Alone in the darkness of Deep Space, the Gorgon lay. Waiting. Exiled. A part of the Imperial fleet which officially never existed, the final Remnant of Grand Moff Tarkin's secret fleet of four Imperial Star Destroyers given to his lover, Admiral Daala.

Sitting Alone in her quarters Daala understood the irony in that her fleet and knowledge which could have brought the Empire its greatest glory was now its greatest outcast.

But skimming through the Maw Installation's salvaged files, Daala knew that soon enough the chauvanistic Imperial warlords would have to take notice of her. Soon. But not yet. Her battered and barely-operational Star Destroyer was testement to her failures- the loss of three Star Destroyers, the Maw Installation, the Sun Crusher, a Death Star prototype-

"Admiral Daala, please report to the bridge," came the stern voice of Commander Kratas over the comlink, "we've picked up a bulk freighter bearing a New Republic Signature." He paused as Daala moved to the windows of her spacious quarters seeing the lone freighter approaching her ship. "Admiral, this ship has no escort. If we could-"

"Commander, lock tractor beams and do not trouble me again until you have interrogated all aboard." Came Daala's brusque response. An undefended freighter. Daala thought of the ways she could get that lone freighter to cause maximum destruction to the Rebels. She would avenge her failures and gain credit amongst the warring Imperial warlords. Only the obliteration of the Rebels who had ruined her life could satisfy her.

But it was only one ordinary freighter. The Maw Installation's files would quench the fires of her rage. Her ship and personal shuttle had the only remaining copies following the installation's destruction. She could still be at an advantage after all. After a year of scouring the data, her men must have exhausted every possibility, unless…

Calling up the files on her personal computer she accessed the "Rejected Files" section. She was confronted with a list of Tol Shivron's most ludicrous and impractical brainchildren; the ability to force a capital ship into hyperspace while requiring three Interdictor class cruisers whose gravity wall projectors would burn out with the effort being onw which sood out in its ludicrousy. At the bottom of the list was the entry "SB-20 Class Espionage Droids"

Daala read through the entry, seeing an opportunity for attacking the New Republic. The report finished with Tol Shivron's conclusion that "this project lacks finesse and Imperial psycological presence." The fool. Its subtlety could make it deadly.

Fingering her long hair she demanded an update from Commander Kratas. "Admiral. I'm afraid that the cargo is of little consequence. The freighter contains only R2 class astromech droids. The crew have not yet been interrogated, but they seem to be only simple Rodian shippers.

"Good work captain," came Daala's cheerful response, "complement the crew on their behaviour."

"Ah, yes Admiral." Said Kratas, surprised at Daala's satisfaction with an uneventful operation. But Daala now had everything she needed. Everything.

R2-D2 and C-3PO moved slowly amongst the Imperial Palace's marbled halls. "I'm going to regret this," moaned C-3PO as R2-D2 warbled in agreement, "I simply don't trust this new Bothan spy Councillor Fey'lya recommended. I don't see why I should have to translate for princess Leia-"

"Threepio!" shouted Leia, having sensed the droids' approach, "You're late!" Leia, like C-3PO, had her reservations about the new spy. He was to feed misinformation to the Empire as their "spy" while reporting back to the New Republic about their sinister plans. Lech'Khana's first report was about to begin. Taking the droids into her luxurious President's quarters the discussion began. Strange, she thought, why the Bothans are constantly trying to undo the wrongs of Emperor Palpatine. Strange indeed.

"Has Lech'Khana verified the Rodians' story yet?" boomed Daala. The truth was that following the interrogation she believed the Rodans' stories. But it didn't harm to test out her new Bothan informant. Daala watched as the bulk freighter jumped to hyperspace, ready to complete the transaction, but with her new surprise onboard. Her best engineers had fixed the failed hyperdrive on the New Republic freighter and had planted the Maw Installation's latest technological terror onboard. She would prove to the Empire her worth and return it to its former glory. Looking at the holo on the on her desk she thought of Paelleon. This would really impress him.

As the alarm brought Wedge and the rest of Rogue Squadron into consciousness, General Bel Ibis' voice came over the comlink. "Okay Rogues, get to it." Once again the General's strategy of having the Rogue Squadron sleeping in their X-wings had paid off. As the starfighters swarmed from the Peregrine Wedge saw only a plain bulk cruiser and some ordinary New Republic platform outpost. A droid distribution centre.

"Your orders are to engage and destroy the freighter," continued Bel Ibis. Destroy an ordinary freighter, thought Wedge. Switching to a secure channel he spoke to Corran Horn. "Corran, do you sense anything strange? The rumours are that that megalomaniac Daala's behind something fishy."

"I don't know Wedge. My danger sense isn't going mad but I sense something suspect aboard." The Rogues approached the freighter and lashed out with tongues of read laser fire. Flying past the freighter, Corran touched the minds of those onboard. They were all human, and this was supposed to be a Rodian freighter…

Suddenly, an Imperial Star Destroyer arrived close to the freighter. "All wings engage enemy Star Destroyer. Ignore the freighter, it's done for." Ordered Bel Ibis, "Wait, that's the Gorgon out there!"

On the bridge of the Gorgon, Daala stood in amazement as she saw the bulk freighter spin uncontrollably, dotted with various explosions. She knew exactly what had happened. "Commander Kratas, order the execution of that Bothan Lech'Khana immediately." With a lump in her throat she ordered retreat.

Leia read over the report from the dead Botan spy once more. "Daala has discovered a class of SB-20 droids, a class of seemingly innocent R2 units with hidden and deadly espionage equipment including a vastly upgraded electronic zapper. These droids function normally until given a command to obliterate a base. They can take control of starfighters when plugged in to an astromech socket and are ruthless in the pursuit of their goal. A freighter full of these droids is due to meet a droid distribution centre at the given coordinates. Recommend immediate destruction of freighter." Looking down at R2-D2 she saw the subltlety in the plan. But Bel Ibis had destroyed the freighter, hadn’t he?

Rumours stated that the freighter had been pulled into the gravity of the planet and had crashed in the city of Nar Shadda. Nar Shadda was now overrun with the espionage droids who had massacred the population there.

"Artoo, the only way we can infiltrate Nar Shadda is if we outthink Daala." Said Leia calmly. "We lost a New Republic outpost there. There has been too much killing already. Artoo, you have to seek out the espionage droids and disable them. As a droid, you'll be able to blend in as will Threepio-"

"Mistress Leia, I must protest" I-" Leia covered Threepio's mouth.

"Threepio, Artoo has volunteered to go on this mission. Please join him." Threepio agreed without further protest and the dangerous mission began.

On the remote New Republic outpost on Altyr 5, Luke watched the clear sky as a shuttle arrived, beginning as little more that a dot and gradually becoming larger and larger. With repulsorlifts humming the shuttle touchedd down in front of Luke and the pair of droids greeted him

"It is so good to see you again Master Luke!" said Threepio with enthusiasm. Artoo made a warbling sounds which conveyed his relief after successfully freeing Nar Shadda from the hoards of droids.

"You two did a great job. I'm really proud of you," said Luke as a familiar young woman joined him, "Tionne here believes there is a Jedi Holocron hidden on this planet. I called you guys to help search through the Old Republic records here." R2-D2 whistled in support and C-3PO agreed that a quiet mission like this was all that they needed.

Meanwhile, high above the planet the Star Destroyer Gorgon arrived, masking itself behind the moon before attacking the base.

"You see, Commander Kratas,the destruction of the group of espionage droids at Nar Shadda is of little consequence. We have frightened the Rebels." Daala paced around almost bursting with self-pride. "Now that our manufacturing facility is set up on Bespin, nothing can stop us."

"Yes Admiral." said Kratas, standing at attention.

"I called you in to set up a distraction for the Rebels when our attack commences. Send down an empty shuttle, signalling that I am personally onboard. While the fools rush to the shuttle, we will gather out forces and move on to other bases."

Tapping her comlink she ordered "Commence the attack and prepare me a TIE bomber." If the reports that Skywalker was on the planet were true, she would exact her own destructive form of revenge.

The alarm sirens flared and groups of New Republic soldiers rushed to prepare for the attack. The first waves of SB-20 droids exited the Assault Transports and began attacking the front-line soldiers with their energy bursts.

R2-D2 was in the main library when the attack had began and Luke had told him over the comlink to close all the blast doors. R2-D2 found a terminal and ordered the doors to close. "Artoo, there's a Lambda-class shuttle on the North Plateau. It seems that Daala may be onboard. You're nearest to it so could you check it out?" asked Luke.

Artoo whistled an affirmative and set off. He heard a familiar screech and through a window he could see a TIE bomber maniacally bombing the base. An X-Wing flew by, but instead of intercepting the bomber its lasers began bombarding the station's shields. The espionage droids had reached the fighters. After beating off some SB-20 droids with his own zapper, Artoo found the shuttle, guarded by some of the droids. Suddenly, a green lightsaber flew over the R2 droid's head and in a clean sweep destroyed the guard droids.

"I thought you could use a hand," said Luke. "Let's check out the shuttle, although nobody's onboard. It's probably a decoy so Daala's forces can retreat." Luke was unimpressed by the deception and was going to return to the battle when R2-D2 plugged himself into the shuttle's computer and started chirping.

The computer display showed a droid manufacturing plant. It showed different schematics and then Luke spotted the location. "It's on Bespin! Artoo, we've got to get there immediately!"

But R2-D2 was persistant and seemed to be slicing a difficult code. A new file flashed across the display; "Maw Installation Project Files".

"Artoo, you've found the entirety of the secrets of the Maw Installation," said Luke, disbelieving, "This could be pivotal in the coming months."

Daala arrived back at the Gorgon on the TIE bomber smiling. She had caused destruction personally to the New Republic base and had four Rebel starfighters to boost her diminished stock. But her stock of SB-20 droids had also suffered at the hands of the Rebels. She would have to reload on Bespin.

Back on Altyr 5, the cleanup operation began following Luke and Artoo's immediate departure. Word had got out about a new cavern being blown open by some maniac, and Tionne was not going to miss the opportunity. She entered the cavern, looking at the Jedi hieroglyphs which she would study later. But in front of her lay her prize, and undamaged Jedi Holocron.

When Luke touched down on the Cloud City he remarked how similar it was to Lando's old mining operation. As he helped R2-D2 out from his astromech socket Luke thought how much the New Republic relied on astromech droids, and the damaged that the SB-20 droids could cause if they were plugged into an astromech socket. He reached out with the force and brought R2-D2 to the landing pad. "Come on," he said nervously.

As they walked around the city, pedestrians mingled, unaware of the deadly plant Daala had set up beneath their feet. Reaching out with the force, Luke detected a mingling of astromech droids down a secluded corridor. "Artoo, let's split up. There's somrthing I have to check out." And with that he was gone.

R2-D2 trundled along and noticed an astromech access panel stuck peculiarly in the middle of a whitle wall. While accessing the panel a small, secret door opened in the wall. A door so small, it could only be for droids.

Through the door R2-D2 could see the familiar sight of a Carbon Freezing Chamber. As he went in the door closed behind him. He tried to communicate with Luke, but his comlink was being jammed. The R2 droid made his way to the base of the Chamber and with his sensor he made out the movements of a droid into a tunnel beneath the Carbon Freezer. Artoo followed it into the manufacturing facility's computer core.

The room was full of displays and a large circular window. R2-D2 had no idea that in an identical room Luke had fought Vader. Connecting with a computer he could easily access the entire operation. No human or non-astromech droid could achieve such a task, but Daala's operation's flaw lay in that it was based around the use of R2 units. With one simple command he shut down the manufacturing facility, but that wouldn't be enough. He found that the SB-20 droids were being asked to hunt down and destroy Luke Skywalker. Artoo changed the command to self-destruct when-

"What are you doing? What have you done?" R2-D2 saw a stern woman in an Imperial Admiral's uniform with uncommonly long hair. In her hand was a deadly Rail Detonator. "You will pay," she said as she launched an explosive charge towards the fragile droid. R2-D2 moved quickly out of the way as the charge exploded, destroying computer equipment. R2-D2 brought out his electric zapper and sent a powerful surge into Daala's body. She collapsed to the ground croaking "You will pay" and firing a badly aimed Rail Charge. The charge missed Artoo harmlessly, but broke the circular window, the sucking winds sending the tiny droid flying out into the Cloud City's central core as Daala;s body went limp.

Falling desperately down the Central Core towards the bottom of Cloud City, R2-D2's comlink opened as C-3PO asked, "R2-D2 are you there?" Artoo send a rapid chatter which humanoids could not understand, but C-3PO understood. "Oh, my!" said the protocol droid.

As R2-D2 fell he was sucked in to a smaller tube which he tumbled down, and into another tube and straight onto the top of the Millenium Falcon. C-3PO's head popped out of the top hatch as Artoo chirped his relief. "I'm glad too that you transmitted the correct coordinates" said Threepio.

In Imperial Palace on Coruscant the New Republic prepared to honour a droid whose continued service to the New Republic deserved commendation and who had destroyed the latest Imperial threat.

"R2-D2 I award you the Organa Star," said Leia, dressed in full ceremonial robes, "the first and highest award for a droid. You have made the galaxy a safer place for everyone." Young Jacen and Jaina Solo brought forward the golden award to applause from the small gathering. "You will go down in time as one of the New Republic's greatest heroes. "

Drowsily, Daala regained consciousness. The medical droid said in its monotonous voice, "You have been revived in a bacta tank. You are now fully recovered." So the R2 droid destroyed my operation, did he. Tapping her comlink she ordered Kratas to bring her personal shuttle.

"There may be a problem with that, Admiral." Replied Kratas.

"Explain" said Daala.

"We left it at Altyr 5. For the decoy."

"What?" shouted Daala down the comlink, her face turning scarlet. "You did what? You sent down my personal shuttle?"

"I, I thought that it would be a more… convincing decoy to the Rebels. Frankly Admiral, I don't see what the problem is" stuttered Commander Kratas.

Daala stared into space. Coldly she said, "The problem is that my personal shuttle contains the location of our plant on Bespin and more importantly, all the Maw Installation files we downloaded. Since Skywalker dealt with my operation on Bespin, we can only assume that they have all the data."

Daala sighed. All that high-level information in Rebel hands. It would now be useless to the Empire. How could this have happened? It couldn't have been the work of that droid. She suddenly thought of Skywalker. "The Jedi will pay and their pitiful academy on Yavin 4." Perhaps she wasn't useless to the Empire.

It was now time to ally with Vice-Admiral Paelleon. Thrawn's protégé had come a long way from the young man she met at the Carida academy. He was no a powerful and striking figure like Tarkin. Indeed, Daala would join him.

(Note: To find out what happens to Daala read "Darksaber" by Kevin J Anderson. There is also a reference as to what will happen in the first part of Timothy Zahn's duology "Specter of The Past")
 
This story was written by Greig Walker and is shown here with his permission.