Ash had a headache, she'd been researching flight records for MC-18 light freighters in the outer rim for hours nothing concrete had come up just a list of possibilities. Trust outer rim spaceports to be sloppy with their organisation, she had narrowed down the flimsy records to maybe being on Dantooine for a few days with multiple different classifications given for the same ship in a few different close hangers. She swore half the time finding people was only hard because of people's incompetence, she couldn't be too mad though they were actually getting somewhere with this. She turned the holopad off this was enough of a lead to investigate and she had a hunch Gacen would try anything at this point.
She peered into the living area of the ship, Gacen was talking to the bounty hunter again apparently she had a slicer or something to slice that camera. They definitely had a lead but that camera may contain proof that would save them weeks of searching in the outer rim. Ash looked to Gacen as he 'negotiated' with the bounty hunter, apparently they were square so they would owe her a favour which she was not looking forward to. Gacen seemed a lot more in his element now he seemed lively and excitable it was certainly a far cry from the mopey Gacen going around the ship wasted she'd come to know. Ash really hoped they'd find Risha for nothing else at least it'd given Gacen some direction to help himself out of this pit. Ash could see he'd been through a lot he was always talking about people leaving him Ash didn't want to do the same she of all people knew how it felt to be abandoned. She did wonder though who had left him before Risha because there had to be someone else, could be the classic father issues but then again Ash didn't even know where he was from it seemed like it had to be more than that. He said something about family while they were drugged at least she thought he did, ugh she did not want to repeat that experience she had acted like a total idiot. But Gacen definitely mentioned something about family and he was a pretty distinct person right, you didn't see many sith Zabraks like him at least not ones so eccentric. Maybe his family abandoned him too just like her but she didn't have massive abandonment issues right? Ash put that to the back of her mind that was a whole can of worms she didn't want to open. No that felt wrong too he's talked about family before what did he say to her it wasn't parent related it was… sibling? Suddenly it clicked back in Ash's mind the conversation in the observation room, he said he had an estranged sister and that she wasn't much like him. She guessed that was sorta abandonment but she couldn't think of any reason he could feel so strongly about it, best not to press it it's his business not hers.
Ash made her way back to the cockpit Gacen was still negotiating some deal, Ash was really not looking forward to whatever the bounty hunter wanted at least this time she wouldn't get drugged. She would have to wait around a while maybe check the holonet see what the galaxy is up to, she began browsing all the normal stuff she avoided, top 10 things to do on Rishi, which sith lord are you most like?, what your lightsaber crystal says about you. She got the time wasters out the way and looked to the news in the galaxy, she browsed to see if there was anything besides the normal propaganda she frowned as she saw a story that seemed different. Jedi found captured in the depths of Zakuul she tapped the article and was surprised to see the face of an old friend Dzûsa the jedi knight. She hadn't been too close with him but he was a good jedi and efficent, it said he'd been captured and used a 'force battery' whatever that meant. Lana Beniko from the alliance had saved him that sounded about right for the alliance the strong leader commander and her two level headed advisers who totally were just as bad. Ash frowned for a second the leader of the alliance was… a zabrak what if? no that was crazy Gacen couldn't possibly not know must be unrelated. She dismissed the idea but a few minutes later she had to check she messed with the holopad getting up some old article about a conspiracy of some kind but more importantly there was a picture of the commander. She looked closely at the image she had to admit there was a little resemblance she could see but she may be seeing things. She didn't have the best opinion of the commander after the business with Jorgan she understood why it happened but it still hurt to know what happened to him, that was part of the reason why she didn't want to join the alliance. Wait this was ridiculous how on earth could Gacen not realise about the commander or maybe he had and he was just realy good at hiding it from Ash. Ash let out a sigh or maybe he's been so drunk he hasn't noticed, she hated that that was the most realistic option.
She should just drop this it was intrusive she put the holopad down but as she was about to she heard footsteps from behind her. Gacen sauntered into the room "well don't worry they'll be here soon to slice that cam" Ash frantically grabbed the holopad so Gacen couldn't see
She turned to Gacen stammering "uh oh ok good get that sliced" Gacen frowned at her jovially nice going Ash very smooth
He peered towards the holopad "whatcha got there shen" she was so distracted hiding the holopad she barely caught the nickname
She gave him a glare "oh don't worry it's nothing important" Gacen gave a inquisitive smile please just drop it, Gacen didn't need anything else on his plate right now
She had to think of an excuse "uhhh I kinda finished the search and got kinda bored so did uh the which sith lord are you most like quiz" Gacen chuckled
He gave Ash a playful grin "haha no wonder I'm a Vowrawn apparently how about you" oh thank the force he was easy to lie to
Ash had to think of a sith "uh I got uh Revan" was that even in the quiz she had no idea
Gacen nodded "yeah that kinda suits you you're pretty middle ground" Ash nodded letting the comment slide, she looked from the holopad picture to Gacen there was a definite resemblance. Did he know? if he did she probably shouldn't press it right? well if he didn't what would it do to him? he'd been on such a positive rise lately this might put him back down.
Ash should check but subtly "did you hear about Dzûsa" Gacen frowned at her
"apart from that he's a huge friendly behemoth that could probably crush me no" Ash had to be careful here just say the right details she could tell him later
Ash switched the holopad back to the article "apparently he was trapped under Zakuul being used as like a battery" she watched Gacen as he nodded
Gacen leaned back in his chair "I guess that explains why he went missing before us, I gotta be honest Ash I don't really keep up with news and general galactic goings on" he paused looking away "the old booze will have that effect on ya." Ash let out a long sigh of relief it was simple he just didn't know and that was… fine for now at least until they find Risha then she could tell him. No wonder he was so weird about it Kyradia did not have the best history and if Ash hadn't seen her alliance she'd want to avoid her at all costs too. That must be an interesting family she thought she probably shouldn't have meddled that was his secret to tell, still she would still respect his privacy so what was the problem really.
Gacen poked her suddenly startling her "you know I beat him in a fight once" Ash frowned at him yeah right
Ash raised her eyebrow "you've never won a fistfight in your life I very much doubt you beat that giant" Gacen grinned
"I never said it was a fist fight, I beat him at Pazzak" Ash let out a long sigh "hey just trying to cheer you up you look a little uncomfortable" was she that obvious
Ash rubbed her forehead "nah I'm alright It's just been a long few hours" that definitely was true
Gacen got out his flask "I'll drink to that" Ash smiled let him have this one for his sis
The airlock opened and the familiar form of Amy strolled into the ship with her sidekick in tow "so I hear your in need of my services" wow she was well a lot. Ash could see her now in her bounty hunter outfit, long cape, bright colours why did all Gacen's friends have to be like this
Ash responded arms folded "well we need the services of Mako mainly her slicing abilities" Mako nodded to Ash as they made their way to the living area
Gacen passed Mako the camera "we need the internal memory of this bad boy" Mako caught it seemingly familiar with the two of them
She examined it for a second "yep this shouldn't be too hard gimme five ten minutes I'll patch it into the holo" Gacen's eyes widened looking down to the mess of wires still on the floor "and apparently fix your holo" she groaned getting to work
Amy raised her eyebrow at Gacen "sooo you did find something I missed what was it" Ash felt that information shouldn't be handed out to a woman who had betrayed them before
Gacen chuckled "Amy let's be real I'm not telling you that with your track record" oh thank the force Gacen wasn't being sentimental
Amy nodded "yeah that's fair, I'll have to up my game" Ash still wasn't clear on the relationship Gacen and Amy had it seemed like a you scratch my back I betray yours and then rinse and repeat, she'd never understand the underworld.
after about 10 minutes the holo flickered to life and an image of Hanger 31 was displayed, Mako stood up "ok that should be it this is the first point the camera was on, which was" she looked to her holopad "about 6-7 years ago" wow Gacen's wife sure was a planner. Ash could see the hanger and the MC-18 light freighter that she had been staring at for hours of reports sitting in the hanger, so at least that part was right.
Gacen nodded looking very serious all of a sudden "ok set it to 3 years ago around uh" he looked to his hand where Ash remembered he wrote down the date Risha had visited "4 months in on the 25th" Ash focussed on the display as Mako changed it to those parameters.
Everything looked the same the ship was still there the, room was empty Mako spoke up "Ok I'll slowly fast-forward throughout the day". The image sped up at about hour 5 the screen suddenly went black
Gacen looked at Mako confused "what happened where's the hanger" Mako frowned looking at the datapad
Mako grimaced "it looks like it's been deleted I'll see when it cuts back in" Gacen took a sharp inhale of breath putting his hand on his head. They continued to watch the transmission as it suddenly cut back in two hours later but now the hanger was empty no sign of the ship.
Ash looked to Gacen who's face dropped no she couldn't let this be it "go back to before it cuts out maybe there's something" Mako nodded she didn't seem convinced but it was worth a shot. Ash looked towards the corner where they entered as the screen cut back in and she spotted a small figure for just a second.
Ash pointed "there in the corner slow it down" Mako did pinpointing the moment the figure was on screen and looping it, it was unclear who it was yet but Ash had a hunch.
Ash looked to Gacen who's eyes were wide "uh um zoom in" Mako zoomed in and the both of them could clearly make out the form of Guss Tuno as he was suddenly pulled back by a hand off screen.
Gacen's face broke into a smile "that beautiful clumsy bastard" he pulled Ash into a sudden surprising hug
Ash squirmed awkwardly "woah uh ok you're welcome" she was the one who saw it after all. Gacen let her go with a smile, this was a solid lead looks like it was next stop Dantooine.
Amy loudly cleared her throat "right now that that is over we are calling in our favour" oh god no Ash didn't want to deal with this right now
Gacen grinned at her "I think we're gonna like this one" Ash narrowed her eyes at Gacen that meant it was so much worse
Amy was smiling too "I have been tasked with eliminating a noble who will be attending a gala but to get in I need some rich influencers I.e Gacen's extensive wealth so basically get me in and make excuses while I'm gone" Ash's heart sank a gala meant she'd have to dress up her least favourite thing.
Gacen was squealing with excitement "Ash you know what this means" don't say it "we have to go fancy clothes shopping" Ash groaned this was her literal worst nightmare…