An Imperial Legacy (Miranda Tarkin)

The Imperial Palace bustled with life to a significant degree that Inquisitor Y'roth Helghast did not recall being present the last time he had been there. Then again, that had been some time and Empress Tarkin had only just assumed her rightful place on the throne of the Galactic Empire. Now as he entered, there might as well have not been anyone there as anyone in his path made sure they were well and clear as Helghast made his way to the turbolifts. He stood tall in his Inquisitorial uniform, black and nondescript with only the Inquisitorial symbol on his right shoulder. That symbol and his glowing red eye were enough to scatter anyone from before him.

INQUISITOR. THE EMPRESS' AIDE HAS BEEN NOTIFIED OF YOUR PRESENCE AND YOUR APPOINTMENT IS STILL STANDING WITH THE EMPRESS. THE SHIPMENT FROM YOUR EXPEDITION IS PREPARED AND WAITING IN THE ANTECHAMBER TO THE EMPRESS' OFFICES.

IMP, the Inquisitoriate AI that managed the Citadel and the tactical coordination of the Nightmares, delivered the message via Helghast's neural implant. Y'roth acknowledged the message, as glad as something as cold as an Inquisitor could be that the Empress would still allow time to see him upon his return. His visit had nothing to do with sentiment though. Helghast's voyage with Task Force Witch Hammer had led to the accomplishment of several objectives in the name of the Inquisitoriate and the Empire. Concerning the Empress, Helghast had retrieved a number of artifacts and items of interest that might interest her.

As he stepped on to the turbo lift, anyone else who had been waiting in line for the lift decided to wait for the next one. The door closed with Helghast inside alone. The turbo lift activated without any prompt. The security system within the Palace had already recognized the Inquisitor and was transporting him to the Empress' offices immediately.