Where do we begin?

Hoth was the giant ice planet from hell. Someone's hell, at least. Even run by the Chiss Ascendancy as it was—and it had been a damned long time since she'd seen so many of her own people in one place—she didn't much care for it. Incompetent Imperials, wampas, pirates... and of course her duties as posing as a double agent. That damned keyword didn't help either.

Tip Toni was not necessarily a happy Chiss, despite seeing many of her fellows on the planet. She was nursing a grudge, mixed between her employers and her double-agent role. If it hadn't been for the stress of that code word, she could have enjoyed the job, considered it fun, even.

But between her duties and helping her friend Modiri—bounty hunter by trade, and someone who's morals were ruled mostly by money—the stress was definitely starting to take its toll. About the only bright side she'd found in this mess of white-hell missions was the unexpected affection of Aristocre Saganu.

Even before she had left the Ascendancy for the Imperial Academy, Toni had never had dealings with the upper-class of her own people. Her parents had been simple merchants, and they had died before she'd left for the Academy. She had thought it simply an accident at the time, though now she was much less certain.

But being an Imperial Agent gave her an odd modicum of freedom. She was outside the aristocracy's ranks and hierarchies, and while she had only flirted with him on a whim that first time, she hadn't quite been able to stop herself from continuing it since.

It was kind of funny, really; she had come to like Vector, as odd as he was. Of the people on her ship, he was the only one she trusted to watch her back and not prepare to stab it. Kaliyo, as Modiri had put it, was crazy in a bottle. The less said about Dr. Lokin, the better. But the Aristocre was... different. And it wasn't just because he was Chiss.

Funny to compare him to Vector, but they both gave her that sense of calm, of peace that was in short supply. And Vector hadn't seemed to mind her giving Saganu pointed attention. Nor did he seem resigned to it... if anything, he had appeared mildly curious and... oddly pleased.

They had tracked the pirates to the far end of the starship graveyard, a place Modiri also needed to visit to collect her latest bounty. The Trandoshan had been annoying enough to warrant Modiri's decision to spare his life and bring him utter humiliation. Torian had stuffed the crouched, carbonite-encased bounty into a box for easier transportation.

"So how much farther is it to get to this Admiral Davos and the shit you need?" Modiri asked, cycling the heat sink on her gun.

"Not much farther," Toni replied. "Maybe a few dozen more pirates, not to mention a trio of blast doors, but that shouldn't cause you too much trouble, now should it?"

The other woman barked a brief laugh of derision, and Toni couldn't help but smile a little; rough and crass the bounty hunter might be, but she was a good and solid friend. Probably the only person she could trust to try and help her break the keyword embedded in her brain... something her former Keeper had yet to answer for.

"Looking forward to seeing your boyfriend?" Modiri teased as they headed out into less safe territory.

Toni tried to not blush purple as she thought briefly of Saganu; he had called her an embodiment of the Red Flame... he had kissed her. Hoth's frozen air might have robbed her of the physical heat, but it could not take away the comfort, or change the soft desire.

She could not stay on Hoth. If she tried, no doubt that bastard Jedi, Kothe—she had figured that out after the second conversation—wouldn't hesitate to use the keyword to make her behave. And if he didn't, Hunter assuredly would.

She couldn't wait to shoot both of them.

But there was a chance that Saganu would come with her. Or would wait for her.

"I think you're being a trifle optimistic there," Toni said after a moment, tugging at her hood in the hopes of hiding the fading blush.

"Oh please. I saw that kiss. He likes you. You think you've got room on your ship?"

"Well, I can always put Kaliyo off somewhere. I expect she'll want to leave sooner rather than later at this rate."

"Probably. Think she's still waiting for a chance to shoot you in the back?"

Toni shrugged lightly, and pulled a grenade from the pouch as they approached a gaggle of White Maw pirates. They were everywhere in this hunk of junk that was frozen solid to the surface of Hoth, and she was getting quite tired of them being in the way.

"It's Kaliyo. I wouldn't be surprised."

"Why d'you keep her on if you think she's gonna shoot you?" Torian put in as he and Vector readied their electrostaves for combat.

"Friends close, enemies closer."

Toni threw the grenade into the pirates, and the battle was joined.


Three blast doors later, they found a group of Chiss, and Ensign Temple waiting, having come in through a different route. Toni was nursing new blaster burns on one arm, and muttered a little as the two groups joined.

"Sir!" Temple smiled weakly as they all found cover. "Enemies in pursuit, more expected. Bit of a nightmare, but we'll hold them off!"

One Chiss, peering around the corner, muttered something that was best left untranslated, then ducked back to avoid a blaster shot.

Silently, Toni seethed, wishing the group was bigger, wishing... she flicked a glance around; no sign of Saganu.

She couldn't focus on Saganu. Dealing with Davros and stealing the Starbreeze came first.

"Where's Admiral Davros?"

"Down this corridor somewhere, probably with his escort," Temple said, gesturing behind them.

"Twelve more. Marauders and Scourge," one of the lookouts called.

Blaster fire made everyone duck... and then Modiri primed a grenade and chucked it into the oncoming pirates, knocking them back. Toni grinned a little, nodding her thanks at her explosion-happy friend before returning her attention to the ensign.

"Aristocre Saganu is holding the escape route; we'll keep the pirates off your back, so you get in there and do what you need to do," the humans woman finished, giving Toni a firm nod.

Toni hesitated a moment, then clapped Ensign Temple on the shoulder briefly.

"Remember. No unnecessary heroics. If you have to, pull back."

Temple smiled a little.

"The Aristocre wouldn't leave you vulnerable, sir, and neither will we."

It wasn't the answer Toni wanted, but it was the only one she was going to get. So she caught Vector by the arm, and yanked on Mo's coat to get her to follow. They ran down the corridor, ducking stray blaster fire until they were beyond the fighting. Another turn brought them to the hanger where Davros and his escort stood.

"Still here," the old human mumbled. "Still waiting for us."

Toni would have muffled her steps, wanting to kill at range, but Modiri was not as subtle, and the heavy footfalls of the Mirialan drew the attention of Captain Furth, who spun.

"Admiral, intruders!"

"Target them, but do not fire," Davros ordered.

There was enough open space to give Toni pause, though Modiri only crossed her arms and looked unimpressed.

"The Cipher agent lives," Davros drawled slightly as he turned to face them, revealing the cybernetics on his face. "I had wondered what had become of you."

"Too bad for you we're difficult to kill," Modiri shot.

"You planned to take this hoard and abandon the Empire?" Toni asked, keeping her tone as even as possible, despite wanting to kick her friend. Modiri's mouth had a way of getting them all into trouble... "Tsk, tsk, Admiral."

"You say that so easily," and the admiral glared. "I waited years to return to Hoth and reclaim my 'retirement funds.' My superiors were never to know."

The pirate who had granted them safe passage—Toni couldn't immediately bring his name to mind—gave Davros an annoyed look.

"We should take her now," he said irritably.

"Silence," Davros snapped. Then he frowned at Toni and Modiri both. "You complicated matters. Forced us to part ways with the Empire."

"I'm pretty sure you did that without our help," Modiri interjected, clearly bored. "You shoot at us first."

"This can be mended," he said, and this time the glare was for Modiri alone. On Toni he turned a more inquisitive look. "Tell me what you desire?"

"The shuttle," she replied instantly. "Give me the Starbreeze and I don't care what you do with the rest of this."

"The shuttle? Very well," and he shrugged lightly.

"That was to be our payment," the pirate protested.

"Be still. In return, I want two things from you, agent. Your silence... and the location of the secret Chiss base. I am aware that you know of it."

Beside her, Modiri stiffened, and a hand went to her blasters. For good reason, too.

"No deal," Toni said, eyes narrowing. "One I could have given, but not both."

"A pity. Kill them."

Pirates and men loyal to Davros opened fire; most of it deflected from the portable cover Toni immediately threw down before her; Vector and Torian were swiftly in the middle of the gathered men, hampering shots at times, but making swift work of the less well armored. Toni picked her shots with precision, while Modiri simply filled the area with blaster fire and grenades until the last one fell.

"Idiot," Modiri said contemptuously as silence fell. Then she glanced at Toni, who collapsed her cover, and pulled out her holocommunicator. "Now what?"

"Now I contact that ass, and tell him I have what he wants. Then we go and pull everyone else out."

She nodded, and stepped back; Hunter knew they were a running pair, so he wouldn't question the presence of the Mandalorians, but he would get tetchy if Toni tried to speak openly while she was there.

"This is Legate to Hunter," Toni said, hating the code name even as she used it. "I have the location of the Starbreeze."

"You look like hell, fiery as always," Hunter replied with a smirk.

Toni bit her tongue to prevent sniping at him; one forced mission briefing with that damned code word was enough. Fortunately, he didn't need her to respond.

"Get that shuttle running, and rendezvous at these coordinates. Hunter out."

The connection collapsed, and Toni shoved the communicator into her pocket, wishing she dared toss the damn thing.

"Okay, let's go-"

And explosion made them turn; apparently one of the pirates had only been playing dead, but Ensign Temple, limping up to join them, had hit a barrel filled with explosives. The pirate was very dead now, but the Ensign didn't necessarily look so good.

"Sir... pirates are down, but... I'm the only one left. We need to get moving."

Toni's blood went cold.

"The Aristocre?"

"I... I don't know sir."

Toni glanced briefly at the shuttle.

"Are you hurt?"

"Scratches sir. Deep scratches. Force trick saved my life."

"The shuttle is in poor condition," Vector offered diffidently. "We will need help to fly it."

"Toni...?"

Toni looked at Modiri, who raised one eyebrow. Funny how that one look could make a decision so much easier.

"Vector, help the ensign to the shuttle; if we're not back in ten minutes, take it to these coordinates. Tell Hunter I was severely injured or something, and get back to the ship. Mo, up for some thrilling heroics?"

"Heh. Sure. Why not? Hey, Vector, get my bounty into that shuttle too; make it an easy trip."

As Vector nodded, Toni turned away from the shuttle, back towards the halls. Alive or dead, Saganu deserved better than to be left to the snow of Hoth and forgotten. She would not, could not, leave him behind.


They found him half buried, but still breathing. Pirate bodies littered the ground around him, and frozen blood of various shades decorated the snow. Those few still alive took cover while Toni launched a few flashbangs to keep them away.

"Torian, kolto," Modiri snapped.

Torian crouched down next to Saganu, injecting a thin stream of kolto into him, then checked with the scanner.

"He needs a tank; there's no way we're going to be able to help him if we can't get him to a medcenter," the Mandalorian said with a faint scowl. "But I don't think he's gonna last long enough for us to get through Toni's meeting with Hunter."

Toni frowned briefly, then looked at Modiri.

"What about your carbonite?"

Modiri shrugged.

"...well, there's no guarantee it'll work, but I guess we can try."

If Saganu hadn't been unconscious, she would have asked him. But he was unconscious, and she wasn't willing to risk losing him to deliberation. If nothing else, his people here needed him. So Toni nodded firmly, then stood back; Torian moved him gingerly to make for a more compact and easy transition, then got out of the way as well so that Modiri could hit Saganu with the carbonite freeze.

Carbonite was quick, at least... It wouldn't kill him, only hold him in stasis until they could get to a medcenter, or even just a meddroid that knew more about healing than she did.

She hoped it would, at least.

Torian grunted a little, and Modiri stepped up to the other side to help him carry the frozen Chiss back towards the bay where they'd left the Starbreeze. It hadn't taken that long to find Saganu... but the pirates had recongregated by the time they carried him back. The previously empty halls were now filled with angry White Maw pirates, looking to get back some of their own for the deaths of their fellows.

Toni launched grenade after grenade; one group received a pulse bomb that liquified their insides and she didn't even cringe. But she couldn't kill all of them, and despite her best efforts, their time ticked away as the pirates came at them, until her improvised deadline was up.


The Starbreeze was still in the hanger, and the ensign was waiting at the foot of the ramp. Ensign Temple stared in shock for several moments, then scampered forward, blaster at the ready to help hold off the remaining pirates that still pursued them; Modiri's coat had a few new holes in it, and Torian's armor had some new scorch marks, to say nothing of what was left of Toni's own long coat and hood.

When they were all on board, Toni half-collapsed on a bench; Mo and Torian wrestled Saganu's carbonite-encased form onto another one, then they flopped too as Temple closed the door and scampered into the cockpit with Vector. The flight passed mostly in silence as they made for the rendezvous, everyone nursing injuries and exhaustion.

"...thanks Mo," Toni said wearily.

"Don't mention it."

Toni smiled tiredly, and obligingly dropped it; she had helped out Mo by using her connections to Imperial Intelligence often enough, but this was much more than killing idiots who insisted on being in the way.

"We will arrive at the coordinates in five minutes," Vector said, coming back into the small area and bowing slightly.

Toni gave him a narrow-eyed stare, but she was too tired for there to be much heat behind it.

"I thought I told you to leave if we went over ten minutes."

"Did you?" he blinked at her. "We apologize agent, but we did not hear that part. The ensign needed some tending and then placing the bounty on board took some effort alone. Had we heard, surely we would have obeyed."

Modiri snickered a little as Toni stared at her Joiner crewmember, trying to decide if he was as full of shit as his tone suggested, or if he was being honest. For his own part, Vector simply stared back, a tiny smile on his lips.

"...why do I even bother?"

Now, Modiri cackled.


Hunter waited in a snowblind in the canyon, and didn't look pleased to see any of the extra people piling out of the Starbreeze.

"I didn't say you could bring your buddies," he said as Toni presented herself.

"Ask me if I care, Hunter," she retorted, in no mood to play games. "Here's the ship."

"All right, let's take a look then," he said ungraciously.

Modiri and Torian both ignored Hunter, moving first Saganu, and then their own boxed bounty out of the Starbreeze, towards the smaller shuttle that they would undoubtedly be taking back to the base. Hunter paused briefly as Ensign Temple walked down the ramp, still limping a little, and smirked.

"Solid body, and not a scratch on her. She came with my shuttle? What's her name."

Toni pressed her lips together in a thin line, but Temple only stood a little straighter.

"Ensign Raina Temple, sir. Chiss Expansionary Defense Force."

"Of course," Hunter nodded. "Minder Seventeen, Imperial Intelligence. Excellent work, both of you."

It was about as insincere as a Hutt deal, but Toni kept her snarky reply between her teeth; he hadn't even tried to affect a proper Imperial accent!

"I couldn't have done any of this without her," she said, her tone warning.

"High praise," he said smoothly. "Maybe she deserves a promotion."

Toni kept her face blank out of long practice, but she really wanted to punch him in the face. The hope on the ensign's face was enough to make her refrain... that and the stupid programming she still hadn't managed to subvert.

"I'll fly the shuttle to its final destination. You can take my ride home," he continued. "Ensign, why don't you and Vector give the shuttle a systems check- the agent and I need to talk."

Vector glanced at Toni; she nodded slightly, and he escorted Temple away.

"I'll chisel the ice off the pilot's seat for you~" Temple said over her shoulder.

Toni stifled a faint smile, and followed Hunter as he headed back into his snowblind.

"Arden Kothe will be happy with you," he said. "But the girl... we both agree that she has to die, right?"

Toni stared at him for a long, silent moment.

"Absolutely not," she said, fury in her voice. "Kill someone who's been helpful, and working with my people, are you mad? Besides which, she's intelligence, unlike you. She knows better than to reveal classified information."

Hunter looked unmoved by her anger, and annoyingly enough, he wasn't in any danger. Damn Kothe's programming. Damn her Keeper for signing off on the programming in the first place!

"All right, fine. You worked with her, bonded with her. Fine. I'm not heartless. Maybe she'll even be useful," he shrugged lightly. "You want her to live, you take responsibility. Keep her with you, on your ship, and she doesn't talk to anyone. Doesn't learn about the SIS."

If it kept the girl alive, and gave her someone else sensible, Toni had no trouble with that. So she nodded.

"But just in case, I'm putting a command in that brain of yours," and he smirked as she stiffened, fury rising in her again. Twisted bastard looked smug, loving every second of the hatred she exuded at those words. "Keyword: onomontophobia. If Raina Temple becomes a threat to our mission, or leaves your supervision, you will kill her. You won't have a choice."

Toni could only hope that Modiri was logging the conversation; as much as she hated the keyword, the programming, she trusted Mo to have it, and to counteract whatever orders she was given. Hunter smirked as he walked past her, out of the snowblind, and it took every ounce of control to make herself step out of his way.

She couldn't wait for this second dose to finish working through her body so she could recode herself. Or Watcher X could... she still wasn't sure if he was real or a figment of her imagination, but either way, she did regret shooting him now.

As Ensign Temple and Vector joined her in the blind, she made herself push away the fury, the anger; Vector would pick up on it and be uneasy, and she couldn't afford that right now.

"Sir, Minder Seventeen told me about the transfer. I'm... a little surprised."

"Really?" Toni managed a smile.

"If intelligence wants me out of the Chiss Defense Force, though, I won't argue!" she added quickly. "Nice as it would have been to pack an overnight bag."

"Ah, yes... I apologize for that. But don't worry. You'll fit right in."

"Don't get me wrong, it's a fantastic opportunity! My father would have loved this... But if I can ask, why do you want me here?"

Now Toni's smile came a little more easily. She did like the ensign, and while she certainly wasn't interested in recruiting her to Imperial Intelligence, keeping her onboard wasn't going to be the sort of trial it was with Kaliyo.

"You're sensible, calm, and willing to learn. I rather enjoy the company of people like that."

"Oh! Well," and though it was hard to tell in the cold, Temple almost seemed to be blushing. "I... Thank you, sir."

"Ensign, we are delighted that you're joining us," Vector said, bowing slightly and breaking the budding tension. "Don't let the dangers put you off. The agent is not as scary as she acts."

"Vector!" Toni complained.

"That's very kind, Master Hyllus," Raina said, though her tone suggested she was trying very hard not to laugh.

"Just Vector," he corrected.

"You're all ridiculous, and it's freezing out here," Modiri complained sticking her head into the blind. "Let's get out of here already! I have a bounty to deliver!"

And the Aristocre in carbonite that needed thawing and medical attention. Toni nodded, and scampered to the shuttle, while Raina and Vector followed quickly behind.


"You head back to the ship," she told Raina as the shuttle touched down at Dorn base. "Vector can show you where it is."

"But, sir, what about you?"

"I'm going to talk to the Colonel, and get him to thaw and treat the Aristocre. With any luck," please let it be good luck, "he'll make it out of this in one piece."

Raina looked uncertain, but Vector put a hand on her shoulder with a light nod.

"We will make sure Kaliyo does not bother her."

Toni snorted a little, then moved quickly down the ramp, locating the Chiss leader of Dorn base as Modiri and Torian offloaded their crated Trandoshan, taking him back towards the cells.

Efficient Chiss worked quickly, thawing Aristocre Saganu from the carbonite and installing him in a kolto tank.

"We'll send you mail when he's recovered, an no doubt he'll want to hear from you then," the colonel said gravely.

"Thank you," Toni said with a small bow, briefly placing one hand on the tank. "Please tell him I said thank you for his bravery."

She wanted to stay.

Couldn't stay.

But it was hard to turn away.

It had to be enough to know that he would live. It would take him time to heal, to recover, but one day, stars willing, she would meet him again, under her own terms. No lies, no missions.

She pulled her torn hood down a little to hide her face, and headed for her ship. If nothing else, she could tell Raina that he would live to fight another day.


"This is Legate to base command. Mission complete."

The holoterminal lit up, and a holographic image of Kothe appeared over it.

"Base command here. Hunter gave me his report. He spoke highly of you. Not a lot of people earn his praise."

Toni couldn't quite keep her lip from curling.

"He's insufferable and rude," she retorted. "I'd rather work with Chance over him."

Kothe chuckled a little.

"I'm grateful the Starbreeze is in one piece," he said firmly. "She'll help us win this war. With Hoth and Taris, that makes two. Ready for the final stage?"

The final stage... that was almost ominous, and it meant she was getting closer to finally being able to put a blaster bolt between the Jedi's eyes. She could hardly wait for that... But she still had questions.

"You still haven't told me anything about this," she protested. "I've been sent after a science project, a Republic shuttle..."

"All for good reason," he said reassuringly. "I promise. If you've heard of it, a death trap of a planet called Quesh is where our primary objective lies. I want you en route."

Quesh...a chill ran up her spine. Quesh was the planet she'd gone to so that she could get the pieces of the serum that had fucked up her brain. Had he learned that?

"A chemical mining world," she said. "We're at war over it."

"That's the one," he nodded. "But we're after something built before all that. Head to these coordinates when you arrive, and we'll be in touch. Base command, out."

The holoterminal went dead, and Toni sighed, relaxing a little. So, they were almost to the end game, then.

"About bloody time," she muttered, heading not for her astrogation terminal, but for her bed. "But also, not enough time..."

She cycled the door closed and half-fell onto her bed without bothering to shed her tattered clothing. She was going to have to contact Modiri, let her know that Quesh was where they needed to go, but stars she needed a nap. She was half-asleep when her holocom chirped at her insistently, and it was tempting to throw the damn thing across the room.

Instead, she pulled it out and hit the connection button; a holo of Saganu greeted her, and she sat upright in surprise.

"Agent, I hope this recorded message find you well. This is Aristocre Saganu of the Chiss Expansionary Defense Force."

He had to have recorded the message not long after she'd left for this ship,she realized. He was strong, hale, unharmed... Nothing like the man she'd left in the kolto tank.

"I never got the chance to see you off Hoth. Understandable; things were... hectic."

Her heart flipped a little, and despite her exhaustion and the weight on her shoulders, she smiled. He sounded almost embarrassed. How cute.

"But you represent the future of the Chiss Ascendancy, and that will not go unrecognized. I pronounce you merit adoptive of House Miurani. My house."

All the training in the world couldn't have prepared her for that. Adopted into the house of an Aristocre? His personal house?! It was a good thing it was a recorded message, clearly prepared in advance, else she would have protested heavily against it.

His expression softened a little, and she found herself softening in response.

"In another age, I would have kept you by my side. Spent our days and nights together. Now, this is my only gift. Fight well, my Red Flame. Saganu out."

"Save message," she said quickly. "Store in permanent memory."

She would come back to him after deal with Kothe.

Because after words like that, she couldn't find it in her heart to do anything else.