Spy Vs. Spy (Part Fourteen)
"Is the blindfold really necessary? It's not as if I'm planning a return trip," One griped.
"You know what? My mistake." Theron rounded the stuncuffed cipher and tugged the blindfold over his mouth and knotted it more tightly. "Should've gagged you instead. Now maybe you'll shut the kark up."
One's raspy laughter escaped from under the greasy material. Theron seized One's left arm above the elbow and hauled him toward the safehouse's entrance.
The door creaked open and Theron hurried inside, his prisoner in tow. The door clanked shut behind them and Balkar glared at the cipher, his eyes hardening as he appraised the enemy agent. "I've got just the room for our guest. C'mon. Let's take care of the trash…so we can grab a drink."
"Quite the place…" Theron mumbled as they wrangled One into the fortified cell at the end of the corridor. Cob webs shivered above them in the draft created by their movement. The cell and the adjoining hallway reeked of a decade's worth of piss and vomit, the stench thoroughly embedded into the pores of the permacrete. Black mould and fungus the size and shape of half credits sprouted up the corner of one wall and the toilet next to it made a constant dripping noise.
"It used to be the local drunk tank, back when Rishi actually had law enforcement. I've made a few improvements here and there—made it more homey if you catch my drift." Balkar tugged on one of the durasteel bars to test its durability and found it solid. "You're goin' nowhere fast sunshine."
Theron kicked One in the rump effectively shoving him face first into the permacrete wall. One pushed off the toilet to stand and stumbled over to the meager cot in the corner. His lower lip was blue and parous with blood.
"Home sweet home, you tea sucking sonvuabish."
Balkar clapped Theron's shoulder. "C'mon…let's get you a proper welcome home."
Lana sped up her gait, at the sound of their voices. At seeing Theron, she froze, her gaze locking with his. "Theron, you made it." She rushed forward to embrace him.
"Good to see you too Lana." He looked taken aback by her joy but returned the hug, his eyes closing as he lingered against her. "Really good."
She drew back, holding him at arm's length, her gaze skipping over him. "You look all right…you're not hurt?"
"Nah, I'm fine." He gave her arms a squeeze and took a step back. "I've got both of you to thank...there was a time I didn't think I'd see either of you again."
"I can't tell you how relieved we are to see you safe. You must be hungry and we have a lot to talk about."
"Give him a chance to catch his breath, get some kri'gee into him first."
Lana beamed. "All right, I'll leave you to it…we do have something of a welcome planned tonight. I hope you're up for it Theron."
"Normally…not a party guy…but I wouldn't miss this for anything."
One groaned on the cot. His arm hung over the edge, his manicured fingertips grazing the stone floor.
Lana glanced past Theron and into the cell. She paled and her mouth fell open. Her gaze shot over to Balkar. Her brows pinched. "Is that what you meant…by spoiling the mood?"
"Yeah…I…uh…I didn't want to overshadow Theron's homecoming…I gave you the good news…figured I'd save the bad for later and…here it is…" Balkar raked his hand through his hair, his cheesy grin only making him appear more sheepish.
"You should've told me straightaway. I don't like being caught unaware."
Theron's gaze volleyed between them and suddenly he felt like a third nacelle. "I think you're right…looks like we've got a lot to talk about."
Balkar nodded. "Yeah…why don't we get that drink, huh?" He clapped his arm about Theron's shoulder and steered him down the hall away from the cell.
Lana's gaze wafted toward the cell and lingered a moment before she followed them out of the jail. "Theron, there is someone I'd like you to meet, she's been a great help to us…"
Theron shrugged. "Sure thing…Jonas said you had a team."
"You'll meet the others tonight at dinner, but I think private introductions are best in this case," Lana said. "This way…"
Nine sat hunched over the command console, her chin resting on interwoven fingers. The faraway look in her eyes suggested she was somewhere else. She heard voices and movement in the hall and glanced at the door to find Lana, Balkar and Theron Shan standing there.
Nine stood. "Is there something I can do for you?"
"No, but I'd like to introduce you to our friend, the one you so graciously agreed to help us find. This is Theron Shan…" Lana stood between them as she made the introduction.
Nine offered her hand but her smile didn't quite reach her eyes. "It's nice to meet you at last…you can call me Nine."
Theron stared at her hand as if he expected it to bite. "You..." His brows etched together in a frown.
Nine cleared her throat and took back her hand after he rebuffed her gesture. "I'm sorry you have me at a disadvantage…"
"You infiltrated the SIS…you're Legate. You killed Ardun Kothe. Don't bother denying it, I managed to salvage the security captures from Quesh."
Balkar and Lana exchanged uncertain looks. "Theron…she's an ally…" Lana pleaded.
"Some ally…she murdered my mentor and his team in cold blood."
"I won't deny it, but Kothe was no angel. He did his share of unsavory things too. He somehow managed to acquire and use a brainwashing code against me to turn me into his little puppet. I did horrible things because of him. I'd love to know how he got his hands on an Imperial brainwashing code."
Balkar shifted his gaze between them and took a deep breath as ideas and connections formed.
"But you managed to break free, right? You could've shown him mercy," Theron growled.
"I wasn't feeling very damn merciful at the time. He used me…and because of him, both our governments might have been destroyed." Nine slashed the air before her with the edge of her hand.
"He was like a father to me!"
"And Shara, was a good friend to me. You trapped her and put her in carbonite…and now One has her…and maker knows what he's done to her…"
"C'mon…you two. This isn't dejarik. We start racking up all the wrongs the work makes us do…it's not gonna take us anywhere we want to be."
"Jonas is right…that was all in the past."
Theron exhaled heavily. "One doesn't have her…not anymore."
Nine frowned. "What are you saying?"
"I'm saying…she's dead."
"You killed her…" Nine's voice broke.
"No. She killed herself."
"Do you really expect me to believe that? Do you take me for a fool Agent Shan?"
"Shara helped me escape. She couldn't cope with what she'd become. The treatment you and your Keeper put her through didn't work. One planned terrible things…like merging her with that psychotic droid of his…Scorpio…"
"What?" Nine's mouth fell open. "Scorpio? That can't be."
"Well, it can. He planned on implanting Scorpio's consciousness into Shara's body. He claims it was to repair the damage the treatment did…but I had my doubts. Shara did too. That droid has been in on whatever he's been planning…has been all along," Theron said.
Lana blanched. "Scorpio was Nine's crew member. She had HK-51 and the children with her…and now they're all missing. Jaesa and Vette found nothing in their search."
Theron steadied himself against the communications console and shook his head. "Your droid…has my son."
"Both of the children…" Lana added.
"We'll get a plan together…we'll find them. I promise," Balkar said.
"Yeah…" Theron murmured, unconvinced.
"Scorpio is no mere droid…she's sentient. She exceeded her programming decades ago," Nine said.
"I don't care what you call that insane bucket of bolts, she's scrap metal if I ever get my hands on her."
Nine folded her arms and glared at the wall. "I thought I'd gotten through to her…"
"You can't reach crazy," Theron scoffed.
Balkar sighed. "There's something else…I think I may have figured out who gave your code to Kothe…"
"If you're thinking, what I'm thinking, I should've thought of it sooner," said Nine.
Jonas ran his hand over his stubbled jaw. "Sometimes the answer can be right in front of you, and you still don't see it. But we have him now…so we'll get to the bottom of it."
Lana paced. "It appears that we're going to be working together in the foreseeable future…Theron…Nine…can we count on you? Can we all work together?"
"Yeah…" Theron nodded reluctantly. "The kids are in danger…if they're even alive…"
"We'll find them," Nine said, her voice implying her promise. "But first…I need some time alone…to recharge."
"Yeah…me too." Theron's gaze fell on Nine as she started to leave. "There is one more thing…"
"What?"
Theron tugged Watcher Two's hair pin from inside his bracer. "Shara wanted me to give this to your Keeper but I have a feeling you'll be seeing him before I do. She also wanted to say thanks…to both of you for trying to help her…"
Nine took the pin and gazed down at at it. "You were there for her…at the end?"
"Yeah…"
Nine nodded and closed her fingers over the pin and left the room.
Lana watched her go, and sighed. "Why don't you two get that drink…and we'll see you at dinner. It really is good to have you back again Theron. Now, if you'll excuse me…"
Balkar eyed her curiously as she walked out. Instinct told him to go after her—find out where her mind was at, but something else argued in favor of letting her go. "Yeah, let's do that. I need a damn drink."
After working himself free of the gag, One lay on the threadbare cot and laced his fingers behind his head to form a makeshift pillow. He stared at the rutted ceiling—its deeply etched marks—six of them to be precise—reminding him of a different time—a time where he felt like he had the galaxy at gunpoint, and ready to surrender everything he wanted.
He stared at the marks long enough, that he found himself transported back in time.
The sun had made a rare appearance in Kaas City and the air smelled clean. The surrounding vegetation glistened, with spots of such vibrant intensity on the leaves it was hard to look at them for long.
Not only was he the best cipher in the business, he was also an overseer now, a position that would enable him to spend more time on Dromund Kaas with his fiancée, soon wife.
He would be able to cherry pick the next generation of agents to graduate from the intelligence program—and instill in them dangerous new values. Not every student was worthy of his trust, or the special instruction he offered after hours. This term, there was only one, a young woman named Ilia.
The day began as any other, except that he'd chosen to walk to work. He remembered he'd actually whistled a tune as he strolled into Intelligence, turning some heads. Few were ever that happy when walking into work at the Citadel. Almost as if conspiring against his mood, a messenger came to him, informing him that Keeper wanted a word.
Minutes later, One arrived and tapped the door frame. "You wished to see me Keeper?"
"Yes. Come in and shut the door." Keeper stood and summoned an astromech from the anteroom. "White noise for the duration of this conversation."
The droid warbled its compliance and set to broadcasting the camoflauging signal.
"What's this all about?" One clasped his hands behind his back and paced the office, his gaze fixed on his superior.
"Word has reached me, that you've taken it upon yourself to augment the curriculum and while I sympathize, perpetuating a certain ideal would be regarded as treason. I don't believe I need to remind you of the penalty if you were found guilty."
"Keeper…"
"I sincerely hope you're not about to stand there and deny it. I destroyed the proof myself an hour ago. Return to the approved curriculum at once and put an end to any enrichment programs."
"Is that all?"
Keeper's pale gaze bored into One. "There have been rumours…rumblings of favoritism. You've been spending a great deal of time with Ilia Alizarin. I don't traffic in gossip, but suffice it to say the rumours are typical of what one would expect when an overseer spends so much time with an attractive female student. I suggest you restrict your time with her. That will be all."
"No. That will not be all."
"I've gone to great lengths to protect you agent. You've worked hard to secure my respect, and you've built a formidable reputation…one that could take you to the Minister's chair one day. Don't ruin your chances with petty politics."
"It's more than politics. You know I'm right. We toil here day after day, we sacrifice. As you say, we are sanitation workers cleaning up after the Sith…we are deserving of far more than second class citizenry."
Keeper's eyes flashed dangerously. "I'm going to forget you said that. You have a bright future…I know your background and how you came to be here. It would be a shame if you were to lose everything. Now go."
"Did she tell you this? I need to know…"
"Watcher Two came to me…apparently your surveillance disrupter malfunctioned…and she witnessed your private class. She overheard everything between you and Ilia. Of course she came to me…"
Bish. "Did Ilia confirm this?"
"Yes, but only under threat of expulsion. Don't ruin two promising futures..."
"Expulsion…" One smiled wanly. "Such a polite euphemism for elimination."
"Take three days leave..."
"A suspension?"
"No…leave. A suspension would require an official reprimand on your record, and the reason for it."
One dropped his gaze. "Very well then Keeper. I'll resume the Sith approved curriculum upon my return. I appreciate your discretion."
"Dismissed."
His fingers curled to form a fist, tightening as he stalked out of Keeper's office. He whistled another tune as he took his leave of the building, hoping his seeming good mood would put any watercooler gossip off track.
He paused at the taxi stand and frowned.
He called her Ilia…
Inside the taxi, One brooded. What does the girl mean to him…he never refers to students by their first name. No matter…she betrayed me. I'll destroy her. His mouth twisted in private amusement. "And I know just how I'll do it too."
No sooner had he returned to his apartment, his door chimes sounded, announcing a visitor. "What now?" He snarled on his way to the door.
He threw back the door and fell silent for a moment before stammering a greeting. "M-Mister Beniko…what are you doing here? What I meant to say is…please do come in."
"This isn't a social call Quinn."
"I'll offer you a drink none-the-less."
"No drink. Last thing I need is to be even slightly impaired around the likes of you."
One snorted. "Fine. But I'm having one, with or without you." He crossed the room and poured himself two fingers of Tihaar and took a sip of the clear viscous liquor. "So what brings you here?"
"I want you to end it with my daughter."
"Why?"
"You're not a Force user. You hail from a lowly military family. And I know what your parents resorted to for credits. Absolutely appalling. My Lana is a different class of people. She is above you…and she deserves better."
One laughed. "You act as if you're so much better. You're a merchant…a respected and wealthy merchant at that, but you're no Force user. Surely you're not going to imply I'm after your daughter for her money or position."
"That could well be part of it. You're weighing her down. She can be so much more…perhaps one day, she might even sit on the Dark Council, but not with you by her side."
"Lana has no use for those stuffed shirts or their overblown titles."
"My girl is young. She's special and I intend to do all I can to secure her future…a future that doesn't include you."
"I suppose it's irrelevant to you, that I love her."
"Love can't protect against the evils of the galaxy. Only power can do that."
One slammed down his glass, the contents spilling over the sides. "Do you forget who you're talking to old man?" He advanced on the merchant and stared down at him. "I can make you disappear…utterly…completely, as if you never existed. I am a great deal more than you give me credit for. I am more than capable of protecting Lana…not to mention she's quite adept at protecting herself."
"You're a thug Quinn. You're scum and you can thank your family for that."
"You keep throwing them in my face…why don't you just spit it out. Obviously you've been digging."
"Your father was a drunk. It's a miracle he could even hold onto a commission. And your mother…sold your brother to the eugenics program. When he washed out and the money stopped coming, they sold you, and when they had nothing left to sell they sold secrets. Moff Broysc told me all about you lot and how your brother used these secrets against him at Druckenwell."
"Careful…if you were any other man I'd gut you where you stand. My brother may be a prig, but he's brilliant at what he does." One's fingers closed around the concealed knife he wore. "If not for Lana you'd be a stain on my floor. Now get out of my sight."
"So you won't let her go."
"Never."
"That's what I was afraid of," Beniko muttered. He approached the door and hesitated before finally opening it.
A heavily tattooed Sith Lord stood outside in wait, arms folded. "Well?"
"He wouldn't co-operate…if you could convince him my Lord, I'd be indebted to you."
One glared at the old man and the Sith. "And you call me a thug…"
His words died in his throat as the Sith lord lifted him from his feet in a strangle hold. One gasped and struggled against the invisible grip, his gaze following Beniko out of the apartment.
"This won't do…not at all," the Sith oozed. "I think you'll need a more lasting reminder to stay away from her."
The Sith dropped One into a heap, and then, using nothing but the Force he flung One at the wall, holding him face down and spread-eagle.
"So…what did Beniko promise you? Sith dog..." One spat.
The Sith's weapon hissed to life, but was unlike any lightsaber One had ever heard. This weapon ignited not with a growl but a whisper. The Sith drew back his arm with a precise flick and One sampled the first lash biting through his flesh. He cringed and hissed a shallow breath. He felt his blood ooze down his back and then came the second lash. One bit through his lip to keep from crying out. Again and again the lightwhip connected. Six times in all—before the Sith retracted the weapon and stormed out of the apartment leaving One in a pool of piss and blood.
One caught movement outside the cell and sat up slowly. "Never thought I'd see the day you'd collaborate with the SIS."
"Hardly a collaboration. I'm here because it's to my advantage to be here."
"Let me guess…they promised to help you find your wife…in return for what…betraying me perhaps? Can't say I'd be shocked betrayal is in our blood."
Malavai clasped his hands behind his back and paced before the cell. "You're hardly in a position to judge…you betrayed our entire way of life…not to mention the Dark Council, Imperial Intelligence...your fiancée."
"What do you know. You betrayed your own wife…and why? To curry favour with some fat claiming to be the Emperor? She should have strangled and dangled you into pulp."
Malavai's mouth tightened in a thin tight line. "How would you even know about that…"
One rolled his eyes. "Why is it people always seem to forget I'm a spy? At least we come by betrayal honestly…probably why we didn't quite make the cut…they couldn't breed it out of us completely."
"We're nothing alike. Not a day has passed that I haven't tried to atone for what I did and I will spend the rest of my life doing so glady. I will prove myself to her and regain her trust even if it comes at the expense of my own life."
"Why bother? Why lower yourself to a Sith? We are not second class citizens. You just can't accept that can you…you're so used to being their lap dog."
"Shut up, that's treason. I didn't come here so that you could antagonize me."
"Then why are you here Malavai…to gloat maybe?"
"I came to see…if you'd changed. Clearly I was mistaken to think that might even be possible since I last saw you. I should have left you to drown in your own blood."
"What are you talking about?"
"Who do you think treated you in your apartment after the beating? I was the one who put kolto on your back…sat with you for two days to make sure you don't choke on your own vomit. I'm surprised they left you alive."
"Did you tell anyone else?"
Malavai laughed ruefully. "I thought perhaps your thanks would be in order, even if it is a decade late."
"Did you tell anyone else?"
"No, why?"
One frowned. "It doesn't matter. Unless you're here to let me out, piss off."
Malavai shook his head. "One piece of counsel before I take my leave of you…I suggest you tell them what you did with the younglings."
"The younglings will be the least of their problems, if I don't get out of here and resume my mission."
"Whatever you're up to…it's over."
"Then let me offer you a piece of advice before you go…never return to Imperial space."
Malavai regarded him with an uncertain gaze and turned on his heel. "Good-bye brother."
Darth Jadus stood before the altar and lit the brazier. "Time is running out. I can afford to wait no longer."
After the dusky incense filled the ritual chamber, he knelt to meditate and purify himself. A hunger he had never known roiled within him demanding sustenance. The Force rose from his body in a great shimmering wave of power, climbing ever higher, until it swelled and spilled around him.
Indigo rivulets leaked from Jadus's body, each strand sentient and ravenous. The threads collided and consumed each other, gradually thickening into tendrils empowered to find the nourishment its host demanded.
The Force snaked into the adjoining chamber and slithered closer to the Grey Council members. The tendrils coiled about their ankles and wove higher, until the men were fully cocooned. The Councillors remained silent and steady, as they willingly gave themselves over to their ultimate fate. Together they would fuel the Master, preparing him for the great battle to come.
Darth Jadus levitated high above the altar and flung his arms out at his sides, his body quaking as the Force returned to feed him. The cocoons and the men inside them crumbled into dust.
Sated, Darth Jadus sank lower until his boots touched the floor. He turned his back to the brazier and went to the bridge.
"Set a course for Dromund Kaas…"
((to be continued…))
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