I decided to change this line of stories from single posts to posting them all in the same storyline. The stories may come out of order, or they may skip large portions of the story. Mostly they will cover whatever Kara and Vector think is important to relate about their time together. I'll make sure it is clear when and where each takes place.

This on takes place on Alderaan.


We stand, our eyes closed, absorbed into the nest's song of new life. It distracts us from our thoughts of the Empire's mission for us. It has been months since we had heard from the Empire. And usually, as with this last contact, it is by electronic mail. We used to communicate by holocommunicator, however we think our appearance unsettles our superiors in the Empire. They would rather think us still an unaffected emissary to the Killiks-actually, we believe they would rather not have to think of us at all. But duty calls.

The nest heralds the agent's arrival as she walks up the winding caves where they work. Spinning Leaf announces her, annoyance in his tone. But it wasn't necessary. We could feel the presence of her aura, like a soft whisper as we stand facing away from her. "Yes, this is the one as the song schedule determined." We steel ourself. We've never relished greeting Imperials for the first time. The look of revulsion when they see our eyes, when they hear us use the third person is...unpleasant to us. But the nest sends love and acceptance through our shared consciousness. You are the Dawn Herald and you are cherished here. Be our voice to these outsiders, but do not fear them. You are special and you are mine. Our Queen. And we are touched that she would choose speak to us personally when we know how occupied her time and efforts are with preparing her children for the expansion of the nest.

"We are Vector Hyllus, Dawn Herald of the Uroboru nest." We straighten our posture and approach our visitors. We obscure our eyes from view as we approach. "Pleased to make your acquaintance, Agent." We look up directly at the woman in front of us, awaiting the inevitable reaction. She pauses only a split second. In that time we study her. We are a bit surprised. Her aura is a rich shade of violet. It is rare that people display complex colors. Most are the base colors-red, yellow, blue. Only those with more depth, more complexity to their minds, their personalities tend to produce auras with complex colors such as orange, purple and brown.

She erects her posture, clasping her hands in front of her in an official Imperial stance. "Cipher Nine. I'm with Imperial Intelligence." Her eyes remain fixed upon ours. No flinching or darting even indicating the desire to look away from our Joiner eyes. Only a slight flicker of her aura gives away her surprise at our appearance. She must be quite good at her work in Intelligence with such control over her reactions.

We feel the tension in our body relax and her eyes seem to be not just holding our gaze but examining us. We break the eyes contact, inclining our head. "Of course." Might as well bring the topic out in the open. "We trust our appearance doesn't disturb you. Our superiors in the Diplomatic Service find our Joining...disconcerting. But it was necessary. The Joining allowed us to share thoughts and senses with the nest, forging a bond between the Empire and Killiks." Why are we trying so hard to justify ourselves to her? Perhaps because she's the first Imperial to actually look at us, to take us seriously since the Joining. "The change is a small price."

Her aura shifts from violet toward magenta and we feel it brush against us lightly. The feel of it is like velvet whispering across our skin. The corner of her mouth turns up at the corner as her posture relaxes and the green of her eyes deepen. "Changed or not, you clean up well."

Is she laughing at us or with us? we wonder. "You are very kind," we reply a bit confused. The nest helps by bringing memories to our awareness-ours from before the Joining as well as those of others. Understanding comes to us, although it's a bit unbelievable. Is the Cipher actually flirting with us? We used to be so good at that game-the witty repartee with double meanings and innuendo. But after so long in the nest, away from that life… "We would rub forearms, but it might not...translate," we try to tease. Damn. That was lame. But still her mouth quirks up and we see a perceptible shake to her shoulders. She is stifling a chuckle! She understood us despite the oblique reference. We stand frozen in amazement and disbelief.

Spinning Leaf wakes us out of our reverie. Stop making eyes at the dumb outsider and get to the point so they can leave. They give me the creeps. He didn't say it is so many words, but the meaning was clear through our bond. We blink at him for a moment then return our focus back to the woman. "Imperial Intelligent provided us with a list of names, dates and locations connected to your terrorist financier."

Her posture returns to that crips erect stance of Imperial officers, her aura having shifted again, this time to a plum shade. We feel a bit sad that the small smile has left her face. "Do you have an ID on the target?" she asks, all business now.

Part of us wishes that we had more direct information for her. But part of us is glad that the hunt will take a bit more time and collaboration with this intriguing woman. "We can't identify the financier himself, but your information shows that he has visited House Organa, House, House Panteer, and House Cortess. Cortess is a vassal of the Empire's proxy, House Thul. If you should give the Cortess Barron a copy of our findings, he might close in on your foe."

"If I could manipulate a Hutt, I can handle a Baron," she replies with self-assurance.

We only just met the Agent, but from the little information gathered, we have no doubt of that. We try to suppress a smile, but aren't completely successful. "A Hutt. Indeed." We hear the song of the nest rising again. We are pulled by the desire to add to the chorus. "We must proceed to the Dance of Unlighting. But we'll remain here for the duration of your mission." We almost turn to leave, but we feel there is something more that we could offer to the woman. Our expertise as a diplomat and one that has come to know the Alderaanian nobility well. "We suggest that you present yourself to Cortess as an ally of the Empire. Show strength and don't mention your Intelligence connections."


We walk down the twisting corridor of the cave toward its entrance. I barely notice the length of the walk as I'm wrapped in thought about the encounter with the Killik Joiner, Vector. My companion is not, however, given to quiet contemplation. "I have two words for you, Agent." I look at her, my eyebrows raised. "Creeeee-peeeey."

I look at her. "So you were employed to serve Hutts in a variety of disgusting tasks and that creeps you out?"

"I know you have to pass eye exams for that Intelligence service of yours. You can't tell me you missed those eyes." She shuddered.

I smirk at her, my tone matching my expression. "Now, Kaliyo, I know I've seen Chiss men exit your suite. And their eyes are entirely red. Red, black, what's the difference?"

"The difference is that red is like blood. And I like blood. Black is just...just like it has two deep pits in its head where eyes should be." She closed her eyes and shook her head, as if to fend off the memory. "I can't believe you were actually flirting with it!"

I want to roll my eyes but I resist. I keep my tone calm instead. "Kaliyo, first Vector is a he, not an it. And you've been with me long enough to know that I'll use seductive persuasion wherever necessary to ensure our success. In my experience sex works better than violence. You know the old saying. 'You catch more bees with honey'."

"I'd rather use a giant fly-swatter in this case." She looks at me sideways. "But I like violence. And sex."

My laugh comes out as a snort. "For you, violence is foreplay."

She laughs with me. "You know me too well."