Chapter 5
Darth Karrid relished the feeling of power and prestige as she took her seat in the Dark Council chamber on Dromund Kaas. Her seat, she liked the sound of that, but Karrid relished the looks her fellow councilmen gave her even more.
Surprisingly enough, it was the five Sith Pureblood councilmen, Darths Nox, Shaar, Krovos, Arkous, and Soverus who seemed the most accepting of her ascendance to the Sphere of Technology, each giving her a nod and look of respect. The humans, by contrast, all held bitterness, resentment, and deep hostility within their Force aura and expressions. Karrid even sensed uneasiness in her own sponsor, Darth Marr, unable to see his face via the mask he always wore. Even so, he never looked directly at her, no doubt he suspected her part in Darth Gravus's defeat, all of them likely did. But that didn't matter, he could never prove it, none of them could.
"Kneel before Emperor Vowrawn!" A tall and broad-shouldered Sith pureblood wearing a black variant of the Imperial Guard's robed armor with two lightsabers on his belt shouted. Karrid and the other councilmen did as he commanded, falling to one knee as Emperor Vowrawn entered with a squad of Imperial Guardsmen before taking his throne.
Darth Draikor wasn't present, which didn't surprise her that much. The Wrath was always busy, especially with the tide of war still with the Republic, for now. Darth Nox wasn't physically present either, only attending via hologram, again, not unheard of.
"Take your seats. I would like to formally welcome the newest member of my Dark Council. Darth Karrid, fresh from her decisive victory against the Republic Fleet at the Swiswina sector. Well done."
"You honor me, your grace. As the council can see, the Ascendant Spear is the key to ultimate victory against the Republic." Karrid hissed with a growing smile.
"Yes, quite unfortunate circumstances that a Republic Task Force which included the two strongest living Jedi just happened to arrive at Termis II as Darth Gravus attacked, isn't it!" Darth Ravage snarled, his face turning bright red as he spat venom at Karrid. Rather than return in kind, the Falleen merely smiled back with immense satisfaction that only made Ravage angrier.
"Indeed. It seems the Force guided the Jedi to such an action."
"How convenient that they came for him and not you!"
"If they had come, they'd have all died."
"Enough." Vowrawn growled, looking more at Ravage than Karred.
"If Gravus was the Sith he claimed to be, he'd have won regardless of the circumstances. Darth Karrid destroyed the entire Republic attacking fleet, four capital ships and ten corvettes all annihilated, and our own ships saved.I expect great things from my newest Dark Councilman, including more ships like the Spear in the future.." The tone in Emperor Vowrawn's voice and the sinister look on his face sent a chill down Karrid's spine and she quickly understood the subtle threat in his complement.
She gained her seat through the power of the Spear, and she could just as easily lose it should her ship fail. But more than that, he wanted an entire fleet of ships like the Ascendant Spear, which Karrid suspected she could do with enough time now that she had the resources of a Dark Councilman, but if more ships like the Spear existed, Vowrawn wouldn't need her anymore.
The Falleen grit her teeth and tried to remain calm. She could deal with this, she was a survivor, no, a thriver.
"Of course, your grace."
Vowrawn nodded, his grin not completely fading.
"Now then, onto other business. Darth Marr, give us a rundown of our military situation." Marr nodded, as Master of Military Defense, he'd had a much more active role since the Republic began its counteroffensive alongside Darth Soverus, the master of Military strategy, much to the frustration of Darth Arkous, the Master of Military offense.
"Thanks to Darth Karrid's intervention, the situation in the Swiswina sector has been stabilized, for now. However, even with the loss of their Fleet in the battle, the Republic Navy and Army still outnumber us, and their shipyards are working at peak efficiency, meaning they'll likely recover from the loss of ships sooner rather than later. As for us, we're still being pressed hard in other sectors, not as bad as we were at Swiswina, but our situation hasn't drastically improved, made worse by the recent death of Grand Moff Graloth, which has since inspired more occupied planets to rise up against us."
A collective rage built among the Sith Lords as they watched the Empire's position continue to deteriorate before their eyes. Just a few decades earlier, they returned to the galaxy in a glorious onslaught of conquest and revenge, now the Republic and Jedi were on the verge of wiping them out just as they tried to do over a thousand years earlier.
"What do you suggest we do, then, Marr?" Darth Mortis asked, sounding calmer than he really was.
"Darth Karrid has proven the Ascendant Spear's prowess. My recommendation is to have her take the ship to wherever our front is the closest to collapsing. We hold off the Republic long enough to recoup from our losses and stabilize the situation."
Emperor Vowrawn narrowed his eyes slightly, but nodded.
"A sound enough strategy, Darth Soverus, what do you think?"
"Darth Marr's plan has merit, but it remains limited in foresight." Marr turned his cold gaze onto the broad-shoulder Sith pureblood.
"How so?" Marr growled.
"You would merely use the Spear as a shield and only slow down the Republic's offensive, but you would not stop it. Do not forget, Darth Marr, the Republic outnumbers us ten-to-one and we face internal revolts from the worlds we occupy, even with the Spear, we cannot win a war of attrition."
Emperor Vowrawn nodded.
"He's right." The Emperor said in a stern tone to Marr, who grit his teeth. Before ascending the throne, Vowrawn was head of logistics and clearly had a much better idea of the Empire's logistical capabilities than Marr did, and the Sith Lord had to concede as much.
"I agree, the Ascendant Spear was made to destroy the Republic, we should use it as such." Darth Arkous said with growing enthusiasm.
"Yes, I recommend we place the Spear at the head of a Fleet and use it in a counter-offensive against the Republic!"
"We do not have the means for another full-scale attack!" Marr swiftly countered.
"The best defense is a good offense. I'm not speaking of throwing everything we have at the Republic. No, I suggest that we use the Spear to launch deep raids into the Republic, and hit their most important industrial centers, shipyards, arms factories, and food production planets. We'd deal a crushing blow to their war machine and perhaps even draw fleets away from the front."
Darth Arkous's plan intrigued the Emperor and his council, even Marr thought the plan had some merit.
"Even with their Fleets on the offensive, the Republic Navy is still likely to have considerable forces protecting these planets." Marr countered.
"And what if they do? The Ascendant Spear can wipe them all out easily."
"He's right, the Spear can and will destroy anything the Republic has to throw at it." Karrid hissed in utter surety.
"It's settled then. Darth Arkous will provide Darth Karrid with a list of targets and a fleet of ships to back up the Spear. From there, Darth Karrid will destroy each target and deal a crippling blow to the Republic war effort, giving us time to reconsolidate." Vowrawn declared, earning vehement nods from the other Sith, including Marr.
"It shall be done." Karrid hissed with bursting enthusiasm. This was it, a chance to ensure her future on the Council. Once the Empire knew she brought the Republic to its knees, Vowrawn could never replace her, he wasn't Vitiate. This was her moment, and she wouldn't let it slip from her fingers.
When the council meeting ended, Karrid returned to the Ascendant Spear where she sat in her meditation chamber, looking over a datapad with Moff Lorman. The Falleen hissed as she saw the meager numbers presented to her.
"Is this it!?"
The gray-haired human man nervously tugged at the collar of his uniform.
"I'm afraid so, my lord. It seems Darth Gravus brought most of his assets with him when he attacked Termis II, and the Republic wiped them out almost entirely." Karrid hissed again, but lower this time. When Gravus died, he lacked any heirs, and as such, Karrid was able to use her position to claim everything he owned for herself. Or rather what was left of it. Much to her disappointment, but not surprise, Gravus hadn't been honest when he claimed to have dozens of cyborg Sith warriors like Tormen. According to the information before her, most of these 'cyborg' Sith were in fact ordinary Sith with minor augmentations, including some basic implants or mechanical hands.
However, as Karrid read on, she slowly smiled as she saw Tormen wasn't the only fully augmented Sith Gravus possessed.
"Where are they?" She asked, pointing to the item.
"Onboard, my lord. Shall I bring them down?" Karrid nodded and turned her attention to another alien who meditated with her apprentices as she waited. The togruta had black facial tattoos across his face and wore similar Sith robes as Karrid herself.
"Darth Trathus, welcome aboard."
"It is a privilege to serve you, my Lord." The Togruta Sith bowed low before Karrid. Like her, he was once a servant of Malgus, but sided with him during his rebellion and went into hiding after his death. Now that Karrid sat on the Dark Council, she offered him a position serving her, and he gladly accepted.
"Have my apprentices showed you the technique to support me?"
"I have the gist of it, my Lord. All I require now is practice."
"You will have plenty." Karrid hissed. A few moments later, three cryo-tanks were wheeled in by crewmen. The Falleen Sith Lord approached them with Moff Lorman before wiping away condensation from the glass. Inside rested a pureblooded Sith woman,a zabrak, and dark-skinned human man with the same level of cybernetic alterations and enhancements as Tormen, the dark side swirling around what remained of their organic material much the same.
"Thaw them."
"Yes, my Lord." Lorman said nervously as he gestured to the crewmen. Several minutes passed, and Karrid waited patiently until at last, the glass opened.
"Can you hear me?"
Three sets of glowing red eyes lit up the darkened room.
"Yes, my Lord." Their machine voices sent chills down Lorman's spine.
"Who do you serve?"
"Darth Karrid."
Terra waited with Theron and Colonel Andrews outside of Jace Malcolm's office as the Supreme Commander spoke with Director Trant. Over a week passed since they successfully recovered the Black Cipher and brought it to Coruscant. After the initial debriefing Andrews quickly returned to see his and Elara's children, while Theron distanced himself from Jace, or rather he tried to.
Andrews noticed an increasingly nervous/irritated look in Theron's face as he paced outside the office while Terra watched him with a cocky smirk.
"Everything alright?" Andrews asked.
"Hmp, ask her, she wouldn't leave me alone for the last week." Theron groaned while glaring back at Terra, though the Commando could see through the facade.
"He's just mad because I've had to babysit and force him to spend time with his dear old dad."
"You haven't been babysitting me!" Theron shouted, sounding more defensive than he intended. Terra smirked wider.
"You know you're right, that would imply you didn't want me around." Theron's face turned red, though not entirely from rage. Even Andrews couldn't contain his laughter when he saw Terra come closer and stroke Theron's arm with her hand, brightening the Agent's face even more.
"Now he's just scared because his mom's coming here too, but don't worry, I'll be right beside you again to hold your hand if you get scared."
"You know what-" Theron started.
"Sir, Grandmaster Satel Shan and two other Jedi Masters have arrived." Jace's secretary reported as she got on a communicator and opened the door.
Terra could see discomfort take over Theron's expression instantaneously. The Privateer placed a comforting hand on Therons as the door opened and Satel Shan entered the waiting area with Arreok and Nuhr close behind.
"Theron." Satel spoke softly, and her eyes met those of her son. Andrews and Terra soon found themselves longing for combat as opposed to the tension in the room between the two.
"Terra, Andrews. It's good to see you both." Nuhr said with a more inviting smile.
"Ahh, our two favorite Jedi." Terra smiled back, rising to her feet with Andrews as they took turns embracing both Jedi.
"It seems the Force has guided our destinies together again." Arreok said, earning a slight chuckle from Andrews.
"I wouldn't have it any other way. The four Republic Heroes, off to save the Galaxy again."
"Some day they might write stories about us. I better get the royalties." Terra laughed.
"Perhaps, but we must finish our latest story first." Nuhr said.
The office door opened and Malcolm's harsh expression met Satel's nervous one.
"Grandmaster." Malcolm almost growled. Theron remained silent, but Terra could feel the growing discomfort in him as she held his hand.
"Supreme commander." taking a seat with the others. Satel sat down last, and tried to sit beside Theron before the agent practically grabbed Arreok and pulled him into the seat first.
"Sorry, taken." He muttered.
"I see." Satel said somberly, taking the chair furthest from him. Even with a cloth over where his eyes would be, Theron saw the clearly confused expression on the Miraluka's face.
"It's a long story." Terra whispered to her old Jedi friend.
"I'll bet there is. I can sense the tension between those three is thick enough to cut with a lightsaber."
"Captain Terra and Colonel Andrews, I believe you're acquainted with Master Nuhr and Battlemaster Arreok."
"You could say that." Andrews commented.
"I haven't had the pleasure. It's an honor to meet the Jedi Councilman who mended the Rift Alliance and the Jedi champion who killed both Malgus and the Immortal Sith Emperor!" Director Trant offered his hand to both Jedi, who in turn shook it.
"A pleasure to make your acquaintance, Director." Nuhr said in a warm tone.
"Hi." Theron said, perhaps colder than he intended.
"This is agent Theron Shan." Trant said, giving Theron a stern look.
"Shan." Arreok thought. His miraluka Force sight gave him a better look at the man's inner aura, and it did remind him of Satel's. He'd also heard rumors from Kira that the Grandmaster secretly had a child, that plus the obvious tension between her, Jace, and Theron allowed him to put two and two together. As much as this revelation intrigued Arreok and Nuhr, they both recognized it wasn't the time to look into it further.
"One more Jedi will also be joining us for this meeting, though not physically." Nuhr said, removing a hologram projector from his armor and placing it on the desk. Moments later, it lit up and projected the image of a tall Kel Dor Jedi Master.
"Greetings Grandmaster, Supreme Commander." He said, bowing his head slightly.
"This is Jedi Master Gnost-Dural, Darth Karrid's master when she was a Jedi Padawan." Satel said, earning more interest from the non-Jedi members.
"I apologize for not coming in person. My work in restoring Ossus has taken up most of my time." Despite his words, Theron could feel the guilt and shame in his voice, and suspected there were other reasons for his absence.
"Tell us more about Karrid, and how she fell." Arreok said, earning a deep sigh from the Kel Dor.
"Kana was always an ambitious student, constantly seeking ways to prove herself and gain new knowledge. I didn't see it at the time, but she was going down a dangerous path in how she sought to achieve success."
"She ended up with Malgus, right?" Terra asked.
"Indeed, it was my fault. At the time a prominent Sith Lord actively seeking out alien students was unheard of, and it offered us unique opportunities. I believed Kana could infiltrate Malgus's ranks and help us bring him down, I was wrong. Eventually Malgus discovered she was a spy, and seduced her into becoming one of his genuine apprentices, the rest is history."
"Master Tol, we all knew the risk." Satel said, trying to comfort him, but the Kel Dor shook his head.
"It was I who unleashed this terror upon the galaxy."
"Regardless, with the Black Cipher we now have the means to bring her down. Director Trant." Jace said, emphasizing the SIS director who nodded.
"My analytics team managed to get the Cipher working within hours of its arrival at headquarters and just the other day we managed to intercept highly classified information about a new campaign approved by Emperor Vowrawn himself with Karrid and the Spear at the head of it all."
Malcolm's face turned grim in a way that unsettled the heroes.
"The Empire plans to strike our most important industrial and agricultural centers using the Spear as a flagship to cripple our ability to wage war."
Terra and the others lost their breath at the mere idea of such death and destruction. Millions, no, billions would die, and the war could drag on for decades.
"Where first!?" Andrews shouted.
"Duro, and our starfighter production facilities there. Fortunately we know when they're going to attack and when." Jace declared with renewed confidence.
"What is our plan then?" Satel asked, still unable to look Jace in the eye.
"Currently we only have one task force guarding the Duro system so over the last few days, I've ordered four more task forces to quietly move to the edge of the system. When Karrid and the Spear do attack, they'll quick-jump in and overwhelm the Imperials with numbers."
Terra stroked her chin and nodded, but only slightly.
"A reasonable plan, but will they be enough considering what the Spear did at Swiswina?"
Jace took another deep breath.
"No, the Spear's too strong, that's where you and the others come in." Jace activated the schematics for the Ascendant Spear.
"We've been analyzing these since we acquired them and have determined that the spear only has one real weakness, Karrid herself."
"Indeed, even if we could get a saboteur aboard, while in her meditation chamber, Karrid has almost complete control of the ship, but if her connection was severed." Director Trant started.
"The Spear would become paralyzed." Nuhr finished.
"Exactly, that's why during the battle, you four will board the ship and eliminate Karrid." Jace said, emphasizing the four heroes, who now turned to each other.
"Our intelligence suggests that the Spear is mostly manned by a rather standard crew with security teams, Sith, and perhaps some Mandalorians, the remnants of Malgus's supporters who no other Sith would take."
Arreok and the others weren't too concerned about the opposing forces per say, the four had dealt with far worse than that on other missions together. Most notably when they alone boarded Malgus's space station and fought through a small army of his most fanatical and dangerous supporters. However, that didn't mean any were overly confident about the plan.
"Perhaps, if we could get aboard. But how exactly will we accomplish this?" Nuhr asked.
"That's where I come in." Theron said. Terra's head shot to Theron as a subtle look of anxiety began to grow on her face.
"What do you mean by that?"
"According to the Black Cipher, the Ascendant Spear will arrive at Vaiken Spacedock in one week to link up with the rest of their fleet, and to give their crews some rest before their raiding campaign, after two days in port they will leave for Duro." Trant answered.
"In one week, I'll be smuggled into Vaiken Spacedock and from there will infiltrate the Spear. Once onboard, I'll slice into the network and install an anti-protocol worm during the battle. It won't last long, but long enough for you four to get aboard."
"That sounds dangerous." Terra muttered, barely holding back the dread in her voice.
"Of course it is, but there's no other way. Once you four are inside, Theron will link up with your team and help bring down Karrid."
"I've done this type of op before. Don't worry." Theron said, placing a hand on Terra's shoulder. Despite this, her anxiety didn't lessen.
"I should go with you."
"No! I mean, Theron has more experience with infiltrations like this and a second operative would only complicate things."
"I've got this." Theron tried to assure her.
"One week then." Arreok said.
"Before we go any further, I need to know you two won't jeopardize the mission by trying to 'redeem' Karrid." Jace said, his voice hardening as he looked at Arreok and Nuhr.
"Sir-" Andrews started.
"Killing Sith isn't the ultimate solution, Commander. The Sith Holocaust was proof of that. But in this case, we will do what is necessary to protect the innocent." Arreok said in a similarly harsh tone. Despite this, Jace looked more relaxed and nodded.
"Good."
Several days passed and Arreok stood inside a chamber within the Coruscant Jedi Temple with Kira, T7, and an infant boy. The child had Kira's skin tone and brownish hair with a brown cloth wrapped over where his eyes would've been.
T7 chirped happily as Arreok held his son, carefully bringing a finger down for the child to try and grasp with his small hands. Kira couldn't take her eyes off Akkern and did her best not to dwell on the sensation of dread which crept up on her since she found out about Arreok's mission to defeat Darth Karrid.
She kept telling herself this mission was nothing, she and Arreok both faced far worse than the likes of Karrid, and her husband would be with the other three Republic Heroes. Still, every time he went on a mission with those three, it somehow felt more stressful than if she accompanied him. Then again, since she gave birth to Akkern, leaving him was often worse.
Kira took a deep breath as she noticed T7 move up beside her with a comforting beep.
"Thanks T7." She said, stroking his head. She had to admit it was nice spending time in the rebuilt Coruscant Temple. Even though the Jedi Order's main Temple and High Council still remained on Tython, hundreds of Padawans and Jedi now inhabited the Coruscant Temple.
"Funny to think the last time we were here this place was full of Imperial soldiers and Sith Warriors." Kira almost laughed, reminiscing when Arreok defeated Lord Tarnis and stopped the Planet Prison.
"It's certainly cleaner." Arreok retorted, earning a laugh from his wife. However, he soon sensed growing uncertainty in her aura, especially as she looked back at Akkern.
"Do you think destroying the Ascendant Spear will finally end it? Maybe not the last of the fighting overall, but end the Empire's chances to win?"
Arreok took a deep breath.
"A Jedi doesn't speculate Kira, we can hope, but we must be prepared." Kira sighed,
"I know, I know. I'm just, 'sigh' there is no emotion." Kira felt Arreok place a hand on her shoulder and looked at the young woman with a deep expression.
"Everything will be alright. Akkern will grow up in a better galaxy, I will make sure of that."
Kira stared at their son again.
"I just don't want him growing up without his father."
"He won't."
The two Jedi sensed a familiar presence approaching the chamber even before hearing a knock on the door.
"Come in."
Grandmaster Satel slowly walked in with an profound sense of weakness that neither Jedi imagined possible in her.
"Grandmaster."
"Battlemaster, Kira." She spoke softly, her eyes fixed on Akkern while barely holding back a flood of emotions.
"How did the council meeting go?"
"Huh? Oh, it went well enough. Master Nuhr is teaching a lesson to some of the students here."
Arreok nodded.
"I probably have time for a few more sparring sessions with the students before I leave."
Satel didn't respond, she just kept looking at Akkern, trembling.
"Grandmaster, are you alright?" Kira asked, extending a hand to Satel only for the older woman to pull away.
"I did what I had to. I couldn't raise Theron, I couldn't abandon my duties to the Republic."
"You did what you thought was best. Theron is alive because of it." Arreok assured Satel, though it didn't seem to help much.
"The two of you are just as accomplished as I was during the last war, no, more-so." Satel said, turning to Arreok in particular.
"Yet you haven't given up your child."
The Miraluka Battlemaster shook his head.
"First of all, Kira didn't get pregnant until after I slew Malgus, secondly, there's much more to being a Jedi than killing sith." Arreok took a deep breath and lowered his head slightly.
"Nuhr is a truer Jedi than I. There's a reason he sits on the council and not me."
"You've done far more than just kill Sith and Imperials. You saved Tython twice, saved Coruscant, Tatooine, helped free Balmora, redeemed Bengal More, Lord Praven, Leeha, Tol Braga, Warren and more, not to mention you saved the entire galaxy from the Emperor." Arrok exhaled.
"Perhaps, but I circumvented the Council's teachings on attachments. I don't regret the outcome, but that doesn't mean I set a good example either."
Arreok came back and handed Akkern to Kira before placing a hand on Satel's shoulder.
"You made a bigger sacrifice than I ever could, Grandmaster, and because of that billions of people live. You were instrumental in the Republic and Jedi's survival, you brought the Jedi Order from the brink of extinction to the height of our reach and wisdom. You freed us from the decay of politics and restored us to our roots on Tython. You've surpassed even Revan as a Jedi Master, and above all, you made sure Theron was cared for." Arreok's words provided Satel with some comfort, but the storm hadn't completely passed and she placed a hand on Akkern's soft cheek.
"He will make a great Jedi one day."
"Perhaps, but not among the order." Arreok's answer shocked Satel and she looked back at him with interest.
"We've talked with Arreok's parents, when Akkern is old enough, he's going to be trained on Alpheridies among the Luka Sene." Kira explained.
"Ahhh." Satel said in understanding. The Luka Sene also known as the Blue Jedi was a miraluka breakaway sect of larger Jedi Order in the same way the Green Jedi Order of Corellia was. The Luka Sene was founded by Miraluka Jedi Masters two centuries earlier who returned to their adopted homeworld of Alpheridies and focused their efforts exclusively in that sector of the galaxy.
Like the Green Jedi, the Blue Jedi were for the most part indistinguishable from traditional Jedi in terms of training, philosophy, and abilities. However, similar to the Green Jedi, the Blue Jedi allowed for local traditions of their home culture to influence their teachings, and put a greater emphasis on the Miraluka tendencies towards family and community, just like the Green Jedi focused on patriotism towards the Corellia system.
Both Orders also permitted marriages and lienges within their ranks. Even though the mainline Order did so as well, the Blue and Green Jedi were less restrictive. Satel knew of Arreok's parents, his father was one of the Blue Jedi's most accomplished Sages, known well for his wisdom and telekinetic abilities. His mother was perhaps more renowned, having earned a reputation as a champion in lightsaber combat during the last war when teams of Blue Jedi joined the larger Order in the fight against the Sith.
Despite a Luka Sene family, Arreok's parents ultimately decided to send a young Arreok to the mainline Jedi Order as a child for one reason or another, and he arrived on Tython as a boy where Orgus Din became his master. Given everything Arreok accomplished, Satel knew it was the will of the Force.
The Grandmaster only then noticed a conflicted look on Kira's face as she held her son.
"It is for the best, I wasn't raised in the order like Arreok. If we had a son who became a mainline Jedi, it could set a bad precedent. Besides, he's more miraluka than human. He'll be among his people."
"We won't be sending him there until he's at least ten, Kira. You'll be handling his initial training." Arreok assured his wife, who exhaled slightly.
"Don't forget the Order also has an enclave on Alpheridies. You could see him every day if you wanted to. The Luka Sene would probably want you too anyway, emphasizing families and all." Satel said, her smile returning as she brought hope back to Kira.
"That's true." Kira brought Akkern closer while Arreok and T7 joined her. Satel took another deep breath and departed for a meditation chamber.
Theron nearly dropped his drink as he shook from laughter.
"Then what happened!?" The agent almost shouted, barely remaining on the bar-stool.
Jace Malcolm, still un uniform, sat beside his son in the senate plaza cantina, a half-empty glass before him.
"Colonel Marshton chased us halfway across the camp, I was more afraid of dropping the liquor bottles than getting caught. Eventually we reached General Langton's tent and he screamed at the Colonel for hoarding liquor and abandoning his post. After that, we all had a drink and the general gave a toast to young Lieutenant Malcolm for 'requisitioning' his favorite alcohol."
Theron laughed with Terra, who sat on the other side of him.
"You see, that's why you should've joined the army like your old man, Theron. You're among the best company in the galaxy."
"I don't know, I've had some fun on SIS jobs in the past."
"Really, let's hear it then." Terra said, a slightly buzzed smile growing as she finished her ne'tra gal in a single gulp. Theron and Jace both still amazed that she handled the mandalorian liquor so well. Theron's job often brought him to many cantinas and he'd acquired a strong tolerance, but the black ale was perhaps the strongest he'd ever tasted.
"Well, I was sent to rescue some navy pilots who were captured after the Battle of Saleucami. Eventually they were given as slaves to the Imperial puppet minister on Raxus. I infiltrated the estate posing as a member of the waiter staff, only to find that the minister was treating the pilots like pets with shock collars and leashes."
"Why pets?" Jace asked.
"They were all Cathar." Terra rolled her eyes, particularly since this minister wasn't born an Imperial, but a local of Raxus who they put in charge, yet he adopted the Imperial attitude towards aliens.
"Probably wanted to show them off to his Imperial masters." Terra commented, earning a nod from Theron.
"That's exactly what he did. At least until I managed to hack into the shock collars and deactivate them one night."
Terra and Jace sat forward with eager anticipation.
"And?" Terra asked.
Theron took out his datapad and showed them a picture of himself with four Cathar on a Republic warship after the rescue. On his hands and knees in front of the cathar, was a portly human with a series of deep claw marks all over his body and a leash around his neck. Terra practically fell out of her chair, only remaining upright when Theron grabbed her shoulder.
"Alright, maybe sometimes interesting things happen in the SIS. I'm just glad you ended up serving the Republic." Jace said, placing his large hand on Theron's shoulder.
"What can I say, it's my home. I've seen what the galaxy is like beyond the Republic, it's worth fighting for."
Terra nodded, ordering three more Mandalorian Black Ales and passing two down.
"To the Republic." She offered.
"To the Republic!" Jace roared, almost silencing the cantina with his booming voice. They downed the intense alcohol before Jace and Theron got lost in conversation again. Terra only joined in sparingly, savoring the look of happiness on Theron's face as he connected with his long lost father.
"So what rank will they have you posing as?"
"A naval senior-lieutenant. My first time posing as an officer in the field." Theron answered, earning a nod from Jace.
"Remember, Imperial military officers have a very different relationship with their enlisted members than we do in the Republic. As long as you're confident, most enlisted Imps will wilt before an officer, they're trained in a master-slave relationship, and it will ultimately cost them. Enlisted men and women can offer great insight and carry plenty of experience, I wouldn't have gotten where I am without damn good Sergeants backing me up."
"I'll remember that." Theron said before Jace took a deep breath when he saw the time on his crono.
"Looks like the supreme chancellor needs me. Sorry, but I need to go."
"Good luck." Theron almost laughed, at least until he saw the almost dogged look on Jace's face.
"Be careful out there."
"I will." Theron said, sounding more sincere than he realized. Jace took a deep breath and left Theron with Terra, who then patted him on the shoulder.
"See, what did I tell you."
"Alright fine, maybe getting to know Jace wasn't a bad idea."
"Ha! You should listen to me more often." Terra laughed before ordering another round of drinks.
Terra handed Theron his glass when she noticed him staring at her with narrowed eyes, a mixture of suspicion and intrigue in his expression.
"What? Afraid I slipped you a roofie?" She chuckled.
"Why are you doing all of this?"
"All of what?"
"You're acting like you're my caretaker or something. We've known each other for a little over two-weeks. What is it about me that has you so interested?" He half-demanded.
Terra put on a sheepish and bashful expression.
"Alright, you've got me. I've been trying to get closer to the Supreme Commander."
"What?!" Theron almost shouted as Terra gave the look of a school girl with a crush.
"I want to take Jace Malcolm for myself. He's clearly not seeing anyone, and with you, I'll have him as a lover in no time."
"Are you kidding me!?" Theron screamed, almost jumping up from his bar stool, only to come to his senses less than a moment later, realizing how much the alcohol was clouding his judgement.
Terra's face turned red and tears flowed from her eyes as she laughed with such intensity, the Privateer could hardly breath.
"The look on your face, Shan." She almost choked. The SIS agent couldn't bring himself to look around at the other patrons and sat back down, glaring at Terra.
"Oh lighten up would you. If you really want to know, I guess I just feel a certain amount of responsibility for you is all. I did save your life back on Nar Shaddaa, and I can't let my efforts go to waste. Besides, I see a bit of myself in you."
"Right, you're acting like my big sister, despite being younger than me."
"Hmp not much younger, and given how you reacted to my joke about wanting your dad, I'd say sister isn't the best terminology." Theron's face turned slightly red.
"I, you….Don't go there, I need to stay focused on my mission tomorrow."
"Good, because if something happens, I'm going to have to drag myself to Vaiken spacedock to rescue you." Theron turned back to Terra prepared to retort, but when he saw the sincerity in her expression, he decided not to.
"...Don't worry about me. I've done this type of thing before."
"Maybe, but that doesn't mean everything will go according to plan."
Theron snorted.
"It never does."
"Amen." Terra said, taking another drink. Theron was about to say something else when he felt the Privateer's hand placed atop his. Both their bodies turned warmer as Terra's eyes met Theron's.
"Be careful tomorrow. There's more at stake than just the Republic."
"What else."
"My heart." Before Theron could speak, he felt Terra grab him by the collar of his shirt and then pull him in for a long and passionate kiss. His speech became muffled and after the initial shock, both melted away into the embrace, Theron closing his eyes as he wrapped both arms around Terra and kissed her back.