After a short stop at Hosnian Prime to drop off Qu'lil, the Wild Nightmare arrives over Taloraan in the Kelavine system. The entire Chromia team sits in the cockpit as Tero brings the ship into the gas giant.

"It's beautiful." Yaren says admiring the cloudscape. "Is the air breathable?"

Bug tweets a response which Tero translates for him, informing the group that an enviro suit is required at lower altitudes. Luckily for them Taloraan City, the capital, which is where the Imperial outpost and their target is located is in the upper atmosphere.

As the floating city appears in the distance shrouded by clouds Tero heads for a nearby floating service and docking port. Suddenly the team hears the comm crackle to life as an Imperial operator requests their ident codes and reason for their visit.

"I didn't realize the Empire was already monitoring the air traffic in and out of the city." Says Lamara.

"They're here for the planet's Tibanna, it makes sense." States Cale.

"Hush up." Tero says as he orders Bug to transmit one of their sliced ident codes. "Copy tower, this is the Blue Furball. Coming in for refueling and a little pleasure tour of Taloraan City."

"The Blue Furball?" Cale whispers.

"Stow it." Tero says muting the comm for a moment.

"What, I was just asking."

"Copy Blue Furball, you'll need to submit to a scan of your ship to enter the city. What is your cargo?" replies the operator.

"No cargo, tower, just passengers and we plan on leaving our ship at the service station. We've been hauling freight for the Relief Corps for six weeks straight and thought we'd take a break while we have some maintenance done on the ship."

"Very well, proceed on your vector Furball."

"Much appreciated." Replies Tero switching off the comm.

"How did you know they wouldn't still request a scan of the ship?" Asks Lamara.

"I didn't, it was just a hunch."

"Okay then, everyone clear on the plan?" Lamara asks receiving nods from everyone just as Tero sets the ship down at the service port. "Alright then, let's get to it."

As Tero powers down the ship he orders Bug to have the ship refueled and have station droids run a diagnostic on the stabilizer he repaired at Berchest. Bug chirps in response obviously offended that he didn't trust his work.

"I trust your work but it's for appearances sake pal. Go ahead and have them check the coolant level too while we're at it." Tero says handing the droid some credits. "Then move her to a dock until you hear from us. If all goes to plan we won't need an extraction. BG-33 tweets in acknowledgement as he takes the credits stowing them in one of his compartments.

As the droid rolls out of the cockpit ahead of him to go inform the station attendant of the Nightmare's needs Tero walks into the central chamber where Lamara and the others are double checking their gear for the mission. He walks into his and Feevo's equipment locker which was converted from one of the ship's cargo bays and draws a backpack, and extra power cell for his blaster and a few other gadgets.

"Where's that sniper rifle you mentioned?" he asks the others as he returns to the central chamber.

Yaren hands him a small two by two foot black case. "Totally collapsible." She says as Tero opens the case inspecting all the components.

"Got it, here take this." Tero says handing her a small device.

"What is it?"

"A polygraph, just attach it to Cassir's wrist and Feevo will receive and relay the data back to you."

"Is it accurate?"

"Up to eighty percent." Tero replies. "Feevo you clear on the plan?"

"Yes sir. Cale and I will enter the city on the Swoops while the rest of you enter separately via air taxi. I report back the data from the polygraph device while we wait for Miss Yaren's signal in the event she needs backup or a distraction."

"Right."

"Alright, comlinks are already synchronized so you two better get going." Lamara orders.

"Yes ma'am." Cale says as he and Feevo each grab a Swoop.

"Don't forget to hang on to these for me." Yaren says tossing him her vibro-swords concealed in a zipper case.

"Right." Cale says slinging the case over his shoulder.

The others watch as they walk the Swoops down the ramp; they mount bikes and zoom off into the distance towards the city.

"Got your uniform?" Lamara asks turning to Yaren.

"Yup."

"Where'd you get that?" Tero asks spotting the black tunic of an Imperial noncom officer's uniform inside Yaren's bag.

"I relieved a young lady of it for our mission on Bilbringi."

A few minutes later they leave the ship and summon an air taxi which takes them into the city. As they enter the city Yaren separates from them heading towards a row of shops as Lamara and Tero head for high ground.

They discreetly check into a hotel room on the seventh floor of a tower overlooking the Imperial intelligence building located across the street in the business park.

"Nice digs." Tero replies shrugging off his backpack.

"Unfortunately we're not here to relax Captain." Lamara replies stepping out onto the terrace.

Tero soon follows her pulling the rifle case out of the pack; he sets the case on the small table outside and begins assembling the rifle as he takes a seat. Meanwhile Lamara pulls out a miniature pair of macrobinoculars from her satchel and begins scanning the area.

Back in the shopping center Yaren enters a dressing room in one of the stores and sets her bag down as she pulls out the Imperial uniform to change.

On the opposite side of the business park Cale and Feevo enter an off track betting establishment and have a seat in the cantina to await their signal. A moment later they hear a request from Lamara for a comm check.

"Three and five in position." Cale says subtly.

"Chromia two, receiving you." Yaren says from within the dressing room as she puts her hair up in a bun to fit underneath the uniform cap. "I'll be on the move shortly."

"Copy that two." Lamara replies.

Once Yaren fits the cap over her head she puts the polygraph device inside her pocket and hides a small blade in the folds of her tunic as well as another underneath her belt at the small of her back. She inspects herself in the mirror ensuring none of the items show a bulge in her uniform. Satisfied with the result she leaves the bag with her clothes in the changing room. Knowing she was going undercover Yaren wore only a t-shirt and an inexpensive pair of shorts, she was willing to part with, into the city when she left the ship. She exits the store and heads for the business park towards the Imperial building.

Up on the seventh floor balcony Lamara scans the surface for Yaren. After a few moments she spots an Imperial officer in black; assuming it is her she requests Yaren tip her cap to identify herself.

"Okay we got eyes on you." Lamara says spotting the gesture. She follows her handmaiden with the binoculars as she enters the building. "Switching to infrared."

Down below Yaren walks up to the security checkpoint and hands the noncom there a holodisk containing her forged transfer order to the station. As the noncom checks her credentials Yaren notices the two Stormtroopers flanking the checkpoint as well as the two manning the entrance from the inside as she came in.

"Why didn't you come in with the last flight, Sergeant Emyio?" the noncom asks using the name listed in her data file.

"I was in the next system on leave when I got my orders, so I had a friend give me a ride." Yaren replies hoping the forgery passes through the security checks.

"Copy that Sergeant." The noncom says handing her back the holodisk. After a few more moments they issue her an access card to the station. "Stormtrooper command is on the third level, barracks levels four through seven and the commissary is on eight. Any questions?"

"Negative."

Having passed the security checkpoint Yaren slowly exhales a sigh of relief and she heads for one of the turbolifts. At the same time Lamara continues watching her through infrared and notices no one else enters the turbolift with her.

"Remember you can't check in to Stormtrooper command, the orders may have checked out but command won't have an opening so they won't be expecting you."

"Copy that." Yaren replies.

When the turbolift doors open she discreetly finds an unused computer terminal and runs a search for Cassir Tuain, looking specifically for his duty roster. As she scrolls through the data Yaren keeps her peripherals trained on the area around her to make sure she's not drawing attention.

"We're in luck, I won't have to come back." Yaren whispers into the sub-vocal comlink hidden in her ear.

"What do you got?" Lamara asks.

"Tuain is scheduled for meal break in ten minutes, I'm heading for the commissary."

"Copy." Lamara replies lowering the macrobinoculars as she takes a seat next to Tero just as he props the sniper rifle up against the balcony.

"Don't like waiting?" Tero asks observantly.

"It's not so much that, just nervous about her being in there."

"Well if she's as capable as Cale said I'm sure she'll be fine."

"She's better but I still worry, she's my friend after all." Lamara replies.

"I thought she was your guardian."

"She's that too but we've known each other since I was ten."

"Why is it you need a guardian in the first place?" Tero asks. "You find yourself in trouble often . . . . milady?"

"What?"

"Feevo overheard you and Cale talking back on Berchest, he addressed you as milady. What I want to know is why."

"Because I used to work for the consulate on my home planet of Ryndori."

"Never heard of it."

"I'm not surprised, it was not part of the Republic nor the Empire now. It's located out past Bespin on the edge of the Unknown Region."

"I'm truly intrigued . . ." Tero says sarcastically. ". . . but that doesn't answer my question. I'm no expert in politics but consul is usually the appropriate title for someone who works for the consulate."

Lamara smiles and says, "Hmm, not much gets past you does it?"

"No, so?"

"I was born into Ryndori nobility, my full name is Lady Lamara Harke but I gave up my title to ensure my planet's safety from the Empire."

"How'd that work?" Tero asks.

"It's a long story but I did it shortly after the day I joined the Rebellion." Lamara replies.

"Why would someone from privilege do such a foolish thing?"

Before she can answer they hear Yaren report from the commissary that she has a visual on Tuain. Accepting the diversion in Lamara's story, Tero grabs the sniper rifle ready to act if necessary.

Meanwhile Yaren sips at a cup of caf as she does her best to get Tuain's attention. He heads for the buffet when he suddenly notices her watching him. Yaren makes eye contact with him and slightly bats her eyelashes trying to not be obvious to others around them. A moment later Tuain smiles and decides to walk over.

Gotcha. Thought Yaren.

"You new here?" Tuain says.

"Just transferred in, sir." she replies.

"Where from, you mind?" he says gesturing to the chair next to her.

"Eriadu and please." Yaren says nodding towards the chair.

"I'm Cassir Tuain."

"Iyla Emyio."

After a few minutes of small talk Tuain looks around the room to make sure no one is within earshot says, "Listen I'm not really that hungry and I've got a killer view of the city from my office up on level eighteen, what d'ya say?"

"Sir you know it's against Imperial regs for noncoms to be fraternizing with officers." Yaren says looking deep into his eyes. "However given the situation I find myself very hungry."

Tuain smiles as he whispers for her to meet her at the turbolifts in two minutes.

"Copy that, I'll go first." Yaren says. She gets up and tosses her caf in the trash as she exits the commissary then gives Lamara an update. "I got him, standby."

"Copy, we'll maintain comm silence until you make your move." Lamara replies softly as she continues watching through the macrobinoculars. "Be careful."