Author's Note
A piece for my Sith Legacy series, exploring the next generation of my original stories. These stories explore what happens to my characters after their stories from Star Wars, The Old Republic and the tales of their children. This is the an installment in a larger piece titled Chasing Shadows. Enjoy and feel free to review!
Dodging a small set of asteroids had Buyahk'a grinning as his heart raced. Streaking through the stars, he enjoyed the way his ship flew. Not only did the Corsair have sleek lines and polish but it handled as if it longed for his touch. The Chiss Cipher commended himself once again on having the small ship customized so that a single person could fly it, or in a pinch, his advanced ship's droid.
"Feeling reckless today Master?" Buck heard the ship's droid's metallic voice purr behind him and grinned again. 4G-9 could pilot his ship, but he'd also programmed the droid to have a feminine voice, appreciating even his artificial company to be of the fairer sex.
"Just a touch, Fourgee" he said, "Think of it as a stress reliever from that last mission." Speaking of stress relief he thought, after that last debacle Intelligence had sent him on a well-deserved break was in order. It had been some time since he'd visited Csilla, the Chiss home world, and if he went he would be fussed over by his younger sisters. Thinking of the twins made a warm smile pass over his face and he was a heartbeat away from programming the coordinates in the navigational computer when his comm beeped. Tempted to ignore it, instead he picked it up and activated it, surprised by the picture.
"Come on Buck," he heard Angel mutter as she appeared in holo form, unaware that he could hear her, "Don't be on a mission, pick up." The image of the Jedi Shadow intrigued him, but then so had Angel since he'd met her and struck up their unlikely friendship.
"Angel," he greeted her, "This is a pleasant surprise." He heard her take deep breath.
"Hello Buck," she said, "I wish this was a less serious call, but I need your help." Before he could stop it a smile curved his mouth and he heard her groan. "And please don't look so smug."
"Smug, me? Never!" he lightly protested, "Now what can I do for my little Jedi?"
"You can start by not calling me that," she scolded, as she shook her head, "I need to get to Belsavis, the Maximum Security Area fast." His jaw dropped as shock overwhelmed him and he saw a smile tug her lips at his reaction.
"K'pah, Angel," he exclaimed, "Why?"
"It concerns Master Tho,"she explained, "Something came up that might have to do with his death."
Her urgency and the mention of her late Cathar Master sent all thoughts of teasing from his head. "Your old Master? I know he meant a lot to you," he considered her words, "But why that prison planet?"
"I can explain more when we meet up, if you're up for the challenge," he smiled at her slight verbal jab. She knew him well enough to know that throwing down a gauntlet was a surefire way to get his attention and assistance.
"Of course I'll help you," he stated, "But why aren't you asking your crew?"
"Asme was Master Tho's nephew and I feel he's too close to the matter," she said, "I'd rather handle this without him. Plus it'll be easier to get that area if I had Imperial assistance."
Buck gave her an understanding nod."Ahh, so you need a ride and an escort," he said, "Very well. Meet me a Ducelon Spaceport. Stealth to the Corsair and we head out." Angel's smile glowed at him.
"Thank you Buck," her relief was obvious in her voice, "I can be there shortly, I'm already on Nar Shadda."
Buck smiled again at how well he knew her. Her family had a home on the Smuggler's Moon that she frequently visited. "I thought you might be. My little Jedi always flies back to her nest," he teased, enjoying the aggravated look that passed over her face before she stuck her tongue out at him and deactivated her comm.
Buck had literally crashed into the Shadow during a mission and had been staying in contact with her since. His duties as a Cipher didn't allow him opportunities to make lasting connections with others but when he'd met Angel they'd realized they had some interesting things in common despite being in opposing factions. The duties they performed were often similar and they both were hiding Sith heritages. She was spirited and had a sense of humor, qualities he'd never associated with Jedi. There was also a playful sensuality she'd displayed that he'd been curious about, and he smiled as he remembered her clear silver eyes flashing from innocent to mischievous in an instant.
He chuckled, wondering what sort of retaliation he'd face if she'd ever found out he'd slipped a tracking device into the pack she'd always seemed to have on hand, but something had told him she was worth keeping tabs on. They'd gone from having conversations over comlinks to short meetings on neutral territory and their novel friendship had become something genuine; he found himself looking forward to their interactions. But now she was asking for his help and he had to figure out how to smuggle a Jedi into one of the most notorious prisons in the galaxy. As inspiration struck, another grin crept across his face and he could just hear Angel's voice in his mind chiding him for looking smug again.
Docking into the spaceport, Buck checked the signal linked to the tracking device he'd planted on Angel and confirmed she was close. Probably just waiting for me to touch down and open the door, he thought. Hiding the receiver, he settled the Corsair into the spaceport landing the ship gracefully. Heading to the ship's entrance he was reminded of how much trust he and Angel placed in each other. Intelligence wouldn't treat him kindly if they knew he was assisting a Jedi, but here he was opening the door to his ship and waiting to let her come aboard.
Standing at the portal, he listened intently but knew it was an exercise in futility. Angel practiced the art of stealth better than most Sith he knew, she could move without a sound. Closing his eyes trying to focus on his other senses, he felt a slight wisp of air and knew she was moving past him, right before a light blow hit his chest and a giggle flew up the stairs of his ship. Playful even now, he thought with a smile as he closed the ship's door and headed up the stairs himself. He reached the common room and still didn't see her but heard another telltale giggle.
"Can't catch me Buck?" she joked, the echo of her voice in the ship adding to the difficulty in finding her.
"Jedi, I feel it is my duty to inform you that you are in Imperial territory," he teasingly threatened, "It is my responsibility to subdue you in whatever manner I deem necessary." Another giggle echoed through the ship.
"Subdue me?" her disembodied voice was musical, "What if I get to you first?" There was a quick whoosh as a cushion from his small couch flew past him and he turned to face it, seeing another cushion rise. Moving towards it, he realized his mistake as an unseen hand tapped his back. She'd used her abilities to lift the cushions and made him think she was by the couch when she'd been right beside him the whole time. "Tag," she giggled and he shook his head as he turned around. Invisible arms wrapped around him in a hug a moment before she materialized and he saw her silver eyes shine up at him from her tawny brown face.
"How've you been Buck?" she craned up, lightly pecking his cheek, then gave him another quick hug which he returned. Few people greeted him so warmly and it added to the appeal of her friendship.
"Same as usual," he replied, squeezing easily, "Risking my life for the Empire, vanquishing our enemies. Looks like I captured a dangerous specimen." He winked at her as she backed away.
"I think I've proved that I can capture you just as easily," she laughed, then turned solemn, "But it's lucky I have such a skilled friend." The serious look on her face was at odds with how he'd usually pictured his lighthearted friend, telling Buck this wasn't a matter to be taken lightly.
"Let me get us on our way," he said, placing a hand on her shoulder, "You can fill me in." She nodded gratefully as they headed to the Corsair's bridge where he sat down and plugged in the coordinates to Belsavis while she settled in.
"Alright Angel, spill it," Buck said glancing up from the console to look at Angel. The look of apprehension on her face wasn't one he was used to seeing, nor was the fidgeting of her hands.
"Some of Master Tho's possessions turned up and were given to Asme," she started, "We found a journal with entries that concerned me, so I took it to the Council." She gave him a wary look. "Buck, all faction loyalties aside, I need to know I'm talking to you as my friend." He gave her a slight nod.
"Just you and I as friends right now, not Jedi or Cipher." Her look of wariness lessened and she sighed.
"Good to know," she said, "Master Tho had unique ideas for a Jedi. He never believed Jedi should deny all of our emotions, feeling a heart filled with joy had a stronger connection to the Force."
"His beliefs didn't win him many friends on the Council, even though his padawans adored him," she sighed again, "Including me. He and his pride treated me like family. But I think there was a collective sigh of relief when he died. He didn't just question the Code but also the Jedi's unwavering loyalty to the Republic." She stopped speaking and her gaze became withdrawn again, Buck didn't doubt she was remembering her beloved Master.
"You never told me what happened to him," he prodded gently and was surprised when her eyes closed and her hand covered his as if seeking comfort in another's touch.
"That's still uncertain," she admitted, "His body was found on Taris, ravaged almost beyond recognition. There were bites and claw marks as if from rakghouls, but also blaster wounds." She let loose a hard shudder. "I was the one who found him."
She squeezed his hand and he covered hers with his other one. Her silence was mournful, a far cry from how he'd seen Jedi usually view death and he was glad she was finding ease in his touch. Not matter how he viewed most Jedi, Master Tho had been important to Angel, and he'd do what he could for his friend. When it seemed like her moment of sorrow had passed, she took a stabilizing breath and sat back in her seat.
"The entries I found mentioned the Republic betraying the Cathar long ago. Master Tho would want to investigate any betrayals of his people of course," There was a new determination in her voice, "Buck, the entries were right before he died. I can't help but wonder if there's a connection." Buck could understand her suspicion; it became a survival instinct when you worked as many covert missions as they both had.
"What did the Council say when you approached them?" he asked and a look surprisingly close to anger flashed in her eyes.
"They told me to let it go," her voice was fierce, "That Master Tho was one with the Force and I should leave the matter alone." She took a deep breath and Buck saw her visibly calm down, "But the whole time I could feel Master Juhn'kai searching my mind."
"Searching your mind?" Buck laid a concerned hand on her leg, "What do you think he was hoping to uncover?" She waved her hand dismissively.
"Who knows?" she said airily, "His probes were as effective as a swarm of dekk-flies, easily scattered when I focused on them." She gave him an impish smile, "But the irritation on his face was priceless. He couldn't accuse me of banishing his probes without admitting to searching my thoughts in the first place." The thought of Angel tweaking the other Jedi Masters made Buck chuckle and she shared in it before sobering again.
"But that's why I asked you to help, Buck," she stated, "I'm looking into this without the Council's approval. I love Asme and Yen but I don't want to drag them into this, especially with Asme's connection to Master Tho. His journal mentioned stasis chambers in the Maximum Security section of Belsavis. I want to see them for myself." Buck raised an eyebrow at Angel and gave her a crafty smile.
"Well well Angel," he said, "Sneaking into prisons, keeping things from the Council. I think I'm proud of you." His teasing was enough to coax her smile back.
"Better watch it," she warned, still smiling, "Knowing you're proud of me might make me change my mind about this." She gave him a slight prod as she stood. "Now tell me about how about this brilliant plan of yours to get me in." Holding back a smirk, Buck looked Angel up and down.
"What you're looking for is on the bed in my quarters," he told her, laughing again as her eyebrows shot so high they almost touched her hairline, "This is completely innocent, I promise. I'd just rather you look for yourself, you'll understand when you see it." Angel gave him another smile and leaned over to peck him on the cheek.
"I have a hard time believing anything having to do with you is completely innocent Buck," she bantered as she traipsed back to his room.
The Corsair was just touching down on Belsavis when Buck heard Angel's light footfalls returning. He turned from the console and let out a low whistle. The Imperial uniform he'd found clung to her body and she'd slicked back her silver hair into a high bun. Genius idea, he told himself again, dressing a Jedi as an Imperial officer to get her through the prison. Even she'd seemed impressed as she looked down at herself.
"Imperial colors look great on you," he teased, "I think you should defect simply for the uniform." She stuck out her tongue at him.
"Do I want to know what you're doing with a woman's uniform?" she asked and groaned as he shot her an evil grin, "Never mind. At least it's something that covers me up; I've heard that the polar regions of Belsavis are truly frigid." Buck nodded.
"Not as cold as Csilla, but chilly nonetheless," he paused, thinking about his people's home world, before continuing, "But let's focus on the task at hand."
Squaring his shoulders he let his emotions retreat, shifting into what people expected of his role as a Cipher. It was a skill he adapted to cope with some of the more unpleasant duties he was tasked with. The look of Angel's face let him know she could see the difference in him.
"This is my domain so there's only two rules here Angel," he said briskly, "Rule number one is 'Always listen to Buck'. I know these people, how they think and what they look for. At least the Corsair was small enough to get clearance to land planet side and we bypassed using the shuttle. The less people we deal with, the better. But you do what I say when I say it, understood." The dancing light in Angel's eyes dimmed which he recognized it as part of her way to mentally ready herself and she gave him a curt nod.
"Understood," she replied, "I know this is risky for you as well." Buck wasn't about to admit to her that the risky venture had piqued his interest. Conspiracies were something he was more than familiar with, to possibly uncover one created by the Republic, was too good of an opportunity to pass up. He felt the familiar tremble of the Corsair as it settled fully into the spaceport and rose.
"By the way, can you handle a blaster?" he asked and she gave him a surprised nod.
"Yes I can," she quipped, "Why?" He walked over to a wall panel and spun it revealing several rifles and blasters. Picking up one he knew to be light but powerful he handed it to her.
"Nondescript Imperial Officers don't carry light sabers, and I'm not letting you go unarmed." She checked the weapon quickly and strapped it to her hip, looking ready for action. "Let's go Corporal Kys," he ordered, sinking deep into his role and a spark of mischief flashed in Angel's eyes.
"Yes sir, Cipher," she replied smartly, then paused, "Wait, aren't you forgetting something? What's the second rule?" He gave her a quick devilish grin as he strode to the ship's door and she followed close behind.
"Rule number two is 'Remember rule number one'," he stated firmly as they headed out the door into the spaceport.
Footnote
Thanks for reading so far, hope it was intriguing enough to continue to the next chapters. I used a line from 'Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs' in another story so I was glad I could do it again. Loved the line "Rule number one, always listen to Buck." Thank you... now back to the story.