that Isval's airship was first. He managed to give her a ten minute headstart and scrambled the flight paths and departures for the other airships. That way the air traffic controllers would have to slow the movements of the remaining airships using Imperial probe droid's. Belkor hoped that his sabotage would be dismissed as an accidental mistake brought on by stress and not an intentional act of treason.
"Sir, we have a transmission from High Governor Mors on line one." A junior officer informed him
Belkor gasped but quickly replied, "Thank you Lieutenant. I'll take it in the Captain's office."
"Hello High Governor I assure you I've got the situation under-" Belkor greeted Mors professionally before being interrupted
"What the galaxy is going on in the mainland Colonel Dray!!!! The Whirlwind has sustained heavy damage due to an attack from possible insurgents and you are acting as if we are conducting military drill! Are you insane? Or are you incompetent when it comes to responding to a crisis? The Emperor and Lord Vader are on that vessel in potential danger and your response time to send rescue airships is ridiculously slow! The fate of the entire Empire rests on us to keep our beloved leaders alive!" High Governor Mors shouted
Belkor winced in fear shocked at how sober Mors was and how incendiary her temper was. This was not the Mors he interacted with a couple of days ago high on space and eager for pleasure from a Twi'lek escort. This was the accomplished and highly decorated Moff with a distinguished career and a no nonsense attitude. Belkor realized Mors patriotism for the Empire wasn't just an act. He struggled to keep his face neutral to not draw Mors's suspicions about his actions.
"I'm sorry for failing you and the Empire High Governor. I assure you I will do everything in my power to ensure the safety of the Emperor and Lord Vader and deal with any potential threats to the Empire." Belkor apologized
"Good but I'm on my way to the mainland to help you sort out this mess. As well as to give a personal apology to the Emperor and Lord Vader that they were placed in this position to begin with." Mors replied
Belkor knew Mors was going to put this disaster at his feet. He realized that he needed to stage everything prior to Mors arrival as a failed operation led by Mors. This would be easy because for the past year Belkor had sowed discontent about Mors's decision making around a select group of officers loyal to him and him alone. Once things reached a fever pitch of calamity the officers would arrest Mors and turn her into High Command for a court martial.
"Understood High Governor. I assure you I will provide you with constant updates about-" Belkor said before Mors ended the communication abruptly
Belkor frowned but he relaxed. It would be over two hours before Mors arrived with her security escort. He was ready to execute his plan as long as things unfolded the way Cham claimed they would. Belkor's private comm link buzzed and Belkor muttered speak of the devil.
"What is it Cham?" Belkor asked cutting to the chase
"I'm instructing Isval and her partner to cause a crash landing of the Emperor and Vader's airship. Then I will overwhelm their escape pod with blaster fire from my remaining forces. What I need from you is to sabotage communications along Imperial networks for the entire planet." Cham instructed
"Are you insane? That would further complicate rescue and repair operations. You told me your people would blow up the Whirlwind! Now you're changing the plan. If I keep doing more disruptive actions I could get caught and be accused of treason!" Belkor exclaimed
"And if you don't do what I say I'll post that video of us meeting together on the Holo Net forcing you to be an Imperial fugitive for the rest of your life. You really think you can run from the Imperial Security Bureau and Darth Vader for your entire life?" Cham asked
Belkor paused and he realized the collar of his Imperial uniform was drenched in sweat. Belkor realized fulfilling his ambition to be High Governor in place of Mors was going to be a greater challenge than anticipated.
"No I don't want to try to run from Lord Vader. You better kill him and the Emperor. If not then I won't be in a position to help you Cham." Belkor replied
"Of course. I'd be too dead to even complain about your lack of help in that scenario." Cham said chuckling sardonically before ending the transmission
Belkor sighed heavily and then straightened up. He smoothed out the creases in his uniform and ran his fingers over his hair so it was slicked back. He sighed heavily again and then exited the office and entered the central area of the Communications base to issue more orders to the junior officers.
****
Captain Ava Starr received a communication from Contessa Valentina. Valentina instructed Captain Starr to activate her Ghost armor and ordered her to locate and find the Imperial who was responsible for the attack on the Whirlwind and to monitor High Governor Mors actions when she arrives on the Ryloth/Algeria mainland. Ava looked in the mirror activating her armor. She turned invisible and then walked through the door without opening it thanks to her innate super powers augmented by the Ghost armor.