The Fury, piloted by Captain Malavai Quinn, was on course to the Imperial Fleet. As the ship glided through space, Lord Charna and the crew were busy minding their own business and Quinn felt relieved that no one was bothering him at the bridge. Alone, he could lose the mask of a dutiful military man and immerse into matters that troubled him more than he wanted to. He sat in his captain's chair, staring into the distant void; his thoughts like scattered meteors passed through his mind faster than he realized their meaning. To his own amusement, Quinn caught himself wishing that the Fury would lose control and crash into one of the larger stars it was currently flying by.
It's been a week since Darth Baras contacted him with a new task. Quinn hasn't heard of Baras ever since Balmorra, when he was assigned to spy on Baras' new apprentice and monitor her: her progress, her strengths and weaknesses, her loyalties; to file an immediate report if she becomes a threat to Baras or the Empire. Malavai's position excluded the possibilities of any emotional involvement; he knew that there would come a day when he would have to turn against his Lord. He controlled himself as best as he could, trying to remain a great distance from the Sith's fiery nature and to maintain a purely professional relationship.
And yet, Charna's persistent advances and dominating personality eventually won him over. Quinn smiled to himself as he remembered that agonizing cat and mouse game she got him involved in. The memory of his proposal was so new it seemed to have happened only yesterday, when he finally gave into his feelings and dismissed the possibility of Charna ever posing a threat to anyone but himself. But there he was now: miserably in love and burdened with a task that demanded execution. His fate was sealed: if he does not comply with Darth Baras' order, he will be disposed of. If he does comply and fail: he will fall at the hand of his reckless Lord. As much as he felt for Charna, he still couldn't completely trust her.
With these thoughts Malavai Quinn docked the Fury when he felt a chill run down his spine as though he was being watched. He turned back and saw Jaesa Wilsaam, arms crossed, leaning against the doorway. Those daring bright-orange eyes gazed at him intently. Malavai returned the stare. Her look was cold and piercing. She almost looked suspicious, but he remained silent. Lord Charna appeared in the doorway behind Jaesa.
- A rare moment to see you two together. Pierce and the others are going to the cantina, and I need to make some purchases at the galactic market. Feel free to disembark at your leisure.
- Thank you, my Lord. Unfortunately I have unfinished work to attend to, - Quinn got up from the captain's chair and bowed.
The Sith Lord nodded and left them. Jaesa kept her gaze fixed on Quinn's eyes till the very last moment. She then followed Charna.
The captain felt relieved when everyone left. He had a hard task at hand: to plan the execution of Baras' apprentice, of Quinn's Lord and beloved, Charna.
Meanwhile, passing the cantina, Jaesa expressed a wish to speak with her Lord in private. The two women sat at the table over a glass of chilled corelian cocktail and Jaesa spoke:
- Master, I wouldn't take away your time if the matter was trivial. There is something wrong with our Captain. As of late, I sensed a great change in him. He literally reeks of the dark side which is, undoubtedly a great asset if used for your greater good. However the sensations I trace from his presence are worrying.
- Are you implying that Captain Quinn has something against me or the rest of the crew? – Charna raised an eyebrow and crossed her arms across the chest.
- I admit, I have not used my ability on him to confirm my doubts, but I thought this might interest you.
Charna sat in silence for a while, pondering the whole situation. She then put her hands on the table, looked Jaesa in the eyes and spoke in a tone too harsh even for her own liking:
- You should know that Malavai Quinn is not only your captain, but my husband and a future father of my children. I do not wish you, nor anyone else jeopardizing our relationship by statements such as yours. Dismissed.
- I understand, my Lord. I will leave you now, - Jaesa bowed and left the cantina.
Lord Charna knew the Jedi wasn't making things up. The words of the prophet on Voss sounded in her head loud and clear: "One of your own is plotting against you…" She drank her cocktail in deep thought. "Could it be him?" No, she doesn't want to believe it. She chooses not to believe it.
Several hours later Jaesa returned to the ship. Her blood boiled from anger as she stealthily crept inside, seeking to prove that her senses are truthful. She almost screamed from frustration trying to gesture the overexcited 2V-R8 to keep silent at her arrival. Even more agitated, she found Quinn in Charna's quarters, savoring a glass of rum.
- Captain, I know you're hiding something. I came here to find out what. – she spoke in a calm yet determined voice, her fists clenching with fury.
- I knew you would come after me, sooner or later. But I do not answer to you, so be gone, - Quinn retorted, coldly, staring her down with an insolent look.
- If you are not going to speak, then I shall find out for myself, - Jaesa said daringly.
Clasping her hands together, she lowered her head and closed her eyes in meditation. A luminous light blue aura surrounded her, flickering like tongues of flame. Seeing this as an opportunity to escape, Quinn attempted to sneak past her out of the room but Jaesa blocked the entrance swiftly.
- You... treacherous scum, - she frowned. – Yet you are not acting on your own will and I can see your anguish. But the pain will be far greater if you proceed with your plan and I don't mean only heartache.
- I have no idea what you are talking about, - as Quinn spoke his voice trembled with poorly concealed emotion.
- Don't play me for a fool, Captain. I have told Lord Charna all about my suspicions.
Quinn found it hard to face the infuriated warrior. He turned away to the desk to pour another drink.
- From what I see she did not believe you. Or, am I wrong? – he tried to sound as insulting as he could, to look as cold as possible as his throbbing heart agreed with every Jaesa's word.
- Enough of this! You act as if you are superior to everyone else when you are nothing but a snivelling rat! I would kill you where you stand but I chose to leave Lord Charna the honors of murdering you when she finds out your dirty secret.
As Jaesa heard 2V-R8 spout a high-pitched greeting to his master, she retreated into her quarters.
