The arrest had been swift, silent, and merciless. Republic troopers and Bureau operatives had stormed Administrator Vallen Marrel's residence before dawn, moving through its marble halls with precision. Cassian had stood in the periphery, watching as Marrel was dragged from his chambers, sputtering denials that collapsed into hollow silence when the datapads and credit ledgers were displayed in front of him. There was no wriggling free. The web had caught him.
Hours later, the intelligence bureau was alive with murmurs, agents whispering in corners as word of Marrel's downfall spread. Cassian made his way through the marble corridors until he reached the secured wing where Director Damos Rennar waited.
The Director's office was dim, lit only by the filtered glow of a Naboo morning pressing through tall windows. Rennar stood at his desk, broad-shouldered, the kind of man who looked as though stone had been carved into flesh. He gestured Cassian inside with a flick of his hand.
"Marrel will be processed within the hour," Rennar said, his voice gravel low. "His title will be stripped and he will be waylaid by these charges against him." He paused, studying Cassian with eyes sharp as blades. "You did well, I'm not going to lie that when your father came to me with this briefing, I'd hope with everything they were false. This just means it was an error in judgement on my part."
Cassian straightened, clasping his hands behind his back. "That's not true sir, you are well respected and great individual. Marrel chose this, he may at one time been loyal, but greed and corruption seeped into him. For those that aren't prepared, it will consume them."
Rennar gave a single nod. "Your father's trust was not misplaced neither is mine, I owe you a great deal. However this isn't over, whoever sits at the center of this web is careful. Too careful." He leaned forward on the desk, lowering his voice. "Marrel was only the first tier. The money, the coordination, the reach, it points to something larger. And if we don't cut it out at the root, we'll be fighting shadows for years."
Cassian felt the weight settle in his chest. He had expected as much, but hearing it confirmed hardened the truth: this wasn't over.
The Director's expression shifted, a faint shadow of something more deliberate taking shape. "That's why you won't be walking away from this, Abrantes. You've proven you can see patterns others miss. You didn't just catch Marrel, you exposed the cracks in our own foundation. I need someone who can work from inside, where the rot has already spread."
"What do you mean, sir?"
Rennar straightened fully now, the authority in his stance leaving no room for doubt. "I'm promoting you. Effective immediately, you will assume Marrel's role as one of our Intelligence Administrators. On the surface, it will look like a clean succession. But in reality, you'll be watching, digging, tracking the flow of corruption until we know who stands above Marrel."
"I'll need full access to Marrel's files," he said. "Every ledger, every coded transmission, even the ones buried in restricted archives."
Rennar allowed the barest hint of approval to touch his lips. "You'll have it. But know this, Abrantes, once you step into this role, there's no stepping back. Eyes will be on you. Some will cheer your rise. Others will wait for you to stumble."
Cassian turned toward the window, looking out over Theed's shining domes, the waters of the Solleu gleaming beneath the sun. The city looked as innocent as ever, yet he knew the rot ran deeper than most dared admit. "Some already have sir-" He smirked. "Waited for me to stumble I mean. I will continue to help you and this agency for as long as I can." he murmured. "I have one request though, in regards to th-"
Rennar's voice followed him like a verdict, and as he raised his hand to stop Cassian from speaking. "I believe I know what it is, I will speak to the Grand Marshal. You have my word."
"Thank you sir, you have my support, always." Cassian nodded once, resolute, before leaving the Director's office. The path ahead was darker than anything he had walked before, but it was his to walk, and he would not falter.
