Reverse Empire Pt. 3

"Hi gang, sis." Traavin could see several emotions play across the face of his old comrades; surprise, joy, shock, revulsion, fear, anger. On the face of his sister, he saw only unbridled fury. That was the only emotion he knew how to deal with; keep the conference table between them and wait until she calmed down.

With a snarl, Traarel threw herself across the table, arms outstretched. From his point of view, she was standing across the room one moment and halfway to him a blink of an eye later. The next thing Traavin felt was a familiar pair of hands wrapped very familiarly around his throat. Then the rest of Traarel crashed into him sending the both of them to the ground.

"I'm gonna kill you!" Traarel declared and proceeded to make good on her announcement. From his position Traavin could only hope she would relent before she really did choke the life out of him. Rage had lent her strength far beyond anything he had seen before.

From behind her, two pairs of hand locked onto her arms and managed to pry them from around her brother's neck. Zlen and Herrin, the largest in their group, strained to pull Traarel back. They mostly succeeded. Since her legs remained locked around Traavin, he was dragged along with his sister.

After almost a full minute of struggling the four of them were spent and gasping for breath. A sudden intake of breath from Yerrin drew everyone's attention. They redirected their gazes to the door when they realized that was where she was staring at.

A middle aged man stood in the doorway. Average height, gray hair, nondescript facial features, he looked unremarkable. Except for the uniform and rank insignia and his bearing. Even though only one of them recognized his face, everyone knew who he was. Only one man wore the Imperial Internal Intelligence emblem as a badge of rank, the director of the III.

When he saw that he had everyone's attention, he drew in a deep breath and thundered.

"YOU IDIOTS!"

The stormtrooper guards outside the room flinched, barely, despite the abolishment not being directed at them. Everyone inside the room were shocked into silence.

"Lieutenant 'Clay', stand up."

Suitable cowed, Traavin shot to his feet and stood at attention. The faces of some of the others darkened at this display of obedience. As the most vocal of the group (and short-tempered), Traarel was prepared to give her brother an earful when the director shot her a look.

Traarel returned the look and managed to hold it until the director grunted in approval. He broke eye contact and addressed the entire room. "Sit."

Not seeing much in the way of options, the rebel group reluctantly chose their seats and sat around the table. The director came around to the head of the table and sat down.

"We know of your plan to infiltrate the IBN complex. We know of your intention to broadcast the 'truth' of the Menikha Massacre and the Ravch Incident. We also know of the cells that each of you are leaders of. What we do not know is how a group of people as smart as yourselves can be so stupid when it comes to proper security measures."

"Is this what this is all about? You round us all up to ask us that?!"

"Herrin Pierner. I'll excuse this interruption because of the disorientation the method of bringing you here has caused. Learn to listen before opening your mouth."

"Since you were all prepared to commit communal suicide in two hours, we stepped in. Every member of your 'resistance movement' have been rounded up and are held in this building."

Tempers flared and more than one of them were ready to make their displeasure known but Traavin managed to get their attention and motion for them to wait.

"Getting to the point. We are not your enemy."

"WHAT!?" Pydid, quiet all throughout the rebel meeting, the reunion and the lecture finally burst out. The speed at which he rose to a stand propelled the chair on which he was sitting into the wall. "You round us all up, throw us into prison, make people 'disappear' to hush dissenters, execute military personnel and you have the GALL to say you are not our enemy?!"

"Pydid, sit down." Traavin quietly spoke. "You are not aware of the whole story. None of you are. Nor was I before."

Although he held no power over them, especially since he seemingly went over to the enemy's side, Pydid did as he was told. He had looked up to and believed in their former leader. Even now, Traavin still commanded his respect.

The director let the whole incident pass before continuing as if uninterrupted. "You seek the overthrow of the galactic council. As do we."

"WE, do not kidnap or hold summary executions!"

"Herrin, keep qui-"Traavin started but was waved down by the director.

"WE do so because they were necessary." The director continued before he was interrupted again. "We employ most of the kidnappees, Traavin here for example. And every real execution were to remove genuine monsters and tyrants. Every false execution were for the benefit of the council."

Shocked looks all around were all the response the group had for the moment.

"You're lying." Traarel accused.

"Major 'Wellstone' can testify for us." The director casually indicated the tall blonde III officer who had escorted all of the youths to the room.

Fully half of the occupants of the room jumped in their seats. No one had heard the major come in.

"You may know me better as Chienca Ghilegi." 'Wellstone' said without ceremony.

Recognition was visible on all of their faces. Chienca Ghilegi was the most well known of III's targets. Everyone of the youths knew her story by heart. Their organization was based in part on hers. The largest resistance movement since the Imperial Reformation. All of that organization 'disappeared' almost overnight by III's hand.

"I wasn't really executed. Shortly after the declaration from the council of us being outlaws and malcontents, 'Triple-Eye' approached me with a proposal. My public execution for the continuation of our work under the aegis of 'Triple-Eye'."

"Contrary to popular belief, Lagazor was not exterminated. We absorbed the organization and have worked hand in glove ever since."

Major 'Wellstone' nodded to the director. "We were not the first, nor the last. That is how 'Triple-Eye' has managed to grow so rapidly. We recruited every serious rebel and opposition group to the council. All 'atrocities' committed by 'Triple-Eye' and the Imperial Military Command since the Reformation were staged for the benefit of the council."

Traavin interjected, "In short, the joke's on them."

"Now we come to the focal point of this meeting. We are impressed with the resourcefulness, diligence and dedication you all have managed to keep secret from almost everyone." The director looked at each of the assembled youths in turn. "We want 'Volcanic Snow' to join the Imperial Internal Intelligence. Soon, we will be able to start a second Reformation, this time a peaceful one."

All of youths shared a look and the same thought; They were not alone, not anymore.

"Though you might want to change the name of your group. That's an awful name." Major 'Wellstone' mused.

The eyes of all the youths locked on to Traavin who couldn't help but blush.


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Well, that's the end. Hope it was entertaining =)