A battle to fight, fireworks to see and a decision to make!
9:30 in the morning. The clock next to Oren's bed starts beeping. A couple minutes later Oren wakes up and closes it. He stands up and goes to the toilet. Once he reaches the sink he throws some water in his face. He stares at mirror thinking of the mission the General Egroe wanted to send him. He has more doubt about the mission than before.
"I should tell Tosha about the mission. But if I told her she wouldn't leave go. So what am I supposed to do?"
A sound like bell is heard and Oren seems surprised is still too early for anyone to come see him and he wasn't expecting someone. He goes and opens the door. A familiar face comes in his house without letting him talk at all. It was Tosha.
"Morning, how are you, are you good, nice. Sit down and tell me what happened yesterday with the general!"
"You lose no time at all huh. There is nothing to say about yesterday, he wanted to say that I did a good job and that's all."
"That's all huh…"
"Yeah…"
An awkward silence fell for a while.
"You know I'm pretty handy with the computers. I can hack into everything."
"For real? Where was that ability when I needed it yesterday at the hangar?"
"I wanted to give you a hard time to show you that you can't always expect me to save you."
"Yeah I'm sure"
"Anyway that's not the point. I managed to hack into the security system of the General and I heard something about the mission he wants to send you and if y-"
"That wasn't something you should overhear"
Oren was clearly angry about it!
"Yeah I know but-"
"There is no but Tosha. This was classified."
"I'm sorry for caring for my friend. Besides I'm not the problem I lost connection after he talked about the mission so what did he say to you"
"What did you hear?"
"No. That's not how it goes you will tell me first. I wanna know everything about it."
*sigh*"Ok. You heard the part about the bounty hunter contest?"
"Yes"
"He wants me to infiltrate that and while I'm at it to get some info from the Imperials' that will be there"
Oren tried to cover up the truth because he knew she would overreact if she knew the truth.
"Pretty dangerous."
"Come on. I had worse."
Tosha looked down at the floor and asked with a trembling voice.
"Wi- will you go?"
"Think so. Might not come back in a while though, it's going to take a long time to do this one."
"Oren you are overexerting yourself with all these missions. Stay here for a while please!"
"What's gotten into you?"
Oren thought for a moment that she knew the true mission.
"I –I just have a bad feeling about this one. Please sit this one out and let someone else to take it"
"Hey, everything is going to be alright. It's nothing I can't handle"
"You sure?"
"Yep"
Oren tried to relieve her but I didn't seem to work. He could see at her brown eyes that she was really worried about him so he changed the subject.
"Say do you mind leaving? I need to change and go to the RNS (Republic Spy Network)."
"Yeah I'll see you there."
Tosha stood up and went to the door all by herself before she left she looked one last time at Oren. She had just realize that he wasn't like usual something was off about his appearance but she couldn't put her finger on it. When she finally left Oren felt something heavy in his stomach. He didn't want to lie to her but he did it so he could work at piece without worrying about her. He got dressed really quick, picked the blasters he "got" from Gordo and left his place.
At 10:48 he reached the RNS. Before he got in a droid approached him.
"Sir, are you Oren NoX sir?"
"Wh-? Yeah that's me!"
"Sir I have a massage for you sir"
"By whom"
"Sir I'm afraid I'm not authorized to say sir"
"What's your name"
"Sir I6-M7 sir"
"Ok I6 what's the massage"
"Sir he told me to tell you that he will be expecting you at this place before the fireworks begin"
"Wait what? Fireworks? What does that mean?"
"Sir I'm afraid I can't elaborate further. That's what he told me to relay to you"
"Ok I6 thanks for the massage….. I guess!? You can leave now."
"Sir thank you sir"
The droid left but and left and Oren looked his watch. It was 10:50 at that time. He was wondering who sent the droid and what did that massage mean. Fireworks? While he was entering the secret base he was thinking about that.
A few voices were heard saying good morning to him and some whispers about jobs and different kinds of gossips.
Oren went straight to the General's office. While headed there he heard voices from the office.
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN THERE IS A SITH ON NAR SHADDA A THAT KNOWS THE LOCATION OF RNS"
Oren heard the General and what he said and just like the rest of the RNS froze. He run to the office.
"General Egroe what happened?"
"Oren we have been compromised, we need to start evacuating now.
Phantom do you read me?"
"Loud and clear General!"
"What's the situation there?"
"The Sith is not alone. Imperial soldiers accompanied by unidentified troops and at least 2 more force users with him with him. How should we proceed?"
"Gather every troop you have there and make sure they don't get past that Hangar I'm coming there with reinforcement. Oren I want you to contact the Jedis at the Orbital Fleet and explain the situation, tell them to send back up at the Hangar 23."
"Yes sir"
"When you done come there and find me. Tosha I want you to make sure this place is evacuated completely. No one stays here and make sure everything is transferred to the backup servers. Once this is done burn the place down."
"Right away sir"
"Ok I'm taking every agent off the field to help. We leave now"
The General and every agent there followed him everyone was afraid and curious at the same time. How did a Sith Lord found out about the RSN . Who betrayed them? Why was he there? An attack to Republic property would bring the dawn of a new war.
Oren was running towards the holocommunicator as fast as he could.
"Call the Orbital Fleet ASAP!"
"Yes sir"
"RSN to Orbital Fleet this is field agent Oren NoX. Do you read me Orbital Fleet?"
A tall figure appears at the holo. A female Tw'I'lek with medium physique, red eyes and blue skin appeared.
"Jedi Master Ashala Mazo here, speak agent NoX."
"We just received a call from the coordinator of stealth missions Talou A'kar AKA "Phantom" that at the Hangar 23 there are Imperial troops. Also we have confirmation that a Sith Lord is there too. They have engaged in battle with the troops we stationed there. General Egroe requests immediate assistance from the Jedi Order"
"I'm afraid we cannot help you with the task at hand."
"What?"
"We are not allowed to take action against the Sith. The Jedi Order tries to bring peace between the Republic and the Empire. If we send troops to aid you the negotiations we've made this far will be for naught."
Oren responded fast with anger.
"The Sith that came and attacked the Republic troops at that Hangar don't seem to care about the negotiations you made. I beg you to reconsider Master Alasha. Those soldiers at the Hangar won't last for long without the help of the Jedi Counsil!"
The Tw'I'lek realized the magnitude of the problem and her face turned sad.
"I'm really sorry agent NoX. You are on your own. Please relay the massage to the General"
Oren was furious.
"Good men will die out there protecting Republic ground. The Jedi are supposed to be the Guardians of the Republic yet you choose to close your eyes to a request for help. Is this what a Guardian of peace would do?"
"Ashala Mazo out."
"Damn!"
Oren was overwhelmed with anger. He knew that without the help of the Jedi the General's troops wouldn't make it. As he was thinking what to do cold sweat started dropping from his head. He was afraid but he couldn't afford to show it. Being a spy meant to cast aside all emotions and focus on the job.
A voice interrupted his thoughts.
"Agent Nox the General has called"
Oren snapped and focused on the task at hand.
"Put him through"
Blast shots are heard, voices from wounded and dying soldiers.
"General Egroe here RSN do you read me?"
"Loud and clear General. What's the situation there?"
"We were ambushed!"
"What?"
"There were more Imperials here and more are coming."
"This is Republic territory. How are there more Imps?
"Worry about why they got here and not how. The Sith wreaks havoc. We need the Jedis help otherwise we're going to have a big problem"
"General, they won't come. They are afraid that if they evolve into this there will be a diplomatic episode."
"Blast them. I knew we couldn't trust them. Wait a sec. What? Damn it"
"What happened"
"Two unidentified troops fled the hangar. My guess is that they are heading your way."
"Oh great."
"How's the evacuation going?"
"Tosha made sure no one stays here she is sending the RSN files to the backup servers. We need 3 minutes, 5 max"
"You don't have that much time. Plant bombs and blow the place up. Do not allow the enemy to get this info."
"Yes sir"
"Oren when you are done come down here. We are going to need you. General out."
Oren was afraid but he was used to the feeling so he just neglected it and focused on what the General told him to do
"Tosha how long until you are done?"
"I need 1 more minute."
"Ok, you guys start planting bombs on this place, we have to bring it down fast."
"Yes sir."
Tosha was ready to leave the computer and help with planning the bombs when suddenly something happened.
"What's that?"
"Tosha tell me you are ready?"
" What the—oh no dude you ain't getting that!"
"Tosha what's going on?"
"Someone is trying to steal all the info from the backup hard drives."
"What? Is there something you can do?"
"Already on it."
Tosha is focused so much on the computer that doesn't listen to anything or anyone when she suddenly screams.
"YEAHHHHHH."
"What the in th-"
"I closed the drives and deleted any info on this unit. He can't get anything."
"I knew you were good but this-."
Tosha interrupted him.
"Shh. Listen, I managed to pinpoint the location of this "hacker". He is at the Duros Sector. If you want to get him now is your chance"
"Until I reach him he will be gone!"
"No he won't. I jammed every door, taxi or way out of there until you go there."
"How did you-"
"No time to eplain and even if I did you wouldn't understand. Now go. Once you are there I can lead you to his exact location."
"Yeah but the General-"
"Don't you see it. Those troops and Sith are just an distraction. The real culprit is the one that wants to get the info. Stop him and you stop the attack."
"Ok. But you can't lead me from here we have to blow this place up. There Imperials coming this way and we don't have enough man power to protect you."
"I'm gonna be fine. We'll set some traps and we are going to hold on as long as you need us. Am I right guys?"
"Yeah"
"Don't worry about us Oren go."
"We'll give those Imp dogs hell"
Oren was hesitating but he knew he could trust his mates.
"You better be alive when I return Tosha."
"You better stay alive if you want to return Oren. Now go."
Oren took his blasters and run to the nearest taxi driver. He got on one and he quickly drove to the Duros Sector. Once he got there he checked his earpiece to see if it was working.
"Tosha can you hear me?"
"Yep."
"Ok so where do I go?"
"Continue east to the Intelligence port Drazaal."
"That's where the Imperials used to operate when they had a base on Nar Shaddaa."
"I know this is why I suggest you take extra caution. They supposedly left this place when we discovered it but they might left some traps there."
"Ok, moving on then"
Oren moved on to the abandoned building fast. He entered with caution.
"Tosha you sure this is the place?"
"Yes, the signal's coming from this coordinates."
" What's going on?"
"Sir Are you Oren NoX sir?"
"I6, that's you?"
"Sir Yes sir!"
"Oren what is going on?"
"There is a droid here. I've saw it today before I came to the RSN, wait…
I6 what was your objective to only relay me the massage?"
"Sir yes sir. Sir I also was programmed to meet you here so I can relay another massage to you sir!"
"Oren, be careful there is something out of place there."
"What's the massage I6?"
"Sir you are late for the fireworks sir"
"Wha-"
The droid suddenly started beeping faster and faster.
"Oren what's that noise"
"The droid's gonna explode. I need to get out of here fast."
Oren starts running as fast as he can. The droid explodes bringing down the building to dust and debris.
"Oren, Oren do you hear me? Oren, Oren answer damn it."
"I'm alright Tosha. I got out on time."
"Thank the Force."
"Tosha listen to me, the attack at the Hangar was a distraction and this was a trap. Whoever planned this targets the HQ. You need to get out of there as fast as you can. The bombs that we planed are still in position?"
"Yes"
"Good, once everyone is out detonate them."
"Ok. What will you do?"
"I'll go assist the General."
"Ok. Hey Oren."
"What?"
"Be careful ok?"
"You know I will."
"Good luck"
Oren told Tosha that he would go help the General but he had to go back to the Nikto Sector where the RSN HQ was. He was late for a meeting. A meeting with the guy that sent I6-M7 with a massage. The guy that made that droid explode and almost killing him. He was nervous though. He didn't heard from the General for a while now and he was worried about how things were at the Hangar. He had to go and help but he couldn't help it but to be curious about who was that guy that wanted to meet him so he took the ride that brought him here and drove to Nikto Sector. Once he parked he went to the place he first saw I6. There were 2 guys waiting for him there. Both of them tall. One of them was wearing bounty hunter armor with a mask to conceal his face. The other was turned around watching the cantina that was used as a cover for the RSN. He was wearing an Imperial officer outfit. Oren saw them. He was ready to draw his blasters out and shoot them when the guy at the Imperial suit turned around.
"You finally came. Took you long enough."
"Give me one good reason why I shouldn't blast your brains out?"
"As hotheaded as Egroe told me you'd be."
"What business does an Imperial like you have with General Egroe?"
"So he told you nothing hah? Figures if we wanted this to succeed we needed secrecy."
"What are you talking about?"
"Lower your blasters so we can talk"
Oren didn't trust that Imperial but he lowered his blasters.
"If you try anything funny I'll kill you "
"Oh I'm sure you'll try. Call your HQ and see if the bombs are in place."
"Why should I listen to you?"
"Look there are already many casualties at this point at the Hangar so unless you want another guy to die you gonna do as I say."
"You son of a hutt, are you threatening me?"
"Just do it already"
Oren opened his com link.
"Tosha, Tosha can you hear me?"
"Yes what is it?"
"Are the bombs at place?"
"Yes we just finished."
"Good set the timer and leave."
"Ok. Setting timer to 1 minute."
"Get out of there now."
"Roger that."
Oren closed his com link fast to talk to the Imperial.
"Ok 1 minute before the explosion."
"Good"
He looked at his partner and said to him.
"Go back and make sure everything goes just as we planned."
The bounty hunter shook his head in a way that implied yes.
"Hey where is he going?"
"To make sure that no more blood is spilled!"
Oren was confused.
"Who are you?"
"Watcher 3 of the Imperial Intelligence."
"You were the one that sent that droid?"
"I6, yes I did."
"Why?"
"Well I couldn't just walk in here and talk to you could I?"
"What do you want? Why did you attack us? How do you know General Egroe?"
"You are asking too many questions and you're not letting me time to explain. This whole attack thing was just a cover."
"For what?"
"For this meeting?"
"I don't understand."
"Just let me finish boy. Like I told you this attack was just a cover for us to meet. The explosion from your HQ will signal my men's retreat. This whole thing was a trick to come here otherwise I would've been suspected back on Dromund Kaas."
Suddenly an explosion is heard
"Good the fireworks are in place"
"Those were the fireworks?"
"Yes now I don't have much time to spend here. I believe General Egroe has told you about Darth Pravus right?"
"He only told me about the mission to kill him."
"Good."
"How's good for an Imperial to kill his own boss?"
"We serve the Empire not the Sith. Remember that boy. Now for the mission. You see Darth Pravus is gaining power much more power than he can handle and this is a problem. A problem for both the Republic and the Empire. This is why we decided to work together for a while until this threat is neutralized."
"We are cooperating with the Empire"
"In secrecy of course. Not even our Emperor knows about this. Not even your Senate."
"Well if the Emperor knew about a plot to kill his son he would do something."
"If only you knew…. Now let's get back to the point. This whole operation has been on the shadows for quite some time, we were waiting for the right moment or more accurately for the right person to pull this off. Like I told you Pravus is growing strong so strong that he tries to create a new Empire. One to oppose our Empire and the Republic. If we allow this to happen then we are all doomed.
"Why would he do something like that?"
"I don't have much time to explain this I need to leave this star system to report back on Dromund Kaas you'll need to ask your General about this. I'm here for another reason. I need your answer."
"My answer"
"Yes I need to know if you'll take the mission so I can rally all who oppose Pravus. We need someone to do it and from what I heard from your General you are the right one."
"So what will it be?"
Oren was not just confused. He was frustrated, angry, clouded by his thoughts and many more things. He didn't quite understand everything Watcher 3 told him and he still had many questions that were unanswered but he knew he had to wait for the right time. He thought really hard about what to answer. At first he was going to say yes without much thought but now he had learned that even the Empire wanted Darth Pravus dead meaning there was way more on the back than just what the General told him. He didn't know if he was up to the task. The mission was difficult as it was and now it only seemed even more impossible. He didn't know what to do.
"I –I don't know."
"What."
"I said I don't know."
"I see so this is the guy that can pull off every mission hah…. You are nothing like I was told."
"The mission that I was supposed to take was different too you know."
"So what? The mission remains the same. Kill Darth Pravus. The only thing that changes is the outcome. You kill him the galaxy is safe from another war and a Tyrant, you fail and well…you can guess what happens next."
"I- I can't do this. This i- is far too dangerous!"
"I see. Well I've spent enough time here. It seems General Egroe was wrong about you, we'll need someone else to do it then. Now if you'll excuse me I have to leave."
Oren was shaking he didn't know many details about the mission but what he knew made him tremble. Could it be true? A threat so big Empire and Republic had to join forces if they wanted a chance to win? He was shaking. Watcher 3 was ready to enter a vehicle when he shouted to him.
"Wait…"
"Huh"
"I-I'll do it"
"Excuse me, I didn't catch that."
"I said I will do it. I will take the mission."
"Is that si. What changed your mind? The glory, the money or the sheer pleasure of doing your job?"
"A promise."
"A promise you say?
"Yes. One that I made a long time ago."
The watcher was surprised by what Oren said. Oren himself was surprised to accept. He knew the risks of failure and what would happen if he succeeded but there was a promise he couldn't afford to brake. That's what kept him going all these years. That promise he made 6 years ago to her….His sister.