Disclaimer: All movie characters, etc. belong to George Lucas. Many thanks go to Jude Watson for providing the main characters and situation for this fic.
"In the world of the spy, nothing is as it seems. Your closest friends are your enemies; every plot has a hidden agenda; fact is stranger than rumor, and no one can be trusted. Anyone who enters the deadly world of espionage must have the sharpest wits, the best equipment, and the most complete information."
End of the Assignment
Chapter 1
"In a way, you have determined the choice of planet that'll be destroyed first." (Tarkin, ANH)
"Compassion, which I would define as unconditional love, is central to a Jedi's life." (Anakin Skywalker, AOTC)
Leaning back in the co-pilot's seat, Zora turned across the console to talk to her boss, Krayn. He was looking out at the stars with an expression on his face that made her wonder what he was thinking about. While some might not have interrupted him, she hated the silence and had something important to ask. "So, how do you keep track of all your clients and your contacts and your, you know, inventory?"
"Why? Thinking about striking it out on your own?" Krayn asked in a voice she couldn't read. It really was frustrating to not be able to read him after all these months.
"Well, that was always the eventual idea."
"I'll miss having a beautiful woman work for me. But when you work on your own, here's a hint. I keep everything on a server hidden in a compartment behind the walls of my office. It's not connected to the Holonet, so I don't have to worry about anyone hacking into it."
You really have no idea how valuable that piece of information is to me.
"Thanks," replied Zora. "I hate to have to leave. We work so well together. But I'll never be number one here."
"True enough. And I'd like to think we can play well together,too." All right, she could read that. Krayn leered over the console at her.
"I'd like that. Why don't I surprise you sometime?" Zora asked.
"Looking forward to it."
Zora started twirling her short auburn hair, trying to contain her disgust…and excitement. "Sure looks quiet out here tonight. You can handle the console yourself, can't you?"
"Of course," Zora replied.
Krayn got out of his seat and started walking towards the cargo hold. He stopped and turned back to Zora. "I haven't thanked you yet for finding that hot babe. I'm sure she'll be fun to play with. Market's a standard week from today, so I better play every chance I get."
"That 'hot babe' looks about twelve to me."
"Since when do you care about how I have fun?"
"I'm just talking is all."
Krayn lifted up the trap door of the cargo hold and started walking down the ladder. As soon as the trapdoor was closed, Zora used the console to log on to the Holonet. She was going to send a message to the Jedi Council with the information that Krayn had given her and the start of the plan that was coming together in her mind about how to get the information from the server.
My mission's almost finished, thank the Force!
It was depressing that she could never get a message back. But if the plan that was coming together worked, that would only last a few more days. Just one more visit to Krayn's office, where they were heading to get everything they needed for the market.
Zora heard a girl's screams coming up from beneath her.
She then put her elbows on the console, held her chin in her hands, and cried.