Usual stuff, I do not own Star Wars at all but I claim my OCs and storyline. Happy Christmas! This chapter will contain violence and unsuitable material hence the reason it's an M rating.
(DROMUND KAAS)
With my team spread across the galaxy, except for Broonmark who served as my bodyguard, I had few people to talk to. Being Emperor was a rather lonely business.
"I need new agents." I muttered to myself, sitting on my throne, "A new Emperor's Hand."
As the former emperor had been slain by a Jedi his Hand perished with him. I needed to remedy the situation and enlist a new elite team as my personal agents.
"Prepare my shuttle for departure." I contacted the private docking bay, "I shall be arriving momentarily."
(FOUNDRY)
Thanks to a reinforcement division of Sith and troops they were able to overwhelm Revan. Although the battle ended in the Empire's favour the Jedi seemed to escape as he vanished into thin air. How he managed that was uncertain but regardless the Foundry was claimed and the droids had been reprogrammed. Now the massive factory was churning out Empire loyal weapons as a fleet moved in to guard it.
Quinn and Pierce returned to their original duties and Xalek once again as Nox's apprentice.
For their success Quinn was promoted to Major and Pierce was put in charge of a black ops squad that was dispatched to investigate reports of Jedi sightings on Nar Shadda.
(KORRIBAN/TEMPLE)
My former mentor, Overseer Tremel, was in the middle of instructing a class on lightsaber techniques when a pair of Imperial Guard announced my arrival. Instantly the acolytes dropped to their knees and bowed to the ground.
"This is a great honour." Tremel bowed deeply.
"Rise." I gestured, "I have come to speak with you on a vital matter."
Tremel glanced at his students, "You have your assignments. Go."
Once they had left Broonmark and the Imperial Guard stood vigil outside as Tremel and I sat at his desk.
"I require a team." I fixed my gaze on him, "A team of Sith agents."
He looked surprised, "My Emperor, forgive me but, there are so many capable Sith already."
"No my old friend." I shook my head, "I need Sith that are not consumed by greed and jealousy. That is why I want you to pick acolytes you feel are most trustworthy and can work as one unit. The ones you select will face greater challenges than other Sith and you shall mentor the best fighters. I have already arranged for a close friend to tutor the ones most attuned to the Force in the ways of Sith sorcery."
His face seemed to brighten at the challenge, "If I may say so, I am a good judge of character."
I smiled, "You were certainly right about me."
"You were a great student. I will gladly provide you with the finest swordsmen I can find, though it may take time to assemble them."
"Each new acolyte will be inspected by you before the other Overseers. You will have first choice." I glanced at where his hand used to be, "I am counting on you."
We rose together and he bowed deeply, "I will not fail you."
(QUESH)
Vette could feel the blood pounding through her veins as she stared at the Republic team on patrol, "Take'em?"
"Patience." Jaesa whispered, "The soldiers are nervous but the officer is alert. You must remove him and their resolve will shatter."
Slow breathing and focusing. Vette crawled on her front to the edge of the bush and aimed her blaster at the officer's head. He was walking past them with his weapon half raised. In ten seconds he would be within a few metres of her and ripe for the shot. She could feel Jaesa slithering away to ambush the soldiers once their leader was dead.
Vette held her breath to steady her aim and fired. The bolt burned into the officer's head and he sank to the ground as the soldiers froze.
There was a hum as Jaesa's double bladed lightsaber ignited, followed by sizzling as she cut through the squad as though they were test targets.
"Well done Vette." Jaesa beckoned her out of the cover, "Let's move to a new spot."
(NAR SHADDA/IMPERIAL SAFEHOUSE)
"Her resistance to the drug is admirable." Raina informed Cipher Nine as he entered, "It will be some time before we can extract any information from her. Vector is standing guard."
Cipher Nine stared at the ceiling for a moment, "We ransom her."
"Then we follow her back to her boss." Kaliyo grinned, "And take him out."
"That could be a problem." Cipher Nine rose and stepped forward to look at his team, "Intelligence has confirmed my suspicions. The smuggler, the underworld leader, is not the real leader at all. This entire time a proxy has diverted attention."
His declaration was met initially with surprise, but being the professionals they were, they quickly recovered.
"Clever." Lokin stroked his beard, "We've been running around looking for entirely the wrong person."
"Regardless, we move ahead with the plan." Cipher Nine insisted, "By now they will know we have their crew member prisoner and are doubtlessly interrogating her. Intelligence will get a message to the leader about an exchange. The prisoner for a payoff. We plant a tracer and let them go."
Raina spoke up, "They will likely check for bugs and possibly change ships several times to throw us off."
"I already have a solution to that problem." Cipher Nine closed his eyes, "But it will be unpleasant, for me."
Ki frowned, "I can sense your awkwardness, what are you going to do?"
"I'll tell you when it's done." He promised, "Though you may not want to know." He beckoned to Scorpio, "You may begin the procedure, we'll do it in my study."
As the two disappeared into the room Kaliyo looked to Lokin, "What procedure?"
He shrugged.
(TWENTY MINUTES LATER)
Cipher Nine emerged from the back room where Scorpio had taken over guard duty from Vector. He looked slightly drained as he sank into a chair and grabbed a large ration pack which he proceeded to start devouring rapidly.
"Are you going to explain?" Kaliyo asked.
He held up a finger before finishing the ration pack, "If you must know."
"We must." Ki leaned closer.
"Scorpio implanted tiny probes into my body. Then delivered a slightly different batch to the prisoner, now there are tracking devices planted inside her that will send out a signal to the ones in me. Anymore ration packs?"
There was a mixed response. Ki, Raina, and Kaliyo looked queasy, Vector didn't seem affected, and Lokin looked impressed, "Ingenious." He muttered, "Simply ingenious."
"Before anyone says anything." Cipher Nine rummaged through a cupboard for something to eat, "The trackers are biological and will disintegrate over time."
The females left the room with Kaliyo muttering something about, "Getting a strong drink."
"I'm glad to see you've been using unorthodox techniques for the mission." Lokin nodded thoughtfully, "It is unlikely they will think to scan for organic bugs."
Cipher Nine lowered into a chair with a new ration pack, "It took a lot out of me, I mean it took a lot of energy. Scorpio told me I'll need to eat quite a bit to repair my system." He swallowed a mouthful of some grey mass, "See if you can make contact with the target to arrange a ransom point." He lifted a chunk of meat.
(QUESH/TOXIC LAKE GARRISON)
A loud argument had filled the air as Empress Vette and Commander Dorin locked up in a verbal sparring session. He was adamant that she was not to leave the base without approval and an armed escort as per orders from the Emperor.
Vette had insisted he could not order her to do anything, and that Jaesa was all the protection she needed.
Speaking of the Emperor's Wrath, she was standing to one side with her arms folded watching this in amusement. Her abilities assured her there was no ill intent within the area. Vette was enjoying the chance to argue with an 'uptight, rule-loving, Imp officer' while Commander Dorin was trying to enforce protocol and security for his assigned role, and would the Empress please stop making his job harder.
While her body senses were alert Jaesa allowed herself a brief moment to envision a man she had grown to love. She could see the uniform he wore so proudly, feel the regret and pain in him when they last spoke. It had not taken her long to realise that something he had done in the past still haunted him.
It was not entirely unforeseen; over the journeys with her master the crew had become close. Pierce and Quinn constantly arguing over tactics and strategy, Vette's jokes and cheerful attitude helping to keep everyone smiling, Broonmark and his tales of battles, it had taken her a while to feel comfortable joining an Empire team as a Jedi.
But they made her feel welcome. Vette had been delighted to have another woman in the team, and one who wasn't as uptight as most Imperial women.
As for Quinn, he had been distant at first; considering she had been a Jedi and tried to kill Malek when they first met it was expected. But after her first mission with their leader she sustained a nasty burn to the thigh which she tried to hide in the hopes that her master wouldn't view her as weak.
She had tried to patch herself up in the med bay only to have Quinn arrive and insist that she allow a 'properly trained medic' to fix her up.
At that point the burn had been painful enough to divert attention from sensing nearby presences, which explained why she had not sensed him approaching.
Not trusting him entirely with his offer of help, or whether she didn't want him getting to examine her legs, she had politely declined his offer and turned to hide the wound.
His response had been to state that she was part of the crew and as such was to be properly treated with the care and respect due any of them.
Relenting she had kept her robe wrapped around the leg with the only gap where the burn was. He had not complained about it making examination harder and instead applied a dressing on the wound and told her to return to the med bay in a few hours for him to apply a fresh dressing.
Over time her awkwardness faded and vanished entirely as he continued to treat her injuries suffered 'in the line of duty' as he put it. That reminded her of one occasion where he had returned to the ship with a broken leg from falling down a cliff after a pirate ambush.
By that time her healing abilities had grown strong enough to ease the pain and accelerate the repair to his leg while he complained bitterly that until his recovery was complete he was stuck on the ship.
She had playfully joked that he had his own nurse to look after him. At that he had looked politely surprised and glanced down at his bandaged limb before thanking her for the help and hobbling out of the room.
Predictably Quinn had been very vague about his emotions. In his line of work there was only the Empire and loyalty. Anything he felt came second.
But that didn't stop the two of them bonding while their master was exploring Hoth with Pierce and Vette. In his spare time Quinn had set about making a new piece of equipment for her.
Never forgetting her Jedi roots she still wore her robes in combat, the problem was that it was not as capable as armour and as such didn't do much in the way of protection. So to that end Quinn had created a shield emitting set of undergarments. Embedded in the metal linings were tiny generators and projectors that, when activated would create a thin shield around her person. It wouldn't do much against lightsabers or heavy weapons but it would stand up against standard blasters and rifles.
Her face had been as red as Malek's lightsabers when he presented them to her. Not angry, a Jedi didn't allow anger into their lives, but a mixture of embarrassment over the items he was holding, and feeling touched that he had went to such lengths to help protect her.
The shielding had helped immensely when the peace meeting on Tatooine was destroyed. Malek had wondered about how she had shielding technology on her person as Quinn and 2V-R8 had assisted them.
A smile twitched on her face as she recalled kissing Quinn's cheek after he patched her up and the look on his face.
Right there and then she promised herself, as Vette bounced away from Dorin with a bright grin on her face, that when next they met she could tell him her feelings and forget about it being very un-Sith like, and ignoring the sixteen year gap between them.
She would tell Quinn she loved him.
(HOTH)
"Why Hoth?" Cipher Nine grumbled, "Why did she have to pick the most annoying planet possible?"
Scorpio ignored him as she carried Akaavi over her shoulder, "We are approaching the meeting point."
"Good. The sooner I am off this planet and back in space the better." He stopped and sneezed, "Ugh, I hate the cold."
Again his mechanical companion ignored him.
They had come to a stop beside a beacon, "Where is everyone?" Cipher Nine asked as he pulled a handkerchief from a pocket, "They better not…achoo!" he sneezed.
Snow flew everywhere as four figures rose from hiding with their weapons trained on them. Two were Rodians, one was human, and the fourth was a Wookie.
The Wookie barked something at them and Cipher Nine looked at Scorpio, "What did he achoo!"
"'Release her Imperial dog'." She translated, "Shall I?"
"Don't let her go." Cipher glanced around at the ambushers, "I am here as agreed. Where is my money?"
The human, Corso Riggs, stepped forward with a case, "As per the agreement. In case you're hoping for support, don't bother. The weather and a few scramblers have your coms and trackers completely offline."
Cipher blew his nose, "In this state I just want the deal done and to get out of here."
Corso dropped the case in the snow, "Release her."
"Do it." Cipher waved a hand, "I keep my end of the bargain."
Scorpio lowered Akaavi to the ground in front of Corso and lifted the case. She opened it and scanned the credits, "Clean."
"Then let's get out of here." Cipher moaned, "I feel terrible. Next time don't let come here without thermal heating systems in my armour."
Both parties turned and walked away, though Cipher Nine had to pause and sneeze as he did.
"Enough of this." Scorpio grabbed the human and flung him over her shoulder, "We will arrive much sooner if I carry you."
Without waiting for a response she started running across the snow, with Cipher Nine complaining the whole way.
(KAAS CITY)
"And then we found this fossilised fang. It is at least several thousand years old." Talos waved his hands energetically, "Some form of large predator."
Arianna smiled politely at her loyal archaeologist and his over-the-top enthusiasm. Since Malek's advice she had started spending time with the rest of her crew and not just Ashara. So, she had decided to have lunch with Talos in the city as he returned from a dig site on Korriban.
"I'd say bigger than a rancor."
Only problem was he didn't know when to stop.
"That reminds me of a dig on Alderaan where-"
"Darth Nox?"
Mentally thanking the speaker Arianna looked up at an Imperial soldier standing to attention, "Yes?"
"Forgive the interruption ma'am, but there has been a duel between two Sith that resulted in a death. The victor was a Kaleesh who claims to be your apprentice; the issue is that his opponent was an apprentice to a Dark Council member."
Arianna beckoned Talos to follow her as the soldier led the way through the streets until arriving at the scene.
A ring of Imperial troops had cordoned off the area but jumped aside to admit her. Standing over a dead human was Xalek, he lowered to a knee as she approached.
"Mistress." He bowed his head.
"Rise," She gestured, "What happened?"
Xalek rose to his feet, "This human spoke atrocities against non-humans in the Empire, and you particularly. At that point I challenged him, the results are clear."
"Well done, my apprentice." Arianna purred, "These humans need to learn to fear us."
Talos scratched his chin, "Does that include me?"
"No, Talos." Arianna patted his shoulder, "You have proven useful to me so don't worry, unless you really mess up."
"Of course, my lady." He beamed.
Arianna turned to the soldier, "Who was this man's master."
"Darth Ravage."
"I will speak with him about the matter. Have the body removed."
Once the soldier was out of earshot Arianna frowned, "I need to make a call. Come with me."
The trio left the scene while Imperial personal tended to the body.
(KAAS CITY/CITADEL/DARTH NOX'S CHAMBERS)
Arianna sat at her desk and used a secure channel to contact one of her longest friends.
"Hi." Cipher Nine greeted, "It's good to see you again Ariachoo!"
"I take it you've got a cold." She smiled fondly at the human, "How're things with Intelligence?"
"What do you need?" he asked.
Arianna frowned slightly, "I am on the Dark Council, and you will address me with respect."
There was silence until they both started laughing, though Cipher ended up coughing and spluttering.
"It's great to hear from you again, Darth Nox." He inclined his head, "Been too long, how can I help?"
"My apprentice killed Ravage's apprentice. I need political help."
"Go out with me?"
"We've been down that road before. You're not my type."
Cipher Nine folded his arms, "You didn't tell me that when I was helping you track down Thanaton's agents across the galaxy."
"Look, I know you've liked me ever since we first met on Dromund Kaas but you're going to have to accept that I don't love you." She could tell that, even though his facial features didn't move, her words deeply hurt, "I'm sorry, Cipher Nine."
"I am tracking a smuggler under the Emperor's orders." He muttered, "Once I've dealt with them then I'll give you a hand."
"Thank you." She held her tongue before she risked saying his real name over even a secure channel, "Darth Nox, out."
Once the hologram faded she rested her head on her arms on the desk. Memories rose unbidden of when she and Malek had just arrived on this planet so very long ago...
(FLASHBACK/DROMUND KAAS)
"The capital of the Empire." Malek stared around at the towering buildings, "Impressive."
Arianna nodded in agreement, "Someday this will be the capital of the entire galaxy."
"One step at a time." Malek fixed his gaze on the command structure, "First we must rise through the ranks, proving ourselves to the Empire."
"A wise strategy indeed."
Malek and Arianna ignited their lightsabers and turned to find a young man leaning casually against a railing. He was dressed in a standard Imperial uniform and watching Arianna intently.
"Identify yourself, human." She demanded, "I am Sith and order you to tell me."
The newcomer raised an eyebrow and shrugged, "You don't know me well enough to get my name. Shall we say a picnic in the jungle?"
Both Sith glanced at each other in confusion as they deactivated their weapons, "What?" Malek frowned.
"Oh, is she your girlfriend?"
Arianna rolled her eyes, "No I am not." Then her assertive tone returned, "How dare you ask these questions of a Sith."
"Relax." The stranger stepped forward and extended a hand, "I'm Cipher Nine, Imperial Intelligence. I answer to Darth Jadus and him alone."
Malek shook the hand, "I am Malek, apprentice to Darth Baras. This is Arianna, Zash's apprentice."
Cipher Nine extended his hand to her, "Pleasure."
With a sigh she reached out, only to be surprised that he kissed her hand, "It seems I may have the wrong idea of you, human."
"Arianna, you do know I'm human right?" Malek asked matter-of-factly.
"You and I are a team, don't take it personally." She smiled, before turning back to the Cipher, "Is there something you need or are we done here?"
He scratched his chin, "Actually there is something we all can do, together. In the jungle there are a series of runes depicting the Sith code which need to be taken to a shrine. If you're up for it we could go and do that, it'll give us some training and help us get noticed."
Malek nodded, "I'm in."
"I suppose I could use an easy job." Arianna shrugged, "But I want to know your real name before you join our group."
Cipher Nine smiled, "My name is-"
(END FLASHBACK)
"Mistress?"
Arianna jerked upright as Ashara entered her chambers, "What is it?"
"I am sorry if I interrupted." The Togruta bowed her head, "But Darth Ravage has been informed of the situation and is demanding you to make contact."
"I guess I better before he takes this as an act of war." Arianna rubbed her eyes, "After I deal with him I want you to accompany me back to the ship. I need some rest."
Ashara raised a facial marking, "You sleep better if I'm nearby?"
"Very much so."
Her apprentice bowed, "Then it is my great pleasure to help you."
"Now that that's sorted let's go deal with Ravage."
(HOTH ORBIT/PHANTOM/CIPHER'S ROOM)
"Achoo!"
Raina entered the room cautiously with a steaming bowl, "I brought you some soup."
Her usually inspiring leader was curled up in bed surrounded by tissues with a red nose and continuous sniffling.
"Thanks." He mumbled past his blocked nose, "All the high tech and healing powers we have and there isn't a cure for the cold. This is pathetic."
Raina set it down on his bedside table, "Ki's healing powers didn't work then? What about Lokin, didn't he have an idea?"
"He wanted to stick something experimental in me." Cipher Nine took a spoonful of soup, "That's nice, thanks."
She smiled, "I just hope you get better soon, sir. If you need anything, just call."
Just as she reached the cockpit there was a call from Intelligence. The bugs had tracked the criminals back to a remote part of space.
"We should set a course." Scorpio joined her, "Before the trail goes cold."
Raina nodded, "Alright. I just hope Cipher's presence is not required."
"Our combined force will be sufficient to deal with any obstruction." Scorpio assured her, "Charting course now."
As the AI interfaced with the ship's system Agent Temple found herself wondering if they weren't about to be led into a trap.
"Jump commencing."
Stars elongated as the Phantom made the jump to lightspeed.
(DROMUND KAAS/CITADEL/DARK COUNCIL CHAMBER)
"This is clearly an act of aliens trying to establish themselves within the Empire." Ravage paced back and forth with his hands clasped behind his back, "This alien and her apprentice must answer for an unprovoked attack on my powerbase."
Arianna stood opposite him while the other members sat on their respective chairs. Most of them were in contact via hologram and looked bored already.
"The point is fair." Darth Marr agreed, "Even if Ravage's apprentice did insult non-humans, and you specifically, that is no reason for your apprentice to duel and eliminate him."
"My apprentice challenged his to a fair duel between two fighters. Mine was victorious and his was defeated. While it would have been correct to spare the human my apprentice is not so merciful, nor as forgiving."
Eyes flicked over to Ravage as he clenched a fist, "I will not push this further, but I assume your pupil will be punished for his deeds?"
"He will receive what he deserves." Arianna smirked, "Maybe this time you will pick a worthwhile apprentice and not just the only human in the group."
"You see how she mocks our species?" Ravage appealed to the other members, "This alien has been a member for several months and already has the audacity to look down on us when before she was a mere slave only fit for licking my boots."
Coils of lighting surged around Arianna's fist as she glared at him, "I suggest you tread carefully or I will show you why I am to be respected."
With a grunt of contempt Ravage glanced around, "Does anyone else have anything to say?"
There was no response, though several members were giving Arianna suspicious looks.
"Council adjourned." Darth Marr boomed, "Ravage, I would speak with you."
Arianna swept out of the room to find her two apprentices waiting for her.
"How did it go?" Ashara asked.
"They're a bunch of human loving jackasses Ashara. I may have a seat on the council but aliens will always be second-rate to them." Arianna led the way out of the building and into the fresh air, "The only thing stopping them from all openly denouncing me is that I am good friends with Malek, and since he's a human they don't question him."
Xalek bowed his head, "I apologise for causing you trouble, mistress."
"You need not apologise my apprentice." Arianna looked up at the sky, "We will fight and earn the respect we deserve from them. For now be on your guard, I suspect Ravage will not take this without a retaliation."
(PORT NOWHERE/PHANTOM)
"I hate this." Cipher Nine muttered, "I look like a pirate."
As it turned out his cold was only a side effect of the procedure Scorpio performed on him, now that his body had regained its energy after rest and plenty of food the cold had left.
For this undercover assignment he had neatly folded his uniform on his bed and donned a brown jacket over body armour with matching combat trousers and a pair of boots, completing the look was a scar running down the right side of his face, which was now a healthy tan rather than his usual pale.
"You should wear this stuff more often." Kaliyo stepped back to examine her work, "Though you may want to relax a bit."
Cipher allowed his shoulder to drop a bit and bent his knees slightly, "I'll see what I can find. Maintain radio silence except for emergencies."
His team nodded dutifully and returned to their stations as he disembarked from the Phantom.
(PORT NOWHERE/STREETS)
Sometimes it was nice to get away from Imperial law and just pretend he was someone who didn't care about it.
As he strolled past merchants, vendors, thugs, even what he suspected was a gang hideout, it was almost his sort of place, except for the terrible smell and lack of order.
His instincts guided him to a club with more neon lights than Nar Shadda and four bulky guards at the door. As he approached the line a frustrated voice came from the front.
"Come on, let me in."
One of the guards shoved the human away and he took the hint. As he passed, Cipher heard him mutter, "This place is worse than Omega."
The line moved more quickly and soon Cipher found himself stepping into a large two floored room with the ground floor being the dance floor and the upstairs balcony as a cantina. He ascended the steps and sat at the bar where a Rodian bartender looked at suspiciously.
"Yes?" he asked.
"First time here." Cipher glanced around, "What you got?"
The suspicion grew, "What you need?"
"I'll take a Sonic Screwdriver." (Look it up. It's an actual drink in Star Wars.)
"Coming up."
As the bartender moved away another figure arrived. A female Mirialan in combat armour, she had short dark blue hair and the usual diamond shaped facial markings around her green face and over her nose. With a sigh she sat down a few seats from Cipher.
"Usual." She muttered.
Unbidden Cipher Nine found himself rising and moving over to her, "Mind if I join you?"
She examined him for a moment then indicated the seat next to her, "Sure."
"I take it you're here quite a bit." The Imperial agent remarked, "Personally it's my first time."
"First time and you're already hitting on women in a bar." She grinned, "Gutsy."
He raised an eyebrow, "If you don't go for it, you don't get it."
"No guts, no glory."
"Exactly."
After another moment of examination she extended a hand, "I'm Zhara, who would you be?"
"I'm Cobern." He lied fluently, after many years of practise it was easy, "Came here looking for work."
"What kind?"
Cipher Nine shrugged, "I heard this was the headquarters of the underworld crime lord, figured I'd show up and see if they needed another set of hands."
"You got a ship?" she asked, "Or did you come with someone else?"
"Actually." He lowered his voice, "My ship got trashed by Imps, and I got a lift with a buddy who owed me a favour. He reckons I got get a job here, fix up my ship, then get back in business."
Zhara took a gulp of her drink, "And what business would that be?"
"I deliver questionable items past Imps, Republic, Hutts, you name it."
"So you're a smuggler."
"I'm also going to be a famous singer."
That got a snort of laughter despite her attempts to conceal it.
"Okay, tell you what." Zhara tapped the bar for a refill, "I don't normally do this but, I know some people that are looking for pilots and cargo runners. I could make a call and get you hired."
Cipher Nine blinked in surprise, "You'd do that?"
"I like you." She admitted, before draining her glass, "Something about you is interesting."
"Must be my dashing good looks and natural charm."
Zhara rolled her eyes in amusement, "Of course if I help you I want something in return."
"I'd expect nothing less." Cipher nodded, "Credits? Free transports on my ship?"
"We'll discuss the details in private." She rose to her feet, "Come with me."
With only a hint of hesitation he followed.
(TEN MINUTES LATER/ APARTMENT)
Cipher found himself pressed against the wall as Zhara kissed him. His body went into autopilot as his hands started removing pieces of her armour while she removed his jacket.
"You're really aggressive." He muttered as she pulled him away from the wall only to slam him into another one, "I like that."
Zhara gave a brief grin and allowed him to remove her armoured sleeves and drop them to the floor, "You're precise. A sniper's trait."
"What can I say, I like to hit the target." He teased as his fingers infiltrated her trousers and unbuckled them as she wrapped her arms around his neck.
(PHANTOM/CONFERENCE ROOM)
"Come on, I like it rough."
"Alright then, brace for impact."
When the moans started up Kaliyo hit the mute button, "He is such a show-off."
"Actually he is quite effective." Scorpio remarked, "The female could have useful intelligence."
Raina glanced up from her latest assessment report, "Un-mute it in case he needs help."
"What am I supposed to do? Tell him where to put it?" Kaliyo folded her arms, "Believe me, he knows where to put it."
Scorpio watched the two organic females glaring at each other, "I see, you are competing for the affection of our leader because of the sexual abilities he has used on you both."
That remark had Kaliyo and Raina both looking awkward and Scorpio feeling pleased with herself for deflating the situation, "If it makes either of you feel better I enjoyed my experience with him as well."
Now the awkwardness had escalated, both organics were looking for an escape route, "Well that's great, but I have to, uh..."
"If you like I could substitute for the Cipher and perform in his place with you both."
"Excuse me?" Lokin peered in, "I require assistance, could one of you-"
"Yes!" both Kaliyo and Raina rushed out of the room, leaving the doctor perplexed.
Scorpio smiled, "I told them I would engage in intercourse with them."
Lokin stared.
"That was a joke."
(PORT NOWHERE/APARTMENT)
"Oh Cobern, that was something else." Zhara's green hand rubbed against his chest, "Maybe I should make sure your job keeps you here, waiting for me each time I come back."
He wrapped an arm around her naked shoulders, "I bet you've got a guy waiting for you in every port."
"Actually, no." she snuggled closer to him, "You're the first in that group, or maybe I should bring you with me, across the stars, raiding the Imps, living on the edge, think of it."
There was a bleep on her communicator that was lying on the floor beside his boots, "Hang on, I'll be right back."
As she rolled out from under the sheets Cipher sat up to mentally take a few pictures of her and save them in the storage device embedded in his skull, it was a useful way to remember things perfectly.
"Yes?" she slipped an earpiece in, "What is it?"
Despite his continuing examination of her toned physique Cipher Nine noted that her nostrils twitched slightly, indicating a sudden intake of air. Whatever she was hearing was bad. He quickly grabbed his underwear and pulled them on.
"Really?" she bent down on the pretence of lifting her clothes, but instead gripped a blaster, "I'll deal with it."
There was a blurring motion as Zhara spun and fired a bolt at the Imperial agent. He ducked and the bolt flew over his head, "Hey!"
"Don't move you Imperial dog." She hissed as the blaster was levelled at him, still utterly naked and not embarrassed in the slightest, "Give me one brilliant reason I shouldn't kill you right now."
With his hands raised he got to his feet and stood facing her, "Because I have no problem with you. I only came here to find the underworld boss."
"Found her." Zhara smirked, "I'm the boss."
"Seriously?" he lowered his arms, "Out of all the beautiful girls I end up in bed with you?"
Zhara shrugged, though her aim didn't waver, "I guess you intrigued me, now I see why, Imperial scum."
"Listen Zhara, when I came here it was to capture you. Now that's the last thing I want."
Her hand twitched slightly, "What do you mean?"
"As hard as this may be to believe, I like you. The intelligence, the fiery passion, your loyalty to your crew," Cipher spread his arms, "If your hatred of me, not the Empire, but me alone, is that great then shoot. If not then let's talk."
As he predicted she lowered the blaster, "I might as well hear what you've got to say. You stay here while I get dressed." She grabbed her clothes and was about to disappear into a side room when he bounded across the room and seized her wrist.
First it was anger in her eyes, before he gently stroked her cheek, "You don't need to be dressed for what I have to say."
The clothes and blaster hit the floor as she jumped on him and wrapped her legs around his waist, "Let's talk then." She grinned.
General Herbison: Cipher's got some moves huh?
Arianna: Is he always such a smooth operator with the ladies? Oh wait, yeah he is.
General: As for you, are you trying to get the Dark Council against you?
Arianna: I don't care what a bunch of humans think about me.
General: I'm human, Cipher is human, Malek is human, I could go on.
Arianna: Yeah well you three are in a small group of humans I don't hate.
General: Okay then, please review readers. Till next time.
