Confrontation

Previously...

The craft landed, the ramp dropped and the door opened. Standing there before them was Abalam himself, with a guard at each side.

"Speak of the devil," Niko whispered. Abalam continued to approach them. Inna's index finger hovered above the trigger.

"The Rebellion's finest!" Abalam laughed extending his arms

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"The scum comes to me — it's a good day." Abalam mocked them, he studied their faces, and then spotted Niko. "You! I remember you."

"I remember you too, surprised to see me?"

"You Farghul are slippery, but getting off a penal world. Even I have to admit that's a little impressive." Abalam continued to examine them. "You were quick to get back to your friends, the terrorizers of Denon."

"The liberators!" Aegon shouted. The Grand Admiral was offended, he went closer to the Rebel agent. He looked down menacingly at Baron Aegon, but Aegon felt no fear. "You are going to be the death of the galaxy."

"Not quite, it will be your cause that will bring more chaos to the galaxy. The Empire will fix things, fix the errors of the Republic. You won't ever restore the galaxy to those old archaic ways."

"You're a disgrace," Inna said.

"Don't even start Twi'lek. Why did you come here? What is it that you seek here?" Abalam questioned. Adna listened to them quietly, it was as if the Grand Admiral hadn't even realized that she was there - or he just didn't care.

"They came for the artefact." Adna broke her silence.

"My artefact?"

"Yes, Grand Admiral..." Adna felt uncomfortable addressing him by his title, she didn't even know why she used it.

"No, no, that won't be possible. That artefact is safe, far from the filthy Rebel hands. You won't be able to get to it I am afraid."

"What the hell do you need it for?" Aegon demanded.

"That's for you to find out." Darsh Abalam smiled. Niko looked at the Grand Admiral, he could feel his hate for this man boiling. Then it became too much, the Farghul shot Abalam in the stomach. "Ack!" Abalam exclaimed.

"What the hell are you doing Trantis?" The agent was shocked, he had hoped that Trantis would keep his cool. "Everyone get to the ship!"

The Grand Admiral's guards rushed to help him to his feet, Niko's blaster bolt had left a terrible wound on Abalam's body. He watched, his eyes whirry as the Rebels ran away dragging the archaeologist along behind. "Get me back to the Malice now!"

"Right away Grand Admiral," the left-side guard said as he helped the Grand Admiral up.

"One more thing."

"Yes, Grand Admiral."

"Make sure those Rebels don't reach the edges of this sector."

TBC