Trouble, Destiny and Other Complications

[bright_ephemera]

Excellent Vette scene, for both characters involved

[frauzet]

I have to tell you I really loved the dialogue between Ciner and Vette. You write her personality very well, I couldn't help but giggle about her 'altruism.' Also loved the bit about her and Jailer Knash being close. Good stuff there.

 

Thorns is an interesting fellow too. I like how he questions if he'd done right by not shooting Kaliyo. I do that all the time, cause I probably would have shot her lol. The bit with them in the bed was nice. Alluring and sensual.

 

Excellent Vette scene, for both characters involved

 

Thank you both for encouraging me again

 

If I remember correctly the Vette-Ciner-scene was the very first one I took notes for. When I started I had no idea why Ciner wanted to take her along.

Watching the videos of Korriban it seemed to me like Knash had been doing little else than tormenting Vette inbetween visits.

 

Shooting Kaliyo seems like the safest option, but who wants safe when you can have fun instead? In Thorns' defense, he didn't have much say in the matter, it was all Kaliyo's idea...

 

Maybe I should add a hint at the parts not always being PG-13?

I added a note to the shuttle flight.

[frauzet]

As if things were not complicated enough, there is another pairing left.

 

Material has been posted on the SFWC, spoilers for Smuggler and Trooper Ord Mantell.

 

Ord Mantell, not far from Fort Garnik

 

 

She hated this planet already before she first set foot on it. Only with skill and a big portion of sheer luck had she managed to land the ship safely on Ord Mantell. Her intel had told her that this village was safe. Seemed a bit outdated to her now. All she wanted was to clear her cargo and leave as soon as possible. She’d need to find another safer place to conduct the real business she was here for. At the foot of the ship’s ramp Skavak was waiting for her. Although he complimented her on her flying before introducing himself she disliked him at first glance. Maybe her first impression was influenced by her bad mood due to the warm welcome by the separatists, but she had learned to trust her guts when it came to men. At least he wanted to leave the place as fast as she did because of the advancing separatist forces. So he paid her the agreed price for the blasters she had loaded. As soon as they had unloaded them she would take off again.

 

The cargo droid had just begun its work when another man burst into the hangar. Younger, well-toned, maybe not quite as good looking as Skavak, but definitely less sleazy. His news was bad news nonetheless. The separatists had taken over the local air defense canon. They had already destroyed an incoming republic transport. Take off would be impossible for her. They’d blast her to pieces. The young man, who introduced himself as Corso Riggs, told her she’d have to take out several of the remote control stations, for the separatists to lose control of the cannon. She definitely wasn’t paid enough for this job. But complaining wouldn’t get the work done. She’d take out the remote control stations and the men would unload the cargo. They both seemed to know how to handle a weapon and they sent her out there alone? Heroic cavaliers. Her equipment wasn’t suited for the task, but she’d try not to get shot anyway. She checked her blaster, grabbed some extra power cells and left the hangar.

 

Keeping to the shadows she snug to the edge of the wall enclosing the yard in front of the hangar. She cursed inwardly as soon as she peeked around the corner. The entry to the village was guarded by separatists. No chance she could get past them without being seen. Not far from her a few Republic soldiers had entrenched themselves. Over the hill to her right smoke was rising — probably not from the destroyed transport Riggs had been talking about. Not enough smoke for that. As she watched, a soldier came down the hill heading straight for the entrenchment. She could see him talking to one of the soldiers there and gesticulating towards the village. Seemed like her chance, so she crouched low and got over to them.

 

“Hey, soldier. You planning on going in there?” she asked the one from the hill pointing at the village. Medium height, buff, early twenties, he didn’t seem to be pleased to be interrupted.

 

The brows above his blue eyes furrowed in suspicion. His gaze was intensified by the blue tattoo encircling his right eye. “Identify yourself.”

 

“Name’s Dal’Bo, Zal Dal’Bo, Captain Zal Dal’Bo.” she answered with her best flourish possible while crouching.

 

“What’s your business here?”

 

“Did you see the ship landing just some minutes ago?”

 

The other soldier nodded. “That was you? Nice flying!”

 

“Thanks,” she offered with a warm smile that didn’t fail to have its effect on him.

 

Blue eyes wasn’t impressed. “So?”

 

“Look, there is nothing I want more than to leave this planet immediately. But those damned separatists got an air defense canon. I think you already had the pleasure to make the acquaintance of their weaponry?”

 

He nodded.

 

“I need to disable some of the remote control stations in the village in order to be able to take off without my ship being redecorated.”

 

“Lady, this is a war zone. You can’t just walk in there.”

 

She strained to not roll her eyes. Why did he think she was trying to ask for his support? “You don’t say! How provident of me to bring my blaster instead of my high heels.”

 

He scrutinized her, and she was suddenly glad that she had decided that Zal tended to neglect her make up. “Okay, you seem determined.” He sighed. “I am Sergeant Melga. You’ll stay behind me, keep low and try not to shoot me.”

 

“Sir, yes, sir!” She offered a mock salute that earned her a scowl.

 

As the Sergeant headed for the entry of the village she provided cover fire together with the other soldiers. The separatists guarding the village’s entry didn’t stand a chance. She followed him and together they made their way into the village. He did most of the shooting, but she supposed he was glad he had her watching his back after she shot two separatists sneaking up behind them. Between the two of them they disabled the remote control stations and the missile launchers the Sergeant had been looking for in no time. They even stumbled across the targeting computer to the air defense cannon. Blasting it up felt wonderful. Neutralizing the separatists’ jammers along the way they made communication with Fort Garnik possible again. Without a noteworthy scratch they made it back to the entrenchment.

 

They had been barely back when the Sergeant was allowed to reap the fruits of their labor. With the jammers gone his superiors were able to reach him via holo call ordering him to head for Fort Garnik immediately. He said good bye and wished her good luck and was gone. That left Zal to collect the reward. I’ll drink to his health, Zal thought smiling, when her own communicator beeped. It was Riggs. Through the noise of blaster fire he told her separatists were attacking the hangar. She needed to get there as fast as possible. She hated this planet.

 

Zal ran the short way back. She had to get back to her ship. That would not be easy if the separatists managed to take over the hangar. She hoped she wasn’t too late. When she reached the hangar she could hear no sounds of shooting from inside. The door was open, and she cautiously crept through. Inside she saw four separatists. Riggs was down opposite the door, she couldn’t detect Skavak. One of the separatists was closing in on Riggs to finish him off. She’d have to hurry.

 

The man closest to the door had his back to Zal. Probably didn’t want to miss the show. Idiot! She was behind him and had slit his throat before anyone knew what was happening. The few moments he took to drop dead, he provided excellent cover for Zal. Big men had their advantages — never let anybody tell you that size doesn’t matter. Zal smirked. From behind her impromptu cover Zal had taken out a second man with a head-shot before the third sep started firing at her respectively the body of his pal. She dove behind the nearest crate. The last separatist had decided that Riggs could wait and gave cover to his buddy who would probably be advancing on her crate now. The noise of the shots drowned out any sound of footsteps. Zal acted on instinct and tossed a small grenade over the crate. After the detonation she rolled out from behind the crate and smoothly got into a crouching position. The man advancing on her had been knocked down by the blast. The last sep was trying to get his footing back. He was killed by her next shot, a surprised look on his face. The man on the ground groaned and tried to get up, but didn’t get far. After Zal’s last shot silence settled in. She remained in a crouch and listened.

 

Riggs started to move and stopped with a groan. No other sound or movement inside the hangar, from outside the sounds of a skirmish far enough away from them. Where was Skavak? Zal got over to check on Riggs who sat with his back propped against a crate.

 

“Ugh… feels like a gundark used my skull as a drum.” He said when Zal approached him, and he held out his hand to her. She gripped it and helped him to get up. Seemingly he hadn’t suffered any mayor injuries. “Thanks for saving my hide, Captain.”

 

That was when she heard the engines of her ship. She hurried towards the hangar gate and got there just in time to see her ship take off and fly away.

 

“Skavak helped those separatists get in here. He stabbed us in the back!” Riggs confirmed her suspicions.

 

“That scum stole my ship!” Zal tried to collect her thoughts through the flaring anger. She had been careless to leave the ship unprotected, knowing quite well how easy it was to crack the poor security measures the ship’s computer provided. The droid probably handed over the ship to Skavak. She should have blasted it out the airlock at the first opportunity.

 

“He took all the weapons, too. He and the separatists must have been planning this all along!” Riggs declared.

 

She didn’t care for the weapons, she needed her ship. She went through the mental inventory of her things still aboard. Skavak shouldn’t be able to find anything compromising. Still, without her ship all her plans were coming apart at the seams. And if she failed—she shuddered.

 

“Hang on… where’s Torchy? I don’t believe this! Skavak stole my blaster!” Riggs exclaimed incredulously. “Torchy’s a genuine BlasTech ALT-25 with magnatomic adhesion grip and side-mounted rangefinder. She’s too good for Skavak.”

 

He was whining about a blaster? She was on the brink of shooting him. She wanted very much to shoot somebody, but he probably could be of use to her. “We can’t let him get away with it.” She growled through gritted teeth.

 

Riggs failed to notice that part of her anger was directed at him. “He’s not getting away with this!” he stated while he was typing away at his holo comm. “C’mon… c’mon… pick up, blast you!”

 

A gloating Skavak actually answered the call. “Aw, what’s the matter, Corso? Did I hurt your feelings? Be thankful you’re alive, kid.”

 

Zal suppressed the anger, she wouldn’t give Skavak the satisfaction of seeing how upset she was. She’d save her emotions for their next meeting, and then she would make him pay. “Do you have any idea who you’re messing with?” Zal asked, suddenly appearing to be very calm.

 

“What makes you think I care?” Skavak retortet. “On behalf of Ord Mantell’s glorious freedom fighters, I thank you for your blasters, your ship and a big laugh. Have a nice day.” He delivered with a bow.

 

“I think you’re celebrating a little early.” She’d be looking forward to the day she’d make him regret his error.

 

“It’s no use—he cut the comm channel. He always was good at making an exit.”

 

Was the kid actually admiring him?

 

“Skavak stole my best blaster, but I guess it’s not as bad as losing a whole starship. I feel for you, Captain.”

 

Yeah, that would help a lot!

 

“Listen, Skavak and I were working for a guy named Viidu. When he finds out Skavak’s a separatist, he’ll want revenge just like you. Do yourself a favor and go talk to Viidu in Fort Garnik. Guarantee he’ll help get your ship back.”

 

Zal took a deep breath before she answered him, after all he was trying to be of help. “Forts tend to be full of people I prefer to avoid, kid.” She wasn’t taken with the idea, not at all.

 

“Not to worry. The Republic Army runs Fort Garnik, but they let the boss do as he pleases. He keeps their supply lines open. Viidu’s a smart guy with connections everywhere. If anybody can find your ship, it’s him.”

 

Maybe Riggs was right, and she hadn’t many other options, so she nodded her consent.

 

“I have to lock down this hangar, but I’ll send Viidu a holo and tell him what’s up.

Fort Garnik isn’t far from here. I’ll see you and Viidu there soon, Captain.”

 

When she left the hangar smoke clouded the sky and cannon fire could be heard. She briefly wondered what made people fight over this rock anyway. It was of limited strategic value and possessed no noteworthy resources. But the Republic made a point of supporting the loyal government. Neither side seemed to care much for the impacted populace.

Those thoughts were confirmed when she met a Private Wesner on her way to the fort. He warned her about snipers the Separatists had deployed. They shot soldiers and refugees from all the war-torn settlements alike. He told her about a refugee camp outside Fort Garnik. Outside! She shoved the thought aside, nothing she could do about it! She hated Ord Mantell.

 

 

[frauzet]

Material has been posted on the SFWC, spoilers for Smuggler and Trooper Ord Mantell.

 

Ord Mantell, Talloran village, one day later

 

“I got here as fast as I could.” Nikeo had told Jorgan. The Cathar lieutenant was their local liaison supervising the mission room. He hadn’t needed Jorgan to tell him that it had not been fast enough. Nikeo had been sent to retrieve the vital information Bellis — a spy for the Republic — had gathered. Kark! Bellis’ body was still warm, the blood pooling around him hadn’t even started to dry. From the tracks he estimated three or four attackers. Had Nik been here he would have been able to save him! His first day in Havoc Squad. Perfect start for the rookie. Give the Cathar some more reasons to harass him. He was starting to hate Ord Mantell.

 

He had to stop blaming himself. Think rational. Regardless what Jorgan said, Nik knew that he couldn’t have been faster, not without knowing the terrain, not without being spotted by the enemy, not without compromising Bellis’ cover, that should still have been intact. Why hadn’t it been intact? Why was it blown now that Bellis had wanted to share his information? This whole situation stank to high heaven. Commander Tavus, Havoc Squad's CO, had said there was no time to search for a mole, finding the bomb was more pressing. Nik wouldn’t question his CO’s decision, but he’d keep his eyes open nonetheless.

 

He cursed, because he hadn’t time to inspect the tracks more thoroughly. Taking some pictures with his armor cam was all he could do. Retrieving Bellis’ field box was his top priority now. Nikeo studied the map of the village on his datapad, memorizing the location of Bellis’ home. Stay alert and double-time it, Jorgan had told him. Nik would show him that he was able to do exactly that. That was the reason he was in Havoc Squad. That was the reason why he was out here and Jorgan sat in the mission room, even if he was a rookie.

 

The sun was already sinking, providing shadows to remain unseen. Nikeo was halfway to his destination without meeting anybody, when he heard a faint noise in front of him from around the next corner. The alley behind him was still safe. He sneaked closer to the corner and waited for a few seconds. No sound. His enemy had heard him too. Nik had the advantage. Their shadow would betray anyone walking around the corner from the other side. His weapon aimed in the direction of his foe he slowly stepped away from the wall, circling around the corner. As he saw the shadow he took another step, aimed, saw the woman in plainclothes with a blaster. What was it that Sergeant Jaynes had told him? You can’t tell friend from enemy half the time. Most of the seps in the villages didn’t wear armor, blending in with the populace. She raised her blaster and he shot.

 

Zal had gambled and lost. If her enemy had been an amateur he would be dead. But it was a soldier. Now she was as good as dead. She had dove back into the wall’s cover the moment he had shot. He had hit her shoulder instead of her heart. She slumped against the wall and her blaster dropped to the ground. “I yield!” she called softly. She hated Ord Mantell.

 

The soldier rounded the corner, his weapon still aimed at her. His helmet had no visor. When she looked into his face she met a surprised stare. “Oh! Sergeant Blue-Eyes. Nice to meet you again. Nice shot.” She gritted her teeth as the nerves in her arm recovered from their numbness and the pain set in.

 

“What are you doing here? You told me you’d take off as soon as you got back to your ship. Are you a collaborator?” he accused her.

 

“Kark, no! My ship was stolen. I was in Talloran to get some information regarding its possible whereabouts.”

 

He didn’t look convinced.

 

“Okay, either help me back to Fort Garnik and I’ll tell you the long version of the story or finish what you started and shoot me. Without being able to use my blaster I probably won’t get far anyway.” She glared at him defiantly.

 

He sighed. “Need to finish my mission first.” He lowered his weapon, ready to raise it again should she make a wrong move.

 

Cautious, good for him, good for her, if she could convince him to help her. She righted herself, contorted her face in pain, and slumped back against the wall suppressing a yelp. She didn’t look him in the eyes, but from the change of his poise she could tell, that she had achieved the desired effect. The pain wasn’t that bad, but she really wouldn’t be able to shoot properly with her right hand. And she wasn’t that good with her left hand. Maybe she was able to make it back to the fort on her own, but she wouldn’t take the risk if she didn’t have to.

 

“There is a stack of crates in the alley behind me. You wait there for me. Shouldn’t be longer than half an hour.” He picked up her blaster, checked the surroundings, switched his weapon to his left and held out his right arm to help her. There was no time to check her wound. He had to retrieve the field box first. Jorgan would have his hide if he failed this task, and rightfully so. From what he saw she wasn’t bleeding badly, she’d survive until he came back.

 

“Thank you.” She said with a contorted smile, as she leaned on his arm.

 

He helped her to the crates and handed her her blaster. “Try not to shoot me, when I return.”

 

She grinned at him. “You say that to all the girls?”

 

He grinned back. “Only to the interesting ones.” And with a wink he was gone.

 

About half an hour later she heard him calling softly. “It’s me, Sergeant Melga.”

 

Zal got up. When he stepped closer, she could see a few scratches on his armor, that hadn’t been there earlier. “Trouble?” she asked.

 

“Nothing I couldn’t handle,” he answered evasively.

 

“Ready to get back to the fort?” Zal stepped out from behind the crates.

 

“Will you be able to walk without help?” he asked sounding slightly worried.

 

“Jep. I applied a med pack. The pain is bearable now.” Zal saw that he didn’t like her answer. “What?”

 

“There’s probably some residue from your clothes left in the wound. The wound should have been cleaned before applying kolto.” He shrugged. “Can’t be helped now. I’ll take a look at it after my debriefing.”

 

“Why would I let you do that?”

 

“If you rather want to consult your family practitioner, you won’t get any complaints from me. But you should really have somebody check the wound.” He turned and walked to the mouth of the alley.

 

She followed him as fast as possible. “Hey, I changed my mind. You won’t get away so easy. You break it, you fix it!”

 

“Let’s get out of here.”

 

When she saw his eyes lit up by his smile she thought, that Ord Mantell maybe wasn’t all bad.

 

***

 

Nikeo was still trying not to fret over the way the debriefing went. Of course Jorgan wouldn’t stop trying to make his life miserable only because he had retrieved Bellis’ field box and had handled his killers who had been waiting in an ambush at Bellis’ home.

 

Jorgan brought up a picture of Zal on the monitor of the nearest console, a snapshot from Nik’s armor cam. “Care to explain who she is, Sergeant Blue-Eyes?” Jorgan asked pointedly. Nik wasn’t sure whom he wanted to strangle more at this moment, Jorgan or Zal for calling him thus in the first place.

 

Fuse, Havoc Squad’s explosives expert, whistled softly. “I’d like to know, too.” Jorgan shot him an irritated glance.

 

Nik suppressed a sigh. “Zal Dal’Bo. Claims to be a freighter captain. Says her ship was stolen by separatists. Stays with some Viidu, owner of Rendia Freight. Nothing confirmed so far. I met her after my arrival. Helped me down in the village. Knows how to handle a blaster.”

 

“Damned good looking!” Fuse noted.

 

Nikeo raised a brow. “Really? Hadn’t noticed, sir.” He grinned at Fuse who grinned back. The Zabrak who already ranked as Lieutenant couldn’t be much older than he was. Right now he appeared to be even younger.

 

“Are you two done behaving like pubescent adolescents?” Jorgan growled. “We might actually have a connection here.”

 

“Sir, you think the seps stole the ship to transport the bomb?” Nik nodded. The idea wasn’t that far fetched.

 

“Something you might have thought of yourself if you hadn’t obviously been occupied with other things!” Jorgan snapped.

 

Like getting out of Talloran alive? Nik gritted his teeth, biting back any retort that might get him into any more trouble with Jorgan. The Cathar alone provided ample reason to hate Ord Mantell. “So maybe they’re not planning to vaporize any major part of Ord Mantell, but want to get the bomb off planet. They‘d be able to trade it for a lot of other weapons.” Nik pondered.

 

“And they probably got the freight as bonus.” Fuse interjected.

 

Nik stared at him. Suddenly some things made sense. Zal had never so much as mentioned her cargo. “She’s an arms smuggler!”

 

“Very likely from what I know about Viidu. Either that or a delicatessen-seller, but the latter don’t tend to take a stroll in a war zone to shoot some separatists.” Jorgan said deadpan.

 

“So Viidu’s business is only a front for a smuggling ring? In the middle of Fort Garnik and nobody intervenes?” Nik asked incredulously.

 

“As much as some of us would like to, he keeps our supply lines open. Without him the Mantellians would have run out of ammunition a few weeks ago and the rest of the Republic troops wouldn’t fare much better. It pains to admit it, but we need him. Apart from this we got a bomb to retrieve. We got to tread carefully around Viidu. Sergeant, you’ll keep an eye on the captain!” Jorgan gave Nikeo a meaningful glance.

 

Nik coughed. “Sir, are you ordering me to do, what I think you’re ordering me to do?”

 

“I’m not ordering you to do anything, Sergeant. I’ll be only providing you with the opportunity to do what you probably wanted to do anyway.”

 

Nik suddenly felt like he had awoken in the middle of a bad spy movie on the holonet. He was no fancy agent. Of course he had been flirting with the captain once they had been safely out of Talloran. Kark, she had been flirting with him. With her looks, a stone would have flirted back. Okay, he knew a few guys who’d probably forget their mother tongue if they ever were approached by a woman like her. But how was he supposed to act naturally around her now after Jorgan’s suggestion? He wasn’t sure he could do it. He was decidedly uneasy.

 

Fuse didn’t fail to notice his qualms. “Hey, I’d be happy to take over the task.”

 

“No need, sir.” Nikeo shoved his doubts aside. “I already got an appointment.” He decided that nothing had changed. He’d have met her anyway.

 

“Try to find out what she knows. Offer her your help in finding her ship. You’re officially off duty for the rest of the day. Dismissed, Sergeant!”

 

Nikeo saluted and headed for the door.

 

“Hey, Blue!” Fuse called after him. “Let me know if you need backup!”

 

Blue? There were worse code names. “Keep dreaming, Fuse.” Nikeo tossed a small object at him. “Here, something to get your imagination going.”

 

Fuse caught the object. “What’s that?”

 

“My armor cam. See ya.”

 

After taking a shower Nikeo searched for the equipment he’d need to treat Zal’s wound. Needles, the Squad’s medical officer, wasn’t there but he managed to find everything he’d been looking for in the med bay. His own equipment was still in the downed walker. He hoped, he’d have the chance to retrieve it. It contained only simple tools, but he’d grown fond of them, even if he hadn’t used them as often in the last few years as he had back on Coruscant.

Doc had given them to him as a farewell gift the day he left for the academy. He wondered what had become of Doc. He had been what 60 or 65? They’d agreed to break off contact, as it would be hard enough for Nik at the academy without all too obvious connections to the underworld. Doc had helped him to obtain a scholarship. After that he had been on his own. He supposed he had reason to be satisfied with his achievements so far. He had found friends at the academy, but still it would have been nice to have a family to make proud. After his brother Nat’s disappearance Doc had been the only one resembling family left. Maybe he should make some inquiries if he someday got back to Coruscant.

 

Nik’s mind briefly flickered to Iz. Iz — blond poison on long legs. The last time he had seen Nat they had been arguing about her, nearly coming to blows. He didn’t sleep with her again afterwards, but the damage had been done and he hadn’t received a chance to mend the rift it had caused between him and Nat. Nat had rushed off and vanished. He had often wondered what would have happened if he had been able to resist the temptation. Maybe they would all still be on Coruscant. Maybe he would have gone to the academy anyway. Either way he wouldn’t be feeling guilty every time he thought about his brother. He still missed him. He was out there somewhere, he had to be. “Take care, Nat!” he whispered.

 

By the Force, what was he doing, dwelling on gloomy thoughts, while one of the most beautiful women he’d ever met was waiting for him? Must be this disastrous planet. He grabbed the bag he’d packed and headed over to Rendia Freight.

 

When Nikeo entered the building of Rendia Freight, he met a good-looking brunette.

 

“Hi, I’m Syreena. You must be Nik. Zal is waiting for you upstairs. Last door on the right.” She said while she sized him up.

 

“Thanks.” Nik headed for the stairs.

 

“Got to say, she didn’t lie when she said you were handsome.” She chuckled when she saw him blush slightly. “You’re cute! Makes me wish I was in need of a domiciliary visit too.”

 

“I hope you don’t expect me to accidentally shoot you first too.”

 

She laughed. “I think I’ll stick to watching your backside as you climb up the stairs. Anything else would probably get us both into trouble with Viidu.”

 

So Zal thought, he was handsome. He climbed the stairs, turned right and walked over to the last door. He knocked.

 

“Come in!” Zal called.

 

Nik entered the room. “Doctor Blue-Eyes, at your service!” he announced himself.

 

Guestroom, one other door, probably to the refresher. He could hear Zal laughing from in there. “Sorry, haven’t had time for a shower yet, had to talk to Viidu first.”

 

Nik sat down in one of two armchairs. A covered tray sat on the small table in between. He could hear the rushing of the water. The pattern of the carpet wasn’t very intricate and the landscape of the wallpaper was rather bleak. He tried to think of anything else than Zal under the shower. Did she do this on purpose?

 

“How long will you stay on Ord Mantell?” she called after the rushing of the water had stopped.

 

“I don’t know, depends on the circumstances.”

 

“Do you already know where you will go next?”

 

“Nope. What about you? Any news on your ship?”

 

“I’m getting closer. Got another lead.”

 

“Need some help?”

 

“I appreciate the offer, but I think I can manage.” She made it sound offhand, but he couldn’t help wondering what she was hiding.

 

“Where will you go after you got your ship back?”

 

“Haven’t decided yet. The galaxy seems to be getting more dangerous every day. More danger means there’s more money to be made. More money always means higher risk. And as it seems I am running out of luck of late.”

 

“Could have been worse. You could have been shot by someone much less likable than me.”

 

“Yeah.” She stood in the doorway, grinning at him. “Or by a much better shot.”

 

She had a towel wrapped around her head, hiding her long black hair. Her blue eyes were glittering mischievously. She wore some t-shirt that was big enough for at least four women her size and left her legs bare beneath mid-thigh. She had wrapped a scarf around her waist to keep the shirt in place. Nonetheless its neckline had already slipped down her right arm baring her shoulder.

 

Nik remembered to close his mouth.

 

She laughed again. “So where do you want to do it, here or in the refresher?”

 

Where did he want to do…—oh—the wound—of course. “Let me take a scan first.”

 

The scanner revealed only a minor contamination of the wound. With clean water, disinfectant, a local anesthetic, and a laser scalpel treatment was easy. Nik had worked under worse conditions. The hardest part was to concentrate on the wound and let himself not be distracted by the rest of her body as she leaned against the sink.

 

Zal watched Nik. He focused on what he was doing. She liked flirting, she liked flirting with him more than with anybody else in the past months. He hadn’t talked much about himself or his work. He was with Special Forces, newly assigned to his Squad. What bothered her was that she wasn’t bothered about not knowing more. Of course it wouldn’t matter once she had retrieved her ship. The odds of meeting him again were long.

 

“I’ll apply some kolto now and in a few hours your shoulder will be as good as new.” He told her.

 

She immediately felt the cooling effect.

 

“Zal?” He sounded serious now.

 

“Yes?”

 

“I am sorry I harmed you!”

 

Looking into his eyes she could see that he meant it. “Hey, you were faster, or I would have shot too.” She swallowed. “For a moment leaning against that wall, unable to hold my weapon, I thought I was going to die. I was so relieved when I recognized you, it never even occurred to me to be mad at you.” She touched his hand, that pressed the kolto-plaster to her shoulder, wondering what she was doing telling him the truth.

 

He took her hand, lifted it to his mouth and gently kissed its back. Her fingers started to trace his jawline.

 

“Syreena left us some food.” she said low-voiced. Her fingers had reached his neck.

 

His hand that had still been holding the kolto-plaster started to explore her naked shoulder. “Are you hungry?” he asked huskily.

 

“Not sure. How about an appetizer?” She held his neck and pulled him closer until their lips met. She kissed him and gently nibbled at his lower lip.

 

“No objections.” He managed between intensifying kisses. Traveling down her back, his hands held her tight against his body. When he reached the hem of her shirt, she wrapped one leg around him. He lifted her up and her other leg followed suit. By the time they reached the bed they both had forgotten about dinner.

 

Later they ate some cold slices of roba steak and afterwards they enjoyed dessert. Eventually Zal’s head rested on Nik’s arm, her hair still draped across his chest, tickling his neck. He stroked one of the silken strands, entwining the hair between his fingers, still trying to catch his breath.

 

“Zal?”

 

“Huh?”

 

“You know I am no customs officer?”

 

“What?” She turned her head to stare at him.

 

Crap, he suddenly felt like standing in the middle of a minefield. “Look, I can’t talk about my job. Not because I don’t trust you, but because I am not allowed to. I think I know what you’re doing, but you…”

 

“Wait!” she interrupted him, sitting up straight, pushing away from him, pulling her hair out of his fingers. “You get to bed with me and afterwards you’re telling me I got some trust issues?” Her eyes sparkled with anger.

 

“No—I—kark! I am worried Zal. I like you. I’d like to help you.” He reached out for her, but she slipped out of the bed, wrapping herself in the bedsheet.

 

“Thank you very much, but I get along on my own pretty well!” She headed over to the refresher. “I suppose you’ll find the way out on your own.” She closed the door behind her. He could hear her locking it.

 

Nik was dumbfounded. He didn’t know what he had done wrong. He got up and went over to the door to knock. “Zal? Please…” The only answer was the rushing of the shower. There was nothing he could do, but to get dressed and leave.

 

Zal heard him leaving. She sat down beneath the jet of water and leaned her head against the wall. Too many emotions. It would not have worked, he had gotten too close too fast. She had been forced to stop it. She couldn’t afford to have him keeping her under surveillance, even if he had only the best of intentions.

“Force! Get your hormones under control Io!” she scolded herself. It was high time that she got her ship back and left this forsaken planet.

 

***

 

When Nikeo entered the mission room Fuse was still there. Jorgan was nowhere to be seen. Good, one less source for possible disaster.

 

“Hey Blue.”

 

“Fuse.”

 

“Uh-oh! What happened?”

 

So it was that obvious? Nik sighed. “Let’s just say, it’s been the right decision not to apply for the SIS.”

 

Fuse cleared his throat. “So Sergeant, what have you found out?”

 

Out of the corner of his eye, Nik could see Jorgan enter the room. “Sir, not very much. The captain doesn’t yet seem to know where her ship is. She mentioned a lead she is going to investigate. And she’s made it quite clear she doesn’t need any assistance in doing so.”

 

“So her ship is still on Ord Mantell and hasn’t been used to transport the bomb off-world.” Fuse tapped his chin in thought. “As you’re officially still off-duty you should go grab some sleep. Dismissed, Sergeant!”

 

“Sir.” On his way out Nik saluted Jorgan, who seemed to be considering to stop him, but decided against it. Fuse had ordered Nikeo to get to bed after all, more or less. Nik caught the wink from Fuse behind Jorgan’s back before he left. Him and Jorgan not getting on well together seemed to be another obvious matter. He was grateful for Fuse’s rescue maneuver. Clashing with the Cathar now would probably have been the end of his career.

It might not be entirely fair to blame the whole disaster with Zal on Jorgan, but without his interference nothing of it would have happened. But you wanted to sleep with her, a part of him admitted. Yes, he couldn’t deny that Jorgan had been right about that. But he would have taken his time. Because she’d be leaving in a few days? Whom was he fooling? He had botched things up, that was the truth of it. Still he was in no need to hear this from the Cathar.

Getting some sleep was probably a good idea. He’d be back on duty tomorrow, so getting drunk was out of the question. Whereby getting drunk all alone never seemed to help with any problems anyway. Against his own expectations he managed to fall asleep fast.

 

 

[frauzet]

Material has been posted on the SFWC, spoilers for Smuggler and Trooper Ord Mantell.

 

I edited this part a bit more. I am not sure it is much better than the original posts, but at least it is much shorter

 

Ord Mantell, the next day

 

 

 

Zal’s day had started early. In a set of borrowed clothes from Syreena, which provided at least a bit of camouflage she had scouted the way to Mannett Point. After considering her option there was only one reasonable one left. She’d have to wade through the ford at dusk. That had left her with some time to prepare. Neither Riggs nor Viidu had been able to help her with acquiring a sniper rifle. But she had known where she could get one. Crossing Fort Garnik she had gone back to the slope she had climbed the previous day. She had taken her time surveying the area before she had taken out one of the separatists’ sniper nests. The rifle she had chosen wasn’t as good as her own one, but it would do. It had to. Armed with the rifle and enough spare ammunition she had retraced her steps back to Mannett Point.

 

On her way through the refugee camp behind the fort Zal had heard the woman. She was obviously searching for something she had lost. Since she had had ample of time left before dusk and could use a bit of extra cash, Zal had decided to investigate the matter. The woman — Alma — told her that she was from Talloran village and that she had been driven out of her home in the middle of the night. She had hired Zal to retrieve a necklace, an heirloom from her great-grandmother. With a detailed description of the piece of jewelry Zal had set out for Talloran village.

 

As she had stood over the dead body of a SIS spook she had shaken her head. She’d always thought their standards were a bit higher. A shame he hadn’t had some of their nice little toys with him. She’d really have appreciated a stealth generator. The Arcona in Alma’s house had been a bit to trusting in telling her that Alma was an Imperial spy and the necklace no heirloom but a communication device. He had even told her where to find the scavengers who had stolen it. The house had blown up shortly after she left. She doubted there’d be anybody who wouldn’t blame the separatists.

 

After she had killed the scavengers, she had found the necklace in an étui alongside some boxes of medicine. She had sent a short message to the preset recipient. ‘Dear mother. Please let father know I am sorry I spilled the Corellian Whiskey. Your loving daughter.’

 

***

 

Jorgan had made no pretense about deeming Nikeo mission-worthy. Fuse on the other hand hadn’t minded to contradict Jorgan and had sent Nik on a mission despite the lieutenant’s grumbling. Gathering intel from a refugee had not seemed like a job for a member of Havoc Squad but certainly way better than keeping the disgruntled Cathar company. What had sounded like a simple interview had turned out to be an emergency op. A troop convoy had been targeted by separatists for a bombing. Taking the separatists down had been the easy part. With Fuse guiding him through the steps via holo Nik had managed to also disarm the bombs and had even received a praise from the Zabrak. Not even Jorgan had found anything negative to say for once.

 

Good news had waited for Nikeo when he had arrived back in the mission room. Commander Tavus had been back and had informed him that Jorgan had finished reviewing the intel from Bellis. He had had achieved a real breakthrough. The separatists hid the ZR-57 inside their supply outpost on Mannett Point. Wraith, Tavus’ second in command, had already set out to scout ahead.

 

To pass the time until Wraith sent word, Nikeo accepted a task from one Sergeant Hurd. One of his boys dozed off on guard duty in the previous night and some boxes of the fort’s stock of medicine had been stolen. The guard had seen a female Cathar fleeing. Nik couldn’t remember seeing any Cathar in the camp he had been in in the morning, so he decided to start his investigation in the other camp. It didn’t take him long to spot a suspect. There weren’t many Cathar, less female ones and only one in the company of a child that was obviously ill. As he approached her, he heard her tell the child, that she had no medicine for him. Had he been mistaken? He cleared his throat.

 

“Hi, sorry.” The woman greeted him friendly. “I didn’t mean to ignore you, it’s just crazy around here right now. What brings you to the camp?”

 

Nik kept a wary eye on her. “Someone stole some medicine. I’m looking for the thief.”

 

She sighed. She didn’t deny taking the medicine but claimed it had been stolen from her by the separatists. She’d tell him where to find the thieves if he brought the medicine back to her, so she could distribute it among the refugees. Otherwise she wouldn’t tell him anything and the separatists would keep the medicine.

He tried to argue with her, but she was serious. She like most of the other refugees hadn’t much left to lose. He could see that the refugees needed the medicine but so did the soldiers, too. He didn’t want to threaten her, but he had to bring the medicine back. Kark, he was supposed to be one of the good guys. He hated what he had to do next.

 

“Who is going to look after the boy if you force me to arrest you?” Nik could see that the possibility frightened her.

 

“Leave her alone!” a female voice behind him answered instead of her.

 

Nik knew that voice “Hello Zal!” He turned to face her. She stood in front of him with crossed arms. Even with a stern face she was beautiful.

 

“Threatening defenseless women and children, Sergeant? That’s really low!”

 

He couldn’t argue with that. “What do you want, Zal? You know I can’t just walk away.”

 

“She can’t tell you where the medicine is!” she stated with a smug smile.

 

He had a hunch where this was going. “I am listening, Zal.”

 

“I rightfully salvaged some stranded goods down at the beach.”

 

“And you’re willing to part with those goods for the right price? Which part of my soul do you want, Zal? As my credits probably won’t suffice.”

 

“No, no.” She raised her hands. “I’ll give you the box of medicine that I salvaged for free.”

 

“What’s the catch?” he asked.

 

“Nobody will come looking for the medicine I didn’t salvage, that was lost or already used by the separatists!”

 

Nik nodded his consent. He liked this solution and his conscience liked it, too. “It would be stupid to waste time searching for things that don’t exist.”

 

She handed him a box. Nik touched her hand as he took the box. His fingers lingered on hers. She didn’t pull her hand away. He smiled as he looked into her eyes. “Thank you, Zal. You saved me!” he whispered.

 

“I know.” She wasn’t smiling.

 

After Nik had left Zal tossed a second box to the young Cathar female. “Be sure to distribute it among those that really need the medicine!”

 

The Cathar nodded. “Thank you for your help. I don’t know what I would have done without you. If he really had arrested me…”

 

“He wouldn’t have!” Zal sounded sure.

 

The Cathar stared at her. “What makes you think so?”

 

“If he had really been so eager to get the medicine back, he would have taken both boxes, or do you think we would have been able to stop a soldier from Special Forces?” Zal watched as Nik disappeared inside Fort Garnik. His heart was still soft, too soft. She knew it wouldn’t stay that way and felt sorry for him, sorry for her own heart. She had once headed out to change the galaxy, make it a better place for people to live in, do the right thing. Changes required sacrifices.

 

She went over to the next tent, where Alma stayed.

 

“I am sorry Alma, but I was too late.” She took the other woman by the arm and led her inside the tent, to sit down. “Your house was burned down.” She spoke loud enough to be heard in the adjoining tents. Taking care, that it couldn’t be seen from outside the tent she let the necklace slip into Alma’s palm.

 

Alma started to cry softly. “I lost everything I had.” She sniveled.

 

Zal patted her hand. “I think there is somebody holding a grudge against you. You should leave the planet as soon as possible.”

 

“Maybe I should stay with my mother for a while.” Alma sobbed. “She bakes the best apple pie.”

 

“Try it with Corellian Whiskey.” Zal advised.

 

Alma only nodded and Zal left the tent. She didn’t look back as she headed for the coast opposite Mannett Point.

 

***

 

Nikeo returned the box of medicine and went back to the mission room where Commander Tavus filled him in on the news. Wraith had located a secure area where they believed the bomb was stored. According to her observations there had been a significant increase in guards and a complex security system had been installed. Based on this information Jorgan was convinced that the seps received help from the Empire. But Tavus considered the possibility unlikely. Nik had to say that Jorgan had a point. The seps seemed to be unusually well equipped. His CO wouldn’t budge. They’d focus on the mission at hand. Any Imperial connections could be discussed afterwards. Nikeo was to follow Wraith to Mannett Point to rendezvous with her inside the supply outpost and receive further instructions from her.

 

Nikeo checked his gear and set out for the coast opposite Mannett Point immediately. It took him some time to reach the cliffs but when he rounded the bend to get a first look at Mannett Point, he had to admit that the view was breathtaking. The sun was setting and bathed everything in an orange glow. Made you almost forget what a wretched state the planet was in. He tore his eyes away from the sunset and focused on the path ahead. To his left he could see the remains of the bridge that once had provided a means to cross over to Mannett Point. The seps had made a good job of it. He was glad his combat suit was waterproof. The water in the shallows would be high enough to get more than his feet wet otherwise. He stepped to the edge of the path to make room for the armored transport that was walking in his direction. He greeted the soldiers in the cockpit and was greeted in return. They signaled that the way ahead of him was clear. Whatever mission they had been on seemed to have been accomplished and they were on their way back to Fort Garnik. As the AT came abreast Nik suddenly heard a noise that wasn’t emanating from the transport. He turned towards Mannett Point and only had time to dive for cover behind some of the scattered boulders as he recognized an incoming rocket.

 

Zal watched the incoming rocket through the scope of her rifle. Definitely no model the Empire used. Didn’t look like Blas Tech, probably Merr-Sonn. Looked like the reps were being targeted with their own weapons. The rocket hit the transport square. She could see Nikeo diving for cover but being hit by the explosion’s blast nonetheless. She exhaled when she saw that he moved afterwards, she hadn’t realized she had been holding her breath. Through the scope she could see the seps readying a rocket launcher for another shot. Kark. Why did they have to start this skirmish now. The separatists would be guarding the shallows even closer now, because they’d fear a counterattack. She’d have to hurry to get to Mannett Point.

With a practiced grip and twist of her hand she pulled her hair into a ponytail. She got into position for a shot. Not much light left, with her own sniper rifle the range wouldn’t have been a problem, this one’s range was shorter and she wasn’t used to it though. Thankfully there was no noteworthy wind. The man holding the rocket launcher offered a better target than the rocket launcher itself. Putting the weapon out of commission would be difficult. She opted for the safer shot. The separatist pulled the trigger while dropping dead, but the rocket flew without proper aim and plunged into the ocean. Her follow-up shot hit a second man in the arm. Sloppy shot, she clearly needed some practice. Too much flying around in starships of late. Voluntary targets for a third shot had suddenly vanished. Time to move.

 

Nikeo shook his head as he struggled to his feet. Kark, that had been close! Slowly his vision cleared, static on the com from Jorgan. “Lieutenant, do you read me?” Nothing. There was the noise again. Still slightly dazed he turned and cowered down. Then he saw the rocket heading out over the ocean. He got up as he heard the ramp of the transport being lowered.

The exiting soldier greeted him with a nod and received one in return.

 

“I’m with Havoc Squad, sir. You and your men alright?”

 

“Nobody seriously wounded, our transport won’t be going anywhere though. We’ll be heading back to Fort Garnik on foot. If you’re on your way to Mannett Point, take out those rocket launchers.”

 

“I think they won’t be sticking out their heads in the next few minutes!” a familiar female voice said and Zal strode around the corner of the transport. “Took one out.” She was grinning smugly.

 

Nikeo whistled. “Wasn’t aware you’re that good with a sniper rifle.”

 

“I suppose there are a lot of things you’re not aware of, Sergeant.” She retorted.

 

“I think you’re doing a good job of teaching me that lesson, Captain.” Nikeo said with a wink.

 

The transport’s Commander cleared his throat. “If I’m not mistaken, those were Merr-Sonn MX-2s, stolen from the Republic, no doubt. If you stumble across any weapon caches over there, take those out, too!”

 

“I will! Please inform Lieutenant Jorgan, that my com device was damaged, and that I’m about to cross over to Mannett Point.” Nikeo headed back for the path. How could the seps steal Republic rockets? It seemed like somebody were not doing their job right. He’d have to talk to Tavus about this, or maybe better to Jorgan, as weird as that sounded. But Jorgan seemed to be the only one supporting the investigation of possible treachery and/or Imperial involvement on Ord Mantell.

 

“Hey, Sergeant, you coming? Or do you want to wait for the seps’ reinforcements?” Zal called, already heading down the slope to the beach.

 

He hurried after her. “What are you doing?”

 

“Me?” she asked with a glance at him over her shoulder. “I am going to help you. As I sat there upon the slope, enjoying the sunset, I got the impression you could use some help.”

 

When Nik caught up with her he grabbed her arm and pulled her around. “Wait!” He let go of her arm when he saw the look she gave first his hand then him. “Please, Zal!” he added. “I really appreciate your help, and not just because of the fact that your skill with that rifle probably will make crossing to Mannett Point much easier.” He hoped, that if he couldn’t hear Jorgan, Jorgan also couldn’t hear him. But for her cooperation Zal earned something in return. Zal was looking at him expectantly, her blue eyes shimmering in what little light was left.

“We’re trying to retrieve a bomb, that was stolen by the separatists — a big bomb. Maybe they’ll try to get it off-world with your ship. We don’t know where your ship is, but I can tell you, that it definitely hasn’t left Ord Mantell yet.”

 

“Why tell me now? Why not tell me yesterday?” she asked.

 

“Information about the bomb is classified. But if there really is a connection between your ship and the bomb, the faster you find your ship, the faster we may find the bomb. I trust you, Zal. You’re not one of the seps. I was foolish not to tell you yesterday!”

 

She briefly looked towards the horizon before her gaze returned to his eyes full of resolve. “It hurts, to know that last night happened because you wanted intel.” She started to turn towards the beach. “But I think I can live with that. Let’s find my ship!”

 

With three long strides he was in front of her, his hands on her shoulders preventing her from walking on. “If I left that impression, I obviously did more than one thing wrong!” He took a step closer to her, still holding her shoulders. He could feel his heartbeat quicken. “I never met a woman before who had such an impact on me, Zal. It doesn’t feel like I met you only yesterday. I…—I can’t say that I earned a second chance. I…” He was at a loss for words. He felt like he was going to drown, looking into her eyes, waiting for her to rescue him. Her expression was unreadable.

 

Zal heard him echo her feelings. It doesn’t feel like I met you only yesterday. She wondered why the Force was doing this to her, why now? Why hadn’t there been someone like him among all those suitors at home? She had to run away, alienate her father, get involved in this mad mission, working for somebody she loathed, to find him on this Force-forsaken planet. To hell with rationality. If she was going to have regrets for the rest of her life, she wanted an adequate counter-value for the price she paid.

She closed the remaining gap between them and kissed him tenderly. When he turned the kiss into a more passionate one, she broke away from him. “I’m afraid, distracting you from your mission is a bad idea. I doubt they’ll allow lady visitors in a detention cell.”

 

“You’re right.” He said with a regretful smile as he stepped back and let go of her.

 

“Bad habit of mine!” she declared with a grin. “So, you’ll go first while I provide covering fire if necessary?”

 

“Sounds like a plan, meet you on the other side.”

 

She got into position and watched him wade into the water. He made good progress without making much noise. He had nearly reached the shore before he was spotted. Together they managed to take out the guards without an alarm being raised and making too much of a ruckus.

Zal quickly undressed save for her underwear, bundled everything up, and followed Nik to the shore on the other side.

 

“What was that about distracting me, you said earlier?” He asked when she reached him.

 

“Sorry.” She apologized, while stripping off the water from her skin. “Being soaking wet doesn’t contribute to being inconspicuous at large.”

 

“Why do I get the feeling you have a plan of your own?” He asked while she dressed.

 

“Maybe that’s because you’re foolish but not that foolish?”

 

He chuckled. “Care to enlighten the fool?”

 

“I’m going to gain access to the seps computer system, while you’re doing whatever you planned to do, to find the bomb. I’ll find my ship!” She raised her hand to stop his protest. “Believe me, I am good at being inconspicuous. I don’t plan to meet opposition.” She was relieved when she saw him nodding to consent.

 

Together they sneaked into Mannett Point. He kissed her when it was time to part. “Please be careful.”

 

“Hey, you’re avowedly the fool here. So I should be telling you to be careful.” She squeezed his hand. “Don’t worry, meet me back at Viidu’s as soon as they let you off the leash.” She blew him a kiss before she vanished into the darkness.

 

Nikeo headed towards the meeting point with Wraith. No time to be concerned about Zal. She seemed to be capable to fend for herself. Regarding opposition he hoped she’d have more luck than he did. Once inside the seps’ supply outpost he ran into several guards. They couldn’t stop him from reaching Wraith, but he hoped he had hidden the bodies well enough to not be discovered too soon.

 

Together with Wraith he managed to breach the security measures and get into the area Wraith had located earlier. Mission objectives changed when they discovered, that the security wasn’t so tight because of the bomb but because of a meeting of three of the seps most respected leaders. Nikeo offered them the chance to surrender, but they preferred to fight. Wraith probably wouldn’t have approved of him taking them prisoner anyway, given how cold-blooded she had shot the man who had provided their new information. He wasn’t overly sorry to be forced to neutralize the separatist officers. By beheading the separatist organization he’d increased the chance for the civil war to come to an end considerably. The data on separatist cell location and manpower he got from their computer would also be contributing to ending the war.

Needles, their MO, debriefed him, congratulating him on the elimination of the three separatist officers. When it came to killing enemies he seemed to be as cold-blooded as Wraith. How many kills did it take for someone to no longer regard people as people but only as mission objectives? Nikeo wondered how many steps in that direction he himself had taken that day.

 

***

 

Zal had no problems with infiltrating the lower levels of the separatist hideout, once she had managed to open the door in Reki’s house that led to a pathway to the maintenance passage to the hideout. Not falling asleep while decrypting the code to unlock the door was the hardest part of the operation. Exposing a considerable amount of cleavage, adding a distinct sway to her gait, a suggestive smile, and an overall behavior like she belonged, and she had no problems with getting past any guards of the compound she wasn’t able to avoid. She nearly got caught when she was accessing the computer, but was able to distract the separatist simpleton with his droid who also wanted to access the computer. She left the hideout without having fired a single shot. Somehow this was more fun than leaving a bloodbath behind. Every moron was able to pull a trigger. Using your brain was much more satisfactory than using your gun.

 

There were situations this rule couldn’t be applied to though. One such situation awaited her upon her return to Rendia Fright. Two of Viidu’s ‘employees’ suffered a severe case of insubordination. They were cornering Syreena — showing the kind of behavior towards women Zal was rather allergic to — and decided to ignore Zal’s warning. They didn’t get to regret their mistake. Viidu wasn’t too happy about the incident, but the data she had collected would probably make up for any inconvenience she had caused. While they waited for the data’s decryption Viidu wanted her to collect a canister of some highly explosive chemicals from a nearby village. Corso seemed to be really concerned, he called it the ‘Big Boom Run’. She agreed to get the chemicals anyway, but decided to get some rest first.

 

***

 

When Nikeo entered Zal’s room, she was sitting on the bed, inspecting a heavy blaster. She got up to kiss him, but didn’t let go of the weapon.

“Acquired a new toy?” he asked.

 

She handed him the weapon. “A gift from Corso.”

 

He eyed the weapon critically. He frowned. As far as he remembered she had called Riggs always ‘Riggs’ instead of ‘Corso’.

 

She noticed his frown. “Anything wrong with the weapon? I think it’s in a rather good condition. He calls it ‘Flashy’. Cute, isn’t he?” She smiled innocently.

 

“Cute? What kind of cute?” he inquired handing back the weapon.

 

“How do you mean?”

 

“’Absolutely-no-competition-cute’ or ‘better-shoot-him-immediately-cute’?” he specified his question while he encompassed her waist and pulled her close.

 

She laughed. “No need to be jealous of the kid.” She asserted, dropping the weapon to the bed.

 

He nibbled her ear. “You sure? The ‘kid’ is probably older than I am. And he is certainly jealous. At least that explains the look he gave me when he saw me on my way to your room.”

 

“Contrary to him, you got absolutely no reason to be jealous. Although I admit to feeling flattered that you are.” She turned her head and kissed him. “But now that you mention it, how old are you?”

 

“I’ll tell you after my twenty-fifth birthday.” He grinned when she pulled away a little to look him in the eye.

 

She smirked. “And here I thought I was the woman. How many years till that birthday?”

 

“Classified information!” She probably wouldn’t mind that he was only twenty, but she would most certainly tease him about it. He guessed that she was at least two years older. Time to distract her.

 

***

 

Early on the next morning Zal left Rendia Freight together with Nikeo. They were holding hands. He pulled her close to kiss her goodbye. She knew that he was concerned. Maybe she shouldn’t have told him about the ‘Big Boom Run’, but she hadn’t wanted to risk that he found out from somebody else. She froze when she heard the voice from behind his back.

 

“Hello honey.”

 

 

Edited February 12, 2015 by frauzet

[frauzet]

Material has been posted on the SFWC, spoilers for Smuggler and Trooper Ord Mantell.

 

Ord Mantell, Fort Garnik

 

“Hello Honey.”

 

Nikeo felt Zal stiffen in his arms at the voice from behind his back. Instinctively he turned, one hand on his blaster, the other shoving her behind him. On the wall near the entrance of Rendia Fright, leaned a male Zabrak. No obvious weapons. Slender, of about the same height as him, horns on his forehead, short brown hair. His age was hard to guess because of the tattoos, that were typical for grown Zabrak, covering his face. Somewhere in his mid-twenties maybe. Civilian judging from his clothes. The man’s light brown eyes were staring at him with a confidence that told Nik not to underestimate the Zabrak, weapon or no weapon.

 

“How about you step away from that guy and let me see your hands, Sidali?” the Zabrak asked calmly, taking a step towards them.

 

Nikeo drew his blaster and aimed it at the man. “How about you let me see your hands? Who are you, and what do you want?” Out of the corner of his eye he saw a movement on the other side of the door. He aligned his position. “Stay behind me!” he told Zal, holding her back, when she tried to move to the front of him.

 

“Stay calm, Blue!” Fuse had been leaning on a crate at the other side of the door and took a step closer now with an appeasement gesture.

 

Nikeo was confused, what was Fuse doing here? Was this some kind of Zabrak-prank he was playing on him?

 

“Yeah, Blue, stay calm, and keep your hands off my wife!” the other Zabrak said not quite as calmly as before.

 

What in the name of the Force was the man talking about? This must be some kind of mix-up. He had called Zal ‘Sidali’, he seemed to be confusing her with somebody else.

 

Fuse held out a hand calmingly in the man’s direction. “Let’s try to keep this civil, Captain.”

 

“Why do you think, I didn’t bring my blaster?” the man asked, crossing his arms in front of his chest.

 

“What’s going on here, Fuse?” Nik demanded, lowering his weapon only slightly, keeping his eyes glued to the other Zabrak.

 

“The man arrived shortly after your debriefing. Had an interesting story to tell. We checked it out. Seems to be true. His name is Gizalen Dal’Bo. The freighter Zal’s been searching for is actually his. He claims she stole it.” Fuse made a short pause, looking at his feet. “They are married, Nik.”

 

Now Nik pulled Zal in front of him, so he was able to look into her eyes. His weapon was still pointing at Dal’Bo. He had seen her reaction when she heard his voice, she knew the man. He still didn’t want to believe it. There had to be some explanation. “Zal?” he pleaded. “Tell me this is some kind of mistake.”

 

Zal looked at him with watery eyes. Were those tears? She closed her eyes for a moment, then blinked several times. “I am sorry, Nik.” she whispered. She raised a hand to touch his face, and let it drop, when she saw the disbelief and disappointment in his eyes.

She turned around to face Dal’Bo and took a step in his direction. “Giz, it’s all a misunderstanding. You told me to run and you didn’t return after we were attacked. I thought you were dead.” She held out a hand towards him pleadingly.

 

Dal’Bo ignored her hand, his arms still crossed. “Sure. You’re the epitome of the grieving widow. Didn’t take you long to replace me.” He said with a nod in Nikeo’s direction.

 

“It’s been nearly two months now Giz, that’s twice as long as we were married.” Zal defended herself.

 

Two days, Nikeo knew her for two days now.

 

“We are still married!” Dal’Bo stated, his voice suddenly dangerously cold. “Till death do us part? But I didn’t die Sidali, or whatever your name is. Your Imperial thugs blundered.”

 

Nikeo wondered what Dal’Bo was implying. Imperial? He wasn’t able to see Zal’s face, but Fuse seemed as surprised as Nik was. Apparently he hadn’t heard this part of the story yet.

 

“What are you talking about, Giz? I don’t understand.” Zal inquired. She sounded confused.

 

“The guys you had stage the ambush to kill me, so you could inherit my ship and my name?”

 

“But that’s ridiculous, Giz!” Zal exclaimed.

 

“Is it? If anybody had told me on our wedding day I’d said that, too.” Dal’Bo shook his head. “When they thought I was dead, they dropped the act. I heard them talk before I passed out. You’re an Imperial spy, Sidali.”

 

Fuse glanced at Nik, his brow raised questioningly. He was on the alert now, Nik could tell. Nik signaled him to wait. Zal being an Imperial spy, was ridiculous. She’d helped him, saved his life, fought against the separatists. If Imperials were somehow involved on Ord Mantell it was on the seps’ side.

 

“Giz, you say you were wounded. You must have been hallucinating before you blacked out.” Zal tried to soothe her husband.

 

She seemed to be succeeding. Nik could see doubt kindling in Dal’Bo’s eyes. He wouldn’t have been the first to have hallucinations in a near-death experience.

 

Zal took another step closer to her husband. She cupped his face in her hands. “Giz. I had everything I wanted. If I wanted to go anywhere I had but to ask. The galaxy was ours, Giz. Don’t you remember?”

 

There lay so much emotion in her voice, it nearly broke Nik’s heart to hear her talk like that to Dal’Bo.

 

“Of course I remember! How could I forget!” Dal’Bo swept Zal into an embrace. They kissed.

 

Nikeo had seen more than he needed to see. He motioned for Fuse to follow him back to the mission room. Wordlessly they walked back across the street.

 

They hadn’t gotten very far, when Fuse motioned for Nikeo to activate his com device. Nik did so and was greeted by Jorgan’s voice. Marvelous, the only thing missing for another perfect day on Ord Mantell.

 

“Okay, listen!” Jorgan said. “We had some weird reports from SIS over the last few days. Activities of Imperial spies, Republic ones gone missing, the usual cloak-and-dagger crap. Can’t really say why, but trusting in gut instinct I send the captain’s data over to the SIS after her husband appeared. They scored a hit! They want us to take her into custody immediately.”

 

Nikeo looked back in Zal’s direction. She was still smooching with her husband.

 

Jorgan continued, “They tell us to be careful. They’ll be sending someone over as soon as possible.” He paused shortly. “You up to the task, Sergeant?”

 

Kark! What did he want to hear? Of course he was up to the task. He had spent the latest months of his life in Special Forces training. Arresting the woman he’d been falling in love with? Standard procedure! Kark! Fuse seemed to be waiting for him. “Already on our way, Lieutenant.”

 

In that moment Riggs stepped out of the door of Rendia Freight. Riggs looked confused when he saw Zal with a man he hadn’t seen before. He addressed her. Nik was too far away to hear what he said, but Zal looked up and saw Nik and Fuse approaching. She said something, stepped back from Dal’Bo and turned to Riggs. Something was odd. It took a few seconds for him to know what it was. She deliberately moved in a way so that Dal’Bo provided cover for her. She knew they were coming for her!

 

“Dal’Bo, Riggs, get down!” he yelled, but it was too late.

 

Dal’Bo dropped to a crouch, grabbing a weapon that wasn’t there. Riggs, who hadn’t the faintest idea what was going on, actually took a step in front of Zal, trying to protect her from a danger he hadn’t yet located. Kark, why were men such fools? In a fluid motion, that made Nik feel clumsy, Zal had grabbed Riggs’ hand, contorting his arm as she whirled behind him. She pulled ‘Flashy’ to threaten Riggs. Dragging him with her she retreated backwards alongside the wall. That was the shortest way out of the fort. She fired a few shots in their direction, driving them into cover behind some crates.

 

“Surrender, Zal!” Nik ordered. “You don’t stand a chance. You won’t be able to leave the island.” He called, with his back against the crate. He leaned out of his cover to aim his blaster at her, but Riggs was in the way, he didn’t have a clear shot. Zal’s shots made him duck back quickly.

 

“Stay where you are, and I’ll let Corso go, when I am out of here. I’m sure he’s dreamed of spending some time with me alone. You wouldn’t want to ruin the occasion for him, would you?” Her voice was husky, suggestive. He remembered that voice too well. She was trying to distract him and she was succeeding!

 

Nik risked another look. Riggs was blushing, and yelped in pain, when Zal contorted his arm a little further.

 

“Don’t make me shoot you, Zal!” Nikeo called.

 

“Sorry, Nik, but that choice is yours!” she retorted.

 

He couldn’t let her get away. Her actions confirmed that she was a spy. Everything else had been a lie. She was right, the choice was his. He wouldn’t let her fool him any longer! Nik got up and shot twice in quick succession, first at Riggs, then at Zal when Riggs started to fall. Zal triggered a single shot from ‘Flashy’ in going down.

 

Nik took a deep breath. “Lieutenant Jorgan? We need Needles here! We got a wounded civilian.”

 

***

 

Nikeo entered the interrogation room. Grey walls, a desk, two chairs, the obligatory mirror, cameras, a microphone, and Zal—no, Iolith, Iolith Zairos. She sat on the chair at the opposite side of the desk. The chair, like the desk, was bolted to the floor. Zal—Iolith was chained to the chair. The scene felt surreal. The guys from SIS had questioned her for hours. She looked tired, no signs they had done anything else but ask questions. Nikeo felt relieved. He was able to live without actually seeing her after she had been tortured, his imagination was bad enough. She was an enemy spy captured in a war zone. That the Republic wasn’t in a war with the Empire—yet—didn’t matter much. One way or another the SIS would get its answers, at least they’d try. Of course they had more sophisticated methods than those you were taught in Special Forces. So far Iolith Zairos had told them nothing apart from confirming her name, and stating that she’d talk to him, only to him.

 

“What do you want?” Great start Nik, he scolded himself, when he saw her responding stare. ‘Get her to talk and keep her talking!’ the agents had told him. Well, he had already impressively demonstrated that he wasn’t made out of spy-material. Although Jorgan probably had saved his hide when he had put on record, that he had ordered him to approach Zal and to offer her assistance in finding her ship. They both knew it was only part of the truth. He took a deep breath trying to control his anger.

 

A slight regretful smile played at the corners of her mouth. “I want to tell you, that I am sorry.”

 

He stared at her disbelievingly.

 

“I am sorry!” she said, “You have every right to be angry.”

 

“And you expect me to forgive you just like that?”

 

“No! I just wanted you to know. There is very little left for me to expect apart from a sudden death.”

 

She had been scanned thoroughly, she carried no devices to commit suicide. So what was she talking about? “I doubt that the agents offered tea and biscuits, but they won’t kill you. The SIS is not Imperial Intelligence.”

 

She laughed at that, a sorrowful laugh. “You know nothing, Nik!”

 

He took the seat opposite her. “You said you’d talk to me. Why don’t you start by telling me, what you were doing on Ord Mantell!”

 

“You already know that.” She answered. “I was delivering weapons to Viidu, to support the Republic here on Ord Mantell. My ship was stolen and I was stuck here, so I had no other choice than to search for my ship. I’d have left as soon as the cargo would have been unloaded otherwise.”

 

“Do you know this woman?” he showed her a holo picture.

 

She looked at the picture for a moment before she answered. “Yes, that’s Alma, from the refugee camp. She hired me to find her necklace.”

 

“So you admit that you’ve been working with an other Imperial spy.” Nik stated.

 

“What? Neither do I admit, that I am spy, nor do I know about her. I agreed to find her necklace, that’s all I did. You were there. Don’t you remember? When we argued about the medicine? I was there to see Alma. Her house had been burned down, I was too late to recover her necklace. If you’d been still there you would have heard.” Her eyes pleaded for him to believe her.

 

“It’s very convenient for you, that she’s disappeared.”

 

She raised her voice. “How is that convenient, when she could have told you, I am telling the truth?” She took a deep breath. “I remember her saying something about visiting her family though. Why don’t you try to find her? Or somebody else who was there?”

 

“What are you trying to achieve? What is the truth behind your stories? Why don’t you tell me, Zal?”

 

“I still like the way you make that name sound, but call me Io, it’s my real name.”

 

“Stop playing games with me, Io!” he demanded. Talking to her hurt more than he had anticipated.

 

“Yes, guess it was ‘Game over’ when Giz turned up. How is he doing?” She seemed to be truly concerned. Her husband had suffered a heart attack during her arrest, since he had still been recovering from one of his hearts being stabbed by the Imperial thugs Giz claimed had been in league with Zal. He’d only survived because Zabrak possess two hearts.

 

Nik told himself not to believe anything she wanted him to believe. She was too damned good at this. A lot better than he was. “You failed again in killing him, if that’s what you want to know. He’ll survive.” He got a datapad out of his pocket and shoved it over the table. “He sends his regards and has me ask you to sign this.”

 

She leaned forward to skim the text the datapad displayed. Nik wasn’t able to read her expression.

 

“I never intended to hurt him.” Zal — Io claimed.

 

“Yeah, he will be overjoyed to hear that. So it’s probably no big deal to sign the damned thing!” Nik wouldn’t have been able to tell anybody, why it still upset him, that she was married. Probably the marriage contract wasn’t legal anyway. Signing the divorce was more of a symbolic act. It shouldn’t matter to her but it mattered to Giz. Nik had promised he’d get her to sign. Somehow he and Giz had ended up as members of the Broken-Hearts-Club after the first bottle of Whiskey and had invited Corso to join after the second, although Corso had only received a flesh wound from her shot. Neither of them had cared about their physician’s opinion.

 

Io thought about it for another moment, before she pressed her thumb to the pad and confirmed that she granted the divorce. “He saved my life back in that ambush, so I guess it’s fair to meet his wish. Even if we’d get the chance to start over again, I guess there’d be no confidence base left to build upon.”

 

Nik shook his head. “Do you have any idea how ridiculous that sounds?”

 

She shrugged. “It does, doesn’t it?” She put her head back and closed her eyes. “Force! I am tired.” She raised her head to look at him again. “He was right, you know? Giz was right. The guys were Imperials. But he was also wrong. I didn’t hire them. They were there to kill me.” She waited for his reaction.

 

“And you think I will believe you?” Every word, every gesture, every emotion she let show was a lie.

 

“No, nobody will believe me. But that doesn’t mean I am not telling the truth.” She laughed again. “It’s ironic.” She glanced at the mirror. “You want to know the truth, but you won’t believe it if I tell you.” She shook her head. “That’s always the problem with lies. Once you’re caught nobody will believe you regardless of what the truth is.”

 

“So if you didn’t hire them, who did?” He would try to keep her talking, there was no need to believe her to do that.

 

“My father, probably,” she shrugged, “I don’t know.”

 

“You think your father hired someone to kill you?” Nik asked doubtfully.

 

“Truth be told, I always wondered, why he didn’t kill me once it became clear I wasn’t Force-sensitive. I, his firstborn, had the effrontery to neither be a son nor a Force user, can you image such impertinence?” She closed her eyes again. She was only whispering when she continued. “I envied the slave children because their parents loved them. To my father I was less than nothing. Until I was old enough to be married to a Moff four times my age.” She sighed. “I sneaked off into Imperial Academy. My father was furious, but didn’t want to make a public fuss. I had escaped his reach for the duration of my training. But he was prepared by the time my education came to an end. I wasn’t accepted into Imperial Intelligence despite my impeccable graduation. My father already had the suitors waiting, I was a pawn in his political games.” Her eyes sparkled suddenly. “But I defied him again. I ran away. This time far enough. But there is no ‘far enough’ when you’re opposing a Lord of the Sith. Giz payed the price for my foolishness!”

 

“You should have made an application as a screenwriter.”

 

She nodded in the direction of the mirror. “Ask them about my dossier. If their spies are worth their pay there should be something in there to back my story up!”

 

“So you claim you ran away to escape your father and left the Empire. Why didn’t you officially defect?”

 

“You think that would have worked? You are more naive than I thought.” She looked him in the eyes. “I am the daughter of a high ranking Sith, without anything to sell that’s worth buying. Either nobody would have believed me, that would have left me in about the same position I am in now, or nobody would have cared about me, that would have left me open to any attacks from Imperial sources. No! My best chance was to go underground, to become Sidali Merru. I met Giz and I became his wife. We had a lot of fun together. I fled after I thought he was dead. I must have visited around two dozen planets since then. I didn’t dare to stay anywhere longer than it took me to conduct the business I had come for, trading in whatever goods promised a decent profit. When I met you…”

 

“Don’t!” Nik interrupted her.

 

“I never intended to hurt you either!” She looked at him sadly.

 

“I wish I’d never met you!” When he saw the look on her face he felt worse than if he had slapped her.

 

“Why didn’t you shoot me?” she asked. “That would have saved us all a lot of trouble.”

 

He had already asked himself the same question. “Stun is the standard setting inside the fort.” That was the truth.

 

“I see. I guess I got nothing left to tell you then.” She closed her eyes and didn’t watch him leave.

 

 

 

[frauzet]

Material has been posted on the SFWC, spoilers for Smuggler and Trooper Ord Mantell.

 

Ord Mantell, Fort Garnik

 

Nikeo checked his chrono as he left the barracks. He had half an hour left till Havoc would leave for the separatists’ stronghold where they thought the bomb was located. He had gotten the information from a sympathizer who had suffered from radiation poisoning. In exchange for the proper medication her companion had told him where the bomb was. So far he had only been on a mission with Wraith. This would be the first time to fight alongside Tavus and the rest of the Squad. He told himself to keep his cool. No need to show off. He had already proved that he was good, otherwise he wouldn’t have been assigned to Havoc Squad in the first place. But he was also anxious to see the Squad in action. He didn’t need Jorgan to know that he still had a lot to learn. Now he had the opportunity to learn from the best. His eagerness made him almost forget the mess he had gotten into. Almost.

 

He took a deep breath. Maybe he should talk to Giz first, give him the datapad. That would be one thing less to worry about. Giz could probably be found in the cantina. He was drinking way too much. Giz was still recuperating and the amount of alcohol he had been drinking wouldn’t help with that. Maybe the divorce would brighten his mood. On second thought it probably would be a perfect occasion to open another bottle.

He felt the need for a large gulp himself. He had talked to the guys from SIS after his chat with Zal—no Iolith. They had started to analyze the patterns. They were too smooth they said. Not a single detectable lie. But not much believable emotion either, apart from the end of the conversation, maybe. She was very good, they said. She let them see what she wanted them to see. But the end of the conversation didn’t fit the patterns of the rest. It made them suspicious. The part about her and him. He very much wanted to draw a line under ‘her and him’. It would have been easier, if he could have been sure that it had all been a lie on her part. Pretending his own emotions hadn’t been real would have been much more convincing. Of course he couldn’t talk about this to Giz. He knew how he felt after knowing Zal for only two days. Nik surmised that Giz hadn’t married her lightly, knowing that Zabrak valued their independence.

 

When Nikeo entered the cantina he was relieved to see that the bottle in front of Giz was still unopened. On the other hand he didn’t know since when the previous bottle was empty. The Zabrak sat there staring into the golden liquid. But Nikeo doubted that he saw anything. He walked over to Giz’ table and sat down opposite of him. He took the datapad out of his pocket, put it on the table and shoved it over to Giz. Giz’ gaze wandered from the bottle to the pad. Then he looked up.

 

“Did she sign?” Giz asked.

 

“Yes.” Nik nodded.

 

“What did she say?”

 

“You want to know what she told me? Guess it was a fairy tale. She gave me some crappy sob story about her horrible childhood in the evil Empire, and how she never wanted to hurt you or anybody else.” Nik shook his head. “Not that anybody can be sure about anything she tells. Guess she’s expertly mixing truth and lies. Feeding us the first and trying to make us swallow the latter in the process. I might even have believed her, if she had surrendered. But taking a hostage and shooting at your friends isn’t behavior that makes you look innocent.” He sighed. “Part of me still wants to believe her. It makes me so angry.” He balled up a fist and opened it again, taking a deep breath.

 

Giz reached for the bottle. “Grab yourself a glass and…”

 

Nikeo was faster and snatched the bottle away. “Kark! Giz, I am not your mother, but I didn’t waste those precious stims on your heart, so you can drink yourself to death now.” He tossed the bottle over to the barkeeper, who had no trouble catching it, nodded and placed it under the bar.

 

“What do you think you’re doing?” Giz furrowed his brow.

 

Nikeo stood up. “Are you still in love with her?”

 

“What? Are you kidding me? She tried to kill me.” Giz spat.

 

“So you’re going to let her win? Or will you get your drunken a** out of the cantina and get your ship back?” Nik considered if kicking him would help.

 

Giz looked like he was contemplating to go for his throat. That he didn’t do it was a sign that he wasn’t as drunk as Nik had feared. That was when the door opened and Corso entered the cantina.

 

Corso’s grin faded when he saw the look on Giz’ face. “Want me to wait with the good news, captain?”

 

Giz relaxed a bit. “Spit it out, Corso!”

 

The grin resurfaced on Corso’s face. “We cracked the files. We found Skavak. He still has your ship and the blasters.”

 

Giz looked at Nikeo, a grin slowly spreading across his face. “Party tonight on my ship, you owe me a bottle of whiskey!”

 

A cough from Corso made them look at him. “A little early to celebrate. He’s inside the seps’ headquarter, inside the volcano.”

 

“Okay, listen!” Nikeo interjected. He continued in a whisper. “Havoc is heading there, too. If you give us some time to get the party started, you might find an opportunity to sneak in without being bothered. If I happen to stumble across your ship, I will let you know. I’ll contact Viidu, so you should call him when it’s safe to talk. No need for beeping holo comms in the middle of an operation.”

 

“Fine, I’ll let you know, when I find something, too.” Giz agreed.

 

“When WE find something you mean.” Corso said.

 

Giz scrutinized him for a moment before he nodded. “Guess you have a score to settle with Skavak, too.” He looked at Nikeo. “I’ll give you a pot of caf headstart. Good luck!”

 

“Good luck! And be careful! It’d be a shame if I had to drink that bottle of whiskey alone.” Nik called while already heading for the door.

 

Finish the mission, have a party, leave Ord Mantell with an appropriate headache. Sounded like a plan.

 

 

The mission room was empty except for Jorgan and a technician when Nikeo entered. The rest of his Squad should have been there by now. He wondered briefly what could have happened that would get them to delay the operation, when Jorgan addressed him.

 

“Ah, Sergeant, welcome back. Grab yourself a seat. You’re gonna be observing the op here with me.” the Cathar said.

 

Nikeo was puzzled. He didn’t have time, he had to join the others. Unless—Nikeo furrowed his brow. What had that damned Cathar done? “Observing which op? Where are Commander Tavus and the others?”

 

“Havoc Squad is infiltrating the separatists’ stronghold to retrieve the ZR-57 as we speak.” Jorgan explained.

 

“What? I was to accompany the Squad. We were to meet here in five minutes. What happened? What did you tell Tavus to make him change his mind?” A minute ago Nikeo thought that the short walk in the evening breeze had helped him to calm down. The effect had worn off rather quickly as it seemed. He spread his fingers, frantically trying to avoid balling them into fists. The urge to plant one in Jorgan’s face was undeniably there. But also undeniably that wasn’t an option. At least none with desirable consequences, however satisfactory hitting him might be.

 

Jorgan didn’t fail to notice the effect his news had on Nikeo. He raised an eyebrow, but his voice remained calm and firm when he elaborated. “Commander Tavus,” he emphasized the rank, “was very clear: Under no circumstances can I send you in to join Havoc on this mission.” He punctuated his words with a jabbing gesture. “I have to admit, I’m a little surprised, I honestly thought you were starting to come along, but I guess Tavus still isn’t convinced you’re ready for the big time.” Jorgan sounded sincere.

 

Nikeo took a deep breath. So there was nothing to do about this now but to put a good face on the matter. “I trust Commander Tavus’ judgment.”

 

Jorgan nodded. “Maybe next time, Sergeant.” Jorgan sounding sympathetic somehow didn’t help at all.

 

Trying to hide his disappointment as best he could, Nikeo helped himself to a cup of caf and took a seat next to Jorgan. The minutes passed in silence. The Squad was nearing the entrance to the stronghold. There was no unnecessary communication. Suddenly the quality of the silence changed. The calm of the squad was replaced by—nothing, a slight static, the signal was gone. The technician was typing away at the keyboard. The signal didn’t return, neither audio nor visual. Nikeo and Jorgan both leaned forward. The technician started to sweat. At last he turned away from the monitors.

 

“Lieutenant, sir! We’ve got a situation here!” he said excitedly.

 

“Talk to me, Ensign. What’s going on?” Jorgan demanded sounding still calm.

 

“We’ve lost contact with Havoc Squad, sir! Comms, video, locators, everything. It’s like they’ve disappeared completely.” The technician sounded like he was going to panic.

 

Jorgan ordered him to get back to his terminal and get him Havoc’s status. The technician tried, but his attempts provided no better results than the previous ones. The connection to Havoc Squad remained dead. As it seemed it wasn’t any problem with the equipment on this side.

 

After a few minutes of waiting Nikeo got up to address Jorgan. “Send me in, Lieutenant—they may need assistance. If somebody has been leaking information to the seps, as we both suspected, the seps will have had a welcoming committee waiting for Havoc Squad. But they won’t be expecting me, sir.”

 

But Jorgan was hesitant. “It’d be breaking Tavus’ orders—”

 

“Lieutenant,” Nikeo interrupted him. “With all due respect. I know that you read my record. Ranked first in the Academy in Forward Assault, Search and Destroy, and Advance Recon. I can do this, that’s what I’ve been trained to do. We can’t afford to lose the bomb again. I know I am still inexperienced in the field, but you saw me out there, I am neither dumb nor hotheaded.” Although interrupting him with this little speech might not have been the wisest move to prove that. “Why do you still think that I am not mission worthy?”

 

They looked each other in the eyes for a few heartbeats. Jorgan nodded finally. “As I said, Sergeant, it wasn’t my decision to keep you here. Although we might be lucky we did.”

 

That was when the technician admitted defeat. “Still no signal from Havoc Squad, sir. I think we may have lost them.”

 

Nikeo shot a questioning glance at Jorgan with a slight nod at the technician.

 

After a short moment of consideration Jorgan put Nikeo’s worries at ease. “No, I trust him, he isn’t a spy. None of his information was leaked.”

 

That made Nikeo start as well as the technician. “You planted false information to see which got leaked?”

Nikeo thought about Giz for a moment. He had told the smuggler, for that was what he was when you got to the heart of the matter, that Havoc Squad was heading towards the stronghold. Could he be a spy, too? In league with Zal—no Iolith—all along? One big set up? His gut told him that that wasn’t the case. Giz was honest—well at least as honest as could be expected from someone taking the law not always quite literally. Nikeo had to trust somebody. Giz wanted his ship back, Corso hated the seps and probably was an even worse actor than Nikeo himself. Yes, he thought he could trust these two. Whom else could he trust? Jorgan! He realized that he trusted the Lieutenant. He didn’t like him after the way he had treated him, but that hardly mattered now. The Lieutenant would do what was necessary to see this mission succeed.

 

“You got to work with what you have, Sergeant.” The Cathar admitted. “All right, people, listen up. This mission will not fail on my watch.” Jorgan declared then. “We are not gonna let that bomb get away again! Infiltrating that stronghold is a mission only Havoc Squad can pull off. Lucky for us, we have one Havoc trooper left! Sergeant—you’re going in there! The ZR-57 must not remain in separatist hands. Is that clear, Sergeant?”

 

“Yes, sir.” Nikeo confirmed firmly.

 

“We were hoping to get the bomb back intact, but we’re way south of a best-case scenario here.” Jorgan noted. “So here’s the new plan: We have the deactivation code for the ZR-57. We disarm the bomb—leaving the seps with nothing but a big, radioactive paperweight.”

 

“You’ll have to hijack the separatists’ comm system to broadcast the code. This data spike should do the trick.” The technician detailed as he handed Nikeo the small device.

 

Nikeo looked at it, nodded and tucked it safely away in one of his belt pouches. He was familiar with these.

“Can you get me in contact with our outpost near the stronghold, Ensign?” Nikeo inquired.

 

The Technician looked at Jorgan, who looked questioningly at Nikeo.

 

“I read the last report from that area, sir.” Nikeo explained. “As far as I know they were planning an assault on the stronghold. I’d like to know how far they proceeded. If I sneak in alone in a borrowed sep’s uniform I don’t want to get caught between the lines. If they already launched their attack, sneaking in will not be possible anyway. Regardless, I want to know as much as I can about what I am getting into. I want all the latest intel on the stronghold, and updates till I get there.”

 

Jorgan nodded, the hint of a smile playing on his face. “You heard the Sergeant, Ensign. Contact Beach Camp!”

 

The technician established a connection with Sergeant Vandal at the Beach Camp in a minimum of time. The man was a tad busy but had vital new information for them. He had recruited two civilians—Giz and Corso—to clear a landing pad for some shuttles that would be heading to the stronghold. The two of them had already managed to infiltrate the stronghold by acting as members of the retinue of one of the separatists’ leaders who held a gathering today. Sergeant Vandal agreed to send one of the shuttles to Fort Garnik to pick Nikeo up. He’d be entering the stronghold through the back door.

 

“I never thought it’d come to this Sergeant. I don’t need to tell you what happens if you don’t pull this off.” Jorgan reminded him after the connection was closed, but he sounded confident.

 

“I’ve no intention to fail this mission.” Nikeo knew what was at stake.

 

“That’s what I like to hear! I’m sure you can guess how much security they’re likely to have. Breach the perimeter, use that data spike on the comm terminal and shut the ZR-57 down for good. Thousands of lives are on the line here, Sergeant. We’re counting on you. Good luck, Sergeant!”

 

Somehow that made up for a lot of the trouble Jorgan had put him through earlier. He trusted that Nikeo was able to get this done. And getting some reassurance felt good, for the task at hand wouldn’t be easy to accomplish. But like he had already stated, he had no intention to fail.

 

***

 

By the time Nikeo touched ground on the landing pad of the seps’ stronghold most of the fighting there was already done. Giz and Corso had done a good job. What little opposition was left when the shuttles landed had been dealt with quickly. As the troops secured the landing pad Nikeo walked over to them. Both had noticed him by then.

 

“Good job, guys.” He greeted them. “Ever thought about joining the army?”

 

“Do you receive some bonus for recruiting? For a fair share, I might talk Corso into joining.” Giz inquired grinning.

 

“Probably safer than traveling with you.” Corso laughed.

 

“You both okay?” Nikeo hadn’t detected any obvious wounds.

 

“At least physically.” Corso answered. “Although when this is over, I will probably be the one with a heart attack. I swear to you, this guy is absolutely crazy,” he detailed pointing at Giz.

 

“What? I got us here nearly without a fight.” Giz defended himself, grinning even more broadly.

 

Nikeo raised an eyebrow. “How did you get here without fighting?”

 

“Nearly without fighting.” Giz corrected with a raised index finger.“We met this guy from SIS in front of the stronghold. He told us about a meeting of the separatist leaders. So we pick the one most likely not known by the local seps and…”

 

“Most likely?” Corso interrupted him. “Most likely? You threw a coin.”

 

“Yes, I told you I was lucky, didn’t I? And it worked. They let us stroll in through their front door.” Giz defended.

 

“No password required?” Nikeo asked disbelievingly.

 

“Oh, we had one from last week, that the agent provided. Took a bit of persuasion, but they let us pass with that.” Giz answered with a dismissive wave of his hand.

 

Corso only shook his head. “Giz would make a fortune selling ice makers on Hoth. He chatted with every other sep on every intersection. I guess he knows the names of half the seps in there now and has at least five invitations to card or dice games. I could only cross my fingers and pray that he wasn’t talking to anybody who really belonged to the guy we claimed we were here with.”

 

“I had to ask directions.” Giz stated, raising his hands in a gesture of innocence. “We’d never have found our way, if I hadn’t asked. And we were supposed to be unfamiliar with the layout of the compound, we’re only visitors, remember?” Turning to Nikeo he asked “What are you doing here? Weren’t you the one who was supposed to clear a path for us?” He eyed Nikeo curiously.

 

“Long story. Maybe I’ll tell you, when we get to that bottle of whiskey. Guess it’s time for me to move now.” He pointed to the entry to the stronghold. The troops were nearly done with their preparations to enter. Their CO nodded in his direction. They had planned that he’d move in shortly before the main assault. Giving him some time to get away from the main fighting that was supposed to provide enough distraction for him to get to a computer terminal and to find the rest of Havoc Squad.

 

“Wait.” Giz stopped Nikeo before he could take a step toward the entry. “I don’t get it. You want to fight your way in alone?”

 

“Well, if you want to come. Maybe we find your ship in the area I am headed. But I have a mission that’s first priority.”

 

“No. That’s not what I meant. Why are you going in alone, when the rest of your Squad is already in there?” Giz was clearly puzzled.

 

“What?” Nikeo’s attention was immediately focused on Giz. He grabbed his arms. “Did you see them?”

 

“Yes.” Giz answered slightly perplexed by Nikeo’s reaction. “I…”

 

“Sorry.” Nikeo interrupted him, raising his index finger. He tapped the ear piece of his comm unit, his gaze growing distant for a moment. “Lieutenant Jorgan? Do you read me?”

 

Jorgan’s voice answered instantly. “I read you loud and clear, Sergeant. I heard what the captain said. Let him explain what he saw.”

 

Nikeo looked back at Giz. “Sorry. Please tell me what you saw.”

 

“Well…” Giz’s started, a thoughtful look on his face. “I’m not really sure about that anymore, given your reaction and the circumstances.” He hesitated shortly to recollect the event, but continued when he became aware of Nikeo’s impatience. “We were walking through the stronghold, down one of the side corridors, when I saw a group of people pass at the next intersection. I was trying to keep in the shadows, so I think they didn’t see us. But I recognized Fuse, and there were several more wearing the same armor. So I thought that was you and your squad. I didn’t see you, but I thought I had simply missed you. There were some other people in that group. Some separatists and some that looked like Imperials.”

 

“Imperials? Are you sure?” Nikeo interrupted him. “They have been captured by Imperials?” Jorgan and Nikeo had suspected Imperial involvement on Ord Mantell all along.

 

“Captured? No. They had not been captured, at least not that I could tell. They still carried their weapons, they were talking to each other and they were not constrained.” Giz continued. “When I saw them, I thought that some of your men had already infiltrated the stronghold, posing as seps and imps, now escorting you on a safe route through the stronghold. Kind of like me and Corso had been doing, or some kind of double agents.” He looked at Nikeo questioningly.

 

“Kark.” Nikeo swore. “Lieutenant, you got that? You know anything about this?”

 

“Absolutely nothing, Sergeant. If they had planned something like this, I would have been involved. They are violating at least a dozen protocols.” Nikeo could almost hear Jorgan thinking frantically, before he let out a sigh. “This is highly suspicious.” Jorgan said carefully.

 

Nikeo looked at Giz and deliberately stepped a few meters away from him, so that his conversation with Jorgan couldn’t be overheard. Giz nodded. He understood the need for privacy. “Lieutenant, please tell me you’re not thinking what I think your thinking.” Nikeo felt like somebody just pulled the rug from under his feet. These were the people he had looked up to through all of his training. There was hardly a young soldier who didn’t dream about being part of a Special Forces Squad. Most of the soldiers in Special Forces were anonymous, at best known by their code names. But Commander Tavus, Havoc Squad, those were names every soldier recognized. They were the embodiment of Special Forces. He had been so proud when he had been assigned to Havoc Squad. And now a few days on this bloody planet threatened to shatter all of his dreams.

 

“Steady, Sergeant!” Jorgan told him calmly. “It’s only a suspicion, and I wouldn’t talk about this to anybody without further proof. I wouldn’t talk about this to you, if you were not in the unpleasant situation to provide that proof or to disperse our suspicions. If we take the possibility that they defected into consideration, a lot of things suddenly begin to make sense.”

 

“Like Commander Tavus telling us not to investigate Imperial involvement here on Ord.” Nikeo said.

 

“Or dismissing the possibility of spies leaking information about our operations to the seps.” Jorgan added.

 

“He told us, to investigate the matter after the bomb was secured, that this mission was first priority.” Nikeo felt the urge to sit down. He took a deep breath.

 

“Sergeant, I need you to go in there. First priority is still to neutralize the bomb. After you accomplished that, I need you to find Havoc Squad. We have to find out what is going on here!”

 

“Understood, sir!” So much more than lives was at stake.

 

[frauzet]

Material has been posted on the SFWC, spoilers for Smuggler and Trooper Ord Mantell.

 

Ord Mantell, Separatist Stronghold

 

Nikeo snagged the blouse of one of the bigger dead seps on the platform, and pulled it over his own armor. It wouldn’t stand up to a close inspection, but Nikeo was sure that he could handle any sep that got this close. He had bid goodbye to Giz and Corso. The rest of the soldiers would give him ten minutes headstart.

 

As he entered the stronghold the first thing he became aware of were two men that were stumbling across two presumably dead seps, hidden behind a container. Well, Giz had said they had reached the landing pad ‘nearly’ without a fight. One of the men crouched down beside the bodies, the other one was standing behind him. The man standing saw him out of the corner of his eyes and turned in his direction. Nikeo greeted him with a wave of his hand and a nod asking “What’s up? What happened here?” as he walked closer to the man.

Taking him for one of them the man returned his attention to the bodies his companion was inspecting. “They are still warm,” Nikeo heard the other man say. “We should check the landing—hey, what the…” Turning his face towards his comrade he was interrupted by a spray of blood hitting his face, when Nikeo slit the standing man’s throat. The moment of shock was enough for Nikeo to send the second men sprawling to the floor with a kick, that knocked the breath out of his lungs. In an instant he was kneeling on the men’s chest, holding his mouth closed with his left hand and stabbing his heart with the knife in his right.

Nikeo looked up to see if anybody had noticed the fight. But this part of the corridor seemed to be empty otherwise. The two men had to be a patrol. He didn’t know at what intervals they needed to report back, but before anybody missed them and acted upon it, the rest of the troops at the landing pad would be launching their attack anyway. He wiped his knife and hands on the shirt of one of the dead separatists. His own clothes were almost free from blood. The few drops on his right sleeve would be hard to spot in the relatively dim interior of the stronghold.

 

Nikeo got up and saw Giz carefully entering the corridor, followed by Corso. Giz grinned when he detected Nikeo and the bodies behind him. “See, Corso. I told you, the bodies were safe behind that crate, till our backup arrived.”

 

“Looks to me, like Nik prevented an alarm being raised,” Corso assessed.

 

Giz shrugged. “Maybe, but he arrived in time. You owe me 50 credits.”

 

“Remind me not to make a bet with you again.” Corso grumbled.

 

“You don’t seem to take this too seriously,” Nikeo reprimanded them.

 

“I take getting my ship back very seriously, let me assure you!” Giz defended himself. “But that doesn’t mean I can’t have a bit of fun in the process.” He winked at Nikeo. “So where to next?”

 

Nikeo wasn’t sure if it was a good idea to let them accompany him. The mission was dangerous and they were both civilians. But he could do with a bit of support. And Giz would be searching for his ship anyway. Checking the layout of the stronghold on his HUD Nikeo looked for the right direction, that would get him to a computer terminal where he could apply the data spike to disarm the bomb. “If my intel is up-to-date we need to go in this direction.” He pointed to their right.

 

They headed off in the indicated direction together. After a few steps Nikeo became aware of Giz’ scrutinizing glances.

“What?”

 

Giz hesitated to answer. “I know this is a delicate matter. I mean your squad. They are not doing what they are supposed to be doing.”

 

Nikeo stopped abruptly. Lying to Giz would be futile. He didn’t know the zabrak very well, but Giz was much better at reading people than Nikeo was at lying, so he would see right through him. Not answering at all was as good as admitting the truth. On the other hand Giz and Corso deserved the truth. They were here with him, risking their lives. Maybe not truly unselfishly, but they were in this mess together.

 

“Lieutenant Jorgan? I need permission to fill them in.” Nikeo hoped that Jorgan was able to receive the signal, that the walls of the volcano didn’t interfere with the transmission.

 

After a moment he could hear Jorgan’s answer. The signal contained some static but Nikeo was able to understand Jorgan well. “Permission granted,” Jorgan said. Nikeo heaved a sigh of relief. This would make working together much easier. Especially if they found his squad while they were together. Keeping secrets would be impossible then.

 

In a few words Nikeo explained to Giz and Corso, that they thought it possible that the rest of Havoc Squad had defected to the Empire. Giz wasn’t very surprised, he had already suspected this. Corso was rather perplexed. He wasn’t able to comprehend how anybody in his right mind would betray the Republic and conspire with the Empire or the separatists. It wasn’t clear whether he thought the Empire or the separatists to be the bigger evil.

 

When they continued along the corridor Giz asked Nikeo to get rid of the sep’s blouse and let him do the talking should they encounter any guards. Nikeo wasn’t excited about the idea Giz proposed. Seeing Corso roll his eyes didn’t make assenting any easier, but eventually he gave in to the smuggler and took off the blouse. Heading towards a bunch of guards stationed at the next intersection Nikeo and Corso followed Giz’ lead.

 

Giz approached the guards nonchalantly. “Hey guys, you wanna take part in the tournament?”

 

The guards eyed him cautiously with hands on weapons. “Who are you? Identify yourself!”

 

“They didn’t tell you I was coming by? I am Marcol, I am the one organizing the darts tournament tomorrow evening,” he looked at them expectantly.

 

The guards looked at each other, one shook his head.

 

“Guess the others thought you’d not be interested. Or they think you are better than they are.” Giz winked slyly. “You want to participate? Just sing here.” He produced a data pad that already contained a list of names. “Entry fee is 50 creds.”

A bit of banter and a minute later Giz had collected the entry fee from the men.

 

“Oh, I nearly forgot.” Giz pulled Nikeo forward. The guards seemed to only just become really aware of him. “Met the Sergeant on my way here. He managed to get lost. Maybe you could point him into the right direction to find the rest of his Squad.”

 

“Lost?” one of the men asked suspiciously. “You shouldn’t be walking about on your own.”

 

Nikeo cursed Giz inwardly. “Yeah, I know. It’s—I—well…”

 

Giz interrupted to save him. “Hey, you’re making the poor guy blush!” He then whispered conspiratorially, “He met Lieutenant Maren.”

 

Knowing grins and nods, Corso blushing. Nikeo decided he didn’t want to know, but they received directions. So it was true. Havoc Squad was on friendly terms with the separatists. At least he’d be able to exploit this knowledge to find them. He still refused to name them traitors, still hoping for some explanation Tavus might have, but part of him knew that there was little chance for that.

Once they were past the guards, Giz illustrated, under protest and further blushing from Corso, how he had rescued Corso from Maren, a very determined young woman, they had encountered on their way in.

 

They hid in a small side corridor when the attack from the troops at the landing pad started, waiting till several groups of separatists had passed. They found the computer Nikeo had been looking for soon afterwards. It was guarded by what were obviously Imperials. Giz distracted them, giving Corso and Nikeo the chance to get into a good position to open fire without damaging the computer. After the guards had been taken care of, Nikeo applied the data spike, rendering the ZR-57 useless.

 

Jorgan complimented him on his good soldiering. He had witnessed the fight with the Imperials through Nikeo’s armor cam. Nikeo was still astonished that the Cathar wasn’t harassing him any longer. Jorgan updated him on the latest intel regarding the assault on the stronghold. Thanks to Giz and Corso successfully clearing the landing pad the advancement was better than expected. Now they needed to know how deep the Empire and the separatists were connected. And they needed to find Havoc Squad. Therefore Nikeo was to intrude further into the stronghold. Recovering the ZR-57 was only a secondary objective now despite its value.

 

If Tavus and the others were still there, Nikeo would find them!

 

***

 

“I’ll wait outside!”

 

Nikeo watched Corso leave. The Mantellian was white as a sheet. Giz was searching the dead separatist leader for further clues.

 

“How about you check the computer? See if you can find anything interesting?” Giz called.

 

“Do you think he will be alright?” Nikeo inquired.

 

“Who?” Giz looked up from the body.

 

“Who? Corso of course!” Nikeo distorted his mouth and shook his head disbelievingly while he walked over to the computer. “You know, you should have stopped him.”

 

“He is a grown man, it was his decision.”

 

“That’s poodoo, Giz, and you know it. He’s no killer, or at least he wasn’t a few minutes ago.” Nikeo had been watching the door, while Giz had questioned the sole survivor of the preceding fight. He had heard the man beg for his life. When he realized that Corso was going to shoot the separatist, it had been too late to interfere.

 

“Yeah? Then maybe next time you’ll try to convince him to not charge headfirst into a separatist base, Sergeant Blue,” Giz retorted angrily. “Because that would have been his plan for this operation. I promised him he’d get his revenge once we were inside. I wasn’t going to take this away from him. Yes, he is feeling lousy right now. Maybe he will have a nightmare or two in the next few nights. And maybe, just maybe, it will cure him of his wish to revenge his family by killing every last one of those separatist scum. It wasn’t me that made him do this, Nik! They murdered his family. If you want to blame someone, blame them.”

 

“Yeah,right,” Nikeo muttered while he accessed the computer. It was hard to imagine that this planet had been a peaceful place once. When the war ended it would take time for the wounds to heal, the allocation of blame to stop. Establishing peace once again would be harder than simply ending the war.

A quick search of the contents of the computer files he found didn’t yield further information. It was time to move on.

“There’s nothing here, Giz.”

 

“Yes, I think I have an appointment with Syreena.” Giz got up. “But first we’ll help you finish your search for your Squad.”

 

“I wouldn’t want you to lose your trace. Syreena is your only chance to find out where Skavak went.”

 

“No, you helped me, I’ll help you. And the way out won’t be safe anyway. Our best chance is to stick together. I followed Sidali through half of the galaxy after she stole my ship. Skavak can’t be better than an Imperial spy. You heard the sep. Skavak is long gone. But with the attack on this base, Syreena won’t be going anywhere.”

 

Nikeo nodded. “Civilian air traffic should have been stopped.”

 

“And I doubt that Skavak would try to land my ship anywhere near Fort Garnik now. I guess Syreena can wait a little longer”

 

“Ok, let’s get Corso. The hangar where Havoc is supposed to be shouldn’t be far.”

 

***

 

“You got that, Lieutenant?” Nikeo asked quietly.

 

“Think that’s all the evidence we need, Sergeant. Good job!” Jorgan answered, the signal only slightly overlaid with static.

 

Nikeo had sneaked inside the hangar where Havoc Squad had been getting ready to enter a shuttle while at the far side of the room a squad of Imperials had been readying the ZR-57 to be loaded onto the same shuttle. There had been no doubt about what was happening. Now Nikeo was back in front of the hangar. He had wanted to make sure that Jorgan had recorded the video feed from his armor cam. Now that he knew the information was secure he could…

 

“Get back to Fort Garnik, Sergeant. I’ll have a shuttle waiting for you at the landing pad,” Jorgan ordered.

 

“What?”

 

“ASAP, Sergeant!”

 

“Lieutenant, I want to go back in there.” Stupid, stupid, stupid! Now he wouldn’t have a chance to claim he hadn’t understood Jorgan’s order.

 

“We got all we need. There is nothing you can do, Sergeant. No matter how good you think you are, you are no match for the rest of Havoc Squad. You won’t be able to stop them from leaving.”

 

“You really think I don’t know that, Lieutenant? Please listen to me. We know Havoc Squad is defecting, but we don’t know why. There has to be a reason. I can’t believe they just woke up one day and thought that the banthas in the Empire smell nicer than ours. Let me try to find out.” They needed to know the reason, to prevent future defections. Hell, he needed to know the reason. He needed something to help him comprehend why Tavus did this. He needed to understand.

 

“Okay, Sergeant. Don’t turn this into a suicide mission!”

 

Nikeo silently thanked Jorgan. Somehow the Cathar seemed to understand that he needed to do this.“Understood, Lieutenant!”

Nikeo turned to look at Giz and Corso. “Thanks, guys! I’ll meet you back at the cantina later.”

 

Giz shared a glance with Corso, raising one eyebrow questioningly and waiting for a barely perceptible nod from the younger man. “Okay, that’s settled then. We’re going in with you,” Giz stated seriously.

 

“No, you won’t.” Getting himself killed was one thing, risking their lives as well was something completely different.

 

“Sorry, don’t think you can afford to discuss this any longer, or they’ll be gone.” Giz nodded in the direction of the shuttle. He shrugged his shoulders apologetically. “Corso and me, we’re not military. We do this more democratically. And as a matter of fact you’re outvoted two to one. Outright majority.”

 

“Damned, Giz.” Nikeo shook his head, and heaved a sigh admitting defeat. “Okay, you two stay back, and block the door, so we don’t get some uninvited guests. We’re not here to keep them from leaving, I just want to talk to Tavus.”

 

Giz and Corso nodded.

 

No time to waste. Nikeo entered the hangar again and headed straight for Tavus.

 

Tavus saw him coming, so did Wraith, who started to circle behind his back immediately. Nikeo ignored her. He focused his gaze on Tavus. He realized that even in his thoughts he already omitted Tavus’ rank. He no longer deserved it. The hero was gone, replaced by a traitor and a question: Why?

 

“Sergeant,” Tavus addressed him. “I thought my orders were very clear. You aren’t supposed to be here.” Understanding dawned in Tavus eyes when Nikeo got closer to him.

 

Wraith had arrived behind Nikeo. He didn’t need to turn around to look at her. He knew she would have her weapon at the ready. He heard her flick a switch on her gun. No more stun mode.

 

“I will take him,” she said. An icicle would have been able to speak with more emotion.

 

Nikeo didn’t move. He stood there staring Tavus in the eyes. No, Tavus was a traitor, but Nikeo wouldn’t believe that he had sunken so low as to shoot his own people in the back.

“Why?” he whispered.

 

Tavus made a small gesture. “No, Wraith. The sergeant deserves to know the truth.”

 

Nikeo hoped that Giz and Corso stayed at the door and kept quiet. He really didn’t want to turn this into a bloodbath.

The rest of the Squad had taken up position to the left and to the right of Tavus. Wraith joined their line, stowing her weapon away. The former members of Havoc Squad stood there facing him. Wraith staring at him coldly, Fuse defiantly, Gearbox calmly with his arms crossed, maybe with a hint of regret in his eyes, Needles matching Wraith’ coldness. And in the middle stood Tavus, the man he had looked up to.

 

“I had hoped it wouldn’t come to this. I harbor no ill will toward you. You’re everything a warrior should be. But I’m afraid the Republic no longer values her warriors—even the very best among them,” Tavus started to explain.

 

What was this about? What did Tavus mean by not being valued? Tavus wasn’t talking about credits. The payment wasn’t bad, but with a job in the security sector he’d probably earn more with less risk to his life. You didn’t join Special Forces to get rich. Special Forces was not about fame. Well, truth be told it was. But not for individuals. Most Special Forces squads operated in the dark, out of the shadows. Most people didn’t even know the names of other Special Forces squads than Havoc. Even in military circles the names of individual squad members were unknown. Havoc Squad was an exception, Tavus was an exception. But this wasn’t about Tavus. Something had happened.

 

“You’ve fought the Empire for years—do you really think things are better over there?” Nikeo asked incredulously. Whatever it was that Tavus was talking about, he couldn’t possibly expect it to be better in the Empire. Nikeo had no first-hand experience with the Empire yet. But if only half of the stories Nik had heard were true, then the Empire was the last place in the galaxy you expected to be valued as a warrior, at least when you were Force-blind.

 

“The Empire respects warriors, Sergeant,” Tavus affirmed. “The Republic’s top officials, on the other hand, have decided to cast us aside. The truth is that no matter what they might say, the Republic Senate doesn’t actually believe it can win another war against the Empire. That makes you and I a threat. Every Havoc Squad victory fires up people’s imaginations, fills them with pride—which means the bureaucrats can’t afford to let us keep succeeding.”

 

Win a war against the Empire? Hell, nobody in his right mind would want another war, no matter who would win. Wasn’t that what they had been fighting for over the last decade? To secure the instable peace the Treaty of Coruscant provided? Had Tavus seen the slums still full of refugees from the last war? Maybe some of the cloudhead politicians hadn’t forgotten about them. Nikeo had grown up down there in Coruscant, in the middle of what now was Black Sun territory. The Republic truly had enough problems without another war. And Special Forces had, too. They were there to protect a democratic system, even in times when the felled decisions of its leaders weren’t to their liking. Did Tavus honestly think the Dark Council did consult its soldiers?

“How is the outright tyranny of the Empire any better?” Nikeo wanted to know.

 

“If only you’d been with us longer, Sergeant, you would understand.” Tavus told him regretfully. “You might even have come with us. The Republic abandoned us. During a mission on Ando Prime, they simply left us to die. But I won’t try to persuade you.”

 

Nikeo wondered why not. Was Tavus aware that his arguments were bullsh*t? Didn’t he want the others to realize that, too?

 

“Honestly,” Tavus continued, “I hope you die with your ideals intact. The rest of us will never have that luxury.”

 

Tavus wanted Nik’s ideals to stay intact? He had to be kidding—the man who had been an embodiment of these ideals? Tavus seemed to have no idea what he was doing to him and countless other young soldiers. Or maybe he did, and just didn’t care, or it was part of the plan. Nikeo was glad he came here prepared, he wasn’t sure what his reaction would have been if he hadn’t already known.

Nikeo saw the others nod slightly to Tavus’ words. Ando Prime—he had never heard about Ando Prime. What had happened there? Had Havoc truly been abandoned? Even if that was true, there had to be some kind of explanation. And no matter what, nothing, absolutely nothing justified a defection to the Empire. There had to be a way to work this out.

“It’s not too late, Tavus. You can still turn back.” Nikeo had to try, even though he knew this was a futile attempt.

 

“Turn back to what? The Republic that wants me dead and gone? No, Sergeant, I think not.” Tavus’ answer didn’t come as a surprise. His mind was set. He had planned this long beforehand.

 

There was a noise on the other side of the shuttle. Nikeo looked up to see the bomb being loaded into the shuttle. Fuse thanked him smirking for his efforts in recovering it. Nikeo only shook his head slightly, not bothering to answer to Fuse. The look Nikeo gave him said all there was to say. If that was the way Fuse treated his friends he didn’t deserve an answer. He was surprised that Fuse was still able to look him straight in the eyes.

Of course Needles tried to rub it in and thanked him for the opportunity to present the Empire with a magnificent tool of destruction.

They didn’t believe Nikeo, when he told them that he had neutralized the bomb. They’d realize the truth soon enough. It wouldn’t change anything between them.

When Gearbox pointed out, that they had to leave, Tavus gave the signal to board the shuttle. He then called for the leader of the Imperial Squad. “Colonel Vorr? Please give the sergeant the warrior’s death he deserves.”

With a few long strides he had boarded the shuttle, watching as Nikeo dove behind a crate to escape the cover fire that the imps were providing for Tavus and his men.

 

“You’ll regret this, Tavus,” Nikeo cat-called at him. “I won’t rest until I’ve taken you down.” That was a promise.

 

“It’s been an honor serving with you, Sergeant. Goodbye.” Tavus yelled to be heard over the noise of the shuttle taking off and the imps’ shots.

 

Nikeo started to shoot back and the Imperial soldiers soon discovered that they were located in a cross fire, as Giz and Corso joined the fight.

 

“Lieutenant Jorgan? They are taking off. Do we have anything out there to intercept them?” Nikeo asked between shots, hoping that Jorgan would be able to understand his voice amid all the turmoil.

 

“Negative, Sergeant. Nothing with enough fire power. Sending in a shuttle. Get back as soon as you’ve taken care of the imps!”

 

Taking care of the imps didn’t take long. Nikeo was watching Giz rummaging through the pockets of the dead for anything useful, when the shuttle arrived. It would be a short ride back to Fort Garnik.

 

“Thanks for your help back there.”

 

Giz grinned. “You’re welcome. Couldn’t let those imps kill you. You still owe me a bottle of whiskey.”

 

“Yeah. Guess we earned that anyway, although I can’t say that I’m in the mood for a party.”

Nikeo had no idea what awaited him back at the fort, no idea what awaited him tomorrow or next week now that Havoc Squad was gone. It seemed wise to be prepared for a lot of questions. He tried to recall everything he had possibly done wrong in the last few days on Ord. What would they use against him? Would they believe that he had nothing to do with the defection? Kark, he had been involved with an Imperial spy. A demotion seemed suddenly very likely. It seemed he’d be lucky if he’d even be allowed back on duty. It seemed like his career in Special Forces was over before it had begun.

 

 

[frauzet]

Material has been posted on the SFWC, spoilers for Smuggler and Trooper Ord Mantell.

 

Ord Mantell, Fort Garnik

 

He had been involved with an Imperial spy. Somehow the thought kept nagging at Nikeo’s mind.

He had been involved with an Imperial spy. Damn, why had he been involved with an Imperial spy?

 

They had assumed that Zal—Io, her name was Io—that Io had been somehow connected to the theft of the ZR-57. That she had been there to spy on their progress in finding the bomb. That had been before they had known about Havoc’s defection. The Empire didn’t need her to spy on their progress in finding the bomb because they had the defectors already doing that.

Except if the imps had not been sure about them really wanting to defect. But Io had approached him, not some other member of the squad. He had been the one they couldn’t be sure about.

What if she had been there to keep an eye on him, to sound him out? Her ship had really been stolen, how did that fit in? Well, who said that spies didn’t meet with some unexpected complications in their life?

 

What was it that Tavus had said? “If only you’d been with us longer, Sergeant, you would understand. You might even have come with us. But I won’t try to persuade you.” Nikeo had wondered why Tavus hadn’t tried to persuade him. Tavus had talked about Nikeo’s intact ideals. There probably was enough about his ideals in his file, and Tavus would have had access to it. But Io was the one with first-hand experience. They didn’t know each other well—kark, he obviously hadn’t known her at all—but she knew him well enough to know that he’d never even consider defection.

 

Io had also been the one asking to see him after she had been caught. She had kept him occupied. She was the reason he hadn’t been there when the rest of the squad left. Kark! He had been her target after all.

 

“Lieutenant Jorgan? I need to speak to Iolith Zairos again. She might have been involved to a greater extent than we had assumed.” Nikeo was careful not to mention the word ‘defection’. The shuttle crew knew nothing about any defection. It seemed best to keep this knowledge restrained to as small a group of people as possible for now.

 

“Go ahead, Sergeant. You got one hour till our debriefing with General Vander.”

 

Nikeo jumped out of the shuttle. He barely took the time to give Giz and Corso a nod of goodbye before he headed towards the building with the detention cells where Io was still in custody. General Vander was going to debrief them in person. That didn’t come as a big surprise. But it left him with pretty little time for an interrogation. To keep the general waiting was not an option.

 

Options. Barely an hour. Involving the guys from SIS would be a bad idea at the moment. Brass would have his head if he let anything slip, that much he knew about politics between SpecForce Division and SIS. He had to do this on his own. Would he be able to hurt her if he had to? He took a deep breath. He feared that he would find out soon.

 

“I’ll have to talk to Iolith Zairos!” he declared when he entered the guard room that was occupied by two agents from SIS.

 

They looked at him, speculating. The one in charge, Kerin, nodded. “We’ll prep the interrogation room for you.”

 

“Thank you, but that won’t be necessary. I’ll talk to her immediately. You will turn off any listening devices and gadgets you got in there. I’ll take a recording with my equipment.”

 

The other agent, Miko’dres, jumped up. “Who do you think you…” he started before he was cut off by Kerin. “On whose orders, Sergeant?”

 

“You know who my CO is, Agent Kerin. You want to check with him? Go ahead. But tell him that I told you that this was urgent.” Bluffs like this one seemed to work for Giz, but he hadn’t been handling SIS agents back in the seps’ base. At least Nikeo was in no need to feign impatience, so his act should have been somewhat believable.

 

Kerin was still considering his answer when they heard a scream from the cell block.

 

Nikeo drew his blaster and sprinted to the door to the cells. “Who’s in there?”

 

“Only her,” Kerin stated. He pressed a button to unlock the door.

 

Nikeo opened the door, ducked, and entered the cell block. The aisle was empty, as was the first cell. The holding cells consisted of solid walls separated from the aisle by force fields. Only one of the six force fields was active, the one of the fourth cell. Nikeo checked the cells one after the other. In passing the force field he saw Io lying face-down on the floor in front of the bunk, her cell was empty otherwise. As were the remaining two cells.

 

“Deactivate the force field!” he yelled. Miko’dres, who had still been standing in the doorway, returned to the guard room to do that.

 

Kerin approached Nikeo in front of the still active force field.

 

“Who was in here today?” Nikeo inquired.

 

“Nobody except me. I brought in her dinner a few minutes before you arrived.”

 

Nikeo saw the tray with food sitting on the small tray table. The force field collapsed. He hurried to Io’s side and turned her onto her back. She was unconscious. He checked her carotid. Her pulse was weak. He felt her body convulsing with waves of pain. Poison. He looked up at Kerin.

 

“Her food and water have been scanned. Did it myself. That rules out most of the common toxins. Get her to vomit. I’ll see what anti-tox-stims I can find.”

 

By the time the agent returned Nikeo was fairly sure that Io’s stomach was empty. He described the symptoms he had been able to observe, and they administered a mix of anti-tox-stims that was most likely to cover the toxin she had been poisoned with without causing any more damage due to the combination of the stims themselves.

Kerin left with the tray to inspect the leftovers more thoroughly. Miko’dres was already on his way to the kitchen to launch an inquiry.

 

Nikeo took a corner of the sheet to wipe her face clean before he picked Io carefully up and placed her on the bunk. He gently stroked her hair from her face. She was deathly pale, but the convulsions had subsided. He hoped that was a good sign. Her breathing seemed to be more regular, but her pulse was still fluttering.

 

He recalled their last conversation. “There is very little left for me to expect apart from a sudden death,” she had said. She had told him, and he had dismissed it.

 

***

 

When Nikeo entered the cantina he was greeted by the barkeeper, who told him that Giz had been there earlier. He handed him the bottle of whiskey he had kept for them and relayed that Giz asked to be excused. Apparently he and Corso had already left Ord Mantell in a hurry. Nikeo took the bottle and left the cantina wondering what had happened at Viidu’s. He tried to contact Giz, but the smuggler wasn’t on call.

 

Once he arrived in his quarter, he packed his belongings swiftly. The shuttle would be leaving in thirty minutes. General Vander hadn’t left them with much time. Nikeo still felt kind of dizzy. A promotion had been the last thing he had been expecting. Commander of Havoc Squad. Well, what was left of it. Him and Jorgan. He wasn’t sure how he felt about the whole mess. He had told Vander that he was honored. Relieved, that was what he had been at first. Command obviously thought that he was loyal. Of course he was loyal. But Jorgan was innocent, too, and what did that do for him? This was all so wrong.

He had to be like the youngest SpecForce commander of all times, and if not, he still was the karking most inexperienced. Yesterday Jorgan had been calling him a rookie and today he was Jorgan’s CO. He had not the slightest idea how they were going to make this work. The whole conversation with the general had been a farce. Nikeo had half expected Jorgan to strangle him, after he had said, that he’d be glad to have Jorgan in the unit. They had one thing in common though, they both wanted to hunt the traitors down. They were going to find out if that was enough.

 

Nikeo grabbed his bag and left his quarter. He considered to head straight for the shuttle, but decided against it. He would be thinking of her anyway, so he could just as well pay Io a visit. She was still in a holding cell, as every medical facility was needed for the wounded from the attack on the seps’ stronghold. Agent Kerin had been expecting him and had left orders that allowed him to see Io.

She had been moved to the next cell and was lying on a clean bunk. He had been told, that she had woken up briefly, but she was fast asleep now. Her body was strapped to the bunk so she wouldn’t accidentally fall off. He stood for some time in front of the force field, watching her breathe. He had been told that the poison didn’t do permanent damage. She’d be moved off-planet as soon as she was fit for transport. He would probably never see her again.

 

Jorgan was already waiting when Nikeo arrived at the shuttle pad. He could tell that the Cathar was still angry. They both nodded in greeting but remained silent otherwise. The flight to Carrik Station was going to be a long one. Still he couldn’t wait to get off this planet.

 

***

 

Her knees felt still a little wobbly when she walked to the shuttle pad at sunrise. Her wrists were adorned with stun cuffs. She doubted she’d be able to run far without them. From the hubbub in Fort Garnik Iolith gathered that the reps had won some major victory. She didn’t ask, they wouldn’t tell her anyway. She didn’t even know where they were headed. It didn’t matter. She didn’t want to die on Ord Mantell.

 

 

 

Carrick Station, a few days later

 

They had found a quiet booth in Carrick Station’s cantina. Ord Mantell lay behind them, almost.

 

“You still sulking?” Giz eyed Corso out of the corner of his eye.

 

“I am not sulking!”

 

“K!” Giz shrugged.

 

“You think I’m a hick!” Corso accused Giz.

 

“You are a hick!” Giz countered grinning.

 

“Because I treat women with respect?”

 

Giz’ face grew serious. “Everybody should treat women respectfully, whether they are a hick or not—or not at all if the woman prefers to be left alone. But if a woman chooses to act like scum, I will respect that too and treat her accordingly, the same as I would any man. Being a woman doesn’t earn you a carte blanche in my book.”

 

Corso shook his head slowly. “It’s just that I can’t understand how you could shoot Syreena just like that.”

 

“Just like that? You got to be kidding!” Giz ticked off the points on his fingers. “She was in league with Skavak and the separatists. She warned Skavak that we were heading to the stronghold, reckoning that Skavak would kill us. She murdered Viidu, because he caught her. Instead of showing some regret she tried to barter information to get off cheaply. If you call that ‘just like that’, then I’d like to know what you call what you did to the sep back in the stronghold.”

 

Corso only stared at him, speechless.

 

“Thought so.” After a moment Giz sighed. “That wasn’t fair, I’m sorry.”

 

“No, you’re not. And I get your point, I think. The rules of home don’t necessarily apply to the rest of the galaxy. Just don’t expect me to change overnight.”

 

“I don’t expect you to change at all, kid. We’ll get along. Don’t know what I’d end up with if you changed.” He winked at Corso. “First we find Skavak and my ship. We take it from there.”

 

***

 

Calm—a Jedi in meditation would have trouble to appear any calmer than Io sitting cross-legged on her cot, eyes closed, head leaned against the wall behind her, pulse slow and regular, breathing even. She didn’t open her eyes when the tray with food was brought into her cell. The jailer at this time of day was always the same and he was always punctual. It helped to affirm her inner clock was still ticking correctly. No reason to open her eyes.

 

There had not been another attempt on her life since the day after she arrived on Carrick Station but her transport to Coruscant had been rescheduled thrice already. Something had changed, something had happened. She was sure the SIS knew—something; of course they would not tell her. Again she hadn’t bothered to ask.

 

***

 

“Good you’re here!” Corso got up grabbing the backrest of his chair for support when Nikeo approached the table the Mantellian and their Zabrak friend occupied. The cantina was unfrequented this time of day or rather night. Only a handful of other patrons sat at the bar or the other tables. “I’ve had my fill of alcohol and gloomy company. One more hour and I’d probably cry myself to sleep tonight.” Corso’s speech was slurred but still recognizable. Even so Nikeo doubted the young man would hold up for another hour.

 

Nikeo looked over Corso’s shoulder at Giz. The Zabrak hadn’t noticed him yet. He was staring into his glass, swiveling the amber liquid it contained in slow circles. There were several puddles on the table where the whiskey had been spilled. The bottle in the middle of lake district was half-full. “Second bottle?”

 

“Third. As I said, I had enough, and so has he. Of course he is of a different opinion on the last point.”

 

“What happened?”

 

“Not sure. Same as last time. Everything is fine and then something triggers some memories. This time he wasn’t sober to begin with.”

 

“Any trouble?”

 

“So far I have been able to keep him from attracting some.” Corso grabbed Nikeo’s shoulder. “I am off to bed. Good luck with getting him to his room!”

 

Nikeo watched the Mantellian leave with a somewhat unsteady gait. When he looked back at Giz the Zabrak was in the act of lighting a cigarette. Smoking a cigarette wouldn’t do much harm to Giz’ health compared to the level of alcohol he’d imbibed, but smoking was restricted on Carrick Station. The guardsmen did their job, and Nikeo would be damned if they didn’t keep an eye on the Zabrak already. If he landed in detention he’d miss his flight tomorrow. Nikeo leaned over the table and snatched the cigarette from his friend’s mouth. Giz’ hands dropped below the table.

 

Kark! Not good! He should have seen that coming. Despite his state the Zabrak would still be fast. “Stop, Giz! It’s me!” he yelled while he took a step forward and gave the table a hard shove. Giz grabbed the edge to keep himself from toppling over backwards. One hand let go of the table to catch the bottle—too late. The whiskey hit the tiles adding a thump and a splash to the clinking of the glasses. The last two legs of Giz’ chair still in contact with the floor decided to slide away and Giz landed in a pool of whiskey and shards, his ornate curses adding to the noise of the chair clattering.

 

The Zabrak’s limbs flailed like those of a giant beetle lying on his back. Recognition dawned in Giz’ eyes and he let his head sink back to the ground. One hand moved to cover his eyes from the blinding lights overhead the other gestured indeterminately. “****, Blue! Look what you did to the whiskey.”

 

Two guards approached them their hands on the butts of their blasters. Nikeo greeted them with a wave of his hand. “Thank you, boys! I have everything under control.” When they perceived the special Forces emblem on his armor they nodded and returned to their posts. Nikeo exhaled. Lucky him! He held a hand out to Giz. “Get up!”

 

Giz took hold of his hand and started to pull himself to a sitting position. Halfway through getting upright he changed his mind. He dragged at Nikeo’s arm while sweeping his feet from under him with his legs. Despite his reflexes Nikeo landed on his back in the mess next to Giz. “Quits?” Giz asked.

 

“Force, what did I do to deserve this?” Nikeo muttered under his breath—once he was able to breathe again. He was tempted to punch the drunken Zabrak, more than playfully at that. Getting them both arrested because of a cantina brawl was a bad idea though. He’d miss his flight, too. Since he was to report directly to General Garza upon his arrival on Coruscant being late was out of the question. “Quits!” He sat up and somehow managed to do so without cutting himself on the shards of glass. He was glad he had still been wearing his armor. On the other hand it would be a pain in the *** to get the whiskey out of the reinforced fabric of the body suit. He could imagine Jorgan wrinkle his nose at him for the next weeks given that the Cathar’s sense of smell had to be much better than his own. ****, he could see himself taking blood tests to ascertain he wasn’t actually drunk on duty. He groaned.

 

Giz chuckled.

 

“What’s so funny?”

 

“Just thinking. You might be the first man I get to moan. I mean, I am used to getting this reaction from women…”

 

“I wasn’t moaning, I was groaning, like in suffering. You sure you’re not confusing this with the ladies, too?”

 

The Zabrak laughed. He patted Nikeo’s cheek before the latter was able to slap his hand away. “Don’t worry, Blue. I am not into beard stubble.”

 

“I had better be careful. One can never know. As drunk as you are.” He tilted his head and grinned. “Now that I think about it, you definitely look *****.”

 

Giz rolled his eyes. “Haha. Very inventive. Never heard that one before.”

 

One of the cantina droids moved in their direction to clean up the mess so they got up and out of its way.

 

“Okay,” Nikeo gave Giz a shove in the direction of the elevators. “Now that we clarified the basics I am going to bring you to bed.”

 

Giz wrapped one arm around Nikeo’s shoulder casually trying to hide the fact he needed the support. “My bed or yours?”

 

“How about Jorgan’s? His fur is probably softer than my beard.”

 

“We’d have to compare stubble. Anything else would be unfair. Next opportunity we get him sozzled and then we shave him.” Giz chuckled. “Wondering what a Cathar with stubble looks like. Maybe there will be nothing left of him once we remove his fur.”

 

Nikeo couldn’t help laughing. “As much as the idea appeals to me I fear there would be not much left of the two of us not long after he were sober again.”

 

A sigh escaped the Zabrak. “My bed it will be then.” When they waited for the elevator to arrive he glanced at Nikeo. “How much shaving foam do you think we’d need?”

 

 

[frauzet]

Material has been posted on the SFWC, minor spoilers BH + SW and spoiler for the first companion conversation SW

 

Meanwhile on Vaiken Spacedock

 

Patience was a virtue. Thorns had to remind himself of the fact for the umpteenth time. Okay, he got it. The Hutts were not pedantic when it came to checking the individuals leaving Hutt Space. But it wasn’t like he and Mako had this much luggage to check. Before leaving Hutta they had sold most of the equipment that wasn’t vital, knowing they’d have to handle the rest on their own. The officers had gone through the box with weapons thrice and Thorns was sure he’d be dreaming of the ordinance on weapons on Vaiken Spacedock for the next three nights.

Yes, he was aware of the fact he wasn’t properly registered in Imperial space. Yes, his name was Thorns. No, only Thorns. Yes, he was a bounty hunter. No he wasn’t planning to do some hunting on the station. Yes, the station’s personnel was suited to deal with any criminal elements themselves. Thorns suppressed the urge to ball his hands into fists and tried to not even think of hitting the officer when he saw the look the guy gave him when he mentioned criminals. There was some drawback to being sponsored by a Hutt.

Or maybe it was his confidence inspiring appearance. No, that could not be it. Kaliyo had passed her checkpoint in a matter of seconds. Anyone being of the opinion that Kaliyo looked harmless should consider to have their eyesight checked. Of course Kaliyo had been in the company of Smilo. They had been stopped the same as Mako and Thorns but after a brief verbal exchange the officer had waved them through. Once again Thorns wondered who Smilo was.

After some more citing of even more regulations the officer handed Thorns his blasters back not without a warning glance though. Give somebody a little bit of authority and you can count on them to use it. The man handed them their clearance badges.

 

“I’ll take the monkey lizard,” the officer stated and tried to grab Ungry.

 

Ungry scrambled to safety in Thorns nape leaving scratches in the process and making Thorns who took a step back wince. “Hands off my monkey lizard!”

 

The second officer looked up from the data pad he had been using to fill out the proper documents. His eyebrows shot up as far as those of his colleague whereas his hand dropped down to the handle of his blaster.

 

Mako raised her hands and stepped in front of Thorns. “Please gentlemen. Let’s try to keep calm and reasonable. We just don’t understand what’s going on. What do you want with the pet?”

 

The first officer relaxed while the second circled to a position behind Thorns from where he had him in clear line of sight.

 

Thorns crossed his arms with an effort. Shooting these idiots was not an option. He took a deep breath.

 

“The monkey has to stay in quarantine during your stay on Vaiken Spacedock!” the first officer stated.

 

Kark! Ungry wasn’t used to being caged. He would not respond well to being confined and away from Thorns and Mako.

 

“But he isn’t ill!” Mako objected as if some officer stickling for the rules cared about such minor details.

 

“Regulations don’t allow exceptions!”

 

Thorns took Ungry down from his nape and held him in front of him looking him in the eyes. “Listen, Ungry! You’ll have to stay with these men for a few days.” Ungry looked at the men doubtfully. “I’ll get you back when we’re leaving, promised!”

 

Ungry tilted his little head. “Omised?”

 

“Promised! Now be a good guy and behave yourself.”

 

Thorns handed the monkey to the officer who carried the pet over to a stack of small cages. When Ungry saw the cages he started to laugh.

 

“Be careful…” Thorns tried to warn the officer but it was to late. Ungry bit and scratched the man and wriggled out of his grip. The little guy headed toward the nearest exit of the area, the officer racing after him.

 

Thorns whistled but Ungry chose to ignore him. Out of the corner of his eye Thorns saw a movement. The second officer had drawn his blaster.

 

“No!” Thorns yelled and sprinted forward to block the man from shooting at Ungry.

 

Everybody stopped dead in their tracks and gazed at the corridor where Ungry had vanished when the escapee started to screech at the top of his little lungs.

 

Four figures emerged from the passage. The first was a well-conditioned gray haired human clad in dark red formfitting clothes, two lightsaber hilts at his hips, who was holding a struggling Ungry by the scruff of his neck in a gloved hand. A glance at his face and the lack of wrinkles told Thorns the man was still young despite the color of his hair.

Next came an alien with bronze colored skin and red hair in red and white robes. The face of this one was adorned with geometrical tattoos which identified him as a Mirialan. Thorns had met some of his people back on Coruscant and during his time with the military. The man wore a single lightsaber hilt at his belt. Thorns noted that the hilt seemed to be oddly long.

Both men carried themselves with an air of command that cried ‘Sith’ at least as loud as their weapons. The officers snapped to attention and bowed their heads as soon as they became aware of them.

The Sith were followed by a slender blue Twi’lek woman wearing nondescript street clothes and the peculiar combination of two blasters at her belt and a shock collar around her neck. Behind her came a hulking red monstrosity clad in a loincloth, the hilt of some melee weapon visible above its shoulder.

Every instinct screamed at Thorns to draw his weapons and dive for cover. Instead he walked toward the four newcomers trying to keep himself between them and Mako. If it came to a fight he’d need her to keep the second officer off his back. Part of him laughed at the ridiculousness of the thought. Even in the unlikely event of winning such a fight there was no chance to leave the station alive. He’d have to keep his irritation in check and keep his cool.

 

“I am under the impression you are inept to keep a pet in check!” the gray haired Sith addressed the officer in front of him who looked as if he’d wished there was a hole to hide in.

 

“My lord, the animal escaped when I tried to place it in a quarantine cage.”

 

The Sith raised an eyebrow. “Quarantine cage?”

 

“According to regulations every animal arriving at the station has to be kept in quarantine for at least two weeks, my lord,” the officer explained obviously feeling more comfortable in the safety of his well-known regulations.

 

“He belongs to me!” Thorns walked toward Gray-Hair. Ungry stopped to struggle when he heard him. “Hand him over and I’ll place him in the cage myself.”

Thorns reached out to take hold of Ungry, but he had to pull his hand back for a blade of red energy had appeared in the Sith’ free hand to block his way.

 

“Not so fast, merc!” The Sith’ face had adopted a speculative expression. Ungry was startled and started to fidget and scream again. Gray-Hair shook him slightly.

 

Thorns’ fingers twitched and two blades of red light appeared in the hand of the Mirialan — the double-bladed lightsaber explaining the length of the hilt.

“Don’t even think about it!” the red haired Sith warned as his blades painted an intricate pattern of light around him.

 

To Thorns’ surprise Ungry shut up. He heard Mako’s gasp behind him when the red monstrosity took a step forward. He forced himself to look Gray-Hair in the eyes and tried to ignore the cybernetic implants on the Sith’ forehead he had now become aware of. Any chances of winning a fight he had worked out for himself dwindled to zero. He didn’t know much about Sith but he knew cybernetic enhanced senses were not to be trifled with — not when he was outnumbered so heavily.

 

“Don’t worry, Ru. This seems to be a reasonable man.” Gray-Hair said to the Mirialan. The man called Ru deactivated his weapon and the monster in his wake relaxed.

 

Ru rolled his eyes. “Stop playing games, Ciner, and let’s start our training. Let the personnel do what they are payed for.”

 

“We’ll be done in no time here.” The gray haired Sith — Ciner — concentrated on Thorns again. “Where were we? Oh yes, a reasonable man.” He deactivated his lightsaber. “What does a reasonable man ask as a price for a monkey lizard?”

 

“He isn’t for sale,” Thorns said.

 

“My lord.” He heard Mako’s urgent whisper from behind him.

 

“My lord,” he added through gritted teeth and was rewarded with an arrogant grin.

 

“Not for sale, I see. Are you sure about this?”

 

“Absolutely, my lord!”

 

The Sith knit his brow in thought. “We have a problem then. You see, the animal attacked me.” He addressed the officer again. “What is the punishment for this?”

 

The officer swallowed. “My lord, I am not sure what laws apply in this situation.”

 

“Death penalty!” a voice from the passage declared. “The sentence for attacking a Sith, my lord.”

Everybody turned toward the new arrival. Thorns recognized him despite the gray uniform he wore. It was Smilo, Kaliyo in tow.

“If I may be so bold, my lord. This situation seems not to be worthy of your attention. Please allow me to handle the matter.”

 

Thorns thought he heard Kaliyo mutter something that sounded like ‘kissing’ or ‘licking’.

 

Smilo ignored Kaliyo, snapped to attention, and saluted. “Agent Smilo Noor at your service, my lord.”

 

“Death penalty, yes. At last someone who seems to have a certain level of competence.”

 

The officers paled and exchanged worried glances.

 

“My lord, if it would…” Smilo began but Ciner interrupted him. “It would not, Agent Noor! I’ll handle this myself.”

 

The agent bowed his head.

 

“You see, merc,” the Sith said, turning his full attention to Thorns again. “I can’t simply ignore the law. On the other hand a Sith can do with his property as he sees fit, even show mercy. Alas, you made it clear your pet is not for sale.”

 

Ungry screamed and fought when Ciner started to squeeze his neck. The Sith’ intent gaze didn’t leave Thorns’ face.

 

Thorns could not let him kill Ungry. He knew there was only one way to stop him — give him what he had wanted in the first place. He felt already sick but he swallowed his pride.

“He’s yours,” he growled.

 

“What was that? The little guy is screaming so loud I can’t hear you,” the Sith asked while his grin told Thorns he had heard him full well.

 

No effort on his part could have kept his hands from balling into fists now. The whole audience was able to see he was shaking. Mako placed her hand on his arm. He was not alone, and he was responsible for her, too. “I give him to you. He is yours, my lord.”

 

Ciner turned to the other Sith. “I knew he was a reasonable man. Now what do you think, Ru? Does this monkey lizard look sick to you?”

 

The Mirialan stepped closer to have a look at Ungry who had ceased to scream in the meantime. “Not in the slightest, Ciner. Looks fit and healthy.”

 

“You heard the expert,” Ciner said to the first officer. “This monkey lizard is healthy. I’ll take him with me immediately.”

 

“Of course, my lord!” the officer agreed, his rule of no exceptions all but forgotten.

 

Thorns fished Ungry’s leash out of his pocket. He felt the press of Mako’s hand on his arm before she stepped forward and held out her hand. “Give it to me, I’ll do it.”

 

Relieved he did not have to do this himself he handed her the leash and watched her walk over to the Sith still holding his little friend by the scruff of his neck.

 

“If you’ll allow me, my lord,” he heard Mako say, and the Sith held Ungry so that she was able to attach the leash. When she was done she tried to take a step back but the Sith’ free hand shot forward and grabbed her chin.

Even in slow motion it would have been hard to tell who drew faster. Thorns’ blasters pointed at Gray-Hair, the Twi’lek’s blasters aimed at Thorns. Out of the corner of his eye he could see the glow of the double-bladed lightsaber.

The Sith didn’t even look up. He turned Mako’s head slightly to get a better look at her implants.

 

“Let go of her!” Thorns snarled.

 

“It’s okay, Thorns,” Mako tried to placate him.

 

But really nothing was okay as long as the *ssh*le touched her. Thorns would shoot him if he hurt Mako, and Thorns would die knowing he had done something in his life right.

 

“I bet 10 credits, he’ll take at least two of them with him. You in, agent?” At least Kaliyo seemed to be enjoying the show.

 

“Neat piece of work!” the Sith stated as he let go of Mako. “Let’s go,” he said to his companions. “Vette, you take the monkey.” The Twi’lek holstered her weapons, he handed her the leash and put Ungry down. The group walked away, the Twi’lek dragging Ungry, who had started to yell and scream again as soon as he realized he was being taken away from Thorns and Mako, with her.

 

Thorns, weapons still in hands hanging limp at his side, hung his head and tried to blend out the heart-wrenching sound.

 

“Welcome to the Empire!”

 

Smilo! Thorns had almost forgotten about him. Now he raised his head and aimed his weapons at the agent.

“Death penalty? Let’s talk about death penalty, you treacherous sh*t.”

 

“No, don’t interfere!” Smilo commanded the officers who were still present. Somehow the rest of the area had cleared of people during the argument with the Sith.

Smilo spread his arms, palms up. “You don’t realize it, but I saved your *ss. I could have cited at least five laws that would have saved Ungry, all in favor of the Sith, who by the way is the newly appointed apprentice of Darth Baras, one of the most influential men in the Empire. When you seek trouble you don’t start small, do you? Yes, your pet is lucky it is still alive, but I doubt you’d have preferred the other options, for they’d have either cost yourself your life, a not inconsiderable amount of credits I assume you don’t have, or your freedom for quite some time, at least long enough for the Great Hunt to have already started before you reached Dromund Kaas. Now tell me again how I betrayed you! You know nothing, Thorns. I got some free advice for you. Keep your eyes open and your mouth shut until you’ve learned how the wind blows in the Empire. And next time you encounter a Sith bow your stubborn head and say ‘Yes, my lord!’, and maybe you’ll manage to reach the Mandalorian Enclave.”

 

Thorns lowered his weapons. “You’re right. I shouldn’t let out my frustration on you.” He looked in the direction the Sith had left with Ungry. The monkey’s screams could still be heard.

 

“First round of beer is on me,” Kaliyo said. “Follow me to the cantina before the agent offers free lessons of brown-nosing.”

 

He could use something to get rid of the bad taste in his mouth, so Thorns shrugged. Mako gave him a brief hug, grabbed her bag and took hold of one of the handles of their box. Thorns took hold of the other handle after shouldering his backpack. Together they followed Kaliyo and Smilo.

 

***

 

Somewhere along the line of the second beer Thorns heard one of Ungry’s shouts of joy. He looked up just in time to see the monkey racing towards him. As soon as he reached Thorns he climbed up his leg where Thorns picked him up and hugged him to his chest. Ungry buried his face in his shirt and grabbed him so firmly Thorns heard the fabric tear in several places.

Thorns panned his gazed in the direction Ungry had come from. There stood the Twi’lek with the leash in her hand and a huge smile on her face. Thorns got up and approached her. She handed him the leash. “Here.”

 

He took it back. “Just like that? Is this some kind of trick?”

 

“I am sorry. He likes to play games.”

 

Thorns did not need to ask whom she meant. “So what is the goal of this game of his?”

 

“I am only guessing here. I think he didn’t want the pet to end up in quarantine. You see, they train in front of the quarantine zone every afternoon. And anybody who’s heard a monkey lizard scream for five minutes doesn’t want to endure it for several hours.”

 

“And there was no other way to achieve this? I mean in the end he simply told the officers that Ungry doesn’t need to be placed in quarantine.”

 

“But at this point the monkey belonged to a Sith which makes a huge difference. Well, killing your pet would have worked, too, I guess, anything else would probably not have been Sith-y enough. He is not so bad as compared to other Sith.”

 

Thorns stared at her. She was this Sith’ slave and she was defending him. Smilo was right, he knew nothing. Then again he had witnessed some things back on Coruscant that were hard to comprehend either. Not calling something slavery didn’t make it anything else.

 

“I have a message, too,” she continued. “He tells you to take good care of the monkey lizard. He doesn’t like it if anything happens to his property.”

 

Thorns’ gaze drifted to the scars and healing wounds around her collar. “I can see that!” He wished he could take the words back when he saw the hurt in the Twi’lek’s eyes. “I am sorry. Thank you for bringing him back.”

 

“Only doing as I am told,” she snapped and left.

 

Kark! He was happy to have Ungry back but that didn’t do much to improve his overall mood. The station was big but not big enough to avoid running into the Sith and his companions again he feared. He couldn’t wait to travel on. Welcome to the Empire!

 

***

 

Ciner returned from his room, where he had taken a shower after his training with Ru. Vette was already waiting at the top of the stairs leading down to the cantina. Her shoulders were drooping, her lekku hung limp at her back. She straightened when she saw him but the usual sparkle in her eyes was absent. Again he wondered what he would have done without Ragate’s soothsaying. Sure, getting rid of her after Baras had given her to him would have been problematic without insulting his Master even if Baras had told him to do with her as he wished. But after all that had happened on Korriban he was certain that she held some significance for his future. He did not believe in destiny the same way Ru did, but he was not inclined to discard it as easily as he would have a few months ago.

 

All this did not help him to figure out what to do with her. If he had wanted a female Twi’lek slave he would have bought an attractive one. If he had wanted one. Despite all her put on boldness he had not failed to notice the way she tried to avoid his every touch. She was afraid of him although he did not understand why. He had not given her any reason, at least not in this regard. She was not his type. And even if she were — if he was in need for violence he picked a fight with a worthy opponent, he did not need it in his bed. There were other passions to enjoy. He seldom had difficulties to find a partner for mutual indulgence.

 

Vette had opened the Forbidden Chamber on Korriban, and she knew how to use the blasters he had given her, she had been willing to defend him against the mercenary earlier — but how far could he trust her in a fight where his own death would not mean hers as well?

 

“Hey,” she greeted him.

 

“Hey! What’s wrong? What happened?”

 

“Nothing. Everything is fine.” She looked him straight in the eyes, a smile lit up her face.

 

Without the small tremors in the Force making him suspicious and his observations during his approach he would have been unable to detect she was not telling the truth. He made a mental note of this useful ability of hers, she was an excellent liar.

“Like most people I don’t like being lied to. Unlike most people I am able to tell when someone is lying. So why don’t you try again? What happened?” He wasn’t a bad liar himself when he needed to be. Often it sufficed to tell people what they believed anyway — everybody knew that all Force users were able to read minds, were they not?

He saw her swallow. It seemed like Vette, too, knew this as a fact.

 

“Nothing happened.” She licked her lips as he raised a brow. “Really. I am your property, even chance will be careful from now on not to let me stumble.”

 

He felt anger rise. “It’s the mercenary! What did he say to you?”

 

She looked away.

 

Ignoring her attempt to evade him he took hold of her chin and forced her to look at him. “Tell me what he said! I know he is sitting at the other side of the cantina. I will teach him some manners.”

 

“Yes, go on! That will help. Because he is the only one who noticed the collar. It’s easier to do something about him than to do something about this thing around my neck. You’re such a caring proprietor you probably don’t want to rob me of the perpetual fear of electrocution that I came to like so much on Korriban.”

 

“Perpetual fear of…” he let go of her. “You still have the remote, you know?”

 

“Oh, how thoughtless of me, of course this changes everything.”

 

“So if it doesn’t matter give it back.” He held out his hand.

 

Her eyes widened and her nostrils flared, she hesitated. Eventually she jerked the remote from her waistband. Jaw clenched she put it into his outstretched hand. She raised her head and stared him in the eyes as she waited for him to operate the device.

 

He suppressed the smirk in favor of a serious expression. “You really think I’d press this button now.” He lifted the remote in front of her eyes. “I told you I didn’t need this thing and I still don’t. Not because I have other means to punish you, but because you give me no reason to do so. You are right. It doesn’t make a difference who holds the remote. You know that neither the collar nor the slavery were my idea.”

 

It took her a moment before her eyes widened in disbelief. “You want to take the shock collar off?”

 

“You’ve earned it Vette. It is not freedom, though.”

 

“Wow, now I feel stupid for not asking sooner.”

 

For once she didn’t flinch away from him when he stepped closer to take off the shock collar. Collar in hand he took a step back to watch her stretch her muscles. “Don’t worry,” she said, “I’ll try not to give you reason to slap that thing back on.”

 

Ciner wondered what her twitching lekku were saying. He didn’t want to kill the returning sparkle in her eyes, but he had to make sure she understood her situation. “I expect your loyalty to remain absolute. Never forget that you’re my property. To be otherwise in the Empire would leave you in a… troubled position.”

 

“You’ve got a really twisted view of the galaxy, you know that?”

 

“Vette, you’re in the Empire now. I doubt you’d make it back out. Being a Twi’lek would suffice to make things difficult for you. What is more problematic in your case is your connection to me and Darth Baras. There is a reason for everything he does. And in case you figure one out he probably got several others hidden up his sleeve. If I were to release you he’d try to find out why. And I am sure he’d like to hear your version. He has his spies everywhere. You would not be able to escape him.”

And of course there was Ragate’s augury Ciner saw no reason to tell her about.

 

Vette sighed. “I hear you. Just another day in the life of the Empire. Well, I am not in prison or collared and it’s sort of miserable weather, so I guess we should,… What happens now?”

 

He did not have the slightest idea. “Before or after dinner?”

 

She turned several shades paler. “I fear my schedule is very tight. I hope you had not planned to include me in your after dinner activities.”

 

Now it was Ciner’s turn to sigh. “You’ll be staying close to me, Vette. There may be times when it will be literally closer than you’d prefer. Here and now I’ll give a promise to you. I will not lay a finger on you in the way you are dreading.”

 

“That’s not… I am not…” She blushed deeply turning an interesting shade of purple. She cleared her throat.

 

“Thank you!”

 

The smile that spread on her face did not only reach her eyes it was the first one from her, Ciner saw, which he felt also resonate through the Force.

 

 

 

I had thought about omitting the next part, but I think it adds some more insight in Ciner's and Ru's relationship. This one is NOT PG13.

 

Vaiken Spacedock, one of the following nights

 

Panting Ciner lay down on his back beside Nindi. His head was spinning.

 

“Wow!” The woman knew what she was doing. And she knew how to enjoy herself. The sex had felt great, but her ecstasy had been intoxicating.

 

“Thank you!” she chuckled. She rested her head on his chest and tilted it back to watch him. “You’re not as inexperienced as I feared.”

 

He raised an eyebrow. Was this supposed to be a compliment? “Forgive me, if I knew you were looking for a boy to deflower I’d have behaved more stupidly.”

 

Ciner could tell she was amused. Anticipation entered the bundle of her emotions. Her leg intertwined with his. It seemed like she wanted him to stay a little longer. “Your expertise in getting rid of my bra would have given you away, my lord.”

 

His hand, which had been tracing patterns on her back, paused. “So you knew I was a Sith.”

 

There was a whiff of concern now. “I have been frequenting this station for some years now, Ciner. A woman has to be careful. I knew who and what you are before I approached you at the bar.” So much for sitting at the bar on the lower level in ordinary street clothes.

 

His hand resumed the patterns on her back. “Not many Force-blind women dare to approach a Sith.” He was used to taking the initiative. Nindi’s advances had surprised him. She wasn’t what he’d call an eye-catcher, and several years older than him, but her self-assured manner had been intriguing.

 

“As I said, I am no stranger here. And you built quite the reputation.” She circled his n*pple with her index finger.

 

“But you feared I was inexperienced?” Her logic eluded him.

 

The concern had evaporated. “There is a difference between quantity and quality. Sleeping with another woman every night—who says you even care about your varying partners’ pleasure? The girls you spent your nights with might not even know the difference.”

 

“Do they know the difference?”

 

“Do you think I’d be bold enough to toss you out of my room, if I found you lacking, my lord?” she asked with a purr before she playfully bit his other n*pple.

 

“I think, I’ll make sure you won’t find me lacking!” he countered. Yes, she knew exactly what she was doing.

 

***

 

Ciner was buried beneath the sheet between Nindi’s thighs when the door burst open. Nindi scrabbled backward clutching the sheet to her chest. This way Ciner was able to roll out of the bed in a fluid motion without tangling in the cloth. He came to his feet and his jacket flew to his hands. Right, his lightsaber hilts were hidden in the pockets. This solution proved to be less than optimal. He fumbled to get at least one of them out of its envelopment. Careless. He hadn’t calculated on having to defend himself.

 

Nindi had found her blaster and pointed it at the intruder. Before she was able to pull the trigger, though, the thing crashed with a thump into the nearest wall. A Force-user! Ciner was still dazed from Nindi’s mounting ecstasy, but her panic overtook everything else. Clutching this panic Ciner opened up to the Force.

His attempt to grab the attacker with a Force-grip slid off a shield. He felt himself flying back into the corner of the room. His back protested when he crashed into the wall. Somehow he had managed to rip one of his lightsabers out of his jacket. The red glow of its blade cast the room into an eerie light when he activated it.

 

Red double blades flared in the doorway—Ru. In the light of the weapons the Mirialan’s eyes glowed like embers. “You don’t want to fight me!” he growled. “Not now. I’ve had enough! That’s it.”

 

“What’s wrong with you?” Ciner yelled.

 

“What’s wrong with me? I’ll tell you what’s wrong with me. You are wrong. You and your Force-forsaken inability to control your end of the bond.”

 

A chair flew in Ciner’s direction. Standing in the corner of the room he had trouble to dodge it.

 

“I don’t know how you are doing this, but I need some decent amount of sleep now and then,” Ru continued. “And if I had wanted to participate in your nightly activities, I’d have asked to join you. I’d like to forbear the feeling of having bedded half of Vaiken Spacedock when I didn’t have any intercourse at all.”

 

“So it’s my fault you’re sexually frustrated?”

 

“I am not…”

 

Something small missed Ciner’s head by a few centimeters and created a moderate crater in the wall.

 

“…sexually frustrated! I am suffering from sleep deprivation!”

 

“Okay, okay.” Ciner deactivated his lightsaber. He felt as naked as he was. “Let me get dressed and we talk about it.”

 

“There is nothing more to say. I am going back to bed!” Ru, too, deactivated his weapon before he left the room.

 

“Is he gone?” Nindi asked. Her voice was still quivering, but Ciner felt her panic ebb.

 

“I am sorry. Are you okay?”

 

“Yes. But I think it’s better if you leave now.”

 

He had already donned his trousers. “Yes, I’ll leave.” He grabbed his remaining clothes and headed for the door. “It’s a shame.” He grinned. “I really thought I’d be able to avoid being tossed out of your room.”

 

She shook her head unable to prevent a smile. “Yes, it’s a shame.”

 

 

[Lunafox]

Very nice. I do believe I'm getting to like Ciner more and more. Keep it up. And I'm glad you included the part that you thought about not including. I really did enjoy that. I'd often wondered how far I could go with such things here. You did it tastefully. I loved it

[frauzet]

Very nice. I do believe I'm getting to like Ciner more and more. Keep it up. And I'm glad you included the part that you thought about not including. I really did enjoy that. I'd often wondered how far I could go with such things here. You did it tastefully. I loved it

Thank you for the compliment. Ciner has me ask you if there was a pun intended

Joke aside, I am always a bit unsure about what is allowed and what not. I probably wouldn't have posted the piece in German in the German forum because in Germany the game is USK12. Anyway I try to be not too explicit, keep it at a level where the reader knows what I am talking about if the reader knows what I am talking about. Does that make sense? (Sometimes not even I know what I am talking about.)

 

 

Material has been posted on the SFWC, spoilers for Black Talon

 

Vaiken Spacedock, the following day

 

“I have to inform you that there has been a mistake, sir. The Black Talon is not a passenger ship and the personnel is not used to handling reservations. As it seems we are overbooked. I am sorry, sir, but there is only one cabin at your disposal.”

 

Great! Thorns shared a glance with Mako and rolled his eyes. He assumed hitting the valet would not help, neither would complaining. The guy was only following orders. Maybe they would be able to find someone with authority to sort things out.

 

“Let’s not make a fuss,” Mako suggested still smiling. “It’s only one day. We can take turns sleeping.”

 

Mako was right. He was glad to get off the station. He had traveled under worse conditions. “It’s okay. Guess we’ll be able to find a pillow and a spare blanket. I’ll take the floor.” He pointed at the valet who to his credit jumped only slightly. “I want the money for the second cabin back. Mako give him our account details, don’t want the money to go back to Nem’ro.”

 

“Of course, sir. Right away, sir,” the man complied sounding relieved they had not threatened to shoot him. “I’ll have blankets and pillows delivered to your cabin, sir,” he added while initiating the transfer of the money.

 

An uniformed female officer, her hair in an austere bun, entered with two guardsmen in full armor in tow. Maybe she could do something about the cabin. Thorns ditched the valet and walked towards her. He had not gotten far when his path was intercepted by one of the guards.

 

“Please stand back, sir. The lieutenant is unavailable. The valet is fully capable to handle any of your requests.”

 

“Let’s go, big guy!” Mako tugged on his arm. “We save a few days. We can rest once we’re in Kaas City. I am not sure they got a detention cell aboard this ship, but if they do it will not be much more comfortable than the floor in front of my bunk. No doubt the company would be less enjoyable.”

 

“No doubt!” Thorns grabbed his handle of their box. “You don’t snore, do you?”

 

“Mister Thorns, how dare you?” Mako replied with feigned indignation as she lifted her end of the box, “a lady never snores!”

 

“Please forgive a poor ignorant lout.” He grinned. “Thought, to be on the safe side, I’d ask before I shoot anyone making noise tonight.”

 

“Do I need to be concerned? Where is that officer?”

 

“It’s gonna be fine, I’ll aim for the door.”

 

From the ship’s entry they were able to hear the voice of the lieutenant. “Good to have you aboard, even if it was on short notice, my lord. I’m Lieutenant Sylas, second in command…”

 

Thorns put his end of the box down and turned to the valet who grew several shades paler. “Overbooked, because the personnel is not used to handling reservations?”

 

It sounded like the Sith wasn’t pleased either. “Is there a reason your captain isn’t bothering to greet me?”

 

Thorns stared at the valet.

 

“I—I—I am terr—terribly sor—sorry,” the man spluttered, “I am not the one making any decisions.”

 

“No, you’re just the unlucky guy lying to my face.” Thorns smile did not reach his eyes. Mako gulped beside him. He had a few facial expressions in his repertoire she had not seen yet.

 

In the background he could hear the officer’s explanation why the captain wasn’t there to greet his guests. She was cut short by a new voice. “I am sure the ship will suffice, Lieutenant. How long until we reach home?”

 

Ungry laughed. Thorns forgot about the valet. He, too, had recognized the voice. So had Mako who drew her brows together in concern.

 

The valet hadn’t realized his luck yet. “I’ll transfer the rest of your money back to your account, you’ll be guests aboard the Black Talon.”

 

“Yeah, great,” Thorns murmured his consent while still listening to the conversation at the ship’s entrance.

 

“…it’s an honor to service the Sith and the Korriban Academy. Consider yourself our guests,” the lieutenant was bowing and scr@ping for the Sith.

 

“Your respect for the Sith is admirable, Lieutenant.” That was Gray Hair again. Arrogant @sshole. Thorns stroked Ungry to calm the monkey lizard.

 

“They should consider themselves fortunate to have us aboard,” the first Sith stated. This had to be the Mirialan. Hard to decide which Sith was worse.

 

They had managed not to clash with them again on the station. The tables both parties had occupied during mealtimes and in the evenings had been at opposite sides of the cantina. For Gray Hair they had been beneath notice. His slave had glanced in Thorns’ direction once or twice, her head held high and her neck without the collar she had worn the first two times they had met. Otherwise she, too, had ignored them. The Mirialan had given Thorns the creeps several times when he had caught him staring; ‘caught’ was not the right word though. The Sith had been leaning against a pillar studying him. He had neither tried to hide it nor had he bothered to look away when Thorns became aware of him. Smilo and Mako had cautioned him every time not to rise to the bait. He wasn’t on Tattooine anymore where it might be more dangerous to ignore a challenge than to confront a possible attacker right away. This was the Empire and he was still learning the rules. Don’t mess with the Sith! He wasn’t dumb.

 

“…arrive in the Dromund system, I’ll have you informed.” The lieutenant ended her reception of the two Sith.

 

Thorns sat down on their box.

 

“What are you doing?” Mako mouthed.

 

He started to rummage through his backpack. “Need a new toothpick!” He didn’t want them in his back. He didn’t want it to look as if he was running away.

 

The Sith and their companions walked past them without to acknowledge their presence.

 

Mako shook her head, sat down next to him, leaned over, and pulled a toothpick out of one of his breast-pockets. “How about this one?” Her raised brow emphasized her smirk.

 

He took the toothpick and looked it over before he put it into the corner of his mouth. “Yeah, that’s a good one.” He tilted his head to grin at her. When she grinned back he nudged her shoulder with his own. “Ready to survey our palace, my lady?”

 

In the background the lieutenant introduced herself a second time.

 

“Agent Smilo Noor. A pleasure to meet you, Lieutenant,” the newcomer offered.

 

“Indeed. Welcome…” they could hear the lieutenant’s answer.

 

“Unbelievable!” Mako whispered. “He’s using his bedroom voice. I can hear her heart melting from here.”

 

“Bedroom voice? Smilo?” Somehow he didn’t like the idea that Mako found the agent’s voice attractive—or anything else about him.

 

Smilo and Kaliyo greeted them with a curt nod as they followed the Black Talon’s personnel aboard, the agent conversing with the lieutenant.

 

“Yes Smilo! Of course it would have been harder to notice if I had been concentrating on Kaliyo instead.” The nudge Mako gave him back took the sting out of her words.

 

He put a hand over his heart and batted his eyelashes at her. “Tonight I am all yours!”

 

Mako laughed. “I’m sure it will be a night to remember.”

 

***

 

He was wide awake, one blaster aiming for the door, before the second knock.

 

“Hate to interrupt, but you’re needed.”

Kaliyo. What did she want in the middle of the night? Knocking turned into pounding. “Open the door, Thorns. I know you’re in there.”

 

“Go away, I am busy.” He could hear Mako moving in the bunk. “Stay there till we know what this is about,” he whispered. The room was too small for both of them to maneuver. He had already picked Ungry up from his pillow and now handed him to Mako. The security lights near the floor were dim but provided enough light to make out her hands.

 

“Okay,” Mako breathed.

 

“Busy? Oh come on. With little Miss Sunshine? Don’t make me laugh!” Kaliyo was still pounding at the door.

 

Mako made an indignant sound. He got up from the floor and opened the door. “What?” He leaned in the door frame blocking Kaliyo from entering, one hand propped at his waist not far from the butt of the blaster sticking out of his shorts at the small of his back.

 

Kaliyo gave him a once over and grinned. The shorts were the only piece of clothing he was wearing. She hooked one index finger into his waistband and pulled, then tilted her head to cast a glance inside his underwear. “Thought so.” Thorns stared at her. She pulled the waistband a little further before she let it flick back. Thorns didn’t move. “There’s a meeting in the conference room. Looks like they can’t do without you.”

 

“Who?” When he saw the flicker in her eyes he knew. “Well, guess they’ll have to find a replacement.” Thorns pushed himself back from the door frame, and Kaliyo put one foot in the door.

 

“I hate running errands,” she stated with a threatening undertone.

 

“If Smilo wants to bow and scrape for the Sith, fine. Guess it’s all in the fine print of his labor contract. I am not bound to play their games. Your choice if you want to participate. Have fun, if you do.”

 

“I’m sure I’ll have more fun than you. You don’t think you can get in her pants, do you?”

 

Admitted, he had been thinking about Mako’s underwear and its content, when he had waited in front of the door for her to get dressed for bed. His flirting with her had been more kidding around so far, though, and she had been keeping him at distance. He would not have minded otherwise but she seemed intent on keeping their relationship nonsexual — at least at this stage. “Sh*t, Kal. Even if it’s none of your business, we are only working together.”

 

“I’ve always found that life is more fun when you mix work and pleasure.” She took a step closer. “Of course I am no prude,” she added with a grin when Thorns caught her wrist before she reached his crotch.

 

“Now,” Mako piped up reminding them that she was still there and able to hear their conversation, “that explains, why you were so desperate to leave Nem’ro.”

 

Kaliyo’s eyes blazed, but before she was able to open her mouth, Thorns slammed her into the wall. Their short struggle stopped when Kaliyo felt the muzzle of his blaster pressing beneath her chin.

 

“Don’t even think of threatening Mako. We are a team. You threaten her, you threaten me, you’re dead.”

 

“Whoa, slow down! Boy, this Sith really gets under your skin.” Kaliyo raised her hands. A smirk spread over her face. “Good to know some of your triggers, might keep our relationship from getting boring too fast.”

 

His body pressed hers to the wall. “You’re playing dangerous games, Kal.”

 

Her snarl was playful. “Don’t like any others. Might even invite you to my room after our little conference, if you’re still in a bad mood. Now let go of me, we girls are able to sort things out on our own, right Mako?” Her gaze wandered over his shoulder to Mako.

 

“Guess there isn’t much to sort anyway. “ Mako consented. “But if you don’t want to let go of her, you might consider continuing your conversation in Kaliyo’s room. I’d rather sleep than witness more.”

 

“No conference, no conversation, no witnessing. Kal will leave us now. I am not in the mood for any more games, hers or the Sith’.”

 

Kaliyo nodded. “I told Smilo you’d not be interested in the job.”

 

“What job?” Mako asked.

 

“Mako!”

 

“We need money, big guy.”

 

“Kark! What job, Kal?”

 

“There is a droid in the conference room. A guard brought it in because it claimed it belonged to your special friend. Turns out, it doesn’t. But it seems to have a lot of information about us passengers. It stated its master wishes to speak to the Sith. When they told it to establish a connection it said you had to be present, too. Can you imagine how pissed your friend was when he realized he was forced to wait for you?”

 

“I couldn’t care less. There was neither the word job nor money in your tale.”

 

“The droid’s master wants to hire you. Like I said, since it probably involves the Sith, I knew you would not be interested.”

 

“Right, I ain’t!”

 

“Thorns, we need the money. Let’s at least hear him out!” Mako objected.

 

Kaliyo raised an eyebrow and grinned. “Now, who’s the boss?” she purred.

 

His sigh sounded pained. “Obviously money.” The kiss he gave Kaliyo was rough, and he broke it when she bit him hard enough to draw blood. He grinned. “I’ll take you up on your invitation.”

 

“Will you?” Kaliyo raised an eyebrow as she licked his blood from her lower lip. “We’ll see about who’ll be taking whom!”

 

Thorns let go of her and wiped the blood from his chin with the back of his hand. This time he wasn’t fast enough to catch Kaliyo’s hand which darted down to squeeze him. “See you two later!” she whispered and left.

 

Mako, who had turned to the bunk, had already discarded her sleepshirt and was closing the clasp of her bra. Ungry snatched her shirt and retreated behind the pillow to cuddle with it.

 

“I’ll wait outside ’til you’re dressed.” It would help to keep her from noticing the bulge in his shorts. He thought Kaliyo might be pleased, for she had certainly noticed despite the poor lighting conditions. Mako’s naked back did nothing to relax the situation.

 

“Nonsense! We have no time to waste,” Mako chided. “There’s no need to make this kriffing Sith any more mad at us than he already is.”

 

“Remind me again why I should care! We don’t need the money this desperately!”

 

“Mister Thorns!” Mako spun and rounded on him, her index finger stabbing his naked chest. Surveying her finger he noticed her bra was black, something sober, without lace. He forced himself to look at her face. “You better get dressed now!” she continued. “Seems like you forgot, but I didn’t. You promised you’d be all mine tonight.”

 

Yes, he had said that, but it had been a joke, she knew it had been a joke. She couldn’t possibly be serious and hold this against him now.

 

She wasn’t done yet. “I can’t remember you specifying any details, and my memory is good. So stop being childish. We will go to this meeting!” She stared first at her finger then at his chest. She coughed, let her hand sink, and turned back to the bed without looking him in the eyes, but not without him noticing the flush that crept to her cheeks.

 

When he turned his back to her it was more out of precaution to hide his own body’s reaction than to give her privacy to don the rest of her clothes. All swear words that came to his mind seemed to have a sexual connotation. F*ck Kaliyo! He had had everything under control before she had shown up.

 

Attaching the armor plates to the suit he put on took some time, so Mako was done first and helped him to fasten the last ones. She was quick and efficient. There was no need to tell her what went were. He stretched, adjusted a strap, and stretched again. Once he was sure everything fit he holstered his weapons and put his helmet on. He picked up the sleeping Ungry and placed him together with Mako’s shirt inside the satchel which could be strapped to his armor.

 

“Booted and spurred! All yours, as promised!”

 

Everybody looked up when Thorns and Mako entered the conference room. Smilo got up from his seat and came forward to the middle of the room in front of the waiting protocol droid that Kaliyo had been talking about.

 

“Looks like we are complete, NR-02,” the agent stated.

 

Kaliyo lazed about in a chair, her boots on the table. She grinned with the thrill of anticipation of the show she expected.

The two Sith sat at the other side of the room, the Twi’lek sat next to Gray Hair, and the red monster stood behind the Mirialan. Maybe the lighting was playing tricks on his mind but — how had Kaliyo dubbed him, his special friend? — his special friend’s eyes seemed to be glowing with a faint red glint.

 

“Ooh, look at him. I think Kaliyo was right. He is pissed. Seems like he is trying to stare holes in my armor.” Thorns grinned.

 

Mako’s elbow poked his side. His HUD blinked. <Behave yourself. Who do you think lives on Dromund Kaas? We will be meeting more Sith!!!!!>

 

Mako had hijacked a part of the Black Talon’s communication system and had hooked his helmet up directly to her implants. Unless he chose otherwise only Mako would be able to hear him as long as he was not talking too loud. They had experimented with their equipment back on Vaiken Spacedock. He already loved it.

 

“Okay. Keep calm and let me do the talking. If I want to build a reputation as a bounty hunter I can’t let myself be bullied around by a mere apprentice, especially if we’ll have to deal with more Sith.”

 

He walked to the middle of the room, Mako right behind him, and stopped beside Smilo. Time to activate the direct speaker. “Agent!” he greeted the Imperial with a nod.

 

“Hunter!”

 

Thorns crossed his arms. “Okay, droid. I don’t know yet why I should care what your master has to say, but I am listening for now.”

 

“Identity unconfirmed! Please remove your helmet.”

 

“Not going to happen!”

 

“I can confirm his identity,” Smilo offered.

 

“Insufficient! Please remove your helmet.”

 

“Well, ladies and gentlemen, it has been nice to meet you.” Thorns turned to leave.

 

Without obvious effort Gray Hair bounded over the table and blocked his way. “I do not think you will be leaving.”

 

“And how exactly do you intend to stop me?”

 

<Are you trying to get us killed?>

 

Mako gasped when the lightsaber hilt sprang to the Sith’ hand. “Take off your helmet!” he commanded as he activated the weapon with a flick of his wrist. “Or I will take it off along with your head!” The red light of the blade emphasized the glow in the man’s eyes. It was reflected by the metal parts of Thorns’ armor and lent the scene a surreal quality, a foretaste of the blood that was to flow.

 

<Please, Thorns!>

 

Thorns raised his hands to his helmet. He let them drop again. “Wait! How will that help with the droid not talking without me?”

 

<KARK KARK KARK you are kriffing trying to get us killed!>

 

His admiration for Mako grew when she stayed outwardly calm. The inside of his armor felt hotter with every moment he and his opponent stared at each other. The Sith didn’t blink, neither did Thorns even so nobody would have been able to notice.

 

The Mirialan chuckled. “I think I like him, Ciner. He isn’t afraid of you.”

 

“He is a fool then,” the human Sith attested.

 

<HE IS RIGHT YOU ARE A FOOL>

 

“Maybe he is.” The Mirialan walked around the table to stand beside Gray Hair. He made a waving gesture in front of his body as he addressed Thorns. “You will take off your helmet.”

 

Yes, Thorns thought, he would take of his helmet. He couldn’t remember what the fuss was all about. He would — he shook his head and blinked his eyes. What was happening? Kark, they were messing with his mind. Kriffing azkanc. Keep cool, he had told Mako. Now he felt drops of sweat running down his back along the spine, soaking his suit beneath the belt. If he drew a weapon this would end in a bloodbath — Mako’s blood most certainly in large amounts, her leatheris suit would do nothing to hold off the lightsabers. He’d be able to sell his life dearly but he’d have to part with it. The numbers didn’t leave much room for interpretation of the situation. The agent’s loyalty was to the Empire. Kaliyo would stay neutral at best. It was Vaiken Spacedock all over again — except they needed him this time. Thorns crossed his arms once more. He would not give in. “I will consider it if HE,” Thorns pointed at Gray Hair, “says please.”

 

<Kark, Thorns, I am too young to die>

 

The Mirialan broke out in laughter. “Definitely a fool, but a strong-minded one.” Surveying Thorns he walked in a circle around him. “I am impressed.”

 

<I am not impressed NOT IMPRESSED>

 

“I can see why,” Gray Hair said and deactivated his weapon. The two Sith shared a glance. A smile played at the corners of the human’s mouth. “My friend here seems to think you might still be useful. We will see, once we know what this is about.” Thorns blinked again. The Sith was actually smiling at him. “Please take off your helmet.”

 

<If we survive this I’ll kill you myself>

 

Gray Hair walked past Thorns to the droid, clearing the way to the door. “And maybe we can finally listen to the oh so very urgent message of this useless piece of junk afterward.” The Sith was still pissed but it seemed like the droid had been the reason all along.

 

Well the @sshole had said please. Thorns turned, walked back in front of the droid, removed his helmet, and took it under his left arm. With his fingers he combed his hair back. Wearing the helmet ruined his mohawk. One of the reasons he hated to take the helmet off once he had decided he needed it. While the droid took a scan of his face he took off his right glove and fished a toothpick out of one of his breast-pockets.

 

“Identity confirmed!” announced the protocol unit as Thorns put the small piece of wood into the corner of his mouth.

Eventually satisfied the droid immediately started to establish the connection to his master.

 

Panning his gaze over the rest of the audience Thorns got the impression everybody else was every bit as clueless about what to expect as he was.

 

“This is unit NR-02 to Grand Moff Kilran. You are now in contact with the Black Talon.”

 

The Butcher of Coruscant? Thorns was no cloudhead. The fighting during the Sacking of Coruscant hadn’t reached the lower levels of the city where they had been living. But he had heard enough of the man to dislike him. Great, he had known it was a mistake to take off his helmet. Now he would have to keep his facial expressions in check. The toothpick changed its corner of his mouth.

 

The Mirialan walked to the conference table and sat down on its edge, placing one foot on the chair in front of him he propped his chin on his hand with his elbow resting on his knee. He adopted a languid expression, but he’d have an excellent overview over the whole scene. Thorns noticed that the Sith wore boots made out of soft black leather beneath his robe. The black skirt that had seemed rather narrow was cut artfully to allow it to spread at the slash at its front, displaying an underlying layer of dark fabric, and allowing enough freedom of leg movement in a fight. Even though the fabric didn’t look thick enough to be heavily reinforced, several layers of it would do the trick, too. What he himself gained in protection through his plating he paid in dexterity due to the greater weight. He made a mental note not to dismiss men in skirts out of hand.

 

Their gazes met for a moment and the Sith’ lips twitched to a small smile that made Thorns shiver. The man’s stare made him feel naked. With his strange glowing orange red eyes he seemed to be able to penetrate every layer of Thorns’ existence and see right into the center of his soul. His mouth felt suddenly dry. It required all of Thorns willpower not to blink and lick his lips. He averted his eyes to watch the holo projector that started to flicker. Why was the Sith so interested in him? Something tickled the back of his mind. Probably imagination, or the Sith was trying to manipulate him again. Did they need to do this gesturing crap to do so? He’d have to ask Mako to do some research on the subject. He knew far too little about Force users in general and Sith in particular.

 

The man whose holo projection appeared shortly afterward was tall and broad-shouldered, dressed in the uniform of an officer of the Imperial military. His dark hair was maybe a bit longer than regulation dictated — Thorns doubted these kind of regulations in the Empire were that much different from those in the Republic — and his last shave seemed to have been more than a day ago. The left side of his face was disfigured by scars. He was calm and confident though, radiating the air of command of someone used to giving orders and used to others obeying them. He had already been a Moff back in the last war, so Thorns guessed he had to be at least 50. If the man showed any signs of progressing age they were lost over the course of the transmission.

 

“Well — so I am,” the Grand Moff said. “And it seems you’ve brought me just the persons I was looking for.

My name is Rycus Kilran. I’m commander of the Fifth Fleet, second to the Minister of War, and — my personal favorite — the so-called ‘Butcher of Coruscant’.”

 

The Butcher of Coruscant. Thorns wasn’t sure how he felt about the outlook on working for the man. Here was one of the reasons he was leading the life he did. Back on Coruscant, when he was still Little Nat, he would have shot him without batting an eye given the chance. But Little Nat was dead. Left to die by the Republic he had been fighting for. Any obligations and loyalties had died with him. If he was to work in Empire territory an effectively concluded job for Grand Moff Kilran would probably open him many doors. Hearing him out couldn’t hurt in any case.

 

Gray Hair stood in front of the projection doing a good job of matching its radiated arrogance. “You speak to the apprentice of Darth Baras. Explain this interruption.” His tone left no doubt that he deemed himself superior to the Imperial officer by right of birth, or Force, or both, or whatever.

 

“My lords,” the Moff nodded towards the two Sith, “it’s a fortunate…”

 

“Something wrong with the hologram?” the bored tone of the Mirialan interrupted him, “or is your face supposed to look like that?”

 

Thorns was able to hear Kaliyo’s snicker, and a cough from the slave girl to hide the laughter that had nearly escaped her. The red monster made a sound which rang rather displeased. If the Mirialan even noticed he didn’t mind. Mako had not been able to find out anything about the hulking beast. Its connection to the Mirialan was uncertain. From what Thorns had seen it seemed to be fully sentient and probably male. Whether it — or he — was a guardian, a slave, or a hired mercenary was hard to tell though.

 

The Sith’ question left Kilran cold. “The scars? They’re an old gift from a Jedi friend. I barely notice them anymore.” If the Sith had been looking for a weak point he would have to look further. Thorns had to admire the nonchalance with which the officer used his obvious disadvantage to make a point of his own. A Moff would have no problem to receive facial surgery. This man though was the Butcher of Coruscant, he had bested a Jedi, he wore his scars with pride, he gave a sh*t about what anybody thought of his appearance.

 

Kilran continued. “Like I was saying it’s a fortunate coincidence to find you all aboard the Black Talon. Agent Noor.” He nodded toward Smilo.

 

The agent had been following the conversation in perfect parade rest. “I wasn’t aware that the military would be contacting me, sir — it’s an unexpected honor.”

 

“No need for that, agent. Military or Intelligence, we’re all on the same side.” The officer’s gaze wandered to Thorns. “Hunter, I may be in need of an additional hand.”

 

Thorns nodded silently in return. What was it the Grand Moff could not handle himself, despite the means at his disposal, and instead called upon two Sith apprentices, a single agent from Imperial Intelligence, and an unknown bounty hunter?

 

Kilran was about to tell them. “Six hours ago, the Republic engaged in an illegal border skirmish on the edges of Imperial territory. One enemy warship escaped. The warship — the Brentaal Star — is carrying a passenger of vital strategic importance. Yours is the only vessel placed to intercept.”

 

The fact that the Grand Moff wanted this enigmatic passenger bad enough to send a transport vessel to take up pursuit of a warship made Thorns doubt the story of the Republic engaging in this skirmish. Well, he wasn’t interested in the Empire’s foreign policy.

 

As it seemed Darth Baras’ apprentice was neither. “I think you’re out of luck, then,” the Sith said.

 

“How unfortunate for you,” the Mirialan murmured consenting to the statement of his fellow apprentice.

 

Kilran didn’t look impressed. Thorns doubted the man left much to chance. Even if the Butcher of Coruscant believed in something like luck, he would make sure his plans did not depend on it.

 

“This passenger the Brentaal Star is carrying — who is he?” Smilo chose to ignore the Sith and ask an important question.

 

“The warship’s passenger is code-named ‘the general’,” Kilran explained. “We don’t know his identity, but the Republic believes he possesses military secrets — our military secrets. I trust the reports; the general must be captured or killed. Captain Orzik — the man commanding your transport — doesn’t share my enthusiasm. He’s disobeyed my orders to attack. Feel free to show him what the Empire does to cowards. Then commandeer his ship, find the Brentaal Star and deal with the general.”

 

The agent nodded. “I’ll take care of it. If you’re right, it’s a job that needs to be done.”

 

“Truly, it’s comforting to find patriots in this age of skirmishes and border disputes.”

 

Judging by the intensifying glow in Gray Hair’s eyes the Sith had felt the slap Kilran had delivered.

 

Thorns took the toothpick out of his mouth. A little bit of respect would not hurt either. He was talking to a Grand Moff after all. “Sounds interesting, but you do realize I don’t work for free.”

 

“I certainly understand — as will the Imperial treasury. We need individuals like you if we’re to survive the next great war.” Kilran talked as if he had already prepared his major strategies.

 

If men like Kilran spoke of war then there would be war. Thorns did not need to be much interested in politics to now this much. A small provoked incident here, a little skirmish there, some faked encroachments, until at last even the skeptics were convinced. Individuals like him had seen it working in their neighborhood. If the top dogs wanted war, war was what they got. He had been involved in his share of Brentaal Stars back on Coruscant. One of his specialties — kill one of your own skeptics and make it look like it was done by a rivaling gang, be two steps closer to the next war over territory. He still wasn’t in the position to question his orders. But this job would bring him one step closer to being able to choose his clients, this job was his ticket to a name among the bounty hunters on Dromund Kaas. Next to this even the question how much credits they were talking became irrelevant.

 

Gray Hair pulled him out of his musings rudely. “Right now, I’m more interested in getting to Dromund Kaas.”

 

Kark! How much kriffing influence did an apprentice of Darth Baras have? Thorns wanted the job. Attacking a warship—what could possibly go wrong? He had challenged the Sith earlier. Today was as good a day to die as the next.

 

Kilran, though, proved that Thorns had not overestimated him. “Oh, I can sympathize. But I’m sure I can convince Darth Baras to forgive a bit of tardiness.” Applying to the Mirialan the Grand Moff continued, “as I am sure Lord Zash appreciates that the Empire comes before her research.” An edge of steel was added to his voice. “The general will be dead or in custody by day’s end. If he’s not, I assure you — your ship will never reach port.”

 

There was a moment of silence as Kilran’s words sank in. The air in the conference room seemed hotter and stuffier than before, the light dimmer. Waves of anger, nearly palpable, seemed to be emanating from both of the Sith, wrapping a cold band of fear around his heart. Even Kilran’s projection seemed to waver briefly. This time Thorns was sure Gray Hair’s eyes were glowing red. He heard Mako whimper behind him. He wasn’t able to help her, he was barely able to remain standing. He hadn’t overestimated Kilran — no — he had underestimated the Sith.

 

Without any sign of warning Gray Hair raised his hand and made a pushing motion. “Enough!” he commanded. The Mirialan toppled backwards over the table. The monster twitched but resumed his position when its master, grinning broadly, got back on his feet. With eyes still aglow Darth Baras’ apprentice addressed the Grand Moff. “I will take charge of this operation. See to it, that all available data on the Black Talon and the Brentaal Star is transferred to Agent Noor. We will need it.”

 

Kilran nodded. “Honor to house Ignis, my lord.”

 

“May its flames burn eternally.” Gray Hair panned his gaze over the assembled audience. “Time to speak to the captain.”

 

“I’ll be expecting the tidings of your success. The droid will submit all necessary information.”

 

What was the difference between all available data and all necessary information, Thorns wondered. When he started to turn to follow the Sith to the bridge, he was stopped by Kilran’s words.

 

“If you’ll excuse the hunter for a moment, I’d like to have a private word with him.”

 

 

[frauzet]

Material has been posted on the SFWC, spoilers for Black Talon

 

Black Talon, immediately afterwards

 

“Do you understand these instructions?”

 

Thorns rolled the toothpick from one corner of his mouth to the other before he took it out to point with it at Kilran’s hologram. “Yeah, I am sure I know what ‘unscathed’ means. To be on the safe side I’ll look it up on the holonet.”

 

Grand Moff Kilran didn’t even blink. “Don’t let the Sith interfere!”

 

“Might be a bit inconvenient you gave one of them lead of the operation.”

 

“Follow his lead as long as it serves your purpose.”

 

“I’ll contact you when I am back!” Thorns put the toothpick back in his mouth.

 

The droid cut the connection.

 

Thorns shared a glance with Mako. “I don’t like it,” she stated.

 

“This will never change, even after we’ve won the Great Hunt; you don’t get a noteworthy amount of credits for the easy jobs.” He spat out the toothpick and put his helmet and his glove back on. “Let’s see if our leader already has a plan.”

 

“He can’t be considerably older than we are. I doubt he has much experience with any such situations. But you heard Kilran, follow his lead. Don’t make him kill you before we even reach the captain.”

 

“They probably feed them the arrogance with a soup ladle when they are still babies. I’ll try not to anger him, promised, at least not as long as he is not convinced we are valuable allies.”

 

When they left the conference room behind the droid, Gray Hair — Ciner the Mirialan had called him — pushed himself off the wall he had been leaning against. “What did he want?” the Sith asked.

 

“Obviously he wanted to keep the conversation private. I am inclined to honor his wish.”

 

Mako coughed. <Try harder!> appeared on his HUD.

 

“I don’t like being extorted, hunter, but if you jeopardize my mission, I will kill you.” There was no trace left of the Sith’ former smile for him.

 

“Funny. The agent and I, we were hired to do a job. You were the one who turned this into blackmail.”

 

“I won’t let him carry off the bays alone. He had help,” the Mirialan deadpanned.

 

Ciner flashed at the other Sith. “You better be quiet! You’re little trick back there wasn’t particularly helpful.”

 

“I always found the lack of theory in the warriors’ education a bit troublesome. At a suitable opportunity I’ll tell you a thing or two about oscillations and resonances. And maybe you’ll practice to shut me out of your mind without knocking me over the table. But right now I think, that being quiet, my friend, is an excellent suggestion.” The Mirialan’s feral grin showed two rows of perfect white teeth. “We’ve already wasted enough time.” With a gesture he vanished into thin air.

 

Thorns had no idea what they had been talking about but he knew the second Sith had still to be there. Sith couldn’t teleport, or could they? The Mirialan had not used any kind of cloaking device like the one the agent possessed. Thorns was sure of that because he had seen both hands of the Sith. This had to be some kind of Force trick. How did it work? The Sith had made a gesture, but Thorns doubted he was able to manipulate the minds of so many people to make them not perceive him. He’d have to keep his eyes open to learn as much about their abilities as he could. Every detail could save his life when he had to confront his first Force user in earnest.

 

“Wait, Ru!” Ciner called, “we need to — Ru?”

 

There was no answer.

 

“Set your weapons to stun!” the gray haired Sith commanded. “We might still need some of the crew members.”

 

A reasonable order Thorns had no problem obeying. He handed the satchel with the still sleeping Ungry to Mako before he changed the settings of his blasters. “Stay behind me, I am the one wearing armor!” She nodded while she adjusted the settings of her own weapon.

 

Smilo checked his weapon which the agent seemingly had kept in stun mode anyway. Kaliyo scowled. “I’ll need proper equipment for this kind of work, agent.” She was wearing her reinforced coat but no helmet.

 

Smilo winked at her. “Keep us alive till Dromund Kaas, and I’ll make you a happy woman.”

 

“Yeah, happy woman. You promise that to all the girls?”

 

“Of course. And in your case I’ll even keep my promise.” The agent blew her a kiss and Kaliyo laughed. Thorns’ gaze wandered once to and fro between them. Why had Kaliyo followed the agent from Hutta? He’d bet she wasn’t sleeping with him — yet. The offer must have been a good one to make her leave her job with Nem’ro.

 

The Sith addressed the monster. “Khem, you’ll guard the rear!”

 

The beast crossed his arms in front of his chest. “You are not my master, worm. I am not bound to follow your orders.”

 

Ciner drew himself up to his full hight as he entered his next staring contest. “Your master will follow my orders in this. But maybe you’re still too weak. Do you fear you won’t be able to deal with an attack on your own? Maybe I should tell my slave to take the great Khem Val by his hand so he doesn’t wet his loincloth.”

 

The air around them vibrated when the monster growled.

 

“Follow my orders or attack me. You were not able to beat your master and you won’t beat me.”

 

“I will guard the rear,” the monster stated as if it had been his own idea all along.

 

There were a lot of things Thorns would have preferred to have in his back. He exchanged a glance with Kaliyo. “I’ll take the front. You keep an eye on the rear and Big Red?”

 

She looked at Khem and nodded. “I’ve had worse company.”

 

They all, the droid included, followed the Sith along the corridor. Smilo consulted the pad at his wrist while they walked. After a few steps the agent activated his stealth generator and became invisible. When they rounded the next corner they stood in front of four Imperial soldiers guarding the passage to the bridge which in addition was blocked by a ray shield.

 

The lieutenant in charge ordered them to halt. Thorns stopped like the rest of his companions. “This is a restricted area — Captain Orzik’s command,” the Imperial informed them.

 

Out of the corner of his eye Thorns saw the guardsman to the right behind the lieutenant go limp. He had seen the agent do this on Hutta, but this man looked different somehow. This had to be the Mirialan’s work. The lieutenant didn’t notice anything was amiss behind him. “You’ll have to leave immediately.” The man to his right went limp, too — the agent had struck. Thorns flexed his fingers. The messy part of the fight was about to start. A light appeared in the center of the lieutenants chest. The last man started. Thorns shot him before he had raised his weapon halfway. The light on the lieutenant’s chest, which had been merely a red glow at first, grew larger and brighter. The man stared at it, eyes growing big. His brows drew together in a frown when he heard the Mirialan — Ru — whisper in his ear, just loud enough that they all were able to hear him.

 

“Or else what?” the Sith asked as he shoved the blade of his lightsaber farther through the men’s body. He deactivated his weapon and the lieutenant dropped to his knees, a look of wonderment on his face, before he toppled over, and didn’t move again.

 

Smilo reappeared as he shot the third man whom he had stunned earlier. After the man collapsed the agent retrieved a dart from between the plates of the soldier’s armor. He obviously knew the weak spots of Imperial armor well.

 

Thorns shot the first man who had somehow been immobilized by Ru, while Smilo was already dragging his target towards a small room. “We can leave them here. I have the security codes to keep them locked up after the stuns wear off.”

 

“I will open the shield.” The droid approached a console.

 

“Stop! Don’t touch it!” the agent called. “You’ll set off the alarm. Let me handle this.”

 

The droid reluctantly stepped back. “We need to hurry!”

 

“We’ll reach the bridge faster if we don’t have to fight the rest of the crew after they have been alerted by an alarm.” Smilo waited until Thorns had dragged the last unconscious man into the room, the other one had been taken care of by the monster. The agent sealed the door and walked over to the console. His fingers flew over the keypad, the monitor flickered. After a while he cursed under his breath.

 

“What’s wrong?” Mako inquired.

 

“There is an additional security layer I am not familiar with. This may take some time.”

 

“The droid’s right,” Ciner chimed in, “we don’t have time. Let the droid open the shield.”

 

“No!” Mako’s voice was firm. “Let me try.” She shoved Smilo out of the way and began to type. “Give me the level-four-codes!” she told the agent.

 

Smilo looked at her sideways. “You are already this far inside? Impressive. You are aware that I’ll have to kill you after I give you the codes?”

 

She gave him a sweet smile. “Give me the codes and pay attention. You might learn something. We’ll talk about the killing after we survive this endeavor. Until then the codes won’t be valid anymore anyway.”

 

The agent stepped closer, and typed in the code sequence. Mako took over the pad again. The agent stood right behind her, looking over her shoulder. Half a minute later Mako looked up and beamed at Smilo. The shield dissipated.

 

“Good job!” Smilo stated, clasping her shoulders.

 

Thorns fought the urge to tell the agent to keep his hands to himself. He didn’t like the look Smilo gave Mako. He didn’t look like he intended to kill her, but Thorns didn’t like it just the same. Life in the company of an Imperial Intelligence agent might have more to offer than that with an unknown bounty hunter. Thorns remembered Mako had commented on Smilo’s charms when they had boarded the ship. No, he didn’t like it at all.

 

Mako was still entering commands into the console. What was she doing? The Sith had already walked some steps into the corridor that led to the bridge.

 

“Please wait, my lord,” Mako requested from Ciner. “I have access to the crew quarters and side corridors. We avoided the alarm. I am able to shut out all those currently not on duty in this area of the ship.”

 

“Do it!” the Sith ordered her.

 

“Spoilsport!” the Mirialan muttered.

 

After that they didn’t meet much resistance on their way to the bridge. They had to take a few droids apart before Mako and Smilo were able to deactivate them, most guards were overwhelmed without killing them. The remaining marines took their stand at the entry to the bridge.

The Sith looked at each other and nodded. “Stay back!” Ciner told the rest of them. With a huge leap he landed in the middle of the waiting guards. The force of his impact made the floor shake. Faster than any humanoid should be able to move the second Sith rushed in beside his friend. When he reached him he produced a shock wave which sent most of the already staggering marines to the floor. A whirl of red lights and two of the still standing men dropped screaming to the floor, clutching at lightsaber wounds.

Thorns took out one of the men who tried to get back to his feet on his side of the fight. Smilo did the same on the other side of the swirling Sith. They risked hitting the Sith if they fired at any of the other men. The wounded men were still screaming.

 

“Halt!” An uniformed man at the bridge took three steps forward. “We surrender! Everyone stay calm.”

 

Ciner walked toward the man in Imperial uniform. “You are the captain, I presume.”

 

“I’m Captain Revinal Orzik; I’m pretty sure I know…”

 

The Sith cut him short. “All you need to know is that I am taking command of this vessel by order of Grand Moff Kilran.”

 

“I take complete responsibility for my actions, my lord.” The captain assumed parade rest. “The Black Talon would be destroyed chasing a battleship. I fought in the war before, and I’ll fight again — but I don’t do suicide missions.”

 

“’Suicide’ was deciding you could ignore your superiors.” The Mirialan growled and activated his double bladed lightsaber. Several members of the bridge’s crew gasped. The flurry of red was stopped by Ciner’s two crossed blades. The human Sith had stepped in and shoved the captain out of the way in the blink of an eye. Both Sith looked at each other, a communication without words seemed to take place. The three touching blades spat sparkling red stars, deadly yet beautiful. Ru jumped back and deactivated his weapon. “Fine, you’re in charge,” he acknowledged his fellow Sith’ position. He turned his back on Ciner and the captain and headed for the viewport. The crew members along his path were desperate to avoid eye contact.

 

Ciner, too, deactivated his lightsabers and turned back to address the captain who had resumed his parade rest. “I am not looking to make a martyr of anyone, captain. We can complete this mission and survive.”

 

Kilran had told them to show the captain what the Empire did to cowards. Thorns had seen quite a number of men and women face death in his short life, he had often enough been the delivery boy of the retirement contract. He recognized the smell of fear, the wide eyes of a victim paralyzed by terror. He knew what a coward looked like — Orzik wasn’t one. Ciner had obviously come to the same conclusion.

 

However, the captain did not share their optimism regarding their mission. He had started to state his arguments when Thorns heard Mako calling softly for him. She was kneeling next to one of the wounded. Beside her he could see an opened first aid kit. When he reached her she looked up from the soldier’s leg. “I could use some help here, big guy. He is bleeding heavily and the kolto spray isn’t helping. It worked perfectly for the other injured soldier,” she gestured to a woman sitting with her back to the wall, cradling her arm in front of her, “but this one just keeps bleeding. Get someone to call for the ship’s MO, please.”

 

Someone had already removed the injured’s helmet. The man was white as a sheet. The amount of blood that had already pooled beneath him was alarming. Thorns took off his own helmet, set it down on the floor, pulled off his gloves, and dropped them next to his helmet. He didn’t want to wait for the MO.

“Hey droid! O-two!” he called while getting down on his knees beside the wounded, combing back the remnants of his mohawk with his fingers, and conveying a toothpick from one of his pockets to his mouth. A quick check of the injured produced a blaster and two knives which Thorns tossed out of reach. Better safe than sorry. He pulled his vibroknife.

 

Mako’s eyes grew wide. “What are you doing?”

 

“Oooing?” asked the head looking out of the satchel at Mako’s back.

 

Great, the monkey lizard was exactly what he had needed right now. Thorns had already begun to saw at the straps that connected the leg-plates to the man’s body suit. His whistle got everybody’s attention, even the droid’s. “Somebody call the medbay. We need the MO and a med team here at once.”

 

“At once, at once, at once,” Ungry yelled. He rattled at the satchel. The hole was too small for his body to fit through. “Ungry out! At once, at once, AAAAAT OOOOOONCE.”

 

Over the din Ungry was making Thorns heard Ciner’s consent and the droid making the call while he himself attempted to get rid of the soldier’s armor. “Shut up, Ungry!”

 

“Aaaaaat oooooonce!” the little guy yelled.

 

“The bleeding is washing away the kolto you’re applying,” he explained to Mako. “It won’t work this way. We need to reduce the bleeding first. And that we can’t do while the man is wearing his armor.” Once the plating had been removed, Thorns cut through the underlying suit, exposing the man’s thigh. He did his best to ignore the still screaming Ungry.

 

He gestured at two of the crew members at the next station. “Hey, get over here! Hold him!”

 

“Over heeeeere! Aaaaat ooonce!”

 

The man was barely conscious, but as he was a trained soldier, Thorns didn’t want to risk him thrashing around, hurting himself or Mako, or worsen his injury. With the leg laid bare they could see blood welling out of a wound above the knee. Part of the wound had been cauterized by the lightsaber which had inflicted it. Thorns had heard about this effect. Obviously the cut was deep enough and had been delivered fast enough for a large portion of the wound to remain open. Thorns cut the leg of the suit apart all the way up to the body. He shifted the soldier’s leg to get a better view of the inside of the thigh.

Ungry shut up and tried to get a look at what Thorns and Mako were doing. He had realized they would not let him out now.

The wounded soldier squirmed when Thorns’ fingers pressed into his groin, but the other two kept him still. A little adjustment and his fingers had found the artery. As soon as he interrupted the blood supply the bleeding at the knee stopped to a trickle. “Wipe away as much blood as you can,” he instructed Mako who unwrapped a dressing and did as he told her. “Now apply a kolto plaster and a bandage over it.” He watched her as she applied the bandage. “With a proper compression dressing I should be able to release the artery.” The kolto would be beginning to operate, too, during the time Mako needed to apply the dressing. He took his fingers away carefully when she was done. They watched the dressing. It stayed clean.

 

He smiled at Mako. “Good work!”

 

“Urgh. Aaaat oooonce!”

 

She smiled back. “Thanks for the help! I didn’t know you had experience with this. You withheld some kind of medical qualification?”

 

A harsh, bitter laugh escaped him. “No!”

 

“Nooooooooo. Aaaaat oooonce!” Ungry rattled at his satchel again.

 

“Force, Ungry. You won’t get a treat if you don’t shut up!” Mako scolded.

 

Ungry’s small beady eyes drew together. “Ungry treat?”

 

Mako laughed and asked their helpers for the location of the next refresher, telling Ungry he’d get a treat after she had cleaned her hands. Thorns welcomed the distraction. Mako had not inquired further. This wasn’t the time for his life story. He had no intention to scare her away. He told their helpers to keep the wounded’s feet up and talk to the man. Medical qualification, kark! He hadn’t even visited an ordinary school. Looked at it in that light he was lucky he was able to read. But he wasn’t dumb. He had learned a thing or two along the way. That was a point in favor of stony, unpaved roads uphill — there was a lot to learn about life, death, and survival. He’d come a long way, trudging on from bend to bend. The summit was somewhere in front of him, and he was determined to reach it.

 

Thorns looked over to the captain. The man had relaxed a bit. Thorns had to acknowledge his special friend had a way with people. As easily as he managed to get him into a rage he had managed to calm the captain and convince him they had a good chance to complete this mission. The captain, Ciner, and Smilo seemed to be already in the middle of making plans.

 

The medical team arrived, and Thorns told the MO what they’d done. After that he followed Mako in search of a sink. The water turned pink against the white basin. Somehow the blood wasn’t half as sticky as after killing somebody. For once it was a good feeling to watch it drain away. Afterward his hands felt cleaner than they had in some time.

 

When he returned to the bridge, the med team had taken the wounded away, and the captain gave the order to prepare for the jump to lightspeed.

Thorns retrieved his helmet and his gloves. The toothpick landed in a corner on the floor. He donned the helmet and closed the seals. Then he tugged his gloves back on and flexed his fingers. He felt for the grips of his blasters. They fit his palms perfectly. Not clean hands, this was what would get him to the summit.

 

 

[frauzet]

Material has been posted on the SFWC, spoilers for Black Talon

 

Meanwhile on Dromund Kaas

 

She disconnected her comm and sat back. It took her only a moment to process Keeper’s information and to rearrange her schedule. The agent from Hutta would be late. Given his record the man had performed beyond expectations on Hutta. He had neither been the first choice for the job nor the second. A blinking light on her monitor indicated the arrival of the data Grand Moff Kilran had provided. She opened the files and scanned the contents, going over all relevant parameters. The calculation of the probability for the agent to return from the Grand Moff’s assignment did not take her long. Defining the general’s death as success and taking into account the two Sith involved, the probability for success was at 15.783% in the best case, the probability for their agent to survive and not end in captivity at 3.376%. It would be best to arrange for her schedule to remain flexible. The chances for the agent to miss the appointment again were way above average.

 

Average — a thought occurred to her and occupied one of her brain’s spare cycles. She called up the agent’s public record. He had have to be among the best to be accepted into Intelligence training. The data confirmed it, he had been one of the top applicants of his year. She compared it to the internal data. Once she saw it she wondered how she had missed it the first time — average. There was an Utapese saying: ‘A good varactyl only jumps as high as it has to.’ In every test it seemed the agent had done just that. He had passed, he had neither failed, nor had he excelled; no outliers, neither favorite nor poor subjects. After his acceptance into the Imperial Academy’s intelligence program he had dropped to average. There was another saying: ‘The best are the first to die.’ Somebody was maximizing his chances. She’d have to adjust her calculation.

 

 

 

Black Talon, about an hour later

 

“But that’s unfair!” Mako exclaimed staring at him, arms akimbo.

 

“Uh-oh, trouble in paradise,” Kaliyo quipped with a nasty grin.

 

“Shut up, Kal! I doubt you know any more about paradise than I do,” Thorns growled.

 

“It’s boring, believe me.”

 

Thorns addressed Ciner who was, after all, leading this operation. “Give us a second.” Thorns grabbed Mako’s shoulders, turned her around, and shoved her towards a quiet corner of the Black Talon’s bridge.

 

Ciner nodded. “Make it short. I’m not sure how much longer our admission ticket will remain valid. Seems Ru overdid it somewhat.”

 

The Mirialan shrugged. “It’s hard not to get carried away when performing an interesting task for once. Besides, I would have needed a proper amount of time for a more scientific approach.”

 

Thorns felt Mako shiver. Truth be told he felt uneasy himself. He had heard a lot of people scream, but never had he heard screams like those of the Republic commando they had captured, once the Sith had started to persuade the guy to help them get to the Brentaal Star. He had witnessed people being tortured. It had never been a pretty sight. But Ru making the man squirm, scream, and beg for mercy without even touching him physically had been appalling. It was a good thing Captain Orzik had his crew under control. Right now they were more afraid of the Sith than of the enemy despite being the objective of a firing Republic warship.

 

The flight through hyperspace had been a short one. They had not had much time to prepare themselves. Kaliyo had made a trip to the armory and had returned with an Imperial armor in her size and a snappy comment that there always seemed to be someone faster to make her happy than the agent. A small smile had played at the corners of Smilo’s mouth as he ignored her. He had been conferring with Mako on how to best coordinate their communication.

 

As soon as they had had the Brentaal Star on their scanners, the warship had them on its, too. They had been hailed but hadn’t answered. Upon their continued approach the enemy ship had powered up and started firing. The Black Talon’s shields were by far better than her weapons and had withstood the attack. By then even the last members of their team realized they were lucky the captain was still alive—he was the only one who had fought in a space combat before. The same could not be said of the Republic warship’s crew of course. The evasive maneuvers the captain ordered had kept the Black Talon out of reach of the pods with sabotage droids in them, against the boarding shuttles however they had had no chance. The Black Talon’s defenses had not been sufficient to keep the Republic assault teams from landing.

 

While Mako and the agent stayed on the bridge to finish their task, the rest of them had helped the Black Talon’s marines to deal with the boarders. Most of them were ordinary soldiers in small groups which posed no greater problems. In the hangar bay however they had met with a squad of Republic Special Forces. The squad had just exited the shuttle they had arrived in. The fight had been brief but fierce, the main problem for Thorns being not shooting any allied Sith while they danced their foes dizzy in a deadly dance of flashing lightsabers. The squad’s leader had been the last foe standing and Ciner had ordered them to capture him alive. The Sith had wanted some information about the Brentaal Star and her crew.

 

Thorns had dressed the rep’s wounds, and they had brought him back to the bridge. Smilo had been doubtful. They had not had the time to interrogate a soldier with special training to withstand torture. The Mirialan had smiled then. Yes, he had agreed, the soldiers would have been trained, but there was one thing nobody in the Republic would have been able to prepare him for; the dark side of the Force. He had been right.

 

Their current plan was to use the Republic shuttle with the rep as pilot to fly back to the Brentaal Star. He would claim to be transporting some captives. They all reckoned with resistance once they reached the enemy ship’s hangar, but they most likely would not get pulverized on their way to the Star. Fighting this resistance would only be a distraction. Smilo with his stealth generator and Ru with his Force abilities would sneak aboard the Brentaal Star to eliminate the General. They would try to make it back to the hangar or use the Brentaal Star’s escape pods afterwards. Thorns had not figured out how his special job fit in there, but he’d improvise once the General had been taken care of.

 

Mako would stay aboard the Black Talon to handle communications and slice the Brentaal Star’s systems via a spike the agent would install at the first computer station they’d encounter over there. At least that had been the plan. Now that Thorns had told Mako he expected her to stay aboard the Black Talon it was obvious she thought poorly of it.

 

With a sigh Thorns took off his helmet—again—and tried to suppress his irritation. “I want you to stay on the bridge to…”

 

“You can’t be serious,” Mako interrupted him. She clutched the bag with the once more sleeping Ungry like a shield in front of her.

 

“Do I look like I am joking? What’s your problem?”

 

“You promised you’d not treat me like a child!”

 

“I am treating you like a member of my team. And I am telling you, to stay on the bridge.”

 

“But…”

 

This time Thorns interrupted Mako. “I’ll listen to your advice any time. Right now you are complaining and for that I don’t have time. And besides we already had this discussion. If anything you are behaving childish.”

 

“So I have to stay behind because I am behaving childish.” Her voice nearly broke. She turned away, but Thorns had seen the tears in her eyes.

 

He took a deep breath. Kark. He hadn’t meant to hurt her. She was still trying to cope with Braden’s murder. She needed time. All the fighting, the nasty interrogation, she shouldn’t have to deal with stuff like that right now. In his world you seldom got what you needed. Thorns took her by the shoulder and gently turned her to face him again. “Look, I am sorry. This is not the best situation to have an argument. We are a team, Mako. We work together. But that doesn’t always entail doing the same work. I am the one with the heavy armor and the two blasters he can draw faster than most people are able to blink. You are the clever one, who…”

 

“Who is also able to handle a blaster!” she interjected defiantly.

 

“I want you to take a look at the others.” He pointed in the direction of their companions in this endeavor. “Show me one of them you are certain you can beat in a fight.”

 

“Is this your way to tell me I am useless? Why did you promise to take me along in the first place?”

 

Thorns shook his head. “Not so fast. Look again. How many of them do you think can beat you in slicing the Star’s computer terminal? Mako, this isn’t about what you can’t do, it is about what only you can do. We need you here on the bridge. The only other one maybe able to slice the computer is probably Smilo; and he already has a task none of us can do.”

 

Mako sniveled. She narrowed her eyes. “And this has got nothing to do with me being a young woman, with keeping me out of harms way?”

 

Thorns laughed. “This has everything to do with keeping you out of harms way.” He raised his hand to prevent her from interrupting him again. “Your work is essential for our success. That’s why Smilo prepared the computer spike in the first place. Once he has it properly installed you’ll be able to work your magic without having to worry about evading blaster bolts. And furthermore you’ll be able to retrieve the information we need for our second assignment without anyone noticing. Does this sound reasonable?”

 

Mako nodded timidly. “Yes, I guess it does. I am sorry. It’s just that sometimes I feel like you treat me the same way Braden did.”

 

He raised an eyebrow. “Are you questioning my leadership of our little team?”

 

“No, of course not!” Mako hurried to assert.

 

“Well, then taking care of my team members is part of my job.”

 

“So you would have treated Jory the same?”

 

“I doubt I would have had a conversation like this with him because I would have taken him along.” Thorns winked and smiled when he saw her scowl. “Don’t look at me that way. My mom taught me not to talk ill of the dead, but Jory certainly wasn’t the best slicer in this part of the galaxy.” He put on a solemn face. “I worked with a girl for some time. Back then we both were younger than you are now. She taught me a lot.” He wondered if Iz was still alive—what she was doing right now if she was—if she had betrayed him. “I want you to stay on my team, Mako. I need you.”

 

Mako’s face lit up. “You’re lucky then. I got no other places to be.”

 

She underestimated her value. Thorns knew people who would hire her on the spot. He hoped she wouldn’t change her mind once she realized how precious her abilities were. He put his helmet back on. “Let’s get to work!”

 

Ciner was watching the hunter talk to Mako. Smilo had monitored him parallel to preparing the computer spike for their access to the Brentaal Star’s systems. The agent cast a glance of his own at Thorns and his companion. They were both young, several years younger even than him, maybe too young. The little slicer was good, no doubt. What all of them doubted was her suitability for this mission. It had not been hard to convince Thorns it would be best for her to stay on board the Black Talon. The hunter probably thought it had been his own idea. Working remote via the spike bore its risks, but Smilo would still be there and ready to interfere if they lost the connection.

 

He would have preferred not to come into the picture at all in this whole endeavor but he hadn’t had much of a choice. He had read Kilran’s dossier—at least everything he had access to with his current clearance. If Ciner, too, had, he would have known it was futile to oppose the Grand Moff; Kilran always got what he wanted. From what Smilo had seen so far the Sith was very perceptive. On the other hand he was definitely that—a kriffing Sith. He might have challenged Kilran anyway. He didn’t know much about the heir of house Ignis. The young man had not played any role in the Empire’s politics in the recent time. That would change fast once he had begun his apprenticeship with Darth Baras in earnest.

 

Smilo risked another glance at the Sith and wondered about the functions of Ciner’s implants. The devices were non-standard, not manufactured or maintained by any public company. Even a pillar of society like house Ignis had its enemies; and Lord Ardens was known to be a cautious man, much too cautious to risk his only child flippantly. Ciner had worn these implants since an accident in early childhood in which he had lost his mother and had been severely injured himself. Intelligence records were not clear on who had arranged the accident. There had not been much more useful information about Ciner in the records. House Ignis had a reputation for being effective and adamant about weeding out any spies in its service. If the agent had to make a guess, though, he would have said that Ciner’s implants enhanced his hearing above normal levels. The Sith tried to be unobtrusive about it but he was definitely eavesdropping on the hunter and Mako. What remained was the mystery what those two were talking about that was so interesting as to get a Sith to eavesdrop.

 

He had just finished the last preparations on the computer spike when Thorns and Mako rejoined them. “So, anything special I have to be mindful of?” Mako asked him, attempting to look like there hadn’t been an argument about her part of the job at all. He waved her over to his console and showed her what he had done. I took her only a few minutes to copy his code to her implants, skim its content, and make two suggestions for improvement. She was even better than he had estimated. He’d have to check with his superiors first but he’d like to make her an offer. With some intelligence training she’d be a valuable asset even if she wasn’t suited for field work. Thorns would not be happy, but Mako was a free woman, and there were other hunters for hire if he ever needed one.

 

Mako beamed at him when he playfully asked her for a private slicing lesson. Cute and likable Mako—she was naive, but he was under the impression seducing her would not help him to win her over for Intelligence. Better to play it safe with compliments focused on her slicing abilities. “It’s reassuring to know you’ll have everything under control while we are over there.” When he looked up he saw Thorns was looking in their direction. The helmet hid the hunter’s face, but his posture spoke volumes. Thorns was anything but naive. Before Smilo could say something reassuring there was an interruption.

 

A long range transmission was incoming, according to the Ensign announcing it, not from the Brentaal Star. The captain waited for Ciner’s orders. With a nod the Sith sent his fellow apprentice toward their captive. The call was with high probability from an Republic source. Hiding the commando was common sense, sending the Mirialan to do it not so much. The man started to scream as soon as the Sith approached him. Using the chance Smilo hurried to the rep’s side. “I’ll bring him to the shuttle, no need to bother yourself with the task, my lord.”

 

The Mirialan only nodded his consent, but Ciner had other plans. “No, you’ll stay, agent. Everyone else who’s supposed to be on the boarding party, get down to the shuttle. Take our guest with you. Give the man a tranquillizer or something, but don’t incapacitate him. If he isn’t able to perform his task, I’ll have the head of the one responsible.” Ciner watched them leave the bridge. “I might need your insight, agent. I take it you are familiar with the details of the Treaty of Coruscant?”

 

Smilo nodded. “Yes, my lord.” The Sith revealing a deficiency was a surprise for the agent. An even bigger surprise was his interest in the Treaty. Was there any other explanation, or wanted the Sith to solve the situation diplomatically? A diversion? There were seldom exceptions to the rules, especially when it came to annoyed young Sith. Not taking into account the exceptions that had to be made for them, of course.

 

The agent positioned himself so as to not be visible in the outgoing transmission while Ciner accepted the call. It took a few moments for the blue holo image to flicker into existence and become stable. Surprises seemed to be at the sales today.

 

“This is Jedi Grand Master Satele Shan hailing unidentified Imperial vessel,” the blue figure announced. “I’m en route to your location with sixteen Republic vessels. I’m asking you to retreat before more lives are lost.” Wearing ordinary Jedi warrior’s garb she still managed to look as commanding as any admiral. Her tone was not unfriendly but there lay steel underneath. The threat was unmistakable.

 

Ciner chose to ignore it. “Ciner Ignis, apprentice to Darth Baras and heir of house Ignis. It’s a pleasure and an honor to make your acquaintance, Grand Master Shan.” Two nobles being introduced at a social event. When would he ask her for a dance? Withholding his name would have been futile of the Sith. SIS would have identified him within the hour anyway. The young man’s life had not been that of a recluse. Apart from his identity and his taste for women they would be hard pressed to find anything more useful than Smilo had. Good luck to them.

 

“I’m glad to hear a voice of reason.” The Jedi sounded astounded as well. “Let us end this conflict together. The Brentaal Star is under my protection. Our convoy was ambushed and I sent the Star ahead. We will reunite. I just crippled three Imperial dreadnaughts. I don’t wish to destroy you—the peace between Republic and Empire is fragile enough already.”

 

She would be too late. The whole affair would be settled one way or the other before she arrived. He knew it, she knew it. Did Ciner, too, know it? “Tell the Brentaal Star to hand over the general. No one needs to be hurt.” An offer from the Sith that wasn’t nearly as reasonable as it sounded. One that was impossible for the Jedi to accept. Handing a traitor back to the Empire on a silver platter would do irrevocable damage to the work of the SIS.

 

“The general has a role to play with the Republic.” No surprise here, the Jedi declined the offer just as Smilo had expected.

 

“That’s an interesting way to put it, Master Shan. You see, I have here someone who has his own opinion about the general’s role.” With as syrupy smile he turned to Smilo. “Why don’t you clarify the Empire’s opinion on this matter to the Grand Master, agent?”

 

Smilo tried to hide his shock. He would not give the damned Sith the satisfaction of even a flinch. By the look in the Sith’ eyes he knew exactly what he was doing. Ciner obviously had not forgotten who had opposed him against Kilran. Smilo took a deep breath. He’d salvage what was salvageable. With a dapper wave of his hands he ruffled his hair and made sure his ears were covered. Now it proved to be a good decision to postpone a haircut although the length of his hair violated the regulations by several centimeters. He had reckoned he might need a certain flexibility for his next operation. He hadn’t reckoned with falling on the wrong side of a Sith’s grace. He squinted his eyes, puffed his cheeks, and stepped into the scope of the holo communicator. Why, hello, it’s me, the UNDERCOVER agent. The one you usually don’t get to see. So take a close look. There was only so much that could be done with surgery that could not be traced with even a simple medical scanner. Prolonged undercover operations were impossible to do with holographic devices. The SIS would analyze his features faster than a spilled glass of water evaporated at midday on Tatooine. Before the end of the week anybody looking remotely like him should be prepared to raise an alarm with any Republic scanner in the galaxy. Years of careful planning undone by chance and a selfish arrogant @sshole. He should have taken the slower ship. Avoid shortcuts—he had violated his own rule. Smilo regretted every single time back on Vaiken Spacedock when he had told Thorns he should not insult the Sith.

 

“You don’t really expect us to turn and run, Jedi? After you abducted an Imperial citizen? The Empire isn’t this easily intimidated.” Smilo watched the Jedi’s eyes narrow when he brought forth this accusation. He didn’t bother to introduce himself.

 

Satele Shan’s features grew hard. “You can make those claims if you wish, but we both know they’re lies.”

 

“You claim peace lies at your heart.” Smilo shook his head. “Stealing military secrets isn’t an act of peace.”

 

“The general can speak for himself—but I believe he does work for peace.” The Jedi didn’t even try to deny that the theft of military secrets was all this was about. “Incidents like this are happening across the galaxy, but only because we let them. Leave the Brentaal Star to me. If you don’t, then may the Force be with you—because the men and women aboard that ship can hold you off until we arrive. And you will be defeated.”

 

“We’ll see about that.” Smilo signaled the ensign with a gesture of his hand. “End transmission.”

 

“Affirmative. Ending transmission,” the ensign stated as she executed the command.

 

“That was rather rude, don’t you think, agent?”

 

At this moment Smilo would have liked nothing better than to wipe the nasty smile off the Sith face with a clean right hook. “I agree, my lord, that was rude.” They both knew he had not meant the end of the conversation.

 

***

 

The flight to the Brentaal Star was brief but gave Smilo enough time to assess the damage that had been done to his career as an undercover agent. He contacted Mako and asked her to send him a copy of the outgoing transmission of his conversation with the Jedi.

 

Ciner was sitting next to him. When Smilo hit the play button on his data pad the Sith leaned over to whisper in his ear. “I value your cooperation, agent. We both know the arms of Intelligence have a long reach. I made sure you know a Sith doesn’t even need his arms.”

 

Smilo stared at his data pad. Some kind of fog seemed to have obstructed the lens. Throughout the conversation his image was no more than a blur.

 

 

[Lunafox]

I'm really enjoying your take on Black Talon and how you fleshed it all out. The characterizations are great, love them all. That Kaliyo lol...And Smilo thinking about stealing Mako? That's awesome. I really liked the crackle in that scene, and Thorn's reaction.

 

PS. I also totally get where you were coming from before lol. If the reader gets it, they get it.

Edited February 23, 2015 by Lunafox

[frauzet]

@Lunafox: I am glad you like my take on the companions. This crossover between IA and BH is fun to write.

 

 

 

Material has been posted on the SFWC, spoilers for Black Talon

 

Brentaal Star, about an hour later

 

She was easily one of the most beautiful women he had seen in his life so far; and definitely the most precious. ‘A life is only worth as much as anybody is willing to pay for it.' He was a bounty hunter, he knew this was true. It didn't really matter if you were hired to snuff someone out or to bring them back alive. All that mattered was the right price. From what Kilran was willing to pay for his target her eyes could have been flawless sapphires.

 

Those sapphires were staring at him unblinking from between loose strands of long black hair. The droplets of blood strewn across her face could have been freckles. The blaster aimed at him didn’t waver. Thorns wondered briefly how she had been able to acquire the weapon. “If you are Iolith Zairos you can put that down, lady,” he said with a nod towards her blaster that should have been unmistakable despite his helmet. He kicked at one of the two bodies lying between them. “These guys are dead. I am the rescue team.”

 

She still didn’t blink. Instead she frowned.

 

“You are Iolith Zairos, are you not?” At least she looked like the woman on the holo Kilran had provided.

 

“Yes. Yes, I am Iolith Zairos,” the woman confirmed.

 

“There is an Imperial ship waiting for us. Let me check the corridor and then we’ll get you back home.”

 

She nodded and let the blaster sink. She started to shoot when he looked into the corridor.

 

Thorns dove through the door out of the room. It seemed like the damsel in distress did not want to be rescued. From the initial readouts on his HUD she had not hit anything vital. He got up on one knee, aimed at the door and waited.

 

“Kark, Thorns. What’s going on over there?” Mako’s worried voice wanted to know.

 

“Mako, you got a visual on the corridor?” He could only look at several steps in each direction and he was busy eying the doorway to his target. There had been no fighting in this part of the ship, the combat had been concentrated on the hangar they had landed in, just like they had planned. That didn’t mean there was nobody left to investigate two non-responding SIS agents.

 

“Your left is secure. The cameras to your right conked out. Did somebody shoot them on purpose?”

 

The woman inside the room fired another shot at the doorway. Recalling the layout of the room, she still had to be several steps away from the door. Thorns risked a glance to his right. No way the cameras could have been hit by him. Maybe one of the guards had hit a cord. The corridor was empty as far as he could see. He set his blasters to stun mode. If Iolith Zairos hit her head it couldn’t be helped. He could only hope given the circumstances Kilran wouldn’t be nitpicky about her being unharmed. He started a silent countdown, three, two,…

 

In the room something clattered as it dropped to the floor. A wheezing sound followed.

 

“Get in here, hunter!”

 

Thorns recognized the voice despite the distortion through the mask the Sith was wearing. What? How? It was impossible. He could not have gotten past Thorns. And yet there he stood in front of him as Thorns stepped warily through the doorway, one blaster pointing at Ciner, the other at the woman whose feet were dangling above the ground, hands clutching desperately at her throat. The Sith had raised a hand in a gripping gesture in front of him. He was strangling her with the Force. A rough calculation made bidding his bounty farewell seem a preferable option to shooting at Ciner. On the other hand he had no idea about the Sith’ intentions. If he had wanted her dead he might have killed her already. But he liked to play games as Thorns had already learned on their first encounter. He could only guess at the rules.

 

He changed the target of his second blaster, aiming it, too, at the woman. “Thank you for your help, my lord. This is Iolith Zairos. The Grand Moff hired me to rescue her. I think it is safe to put her down now.”

 

“So you think, do you?” The Sith’ eyes sparkled but he released the woman.

 

As she collapsed Thorns stepped closer and kicked the blaster she had dropped out of her reach. She sat on the floor coughing. “Get up, we need to move!” he told her.

 

“Now, hunter, that’s no way to treat a lady. Small wonder she was trying to shoot you.” Ciner shoved him out of the way and approached the woman. He bowed respectfully. “Forgive me, my lady. I had hoped to be able to rescue you myself, alas the hunter preempted me. The circumstances called for my immediate and uncouth intervention. I would be disconsolate if I caused you permanent detriment.” The Sith held out his hand for the woman, and when she took hold of it he first indicated a kiss before he pulled her to her feet.

 

The Sith would be discon-what? “Hey, Mako, what was the name of that holo show with the hidden camera?” Thorns could only stare. Ciner had wanted to rescue her himself? How had the damned Sith known about her? Somehow Thorns doubted that Kilran would go through the trouble of talking to him in private if he told the Sith afterward. The Sith must have been following him when he sneaked away from the fight in the hangar once it became clear he wouldn’t be needed there any longer. Maybe Ciner hadn’t challenged him because he had been curious what Thorns had been up to. But why was he lying to Iolith? And why was the Sith so nice to her when she was a Force-blind? Kark, he needed to learn more about Imperial politics. He was already under the impression the sandpeople back on Tattoine would have been easier to figure out.

 

Mako interrupted his thoughts with news from Smilo and the Mirialan. “Team A just confirmed elimination of the target. You should get back to the hangar.”

 

Without another word the Sith left the room pulling their prize with him. His senses seemed to tell him that the corridor was safe. Kriffing Sith. What else was he able to do? Ciner had sent Ru after the general because the Mirialan was able to vanish into thin air without the help of a stealth generator. Thorns had assumed that Ciner didn’t possess this ability, but he had somehow gotten past Thorns. Thorns preferred his two blasters. That didn’t mean he wasn’t able to shoot a rifle, though, even if a sniper was better at it. When it came to the Sith it seemed best to avoid assumptions of any kind.

 

Using the same maintenance tunnels he had used on the way here they managed to get back to the hangar just as easily. Under cover of a fake sortie Smilo and Ru, too, were able to join them again. Upon entering the shuttle the Mirialan stared at Iolith for a moment and Thorns was able to see her shudder. He expected trouble but the woman broke eye contact with the Sith when Smilo stepped between them. Thorns noticed Smilo’s eyes widening slightly as he saw the addition to their passenger list sitting next to Ciner.

 

The agent handed a small bag to the Sith when he passed him. “The general’s implants. I thought they might please the Grand Moff more than a thumb or an ear.”

 

Iolith closed her eyes and turned a few shades paler when she caught sight of the bag’s bloody contents the Sith was now inspecting.

 

Ciner looked pleased with this unexpected gift. “I’ll make sure to recommend you, agent.”

 

Smilo bowed. “Thank you, my lord, but please don’t bother yourself. I was only doing my duty.” Since the woman occupied his seat, the agent chose the next one on her other side. “Welcome aboard. I take it you are the hunter’s special assignment.” He looked at Thorns who nodded.

 

The woman introduced herself. “I am Iolith Zairos. Forgive me, I am still a bit shaken. I had not reckoned with being rescued.”

 

“Agent Smilo Noor. Please call me Smilo, my lady,” the agent offered with a bow of his head. Whoever Iolith Zairos was, she seemed to be more important than sapphires. “Just a few moments until we reach the Black Talon. Although my mother swore by Abrax to cure any ailment, my father always preferred a good whiskey. The captain will happily part with a glass of his Corellian to celebrate your rescue. You’ll feel fine before you know it.”

 

She forced herself to smile at the agent. “You are too kind, Smilo, but a glass of water would be even more welcome now.”

 

“To each their own,” the agent concurred and went in search of a canteen. Instinct told Thorns something was off. A look at Ciner showed him the Sith kept an eye on the agent. The rise of one of the Sith’ brows was almost unnoticeable.

 

The flight back to the Black Talon was a bit bumpy but the shuttle captain and the shield both did their job. Being part of a fight without being able to participate actively required some getting used to. Thorns was surprised when he realized the calm Ciner exuded helped. Across the aisle the Sith’ gaze met his. Thorns had waited for the Sith’ outburst, a reproach at least. He hadn’t endangered their mission but he had acted behind the Sith’ back. Ciner smiled before he turned his attention back to Iolith engaging her in pleasant smalltalk. The Sith knew some secret joke. Thorns was sure he wouldn’t find it funny once Ciner deigned to share it. Thorns looked at Iolith. The last feeling of calmness evaporated. His guts told him the price for gemstones had dropped.

 

 

 

I wrote a first person POV piece for the last scene from Iolith's point of view that you can find here, if you are interested. It should best be read before the next part.

 

 

Black Talon, after the group's return

 

“I thought, I had made myself clear, hunter. You should have kept a low profile with this operation.” Kilran’s stare bored through Thorns’ helmet. The Grand Moff had acknowledged their success with neutralizing the general, but he would have preferred to keep Iolith secret.

 

Thorns shrugged. Ciner had thwarted that plan. “I might be wrong, but despite your intervention the Black Talon is still an Imperial vessel. And as the agent pointed out to me on several occasions, there are laws in the Empire that forbid me to shoot a Sith just because he is obnoxious.” He ignored the flood of characters appearing on his HUD. Although her face had changed its color Mako wouldn’t die of a heart attack this fast. Kilran had questioned his professionalism. Thorns was done with walking on eggshells.

 

Through the gasps of several attendants he could hear Rufuro chuckle. “I doubt there’d be many left of them otherwise.”

 

Ciner glowered at both of them. “Good to know you have my back. I should have killed you on Korriban.”

 

The Mirialan grinned. “You blew that chance.”

 

Kilran ignored the two Sith. “You’ll receive your payment once you escorted the lady to my estate on Dromund Kaas, as agreed upon.”

 

Iolith and Ciner looked up at the Grand Moff’s hologram. “Your estate?” they asked in unison.

 

Ungry interrupted his task of inspecting a buckle on Thorns’ shoulder. The monkey-lizard sensed the sudden tension as well as did everyone else on the bridge. Thorns got up from the corner of the console he had been sitting on.

 

“There will be a speeder waiting for you at the spaceport.”

 

Iolith lifted her chin. “I am coming home to Dromund Kaas. But I won’t let myself be abducted again.”

 

“Abducted? My dear, this is a misunderstanding.” Kilran made a small bow in her direction. “I only think it’s proper if you were present when our betrothal will be announced.”

 

“But…—I…—I didn’t agree to this.” Iolith gaped at the hologram.

 

“Your father did, my dear.”

 

“How convenient.” Iolith’s eyes narrowed.

 

“We will talk about this in private. Now is not the time or place to make a scene.”

 

“No,” Ciner contradicted, “now is the perfect time and place to make a scene.” The Sith drew himself up to his full hight. “Agent Noor. What is the punishment for unsanctioned impersonation of a member of an Imperial house?”

 

“Death, my lord. Public execution.” Smilo’s gaze flitted between Ciner, Iolith and Kilran’s hologram.

 

Iolith paled visibly.

 

Thorns stepped between her and Ciner. “If this is your way to rob me of my payment, I will shoot you after all.” He let Ungry slide down his arm and dropped him to the ground. For once the monkey lizard did what Thorns wanted and scampered over to the next console to hide underneath.

 

“Shut up, hunter. This has nothing to do with you. I don’t know yet what game Kilran is playing, but I will find out.”

 

“I suggest you mind your tone and your place, apprentice,” Kilran growled.

 

“Hey, agent. Whose side are we on?” Kaliyo still leaned impassively against a console.

 

“The law, Kaliyo, as always, sorry to disappoint you.”

 

Thorns wondered if Smilo meant he was always on the side of the law, or he was always sorry to disappoint Kaliyo. If the agent had a problem with Thorns sleeping with Kaliyo he hadn’t let it show. It would not be the agent’s only secret. Thorns crossed his arms in front of his chest. He had no idea what was going on. He’d listen—for now.

 

“This is ridiculous,” Kilran said. “It’s not like I need house Ignis’ approval in order to get married.”

 

“What kind of conspiracy is this Kilran? I couldn’t care less about whom you married. But I won’t stand by as you pass off an impostor as a member of an Imperial house.” Ciner turned to Iolith and pointed at the Grand Moff. “You obviously don’t want to marry him, do you want to die for him?”

 

Kilran gave Iolith no chance to speak. “I hired a bounty hunter to rescue my bride. Now you are voicing preposterous allegations. If this woman isn’t who she claims to be, I’ll carry out the law myself. So where is your proof?”

 

“It’s been a while since I met the real Iolith, but I know this isn’t her. She doesn’t smell right!”

 

“That’s your proof? She doesn’t smell right? She can’t be Iolith Zairos because she wears a different perfume than four or eight years ago?”

 

Ciner turned to Smilo. “Agent, I could tell, you also felt something was off about this woman. Now would be the time to tell us what you know.”

 

Iolith—or the woman claiming to be Iolith—held her breath, while Smilo stared at his feet. “I am not sure, my lord.” The agent looked up. “I met her during my time at the academy. This woman looks like her, but she didn’t recognize me. But then there are quite a number of people I met who would not recognize me again.” His gaze dropped back to his feet. “I am probably not very noteworthy.”

 

Thorns’ HUD blinked. <Or he’s one of the best actors I’ve ever seen. This isn’t the man we met on Hutta. Remind me to not believe a single word he says.> Mako was right. The man the Sith got to see had very little in common with the Red Blade. The chances of anyone mistaking one for the other were slim. The man they got to know on the space station was probably just another mask. What lay beneath? Thorns wasn’t sure he wanted to find out.

 

Kilran scowled. “I get the impression this amounts to nothing more than a waste of my time.”

 

“There are stored blood samples of Iolith Zairos on Dromund Kaas.” Ciner did not give in. “I insist on a test.”

 

“Why wait until Dromund Kaas when you can have your test right now?” Rufuro came forward. “Leave her to me and I will find the truth. I already payed her mind a brief visit. And if she has nothing to hide she will let me in willingly this time.”

 

“No! I will do no such thing. I won’t allow you to violate my mind.” The panic in Iolith’s voice was unmistakable.

 

The Mirialan took another step towards her. “Your resistance will make the experience only more interesting—for me—and more painful for you.”

 

She took hold of Thorns’ arm. “I’ll come with you to Dromund Kaas. We can do the blood testing there.”

 

Thorns nodded towards the holo. “That’s his call.”

 

Kilran shook his head. “If you are wrong then it is my bride we are talking about. We will do the blood tests.”

 

“I know something you don’t.” Rufuro brushed some strands of hair from his forehead. “Ciner may not be able to explain this to you, but he is sure—and so am I. No more waste of time.”

 

Iolith started to scream when Rufuro took another step in her direction. She closed her eyes and dropped to her knees in front of Ciner. “Please make him stop. Please. I don’t want to die. Promise I won’t be executed, promise I can go back home. Please. I’ll tell you everything I know. Please.”

 

Ciner raised his hand to stop Rufuro. “Speak. Tell me what you know and I’ll send you back to the Republic alive.”

 

“Iolith Zairos was captured three weeks ago on Ord Mantell. There have been several attempts on her life. Those stopped after her father’s death. Since…”

 

“Wait!” Ciner interrupted her. “Her father’s death?”

 

“Her father and her sisters died when their ship was attacked by pirates. You didn’t know?”

 

Ciner glared at Kilran. “I didn’t know. But now I know why the Grand Moff didn’t want me involved. I was betrothed to the heir of house Zairos. Go on!” There was no sign the Sith was touched by the news.

 

The woman swallowed. “Since then there have been attempts from Imperial side to learn of her whereabouts. She is now the heir of her house and valuable. The Republic plans to trade her for Republic citizens in Imperial captivity. I just happen to look like her. I was told to pose as her, just to make it appear as if she were aboard the Brentaal Star. I am just a diversion. Please, I said I was her only out of fear you’d kill me on the spot.” She looked at Thorns. “Please.”

 

“Where is the real Iolith Zairos?”

 

“I am not sure, my lord.”

 

“Give me your best guess.”

 

“The Esseles.”

 

Ciner turned back to Kilran. “You’re welcome. It’s been a pleasure to be of service.”

 

The Grand Moff nodded and ignored the sarcasm. “I’ll remember this, and I’ll make sure you’re rewarded.” He addressed Thorns. “Hand the woman over to Agent Noor. Imperial Intelligence will know what to do with her. You’ll be compensated appropriately. Kilran out.”

 

The woman looked from Ciner to Thorns and back. “Imperial Intelligence? But you promised!”

 

Ciner ignored her. “Ru, do you remember the failed interrogation during one of your trials you told me about?”

 

The Mirialan cocked his eyebrows and nodded.

 

“Will you be able to achieve the outcome on purpose?”

 

Rufuro looked at the woman and hesitated before he nodded again. “Yes.”

 

“Do it!”

 

“No!” The woman tried to scramble backward. Rufuro was faster. Her scream turned to a gurgling sound as soon as he touched her. He sank to one knee beside her and held her head in both his hands. Her eyes rolled back in her head. Her heels thrummed the floor.

 

“But you promised!” Mako yelled. Thorns had to keep her from barging in between Rufuro and his victim.

 

“According to law I should execute her. I promised to send her back to the Republic alive. She should have chosen the quick death.” Ciner held Mako’s gaze. “I am not above the law. You don’t like my decision? Neither will the Republic. They will have a much harder time to forget her than if I had simply executed her. Maybe it will restrain them from sending more people like her to their death.”

 

Rufuro let go of the woman. “She’s all yours, agent.”

 

Thorns dragged a sobbing Mako away. He couldn’t avoid a glimpse of the woman’s face. The eyes are said to be the windows to the soul. Hers afforded a view into the void. Ciner was right. She should have chosen the quick death.

 

***

 

“Hey!” Thorns sat down on the edge of the bunk Mako was lying on. She was still sobbing. She hadn’t answered his knock, but then, it was his cabin as well.

 

Ungry climbed down onto the bed and went to search for Mako’s face hidden beneath her hair.

 

Mako shoved him away. “Leave me alone! Both of you!”

 

“Okay.” Thorns took off his helmet and got up to place it on the floor in the corner of the room. He rummaged through his bag and the pile of discarded clothes. “I’ll just take a shower and change into something more comfortable.”

He took some of Ungry’s treats out of the box and hid them between his things. He tossed one to the monkey lizard. “Why don’t you search for the rest while I take a shower.” This way the little guy would be occupied and leave Mako alone. The refresher was definitely not large enough for a man and a monkey lizard.

 

He took a shower and dressed. The sand-colored baggy pants and shirt were washed out and seedy. He doubted that Kaliyo would mind. He discarded the idea to put some effort into his mohawk. If Mako wanted to have her peace, he’d better hurry. The need to look intimidating should be over for today. All on board had seen him with helmet hair anyway. He usually would have checked and cleaned his armor and his weapons now, but they’d have to wait a few hours. There’d still be ample time before they reached Dromund Kaas. He made a neat pile of his armor and left the refresher.

 

Ungry had obviously found a way to open the treat box, and had nearly emptied it. Thorns scooped the monkey lizard up along with the box and sighed. Scolding him would do as much good as talking to the wall of the cabin. He’d have to get an other box now Ungry had figured how to open this one. He placed the little guy in his satchel. With luck he’d be tired enough to sleep. Thorns buckled on his belt and holstered his blasters. Kaliyo would not be expecting him yet. She’d know something was amiss. Maybe he should see if he was able to find something drinkable. Hadn’t Smilo mentioned Corellian whiskey? The stuff had always been too expensive to try. He had earned a glass today. He took some toothpicks out of his backpack, put one in his mouth, and stashed the rest away in his belt. He was ready to go.

 

He hesitated in front of the door. “I got my holo com with me, so…” Somehow he felt bad about leaving Mako alone.

 

She didn’t look at him. “Braden would have saved her!”

 

Thorns opened his mouth, but managed to shut it again. He had his doubts about Mako’s statement, but he had no doubt about her not wanting to hear them—not now. “It would have been good to still have him around.”

 

“It’s all your fault!”

 

From a certain point of view, which happened not to be his own, it was. “Yeah. If I had stayed on Tatooine none of this would have happened.”

 

“Then I wish you had stayed there.”

 

Thorns put the satchel down, stepped over to the bunk, and sat back down on its edge. He rested his elbows on his knees and his chin on his hands. “Were you with Braden the day he contacted me?”

 

She rolled onto her side and looked at him. “No. He told me a few days later.” A small smile appeared on her face. “Should’ve seen him. Grinning and laughing so much I thought his face would split in half. The Great Hunt was Braden’s dream. Talked about it for years.”

 

“He was so eager about teaming up for the Great Hunt. I had thought about getting off Tatooine. I had heard about the Great Hunt. But the way the Mandalorians talk about it—I’d never have even dreamed about competing. It’s not exactly everyday you get a shot at the Great Hunt. How could I have considered to say no? He believed in me.”

He turned his head to fully meet her gaze. “If you want to go back to Nar Shaddaa, or somewhere else, the payment from Kilran will be enough to afford your ticket.” He would have preferred to spend it on some better equipment, but it was only credits. There’d be other jobs on Dromund Kaas. After today it should be easy to get some of those.

 

“What are you talking about?” She sniveled and pushed herself to a sitting position.

 

“Bout? Ungry treat?” The monkey lizard had climbed out of the satchel and held the box up high.

 

Mako laughed, wiping her cheek with the back of her hand. She held out her other hand and Ungry hopped onto the bed and gave the box to her. She opened it and gave it back. “Here have the rest, not much left anyway.”

 

“Anyway.” Ungry nodded. “Ungry treat, anyway.”

 

Thorns watched Ungry eat. “After what happened today, if you want to quit…”

 

“Quit? But…—hey, look at me.” She waited until he did. “I am sorry. I was behaving childish again. I don’t want to quit. Winning the Great Hunt would have meant more to Braden than revenge. It’s just…—I miss him so much.” She sniveled.

 

“That’s okay, Mako. It’s not like you’d had proper time to mourn him.”

 

“You know, you’re right. He believed in you, and so do I.”

 

Thorns turned his head away from her. “I am not so sure you believe in the same thing Braden did.”

 

“I don’t understand. What do you mean?”

 

“I don’t know what Braden would have done, but if Kilran had told me to shoot her I would have done so.”

 

“But how can you say that?”

 

“Because it’s the truth, Mako.” He looked her in the eyes. “I am a bounty hunter, and she was my target. Maybe I am not one of the bad guys.” At least not anymore, he thought. “But I am not a good one either. I am hired to hunt people. And more often than not I am hired to kill them once I found them. That’s what I do. That’s what I am good at. That’s what Braden believed in. My world isn’t black and white. I can’t afford that luxury.”

 

Mako averted her eyes. Maybe this was the real reason Braden hadn’t taken her along on his missions. Maybe he hadn’t wanted to see this look in her eyes. Maybe he hadn’t wanted her to see it herself all too often when she looked into a mirror.

 

“I don’t kill just for fun. I try to avoid harming innocent bystanders. Have you ever wondered about the reason why so many bounty hunters don’t work in Republic space? The rules are different over there. Much more restrictive. But accidents happen even if you are careful.”

 

“This woman wasn’t an accident.”

 

“No, she wasn’t. She was a Republic spy. One who committed a crime according to the laws of the Empire. Apart from the fact that she tried to shoot me.” Thorns shook his head. “Sooner or later there will be war again, Mako. And judging from what we did today I’d say rather sooner. Participating in the Great Hunt is as good as choosing a side. Like it or not, the Mandalorians stand with the Empire.”

 

“I never thought about it this way.”

 

“You need to now. You need to choose. Fast.”

 

“This was what Braden dreamed of.”

 

Mako was too shocked to struggle when Thorns took hold of her chin and forced her to look at him. “I didn’t know him very well, but if he was only half the man I think he was, then he wouldn’t have wanted you to live his dream. Damned. Live your own dream, Mako. Maybe I am a fool for telling you, but you got so much potential. You can do anything you want to.” He let go of her. “Live your own dream!”

 

“This is my dream, dumb@ss. Maybe without a war. Seems dreams never turn out quite like you imagined them to be. I know we will need to do a lot of things I won’t like. I am not that naive. Despite all that I am still in. We will win the Hunt. It’s just reassuring to know Braden would have approved. Don’t think you can get rid of me this easily.” She grinned at him despite the tears in her eyes.

 

“I’d have to be even more dimwitted than some say I am to want to get rid of you.”

 

“Who says you’re dimwitted?”

 

“Who called me a dumb@ss just now?”

 

Mako laughed.

 

“Just for the record,” he smirked, “my @ss isn’t dumb, it’s damn near perfect!”

 

“I think I put that into the profile when Braden started to search for a hunter.” She ticked off points on her fingers. “Has to be able to shoot straight. Has to be able to talk in complete sentences. Has to be able to count to three. Has to have a perfect @ss.”

 

“I wasn’t sure you had noticed.” He winked at her. “I am glad you’re staying. It will be good to have someone around who isn’t afraid to call me names when I am about to do something stupid.”

 

“I am glad you still want to take me along. I am sorry I freaked out. I saw her eyes, and…—what the Sith did was too horrible.”

 

He knew what she was talking about. He hugged her. After a moment of hesitation she leaned into him and laid her head on his shoulder. He held her and stroked the back of her neck.

 

“I’m not sure I’ll be able to sleep.” Mako shuddered.

 

“I’ll stay here and chase away your bad dreams,” he said.

 

“What about Kaliyo?”

 

“Forget about Kaliyo! She’ll survive the night without me. If you need me, I’ll be on the floor right in front of your bunk.”

 

 

[frauzet]

Material has been posted on the SFWC, spoilers for Esseles

 

Esseles, a few hours later

 

They had been about to enter the shuttle when the distress call came in. A group of agents escorting an Imperial prisoner to Coruscant was being attacked by boarders. A Sith on his way to join the fight had been spotted.

The Imperial ship had attacked the Esseles after they had refused to hand over Republic ambassador Asara. Their group had repelled most of the Imperial boarders, but the Esseles was trapped by the enemy’s tractor beam. All of them had volunteered to fly with a shuttle to the warship and disable the beam. Now it seemed the Imperials had a second objective aboard the Esseles.

 

“Did he just say Sith?” The lieutenant swallowed. “Kark! The agents will need support. Sergeant, you’ll go with the rest, I’ll head over to the detention cells!”

 

“She would have shot you the same as me, Nik, and you’re still willing to risk your neck for her. Don’t be such a fool.” The civilian Zabrak, supposedly a freighter captain, scolded the young officer.

 

“Shut up, Giz! This is a military operation. If the Empire wants her back this desperately we will do our best to not let them have her!”

 

“Lie to yourself all you want, you’re still a fool.”

 

The lieutenant ignored him and started off towards the elevator.

 

“Stop, lieutenant!” Arkeo called. He wasn’t exactly sure about his power to direct, but he knew it was time to intervene.

 

The lieutenant looked at him. “Master Jedi?”

 

“It’s only Jedi, Lieutenant.” Arkeo corrected. “You got your task. You and Sergeant Jorgan are best suited to disable the tractor beam. I am the one best suited to take on the Sith.”

 

The lieutenant’s head swiveled back towards the elevator. Then he nodded. “Understood, sir.” He boarded the shuttle. The sergeant and the two civilians followed him.

 

Phorik sighed. “I don’t like this, Arkeo!”

 

“Neither do I, but that can’t be helped. The Force will be with me. I’ll deal with the Sith.”

 

“I am a better fighter than you are.”

 

“Herald won’t be alone!” Qyzen stated.

 

“No, Qyzen! I want you to go with Phorik.”

 

The Trandoshan didn’t hesitate. “As you wish, Herald! More glory for both of us!”

 

Arkeo looked his fellow Jedi in the eyes. “There will be much more fighting over there. You have to get the soldiers to the tractor beam control. Don’t worry, Phorik. The Lieutenant will follow your orders. He may smell like a drunkard but I am sure he is sober. Just don’t forget to give him orders.” Arkeo winked. Up to now both of them had been used to be on the receiving end for commands.

 

Phorik nodded. “May the Force be with you!”

 

“One more thing. Keep an eye on the Zabrak and Asara. I saw the captain talking to Officer Haken earlier. Haken might have given him some ideas. We don’t want the ambassador to suffer an accident.” Arkeo clasped Phorik’s arm. “May the Force be with you.”

 

Arkeo didn’t wait to watch the shuttle leave. He headed straight for the elevator. When he reached the right floor he traded a short status report with the bridge. He gave the order that everybody should stay clear of the Sith, and deactivated his personal com device. He concentrated, inhaled, exhaled, and with a wave of his hand he erased his guise from the visible world. He wouldn’t need further reports on the whereabouts of the Sith. He could already feel him in the Force. His opponent seemed to be too arrogant to disguise his aura, at least that was what Arkeo hoped. If what he felt was a disguise he’d be in for real trouble.

 

He rounded the corner into the corridor which led to the holding cells. A Sith and four Imperial troopers walked in front of him on their way to join the fight against the SIS agents. The Sith wore high boots and a hooded formfitting robe, moderately reinforced from what Arkeo was able to tell at first glance. He tried to sneak closer in the hope to be able to take at least one opponent out before the actual fight.

 

However, the Sith sensed him, turned around, and ignited his lightsaber. As expected it was fitted with a red crystal. The Sith flourished the saber in front of him. “Greetings, Jedi. Why don’t you come out to play?” He motioned for the troopers to proceed.

 

Drawing his double-bladed lightsaber as well Arkeo stepped out of the shadows.

 

“At last—a true challenge.” A hideous grin distorted the Sith’ chalk-white face even further than the scars at the corners of his mouth did.

 

“It is not too late for you to leave peacefully, Sith.”

 

“I was promised a battle and I will have it.” He pointed at Arkeo. “To destroy a dangerous foe… that is the way of the true Sith. When I carve your heart from your chest, your fellow Jedi will sense your defeat. As will my master.”

 

“Then I assume any further attempt of mine to end this amicably will be futile.” Arkeo changed his position as the Sith started to move. They circled each other with measured steps. Down the corridor Arkeo could hear shots and shouting.

 

“Peace is a lie, Jedi. There is only passion. And through passion, I gain strength. The power of the dark side is infinite… are you ready to face oblivion?”

 

Arkeo activated his saber. Blue versus red. “There is no darkness that does not flee from the light.”

 

“There will be no fleeing from this fight!” The Sith charged.

 

They traded some blows to test their respective adversary’s strength. Down the corridor the din of fighting grew louder. The Sith’ grin widened. He seemed to delve into the vibes from the fight his men had engaged in, to thrive with every shout of pain.

Arkeo pushed all this aside to concentrate on the fight at hand. He let the calmness of the Force flow into his mind. The slightest quivers in the Force told him which attack to expect, which move to counter, blow to parry, and feint to ignore. He was aware of his opponent’s fear, hatred and loathing, but they could not touch him, glanced off of his mental shield. He was filled with the light of the Force, there was no room for emotions.

 

As the fight progressed it became clear to Arkeo that the Sith’ saber technique was better than his own, maybe even better than Phorik’s. Nonetheless Arkeo wasn’t worried for himself. Even though the Sith managed to break through the Jedi’s guard several times, he wasn’t able to pierce his Force shield. With every deflected attack the Sith’s blows became stronger though, he drew on his anger which was nearly palpable now. Despite this they’d probably be able to go on like this for a while. And while the Sith had all the time he needed, Arkeo was aware of the fact the SIS agents were hard pressed.

 

Arkeo jumped back to evade the attacking Sith. He dove sideways circumventing the next blow and rolled out of the Sith’ reach. With the same motion he got back to his feet and deactivated his saber. The time the Sith needed to turn towards him was enough for Arkeo to step back into the shadows whence he had come from. He heard the Sith’ saber whiz past his head and nearly tripped over his own feet to avoid being hit as the weapon circled back to its master’s outstretched hand.

 

The Sith’ brow furrowed. Arkeo stepped behind his opponent just in time. The Sith’ lightning bolt shot through the empty corridor towards the still ongoing fight that was Arkeo’s destination. His opponent walked in the right direction, dousing his path with lightning to drive Arkeo out of hiding. Arkeo remained always in his back. Rushing headlong into the fight would gain him nothing with his foe following right behind.

 

They rounded the next corner and the Sith’ lightning felled one of his own men. The twitching body did little to discourage the remaining Imperial troopers, though. The Sith knew Arkeo was here. He started to turn and scan the shadows. Arkeo hurried past him and tried to stay out of the line of fire of the Esseles’ defenders. The time for negotiations had long passed. In activating his lightsaber again he dispatched of another one of the Imperial troopers before he whirled and engaged the Sith.

 

***

 

“Stay with me, agent.” She tapped the man’s cheek lightly. To do so she had to let go of the towel she used to apply pressure to the agent’s wound. “Kark! Kerin, give me the kriffing code for the stun cuffs.” She looked over her shoulder at the second agent who was firing his blaster over and over again at the attackers in the corridor outside. “I can’t stop the bleeding like this.”

 

“Good luck convincing me you actually want to do something useful for a change. How dumb do you think I am, Zairos?” He ducked back behind the door-frame and exchanged his blaster’s energy cell for that of his dying partner’s.

 

“Dumb enough to get all of us killed, obviously. Kark!” Iolith continued to apply pressure to the wound as best she could. “Can we put discrepancies regarding your IQ aside for a moment?”

 

Kerin didn’t bother with an answer. He was busy trying to shoot Imperial troopers; judging from the sound of returned shots, not very successfully.

 

“Free me and give me a weapon. Damned. I want to die just as little as Miko here.”

 

Miko’dres coughed.

 

“Don’t worry, Miko. You’ll be fine. Just keep your eyes open. Talk to me. Do you hear me! Tell me one of your terrible jokes!” She looked over her shoulder again and raised here voice. “At least I’ll die laughing when they shoot me after they took out your damned thickheaded partner. I swear three square meters of good old Kaasian jungle have a higher IQ than he does.”

 

“They won’t shoot you!” Miko whispered.

 

“What?”

 

The agent coughed again. “They… —Kilran wants you alive.”

 

“Kilran? What would Kilran want with me?”

 

“Marry. You’re be…” Another cough. “…betrothed.”

 

“Force, Miko. Your jokes have certainly been better.”

 

“No joke. Your family—they are all dead.”

 

She sat back in shock. Her brain did some somersaults to sort this new information into existing plans and possibilities. Her father, her sisters, if they were really dead that would make her—she’d be heir to House Zairos. She hoped the family crypt had been bolted. Her ancestors were probably already gathering for a protest march. Kilran didn’t want her; never wanted her. He wanted House Zairos. She had refused to be the breeding mare for a minor Sith lord; she certainly wouldn’t be one for Force-blind Grand Karking Moff Kilran.

 

Miko’dres groaned.

 

Iolith got back to preventing the man from dying. “Kilran can get stuffed! You hear me Miko? As far as I remember I turned him down the last time he asked me. Betrothed. Damned! Who does he think he is?”

 

“Conk him!”

 

“You bet!”

 

He whispered something she didn’t understand. He tugged at her arm. She got closer to him and he whispered it in her ear—the code for the stun cuffs.

 

***

 

There was another scream from the door to the detention cells. The Sith laughed. “Time to end this, Jedi!”

 

Arkeo retreated as the Sith rained blow after blow at him. Another life had ended in the adjoining room. He had not been able to prevent it. There was no death, there was only the Force. He was too slow in dodging a bolt of lightning. The electricity made his shield glow. His hair stood on end. Parrying was all he could do now. The Sith seemed to be even stronger.

 

Out of the corner of his eyes Arkeo saw the troopers approaching the door. A figure appeared in the door-frame.

 

“Stop, or I’ll shoot myself.” The woman pressed a blaster beneath her chin.

 

The troopers stopped their advance.

 

The Sith hissed and disengaged from Arkeo. He turned and yanked the blaster out of the womans hand with the Force. “I don’t think so.”

 

Arkeo didn’t wait for another invitation. He propelled himself forward and pushed the Sith into the closest wall. He followed this move with a kick as the Sith tried to regain his footing. The Sith stumbled once more and exposed a joint in his armor. Arkeo’s blade found its mark.

 

“Look out!”

 

Arkeo whirled, deflected one shot and dodged the next. With a twitch of his wrist he propelled the woman’s blaster at the helmet of one of the troopers.

 

The Imperials made the mistake to discard the woman as harmless and concentrated on the Jedi; a mistake one of them had no time to regret when she stabbed him in the back with a vibro-knife.

 

Arkeo killed another one of them with a deflected blaster bolt. Then he had reached two more who learned blue was as deadly a color as red.

 

The woman shot the last remaining trooper with one of their own weapons.

 

Arkeo looked at her over his still ignited lightsaber. “Are you one of the agents?”

 

“No, I am the prisoner.” She dropped the weapon, turned, and headed back into the room.

 

 

Miko’dres was still breathing.

 

“Hey sweetie, open your eyes. I am still waiting for the joke you promised me.” She heard the Jedi enter the room behind her. “He is unconscious,” she said over her shoulder. “There has to be a first-aid-kit somewhere.”

 

The Jedi took a wide step over Kerin’s body, now as dead as he had been dumb. No, only more cautious than had been healthy for him in this case. She couldn’t really blame him. She hadn’t given him any reason to believe otherwise. And yet Miko had believed her. Maybe that was the reason she still wanted to save him. She wasn’t sure. Earning some bonus points now she’d be staying a while longer—an easy decision, really—had to be entered into the equation, too.

 

Iolith heard how the Jedi opened one locker after the other while he contacted the bridge and asked for a med team. Some clatter and rattling later he handed her the kit she had asked for. She took it without looking at him. She was still trying to cut Miko’s reinforced jacket and his shirt open without aggravating his injury.

 

“Here, let me help you. I’ll hold this while you cut.” The Jedi had shed his long dark robe and gotten down on his knees beside her. Now he took hold of the folds of the fabric she was working on.

 

She gave him a quick glance and nodded before she continued with her task. Maybe it was just imagination but after a look in those amber colored eyes among the Mirialan tattoos she felt calmer, warmer, almost secure. Was he influencing her through the Force? If he was it didn’t matter. If anything it helped with what she was doing. When the cut was wide enough she put the knife aside.

 

The Jedi had already opened the kit and had retrieved two packages. “Kolto plaster or bandage? There is also some spray in there.”

 

“The plaster will be fine.” She took it and unwrapped it. The Jedi kept the cut, she had made in the agent’s clothes, open, while she applied the plaster to the wound. “If you could apply some pressure here…”

 

Without hesitation the Jedi placed his hands on the plaster beside hers. They were bigger and more deeply tanned than hers, with long fingers. The fingernails were clipped off and clean. There was a green tint to the bronze skin. His bare arms touched hers. She could not fail to note the muscles in his upper arms. The med kit lay on his far side. He didn’t flinch when she leaned over his back to lift it. He smelled of fresh sweat and herbs, not unpleasant. She felt the movement of his body as he breathed in and out with deep and steady breaths.

 

The med kit contained several stims like she’d hoped. She got down on her haunches and took them all out. Then she noticed the glow emanating from the Jedi’s hands. His eyes were closed, his face looked calm. Was he healing Miko? Why hadn’t he done so immediately. Had he wanted to see what she would do?

 

He opened his eyes, looked at her, and smiled. “No, I can’t heal him.” He had sensed her confusion. She had grown careless in her time around Force-blinds. “This is just a meditation technique. I am trying to calm him. I hope this will help him until the med team arrives. What about the stims?”

 

They were all labeled, and she discarded one after the other after reading what they contained. At last there were two left. She held them up. “I am not sure which one is better suited.”

 

“Wait.” He lifted one of his hands and hovered it over the stims. He closed his eyes. His brow knitted in concentration, then his face relaxed. After a moment he opened his eyes again. His hand dropped to one of the stims. “Take this one.”

 

“You sure?”

 

He shrugged. “That’s what the Force tells me, but I am no medic.” He placed his hand back on the plaster. “If you don’t know more than I do, then it is better than guessing.”

 

To her it sounded the same as guessing. There was no point in arguing, though. She injected Miko with the stim the Jedi had chosen. Now all they could do was wait. She wiped her hands on one of the wet wipes from the med kit. “I think you can let go of the plaster.”

 

He did and got up. She watched him wash his hands at the small sink in the corner. Then he retrieved his robe and donned it. It was open at the front and showed his cream-colored shirt and black trousers, which seemed to be made out of some kind of real leather as were his black boots. Had the shirt been black, red, or purple he would not have stood out among a crowd of young Sith—apart from his tattoos, of course. Much of the upper half of his face was covered with geometric symbols. The young man had obviously already achieved a lot. Iolith was not familiar enough with Mirialan culture to know what, though. With the tattoos and tan it was hard to tell how old he might be; beginning to mid-twenties maybe.

 

She stroked Miko’s hair out of his face. He seemed to take even breaths. There was hope.

 

“Why did you save him?”

 

She glanced up at the Jedi. Her fingers caressed Miko’s hair. She had been thinking about this question a few minutes ago. She shrugged. “Maybe because he treated me more like a person than a prisoner. Maybe because he was nicer to me than I would have been to him had our roles been reversed. Although his jokes could count as torture. Maybe because he is no undercover agent, no spy, just a lesser official. He is 29, married and has a daughter. She is four. He is faithful to his wife. He drinks his caf black and loves chocolate. When he is at home he watches ‘Corellia Clan’ with his wife. Have you noticed his feet are ridiculously big? Makes you wonder why he doesn’t trip over them all the time.” With a single gesture she waved all she had said away. “Honestly, Jedi, I don’t know. It seemed like the right thing to do.”

 

Running feet in the corridor announced the med team. The Jedi stretched out his hand, and when she took it, he pulled her to her feet. “Call me Arkeo.”

 

“Iolith.” She held his hand for a moment longer.

 

He didn’t pull away. “Thank you for saving me, too, Iolith.”

 

At first she didn’t know what he meant. “Oh. But I didn’t do much. And I wouldn’t have done anything if Miko hadn’t told me the Imperials wanted me alive and given me the code for the stun cuffs. So, you might want to thank him. By the way…” She walked over to the discarded cuffs and picked them up. She held them out for Arkeo to take. “Here. You need to configure a new code.”

 

He hesitated before he took them. She held out her wrists for him to attach the devices. He turned the cuffs over in his hands, studied them. Then he looked her in the eyes. “Tell me if we need them.”

 

She raised an eyebrow. Was he for real? He seemed to be serious about it. Again she felt the calm emanating from him. He just looked at her and waited for an answer. “No, we don’t need them.” To her own astonishment she meant what she said. She had nothing to lose. She didn’t plan to head over to Kilran. There was nowhere else to go. There was no point in threatening or harming anybody aboard the Esseles. There was no reason to make this any harder on anyone least of all on herself.

 

Arkeo nodded and put the stun cuffs on the desk behind him. “Please bear with me! I’ll need a few minutes. Why don’t you handle the med team.”

 

Iolith watched him walk over to Kerin’s body and drag him out of the doorway. He talked briefly to the arriving MO sending the woman over to Iolith with a gesture. Then he knelt beside Kerin. After she had reported to the MO, her help wasn’t needed in transferring Miko to a hover stretcher. She tried not to get in the way. When the team had left with Miko, she became aware the Jedi was no longer there. Kerin’s body lay outstretched with hands crossed above the heart, eyes closed. Iolith went to the door.

 

The Jedi was kneeling beside one of the Imperial troopers, crossing the corpse’s hands on its chest. A glance told her Arkeo had done this to nearly every other body. Now he got up and walked over to the dead Sith. He knelt just like he had done beside Kerin. Iolith thought she saw Arkeo’s lips move. He seemed to be muttering something under his breath. The gestures he used to cross the Sith’ hands and close the man’s eyes looked like a ritual. Arkeo panned his gaze across the corridor’s floor. When he found what he had been looking for he reached out and the Sith’ lightsaber sprang to his hand from where it had lain. Carefully he shoved it beneath the Sith’ hands. He got up and walked towards her.

 

“Ready to go?” He waited for her to nod in agreement. “According to the last report from the bridge all boarders have been dealt with. I think it’s best if we head to the mess to join the remaining passengers.” His gaze drifted once more over the bodies before he headed toward the elevator.

 

Iolith walked along beside him. “You prayed for them,” she said.

 

“There is no death, there is only the Force. I prayed for the Force to welcome them home.”

 

“I am not sure the Sith would agree.”

 

Arkeo smiled. “Most certainly he would not.”

 

“But you prayed for him anyway.”

 

“There is only one Force to take us back once our destiny is fulfilled whether we believe or not.”

 

Iolith couldn’t see what destiny the Sith had fulfilled here. He had died for nothing. But to each their own. She wasn’t keen on starting an argument about religion with a Jedi, all the more if the Jedi was a Mirialan.

 

***

 

“Why isn’t she wearing stun cuffs?” The lieutenant pointed at the woman in Arkeo’s company.

 

Arkeo raised an eyebrow at this rude interruption and ignored the soldier apart from sparing him a short glance. Phorik had seldom seen his friend show more distinct signs of irritation.

 

“As I was about to say, this is Iolith Zairos. She is the prisoner the Sith was after. Iolith, this is Knight Phorik.” Arkeo’s gaze panned over the rest of the group. Phorik saw the same as he did which matched with the vibes in the Force. Lieutenant Melga looked upset. Sergeant Jorgan seemed to be suppressing a growl. Giz had balled his hands into fists and tried to keep his stony features in check. Corso was blushing and looked at his feet. “I take it you know the others.”

 

The woman did her best to hide her bristling as she shook Phorik’s hand. “Pleased to meet you, Phorik. I am glad you managed to free the ship and return unscathed.” Her blue eyes swiveled to the lieutenant as she said the latter.

 

Arkeo put a hand on her arm and smiled. “I don’t know if I would have been able to beat the Sith without her help.”

 

“Back to playing the same old games.” Gizalen shook his head.

 

Lieutenant Melga held his hands up in front of him in an appeasing gesture. “I don’t know her hidden agenda, but I know this woman. She is an Imperial spy and she is dangerous.”

 

“I appreciate your concern, Lieutenant. But this woman did save not only my life but also that of one of the agents guarding her. Since the man is still incapacitated I undertook his duty. I already contacted SIS. There will be a team waiting for Miss Zairos at the spaceport tomorrow. Until then she is my concern. Should I require help I will let you know.” Arkeo’s smile never wavered. As his resolve wouldn’t waver.

 

“Force, this is…—I think I am feeling sick.” Gizalen turned his back on the group. “She found the next fool. I’ll be at the bar taking my medicine.”

 

“I’ll better keep an eye on him.” With a weak smile to everybody around Corso followed him.

 

“Guess that makes me the previous fool.” The lieutenant’s eyes narrowed. “What are you up to, Io?”

 

“You are still asking questions to which you would not believe the answers. Miko told me you were there to see me on Ord, I owe you my life. I guess I should say thank you.” Iolith guarded her feelings well. Phorik was unable to tell if the pain in her eyes was real.

 

The lieutenant looked briefly at Phorik and Arkeo. “I had some questions.” Questions he didn’t want to ask in front of two Jedi. “It was nothing personal.” And that was a lie.

 

“Yes. You were quite clear the last time we talked.” Iolith’s voice was frosty as she recalled the unpleasant memory.

 

The lieutenant nodded once in greeting and pointed towards the bar. “I think it’s best if I joined in damage control.” He turned and left.

 

Sergeant Jorgan shuffled his feet and nodded, too. When he started to turn, Iolith addressed him. “Lieutenant Jorgan…”

 

“Thanks to your friends it’s only Sergeant Jorgan nowadays.”

 

Iolith hesitated. “I’d like you to pass on a message to your superiors, someone from higher up in the ranks.” Her gaze drifted over to the bar. “You still have connections, don’t you?”

 

“Screw you!” Then the Cathar remembered their company. “Sorry!” he said to the two Jedi. “I think it’s time I left before I forget the rest of my manners.”

 

“Maybe you’d like to take information about the 208th with you…”

 

Lieutenant Jorgan whirled back to face Iolith. “What do you know about the 208th?”

 

“I know where the remaining survivors are.”

 

“There are no survivors.”

 

“You’re right, there aren’t. But if you had sufficient information and the heir of an Imperial house to trade for those nonexistent survivors…”

 

 

Edited February 25, 2015 by frauzet

[frauzet]

Material has been posted on the SFWC, no spoilers

 

Esseles, a short while later

 

With a beep the door to Arkeo’s cabin unlocked.

 

“If you are not comfortable with this arrangement, we can wait until the detention cell is cleaned.”

 

Iolith smirked. “An evil Imperial spy alone with a young, good looking, innocent Jedi? Do you really think it is the spy who should feel uncomfortable?”

 

Arkeo opened the door and motioned her to enter. “You may have a point there.”

 

She stepped into the small room. Arkeo followed her over the threshold and closed the door. He stood right behind her. “I fear it is not very spacious.”

 

“That was fast.”

 

“What?”

 

“For the Jedi to feel uncomfortable.” She looked over her shoulder.

 

He scratched the back of his head, suddenly appearing much younger. “You can have the first turn in the refresher.” He coughed. “Sorry.” With a gentle yet firm grip he held her by the shoulders as he squashed past her back to reach the wall-locker. He opened it and took a garment out. He passed it to her. She unfolded it. It was a cream-colored sleeveless shirt, which would easily reach to mid-thigh when she wore it. “I think that’s the best I can offer you as a substitute for a nightshirt.”

 

“Thank you, it’s perfect.”

 

She went to the refresher, undressed and took a quick shower. She would have loved hot water. She had been allowed to clean herself before they had boarded the Esseles, but the last time she had had running water had been on Ord Mantell. She cursed herself for being an idiot when she realized where that thought led her. She felt miserable enough without thinking about Nik. Seeing him earlier hadn’t helped. Giz’ hostility she was able to understand. She had used him, no denying the facts. But the affair with Nik had been something else. Of course she hadn’t told him her identity was fake, of course she had resisted her arrest. What did he expect? Jorgan seemed to think she was somehow responsible for his demotion. Obviously something had happened after her arrest that she didn’t have the slightest clue about, but everybody else thought she had been involved in.

 

The outer walls of her self started to crumble, the last putty in the cracks cleared away by the ultrasonic vibrations of the shower. Her life was a mess. The death of her family members rendered her plans futile, no matter what she had been telling herself. Despite all that had happened in the past, she knew she was unable to abandon her house. The obligation outreached her differences with her father. No more playing the spy. Three years for naught. She had spent seven years of her life running from family duties. On Ord she had been forced back into being Iolith. After leading Sidali’s respectively Zal’s life for so long, Iolith had been a stranger. And even this stranger was gone now. All that had defined her, nothing but bad memories. What was left? Who was this person staring back at her out of the mirror? Who was the woman she would have to be to lead house Zairos? She shivered. She was cold.

 

She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Inhaling, exhaling. Head high, shoulders back. The smile in the mirror looked real. Good. She pulled the shirt over her head. She’d have time to think. The Republic couldn’t ignore the information she had revealed. The Empire would deny its authenticity, of course. The proceedings would take a considerable amount of time. Time she’d be hidden away in the safety of a Republic prison, while Kilran and the likes of him would fight amongst each other. The battlefield would be neatly arranged when she returned. She took another deep breath and opened the door.

 

The Jedi leaned against the wall, waiting for his turn in the refresher. “Make yourself at home. The bed is yours. After the fighting I prefer to spend the night meditating.” He waved with the bundle of clothes in his hand. “I’ll be right back.”

 

Iolith took a look around her after he had closed the door. She tried the cabin door. It wasn’t locked. He seemed to trust her word, but not enough to leave his lightsaber with her. Then again, he might be used to take it with him wherever he went. The locker contained more spare clothes, his personal holocom, and a data pad. A quick search of the rest of the room revealed no other personal items. She sat down on the bed and tucked her feet under her. Hands in her lap, she tried not to think at all while she waited. She needed to regain her composure before the SIS took her into custody again.

 

When Arkeo returned he wore a sleeveless dark shirt tugged into a long dark skirt. His lightsaber was attached to his belt. He carried a pile of clothes, including hers, which he entrusted to the service droid for washing.

 

“You wear a lot of dark clothes. Don’t Jedi usually wear brown and beige?”

 

“Most Jedi do. You’ll find a lot of Mirialans prefer dark colors. They are better suited to capture the sun’s warmth.”

 

“I visited Mirial twice. The temperatures were not very inviting.” Iolith shivered.

 

Arkeo picked up the blanket at the end of the bed and draped it around her shoulders. He sat down on the bed’s edge. “It’s bearable with the right clothing. Force users learn to heat their bodies from an early age on. The habit is hard to get rid of when you travel someplace warm.”

 

“Right now I could use some extra warmth.”

 

His brows shot up.

 

“Oh, no. That’s not… I wasn’t implying… I am familiar with some of your customs. I mean I didn’t want to ask you…” She was babbling.

 

“Why don’t you try to get some sleep?” Arkeo got up.

 

Iolith grabbed his hand. “Could you hold me for a moment? Please? Just hold me…”

 

Arkeo hesitated before he sat back down again. He shifted closer and put an arm around her shoulder. “Do you want to talk about it?”

 

She leaned into him and hugged him tight, one arm around his back, the other across his chest. Her head rested on his shoulder. “I’m not sure. It would be embarrassing if I started to cry.”

 

“I wouldn’t let on about that.” He held her with both arms now.

 

She wriggled closer into his embrace and sighed. “I lost so much today. I was afraid I’d lost myself, too. It’s reassuring to feel your touch.” She felt him stroke her back, the movement slow and gentle. “I hated my father. I am glad he is dead. At the same time I feel bad. He was my father after all.” She closed her eyes and listened to Arkeo’s heartbeat. She wondered whether she had done enough. If she had been a better daughter the relationship with her father would have been better, too. He had been a Sith and the head of his house. Of course he hadn’t been able to indulge her selfishness. She couldn’t believe her own thoughts. The man hadn’t had anything to spare for her, least of all love or understanding. Her hands balled into fists on their own accord, grabbing Arkeo’s shirt.

 

The Jedi tensed for a moment. Then his heartbeat seemed to become louder. She felt warmth and calm flooding her. It was clear he was doing something through the Force. She let it happen. When she opened her eyes he was emanating a soft golden glow. He was beautiful to behold. She raised her head to get a better look at him.

 

“Do you want me to stop?” He seemed concerned.

 

She shook her head. “No. No, I don’t want you to stop.” She settled back into his embrace. She inhaled his scent. She let herself drift. The warmth felt good. Her lips touched his neck. She breathed a kiss below his ear. She nipped his earlobe and he shivered.

 

He turned his head away. “Please.”

 

“Don’t you like it?”

 

He ended his embrace and slid away from her. “I am sorry. I didn’t want this to become physical. I shouldn’t have encouraged you.”

 

“No, it is me who is sorry. For a moment I forgot you are a Jedi. What you did—it felt good. My anger is gone.”

 

“Io, I…—it wouldn’t be right to take advantage of you.”

 

“To take advantage of me?” She fought to suppress a giggle. That was too cute. “How so?”

 

“You seek comfort, warmth. I would distract you for a while, help you flee from your troubles. But you’d have to get back to them sooner or later.” He looked at his hands. “Rather sooner than later, given that I am inexperienced.”

 

She pulled her knees to her chest beneath the shirt and rested her chin on top of them, hugging her shins with her arms. “You might be astonished how many problems can be solved with sex.”

 

Now it was his time to smirk. “Problems that without sex could have been avoided in the first place?”

 

Iolith laughed. “Very observant for one inexperienced.”

 

His expression grew somber. “I see a lot of things, Iolith. It’s not your body which needs warmth.”

 

“I doubt I’ll find a trusted shrink anytime soon.”

 

“You would have trusted me with your body. How far do you think you’d be able to trust me with your mind?”

 

“There are not many secrets of my body left I have not already shared. But my mind? My mind is something else altogether. I am a lonesome person.”

 

“And yet your family and your past won’t leave you alone.”

 

“I am upset about questioning myself.”

 

“Allow yourself to mourn the lost possibilities, all that could have been, the choices you’ll now never have. Don’t dwell on your hatred, let go and move on. Your destiny lies before you.”

 

“I don’t believe in destiny.”

 

“Many people don’t.”

 

“Why do you?”

 

He thought about her question for a moment, then shrugged. “Mirialans are a religious people. I was taught since I was a small child. When I was old enough to question the elders I never found proof of our religion being wrong.”

 

“They didn’t discourage you to ask questions?” She had learned fast that asking questions about the proof of Sith superiority was a foolish thing to do.

 

“A construct that isn’t sound enough to weather a storm of questions isn’t save enough to live in.”

 

“So it was destiny that we both met?”

 

“Probably.”

 

“Probably?”

 

“I think it was the Sith’s destiny to die. If Phorik had been the one to kill him, I would have still met you afterwards. Destiny leaves us with a lot of choices. The responsibility for our actions is still ours.”

 

“It must be nice to have something to believe in, even if it is only an illusion.”

 

He smiled. He wasn’t offended. “Illusions can be very real.” He held out his hand. “Let’s see if you trust me enough to let me show you.”

 

He had her back where he had wanted her to be. Iolith realized how dangerous the man in front of her was. Was she brave enough to face him?

 

“I am not your enemy, Io. Whatever happens, I will keep you safe. I promise I won’t pry for the secrets you want to hide. I’ll ask you to let me in, and if you tell me to leave I’ll be gone. Destiny brought us together, the choice is yours.”

 

She took a deep breath and nodded reaching out for his hand. Some scrambling, shifting, and sliding later, she was seated in front of him between his legs, her back resting against his chest. He held both of her hands in his above his knees.

 

He embraced her without letting go of her hands. “Focus on your breath. I am here to guide and to guard you.”

 

She breathed, in and out, while Arkeo moved her arms in an intricate pattern in sync with her breathing. She felt his chest raise and lower with the same rhythm as her own. His soft golden glow surrounded them both.

 

“Concentrate on the thoughts that cause you trouble. Close your eyes. Don’t forget to breathe, slow breaths, deep in and out. Gather the negative emotions in one place. The belly works best for most people.”

 

She did as he told her. After a while she felt like there was an ugly black knot in her intestines. The Jedi’s warmth seeped through both their clothes and into her. Somehow the golden glow wrapped itself around the blackness until it was entirely contained.

 

“Now try to relax. Let yourself drift.”

 

She felt like she was going to fall asleep anytime now. She let herself float in the warm nothingness. The nothingness turned into mist and Arkeo stood in front of her.

 

“Will you ask me to come in?”

 

She was confused, but when she turned they stood in front of a metal gate inside a huge stonewall. The smooth black stones fit together almost seamlessly. The edges of the wall were lost in the mist. She touched the gate tentatively and it swung open. She stepped over the threshold into the jungle behind. She stared at the huge trees for a moment until she realized Arkeo was still standing in front of the gate. She motioned for him to enter. “Come in. What is this place?”

 

He closed the distance and stood beside her once again. “You tell me. It’s your mind, your illusion. I have never seen its like.”

 

She turned taking in the huge trees, the undergrowth. The sky couldn’t be seen. Everything was damp. “It looks like the jungle on Dromund Kaas. What are we doing here?”

 

“We will hunt the manifestation of your negative emotions and kill it. Lead the way! As I said, it is your illusion.”

 

“You’ve got to be kidding me.” She shook her head. “If I wasn’t sure you hadn’t slipped me anything, I’d ask you where you buy the stuff.”

 

“I am impressed myself.” He touched the leaves of a fern. “I have never seen this level of detail.”

 

“You’ve done this often?”

 

“Only at home, with other Mirialans and the guidance of an elder.”

 

“Okay.” She stepped closer to him. “I have to admit, this is—stimulating.” She grabbed the front of his shirt, pulled him down to her, and kissed him. After a moment’s hesitation he kissed her back. When she broke the kiss he was breathless. “Yes, I think I like my illusion. Feels real.”

 

He coughed. “That’s not what the ritual is for.”

 

She grinned. “Ready for the hunt?” She bounded off down the path.

 

Arkeo cursed behind her. “Force, Elder Haran didn’t warn me about anything like this, but then, he probably never met anybody like you.”

 

Her laughter cut off when she reached another wall blocking her path. It seemed to be made of black glass and was cold to the touch. She shivered. It ran to the left and right as far as she could see, but seemed to be slightly curved. It was here to hide something behind.

 

Arkeo stopped behind her, wary. “What is this?” Rain drizzled down on them. The wall was slick and shone in the sudden brightness of a lightning.

 

“I don’t know.” She furrowed her brow in thought. She had an idea, but… “This shouldn’t be here.” Iolith held Arkeo back when he tried to touch the wall. “Don’t.”

 

He took a step backwards. “As you wish.”

 

They heard a howl from the left. Iolith shared a glance with Arkeo who nodded. Yes, that was what they were looking for. Together they headed in the direction the sound had come from. The path led them parallel to the wall for about 100 meters before it veered off into the gloominess of the dense jungle again. After a few minutes the path opened into a small clearing. There a vine cat was waiting for them. It growled when they stepped closer.

 

“Stay on this side, I‘ll distract the creature.” Arkeo’s lightsaber hummed. Red light reflected off the eyes of the beast. He gave her a telling glance. “If you needed any proof this was all your doing, here it is.”

 

Iolith stared at the blade. She had seen Arkeo fight. The blade of his lightsaber had been blue. She had watched her siblings and other Sith fight so often, all their blades had been red. So red was the color her mind intuitively assigned to a lightsaber. She hoped this didn’t pose any problems, but there was no time to inquire.

 

Arkeo hurried along the edge of the trees to circle the animal. Once he was behind it he made a gesture with his hand and accompanied it with a shout. The beast turned at once and jumped to attack the Jedi. Arkeo’s lightsaber flashed and the cat retreated with a howl. Before it could engage again, Arkeo waved his free hand in an upward motion and clumps of dirt rose from the ground to form a barrier around him. The vine cat snarled.

 

The Jedi addressed Iolith. “You need to kill it yourself!”

 

“And how am I supposed to do that? I don’t have any Force abilities. Do you want me to strangle it with my bare hands?”

 

The cat turned its head towards her, but Arkeo prodded it with his saber until it concentrated on him again.

 

“It’s still your illusion, so maybe you could, but why don’t you get a familiar weapon.” Arkeo dodged the creatures paws. He maneuvered himself back in his former position, the animal facing away from Iolith.

 

Iolith searched the underbrush next to her. She grabbed a stick poking out of a bush. When she hit a tree the stick broke apart. Yes, right, home, dead wood decomposed rapidly. Her illusion, Arkeo had said. What did that entail? Iolith had no idea what to do and how to do it. She wrung her hands as she stared at the fight in front of her. She tried to think of a blaster, or at least a vibroknife. “You know, you could have warned me before we did this.” There was a slight pitch in her voice.

 

Between several thrusts at his adversary Arkeo found the time to answer her. “You are right. A Mirialan would have known. The ritual’s flow was so easy, I forgot I am not at home. I am sorry if I frightened you.”

 

“Who said I was frightened? Looks like you have everything under control over there.” ‘Worried’ was the word she would have used instead.

 

The vine cat howled in anger. “Yes, me and your negative emotions, we get along well here.” The Jedi seemed to have some sense of humor. “Concentrate. Do you have a favorite weapon? What does it look like? Conjure the feeling of what it feels like to hold it.”

 

She ignored the fight, closed her eyes and concentrated. Like before in the cabin she breathed slowly in and out. She imagined Arkeo’s golden glow and let herself float in it. What did it feel like to be armed? It had been a while, even longer since she had used a sniper rifle regularly, but that was what came to her mind.

 

Like every other student she had received her own weapon at the academy. Standard equipment not bad—they trained the best, so bad would not do—but not top equipment either. It had been her personal goal to improve it as far as possible. Every credit she had to spare went into the weapon. First she traded in dessert rations, later in favors of all kinds—all part of her training as she saw it. Her father would have been furious had he learned how she got the best scope the academy’s armory had to offer. Making sure he didn’t find out was as well part of the training as making the quartermaster forget the risk. She was a natural, and her skills in manipulation had been trained since earliest childhood as a Force blind in a Sith household on top of that. Hard work brought her talent with the rifle to its full potential. Countless hours spent at the firing range made her one of the best shots the academy had seen.

 

The recollection of all components was easy. Disassembling, cleaning and reassembling would be still routine, she’d be able to do it blindfolded. She imagined the rifle’s weight strapped over her shoulder. The feeling became palpable. She dropped into a crouch, opened her eyes, and took the rifle from her back. With the same motion she switched off the safety, raised the gun to her shoulder, and aimed. The rest was routine, ingrained through all those hours of training. She adjusted her position. Her breath became steady. She watched the vine cat through the sights, followed its movements. When she had a clear shot at the animal’s heart, she took it. Her finger squeezed the trigger, she felt the weapon’s recoil. The familiar movement didn’t surprise her. She readjusted in a heartbeat, and fired a second shot.

 

The vine cat froze, stood still for a moment, and slumped down. Before its head touched the ground the whole beast dissolved into mist and evaporated.

 

All that remained in her sights was the Jedi. What would happen if she shot him?

 

Arkeo deactivated his lightsaber, not in the slightest concerned. “Nice shot. I was sure you would be able to conjure your weapon!”

 

Iolith lowered the rifle. It felt good to hold it in her hands. “Can we stay a bit longer? Hunt more of these?”

 

“I assume you’re feeling well then?” Arkeo smiled as he stepped towards her.

 

She strapped the rifle to her back. Now that he had asked her she realized that she was indeed feeling much better than before. “Yes, it’s amazing. The negative emotions from before, they are gone. I feel—lighter.” She danced around him once, laughing. “Thank you!”

 

He took her hands when she was back in front of him. “You’re welcome!”

 

Their hands between them, she stepped into his intimate space. “So, is there any other prey beside you?”

 

“I fear we’ve accomplished what we came for.” His wink was impish. “Alas, I don’t think I am suited for being your prey. You are probably used to something far more challenging.”

 

Iolith’s eyes glittered with mischief. “Oh, by now I am sufficiently bored to be content with a Jedi.”

 

Arkeo kissed her hand and leaned forward to whisper into her ear. “I am all yours.” In the blink of an eye he let go of her hands, spun, sprinted to the edge of the forest and vanished in the shadows. She heard his faint call. “If you catch me.”

 

 

Edited February 28, 2015 by frauzet

[frauzet]

Material has been posted on the SFWC, minor spoilers for JK Tython, sidequest Tython

 

Iolith's mind, immediately afterwards

 

Arkeo tried to bring some distance between himself and Iolith. Distance — the thought was ridiculous given the fact they were inside her head. Distance would be impossible to achieve. The question was whether Io would realize this or not. By now he understood that she not only had an effect on the color of his lightsaber but on him as well. He couldn’t deny he liked the situation, just how much of this was him was impossible for him to discern.

The wisest choice would be to leave this illusion — end the ritual. Arkeo imagined Elder Haran nodding in approval. Yet something held him back. Again he wasn’t sure if it was his intuition or Iolith’s doing. He was anything but immune to her charms. After her kiss part of him wanted to stay and find out just how realistic this mirage was.

When he concentrated he could feel his body sitting on the floor of the cabin, Iolith safe in his arms. It was hard to guess how much time had passed since he started the ritual. Once inside, time became meaningless. He felt his heart beat steadily, his breath was still even, body temperature stable. There was enough time left to play this — her — game a little longer. She had earned a reward after her help against the Sith. Why not distract her from the harsh reality she had to get back to once they arrived on Coruscant? Or was it himself he wanted to distract? He had killed today. He should be meditating. That would have been the proper way to deal with his emotions.

But there was no honorable way to back out now. He had given her his word. To claim it had been under her influence would sound like a feeble excuse, even to himself. Staying hidden until she got bored seemed like a good idea.

 

Taking care not to stumble over the roots of the larger trees or entangle himself in the undergrowth Arkeo moved on. He enjoyed the flora for a while. There were more varieties of fern than he was able to keep apart without further studies. The trees were huge, but what little light filtered through their dense foliage was greedily absorbed by countless smaller plants. He still wouldn’t describe Mirial as desolate although he had been impressed by Tython’s biodiversity, but this made Tython’s forests look bleak in comparison despite the undeniable gloom.

When the underbrush grew more dense he kept to a trail which was scarcely vegetated. Following the path he reached a small clearing. Rain drizzled. Lightning illuminated the shallow body of water which had gathered in the low ground in front of him. With a sinking feeling in his guts he turned around. Ten meters back the path was already overgrown. Whether intentionally or subconsciously, Iolith had herded him here. With the rain from above and the water on the ground he wouldn’t be able to cross the clearing without being spotted despite his invisibility. He reached out through the Force but he already knew what he would find. She was everywhere. There was no way to tell where her manifestation was.

 

“Is it stubbornness or is it called perseverance in a Jedi?” Iolith laughed as she appeared at the opposite side of the puddle. Her sniper rifle pointed in his direction.

 

Arkeo saw a fine red line the laser sight of her weapon left behind in the rain. It ran straight through his chest. He took a step to the left and the beam followed.

 

“Sonar. Works against most stealth technologies, even the Force,” Iolith stated, “although the rain dampens the effect.” She took a step forward and the line of trees followed — all the way around the pond.

 

Arkeo was forced to take a step into the water, disturbing the ripples the rain caused on its surface. He stepped out of the shadows, letting his Force camouflage drop. There was no point in hiding any further.

 

“Do you give up, or do we revert to the nasty tricks now? I am not sure about the rules, but I don’t want to hurt you. I have no idea what that would do to both of us.” Was there a hint of disappointment in her voice?

 

Arkeo held out his hands, palms up. “I surrender.” About the effects of the ritual on the body he didn’t know much. They had both strong minds, though, and imagination moved mountains. Iolith had made the first steps to mastering their surrounding. His chances of escape would dwindle rapidly from here on. Despite not being Force sensitive she must have a deep connection to the Force, her instincts were excellent. As she was a descendant of a long line of Sith, this was not surprising.

 

Force-sensitivity ran in the blood. One reason Mirialans didn’t believe in celibacy, contrary to the current attitude of the Jedi Council towards the subject. The Force provided a distinct advantage for survival in Mirial’s harsh climate. To preclude Force users from reproduction would be to compromise the continuity of his people.

 

Arkeo watched Iolith strap the rifle to her back and walk towards him. He took some steps to meet her in the middle of the pond. No, he didn’t feel particularly obliged to adhere to the Jedi Council’s rule of celibacy. But this situation was wrong nonetheless. This wasn’t about reproduction, and she wasn’t Mirialan.

The water flooded his boots. It was warm. It didn’t matter. The lightning made her blue eyes sparkle. He would have loved to see them in Siel’s light, although Iolith would need protection against the radiation of Mirial’s sun. Part of his brain was still working.

 

She took his hands into hers. “Got you!”

 

“Io, this…”

 

“Shush!” Her index finger over his mouth motioned for him to be silent. “You said, you’d be mine if I caught you.” She put her hands on his upper arms, her fingertips caressed his skin lightly. Shivers ran down his spine. She studied his eyes for a moment. He wondered what she saw there, what he wanted her to see.

 

“As I recall, you didn’t want to take advantage of me. Usually I don’t have any such reservations. But in this case I will return the favor.” She smirked. “I am not that desperate.”

 

“We need to end the ritual.”

 

“Thank you for this experience!” She rose on tiptoe and kissed him lightly, her lips soft, tasting of some fruit Arkeo was unable to name.

 

The kiss was brief and neither one of them sought to prolong it. Instead Arkeo embraced her and held her close. “It was my pleasure.” He felt the heat of her body through their clothes. For a moment he thought he could hear her heart beat.

 

The sound was drowned by the undulation of the water. What gave Arkeo’s thoughts pause was the fact that there was no wind. He let go of Iolith and took a step back. Was this her reaction to his embrace? “Are you okay?” Arkeo took a look around at the pond. The water was roiling like a pot of boiling algal tea. “Io? What are you doing?” Something dark pulsed through the Force.

 

“Nothing! At least not that I am aware of.” Before Arkeo could stop her she bent down to immerse one of her hands in the water. The water wasn’t hot, they would have felt it through their boots otherwise, but her hand came back red. “What is going on here?” She searched his face for an answer.

 

Arkeo didn’t have one. They were standing in a pool of blood, and he didn’t know why. He pulled her to the edge of the pond, as far as the trees allowed him to. His Force senses revealed nothing, there was still only Iolith. The movement of the blood intensified, wallowing up in the middle of the surface. Something was rising out of the blood.

 

“Keep behind me.” Arkeo ordered.

 

Iolith drew her rifle but did as he told her. His concern must have resonated in his voice.

 

Blood splattered in every direction as a huge beast surged out of the depth of nowhere where mere seconds before they both had stood in knee deep water. The red liquid dripped off the creature’s many legs. Higher and higher rose the monstrosity’s head atop its serpentine body. The sting-like claws at the end of its legs rattled when it moved as if to take inventory of the multitude of extremities. A shrill shriek coming out of of a gaping mouth adorned with several rings of sharp teeth pierced their ears.

 

Arkeo activated his lightsaber. “I get the indistinct feeling you’re trying to impress me with Kaasian fauna.”

 

“You don’t play dejarik, do you? I only recognize that thing because it’s a piece on the dejarik board. That’s a K’lor’slug. They are not native to Dromund Kaas or any other world I’ve been to. And I am not sure, but I think they are not supposed to be this big. No way I brought it here. It’s got to be yours.” Her giggle held an edge. “Sorry, I never thought I’d say this to a man anytime soon, much less to a Jedi of all people.”

 

“Do you want to keep it?” Arkeo didn’t really feel like laughing. His lightsaber hummed as it described an arc in front of him, drawing the creature’s attention, and intensifying the color of the blood. Like before with the vine cat he started to circle the beast in order to get it to turn its back to Io. She would still need to watch out for its tail which looked far from harmless. “Can you give us some more room?” Arkeo dodged the first attacks of the claws. He would have preferred to fight on solid soil instead of this slippery puddle. At least the rift which had disgorged the K’lor’slug seemed to have closed again. “Io?”

 

“I am trying, but it doesn’t work. Can’t we just leave?”

 

“Honestly I am not sure.” Arkeo had to concentrate to block all of these legs. His lightsaber glanced off of the claws and the legs’ exoskeleton. “I neither want to risk being hit while retreating nor the chance to pull this thing with us into reality.”

 

“You can do that?” After all she had seen, disbelief fought with awe.

 

“Me? No! But the Force does as the Force wills.” By now he was praying the Force didn’t want them dead. He was unable to wound the beast. “Forget the trees, Io. You need to shoot it.” At least he hoped she was able to do some harm.

 

She got down to a crouch and came to the ready. She took aim and shot several times before he heard her swear. “Kark. The bolts just bounce off. We need to look for a vulnerable spot.”

 

“There are places beneath the front legs where the scales don’t overlap.” Arkeo tried to get the K’lor’slug to turn so that Io could take a clear shot. He stumbled over something beneath the surface of the pool, struggled to gain his footing back, and slipped when he simultaneously tried to avoid three claws at once. The monster’s head dove in for the kill. Arkeo managed to roll out of the teeth’ reach but instead was hit by the tail. The blow knocked the breath out of him. He fell down hard sinking in the blood. Trusting fully on his instincts and Force senses he rolled from side to side to avoid being stabbed by one of the many claws. He tried to get his head above the surface, he was running out of oxygen. Even with the aid of the Force he would not be able to go on like this for much longer without taking a breath.

 

Arkeo needed to take the risk, and so he tried to jump back to his feet. Despite his soaked clothes he would have made it hadn’t it been for the next sweep of the beast’s lower front legs. He was knocked back down and lost a precious amount of his breath when he hit the ground. He rolled to the side onto his stomach and tried to get on his knees. Something hit him hard in the lower back. His kidneys screamed in pain. Stars drifted across the inside of his eyelids, his lungs burned. With the last of his strength he pushed himself off the ground, only to be knocked aside by another sweep of the K’lor’slug’s tail. He landed on his belly. The monster completed its turn and the tail came to rest on his legs. He was pinned. He tried to wriggle himself out from under the weight when it shifted. The pressure increased, and the stars exploded and died. Everything went black.

 

***

 

When he woke up Arkeo lay on a hard and cool surface. Where was he? He remembered the fight with the K’lor’slug. He remembered losing, he remembered losing consciousness — dying. Yet, he wasn’t dead. At least he thought so. Heartbeat, temperature, breathing — nothing unusual. His Force-senses told him he was alone. This was bothering him. Where was everybody? Carefully he moved first his toes then his fingers. He brushed his fingertips over the surface he was lying on. It felt like smooth stone. He could feel his usual clothes, they were dry. He opened his eyes. There was light, but he wasn’t blinded. Above him was nothing. It was like staring into fog — without the fog. The sight was slightly dizzying. Arkeo sat up carefully. All around him stretched a floor made of the finest marble. The marbling reminded him of holos of Wayland marble he had seen, only the strands were not golden but shimmered like silver instead. There was no other color. Everything was silver or white, nearly translucent. Even his clothes, which where not his clothes after all, were white. His body was the only anomaly in this otherwise unblemished existence. He got to his feet and took a few steps into the direction he was facing. He turned around. Every direction looked the same.

 

“Am I dead after all?”

 

Only the response made him realize he had spoken the words out loud. “Of course not, foolish child.”

 

He whirled around to face the speaker. “Mother?”

 

“You had more sense when you were four.”

 

Four, he had left his family at that age to live in the next youth academy; next meaning a trip of about three weeks depending on the weather. She looked the same as the day he left. Long black hair framing an unlined delicate face with blue eyes. What was she doing here?

 

“He had his relapses when he was fourteen.”

 

Turning again Arkeo saw Fingwen, their old hunt master. Arkeo’s hand stole to the scar on his chin. Waking the maka had been no sign of advanced wisdom — or any lesser form thereof. He remembered there had been a dare involved, but whose idea it actually had been he should ride the beast was lost to time and countless tellings of the story with various embroideries to please the audience. His cheeks felt hot all of a sudden.

 

“You know you took an unnecessary risk.”

 

Arkeo looked over his shoulder at Master Siela. Despite her harsh voice her face held an encouraging smile.

 

“You need to survive. There are tasks waiting for you.”

 

Neela! Arkeo turned slowly to face her. His heart ached to touch her, but she wasn’t his anymore. She had terminated their betrothal and had told him she wouldn’t wait for his return. She sat at a loom. Her black hair fell in glossy waves to below the seat. She was weaving a traditional tapestry, all greens, and browns, and black. Somehow a blue thread had finagled its way into the pattern. “You’ve added a new thread. I am not sure how it will affect the pattern.” She got up and came closer. Her violet eyes sparkled.

 

“Are you angry?”

 

“Why would I be angry?” She took his hands. “Don’t be afraid of your emotions. It’s not the emotions that bear the danger, but the way we deal with them.” She smiled. “Blue is a beautiful color. It adds a myriad of possibilities.” The tapestry on the loom started to spread. The pattern multiplied. Some branches died, others sprouted numerous new ones. New colors entered the weave, it was too much to trace.

 

“Where are we? What is this place?”

 

“Where do you think we are?” Fingwen asked.

 

Arkeo turned to look at the hunter and saw himself — thrice.

 

“Promise me to be more careful from now on!” the Arkeo with his mother’s voice said.

 

“Fate can be altered, but that doesn’t mean it should be!” his likeness with Master Siela’s voice stated.

 

“There is always a price!” Neela said.

 

***

 

With his first breath he jerked upright, coughing. For a moment Iolith thought he was going to vomit. Relief suffused her. Besides the fact a dead Jedi would have been hard to explain, she would have regretted Arkeo’s death. She wasn’t sure what had happened, but he had been willing to risk his life for her. Force, he had given his life. Just as she had wanted to stop her efforts to reanimate him herself and call for help, he had come back. She sat back and waited for his coughing fit to subside.

 

At last he looked up. A smile spread on his face as he recognized her. “Io! Thank the Force, you are okay.” He held out his hand and she took it.

 

“How are you feeling?”

 

“I… what happened?” He looked her over, his eyes full of concern for her.

 

“I shot it. I saw you go down, and I did as you told me. But as soon as I had hit the spot beneath the leg, it started to turn. It was wounded, hurt, furious. It knocked you over with its tail. Then it came for me, mouth wide open, screaming in anger and pain. I thought it was going to devour me. I kept shooting until it dissolved into mist. Then I woke up. Like waking up from a bad dream. You were leaning against my back. You were… you didn’t breathe. You were gone for about a minute.”

 

Arkeo squeezed her hand. “You brought me back.”

 

“I was about to call for a med team. I…” She flung her arms around his neck. She let go of him when he winced. “You are hurt!”

 

He pulled his shirt up with care. Iolith gasped. “Kark! I’ll call the med team after all.” His left side held a huge bruise.

 

“No!” Arkeo grabbed her hand and kept her from getting up. His face contorted slightly. “Please. It’s nothing that a night’s meditation won’t help with.” Mumbling he added “There is always a price.”

 

“What are you talking about?”

 

Arkeo sighed. “I still don’t understand it.” He looked her in the eyes. “But everything we do has consequences. Even what we did in the ritual.”

 

She put the idea off with a wave of her hand. “If you say so.”

 

“I know you don’t believe in fate. To you this was only a dream — a nightmare.”

 

“To be honest, I’ve had worse trips. But hey, I beat a K’lor’slug. Maybe I’ll win my next dejarik game.” She winked at him and laughed. “I’ll send you half of the winnings if I do.” Iolith realized she really liked him when he joined in with her laughter.

 

However his laughter was cut short by a sharp intake of breath. “I might have earned hazard bonus.”

 

“You look like you were overrun by a hover taxi.”

 

Arkeo tried to tug his shirt back into the waistband of his skirt, but he soon gave up. He looked at her for a while before he raised his hand to trace her jawline with his fingertips. Io leaned into the caress. His smile was back. She leaned closer. When he didn’t shy away she breathed a kiss onto his lips. He entangled his fingers in the hair at the nape of her neck and cut off her retreat. “Blue is a beautiful color,” he whispered. There was no hesitation in his kiss.

 

With a sigh he leaned his forehead against hers. “I remember what I said during the ritual.” He closed his eyes and inhaled deeply. “It’s not that I don’t want to, but I think at the moment I am not up to keep my word. I need to meditate.”

 

“I’ll deduct that from your half of the winnings.”

 

He considered her answer for a moment. “Either you play for high stakes or…”

 

“… or you wouldn’t have had any condoms anyway.”

 

Arkeo raised his eyebrows.

 

“What? I checked while you were taking a shower. Well, not specifically for condoms, but I can’t deny I was curious about a Jedi’s luggage.”

 

“Found something interesting?”

 

“Nope, that is if we don’t count the Jedi.”

 

***

 

The trance had been deep and he had to readjust to his senses. His side still hurt, but the pain was bearable. It would take a few days to heal fully. Arkeo took a while before he opened his eyes. The first he saw was Iolith’s face. She was lying on the bunk beneath the blankets but was wide awake.

 

“Hey,” she whispered.

 

“Hey. Have you been watching me all the time?”

 

“Someone had to make sure you didn’t decide to stop breathing again all of a sudden.”

 

“There really is no need for that. You should get some sleep. I am already feeling better.”

 

“Good enough for some harmless cuddling?” Iolith raised one eyebrow and the corner of the blanket. “Already preheated.”

 

They found a position which didn’t put weight onto his left side. Iolith’s head rested on his shoulder, her finger traced patterns on his chest. The fabric of his shirt added a slight tickling to her caress.

 

“I have been to Mirial twice,” Io said, “but you’re the first traditional Mirialan I meet.”

 

“There are not many of us left. Especially in the areas with frequent contact to off-worlders. It is hard for most to resist the temptations of a whole galaxy.”

 

“For most, but not for you. You miss it.”

 

His gaze became unfocused. “I do. Even the smell of a nearing sandstorm and the growling of the maka stalking a herd of rentish.”

 

She shifted and lifted her head to look at him. “Is it true you still hunt maka with bow and arrow?”

 

“Maka? No. You hunt a maka with a spear. The bow is used for smaller prey. There is no traditional material to build a bow strong enough to be effective in a maka hunt, at least not one that will last very long in our climate.”

 

“Preying on a maka with only a spear as a weapon sounds brave.”

 

Arkeo smiled. “I wouldn’t know, I always had the Force to aid me. And only the foolish face a maka alone.” He scratched at the scar on his chin absentmindedly.

 

Iolith noticed. “I think I’d like to hear a story about foolish you.”

 

“Will you tell me one in return?”

 

She considered this for a moment. “I’ll trade for why you shouldn’t put itching powder into your little sister’s clothes. Especially when there’s lightning involved in her tantrums.”

 

“What did she do to earn such treatment?”

 

“No cheating! You’re first!” She kissed him before she settled her arms atop his chest, her chin propped on her hands to be better able to watch him.

 

“It was about three weeks after my fourteenth naming-day. We had been confined indoors by bad weather for two weeks…”

 

***

 

Arkeo and Iolith stopped. The SIS team was waiting for them at the foot of the ramp. She turned to Arkeo and looked him in the eyes. To Phoriks’ astonishment Arkeo took both her hands into his and bid her goodbye with a Mirialan farewell. “May you always find shelter and warmth.” Phorik had never heard him use it except with other Mirialans.

 

The smile Iolith bestowed upon his friend in return was warm. “Thank you, for everything.” She applied a gentle squeeze to Arkeo’s hands before she pulled away. “Farewell, Jedi.” She nodded towards both of them and walked down the ramp with her head held high. When she reached the agents she held out her wrists for them to attach a new set of stun cuffs.

 

Phorik observed Arkeo as he watched the group leave. He knew it was indecent to ask, but his curiosity got the better of him. “She stayed in your cabin.” It wasn’t really a question, at least not the one he wanted to ask.

 

Arkeo turned and looked at him. Under his friends gaze Phorik could feel his cheeks grow hot. He had known it was indecent. He should have known better than to imply his friend’s indiscretion. First of all he shouldn’t have implied his friend lacked self-control just because he himself did.

 

Phorik was thankful for the smile appearing on Arkeo’s face. “Let’s go.” Arkeo didn’t dwell on Phorik’s remark, didn’t begrudge him his curiosity.

 

And yet part of Phorik was disappointed he wouldn’t get an answer to his question, neither affirmative nor negating, no matter if or if not anything out of the ordinary had happened in his friends cabin during the last night. If Arkeo wanted to keep a secret he didn’t betray the slightest hint lest even silence would be interpreted in a certain way. Still Phorik wondered as they walked to the spaceport’s exit together. Back in their first days on Tython he had been asked to discover if two fellow padawans were cultivating a romance. The masters hadn’t approached Arkeo, and Arkeo hadn’t volunteered his help as he usually did. Phorik had felt like a hypocrite whenever he thought about this task after the night with Ranna. The more he thought about it, the more he realized that he had talked about anything and everything with his friend except girls. Somehow Arkeo had managed to avoid the subject.

 

 

This was the last larger part copied from the SFWC. A few smaller pieces will be integrated in the new scenes. I won't promise to keep anything resembling a schedule, since I probably wouldn't be able to keep any such promise. I hope you enjoyed my story so far and will bear with me for the parts to follow.

[frauzet]

Kaas City, Dromund Kaas, the following day

 

This might have been worth more than the credits. And Thorns had agreed upon a not inconsiderable amount with Kilran. The memories of their arrival on Vaiken Spacedock were still fresh. Mako’s research had prepared them for worse upon stepping foot on Dromund Kaas. The Imperials were not keen on letting anything — or anyone — in that reeked of trouble. Trouble had been his middle name as long as he could remember. But Grand Moff karkin’ Kilran’s droid got them through the spaceport in no time without anyone daring to raise an eyebrow. The droid transmitted a signal in advance and they were waved through every checkpoint there was.

 

This time Thorns hadn’t even needed to take off his helmet. The drizzling rain didn’t bother him at all. At least not until he saw Smilo activate his umbrella wand and offering its protection from the rain to Mako. The slicer accepted the offer with a smile. She linked her arm with the agent’s. As far as Thorns was able to tell they continued their conversation about some new slicing hardware. The agent was buckling down.

 

“Looks like you’re loosing on all fronts.” Kaliyo bumped into Thorn’s shoulder as she walked past. Kark. She wasn’t the clingy type but she didn’t like to be stood up either. Thorns sighed. He doubted an apology would gain her favor back. He watched her climb into a taxi with Mako, Smilo and the droid. One had already left with the Mirialan and his monstrous companion. Which left him to share one with Ciner and the Twi’lek.

 

Despite his concerns the trip to the Imperial Citadel in the heart of Kaas City was uneventful. The Sith even condescended to pointing out major landmarks and important buildings throughout the city. Well, he did so mainly for Vette. Thorns was more or less ignored. It suited him just fine. He listened to the Sith’ explanations only halfheartedly. Instead he tried to get rid of his worries. Mako had told him she intended to stay with him to compete in the Great Hunt. Her word was as good as his, and there was nothing the agent would be able to do about it. Except thwart Thorns’ participation in the Hunt.

 

The debriefing was short and crisp and the reward generous. The official told them he’d forward Kilran’s commendation to the Mandalorian Enclave. Smilo told him he’d stay in touch. He had exchanged contact information with Mako. Well, a contact in Imperial Intelligence couldn’t be all bad. He’d just have to be careful. Everybody else seemed to be heading to an other task at the citadel, so Thorns and Mako made their way back to the taxi pad alone. Their appointment with his handler for the Great Hunt had been scheduled for the next day. They’d get settled in at their cheap hotel, get something to eat, and check their equipment. There was someone who hadn’t been mentioned today.

 

“Do you think they rescued her from the Esseles?”

 

Mako looked up. “Iolith Zairos?”

 

Thorns nodded.

 

“I’ll see if I can find something. You thinking the same as me?”

 

“We find her and bring her to Kilran, we won’t have to worry about money for a while. But if she’s still in Republic custody that may be difficult. But then, we don’t know where the Hunt will take us.”

 

Mako grinned. “The parameters are set. If the net learns something about her, so will we.”

 

***

 

“You handled the situation well, my apprentice.” It was difficult to interpret Darth Baras posture. His face was hidden by his mask, his feelings and emotions better guarded than the Imperial treasury.

 

Ciner bowed his head. “You honor me, my lord.”

 

“Too bad it wasn’t the real Iolith Zairos.”

 

“Master?” Ciner frowned. What was it Baras implied with his statement? Did he think the Republic spy had been Iolith Zairos after all, that this was a conspiracy against House Zairos?

 

With a wave of his hand Darth Baras dismissed his concerns. “All reports agree on the woman’s confession being genuine. What do you think will happen when Iolith Zairos returns.” Darth Baras started to pace. “If Kilran gets enough supporters to acknowledge his claim as valid, he will marry her. She won’t have a choice. Neither of them is Sith, but with Kilran’s expertise, there can be no doubt who in truth will lead House Zairos after that. Imagine the amount of influence he will gain. He already deems himself too much our equal. With his accursed luck he all to often gets away with his attitude.” Baras threw his hands in the air. “Trying to order my apprentice about as if he were an Imperial lackey. Outrageous.”

 

Ciner heard Vette gasp. The change in temperature had to be noticeable even in the corner beside the door. “Rumor has it, Iolith Zairos spurned him once. Why wouldn’t she a second time?”

 

“It will be hard to prove her father didn’t promise her to Kilran. Especially now that Lord Zairos is dead. She can’t start leadership of her house by dishonoring it.” The Sith lord shook his head. “No, I can’t allow it.”

 

“Something tells me, you already set a plan in motion, master.”

 

The pacing stopped. Darth Baras looked at him. “My spies tell me the Republic wishes to trade her in for Republic captives. When it comes to that, I’ll see to it that you, as an approved expert on Iolith Zairos, will be the one overseeing the exchange of prisoners.” There was a slight vibration in the Force as Baras continued. “There is no proof they have the real one.”

 

Ciner nodded. “I see.”

 

“I am sure you are aware of the fact your mother was a distant relative to House Zairos.”

 

“Our houses have been well connected.”

 

“There are other distant relatives to House Zairos… as yet. Should Iolith Zairos remain lost at least part of the house would fall to you, my apprentice. I’d be delighted to support your claims.”

 

“I can’t think of a better advocate, master.” Ciner was sure Darth Baras would spare no effort to help him succeed. After all House Zairos would pass to his master should Ciner rise up against him and fail.

 

***

 

Reporting in at HQ was mandatory. Intelligence would receive a copy of his report from Imperial Navy. Nonetheless they’d want his account on the mission on Hutta as well as another full debriefing on the Black-Talon-operation. They were already expected. Kaliyo was carried off by a watcher for proper registration. Smilo entered the mission control center on his own. He stopped on the threshold. The bustle reminded him of the ordered chaos of a beehive. It was his first visit here. He took a moment to let the atmosphere of the room sink in. This should have felt like home. Instead he felt like entering a wampa’s den.

 

His colleagues ignored him as he made his way across the polished floor towards the stairs in the back, everyone but him being busy. The watcher who’d handle his debriefing was unavailable at the moment but Keeper himself wanted a word with him right away. So much for staying unobtrusive. The agent suppressed an oath and kept his features in check. The walls had eyes and ears, here maybe even more so than in the rest of the galaxy. Keeper wouldn’t want to talk with a lowly operative about a minor operation on Hutta. This had to be about the assault on the Brentaal Star. Grand Moff Kilran had violated the Treaty of Coruscant, no matter his own prevaricating towards the Jedi Grand Master. From what little Smilo knew about the current Keeper, the man wouldn’t be amused.

 

Keeper’s assistant waved him through. Smilo walked into Keeper’s office and closed the door before he stood at attention. Keeper eyed him for a moment before greeting him and offering him a seat. Returning the greeting he sat down on the chair opposite Keeper although he would have preferred to remain standing. He forced his body to relax as far as the chair and propriety allowed. The man as well as his affiliations were unknown to Smilo. He hadn’t been able to gain access to Keeper’s dossier.

 

“Imperial Intelligence just received Grand Moff Kilran’s commendation in your behalf agent. He speaks highly of you.” There was no sign indicating Keeper’s opinion on the matter.

 

Smilo would lay odds on him knowing every detail from the navy debriefing, and not only from his own report. “I only did my duty, sir.”

 

Keeper’s eyebrow rose ever so slightly, but he didn’t object. His eyes bored through the agent as if trying to find the agent’s definition of duty. “We are not here to talk about the implications of this incident in neutral space.” Keeper paused.

 

That left only one subject. Smilo looked at Keeper with feigned expectancy. That was what mediocrity called for.

 

“What do you know about Iolith Zairos, agent?”

 

Smilo sat up straighter. “Oldest child of Lord Erolon Zairos.” He frowned in thought. “23 or 24, not Force-sensitive. Entered the Imperial Academy when I was in my third year. I met her once or twice. Exceptionally beautiful. Intelligent. Among the best of her class. Best sniper the Academy had seen in decades. Most of her records are still unbroken, contrary to several hearts even among personnel if you don’t discount hearsay. She wasn’t accepted into Imperial Intelligence; again according to rumor, on behalf of her father’s intervention. Vanished shortly afterwards. Supposedly captured three weeks ago on Ord Mantell by the Republic under the accusation of being an Imperial spy.”

 

“We have been able to verify the claims of her double by now. Iolith Zairos is in Republic custody. She isn’t working for us, though.” The intensity of Keeper’s gaze grew. “I’d like to know who she is working for, and what she was doing on Ord Mantell. Since you have already been involved in an attempted rescue, Grand Moff Kilran might approach you again in her behalf. When she is returned to the Empire she will have our full support.”

 

“Of course.” Smilo nodded. The Force knew Imperial Intelligence could do with the support of a high ranking house in return.

 

***

 

Khem mirrored Ru’s bow with a grumble.

 

Lord Zash rose from the high-backed, soft-cushioned chair behind her desk. “Apprentice! You look magnificent!”

 

Back on Korriban Lord Zash had already provided Rufuro with several new sets of clothes and an adequate allowance. For some hidden reason she wanted her new apprentice to look as impressive as possible. Still it had felt good to accept his earned reward, his own credits, at the debriefing. He cast a glance at her face. For a moment he thought he saw a hunger in his master’s eyes he couldn’t place. It was gone so fast he wasn’t sure it had been there at all. She was a good looking woman, there was no denying the facts, but she hadn’t made any moves to flirt with him. Ru contained a sigh of relief. To spurn her would have been unwise no matter how little interest he had in a dalliance with her.

 

Lord Zash came forward from behind the table and circled him once. She stopped in front of him, taking hold of his hands. “It is so good to finally have you here. I take it you have lived on Dromund Kaas but are unfamiliar with Kaas City, yes?”

 

Rufuro pushed back the unpleasant thoughts. “Yes, my lord, that is correct.”

 

“I’ll have one of the servants show you to your rooms. It will be best if you acquaint yourself with the city after you’ve settled in. There is a lot for us to do, but it wouldn’t do if you got lost on your assignments, so the time will be well spent.”

 

Rufuro nodded. “I already studied city maps and guides, but it will be good to see the city’s magnificence with my own eyes.”

 

“Yes, you and I we will rise far in this city. But today we won’t talk about my plans and the tasks they entail for you. You surely have ambitions of your own.”

 

Rufuro allowed a shy smile to touch his lips. “My mind hungers for the knowledge it has been denied for so long, master. There is so much left I need to learn.” He paused to let his gaze wander over the rows upon rows of books and holocrons in the shelves lining the walls. “I anticipate my service as your apprentice will give me the opportunity to quench this thirst for knowledge.”

 

Lord Zash gave a high, clear laugh. “I see, I have chosen well in you. Knowledge is our greatest treasure and our most dangerous weapon. And indeed I intend to see to it you are well equipped. But you shouldn’t neglect more secular ambitions.”

 

What was Zash hinting at? Rufuro kept his features calm. There would come a time when he’d try to surpass her, but this time lay still in the far future. He’d have to accumulate power first, arm himself with knowledge. Of course he’d also have to increase his skills with the lightsaber, but he doubted that was what Zash had in mind. With an effort he kept still and didn’t flinch when she reached out to touch his face.

 

Her fingers lightly trailed the tattoos on his skin. “You are such a good looking young man. But many won’t look past these tattoos. An alien is all they will see.”

 

“I can feel their contempt,” Rufuro growled between clenched teeth, “but the number of those daring to voice it is shrinking.”

 

Zash’s nostrils flared as if she savored the odor of his rage. “And soon there will be next to none left.” She let go of Rufuro’s face and returned to her seat behind the desk. “There may be a way to expedite the process.” Smoothing her skirt she sat back down. Her smile showed her teeth and her eyes sparkled.

 

A chill ran down Rufuro’s spine. The Force told him he wouldn’t like her proposal. “How, master?”

 

“You’ll marry Iolith Zairos.”

 

Rufuro nearly choked. “What?”

 

Zash was outright grinning now. “Think about it. She is good looking, intelligent, rich — and in desperate need of a husband to father Force-sensitive children in order to substantiate the grip on her house. Her lineage is one of the oldest on Dromund Kaas. You’d gain an immeasurable amount of prestige. And, of course, authority over house Zairos. You survived your trials on Korriban. A Force-blind wife will be no problem to control, will she?” The half-mocking question was accompanied by the rise of one eyebrow.

 

His thoughts raced. Zash had a point, alas Rufuro had no intention to marry, neither Iolith Zairos nor any other woman. “She’s betrothed to Grand Moff Kilran. I am very much in doubt she would even consider to marry me if she were not.”

 

Zash dismissed his arguments with a wave of her hand. “From what I know about her she’ll sooner die than marry Kilran. Her erstwhile utterances support the conclusion she is not prone to speciesism. To defy the Grand Moff and lead her house successfully she’ll need a strong husband at her side, preferably one who is strong in the Force. Since she is no Force-user herself her choices will be very limited. You have no house of your own, but you are my apprentice. Before long you’ll have considerable power and influence. She won’t find anyone stronger. Believe me, she’ll be partial to your proposal.”

 

“Maybe I am not partial to it myself.”

 

“Nonsense, apprentice. We are not talking about love here. This is politics. Nobody will expect you to spend more time with her than with your studies. We just need to whisk her away before Kilran will be able to do so.”

 

***

 

The Kaas City Herald received a last minute announcement before the current issue was released into the holo net. A whole charge of Corellian Whiskey was recalled due to quality defects.

 

 

[Lunafox]

Oh, colour me giddy! I love the intrigue forming up for the control of house Zairos. I love seeing the different camps and their strategies. Not sure who I'm rooting for yet...Poor Ru...we all know what a snake Lord Zash is. I have to wonder who will triumph...Darth Baras is no slouch either with all his spies and strategies. I'm going to really enjoy seeing them and their right hands go against each other. Gotta love Smilo, he's such a charmer, and I have a feeling he's going to be a contender too. Edited March 16, 2015 by Lunafox

[alaurin]

Ooooo, the intrigue continues and so many players trying to track down Iolith now! Can't wait for the next part!!!

[frauzet]

@Lunafox + alaurin: Thank you again, for the encouraging replies

Bets will still be accepted. Io might not be averse to bribery...

 

Readers of the SFWC will maybe recognize the first half of this part. I edited a bit and added Ungry. The second half is new. I always wondered why this one bounty hunter was so nice, and the helmet he's wearing is one you can get in the H2 on Tatooine...

 

Spoilers for BH Dromund Kaas, and blood the amount of which depends on your imagination.

 

 

Dromund Kaas, the following day

 

Thorns shoved Ungry aside to get a better look at the mirror. Muttering a curse under his breath he used the towel hanging over his shoulder to clean a patch of the mirror’s surface. There couldn’t be much of his shaving foam left after the monkey lizard was done decorating the refresher. The toothpick in the corner of Thorns’ mouth stopped moving, as the razor’s blade touched his scalp. Thorns squinted his eyes. There was a soft knock on the door. He lowered the razor, and his left hand sneaked to the grip of the blaster sticking out at the back of his waistband.

 

“Hey, it’s me. Are you awake?” a woman’s voice called softly. Mako. She had the room next door.

 

“Yeah. Come in. The door’s open.” he answered. He had tried to lock it, but the lock had been broken. It couldn’t be helped, but had resulted in a very light sleep. The chair he had leaned against the door would have clattered in case anyone would have tried to enter. But then again it could have been someone who knew the trick and knew how to counteract it. He adjusted his position so that he was able to see the door in the mirror. When Mako had stepped through and closed the door behind her, he let go of the blaster.

 

There was a soft rustle, as she placed something on the small table in the adjoining room. Ungry sniffed and left the refresher to investigate.

 

“I brought a sandwich, figured you might be hungry too. Don’t ask me what it is, but I’ve had worse.” She turned the corner and stood in front of him. “Good morning.” she said with an open smile on her face.

 

Thorns could hear Ungry fighting with the wrapping of the sandwich. He took the towel from his shoulder to wipe his hands. “Good morning. You shouldn’t go out alone!”

 

“Hey, no treating me like a child, remember?” she laughed.

 

“Okay, point taken.” The middle of Dromund Kaas ought to be safe if you stuck to the rules. “Where’s the sandwich? I’m starving.”

 

“Finish shaving! You can eat on our way to the Mandalorian Enclave. We don’t want to have this Crysta Markon waiting for us.”

 

“I’d like to,” he replied, “but there’s not enough light in here. I wouldn’t want to ruin my Mohawk. And I don’t want Ungry to eat all of my sandwich.” The rustling of paper had been replaced by smacking noises.

 

She held out a hand. “Hand over the razor and sit down.”

 

“Do you know how to handle it?” he asked with a doubting look.

 

“I used to shave Braden.” She swallowed, and he could see her trying to suppress the tears welling up in her eyes at the memory.

 

Once again feeling helpless and like a fool, he didn’t know whether and how to comfort her. There was no use in telling her again, that they would avenge Braden. Instead he handed her the razor. He sat down on the stool and kept still, as she started to shave off his beard stubble. When she was done with the beard, she gently adjusted his head, so she was able to shave the hair stubble on the left side of his head. “So, how do you feel? “ she asked, “Nervous?”

 

Careful to keep his head still, he glanced up at her. “Nervous? Me?” He smiled. “No! I only disassembled, cleaned, oiled and reassembled my blasters twice last night. That would mark me only as mildly alert, I guess. Nervous takes at least four times.”

 

When she was done with the stubble on his left she stepped over to his right, adjusted his head and started shaving again. The tattoo that covered almost all of the right side of his head and face now had to be clearly visible again. An intricate pattern of twines studded with vicious thorns.

 

“On closer inspection your tattoo looks like you had it made by and by. Thorns. Does it bear a meaning aside from giving you your name?” she asked, tracing a hand over his head in search for any remaining stubble.

 

A shiver ran down his back. “I…” he began. The imaginary smell of blood wafted through the refresher as the memories drifted back to consciousness.

 

The girl’s face was only dimly recognizable by the faint light drifting in through the open window. He thought she was rather pretty with her beautiful blond hair, but he wasn’t an expert on girls. She was older than him, one maybe two years, and she clearly had gathered some experience in this business. She wasn’t half as nervous as he was, but she was growing impatient, he could tell.

 

She nudged him with her elbow. “Do it!” she mouthed silently.

 

He swallowed. Breaking his gaze away from her face, he let it drift down. Down to his right hand that was shaking quite uncontrollably. He feared he might drop the knife that he was holding. The clatter would surely wake the baker, who was snoring softly in his bed right in front of him.

 

The baker had sometimes given them leftover bread, his brother and him. That didn’t matter now, he reminded himself. He had a job to do. The baker had crossed the Boss somehow, and the Boss had decided the baker must be killed. The Boss had decided he was the one to do it. If he did this right he would be a real member of the gang, no longer merely a gutter rat, worth less than the small tokens he managed to steal. If he did this right he would get enough credits to buy fresh bread for his brother and himself for more than a week.

 

He lifted the knife, unsure whether he should stab the baker into the heart or slit his throat. On second thought he was unsure where exactly the heart was located. So he went for the throat.

 

Slitting another ones throat isn’t as easy as one might think. Underestimating his task and the strength it required, he sliced not nearly deep enough. What followed was a real mess. Eventually he became aware of the girl dragging at him. She managed to shove him out of the window, from where they started their flight over window sills and roofs, down back alleys and sewage pipes. To him it was only a blur. When she was certain, they weren’t followed, they stopped to catch their breath.

 

“You did it!” she said and grinned at him.

 

His emotions were in a jumble. He had killed a man. He had ended the life of another sentient being. His stomach heaved. He turned and puked, which added embarrassment at the top of the list of warring emotions. With an even broader grin she handed him a cloth to wipe his mouth. He noticed that it wasn’t very clean, but he took it anyway, whether to wipe his mouth or to hide his face behind, he wasn’t quite sure. He supposed his face was doing its best to outmatch the red of his hair.

 

“Hey, no need to feel ashamed. Next time won’t be so hard.” She gave him a pat on the back. “Let’s get going. The Boss will be waiting for us.”

 

That night they shaved his head, and he received his first thorn.

 

Thorns gave a small start. “I don’t want to talk about it right now.”

 

Mako stopped her search for stubble. “I’m sorry. I didn’t want to pry.”

 

He managed a smile. “It’s okay, I’ll tell you some day.”

 

“Bend forward”, she said. ”There’s some stubble left at the nape of your neck.”

 

He did as she had told him. His forehead touched her body. He kept still, closed his eyes and tried to imagine what it would be like to be able to trust her with everything.

 

 

***

 

Thorns pause was barely perceptible. One of the hunters who had left the enclave earlier was leaning against the railing of the bridge leading to the taxi pad. The man looked up when he saw them approach. Of his veiled face only his brown eyes in a patch of brown skin were visible. He pushed off the railing when Thorns approached him.

 

“Nem’ro’s champion? So that’s where you disappeared to.” The man didn’t sound hostile. The lines around his eyes advertised a smile that was hidden behind the scarf covering the lower half of the man’s face.

 

Thorns was wary anyway. He was still carrying his helmet clipped to his belt. He had wanted to give his handler the opportunity to look him in the eye. They’d be working together for a while. Better to start off on good terms. He had a good rapport with Crysta, all right. But that was the only good start they’d gotten. There was only one spot left in the Great Hunt and over three dozen hunters who wanted it. Well, more like two dozen after the Huntmaster and his assistant had told them the terms of the competition for this last spot. Each one of them had to take down three unique bounties on Dromund Kaas. All those who managed to do so would enter the final melee. Winning the melee would win the last spot. It was safer to assume every other hunter was an enemy until the winner was fixed.

 

He held out his hand and the other hunter shook it. “Q’kal, hadn’t expected to see an old acquaintance here.”

 

“Guess we both didn’t bother to advertise our plans.” Q’kal’s gaze flickered to Mako.

 

“Mako, this is Q’kal. We did some jobs together on Tatooine. This is Mako, she’s part of my team.” Ungry cackled. “And that’s Ungry.” Mako handed the monkey lizard one of his treats to keep him quiet.

 

Q’kal brows rose slightly but he didn’t say anything. He nodded once in greeting and Mako mirrored his gesture.

 

“You haven’t got one of the other spots?” Thorns had seen the hunter leave without asking for his bounty.

 

“No.”

 

“So you are leaving…”

 

“Hunting on Dromund Kaas is suicide with Imperials and Sith crawling all over the place.”

 

“Never met anybody who’s blaster-proof.”

 

“So aren’t we. But maybe I’m just getting too old for this business. Tatooine’s climate might be better suited for my old bones than this rain. I’ll grab the first shuttle out of here. I suggest you do the same, friend.”

 

Thorns shook his head. “I want into the Great Hunt, and this is the only way.” He’d do what had to be done, for Braden, for Mako, and for himself. He hadn’t left Tatooine to crawl back with his tail between his legs. He’d win the Great Hunt or die trying, preferably the former.

 

“Then watch your back, it’s not the jungles that are dangerous on Dromund Kass, it’s the people.”

 

Thorns nodded, not that this was news to him after the events of the last days. There were probably worse Sith than the two he had met, but those two had already been more than enough for his taste. “When you return to Tatooine and are in the area check in on my old place. Still got some supplies there. Don’t let them go to waste.”

 

“I’ll kick the vermin out, make sure the place will be waiting for you.”

 

“I appreciate it, even it it might be a while.” Tatooine had been kind of home for the last two years. Tatooine had meant freedom for the first time in his life. He planned on going back after he won the Great Hunt. Maybe not to stay, but it would be good to have some place resembling a base of operations.

 

A free taxi had arrived at the platform. “I am done here.” Q’kal once again shook Thorns hand. “May your quarry fall before you, hunter.”

 

“May your quarry fall before you.”

 

With a nod in Mako’s direction Q’kal left. They watched the taxi vanish between the buildings of Kaas City.

 

Thorns observed the storm-clouds overhead for a while before he addressed Mako. “Think you can get us some decent satellite pictures of our target area?” Mako was still staring in the direction the taxi had vanished and didn’t respond. Was she already browsing the net for information? “Mako?”

 

Mako gave a start. “What? Sorry, I wasn’t listening.”

 

“Everything alright?”

 

“Yeah, of course.” She looked the other way.

 

Thorns wasn’t the only one who had caught her mood. “Ako? Allwide?” Ungry tickled her ear just the way he liked to be tickled himself.

 

Mako made a noise that was half laughter half sigh. She took Ungry in her arms and stroked his belly. “What would I do without you?”

 

“Well, if I got that kind of treatment afterwards, I could be convinced to tickle your ear, too.” Thorns grinned.

 

Mako shook her head and rolled her eyes. “Men!”

 

“Uh-oh, Ungry. We have to be careful. She’s an expert.”

 

Mako flashed her eyes at him. “No, I am not an expert. Not like Crysta, or, or, or Kaliyo.” She was gesticulating furiously. Ungry clung to her shirt and clambered back up to her shoulder.

 

For a moment Thorns was dumbfounded. She wasn’t jealous, was she? “Crysta’s my handler. We only just met.”

 

“That’s exactly my point. You only just met and despite the fact she could be your mother you two have been talking like long lost friends. Me she didn’t take seriously. Nobody takes me seriously. I feel out of place.” She looked at him. “I don’t want to be standing in your way.”

 

Thorns brows drew together in thought before he started to laugh.

 

“What’s so funny?” Mako asked, arms akimbo.

 

“Haven’t met that many slicers. But I was just trying to figure out what would happen if I tried to blend in with a bunch of them.”

 

After a moment Mako, too, started to grin. “Yeah, that would work well!”

 

“I took Braden seriously. And Braden said you’re a genius. I believed him, and even if I hadn’t, you would have proved his point by now. I told you I need you.”

 

“It’s not you. It’s everybody else, like Crysta and Kaliyo, they are behaving like they pity you for having to babysit your little sister.”

 

“Let them underestimate you. I don’t care and you shouldn’t either. On the contrary. If everybody does, then it makes you less of a target. We haven’t seen the last of Blood yet. This job to find a missing noble in the middle of a slave revolt isn’t a coincidence. He’s doing his best to make us fail. I don’t intend to let him succeed. Doesn’t make this a cakewalk. If it were, the Imperials would have put an end to this revolt by now.”

 

“You are right. We’ve got a job to do.” Mako sniveled but her smile was back if still a bit wavering.

 

“So, what about satellite data?”

 

“Don’t know if there is anything useful available with these storms raging constantly. But I bet there are some surveillance drones in the area. I’ll see what I can do.”

 

Thorns hailed the next taxi. There could be no doubt someone had been messing with his target list, not after Crysta’s reaction. But had it really been Blood? Or had it been a certain agent of Imperial Intelligence who also happened to be a good slicer? It didn’t really matter. If anyone had thought he’d give up over that, they’d better think again.

 

 

[frauzet]

I am sorry this next part took me so long. A server transfer and the first days of spring in my garden are keeping me busy. I hope it was worth the wait.

 

This part contains spoilers for IA Dromund Kaas and a small SW spoiler for Dromund Kaas.

 

Dromund Kaas, Imperial Intelligence Headquarters, meanwhile

 

Smilo had registered Keeper’s words only dimly. He blinked. Some distant echo of these words now reached his conscious mind. You’ve made a friend on the Dark Council. His body still felt too numb to show any reaction. He stared at Darth Jadus’ back as the Dark Councilor left the room. The Darth had chosen him. What had worked for one Sith had now worked for another. The Force might know this one’s reasons. Beyond any intentions the plan was working too well. ‘Sublimate your desires to those of the Empire, and you will go far,’ Jadus had said. If only he knew. Smilo let slip a sigh, relieved Jadus didn’t know. The agent wouldn’t be standing here if he did, would he? With a small apologetic cough he rightened himself and shifted his attention to Keeper. “Believe me, sir — it wasn’t by choice.”

 

There was a touch of sympathy in Keeper’s eyes. “I imagine not. But there is nothing to be done about it now. Grab your equipment and meet me in my office.”

 

Watching his superior leave Smilo took some time gathering himself. His respect for this man he knew nothing essential about had just grown by a considerable amount. There was little sign of how shaken even Keeper had to be by Darth Jadus’ visit. Solid as a rock his superior had stood his ground while the Darth’ aura overwhelmed the rest of them. Kaliyo’s usual quips had been reduced to whimpering. Smilo had joined his coworkers in cowering on his knees in awe of the Dark Councilor. Although he would have been able to remain standing had he wanted too, it had not taken much dramatic art for a slight tremor to shake his body. His heart had raced faster than his thoughts as he had sought to blend in with the rest, to avoid any unwanted attention. It had been to no avail. He had felt the Sith’s touch through the Force like tentacles slithering over his skin. Tendrils of a stranger’s thoughts had probed his mind, lifted the blanket off his self to peek underneath. Smilo had held his breath, not even daring to pray for the defenses to hold. But hold they did. Jadus wasn’t even aware of them. Baras had prepared him well.

 

***

 

His mission was straightforward enough. Investigate a terrorist cell here on Dromund Kaas and obtain its plans — plans to violently overthrow the Imperial government. A handful of cell members had been identified. They were located in a slave camp near the unfinished colossus outside the city. He had already been outfitted with SLV-16, a strong truth serum. He had recognized the label immediately. Suppressing a shiver, his mouth suddenly dry, he didn’t dwell on its effects. Straightforward enough. If his dossier had said anything about him being trained for such an operation, which he was sure it didn’t. It irked him that he had no clue why Jadus had picked him for this job. If Jadus knew nothing about Smilo’s affiliations there was no reason to pick him — not if he wanted the mission to succeed. If he did know on the other hand… If Jadus knew then he might also know that Baras was behind the slave revolt. Was Jadus sending him to get back at Baras somehow? Kriffing Sith, all of them. The starched collar of Smilo’s shirt seemed to be a size too small. With an effort he kept from opening the topmost button.

 

How had Keeper put it? They were sanitation workers? Not for the first time Smilo wondered if the system wasn’t clogged beyond repair. And how did Keeper fit into this mess? The man had tried to suggest a more seasoned agent for this operation to Darth Jadus. Jadus had cut him short. Nobody in their right mind would have dared to object after that. Not even the head of Operations Division had this much authority. Then again it could have been a farce. Keeper trying to gain his trust. Why had Smilo been assigned to the operation on Hutta? There had to be a battalion of agents better suited for the task than him. He had been on the point of a breakthrough on Corellia. Keeper could not have known about that. Keeper couldn’t be involved. No matter which side Keeper was on, pulling Smilo off the Corellia mission made no sense at all. Any party would also have wanted the information Smilo had been about to obtain. Smilo felt like there was a giant knot in his brain. There was no way to know whom to trust.

 

“Do you mind if I take a look around and introduce myself?” He gave Watcher Two his best well-behaved smile when they reached her station. Maybe he could turn this whole fiasco to his advantage. He had lost the opportunity to learn something significant on Correlia. But if there were no secrets to learn at the heart of Intelligence then he’d better consider to change his line of work.

 

The watcher returned his smile. “Of course not, agent. As long as you don’t keep your colleagues from their work for too long, that is. There are some more points in her dossier I need to talk about to Miss Djannis anyway.”

 

Kaliyo rolled her eyes but leaned against the closest terminal as Smilo started to make his round across the floor. “Shoot,” she said with a grin at the watcher. Smilo had not met many people as good at lying as Kaliyo and even less only half as good at distinguishing between their own lies. He decided to try to get a transcript of this little conversation. He was certain to learn much about both women from the reading. If he had to keep Kaliyo around he’d better learn as much about her as possible, and best without her being aware of it. He’d have to provide her with an opportunity she saw as more profitable than getting rid of him. His sleep would be much deeper once he’d have thought of something.

 

Watcher Two was another matter altogether. She was to be his liaison to base, staying in remote contact, and providing mission details. Her performance would be essential to the success of his mission and his own survival. Even though he could not look back at an impressive line of selective breeding like Watcher Two, his mind had no problems to process some thoughts about her while he addressed various colleagues to introduce himself and make some polite superficial inquiries about their work. Smilo didn’t doubt Watcher Two was good. If Keeper wanted him to succeed he’d assign the best watcher available to the mediocre agent. If success wasn’t the goal then the watcher was involved and would make certain he’d not come back. Each scenario called for one of the best. One was as likely as the other. Without more information he wasn’t able to tell where she stood. Well, he’d know if he came back.

 

When Smilo returned to Watcher Two’s station he was just in time to witness Kaliyo being all herself. “‘Watcher Two’, huh? That’s a pretty name. Is it Twi’lek?” the Rattataki quipped. Great. Kaliyo starting her private feud with his watcher was the least he needed right now.

 

“It’s Basic,” Watcher Two replied unfazed, “unlike many civilizations, the Empire teaches its children how to count.” This point went to the watcher.

 

Kaliyo looked ready to do some murder. Smilo knew he had to interfere. He hoped he wouldn’t regret it. It all depended on Watcher Two’s professionalism. She’d avoid attachment to an agent of hers anyway. “Obviously Intelligence doesn’t hire its personnel for their looks.” He saw a hint of surprise and what he thought was irritation in his watcher’s eyes, and heard Kaliyo’s nasty snicker. The flush of red came easily to his face. He coughed hoping it sounded embarrassed enough. “Oh, I am sorry. That’s not what I meant to say…”

 

“I think I got your meaning quite well, agent.” There was a slight crease between Watcher Two’s eyes.

 

Kaliyo interrupted her cackling. “You see, your skill with numbers is wasted with this one, Watcher Two. No matter what you cared to count — or measure — about him, you’d hardly need more than two.”

 

Watcher Two’s brows rose if only slightly. “I can’t say I’d be interested to start counting.”

 

The red in Smilo’s face grew a bit brighter as Kaliyo resumed her laughter. Mission accomplished. She had forgotten about the watcher’s insult. Kaliyo’s opinion of him couldn’t have dropped much lower during this incident, as low as it already was. Not after the one time they had spent together in his bed. The hardest part about not satisfying her had been the knowledge of what he was going to miss. He had dreamed about her and her gorgeous body afterward.

 

Watcher Two’s eyes flashed and drew together. Had he let show some of his regret, or his relief? He had to be careful around her. She was the product of selective breeding. She tilted her head in thought. “I know what you’re doing! I just don’t know why,” she mused in a soft voice. Kaliyo, still laughing, didn’t notice.

 

A quick look into brown eyes which had lost any hint at softness made him realize she was onto him. Whatever she had found, or thought she had found, she wouldn’t rest until she knew more. “Of course you know what I am doing. You are supposed to. You are my watcher. I bet you know my dossier and my reports by heart.” He knew this attempt was feeble, even if he managed to lock his gaze with hers.

 

“I am going to find out!” she stated, and he knew he’d have a hard time to prevent it.

 

 

[alaurin]

Oh ho, another little intrigue brewing......nice! Great job with Kaliyo, thought her reactions were very true to character. Oh Watcher Two......you probably shouldn't pry too much, it could be detrimental to your well being!