Tsarina Catherine Bunker, June 26th, 2016

Even for a man as finely attuned to the stresses of political pressure and military engagements, Riosovsky grew anxious when looking at the map of the frontlines. The Empire had seized almost a quarter of the area bordering China and North Korea after destroying Vladivostok in a fearsome bombardment from orbit, <<Like London>>, he thought to himself. To make matters worse there was a surge of refugees fleeing Manchuria for the northwestern section of the border, and the Russians did not have the means to provide assistance to the more than twenty million people heading in that direction. Riosovsky had two solutions in his mind for that, either let in the refugees and move them quietly into neighboring Mongolia or farther away to Kazakhstan, however it would require large numbers of Russian soldiers needed at the front to escort them to those destinations, both the SBOR and the Interior Ministry were not equipped for that either.

The second solution he thought of was what he knew would flare up tensions with his Chinese ally, to prevent a surge of refugees they couldn't provide for would mean ordering the border guards to fire warning shots to deter them from approaching, if that didn't work then they would resort to shooting the civilians. To Riosovsky both of these sounded like viable options yet he had no intention of causing an international outcry if there was nothing from the event to benefit him in some way, he knew there'd be outrage over gunning down mothers with terrified children but that the whole world was too preoccupied with more pressing matters to be able to do anything about it, especially since the UN and the ICC, otherwise known as the International Criminal Court were essentially suspended until further notice over security concerns for a meeting anywhere. For the Empire had no concept of observing a traditionally neutral country like Switzerland.

Yet the one thing he couldn't shake from his mind was making certain that Nikolai would be safe where he was deployed, both him and Tatiana who'd been sent to Yavin the previous day as part of an expeditionary force, and for his oldest nephew Andrei who was a captain in the Army as an infantryman. But Andrei had only faced Rebels in Homs and Aleppo in Syria and not stormtroopers or ten story tall walkers. Along with all this was pressure to utilize more advanced weapons in their possession.

"<<Mr President, I suggest that we consider possibly deploying the T-14 and possibly our miniature drones>>", the Minister Of Defense suggested while setting the order on the desk. Riosovsky hadn't had any liking of that mere prototype after the Victory Day parade the year before, when the model present broke down while getting into formation in front of a group of mostly Western journalists. Needless to say those responsible for the tanks breakdown were granted a final award of nine grams of lead on into their heads afterward, on Riosovsky's orders. "<<if so, I trust it will not shut down and make the Imperials snicker and not journalists this time?>>", Riosovsky inquired sternly. The minister had a slight indication of fear in his eyes, "<<n-no Sir, the mechanical issues were sorted out, all the weapons systems are functional on all the models we have>>".

Riosovsky knew the members of his government weren't keen on withholding information from him from fear of the consequences, and he knew the minister to be a loyal member of the Ultranationalist Party. He nodded, "<<very well Nikta Josephovich, you may proceed in deploying the tanks where they're most needed>>", Riosovsky replied while signing the document and handing it back. The Minister nodded at him, "<<Sir>>" he said before walking away out of the room.

Riosovsky knew that the Empire liked to fight dirty and now he had to as well. After the 2008 war with Georgia he was asked German report about why he seemed so contemptuous toward innocents in a conflict to which he said, "<<because in order to achieve to victory we must be as relentless as our enemies, this is something I learned in Afghanistan from firsthand experience with the Mujahideen and yet even after sixteen years of the same experience, the West allows itself to be restrained by its supposedly superior morals when they want to achieve victory, the irony of that conflict is that they've become bogged down fighting the same people they armed to fight against the Soviet Union". It was after that remark was made which led to Riosovsky having an already sour relationship with the West cause a further rift in the world.

Yet gunning down civilians wouldn't be the most horrible thing he'd ever done, what was worse was the fact that the idea of doing so didn't trouble him even a little.

*********, rural Virginia
        Wanting some time out of the ozone riddled air of the bunker, Johnson decided to stroll outside with Sharpson to discuss their own plans. "There's just so much more happening right now than I could've imagined even a year ago", Sharpson remarked, "didn't think I'd end up trying to hold together a bunch of Congressmen and Senators in a metal box in the ground". Johnson slightly chuckled, "at least now they can actually somewhat get along, they know it's not the time to play politics right now, not when so many others are dying" she said with a slight sigh, all the while the more than thirty Secret Service agents forming a diamond shape around them, as three SUVs followed too down the sufficiently paved road. They were only not even half a mile outside of the bunkers perimeter per protocol in case of a security threat or unexpected attack. The only thing Johnson didn't like was the heat on this particular day.

      "We'll make sure not one person dies in vain", Sharpson assured her, "regardless of what we hear". "Speaking of hearing, has Grayson sent any new info on the "special guests"?, Johnson asked. "Yes not much though , other than just the boy woke up for no reason and that his name is Kyle Katarn", Sharpson replied calmly, " other than that only that this Kyle is mainly confused about what's going on, but who wouldn't after being on ice for sixty nine years". "Sounds like a living nightmare", Johnson said when suddenly a twig snapped up ahead and the lead agent halted and shouted, "who's there?!".

     The other agents all stopped and so did Johnson and Sharpson, with a few of the agents getting closer in case they needed to shield the two. That was when a woman and a little girl stumbled out of the foliage onto the road, "stay there don't-" the lead agent said but Johnson stopped him, "Michael wait" she said quickly and stepped forward toward the front of the group. "Please don't hurt us, we've been wandering from Richmond for a week, our car broke down not far from here so-" the mother said with a winded tone until Johnson made it next to the lead agent and her eyes widened. Johnson was relieved to see a civilian unharmed after only reading causality numbers for days on end, "are you alright?" Johnson asked and walked forward but gestured not to be followed.

     "We Uh-Yes I hope" the mother replied nervously, "you don't have to be nervous Ms, not after fleeing" Johnson assured her, "what's your name?". "Sandra, ma'am" the mother replied, "this is Lindsey" then gestured at her daughter who was hiding behind her a little, "Lindsey sweetie this is the President". The girl looked at Johnson with fear the way a little kid looked at a stranger, "she looks different on TV" she said and Johnson and Sandra laughed, "do I look less stiff?" Johnson joked and Lindsey giggled. "Well if you need help we can always take you in", Johnson said kindly to Sandra while gesturing up the hill. "Oh, Thank you ma'am but we cant, my parents and in-laws are in Kentucky or at least I hope they are, and they're expecting us within the week", Sandra replied. "Well we could have someone fix your car and provide gas if you want", Johnson suggested while glancing back at Sharpson.

"That would be very appreciated", Sandra said with a smile and teared up a little from joy. "I just don't think I could repay you". "There'd be no need to, I couldn't ask anything more than being sure you'll get to Kentucky safely" Johnson said then looked back, "Michael have some personnel go with Sandra to get her car and make sure it gets fixed". "Yes ma'am" Michael said then spoke the order into his wrist mic. "Well, if you'll excuse me, I have to get back to work" Johnson said politely then headed back, "bu bye President lady!" Lindsey called out which Johnson laugh and Sharpson smile too. "Never seen something like that before", Sharpson said , "well Donald even if we're being beaten into a pulp we can still show kindness to those who need it most" Johnson remarked as they headed back the way they came.

*********Mustafar
The shuttle landed some hours later at Vader's castle. The ramp descended and in came air smelling of smoke and and ash, to Shawn it felt like taking a breath in while standing in front of a heater. "Move it Bridger", Vader ordered and the guards pushed him forward down the ramp. Shawn and Maarek followed the group into the large black structure built upon a river of lava, and an ancient Sith shrine as well, the same shrine where Vader had bleed the crystal of his lightsaber to its crimson color nearly twenty years prior. It wasn't only the dark foreboding appearance of the place that made Shawn uneasy, it was that it even felt so too, yet it wasn't exactly a palace for entertaining dignitaries either. This was a place of solitude.

    After reaching the inner sanctum Vader halted and faced Ezra, "now tell me, where is the rebel base?" He asked sternly, his voice echoing in the large chamber. "I'm not telling you anything" Ezra growled back. Vader stepped closer to him and raised his hand in a pinched gesture, Ezra suddenly gasped for air. "You will die regardless you fool, I suggest you make it less painful for yourself", Vader sternly said and released him. Then out of nowhere Shawn felt a familiar presence was near, it felt gentle and nice which was surprising given where they were. "Besides, you're not the only rat who has been brought here", Vader said before a smaller secondary door near the main entrance opened up. "Let go of me!" A girls voice yelled and immediately Shawn knew who it was. He turned around and to his shock saw the Fourth Brother pushing a handcuffed Camilla forward.

She struggled until looking right at him and freezing in place, "Shawn?" She said with surprise before being pushed forward more. Camilla fell to her feet and Shawn rushed over to help her up, "You Ok?" He asked with a frantic tone, "yea I'm fine" she said but had a cut in her brow which had dried blood around it. "I have found the girl as you requested Lord Vader, she doesn't mask her presence too well, and she attacked me with this" the Fourth Brother said and Shawn looked back to see him handing Vader the lightsaber that once belonged to Shaak Ti. "Interesting, tell me girl, where did you get such a weapon not found on your world?" Vader asked Camilla.

Shawn didn't want to see Vader do anything to Camilla, if he did it would've shattered him even more, but he knew she would lie until Vader found it pointless to question her. "I-" she started but Shawn cut her off, "I gave it to her" he said and stood in front of her a little. Vader stared him down, "did you now? And who gave you this saber Mendes?", "Ahsoka Tano did" Shawn admitted, "a while back". Vader's first gripped the saber tightly now, "one more lie you've failed to mention to me, you stupid boy!" Vader said loudly and reached out and seized Shawn by the throat before lifting him off his feet.

Shawn struggled against his grip but it was useless, his neck hurt and he couldn't breathe, "if I could I would kill you right now" Vader said and held him over the edge of the platform where the river of lava flowed below. "Let him go!" Maarek yelled while rushing over but Vader ignored him, "I said put him down Vader!" He yelled and drew his blaster before aiming it at the Sith Lords head. Suddenly the Fourth Brother was upon Maarek and had him in a headlock, "dumb boy, threaten him again and I'll snap your neck". Vader looked at Shawn and said, "I won't kill you, not unless the Emperor commands me to" before throwing him back across the platform.

He coughed while rubbing his throat and standing up. Maarek struggled against the Fourth Brothers grip too but he was trying to elbow him, "the Emperor will hear of this Stele, you've only made a mistake" Vader remarked as the Fourth Brother let him go. "I'll take my chances, you know I always wondered why Shawn has got that bandage on his face all this time but now I see why, you probably hit him didn't you, what's next you gunna swing a saber at his face like with me?" Maarek replied in a challenging manner which was a relief to Shawn. "Mind your tone Stele or I will have you sent back to Coruscant immediately", Vader said threateningly, "do not speak again, it will only be worse for you if you do". Maarek shrugged, "whatever" he said with irritation.

   Vader looked at the Fourth Brother, "we will head for Lothal tomorrow, summon the other Inquisitors here, we will need all our might" he said with authority. "At once Lord Vader", the Fourth Brother said and walked off. "Put Bridger and the girl in cells until we leave", Vader ordered the guards then turned to Shawn and Maarek, "As for you two, you'll be dealt with later" he said while pointing at them before marching off too. There was one thing Shawn felt in that moment that he had not felt in a long while, liberation.