Javen
I was sitting at my desk thinking over what just happened when Jorgan barged in. He threw more reports on my desk before heading for the flask and grabbing his usual chair.
He popped off the cap and handed to me before snickering and saying, "Hell, Dorne really got you."
I grabbed the flask from him. "Keep laughing buddy, you know shit rolls downhill. If I'm pissed, everyone suffers, especially a smartass XO," I added before taking a swig.
"Unbunch your panties," Jorgan said as he snatched the flask and took his own drink.
"Easy for you to say, you're not the one Elara's upset at."
"So it's Elara now," he asked, laughing again as I took the flask back. "You got nothing to worry about boss."
"And why's that," I demanded after taking a large drink. I made a mental note to refill it at the next port call.
"Because first off, she called you Javen," he stated matter of factly. "Do you really think she'd do that if she were mad?"
"You may have a point," I grudgingly conceded.
"Second," he continued, "from where I was standing I could see she was trying not to laugh her ass off as she made her way to the med bay."
"I still feel like an ass."
"You should," he said taking the flask. "That's usually something you don't admit to most girls. Fortunately for you, Dorne isn't most girls." He took a final swig before handing it to me and rising. "Look, I just wanted to make sure you were good. Dorne has the best sabaac face I've ever seen, but I promise you she isn't offended."
"I hope you're right," I said taking a final swig as Jorgan walked out.
As punishment for messing with me the night before, I took Jorgan around Hoth with me as we helped Sgt. Yuun with his mission of reconstructing the Umbra Encyptor. He wasn't thrilled to be out there, but we were able to get the pieces quick enough and were soon heading out with the newest member of Havoc Squad.
I stepped onto the ship with Jorgan and Yuun trailing me just to run into Vik.
"Hey boss man, next time you need me to stay behind, can it be with someone other than the medic chick? She may be hot, but if I hear one more thing in that uptight voice about how I got another batch of paperwork…"
"Ah, Specialist Vik, there you are," Elara said coming around the corner. "I have been looking for you. You had made an error on the first page of the medical paperwork that unfortunately affected all the rest of them. I am afraid you will have to redo all of it."
"Are you fucking kidding me," Vik demanded.
Jorgan got right in his face and said, "The next words outta your mouth had better be 'I'll take care of it' or some variation or so help me I'll shove your sorry ass out the airlock, Garza's need for a demolitionist be damned."
The two had a staring contest for a minute before Vik turned toward Elara, took the pad she was holding out and mumbled, "I'll take care of it."
"Thank you," she replied as he started to walk away. "There's no real rush, I just need it before we start our next assignment."
"If you'll excuse me," Jorgan said as he walked away. "I need to go get something hot to drink. Not all of us were made to be romping around in the snow all day like the blue boy here."
"Funny thing about that," Javen said as soon as Jorgan was out of earshot, "Chiss are not actually 'made' for a colder climate."
"Really," Elara asked, intrigued.
"Our blue skin comes from a mineral our home world, but we're no more adapted the cold than humans."
"Interesting," she said, mentally cataloging what I had just said before turning to our newest member. "You must be Sgt. Yuun. I am the team's medic, Sgt. Elara Donre. I look forward to working with you."
"We look forward to exploring the path with you as well," Yuun replied.
"If you need anything, please let me know. I have some basic medical paperwork you need to fill out. I will get it to you after you settle in; it should not take you more than a few moments. I will not take up any more of your time."
Yuun bowed and headed into the ship.
"If Yuun's paperwork will only take a few moments, why has Vik been working on it all day," I asked, confused.
She made a disgusted face before saying, "I got so tired of him continuously checking out my backside that I started making documents up. The objective was twofold: first, he would be so busy filling out needless paperwork he would not have time to check me out, and second he would avoid me to avoid more work."
"Good thinking," I said, laughing. I sobered up before saying, "Look, about the conversation before Hoth…"
She interrupted me by putting her hand on my arm. "I am sorry for teasing you as I did, but I am afraid I could not resist. The look on your face was rather priceless."
"You definitely threw me off," I said with a nervous laugh. "I just didn't want to offend you. Harkon spoke very highly of you, and after these months together it's easy to see why." I rendered her momentarily speechless with my words. Unfortunately, that was right when Jorgan popped his head back in, causing Elara to quickly drop her hand.
"Hey boss, we're getting an incoming transmission. It looks like it's from Garza, judging by the signal."
"I'll be right there," I said before turning back to Elara.
"I have work that I need to see to in the medical bay," she said, placing her hand on my arm again. "We can talk more once you are done with the general."
"You can count on it," I said with a smile as we headed in different directions.
I walked up to the holoterminal just as Jorgan was securing the connection. "Come in, General," Jorgan said once the connection had been established.
"I am afraid you are mistaken, Lieutenant," said a man in an Imperial uniform who appeared on the terminal instead. He was older and judging by the uniform was extremely high ranking. "Although not to worry, I do have my people patching her in. I would hate for you to lose precious time having to brief her."
"Who the hell are you," Jorgan demanded.
"Patience," the man said. "If you would, could you please get Sgt. Dorne to join us?"
Jorgan looked back at me before I nodded. As soon as he left, General Garza appeared on the line. "What the hell is going on," she demanded.
"We are just waiting for one more person, General, and then we can get started," the Imperial officer said patiently.
I saw Elara follow Jorgan out of the med bay just to stop and gasp. "Uncle," she asked breathlessly when she saw the figure.
"Elara, it is so good to see you," he replied. "I apologize for withholding information, but I did not want anyone to think there was any sort of regular contact between us. My niece is having enough problems from this Captain Kalor and I would not want to add to it."
"How would you know all that," Jorgan demanded.
"Because he's the Minster of Imperial intelligence," I answered. "You don't rise to that kind of position without power and in your world secrets are power."
"I have always admired the Chiss," he said with a small smile. It was easy to see the familial resemblance. "Master strategists, clear code of honor, not to mention your people know the value of a secret."
"I'll be sure to let the Aristrocras know you think so highly of them the next time I'm in town," I answered sarcastically.
"You are an anomaly among your people," the Minister continued. "Most would barely say a word, but here you are, talking back, sarcastic even. Your people have a strict policy not to engage unless provoked, and yet here you are serving in an offensive unit against their allies."
"What can I say? My brothers and I have always been special."
"Clearly," he replied tilting his head and looking me over. He sighed before saying, "But I digress, I am afraid I did not go through all this trouble to contact you just to talk about your people, Captain."
"What do you want, Minister," Garza demanded.
"I want to make a trade," he said, "a favor for a favor."
"You want to work with us," I asked suspiciously.
"One of my agents, Cipher 9, needs assistance, and due to reasons I am not prepared to divulge I cannot send a member of Imperial Intelligence."
"Why would you trust us," Jorgan demanded.
"You," the Imperial scoffed. "Do not flatter yourself Lieutenant. No, no, it is my niece I trust. Should General Garza order her to assist in any way possible I know she will. Honor would compel her."
"And why, may I ask, would I ever authorize such a thing," Garza asked icily.
"As I said earlier General, a favor for a favor. You help Cipher 9, and I help you. I have it on good authority you are after the Gauntlet. Now, I myself cannot give you any information on it without giving myself away. However, I know where a courier is headed who is transporting information you would find invaluable as we speak. Once I see that Cipher 9 has been taken care of, the information you need will be transferred to you."
"And why should we trust you," Garza asked.
"Believe it or not, General, we do have goals in common," he said releasing a heavy sigh. "I have never been one for a high body count. It is why I joined Intelligence over the military. There are easier, less bloody ways to accomplish one's goals that do not paint you as a villain, and that is all the Gauntlet does. The second thing we have in common is we both want to see the fall of the Sith Empire."
"You really expect me to believe that you want the destruction of the Empire," Garza demanded.
"Certainly not," he replied, "I just want to see the end of the Sith. I proudly serve my Empire and would gladly die protecting it, however the Sith just continue to cause it to rot. If they have their way, we will be in a constant state of war. Non-force users will be the ones to give their lives for the Sith Lords while they war amongst themselves for more power, catching even more innocents in the cross fire. Too many have died already. If it were in my power, I would stop the war with the Republic from even happening," he said wearily.
"Words don't mean much from the Intelligence community," Garza pointed out.
"Do you really think I would help my niece escape to a side I wanted to destroy? And then after a few years send her twin brother as well? I had plans for them to help me reform the Empire. Instead, they were betrayed by the Sith and their commanders and I had no choice but to help them escape. My only hope now is that they can help the Republic achieve large victories against the Empire."
"Why would you want that," Jorgan asked.
"Because it would cause chaos," Elara said softly, slowly putting the pieces together. "If we achieve a large enough victory there will be power vacuums created in both the military and Sith hierarchy. Imperial Intelligence could move their pawns into place while the Sith kill each other."
"Exactly right, my dear," replied her uncle proudly.
"How long do we have to decide," I asked.
"Not long, I'm afraid," he answered. "In 30 minutes Cipher 9 will signal you. I am sending you the frequency you are to reply with if you agree to help. Once Cipher 9 has left your ship, I will receive a signal and know to send you the co-ordinates."
"How do we know we can trust you," Garza asked.
"Trust," he asked, clearly amused. "Never trust anyone in my position. However, Elara can tell you I do not lie."
"It is true," she agreed, "he has never lied outright. However, he does manipulate the truth and leave out key details. Which is what you are doing now, Uncle. What are you not telling us?"
"I wish I could answer you, unfortunately it is something you will have to see for yourself." It was startling to see him change from the Minister of Intelligence to her uncle. He smiled at her with a mixture of fondness and sadness and said, "I am so sorry the Empire failed you, Elara. You had the power to help it return to its ideals of duty and honor."
"I am sorry too," she answered sadly.
"You were the best of all of us," he said sadly before slipping back into the role of the Minister of Intelligence. He schooled his features to show none of his earlier emotions and said, "You have 30 minutes to decide. I sincerely hope you make the right decision."
A/N: Anyone who's played other characters (Imp Agent for the upcoming chapter, others to follow) should start recognizing character names if they haven't already. It's just too easy to find a way to link each Hero's companion characters to another Hero's.