The coordinates were set for the Imperial Fleet, the hyperspace travel would allow just enough time to evaluate the casualty list. “What’s the Sit-rep,” barked out the General in his half-cocked pose that posed him in a legendary light as if he was more than a mere mortal.

Quick to answer Sussanah began to list the provisions first, “We have limited fuel remaining General and the outter shields were breached on the hull leaving high vulnerability,” Cut off by a roar that is rarely bestowed on any living man which mad it that more deafening, “For Fucks sake Su, I give two shits the status of the Black Talon… How many…” Sussanah aware of the question from it’s infancy yet deciding to avoid it for the shear pain of the losses, “five unaccounted for, Al’ressun, Growlz, Uchatlim, Jamz, and Ghreen.”

“Unaccounted for? Let’s not be bastions of hope, we are Zergadins Su, my dear these are lost souls who gave all for the search… the search for the Dahaki,” the General’s words were somber but left enough anger in the Zergadins to focus their adrenaline and hatred into the coming actions.

“Jamz was with me step for step,” cried out Azlyne, whom had taken quite the liking to the simple-minded but well figured mature bounty hunter, “then he was headed the opposite direction… I guess I finally understand why you guys called him wrong-way Jamz.”

The inter-fleet travel transport carried Bonanza, Saybur, Mattman, and one General Dawnstar, the silence was broke as the Ziost Shadow came into focus, “Chupakatbra will answer for this doublecross,” the Starbanger stammered as the undeniable trembles of hatred stammered his words.

“We don’t even know what he knows or how he is involved Mattman, let’s not end his life to prematurely.. Like McCartney said, Let it be…”

“The Beatles… at a time like this…. You’re hopeless you know that Silverstrike…” Mattman forced out slowly being fully immersed in the hatred of this assassin Huttball player.

Even greater was his anger in his long-time friend Azhi Dahaki who seemed to be content to leave the playboy lifestyle of the zergadins in pursuit of what could only be described as a mediocre at best Huttball career. “How could he abandon such comaderie to play a game of simpletons…” Mattman thought in the inner recesses of his mind.

“Careful Gentlemen, we don’t even know if he has survived the bowels of the “Shadow”, I’ve heard horror stories of this datacron and the bounty boards are full week after week for brave souls to collect this artifact.” Saybur exclaimed only to realize the Starbanger was nowhere to be seen. Before the sentence was fully realized the grip was lost in Bonanza’s footing and she was sent flailing out of sight..

“BONANZA!” Saybur roared in fear only to feel a warm grip on his shoulder. “I had to remove the threat,” stated Dawnstar. “I became suspicious when she had beat us to the landing sight and killed the only lead we had in Corgez,”

Puzzled, Saybur was only capable of staring his longtime friend deep in the face knowing his intuition has not been incorrect over the life of their relationship, no reason to question it now.

“I disabled the rocket pack while on the transport here, she was leading us to something…a trap… perhaps… but nothing I wanted to find on her terms, Trust me on this Silverstrike.” “Funny how I was unable to sense the betrayal in her intentions but I couldn’t sense yours so we will chalk it up to unnecessary focus to the here and now..” stammered Saybur.

“That, and the fact that I’m always one step ahead of you..” The words brought Saybur back to his senses knowing it was the perfect come-back for the General and lifelong confidant, meaning he was in his right mind to make such a drastic move.

…Meanwhile on Hoth

“It was a fantastic show Gentlemen,” Ghreen stated via holo as he entered the coordinates abstractly.

“Casualties?” Quinn asked.

“Only 3 that I could tell but cluelessness was the greatest victory” Ghreen relayed in a way that was typical of a Tax auditor for the imperial armory, gleeful but uneventful.

“The guest has arrived as expected. Jache has begun the torturing process.” Quinn explained to the double agent.

“Jache… you are a dea..” broken off before the word could be realized the backhand was weighted with force greater than that of just one chiss Sith warrior but embraced by the midi-chlorins surrounding the maniacal brute.

“Dead man am I…” stated Jache in even-keel tone as he backed up and nodded in the direction behind him, “if that were the case, wouldn’t have such a fit bird now would I…” as he flicked his head over his right shoulder where a Mirakulan appeared out of the shadow’s.

“Watsurface… of courrrrrsssss,” the sound was cutoff as Azhi’s thought seized before the sentence could be completed.