Chapter 22 – Rest, Relaxation and Then Maybe Not.

A/N: Hello my fellow Sith! This one was fun to write, however the next one was a blast - you'll see why at the end here. Hehehe. At the time I write this, I'm working on Chapter 36. Crazy, right?! It's holiday season at work and I've had a bit of time off to actually sit down and write. Sounds backwards - but during holidays we have all these extra seasonal cast members and I volunteer to do shipments instead of being on stage. Anyway, back to your regularly scheduled dose of Dark Side.

Songs in order of appearance: Hold It Against Me ~ Britney Spears, Everybody Wants to Rule the World ~ Tears for Fears, Walking on Sunshine ~ Katrina and the Waves, Candyman ~ Christina Aguilera, Dangerous ~ Cascada

Returning to the base, I was approached by a young officer as soon as I stepped off the transport. He bowed low to me and offered a hand-written note sealed with an Imperial military insignia.

"Your presence is requested to further the Empire's influence on Taris. General Farvin."

I closed the note and handed it back to the waiting teenager. "Tell your General that my business here is concluded. He'll have to find another to work with. I am sure there are others more than willing to continue our victory."

The kid nodded and backed away, disappearing into the faceless masses returning from the fight.

Toxic Lake Garrison was abuzz with so much activity now. All of us returning from our respective assignments and full of the after effects of a successful mission. Looking around, I was pleased that the soldiers all seemed to have gotten their morale back. Winning such a large campaign after having such a long stalemate will do that.

I separated myself from the soldiers preparing for their debriefing, and headed to the cantina. The adrenaline shot Quinn had given me earlier was beginning to wear off and I really wanted a drink before I passed out for the night.

###

My companions found me sometime later, face resting on the table of the booth I had taken, staring at the ice in my glass as I idly stirred it with my right index finger to the beat of whatever song was playing from the sound system. I think I had been singing along at some point.

"What's wrong with her?" Pierce's gruff voice came from my left shoulder.

"Nothing's wrong with her." Vette said, sounding defensive. "We've had a long mission."

"Hers has been longer than ours." Jaesa said softly.

"With little time for ourselves, as it were." Quinn's voice chimed in from my right side.

I felt someone push me gently from the left and another set of hands, then arms, gathered me from the right. I was airborne and automatically wrapped my own arms around the neck of whoever had me, snuggling into their chest. I could feel a thrum of energy from the person. Force user?

"Tired," I mumbled. My right arm drifted down to curl into a loose fist near a set of ribbons on an Imperial uniform. I stared at the ribbon bar and watched it come in and out of focus.

"Rest, my Lord," Quinn said into my hair. "Darth Baras has given us some leave for our outstanding performance."

"Mmm. That's nice," I slurred out, closing my eyes.

"Let's get her back to the Shadow Eclipse," Quinn said from above me. I could feel his chest rumble as he spoke.

The Force-like aura flared and I used my own to push back, softly. I felt us stumble, and his hand flex around my back.

"Is she too heavy for you, Captain?" Pierce asked.

I felt us straighten up and continue forward.

"Not at all Lieutenant. I have carried her before, just a momentary misstep." Quinn replied.

I smiled to myself and filed the reaction away for later, when I was thinking more clearly. Thinking was getting harder. I just gave in, and let myself drift.

###

"Good morning! Have I mentioned recently how much I enjoy serving you? I am a lucky droid, Master."

I jumped out of bed, clutching the sheets around me, and crouched into a defensive stance.

2V-R8 stood in my bedroom doorway with a tray of food in his arms.

I laughed, sitting back on the bed, letting the sheets fall. "Hello, Toovee. Nice to see you too."

He moved into the room, setting the tray on my small table. "Captain Quinn sent me to give you sustenance, and requests your presence in the Medical Bay when you are feeling up to it."

I stood up, stretching. I was in a green sports bra and boy shorts. My muscles ached, but I didn't feel misused. The internal exhaustion still hovered in the background, however.

"Thank you, Toovee. Please inform Captain Quinn that I will report to him within the hour."

"Of course, Master." 2V-R8 bowed his head and left me with the food.

I looked at the spread he had provided and smiled. Toast with butter and jam, a plate of fluffy, scrambled eggs, and a lovely, greasy pile of bacon all for me. Oh, and a large, steaming cup of tea. My droid was awesome.

I took my GalaxyWave, placed it in its stereo dock and used the interactive screen to pull up my preselected play lists.

"I'm feeling... retro." I said aloud to myself as I selected one. The music started, and I sat down to dine on the feast.

###

Once I was fed, showered, and changed into something comfortable – a pair of long, black exercise pants and an off-the-shoulder, three quarter sleeve, blue cotton knit shirt – I wandered out of my quarters and into Medical.

Pierce was sitting on one of the exam tables in a pair of sweatpants and a tee-shirt. His feet could touch the floor. Man, he was tall. Quinn was sitting at his computer console, back to the door.

I leaned against the door frame, crossing my arms and my ankles.

"Your screening is complete, Lieutenant. Nothing notable to report. Your records have been transferred and everything is up to date," Quinn said while looking at the screen.

Pierce looked over at me and nodded. "My lord."

"Lieutenant..." I looked at him and grinned. "Do you even have a first name, Pierce?"

Quinn had turned in his chair at my voice.

Pierce stood up. He smiled, and it was boyish and cocky all at the same time. I could see why he had Jaesa all flustered. "Adam. My first name is Adam, my Lord."

I nodded. "Adam. I am Wildescent. Most of my crew just shorten it to Wilde. Welcome to the Shadow Eclipse and my crew."

"I'm set up in the crew bunks. Good ship. Quinn's already briefed me. I'm handling demolitions and heavy firepower support. Didn't know the Captain ran things around here. I'd rather take my orders direct."

Quinn frowned at the offhand comment.

"Quinn handles the details, but you ultimately answer to me," I replied.

"Fine with me," He said, pointing a finger toward Quinn. "Just keep Captain Protocol off my back."

I shared a look with Malavai, but he remained quiet to the open criticism.

"Moff Hurdenn was all about regulations, too. War Trust did a lot more damage than they should have. Hurdenn didn't think a soldier could strategize. Proved him wrong."

"Well, Hurdenn was a fool to ignore your natural talents," I replied.

"Doesn't matter much now. I'm here and Hurdenn is stuck on Taris," Pierce said, shrugging. "Give me the freedom he didn't, and you'll see results."

"The others will tell you that I accept only the best. I could have declined Hurdenn's offer back on Taris, but you impressed me. Keep doing that and you have nothing to worry about."

"Shouldn't have a problem fitting in then," Pierce said, another smile breaking across his face.

"Captain, are you done with Lieutenant Pierce?" I asked Malavai.

He nodded. "Quite. You are dismissed, Lieutenant."

Pierce nodded at Quinn, and stepped around me, leaving.

I stood up from my place against the door and walked over to the exam table Pierce had just been sitting on. I hopped up onto it.

"Ready for my exam, Doctor Quinn," I said.

He shook his head and stood, coming over to stand before me. "I'd say you're probably back to near normal conditions. You slept for nearly twelve hours." He brought a scanner up and started his exam at my head.

"Really? Twelve hours?" I replied as I stared into the device as it hovered at my eyes.

He hummed an affirmative response. "Lift your arms, parallel to the floor."

I did as he asked, watching him move the small device over each of my arms and then down my torso.

"Soreness?" He asked.

"A little. Nothing unusual," I responded.

"Tired?"

"Not physically," I admitted.

He stopped his exam, and set his device on the table to my right. He brought his right hand up to his chin, the thing he did when he was formulating on the fly.

"Right then. Darth Baras has granted us an extended leave of absence. Do you recall me telling you this last night?"

I thought back, recalling some fuzzy words and images. "Vaguely. That was generous of him."

"Our trail for the last War Trust member has gone cold and he doesn't need us until he can get more leads," He explained. "So, as your medical professional... and your friend, I recommend some 'R and R'."

I smiled softly. "Rest and relaxation, is it?"

"As much as you can handle until the next crisis finds us," He confirmed with a nod. "And, I know just the thing we should do first. Historical sightseeing, before we leave Taris."

###

The shuttle landed in a heavily overgrown glade. Pierce and Quinn disembarked first, checking to make sure we were safe from the local wildlife. Jaesa, Vette, and I exited when we got the "all clear."

"It's just a few meters ahead," Quinn provided as we hiked through the dense foliage. "I promise it will be worth the trek."

He hadn't told us what we were seeing, just that it was historical. We stepped into a stand of trees, and he and Pierce had stopped at the other side, holding the branches to the side for us. I stepped through, followed by my crew, and stared at the scene in front of me.

"I present to you, the Endar Spire. A Hammerhead-class cruiser. She was originally three hundred and fifteen meters in length. The destruction of this ship is legendary. It set into motion the series of events that led to Darth Malak's bombardment of the planet," Quinn stated as he came to stand next to me.

The wreckage was huge. The flora had long since taken over the metal hull, but you could still see the original orange and white here and there. I wandered closer to it, enthralled.

"How much of the ship survived?" I asked.

"Not much, my Lord. Perhaps thirty percent of the original vessel has been recovered over the years," Quinn answered.

Vette linked her arm into mine. "Can we go inside? Please, please, please?! My scavenging instincts are tingling."

I smiled at her enthusiasm. "Is it safe to explore?"

Quinn nodded. "Imperial forces have recently evicted the former residents. It's how I heard about it, actually. It should be safe enough for a quick tour."

Vette emitted a gleeful shriek and released my arm, bounding into the large hole in the hull of the ship.

"Well then... best not let her get into something dangerous," Jaesa replied with a chuckle and followed behind the Twi'lek.

Pierce grunted something unintelligible and followed after Jaesa.

"Would you like to go inside, my Lord?" Quinn asked.

I looked at him and squinted, recalling something from the previous evening.

"I would, but I'd like to try something first."

He looked at me quizzically as I approached him.

"Do you trust me?" I asked him.

"Of course, my Lord," He replied, somewhat confused.

I reached forward with my hand, and held it just above his chest. I could feel that energy, just under the surface. I pushed forward, gently, with the Force. The energy pushed back with an electric jolt and then was suppressed again. Quinn's eyes were wide, and his mouth had set into a thin, unhappy line.

"My Lord..."

"That's all I needed. Show me the wonders of this lost Republic ship, Captain Quinn," I said, leading him toward the dilapidated vessel.

###

Vette had managed to find... well, I wasn't sure what it was. To me it looked like a random piece of junk. She found it in a pile of refuse, shouted "By the Star of Kala'uun!" and stashed it into her pack.

The moment we got back aboard the Shadow Eclipse, she retired to the work room with her treasure. Jaesa and I couldn't even coax her out for a dance-er-cise session. So, we did it on our own... well almost.

Pierce had come out to... observe. Him watching caused Jaesa to get all flustered and I cut our session short, because there was no point with her being all self-conscious and him making these strange, intense stares at her.

So, I wandered into the cargo hold to do some light shadow boxing and lightsaber forms. The three hovering training droids were programmed for maximum precision. I wanted to work on my Soresu some more, since we seemed to always be fighting ranged weapons users.

I had my GalaxyWave on and didn't hear him, but I felt him. I paused the droid's program, and lowered my training sabers, turning.

"Quinn."

He looked at me from the doorway, a frown making his forehead wrinkle.

"Well come in. I assume you have something you want to talk about." I walked over to where I had draped my sweat towel, and moped it across my face and arms.

He closed the distance, stopping about an arms length from me. "About this afternoon..."

"And last night... oh and every time you're near me and your concentration is compromised," I interjected.

He clenched his jaw in what I assumed was frustration. "Yes, about that..."

I shook my head and held up my hand, cutting him off. "Not a word. I assume you're hiding it for whatever reason. You hide it very well, in fact. However, if you ever want to learn how to use it, besides masking your ability from everyone, I'd be honored to teach you."

He blinked, his stance shifting slightly as he realized I wasn't going to press the issue. "I'll... take that into consideration. Thank you, my Lord."

"I will admit, I am very curious at how strong your connection is, Captain. I have full rights to revisit this issue in the future," I said, parroting one of our earliest exchanges.

He smiled, relieved. "That is your prerogative, of course."

"Indeed. Is there anything else?" I asked.

"Ah, actually, do you recall our conversation about Major Ovech?" He said.

I nodded. "Yes, from a few days ago."

"I was able to clear the channel and get to the bottom of Major Ovech's relays. Could you come to the bridge with me?"

"Lead on, Captain," I said, wrapping the towel around my neck and following him out of the cargo hold, down the passageway and onto the bridge.

2V-R8 was sitting in the navigation chair.

"Greetings, Master. You're looking fit and deadly, as always," He greeted.

"Thanks, Toovee," I replied.

Quinn moved to the communication console. "He's in a state of emergency. Patching him through now."

The small holocommunicator on the bridge flickered to life and the image of an older, fit looking man in Imperial uniform appeared.

"My lord, your captain there is one in a million. I'd given up hope that anyone out there would hear my distress calls," Major Ovech opened with.

"He's proven himself invaluable to me on many occasions," I said, agreeing.

"Wish I still had him in my detail," Ovech commented. "Probably would have avoided this. Moff Broysc dispatched me and my officers to a secret weapons warehouse on Cato Neimoidia. Trouble is, it isn't a secret any more."

I repeated the name of the planet silently to myself.

"We're holed up, surrounded by Republic forces. Trying to get Broysc to send the rest of my unit for days, but he's gone radio silent."

"It's worse than that, my Lord," Quinn added. "The Major's ship, the Blind Reussan has been commandeered by Broysc's personal commandos and ordered to stay put."

Ovech gave a frustrated grunt and shook his fist. "That tears it! Seen it a hundred times with Broysc. Better to cut bait and let good soldiers die than admit a mistake."

I scratched behind my right ear and looked over at Quinn, then back to Ovech. "Sounds more like Broysc wants you dead, Major. Any ideas why?"

"Same reason he demoted and exiled your Captain, I'm guessing. I'm his only officer not shy about giving my opinion." He looked up, at something across the room from his position. "Enemy was pausing between breathes. Gearing up to charge again. Looks like it's the end of the line for me. But I'm not going out without a fight." He nodded to Quinn, a sign of respect. "Ovech out!"

His form faded away.

"Major Ovech would be a terrible loss. I served on his ship, know it like the back of my hand. I can infiltrate and try to restore command to his men. Then they would be free to join the fight," Quinn remarked.

I looked out the main view port. "Are we close enough to get there in time?"

"Affirmative, Master. Captain Quinn has had us heading toward Major Ovech's location for approximately three hours, twenty-eight minutes and twelve seconds," 2V-R8 confirmed.

"You're going to take on an entire troop of commandos on your own?" I asked him.

"A frontal assault would take too long and risk losing or damaging the ship. My plan is to infiltrate and liberate," He clarified.

"Alone." I crossed my arms.

He fidgeted. "My Lord... you need time to recover yourself..."

I held my hand up to cut him off. "Oh no. I'm pulling rank on this one. Go get the others. We're doing this as a team."

He bowed his head and I know I saw a smile appear and disappear as he looked back up. "As you command."