"Close To Home"

Sounds of distant echoes of men and women screaming were heard with blaster fire had reverberated in the blackness of the void. Voices of men shouting orders to their subordinates to fire were later drowned by sounds of a lightsaber, slashing up flesh, as they were slowly cut down by its holder.

"Fall back... FALL BACK-!" A man said this from afar before he screamed, with a sound of singed flesh heard from where he expressed his pain before the death he suffered. It kept going: the blaster fire, and the relentless swing of that lightsaber. It was almost endless, until the woman who dreamt of that, half screamed.

The black-haired fair-complexioned woman suddenly opened her eyes and pushed herself to sit up on the bed, gasping for air and breathing. She sounded shocked and terrified, while she put her hand on her face to feel herself sweat. "What in the hell was that-?" She thought of it herself. When her thinking fully came to, she realized she was inside the main quarters of her ship, the BT-7 Thunderclap. Wearing a white shirt and her boxers for her attire, she decided to roll the cover and get off her bed. Standing barefoot, she went to her refresher and opened it, before finding her duty clothing... the Recon Spotter's Jacket, dyed black and blue. She smirked at it, knowing why she chose the colors: pissing her aggressive opponents off, whoever they are.

A Cathar in the ship and part of the crew, Aric Jorgan, wearing his code of attire, the same one the woman was wearing, came into the room and stayed at the entrance. By the time he was there, he winced and looked away. He then coughed to get the woman's attention. "Major?"

The woman chuckled, eventually finding herself wearing the jacket and her leggings, looked at Jorgan while sitting on the bed and wearing her boots. "Lieutenant. You gotten up much earlier, huh?"

Jorgan looked at the Major now with ease as he saw her wear her boots. "Well, I wouldn't say I was lacking discipline. And I wasn't lacking modesty."

The major smirked at Jorgan for that. "Relax. Sleeping together doesn't just mean control but a little more to that. At some point, being a soldier catches up to ya, even as lovers."

"I'm not sure Dorne still agrees. Regulation quoting again." Aric muttered that, but made sure to look from outside and entered the room, before looking at her fully clothed and now standing from the bed. "I can get she's supportive, but she's a little bitter when it comes to this."

She nods. "I'll talk to her about it."

"Don't just talk to her about it, Lereana." Aric said this in a whisper. "Just be yourself." He tried not to smile, getting close to Lereana.

But she dared it and took a step before gently grabbing Aric's head and took her lips to his. As she kissed him, she felt him kiss back. It took a little while, but the two of them pulled away. A minute passed on that. But to both of them, it was heaven.

Jorgan chuckled at this. "I'm gonna get used to that a lot. Ya thinking you deserved that after Rakton?"

"I know it sounds selfish, but he got what's coming to him. It's best having him alive but…" Lereana lowered her head and sighed. "Jaxo. I don't know if my conscience was right about it."

"Well…" Jorgan spoke. "…duty comes first?"

"It's more than that," Lereana replied before looking back up at him again. "Jaxo and I became friends for a short time, even if it was just in the sense there were operations, and recently for her rescue. I… would never want to let her down. But… For the first time… I did. I had to save the others that meant more to the Republic. What was I supposed to-?" She lowered her head, realizing she was already letting a few tears out. She wiped herself with her gloves, but kept crying quietly. Then she felt a pair of arms come to her back while her head was brought up to his shoulder, by his hand so she could let it out. "I failed her… I did."

And he knew how passionate she was when it came to friendship. Jorgan didn't personally know Jaxo himself, but the Major as he was aware of, was having a good time with the late Sergeant in Coruscant before. Having that time was like a golden moment. And to him, it's what's important in securing a great friendship.

Jorgan tried to comfort her by rubbing his hand on her head and whispered to her. "It isn't gonna help, but I think with her brief fear of death, she still knew you'd do the right thing."

Lereana then wiped her tears and pulled herself away from Jorgan's embrace and shot him a glare. "She panicked, Jorgan. In case you never heard it. I think I'll still feel this sting, but it's nothing I can't handle." Her tone became a little aggressive.

And making Jorgan cross arms with Lereana's tone, he was turning serious as well. "We both had a line for ourselves in the rescue. Nobody should be blamed for that, not even you. You're a great leader for Havoc Squad, and you didn't afford failure before."

"Still… The conscience I got is rather… I don't know." Lereana looked away briefly, and then back at Jorgan. "At least it's clear I put my heart on duty first than friendship. I hope, I don't cross that path again. Still, I need to think."

"You mean get a little guidance?" Jorgan asked this, just to get a clarification from Lereana. "Ana, I don't know if it helps, but what about Tython?"

And Lereana's curiosity seemed to be greater than the last second. The moment she heard 'Tython,' she was pleased with the idea. "Isn't that the planet where Jedi are trained? Why there?"

"I don't know," Jorgan shrugged afterwards. "I got a friend from back at the day. He's Mantellan, so he's seen a lot of dark days. When some Jedi came to visit and saw him, well… let's just say they taught him to be patient with some things. But based on his story, it's more than just patience they gave pointers of. A week later, he was feeling okay… probably because his feelings were searched too. In the end, he knew he needed to fix himself on some points. That's when I got amazed since he's temporarily healed. I got that idea it'll be up to him on what he'll do."

Lereana put her hands on her waist. "A Jedi helping me a little on Tython? Hm. I don't know. Maybe. Thanks for telling me this. I'll consider it."

Jorgan smiled, satisfied with helping her superior. "Glad that helped, Major."

She only smirked at what he called her. "You just can't stop calling me with my rank, huh?"

"Well, somebody's got to be responsible even for a lover and all." Jorgan shrugged and smiled before turning his back and walked out to the entrance. "The ship's ready to go, so just say when."

Lereana sighs, knowing she'll take up Jorgan's suggestion. As he left the room, she decided to come with him and walked quickly. "Wait up."

But at the farthest reach of the galaxy under Imperial Space, Dromund Kaas, certainly looked good, even if it was mostly blue and filled with more natural life.

At the Kaas City apartments, the silver-haired woman was giving herself a shower. She looked strong and bold in her appearance, and it was only better when her age is only 23 years. As the water was trickling down on her bare skin, she can feel the greatness of solitude for a brief moment.

The woman finally got out of the private bath wrapped in a towel, and almost dried up when she went to her refresher. But as she was about to open it, she stopped to analyze the Force around her and smirked at it. "Arden, you're certainly not here at the right time." She spoke with the Imperial accent with half the vigor and more intensity applied to her voice. She eventually took off her wrapped towel and let it fall to the floor while she opened the refresher for her clothes…

Arden, a black-vested Imperial man at 26 years old, having natural hair and black eyes came in the apartment. He was at the elevator door, but he knows where her voice came from. He groaned, not realizing he had somehow offended her. "Forgive me, my lord! But we're needed at the Sith Sanctum!" He spoke with a loose accent of Imperial back at the woman.

And eventually, the woman joined him in the same room after several minutes. She was wearing a medium-armored chest plate and regular leggings and boots. The clothing was themed mostly white and having hints of red at her gloves and sides of her attire. Most Sith wear black robes, but her sense of fashion is different. Some even question it, but she knows it doesn't affect her, or so others believe.

The woman sighed. "It's either Lereatana or Tana for short when we're here in private, Agent Arden."

Arden bowed at the woman and looked back at her. "I know, my lord. But I would rather find myself proper with how I address my higher. I assume it's too much?"

Lereatana smiled but put her hand up to stop him there. "Not at all. I can respect you doing that in formality. But be a little flexible on the greeting. So… The Sith Sanctum then? I thought Imperial Intelligence should need you for a briefing."

Arden expected that answer and replied himself. "Darth Marr had also summoned the Minister of Intelligence there. Looks like it's a little of combined effort for this one." Then heard chimes of a holo-communicator and eventually got Arden to pull it out. Holding it out and pressing a button, he held the emitter up and a holographic image of a bald middle-aged man wearing an Imperial Intelligence officer uniform came up standing straight for the conversation. "Ah… Minister of Intelligence."

"Agent Arden." The Minister of Intelligence responded. "I just arrived in the Sith Sanctum. And I spoke to Darth Marr about the situation."

Arden chuckled a little in hearing this. "And your thoughts?"

"I never went this far down into the Sanctum and it already gives me an eerie feeling. It's very different since the air is a quite heavier. Nonetheless, we're still on schedule."

Lereatana was amused and crossed her arms. "Minister. That eerie feeling and heavy air is created by the Force looming around. It would be easier if you're wearing a helmet like the guards do."

The Minister laughed briefly before stopping. "Ah, Lord Imperius. I would have to decline on the offer. I need to bring my best face in this, so I will. This is of utmost importance."

"You and Darth Marr made that clear and I think it concerns our security. It is not just a guess, Minister."

"You're right about that, my lord. We're waiting for you both. We'll speak again in person in Darth Marr's chambers." The Minister of Intelligence briefly replied and cut the transmission. Arden then kept the holocommunicator in his person.

And the Sith woman chuckled after the call. "I'm somehow amused of that. It's rare that both Intelligence branches of the Sith and Non-Sith agreed for this. I feel you're eager as well."

Agent Arden nods. "Truly. We'll have to see what they want for the day. I'll follow you, my lord."

After taking a taxi shuttle to the Citadel, the two got off at the landing pad, along with a mix of acolytes and Imperial officers.

Tana led Arden into the Sith Sanctum, where she was seeing a main hallway to the inner chambers. At this time, Arden had the time to speak up about a matter.

And Arden knew he had to express what he felt. "My lord, I can't help but think about this meeting."

Lereatana took this as an interesting opinion rather than an offensive one. "Is it the nature of it?"

"No, my lord. It's rather the ones who summoned us. The Minister of Intelligence is not the one to talk to whenever there are matters such as these. Calling us both would mean it would need a dark council member or two."

"You're right about that, Agent Arden. Darth Marr heads the Sphere of Defense, as Darth Zhorrid heads the Sphere of Intelligence. Is there something wrong?"

"There's nothing wrong, my lord, but it's rather strange. How long has Darth Zhorrid been absent? Even the Minister couldn't be worthy for such appearance with Darth Marr just for our meeting." Agent Arden's concern made him think it would provoke Lereatana.

But she knew better than to be provoked. "Hmph. I'm not surprised. The only rumor that seemed to have gone to my ears was her, being away on a vacation. It's not supposed to be that way, but it was like this ever since the Emperor had been killed off. I suppose the disappearance of Darth Jadus, who was recently being hunted as well, also caused your 'Head' to eventually miss out after we lost."

"That's awfully perceptive of you, my lord. I assume you talked about this to someone else?"

"Yes." Lereatana's voice trailed off as she answered the agent.

It was then that she reminisced in her memories... It wasn't about the conversation she had with Arden at all…

The hum of the lightsaber that was near her neck, as well as the color of its beam lit her view. Another young silver haired woman, now with yellow partially glowing eyes, due to her attuned dark alignment, was glaring at Tana herself.

"Now isn't this lovely?" The other young woman smiled devilishly. "Tana… Couldn't you be satisfied of just killing Thanaton and gaining his place?"

Lereatana narrowed her eyes, knowing she still has this chance of pushing the other one away from her to draw her weapon, but refused. The glared back at the other. "I know it's about revenge. He's killed a lot, and I can agree. But… If you'll want to kill him, it will be on you."

"Well, you're certainly weak, Tana."

"Yla, think about this. You can't beat him without me. I also bound spirits, and I know I promised to release them." Lereatana said this, knowing Yla's predicted annoyance would come next. "You know this, and you wouldn't go against me. Why now?"

"Because you're weak, Tana. You have the Light inside you. I should strike you to make you dead, but you are not worth killing. You're like my… My…" Yla was hesitant to say the word.

"Sister," Lereatana added. She got it right and Yla lowered her head. "We both got taken in by Zash. I treated you like one. We were so close as childhood friends. I don't care if it's luck that we got taken in as apprentices."

Yla looked at Lereatana with guilt on her face. "I shouldn't forget it. But… I feel we'll drift apart."

"That's how it should be, even if it's painful for me as well. We're both after Thanaton, and your lust for power helped you too. I can't force you to change. So you must be strong for your own means."

Yla listened and glared and filled herself with rage as she looked at her childhood friend. "Weak or not, your perception boosted itself as well, Tana. I want to advise you the same thing. I will find the time to judge you for what you are now, but lend me your power so we can crush him together."

Tana smirked and suddenly grabbed her dual-blade lightsaber hilt before deploying its beam, letting it hit Yla's. Tana's beam was yellow and Yla's was red.

At this, Tana looked with confidence at Yla. "We're still unstoppable, Yla. Do not forget that."

"My lord? My lord!" Arden called Lereatana out a few times and finally, she was able to snap her out of it.

She looked around and she noticed she was already outside the entrance to Darth Marr's chambers. She shook her head a little in disapproval, as she didn't intend to reminisce like that. She then led the two of them in. And the first sight she had when in the chambers was the Minister of Intelligence himself. Darth Marr was seated near his desk but stood up as soon as he saw the two.

Darth Marr hummed as he saw Lereatana present in the room. "Lord Imperius… the other half of the Sisters of Destruction."

Lereatana chuckled at the impromptu title given to her by Darth Marr. "My lord, it's fine that only Darth Nox gets that credit. It's mostly her work that overthrew Thanaton and led to his demise."

"I'm not to be argued with," Marr replied calmly. "Perhaps without your unorthodox views about the Force, Nox could have been left hanging at some actions that require your assistance. I had a word with her in regards to that, and that's exactly what your relationship with her would be."

The Minister of Intelligence innocently coughed to get the attention of everyone else in the room. "My lord, I believe we still have yet to discuss."

"That we do, however," Marr spoke for a while before the Minister of Intelligence felt his neck was slowly being choked, and eventually the air he breathed wasn't felt and he was holding his neck with one hand. Marr looked at the Minister of Intelligence from behind his full-face helmet that symbolized the power he represents. "Minister, you should know you are not of equal level to Darth Zhorrid."

Lereatana felt she needed to intervene and spoke first. "My lord, with respect… He's aware of it. But if what we have is something of importance, the hierarchy can wait. For that, we need him, alive."

Darth Marr looked at Lereatana and he didn't show emotion when the Force around the Minister was released, letting the man breathe and be on his feet. "Lord Imperius, make sure not to worry too much about me killing one of our own too easily.

"Now… I believe we're here to talk business. The reason why I assembled you and Agent Arden here is that we have two problems that arose. For one thing, the Minister should explain first."

Finally letting the Minister speak, the man fixed his tone and looked at Arden and Lereatana. "Last night, two Imperial terminals have been breached, possibly by traitorous operatives. We have yet to find out who since the terminals have been sliced using combination codes of freshly deceased agents in the field. The terminals are in Alderaan, and Nar Shaddaa.

"The information that was taken ranges from military arsenal, to possible assets that are directed towards the Dark Council." The Minister then looks at Darth Marr before he nodded.

Darth Marr continued from there. "In the matter of those assets, Lord Imperius, we also found out that neutral-aligned relics that have been observed for some time have been stolen from us. They were supposed to stay in Nar Shaddaa for a while since they were still being studied."

Lereatana raised a question. "These neutrally-aligned relics can be influenced by either the dark or the light, but we were able to find these first, yet they were stolen? I'm sensing this plan was made for weeks or months, though less if there are those on the inside."

"Imperial Intelligence was able to catch a lead on those involved and are now being harshly question," Darth Marr said. "Fill them in further, Minister."

The Minister complied and spoke. "Yes, my lord. Agent Arden, you're not going to concern yourself of the terminal in Alderaan as the both of you would be heading immediately to Nar Shaddaa."

While that was happening, the Thunderclap's central holocommunicator was being used. General Garza was on the line, and all of Havoc Squad was in attention for this.

Lereana was feeling curious as she spoke. "SIS really got wind of this? Cause I bet it's an anonymous tip."

Garza then spoke in reply to Lereana's statement. "This was verified by the SIS in Nar Shaddaa. Indeed, Imperial presence in Nar Shaddaa once owned these 'assets' that were yet to be used. The anonymous tip wasn't from a known source, but some Jedi would seem to have believed the tip was real. We even had several calls from the Jedi Temple."

At this, Lereana's eyes winced while the feeling of surprise was starting to come to her. "Okay… Slow down… Tython's Jedi Temple?"

"That's not the end of it. Grand Master Satele Shan is now on the line from Coruscant for this." Garza's words here didn't surprise Lereana since she was ready for what came next… a conversation with Grand Master herself. "I'll pass the channel to the Grand Master right now."

And eventually, Grand Master Satele Shan herself had her image shown, and was on the other line for Havoc Squad. "This is Grand Master Satele Shan. It's good to meet you, Major Lereana. I understand you played an important role in scuttling the Imperial Military's best, and directing the custody of General Rakton. Major Archer was also helping you, I believe?"

"He was exceptional. I worked with him and he's great to be with when there's an op needing firepower. Dagger-Swan Squad's currently on Coruscant for reassignment, I believe."

"The Republic is also putting them on assignment on this current case as they're going to investigate it in Alderaan. For now, we ask you would be patient. General Garza even put this information as 'classified' for Havoc Squad.

"That behind us, I want to discuss this matter for myself. The assets that were stolen from the Imperial outposts in Nar Shaddaa are neutrally-aligned artifacts and relics. As far as we know, they're being studied by Imperial scientists and Sith. Last night at an almost impossible attempt, there were operatives who have stolen these artifacts, and putting it there, they were traitors to the Empire."

"That would mean it's an inside-job? This could have taken months to crack. And… It was tipped off by an SIS asset, huh? Too convenient."

"Still, it would be wise not to ignore this. If the relics get into Imperial hands again, they would start to use them. The relics are special since they can be molded to either the light side or the dark side of the Force. For that, you'll need a little help on retrieval. I'm sending Jedi Knight Kira Carsen to Nar Shaddaa for aid. She'll also be analyzing the relics on the spot once you find them. I already briefed her on this."

"I know it isn't risky once you get a Jedi for us, but isn't this high-profile?"

"The Empire has simply rubbed our gloves off when they broke the treaty. Well... I'm not saying we didn't contribute our own cracks because of incidents in Quesh and Belsavis."

"Yeah. I heard one of us from the military made a difference for us. Still… he crossed the line."

"That's only one of the cracks in the Treaty we've made, Major. Anyway, we'll focus on the present. General Garza has the more technical details to explain to you. Good luck to you, Major."

As Satele Shan's image changed and the image of General Garza replaced it, Lereana was focused on this.

Garza then spoke up. "According to the SIS posted in Nar Shaddaa, Imperial Terminals were sliced and hacked. You need not concern yourself of the terminals, as the relics are the more important target here. If the Grand Master says this could be a major key on our campaign against the Empire, we have to take this opportunity.

"Now… I'm not into politics either, but Supreme Chancellor Saresh even recommended I moved forward with the plan." Garza's words annoyed Lereana already.

And she took a great deal to express it. "Know what? If Saresh is involved in this, I don't like it. Maybe you forgot what she 'recommended' we do after Corellia: Release Rakton. Good thing we didn't, so she should stay out of this."

Garza then stops the Major there. "I'm letting her slide on this matter, Major. This is about securing assets that could be useful. So I have an idea on her position at least. I wouldn't say it would greatly affect us. Think of this as another day on the job.

"Start travelling to Nar Shaddaa for contact details immediately. Garza out."

Meanwhile back at Dromund Kaas, the Sith woman was with Agent Arden while they're riding in the shuttle headed for the Spacedock... The both of them were seated next to each other. Lereatana felt herself calm was Arden was somehow feeling the same.

Arden then opened up to his partner in the mission. "Relics, and investigation of Imperial Terminals seem simple."

Lereatana didn't look at Arden but responded. "I hope you've been trained to assume that not all things are as they are. I'm not one to argue at that statement myself."

"Neither do I, my lord."

"Agent, I've also been briefed by Darth Marr. Matters related to the Strategic Information Service getting wind of this also got me to think. The Republic could also be sending their own to retrieve the relics."

"We'll have a fight on our hands, my lord."

"Indeed." Lereatana replied this and she stayed silent during the rest of the time. And she frowned while keeping her face out of Arden's view. She wasn't happy about who the Republic is sending. "It would be Havoc Squad," she thought. "This will not go well for them, especially when I know one of them. What am I going to do?"

Meanwhile…

"Sir?" Elara Dorne calls out Lereana. The two of them were at the cockpit of the Thunderclap. Lereana holds her helmet and it was the same with Dorne herself. As the Major turned to the Captain of the squad, she focused on her, just as Elara spoke up. "We're ready to set course for Nar Shaddaa."

"Noted. Elara, try to assist Aric Jorgan on the weapons hold. I wanna fly this baby myself first."

"Hm?" Elara hummed in curiosity, getting this feeling of insecurity. "Last I experienced your flying, we almost had a hard landing. Jorgan was flying most of the time, as well as I."

Lereana blinked in surprise and glared at the Captain. "HEY. That wasn't a warm-up and I was trying my best there. That… and…"

Elara smirked and was emboldened before she spoke up. "Major. You can stop the secrets here. I know of you and Jorgan getting plenty of 'alone-time' in your quarters. And… when you're alone… I can always sense your vigor rising, especially when you fly out in space."

"Um, ah…" Lereana was almost speechless. "Ah…"

"Major… Of course I need to know things about the squad, and their members." Elara sighed and gently shook her head. "I know very well of the time you made all of us leave the first time. It was like that, wasn't it?"

"Yeah... Can't run from that, I guess. Sorry for not telling you Captain." Lereana said this in apology while she scratched her head. "It just started way back, and… I realized I kinda needed to stabilize everything, especially after what happened to Sergeant Jaxo."

"I understand, Major. Given that, you could have at least opened up about your engagement with the Sergeant. Well… All of us except Specialist Vik would immediately accept that."

Lereana dug a little under Elara's wording and understood what she meant. Indeed, Tanno Vik is all about the explosions and the kills he makes with either a rifle, or his vibroblade. "She DOES have a point. But… Captain, I'm going to be honest. I believe he'll shrug it off."

"Major?" Elara winced in surprise. "Just like that?"

"Yeah. He and I weren't in terms at first, but I was able to get his side of life, and… I kinda get why he's who is he is now. He's all about business, and it's as long as our unit is tight that we won't have problems. Are ya worried that the most volatile in the team will stab us in the back?"

"Not so, Major. I hope he does not," the Blonde Captain said just before she started to walk away from the cockpit. "I'll leave the flying to you for the meantime, Major."

As Elara left her behind, Lereana sat on the pilot's seat. Holding the yoke in her hands and looking ahead, she knew there was more she doesn't know of. But, something inside her made her think that something was different from her. She even gripped the yoke tight.

She remembered what happened one night as she dreamt. She saw her parents arguing, but it was a blur. She couldn't see it clearly. She couldn't even hear it clearly. But all she knows is… her mother didn't like the father to leave. After a while, she woke up. Lereana realized something about that dream…

...something coded in it is the answer to some of the questions she still couldn't answer. After this job in Nar Shaddaa, she hopes she would find the answers she needs for herself.