The Black Vow

Nyxi Vos walked through the corridors of their home base, simply nicknamed Station Zero.

It was hidden deep within a nebula, rendering long-range sensors utterly incapable of detecting either the station or any other fleets within the cloud.

Station Zero was Nyxi's most significant contribution to the Rebel Cell—the one that had taken her in and shielded her after the ISB came hunting her down. Luthan had given her a home—one she would never forget.

Nyxi passed by a massive window, revealing open space directly beyond the station. There, the Black Vow Fleet was stationed—one of the largest fleets under the control of a single rebel cell, not part of any wider alliance.

The fleet, which consisted of over a dozen designated warships, surrounded the majestic centerpiece: an MC75 Mon Calamari Cruiser nicknamed the Black Tomb.

Nyxi didn't bother counting each ship—she knew them all by designation or name. Still, the various corvettes and frigates were a majestic sight to her.

Hammerhead Corvettes. CR90 Corvettes. Ships they had acquired during their time cooperating with Mon Mothma's cell—now officially called the Alliance to Restore the Republic.

A pitiful effort, in her eyes. Nyxi understood the sheer terror the Empire inspired, and the larger Mon Mothma's alliance grew, the lower their chances of success became.

She knew the Empire could only be dissolved through the assassination of the Emperor or an uprising involving trillions of civilians.

And as a former ISB Agent, she knew the assassination of the Emperor was all but impossible.

Yet their fleet wasn't made up solely of "Rebel Cruisers." They had gained many ships through the Empire itself—via hijackings and through a certain connection who could isolate vessels for them.

Arquitens. Quasar Carriers. And now, following a fairly successful recent raid, they had received a pair of Dreadnoughts—heavily modified to lower crew requirements.

Their contact within the Empire had tipped them off about the convoy, and another contact entirely had warned them of the Imperial interception force being dispatched.

Elia Arr.

An operative of Nyxi's, positioned on Christophsis alongside the Rodian, Rodar.

Nyxi had been informed of Elia's capture by Imperials, and though she initially feared Elia might give up secrets, the truth had reached her through a secure source.

Captain Rysell had captured and interrogated every civilian with reason to resent the Imperials. Fortunately, the few operatives Nyxi had stationed there remained undiscovered.

Elia had apparently gotten into contact with a stormtrooper from Captain Rysell's personal division—a certain Captain Lux.

Through flirtation, their relationship had grown. As a result, Elia was now aware of every large-scale movement within the 1st Squadron—a tremendous asset.

Two days had passed since the Dreadnoughts escaped capture by Rysell, and in that time Elia had transmitted valuable intel about the Imperials.

Their new base on Christophsis. The top command structure of the 1st Squadron. All of it had been verified through another Imperial source. And so, Nyxi had begun using Elia far more aggressively.

Elia was expendable. Their other source was not. The less they relied on him, the better.

Nyxi realized she had been lost in thought—she had already reached her destination: Luthan's private office.

The blast doors opened as she entered. Inside sat the leader of their cell, commanding thousands with cold efficiency—something Nyxi appreciated.

"My investigation has concluded. Source IMP-302 has proven accurate to date—I believe she can be further utilized," Nyxi reported, her gaze leaving the datapad in her hand as she turned toward Luthan.

The man was tall—187 centimeters, by her estimate. He had dark brown eyes and pitch-black hair, long and tied in a ponytail. A faint beard lined his jaw—thin, but present.

He wore armor, even now: black plastoid with a reinforced chest plate and shoulder guards.

Though Nyxi couldn't see them, she knew there were dozens of hidden weapons and traps throughout the office. It was one of the most fortified places in the entire station.

"Very good. The extinguishment of a specialized rebel-hunting unit will do wonders for our future. Rebels from across the galaxy will come running," Luthan said after a moment's pause.

"Is everything proceeding according to plan?" he asked, and Nyxi nodded.

"The rat is in place. The Imperials are bound to catch on any second—and jump at the opportunity," Nyxi replied. Luthan stood with a smile.

"And the garrison?"

"They've assured us of their neutrality, so long as we ensure Rysell fails to call for reinforcements. The man has powerful backing from a Moff and a Grand Admiral. His death will be investigated, and we can't afford for any trail to lead back to them," Nyxi said. Luthan turned to the window, his gaze falling upon the fleet.

"Naturally. We can't allow a short-sighted victory to hinder our longer-term plans. All our actions are building toward our final ploy—a ploy that will rid the galaxy of the oppressors known as the Empire, and lay the foundation for our ascension."

"As the saviors of the galaxy—heroes of the Rebellion. Not even Mon Mothma will be able to stand in our way," Luthan added, turning back toward Nyxi.

"Your assistance has been invaluable. And you shall have your revenge. The executioner will be executed—by your hand," he told her, forcing a grin across her face.

"It is all I desire. And if you provide me the opportunity, I shall not disappoint. You will have my loyalty—forever."

And with that, Nyxi turned and left the room. Luthan's preference for solitude was well known throughout the cell.

However, unknown to Nyxi, as the blast doors sealed behind her, a figure cloaked in red emerged from the shadows—followed by eight droids.

"She knows too much. She will have to be extinguished sooner or later," the figure in red said. Luthan sighed.

"I do not like it, witch. But your assistance in our goals is far more critical than that of an ex-ISB. But do not mistake my cooperation for trust. We are partners—not allies. If you turn on me, or hinder my progress, I will see you removed as well," Luthan warned.

With a scoff, the woman in red vanished into the shadows.

And the only ones remaining were Luthan—and the eight droids. Cloaked, yet one wore no hood.

It revealed the classification of the tall, silent machines:

IG-100 MagnaGuards.

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