MTLNOVEL Chapter 21: Chapter 21
Aboard the Stolen Shuttle – Hyperspace
The cockpit was silent, save for the hum of the hyperdrive and the soft flicker of the console lights. The air was thick with exhaustion, adrenaline, and the weight of what had just happened.
Harry sat in the co-pilot's chair, his lightsaber resting on the console, his body still humming with residual energy from the duel.
He had fought a Dark Hand of the Emperor.
And survived.
But he could still feel it—Vader's shadow looming in the distance, watching, waiting.
The hunt wasn't over.
It was only getting started.
Behind him, Zara exhaled sharply, collapsing into one of the passenger seats. "Well. That sucked."
Kieran smirked, checking the burn marks on his armor. "You expected a prison break to be easy?"
Zara shot him a glare. "No, but I was hoping for less of the 'fighting an elite Sith assassin' part."
Renza, their newly freed asset, stretched her arms, rolling her shoulders. "You should be grateful. That was fun."
Zara groaned. "Oh, great. She's one of those people."
Cipher's voice crackled through the comms. "Your stunt just made waves across every Imperial channel."
Harry turned to the console. "Define 'waves.'"
Cipher chuckled. "The Empire is pissed. Big time."
A holo-display flickered to life, revealing the latest Imperial transmission.
The screen showed a new order from Coruscant.
A galactic-wide hunt.
One name at the center of it all.
SHADOWBORN – IMPERIAL PRIORITY TARGET.
Below it, new numbers flashed in bold red.
BOUNTY INCREASED: 5,000,000 CREDITS. DEAD OR ALIVE.
A long silence.
Then, Zara groaned. "Oh, for kark's sake."
Kieran whistled. "You're officially worth more than most Rebel generals."
Harry smirked. "I should feel honored."
Cipher's voice turned serious. "This is bad, kid. That price means the Empire isn't just annoyed—they're preparing for something bigger."
Harry exhaled. "Then we move first."
[NEW QUEST: PREPARE FOR WAR]
• Primary Goal: Secure alliances before the Empire tightens its grip.
• Secondary Goal: Intercept Imperial war movements before they reach the Shadow Network.
• Bonus Objective: Gather intelligence on the Emperor's next move.
Naraka Prime – The War Council
The hidden war room beneath Naraka Prime was buzzing with energy. Smugglers, information brokers, and rogue Imperials sat around a holo-table, displaying the latest galactic movements.
Cipher, ever composed, sat at the head of the table, fingers interlocked.
Harry stood beside him, eyes scanning the data feeds.
The Empire was mobilizing.
Not just against him—but against everyone who dared oppose them.
Cipher tapped the console, bringing up a classified Imperial transmission.
The message bore Palpatine's seal.
It was short. Simple.
"Proceed with Directive Obsidian."
Harry frowned. "What's Directive Obsidian?"
Cipher's cybernetic eye flickered as he analyzed the data. "No one knows. It's one of the Emperor's shadow protocols. But if he's pulling it now? It's big."
Renza leaned forward. "We need to hit them before they hit us."
Zara raised an eyebrow. "Hit the Empire? Bold strategy. Let me know how the funeral goes."
Kieran smirked. "She's not wrong. We need a real plan."
Cipher turned to Harry. "This is your war now, Shadowborn. What's the next move?"
[STRATEGIC CHOICES: CHOOSE YOUR NEXT TARGET]
• Option 1: Strike an Imperial supply line – Cut off resources before the fleet arrives.
• Option 2: Rescue a captured Rebel leader – Gain support from anti-Imperial factions.
• Option 3: Sabotage an Inquisitor training facility – Weaken Vader's forces directly.
Harry studied the options.
Each one was a risk.
Each one mattered.
Finally, he made his choice.
"We go after the Inquisitors."
Cipher raised an eyebrow. "You're not afraid of poking the Sith?"
Harry's eyes darkened. "No. I'm making them bleed."
Renza grinned.
Zara groaned. "I hate this plan already."
Kieran chuckled. "That makes two of us."
Cipher exhaled. "Then let's get to work."
Meanwhile… Aboard the Executor
Vader stood in silent meditation, the Force writhing around him.
A hologram flickered to life—the Dark Hand, kneeling before him.
"He is preparing for war."
Vader remained still.
Then, his mechanical voice cut through the silence.
"Let him."
A pause.
Then—a slow, deliberate chuckle.
"He has yet to understand what true war is."
Vader turned.
"I will show him."
The hologram faded.
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And the hunt continued.