CHAPTER FORTY ONE

THE WRAITH

The Wraith exited hyperspace and slowed to an even steady speed towards the planet that had been programmed in. One more glance over the readouts and controls, Malavai Quinn found himself satisfied all had been taken care of. Pushing up from the pilot's seat, Quinn allowed the onboard computer to take over flying the ship. 2V stood on the command deck quietly. Malavai Quinn had threatened to rip the droid's vocal processors out if it said another word. If anything untoward happened, 2V would let them know. Necrolis wanted his briefing, and with a short amount of time left before reaching Taris, now was the time.

"Keep me informed the moment anything happens that is not expected." Quinn growled at the droid. It wasn't that he didn't know the droid had his uses; it was just his irritating and annoying mannerisms and vocal sound that he just could not take for too long.

"Of course, sir! Right away." 2V announced before falling silent again.

Malavai Quinn shook his head as he walked down the winding corridor down into the main area of the ship. He swore Vette had messed with the droid's programming just so it was more irritating to him. The twi'lek was a constant annoyance, but in all honesty he knew he would miss her if she was not around. She at least kept him on his toes. Walking through the common area and down the far corridor, Quinn entered the conference room that would serve for the briefing. Looking around he saw everyone was already there and waiting for him.

Jaesa sat on the left side of the table near the door, hood up and clearly still in a foul mood. Vette sat on the opposite side closer to the far end of the table, nearest to Necrolis. She was already fidgeting and restless, which Quinn knew meant it was going to be a long briefing. Necrolis nodded to him at the head spot at the far end of the table as he saw him. Moving into the room, Quinn made for the seat next to Necrolis and across from the blue skinned bane of his existence known as Vette. The twi'lek grinned as he sat down, and Quinn wondered what she was up to.

"I hope you wiped down the seats up there." Vette quipped.

"Vette." Necrolis growled cutting off any response Quinn might have had, giving the twi'lek a hard glance.

"Shall I proceed with the briefing, my lord?" Quinn asked forcing back any number of responses he had run through his mind quickly towards Vette. Don't let her get to you, he reminded himself as he let a lifetime of training kick in and take over.

"Proceed, Captain!"

Quinn settled himself and hit the holo terminal in the middle of the table calling up the planet they were to visit next. Taking a moment, he cleared his throat before talking.

"Taris is the fifth planet in the system, and to put it quite bluntly, it is a mess." Quinn began. "It was once a planetary metropolis, but that was before the Empire, more specifically Darth Malak, left it a toxic wasteland full of ruins."

"Great, well don't put me down for a summer home." Vette remarked and sighed. Just once I want to go someplace which we are not going to have to run the risk of death, she thought.

"It gets better." Quinn commented and then continued, "Most of the cityscape was destroyed in the Empire's attack. The structures that weren't obliterated have all gradually collapsed in on themselves. Since that time, Taris has been reclaimed by nature, creating a strange amalgam of ruined skyscrapers and wildlife. To say it is hostile is an understatement."

Necrolis listened and rubbed his chin absently as he thought about what Quinn was telling them. He did not like the sound of Taris at all. He could not help but also wonder if Baras hoped he might not meet a fateful end on the world. The fact he had thought such, and had come to the conclusion this quickly into the briefing he took as another bad sign. For a moment, Necrolis flicked his gaze and attention to Jaesa, knowing he still needed to sort things out with his apprentice. It was clear she was still chewing on things herself, and that meant she had a divided focus.

"Seems there is a strong Republic presence on the planet now, an effort to clean up and reclaim Taris. They seem determined to have some sort of moral victory to prop them up. As if it was not bad enough there's an even bigger problem on Taris."

"Okay there, Captain doom and gloom!" Vette threw up her hands and rolled her eyes.

"I have to agree with the twi'lek here." Jaesa remarked, surprising them all. "Just quit with the dramatics and get to the point already!"

"Fine, well it seems Taris has a plague happening. A creature called a rakghoul. It infects a host and turns them into another rakghoul. It's been hitting both Republic and Imperial sides equally hard and there doesn't appear to me much success in stopping it short of killing any infected before they turn."

"Recommendations?" Necrolis asked as he digested the serious threat Quinn had just reported.

"Avoid them as best we can, though it seems the planet as a whole is infested." Quinn said, though there was a tone that marked his lack of confidence in doing just that.

"Noted." Necrolis rose and frowned as he looked about at his crew.

The mission was going to be simple enough, at least it seemed so. Once in orbit, he knew they would receive an update and final instructions from Baras. The rakghoul threat changed things greatly, and if Baras was intent on making a move against him and the others now, there was no better time to stack the deck, Necrolis knew. His mind was already trying to formulate some semblance of a plan, a means of keeping himself, and his people safe.

"My lord?" Malavai Quinn broke through Necrolis' thoughts and the sudden silence that had fallen over the room.

"When we arrive I want the ship to remain in orbit, Quinn. I don't want the ship landing to let one of those buggers a chance to get aboard somehow." Necrolis stated. "We will go down via shuttle, and from there we will decide how best to proceed. For now that is all. How long until we reach Taris?"

"Is that before or after we alter course and get the fuck out of here?" Vette asked, though she knew there was no chance of that actually happening.

"For once I tend to agree with Vette." Quinn remarked before Necrolis could say anything to the twi'lek. She was only vocalizing sarcastically just how they all clearly were feeling. "We should arrive there in the next few minutes."

"Let's go get this over with then." Necrolis growled and headed for the large holo terminal in the main common area.

"Colour me just thrilled." Jaesa muttered and shoved herself out of her chair to follow her master, even as the others joined her.

Necrolis walked out and stood at the large, main holo terminal. Vette hung close to his right, the look on her face showing she was less than thrilled with having to talk once more with Darth Baras. Jaesa took a spot leaning on the wall behind and to his left, her cowl drawn up and over to hide her face. Of all of them, only Malavai Quinn seemed to be unmoved with their coming mission on Taris and having to contact Baras. It was something not lost on Necrolis.

"My lord?" Malavai Quinn questioned, hand poised over the control panel of the terminal.

"Put the call through, Captain." Necrolis stated, making a note even as he answered to clear his mind and present his usual calm front to his master.

It took only a moment for the visage of Darth Baras to appear, the pale blue flickering holo image showing him standing in his customary manner. Necrolis bowed his head before speaking, a gesture that grated but had to be done. The last thing he wanted to do was give any ammunition to Baras. If there was any sort of set up going to happen, he did not need to add fuel to the fire.

"My lord, I am preparing for my assault on Taris." Necrolis commented.

"Excellent, Necrolis." Baras answered back, "Your mission on Taris is to take down the Republic's entire Strategic High Command. The so called War Trust, the five generals who implement the bulk of the Republic's military forces strategic planning are all on Taris as we speak."

Necrolis nodded as he took in what Baras was saying. He already knew Baras was not accounting for the one commander who was clearly on Hoth. That was something Necrolis was not about to toss out and correct him on.

"Normally they are not all together in one place. This is an incredible opportunity, my apprentice." Baras remarked with a wave of one hand as emphasis of his words.

"It must be something very important for them to expose themselves like this." Necrolis replied, a part of him curious as to just what the Republic might be up to on such a devastated and clearly useless world such as Taris.

"Truthfully, I don't care about their agenda. " Baras stated which made Necrolis have to fight to keep a stoic and unmoved look on his face. "The War Trust generals are the true threat. Generals Faraire, Mirst, Durant, and Frelke should not be taken lightly. Each will likely be protected by his own elite guard, and they have all the Republic forces on Taris at their disposal."

"I will bring the Republic to its knees, my master." Necrolis responded confidently drawing a chuckle and nod from Baras.

"If the War Trust can be killed, that is in effect what will be achieved." Baras conceded, "Moff Hurdenn leads the Imperial forces on the planet. He will provide whatever resources he can. Shuttle to the surface and seek him out immediately."

Baras cut the transmission and Necrolis cast a look to Vette. The blue skinned twi'lek rolled her eyes and tossed her hands up in a quick gesture that said she was just not sure. Looking to Malavai Quinn, Necrolis noticed his intent and questioning gaze. For a moment, Necrolis wondered just how loyal to Baras Malavai Quinn actually was. He pushed the thought aside as quickly as it had come. He could not begin to doubt his own people. If he allowed that sort of paranoia to set in then he was in big trouble. Quinn had shown himself nothing but capable and loyal to a fault after all.

"Quinn set the ship on automatic and lock it down. 2V will remain aboard and keep you appraised of any sudden changes should there be unexpected trouble. We are all going down to the surface on this one."

"As you wish, my lord." Quinn nodded, though there was no missing the hint of displeasure that tainted his response. "I will make arrangements to dock with the Imperial station and get us the first possible shuttle down to the ToxicLakeGarrison, which appears to be command central for the moment planet side."

"Very good, Captain." Necrolis nodded before looking to the two women. "And you both get yourselves ready. I am not expecting this mission to be too pleasant."

"Oh joy, oh thrill, oh bliss." Vette remarked and sighed. "Time to risk life and limb for the glorious Empire."

Necrolis watched as Quinn headed for the command deck and Vette moved off towards her make shift quarters in the engine room. Jaesa had already pushed herself off the wall and was headed to her own quarters when Necrolis' voice stopped her.

"Apprentice, a moment if you will."

"What is it you want, my master?" Jaesa asked, turning back to peer at Necrolis from under her hood.

"I need you ready and focused on this one, Jaesa." Necrolis stated, moving to stand before the young sith, his hands rising to rest lightly on each of her shoulders. "You've had your share of growing pains, and I've come down on you as I had to. Do not let it get in the way of doing what we need to. There is a lot more danger, the stakes higher, and I want to know if you are going to be able to handle this."

"Master, I will not fail you." Jaesa growled out, reaching up to pull back the cowl and stare him hard in the eyes. "You've done so much for me, I cannot ever repay such. I will not fail, and I will always be ready to fight at your side and have your back."

"Good girl." Necrolis stated and shook his head. "Get ready. We leave as soon as we hit the station and everyone is ready."


TARIS - SPACEPORT

There was little difference from any other support space station hovering above any number of planets. Marching out of the airlock and into the central area, Necrolis moved with familiarity down the stairs and across to where they would catch a shuttle to take them planet side. Vette and Jaesa followed, flanking him on either side, with Quinn bringing up the rear. There were the usual glances, more out of curiosity at the sight of sith, as they passed through and entered into the launch area. Necrolis brought them up upon seeing the shuttle pilot standing and waiting for them by the ramp.

"I trust this will be a quick and uneventful flight?" Necrolis asked the man, watching as he nodded his head vigorously.

"Yes sir, should be nothing but clear skies and smooth sailing." The man answered and pulled on his helmet. "If you will board, sir, I will get you there as fast as I can."

"I'd prefer a detour to fleet." Vette muttered and shook her head.

Quinn knew just how the twi'lek felt. He was not happy at all with how things were playing out. Baras could well write off one if not all of them with this mission. He knew Baras had no use for the twi'lek, and she was a possible button to push with Necrolis. Even he had no real use now, and Baras was growing more and more suspicious of him. He had stuck his neck out and covered for Necrolis, though he was still not too sure why? The only one he could see Baras having any interest in would be Jaesa, and to get her they would need to be removed from the equation. Malavai Quinn knew he had no choices at all, not unless things changed and that woman could be trusted. Until then Baras knew he would follow orders. Shaking his head he followed the others up the ramp and into the shuttle.

The shuttle ride to the surface had begun like any other usual trek from space to a planet's surface. Nothing had seemed amiss, to the point that Necrolis had not even sensed the pilot stressing at all. When the first blast sent the shuttle shaking, it had caught them all by surprise. Malavai Quinn had staggered and smacked his forehead on a raised restraint harness, breaking skin above his left eyebrow. Necrolis knew they had flown into a combat area just by the sudden anxiety coming from the cockpit of the craft and how they began bouncing in what he could only assume was heavy flak fire.

"Great, just bloody great." Vette growled in complaint as the shuttle was bounced again, a shudder and groan going through the craft.

Necrolis grit his teeth and moved to the front of small cramped shuttle compartment, hitting the internal comm controls. He wanted some answers before they were suddenly blown out of the sky. All his worrying would not matter at all if they were blown up.

"Report, what is happening up there?"

"Apologies, my lord." The pilot answered, voice tinged with fear in knowing there was a displeased sith on board. "Republic is pounding on our outpost so we are taking heavy fire on our approach. It was unexpected."

"Do we need to abort?" Necrolis demanded.

"Negative, my lord. I can get us through, it will be a bit bumpy but I will have you down momentarily."

"Very good." Necrolis answered, "See that you do."

Necrolis closed the channel and moved to settle himself once more, strapping in even as the shuttle pitched violently. That one was a little too close for comfort, he thought. Looking across he spotted Jaesa grinning and watching everyone as well. Only she would find this fun, Necrolis thought and had to stifle a smile.

"You look to be enjoying yourself." Necrolis commented at his apprentice.

"One must savour every experience, master." Jaesa grinned back and giggled. "Besides, I want to see what you do to the pilot if he can't deliver!"

At the comment Vette burst into giggles, bringing a smile even to Malavai Quinn. Holding a bandage to the cut above his eye, Quinn looked to Necrolis and his eyes went wide. Jaesa gasped as she too looked to her master and was taken aback. Neither of them had ever expected to see what they were seeing.

"Well, will wonders never cease." Jaesa remarked causing Vette to burst into another fit of giggles.

"What's so funny?" Necrolis asked.

"You're smiling, Master." Jaesa said with a nod and grin of her own.

"This cannot be good." Malavai Quinn remarked and shook his head, but kept smiling. He filed such away, noting the change, and his gaze quickly flickered to Vette and then back knowing he had missed something recently.

The shuttle bucked twice more before it seemed to pause and then lower. Even before the shuttle had touched down and the ramp was beginning to cycle downward, Necrolis was leading the group out of the craft. He knew all too well how easy a target they would be sitting there on the ground. He was not about to give the Republic a free win on taking them out. Stepping foot onto Taris, Necrolis hurried away from the landing platform, heading towards the main bunker entrance. It did not take long to notice the base was on full alert and locked down. Only a handful of officers, as well as supporting troopers were outside and holding the base. If the Republic pushed hard they would easily outnumber and overrun the facility. What kind of fool hunkers down and hides, Necrolis wondered?

"Quinn, find a terminal and patch in. I want eyes on things, and I want the location of those emplacements." Necrolis growled, knowing until the shelling of the base stopped there was no getting in to see the command center and the Moff.

"We're going to take out the guns?" Vette guessed even as she adjusted the blasters she wore on each hip.

"Those idiots shot at me, best believe someone is going to answer for it." Necrolis growled back with a nod.

Jaesa laughed and followed after Necrolis as he made for the only way in or out of the base. The garrison was ringed by high metal walls, with a single wide grated walkway leading in and out over water that almost seemed to glow green. Falling in on Necrolis' right, while Vette joined on his left, Jaesa pulled her lightsaber off her belt into her right hand, taking a measure of comfort in holding the weapon and knowing she would be putting it to use.

"My lord." Malavai Quinn's voice came to the ear pieces they all wore.

"Report, Captain." Necrolis stated.

"I have access to all systems. I have got a fix on all three artillery emplacements." Quinn responded back quickly. "And I have a call from Moff Hurdenn, I'm patching through audio now."

"Very good, Quinn."

"My lord, my sincerest apologies." Moff Hurdenn's voice came over the comm channel. "I've been informed you intend to aid us and take out the Republic's forces shelling us."

"I will indeed be doing just that." Necrolis growled, already annoyed by the sound of the Moff's voice. He struck Necrolis as nothing more than another incompetent who rode the backs of others to get ahead. Just another Baras, Necrolis thought sourly. "Have that command bunker open and ready when I get back."

"Yes, as you say, my lord." Hurdenn responded. "Good hunting."


TARIS - TOXIC LAKE GARRISON

Necrolis sighed and stopped at the barricades manned by a handful of Imperial troopers. They were the outer and only real line of defence in place. The fact that irritated Necrolis even more, and did nothing to alleviate his initial assessment of Hurdenn's incompetence. He was almost glad Quinn had not come along, knowing the man would have been enraged by such shoddy use of manpower and lack of proper set up and defend the garrison. Looking at Vette, and then Jaesa, Necrolis knew they would need to strike hard and fast, and that meant splitting up. The less time the Repbulic had to react the better.

"Vette take the far left encampment, Jaesa the far right." Necrolis ordered. "And both of you be careful. We have no backup so hit hard and fast, and take out the gun."

"They'll never see us coming." Vette smirked, as she drew both her weapons.

"More nerfs for the slaughter, Master." Jaesa added and ignited the yellow double bladed lightsaber.


Vette had sprinted to the co-ordinates that Quinn had provided. The briefing had not done justice to the devastation she was seeing about her. It had its advantages however, and the thick growth of nature allowed her to draw within striking distance, crouching down behind a large stand of foliage and a tree trunk. Violet eyes peered over the Republic encampment about the artillery gun. The twi'lek noted there were only a handful of Republic troops, and that they were not really dug in and set. There was only a couple probe droids scanning the perimeter, which was all but futile as it was for keeping anyone out. Be thankful for small miracles, she reminded herself.

Putting her back to the tree trunk, Vette closed her eyes, taking long deep slow breathes. She held her blasters up, one on each side of her head. She went over what she had seen, how they were set up. Slowly and deliberately, Vette walked herself through how she was going to attack, taking herself step by step through it all. When she opened her eyes, she knew she was ready. Counting to three, Vette pushed off the tree trunk and up, spinning out of the cover and squeezing down on the triggers of her weapons.

She started on her right by the small fire the Republic troopers had built. Blaster bolts tore across the distance stitching over the three troopers there. Caught by surprise, Vette knew she had the advantage and kept moving. One blaster traced shots just left of the campfire where a tent had been set up, her left handed weapon moving towards where the gun had been placed and four more troopers were scrambling for cover. Vette caught the man in the tent unawares, sending him to the ground as blasts took him in the chest. She got one more of the troopers by the gun as they sought cover behind supply crates and the gun's base itself.

"So much for getting them all quick and easy." Vette remarked as she moved to hunker down behind a trio of stacked crates herself.

Vette peeked over the top of the stack and ducked back down quickly as blaster fire sprayed over her head. Slipping a blaster around the side of the crates she fired back blindly before moving to her right and about the other side, this time taking aim and catching one of the troopers right in the helmet toppling him backwards. More fire at her sent her scurrying back behind the crates once more. Swearing under her breath, Vette realized she was going to have to come up with something to get the job done. Before she could formulate a new plan, the blaster fire fell silent. Carefully, Vette peered about the side of the crates, looking towards where she knew the Republic troopers had been. She caught sight of the flash of a red lightsaber being turned off and a figure in black armour running out of the camp towards the other emplacements even as the gun exploded and was dealt with.

"Quinn, this is Vette." The twi'lek quickly hit the comm open. "The gun is down, but we are not alone out here. There's a sith."

"Copy that, I will try and get more information on who it might be. Job's done, get back here."

"I wasn't about to sit about and roast marshmallows out here." Vette snarked back even as she turned and jogged off back towards the base.


Necrolis Darkstar eyed the weapon placement and the handful of Republic troops positioned about it. He had already marked the commander, intent on taking out the head first. There were ten troopers total, and he had to give them credit, they were being cautious. Six had been spaced in a semi circle out before the weapon they were operating and protecting. The other three were with the commander at the base of the weapon. They were fortified by three probe droids constantly scanning out ahead of them. They expected trouble from the Imperial base, and as such had deployed their defences forward. They had left themselves exposed to a rear attack, and so Necrolis had slowly and cautiously circled about behind them.

"Quinn, I will have the weapon down momentarily. Stand by." Necrolis reported in, even as he flexed his grip on both lightsaber hilts.

"Be advised there is another party out there, another sith, my lord." Quinn reported. "Vette had some help it seems but her's is down."

"I see." Necrolis stated even as he watched the person Quinn had reported engage in a frontal assault.

Whoever it was, they had charged in, cutting down the center probe droid and going right at the Republic forces at their strongest point. It was not smart, but if it could be done, it would certainly demoralize them. Necrolis chuckled and then moved. Slipping in, he used the other sith's attack as a distraction, leaving the troopers to her and drawing up to the weapon itself. Setting the charge he then slipped back out and waited and watched. The other sith, barely seen through the chaotic blaster fire was slicing through to the gun when Necrolis' charges detonated in an explosion of fire and smoke. Necrolis lingered long enough to see the glow of red from the sith's lightsaber and knew they still stood before he headed off to make his way back to the Imperial base.

"Gun is down, Quinn." Necrolis reported. "Any idea who that is out here with us?"

"Noted, my lord." Quinn nodded as he spoke knowing he had no doubts the guns would all come down smoothly. "As for the sith, my lord, I am working on it but nothing as of yet."


Jaesa Willsaam crouched down and studied the gun and those guarding it. Her first instinct had been to charge in and just cut anyone down who stood in her way. She had forced herself to not take that course of action. Recalling both Quinn and Necrolis' training, Jaesa instead focused on studying their position and coming up with a strong strategy that would ensure her success. She was intent and determined not to fail her master. She had already made enough mistakes. While patient, she knew she had to impress Necrolis and soon, before he decided she was no longer worth the time and effort. If that happened, she suspected she would not keep breathing very long.

Looking over the Republic troopers, she counted eight plus a commander, spaced out about the gun. She could see them all gearing up and looking more alert. She guessed that was likely due to the smoke she could see curling over the trees and buildings a short distance away. She had heard both explosions faint but unmistakable and knew both Vette and her master had succeeded already. That left it up to her to complete and duplicate the feat. She decided to skirt the probe droids and come in from the right side, giving her a bit of surprise still on the troopers. Taking a deep breathe, Jaesa reached out with her power and looked over the opposition, seeking a weakness.

"Damn." Jaesa muttered as she saw those she faced were hardened troops and none of them were likely to bolt and run. Guess it's the hard way after all, she mused as she began stalking in slowly closer to launch her attack.

Jaesa circled behind the makeshift lean-to the troopers had erected, giving her the ability to close right in on them. Ready she called the force to her and leapt amongst the group of three Republic troopers standing about the small campfire they had going. The yellow blades of her lightsaber hissed to life even as she speared the weapon forward as she landed amidst them. She guided the weapon fluidly, a sweeping arc ending in the driving backwards of the bottom blade. In mere seconds three bodies lay at her feet, two with burned holes in their chests, the other a wide slash that had opened the troopers abdomen and spilled his innards beside his corpse.

Cries rang out even as weapons began to swing towards her. Jaesa threw her weapon, guiding it with the force in a spin that flew out and then arced back cutting down three more of the troopers before more than a couple shots could be snapped off. She could hear the commander screaming orders to no avail. Catching her weapon she turned aside a pair of shots, even as she moved in close to the gun and threw the satchel of charges onto it. Backing up she deflected more shots back and took down the seventh trooper leaving just the last one.

"Republic scum." Jaesa sneered, waiting for the explosion to take out both the gun and commander.

Before that happened, Jaesa caught sight of the red lightsaber sweeping in to slice clean through the commander, registering the black clad sith a moment before the gun exploded. The ball of fire engulfed about it as the gun toppled down into a heap through a billowing rising veil of black smoke. Jaesa frowned and peered, trying to see anything before deciding there was nothing she could do. There had been no word of any assistance, and she knew Necrolis would have let her know if he was coming to help. She doubted her master distrusted her abilities enough to have done that.

"Quinn, the gun is down and Republic dogs are all put down as they should be." Jaesa remarked. "I think there was another casualty, possibly, but I don't really care."

"Elaborate please, Jaesa. We did have an unidentified friendly apparently."

Jaesa frowned and then shrugged even as she jogged back towards the base to rendezvous with everyone. If there had been a friendly out there, they should have made themselves known as far as she was concerned. She hadn't needed the help, but she was not about to lose any sleep at the death of someone stupid enough to get in her way in a fight.

"Some sith, jumped in as the charges went off." Jaesa said offhandedly. "I think you can find her in a few places now. She went boom."

"Lovely." Was the only reply from Malavai Quinn back to her and Jaesa laughed, seeing the man's grimacing expression at her words in her mind's eye.


Necrolis watched as Jaesa Willsaam entered the ToxicLakeGarrison, a smile on her face and cowl drawn down for a change. He could tell she had enjoyed herself, and seemed more like the young woman he knew. He was pleased to see such. Vette sighed beside him, and he knew she still was taxed to accept how death seemed to walk hand in and with them. While he admired that sliver of compassion in her, he also knew it was a liability at times.

"Now that we are done with that, let us speak to this Moff." Necrolis remarked, turning about and looking at Malavai Quinn. "You are in charge while I speak with Hurdenn, Quinn. The three of you keep out of trouble."

"I will ensure such." Quinn said and nodded, then glanced at both Vette and Jaesa.

"Oh, come on!" Vette remarked and rolled her eyes, hands going to her hips. "This place couldn't be livened up with a dozen dance balls and dancing naked twi'leks!"

Necrolis heard Quinn cough at the comment and rolled his eyes as he then glanced towards the woman. Vette gave him a look that simply screamed innocence and once more he shook his head. Jaesa giggled and shrugged, knowing Vette was right. The base was a shambles and seemed about the worst she had ever seen. She doubted even she could get into trouble in a place like this.

As a group they entered the now opened bunker even as a platoon of Imperial troops as well as support battle droids filtered outside to fully man the base. Necrolis shook his head and grit his teeth, once more reminded of just how pathetically the base had been defended when under attack. Cowering in a bunker was far from showing the strength of the Empire. It was something he knew he would need to address. Quinn likely can put the pieces in place if I need to take care of this idiotic moff, he thought. They reached a junction where Quinn indicated the Moff was down in the command center.

"We will wait down in the cantina, such as it is, for you my lord." Quinn advised. He hoped going and simply getting a drink might well prove the safest and easiest option for the three of them.

"I will join you there shortly, Captain." Necrolis remarked and then strode off down the wide hallway towards the command center.

"So who's buying?" Jaesa grinned as she asked the question once Necrolis was well out of earshot.

"First round is on me, assuming we can find anything to drink in this sinkhole." Quinn stated and then led the way to the cantina.