Hand of the Empire

[Damien Darhk]

The wire that Cyborg had used to expedite his search over the Dataverse  retracted back into his finger as he logged off the computer terminal. He stood and began to walk towards the door. The librarian flashed a brilliant smile as he returned the log in information. 

"Find everything you need?" She said as she twirled her finger through her hair. 

"I did, thanks for all your help" 

"Of course anytime, don't be a stranger come back anytime if you need anything"

"Will do" Cyborg said with a laugh as he turned to leave. She waved lightly as he exited from the library. 


Cyborg pulled up his own computer screen that projected from his arm. He began studying the map of Courscant. Better to know where the important buildings were in case he needed to go there. Cyborg was interested to see that several lower tiers lay beneath the one he was currently on, this one being dubbed Tier 1 respectively. Not much information was written on them, at least not from the city's data base.


"Hey buddy, stop where you are and give me your wallet. Give me all you got. I want your money not your life, but if you try to make a move I won't think twice" 

Surprised Cyborg let the projected screen disappear as he dropped his arms. Standing in front of him was a weasely looking man with a make shift eye patch over his right. In his hand was a blaster.

"Alright, alright, I do t want any trouble" Cyborg said as he moved his hand behind his back.  The sound of gears and shifting metal echoed slightly in the area 

"What the he is that?!" The one eyed mugger demanded.

"I'm not wearing pants as you can see, its a compartment in my leg." Cyborg lied as his hand just finished transforming into his own blaster. A loud whine resounded as he brought his hand back into view, pointing it at the mugger.

"I think my gun is bigger than yours, why don't you throw yours down?" Cyborg said calmly. The end of Cyborg's blaster began to glow a dark blue as he charged the bolt up. The man's one eye widen as he looked at the weapon as he quickly threw his gun to the floor.

"Smart move, now, turn around and put your hands behind your back." Cyborg said, still pointing his blaster at him. The man quickly complied with the order. Cyborg roughly grabbed his hands, restraining them in place.  Cyborg began the process of transforming his blaster back into his hand, once that was done he brought up the projected computer again. 

"Let's see what the cops have to say about this little altercation shall we?" Cyborg said starting  to map his way to the the police department. The mugger groaned as Cyborg pushed him forward as they marched down the street.

                                    *****

The doors to the police department slid open quietly as Cyborg and his new 'friend' approached them. The crook tried to shake loose for the millionth time, shaking vigorously as he tried to free himself. Cyborg's  grip proved to be too much for the lanky form of the mugger who gave up and relaxed as he was pushed forward.

"Well look who it is, if it isn't one-eyed Maxy!" Yelled a black clothed officer sitting behind a desk.

"That ain't my name and you know but ya filthy pig! Its Maxwell and I'm a top notch criminal, ya feel me?" Maxwell spat at the officer.

"Clearly not if you got caught by a random Prime walking down the street." He said chuckling. "Officer Bennet, take Maxy here to holding and book him". The officer named Bennet stepped forward and placed a pair of handcuffs around Maxwell's wrist and began ushering him through a door off to the side.

"Great work kid, what's your name?"

"Cyborg, and I'm happy to get a criminal off the streets is all."

"Even so, most of the primes we run into would have just shot and asked questions later. The EPD could use a guy like you." The officer said putting his feet on the desk he sat behind. 

"You're offering me a job?" Cyborg said surprised. He had figured the EPD would berate him for making a citizen's arrest, much like the police constantly did back home.

"Sure, having a prime on the force would help us greatly. Course you'd have to do a job for us first. Need to make sure you are sparkly clean and what not." 

" What kind of job?" He said crossing his arms skeptically.

"Nothing major, we've been having problems with another prime in the lower tiers. Been giving my boys a hell of a time. When they finally find the bastard they end up dead. This guy ain't no joke, he's the real deal."

"I'd be happy to Sir, anything to help rid the omniverse and Courscant of another criminal." 

"Great! Come with me and we will debrief you and get all the paper work written up." The cop said shaking Cyborg's hand with a smile.

[Damien Darhk]

Cyborg followed the man that later identified himself as Sergeant Watson into the office area of the EPD station. 

"Around that corner over there is the armory where all the Stormtroopers keep their gear and such, normally we'd go there and get you outfitted but clearly you don't need the equipment" Watson said chuckling as he looked Cyborg up and down. Watson sat down at desk with a computer terminal and motioned for Cyborg to come closer.

"Alright, so we have a Prime that's been causing us lots of grief as I said before. No one knows much about this guy, all of the troopers that come back but we know its the same prime committing the murders."

"How do you know?"

Watson paused a moment, a grim look appearing on his face. 

"Who ever this prime is, he is very precise with his kills. The bodies are always found cleanly cut. Most missing an arm or a leg." Watson said running his hand through his grayed hair. His positive nature seemed to vanish as he debriefed the limited information that they had. Concern etched itself across the Sergeant's  face as he stared at the paragraph that displayed on the screen.

"Some of the other random crooks dubbed this guy ' The Terminator', other than that we've got no other name and no idea what he looks like. From what we can tell he is just another Merc, but a damn good one. He's already killed over twenty of my men." Watson looked Cyborg in the for the first time since sitting down. The burning rage and sorrow the man felt for his fallen men brought a newfound determination to bring this guy down.

"Sergeant, I'm going to do every thing I can to bring this guy down." Cyborg said with finality in his voice. Watson nodded as he looked back towards the screen. 

"Good, tell you the truth, my guys are afraid to go after him. With good reason too. Do whatever needs to be done to catch this guy, and I mean anything, understand?" Watson said as he stared at Cyborg with an intensity he had never experienced before.

" Yes sir" 

"Good" 

Watson logged off the computer and stood.

"Need anything from me?"

"Actually Sir, do mind if I have a word with Maxwell?" 

"Maxy? What the hell do you want him for, he's just a petty thief. A cruddy one at that" Watson said laughing and shaking his head slightly as he thought of the man in holding.

"Be that as it may Sir, he's still apart of the criminal community. He may have heard of some sort of gossip about this guy. Least of all it'll point me in the direction I need to go"

"Mmm good thinking, I still don't think you'll get much out of him, but its worth a shot" Watson said with a shrug. " I'll show you to the interrogation rooms and you can have your little with ol' Maxy" Watson patted Cyborg on the shoulder as they made there way from the room.

[Damien Darhk]

As Cyborg entered interrogation room three Maxwell looked up at the metallic man, steam coming out of his ears as he shot daggers at Cyborg. 

"Hello again" Cyborg said as hr sat down in front of the one eyed man. Maxwell brought his hands up quickly as if to strike Cyborg, but his hands were cut short as the small chain that connected his handcuffs to the table was pulled taut.

"What the hell do you want freak? An apology cause I tried to mug?! Give me a break kid, you already 'taught me my lesson' by bringing me here, or whatever it was you were trying to achieve" Maxwell said as he slumped back into his chair, brooding about his current predicament. He crossed his arms and refused to look Cyborg in the eye for a moment. He waited until the awkwardness of the silence caused Maxwell to finally look in his direction. 

"No, I'm not here for an apology. Even if you have be one I doubt it would be authentic. I was hoping you could give me a bit of information on a Merc in the lower tiers." Cyborg said as he leaned back in his chair. Maxwell looked at him for several moments before erupting into a boisterous laughter.

Cyborg stared at the laughing man, not at all amused by his own request. Several more moments passed before Maxwell calmed down and regained his composure, all the while Cyborg sat silently watching him, patiently waiting his rebuttal. 

"Man you must be dumber than you look kid" Maxwell said wiping a tear from his eye as he let out the last few bits of laughter. "What the hell makes you think I'm gonna help you huh? After throwing me in the slammer no less" Maxwell said shaking  his cuffed hands to stress his point. 

"You landed yourself here Max, your own poor decision making led you here. You're lucky that all I did was turn you in, I could've killed you instead" Cyborg said staring deeply into the eye of Maxwell.  Cyborg nearly chuckled, Maxwell refused to look at his robotic eye that had been damaged so long ago and replaced. Cyborg would have assumed Max would empathize with him better than anyone else since they both only had one natural eye. But he could see the hypocrisy of man kind wouldn't even escape this moment. Maxwell gulped loudly as he shakily began to speak once more.

"Y-yea I guess that's true. What makes you think I know anything? I'm just a lowlife criminal. A cruddy one at that" he said shaking his head. He dropped his face to look at his lap, too ashamed to look at Cyborg anymore. 

"Come on, don't give me that. You gotta know something. Don't think I don't how you thugs operate. You people gossip worse than schoolgirls. Look you help me, maybe I can get you out of here quicker" 

"Really? You could do that?" Maxwell said with a surprised look on his face.

"Maybe, now tell me what you know"

Maxwell let out a heavy sigh before speaking. "This better not get me killed.... All I know about this guy is he is a sword and gun for hire. Really expensive, but he's damned good at what he does.  He hangs out in tier 4 and below. Usually he is hired for assassination jobs but he us also a body guard to one of the big crime lords down be low. Most of the private criminals that don't fall I with any of the syndicates have fled to higher tiers to avoid getting  in this guys way. Hence why I met your shiny mug today" Maxwell said shooting daggers once again.

"Go on"

"That's it, honest I don't know anything else about this guy, your guess is as good as mine. Your best bet would be to go down stairs and poke around and see what you can find. Otherwise you'll get the same info from anyone else up here." He said , shrugging. 

"Well its a start at least I know now where to go. Thanks Maxwell" Cyborg said, standing and turining to leave. 

"Hey what about getting me out of here?"

Cyborg chuckled as he opened the door to the interrogation room. 

"I'm not apart of the Empire Peace Division...Yet. But if your information proved to be valid I could put in a recommendation for early release... Provided you're on your best behavior Max" 

"You son of a--" Max yelled as Cyborg closed the door behind him, the last few expletives muted as he entered the hall. Standing near the two way glass was Sergeant Watson.

"He didn't tell you any new information" he said, arms crossed as he turned to face Cyborg.

"No, and I didn't expect him to know much but it was worth a shot. Plus he might be a valuable informant in the future." 

"Already thinking with your head kid, I like it. Well it looks like your next stop is tier four. Be careful down their. EPD doesn't have much influence on the lower tiers." Watson said patting Cyborg's shoulder. He nodded as he turned and made his way out of the station.

[Damien Darhk]

The glass doors of the elevator slid open silently. Cyborg stepped out of the elevator onto tier four and began to make his way down the crowded street. There was a noticeable difference between tier four and tier one, although still a decent place to live, the feeling was definitely less inviting down here. Cyborg could feel the familiar feeling of being watched as he walked through the streets of tier four, however not because of his robotic nature but because of  good nature. The lowly criminals of tier four could some how sniff out that the metal man was not one of them. A few men ducked into a near by alley, out of sight from the up and coming EPD member. Cyborg merely chuckled at the men's needless fear. Today he wouldn't be worried by their petty crimes, he had a much larger target in mind, this 'Terminator' whoever he was needed to be stopped. For the sake of the safety of EPD and the citizens they promised to attack.

Cyborg made his way to a local bar, the neon blue sign illuminated the ground in front of it. A large alien drinking some sort of alcohol displayed itself prominently. He could hear the rowdy sounds that occupied a place of drinking. The doors burst open as a man was thrown out of the bar, hitting the pavement hard as he crumpled. 

"That's what cheats like you get you dog. Now scram!" Yelled a large man who Cyborg assumed was some sort of bouncer. The man turned and entered the building, muffling the noise as the door shut behind him. The man slowly rose to his feet before hobbling off. The loud blast of music and rowdy customers exploded from the bar  as Cyborg opened the door. Just as quickly as the noise was heard, it became eerily quite as he entered. Thugs of all different sizes and shapes glared at him. He stood in the door way for a moment before walking over to the bar and sitting down at an empty stool. The music and the rowdy noise started once more.

"What'll ya have?" The mostly toothless bar keep barked. 

"Uhh whatever is fine. Surprise me" Cyborg said. He wasn't much of a drinker and didn't waltz in to bars very often either. But given the local crowd if Cyborg was going to find out anything on the wanted prime, it would be here. The bar tender placed a dirty mug filled with amber liquid onto the bar before turning back to his other duties. Cyborg looked at the drink slightly disgusted before picking the drink up and sipping it. He grimaced at the fowl taste of the beverage. A man sitting next to Cyborg chuckled as he watched him take another sip, grimacing again but less harshly this time. 

"What's the matter boy? Can't handle your liquor? What's a kid like you doin' down here anyway. Pegged you for a tier one dweller" he said picking up his own glass before chugging the entirety of it. Cyborg smiled politely.

" Yea, don't drink much honestly. I'm down here looking for someone or information"  He said pushing the drink away from him.

"Oh yea? Who?"

"All I know is an alias he uses. Terminator?"  

The man choked on his newly placed drink, wiping the liquid from his face. He looked at Cyborg and chuckled nervously.

"You don't find him boy, HE finds YOU. And when he does...." He said dragging his finger across his throat. "If I were you boy, I'd marched  your shiny ass back up to tier one and forget you ever asked that. Speakin' about him ain't safe. Got ears every where." He said, looking around behind him nervously. 

"Well I can't do that. I've got to find this Terminator, he's wanted and needs to be stopped." 

The man sighed, closing his eyes in dismay. 

"Now you've done it kid..." He muttered. 

A few men who had been listening in on there conversation stood and made there way to the bar. They began pulling out hidden weapons. Brass knuckles, knife, some sort of electrified baton. The leader of the group of thugs pulled a blaster out and leveled the gun at Cyborg.  He smirked as he had already began the transformation of his hand. It grew in size  and stiffened into a large gauntlet. Kicking the stool back into the first thug, Cyborg swung around, smashing the large fist into him. It connected with the side of his face, sending the goon sailing into a nearby table. The sudden attack surprised the men who stopped shocked for a moment. This moment was enough for Cyborg to close the gap and bring his gauntlet upwards connecting with a sickening upper cut to the next thug, who flew into another standing behind him. 

Taking advantage of the pause, Cyborg transformed his his fist into the blaster. The gears and metal shifted perfectly, forming his second weapon of choice. A light ball of life energy fired from the end, hitting his next opponent square in the chest.  The man yelped as he crumpled to the floor. 

Cyborg walked slowly towards the leader who was visibly shaken from what he had witnessed. 

"I'm guessing you know where I can find Terminator?" Cyborg said pointing his weapon at the leader. The man gulped before dropping his weapon.

"H-he is on tier f-f-ive right now. Large run down warehouse, you can't miss it. Please don't kill me" the leader said placing his hand together as he plead for his life.

"Don't worry, I'm not a killer unlike your boss. No the EPD will deal with you." Still pointing his weapon at the man, Cyborg brought his hand to his ear.

"Sergeant? I've got five gang bangers incapacitated in a bar on tier four need a squad to come pick them. I know where Terminator is."

"Damn kid you're quick! I'll send some boys down to pick the scum up as soon as I can, just hang tight." The sergeant's voice replied into his ear. 

"Now we wait, thanks for your cooperation. You're under arrest" Cyborg said with a sly grin.

[Damien Darhk]

As promised, a group of stormtroopers rushed into the now empty bar. After the small fight most of the patrons had quickly left. Leaving only the five goons and an unhappy bartender, who glared from behind the bar at him, "cleaning" his mugs with a dirty washcloth.

"We will take it from here Cyborg" said one of the troopers. Cyborg nodded as he backed away from the crooks. The began slapping magnetic handcuffs onto the small gang's wrists.

"Good work" the trooper nodded as he pulled the leader up from the ground. The leader only smiled as he passed Cyborg.

"You're dead ya know. He's gonna rip you apart. Gear by gear, you hunk of metal" he grunted the last word as the trooper restraining him punched him in the side.

"Good riddance! Don't come back, its gonna cost me a lot to fix the damage you EPD bastards caused" The bartender yelled. Cyborg summoned the strange orb again and have a minute of concentration a large gleaming emerald appeared in his hand.

"Here this should cover the damages" Cyborg said placing the the gem on the bar. "And my drink of course" he finished with a smile. The owner look dumbfounded as he stared at the large precious rock, only able to nod as his words had escaped him.

Cyborg followed the group of troopers out. They parted ways, the troopers going left and Cyborg going right towards the next elevator which would bring him to tier five.

                                   ****

Cyborg stepped off the elevator to the dilapidated tier five. Looking around cyborg was shocked at how hugely different this tier was from the pristine tier one. Trash and other rubbish littered the street. Rats ran freely about, running from hiding place to hiding place as they scavenged for bits of food. The people were no different either, many of the citizens of this run down tier looked on from the shadows as Cyborg made his search for the warehouse the leader of the goons had previously mentioned.

Why hasn't the Empire done something about this? Aren't they supposed to serve and protect even these people, Cyborg thought bewildered. His mind grew fuzzy for a moment, static filled his robotic eye. As sudden as the the strange occurrence had happened it just as quickly disappeared. Cyborg shook his head briefly to clear his mind as he looked back to the scene before him.

No. This wasn't the fault if the Empire. This was the fault if the criminals that attempted to undo what the Empire was trying to build. A safer city. Cyborg's resolved strengthened as he continued down the street. If he was going to change this city he would have to take down this 'Terminator' and any who was liken to him.

Cyborg walked for what seemed like an hour, constantly checking his map. He had finally made his way into the industrial side of tier five, having walked through mostly through residential buildings. At the end of the street lay a very large warehouse like the one the gang leader described. Part if the roof was caved in and a large poster was tacked to the door. 'FORECLOSED' it read. This must be the place. He readied Hus blaster as he tore the poster from the double doors. To his surprise the doors slid open with ease, he had expected them to be locked.

He entered a large dark room, silence radiated through out the large space. Suddenly a large flood light turned on, blinding Cyborg for a moment. When he regained his sight, he saw that he was surrounded by several men. A man standing on the cat walk above them spoke finally.

"Well, well, well if it isn't the the Tinman" echoed the cold voice. Cyborg peered up at the man in horror. He recognized that voice, having heard it many times in the past. The man wore a metal mask over his face, half was black the other a dull orange. He leaned over the balcony lazily as he glared down at Cyborg.  He could almost feel the menacing grin that lat behind the mask.

"Slade....." Cyborg muttered in contempt

"Yes Tinman it is me. I was wondering when you'd show up, took you long enough. I shouldn't be surprised that the first thing you did was join up with the authorities the first chance you got. You're so predictable. You and your Teen Twats" Slade said laughing at his own pun. The men surrounding Cyborg also laughed stupidly, not understanding the joke.

"So where are your little friends, hmm? All alone then?" He chuckled evilly. "Guess you won't have them to jump in and save you before I kill you huh?"

"I don't need them to take you down Slade, Robin took you down single handedly. So can I" Cyborg said glaring back at the man.

"Ah yes but he was well trained, and still had you idiots to distract me briefly. You're not worth my time Cyborg. Kill him"

Then surrounding him immediately rushed in. Cyborg began firing wildly left and right. He dropped three before they were apon him. Then jumped on him trying to bring their large metal foe to his knees. A small jet appeared on Cyborg as he burst into a near by wall. One if the goons foolishly held on as he was brutally smashed into the wall. Cyborg turned to the remaining men as his hand began to grow into the large gauntlet. They hesitated a moment before rushing in again. Cyborg burst forward once again, smashing his fist into one, then swinging his fist like a hammer he backhanded another. The men fell to ground with ease. Cyborg breathed heavily as his hand transformed once more into the cannon.

"You're next Slade!" Cyborg yelled as he fired on the cat walk. The thin metal that held the catwalk in place broke and fell. Slade flipped off his advantage point, unsheathing his sword and landing with ease on the ground below.

He laughed lightly as he stood to his full height.

"Now Tinman, you die" Slade said calmly as he began to slowly walk towards Cyborg.

[Damien Darhk]

The two men circled one another, sizing the other up. Cyborg took this brief moment to to Chang his cannon into the large gauntlet, knowing full well that Deathstroke would be too fast for his cannon bolts. 

"Smart move" the Merc chided, still circling. 

With a blink of any eye Deathstroke burst forward bringing his large promethium sword down in a hard arch. Cyborg brought his large fist, barely in time to guard from the massive blow. The sword bit into his hand as the sparks dissipated. With his free hand, he punched the Merc, putting him off balance. Cyborg stepped back to put distance between them. Death stroke laughed as he slowly brought his head level to stare back at Cyborg.

"Good hit Tinman. But it will be your last!"  He said as he rushed forward.  Deathstroke slashed and stabbed in a flurry of blows. Cyborg deflected a few if the harsh blows, other merely slid off his metal armor. Deathstroke stepped back, stabbing his sword into the he began fiddling with his utility belt. He pulled to sticks from his belt that he attached together to create a a large staff.  Cyborg burst forth ready to strike as the Merc fiddled with his new equipment. 

Deathstroke smiled behind his mask as he watched the large metal man rush towards him. With a push of a button a static pulse of pure energy shot forth, hitting Cyborg squarely in the chest. Cyborg fell to the ground as electricity coursed through his entire body. He tried to move , to stand, to fight, anything to stop the calm walk towards his useless body. Try as he might his limbs would not listen to the command of movement. Deathstroke chuckled as he looked down at the paralyzed form of Cyborg. 

"What's the matter Tinman? Need a little oil for your joints to move" the Merc laughed at his own stupid comparison to the Wizard of Oz's metal man. 

"No, I just needed time!" Cyborg said as he moved into a crouching stance, bringing his large fist upwards into Deathstroke's vulnerable jaw. 

The Merc's mask flew from his face as he fell to the ground. Cyborg quickly changed to his cannon and be began to charge. A low whine echoed from the hall as a dark blue bolt formed  at the end of his gun. Deathstroke slowly sat up, a dazed look on his face as he tried to focus on Cyborg. 

"Oh shit" he said as he looked at the dark bolt aimed at his face.

"Boo-Yah" Cyborg said with a smirk as he let loose the dark blue bolt. Slade's body thumped to the ground as the bolt connected with his face. 

Cyborg walked over, still pointing his weapon at the Merc. To his surprise he was still conscious.

"Looks like you're not as strong as you thought Slade. This Omniverse has entirely new rules. But there are still laws, even here. And you're under arrest" Cyborg said with a smile. 

As the adrenaline wore off from the fight Cyborg began to feel how much the fight had taken out of him. A large cut bled freely from his face, and his body was sore. All in all he was fine. Cyborg knocked Slade unconscious and hoisted him onto his shoulder as he made his way to the exit of the warehouse.

                                    *****

Cyborg sat across from Slade in interrogation room three. Slade returned the stare with a calm and blank look. A knock at the door cause Cyborg to break eye contact with the Merc.

"One of our men will take it from here Cyborg. Watson wants to see you in his office." A stormtrooper said sticking his head in through the open door. With a nod Cyborg stood.

"When I get out of here, and I will get out of here Cyborg. I will kill you. See you around Tinman" Slade said in his flat voice that always sent shivers down Cyborg's spine. 


Cyborg knocked on the door of Sergeant Watson's office before entering the room.

"Cyborg! Come on in! Take a seat" The Sargent said motioning to a near by plush chair.

"Great job kid! I still cant believe you caught this guy already! He's been a real pain in our ass" Watson said beaming.

"I got lucky Sir" 

"Luck or not you did a damn fine job."

"There is still the problem of whoever hired him Sir.

" True, but today celebrate! You brought down a huge thorn in the side of EPD. If you want. There is definitely a spot for you here. Especially if you keep up this fantastic work" Watson said extending his hand.

" I would be honored Sir" Cyborg said taking the Sergeant's outstretched hand and shaking it.

"Sir what will happen to Slade?"

"He will be interrogated and then incarcerated. More than likely without trial given his substantial charges against him"

"Just make sure he has lots of security watching him Sir. He's from my home and ice fought him many times and he was always able to escape" 

"You underestimate the security of Courscant my friend. Our prison is like a fortress, he won't be getting out of there" Watson said crossing his arms in pride. Cyborg smiled at the Sergeant's confidence.

"Didn't mean to offend sir, just worried since I have dealt with him in the past."

"No offense taken. Here is your badge. Take the day off you've earned it" Watson said smiling. Cyborg looked at the small brass badge emblazed with the crest of the empire and the large EPD at the bottom. 

"Thank you sir" Cyborg said smiling with pride.

"You've earned it. See you tomorrow" Watson said shaking his hand once again.