Myriad Reckonings

Spoiler

they could be informants to the political rival (almost got a description finished I promise lol) but that may be a stretch

"Well we may have to be patient and discover where they came from later." He said. He didn't particularly care. He could sneak back on the moon later, pirates or no pirates. He didn't feel like his mission was in jeopardy.

Spoiler

Maybe? It could also be that they got wind if surviving Atoans and hoped to sell them as slaves? Or maybe they're targeting the outpost

"We're returning," Tarkin said curtly. "Immediately, from a different angle, and we're resuming our investigation." He'd have to let Thalassa know they'd gotten sidetracked. And he would have to report the occurrence to the outpost so they could keep an eye out.

Spoiler

could be, especially if they think they could capture a magick user. They could also be targeting the outpost. If they targeted the outpost Tarkin would be at risk of being discovered by the empire which would almost be more awkward than being captured by anyone else.

Also, would the Grand Inquisitor tell Vader he saw Tarkin on Atoa or would he mind his business? Tarkin's connection to Vader means he has some weight to swing around.

"You seem to forget the mission. We don't want to cause any more disturbance in this system. We have time. The Atoans aren't going anywhere." Tarkin's impatience was impressive.

Spoiler

Whatever you think the Inquisitor would do. I think he'd fear Vader punishing him for not saying so but it could go both ways.

And good point! Let's stick with them seeking out survivors then

Tarkin stopped by the pilot seat, hands on his hips, and lowered his head while he caught his breath. The Zabrak was right, of course. They had to wait it out. He was good at waiting--he'd spent days stalking prey in the Carrion before. Sometimes even weeks.

"Very well," he muttered. "Very well."

Spoiler

it would go both ways. He would probably wait it out to see if Vader knows in the first place or if he can conveniently mention it some time.

Rewatching a lot of star wars stuff reminds me how scary Vader actually is. Like he's crazy powerful.

"It will leave time to plan." He did need time to think about the best way to contact these people. It would be a challenge to get them to speak to him, but he felt he could easily convince them one way or another.

Spoiler

Yeah Vader is terrifying

And sounds good to me!

Tarkin went back to pacing. "We should return to the moon so we can track them. If there's nothing there but people, what else would be profitable to them?" He'd seen the work of pirates before, during his days fighting for the Outland. He had a special hatred for their kind; his treatment of the pirate Q'ahnah still followed him like a bloody shadow.

"If you couldn't find the remaining Atoans, I doubt that rabble will." He one shoulder against the wall and watched him pace. "You're fretting over nothing." He could sense Tarkin's conflict. He reached out, carefully attempting to search his thoughts that he'd left unguarded in his distraction

Tarkin's mind was racing; mostly it was trying to dispel panic brought on by nausea and loss of control of the situation. As he fixated on biding his time, on waiting and tracking, memories of dark jungles and sleepless nights seeped in. Blood on his hands and face, an empty stomach, two sunken blue eyes set in a white-bearded face looking back at him.

Tarkin's shoulders slumped, and he relaxed. "We're going back," he said firmly. His voice was steady and quiet. "Unless you have a better plan?"

Spoiler

so Tarkin is a control freak and Sirejj lives for chaos. This is gonna be fun

"If we plan to go back we would need reinforcements." He mused, as if he wasn't entirely focused on Tarkin's words. "And it seemed to me that you didn't want anyone else knowing you were there. This little ship will be easily destroyed by those pirates." Interesting, this man had so much more going on behind those icy eyes than he let on.

"We have two options. Go back to wherever you came from and gather reinforcements, or go back to wherever you came from and resupply with the plan to return when the pirates have most likely left. I'm sure the imperial outpost there can let us know of that information. Either way returning now is impossible. We will sabotage our own mission at best and be destroyed at worst."

Spoiler

That was always the plan!

He forced himself to stand still, planting his feet though he desperately wanted to work out this nervous energy by pacing. "And if they do find the Atoans before we do, they'll be lost to us. I'm not suggesting a full-scale attack, Zabrak. I'm suggesting we stay low and watch, and when the opportunity presents itself we swoop in and take the prize for ourselves." The strategy had worked many times on the Carrion, when he and his uncle had waited for larger predators to take out prey before stealing it. One had to be a scavenger as well as a hunter, out there.

"They won't find them." He said cooly. "They are hidden deep within the veil of the moon. Their very spirits are invisible. They've survived the purge of the empire, they'll survive a few scavengers. The have those with them who are powerful enough to protect them." He had sensed a very strong presence when he was there. "We have limited supplies and equipment. Returning to resupply would be wise."

Tarkin turned to look at Sirejj, studying him. The Zabrak seemed sincere and reserved. His reasoning made sense.

"Then we'll return home for the time being," he said reluctantly. "We'll regroup." His anger boiled up again; they could have taken those pirates. He remained outwardly calm, still as a statue, and returned to his seat. After this was resolved, he'd make a point of hunting them down and showing them just why Wilhuff Tarkin was not to be trifled with.

Sirejj could feel his anger. It ran deeper than simply being inconvenienced by the pirate attack, for he could not see it through to its roots. There was a bitterness he hid well, but this mission on Atoa had unbalanced him and tipped the vial, spilling out just a little of that deep-rooted hatred. The thing that made him formidable was his ability, for the most part, to maintain control of this powerful desire for revenge. Such could not be said for many great warriors who had fallen prey to their own bloodlust.

If Tarkin had been Force sensitive, he would have made an excellent Sith.

Spoiler

Damn straight.

They came out of hyperspace two systems over, and Tarkin's hand hovered over the control panel. They could come back. Atoa wasn't going anywhere, and they'd left this mystery for eight years already. What was another week?

He punched in coordinates for Eriadu. "We should reach our destination in three hours," he told Sirejj as they leaped back into hyperspace. "Get comfortable."

Spoiler

ikr i had a lot of fun with that paragraph. In all honesty he would be a formidable opponent now even against a force user if he played his cards correctly. Many sith seem to believe power trumps skill and mental prowess and that is not always the case.

Tarkin can find that balance between controlling his fury and letting it give him strength, Sirejj struggles there. He is force sensitive and feels the pull of the dark side, but he seeks knowledge through his magicks instead, which is a different kind of power. So there's always an extra struggle going on inside, and his emotions can more easily imbalance him if he is not careful. There's a bit more backstory that makes that make more sense

Sirejj found a place to sit down and did so. He crossed his legs and set his staff in his lap, both hands on the handle of wood and bone. He settled into deep thought, sorting through the events of the day and studying the path before him. Tarkin would be a dangerous man to cross, so he must always be a step ahead. Despite the risks of dealing with him, there was something intriguing about this particular hunt. He could sense there was much to be uncovered.