Kiara still didn't feel one hundred percent, but she was able to fake it, for the most part. She was out with Hera as she showed her the base that had been set up on the planet of Suaren. It was a small, backwater planet in the Mid-Rim that had a very small population on the other side of the planet. For the most part, it was nearly untouched by the rest of the galaxy. There wasn't any commerce set up with the outside at all. That meant that either everything on the planet was created there or a person had to leave it to get supplies since none would be brought in to buy while on Suaren. Since it was a planet that was practically forgotten by the rest of the galaxy it made for the perfect place to set up a small base.
"So, everyone came here after Yavin IV?" Kiara asked as the two women passed the last of the fighters that she'd been shown in the hanger. The rest of the crew and Alexsandr were all occupied with their duties, so Hera had taken it upon herself to be the newest rebel's guide to the base now that she was finally feeling better for the most part.
"No. We split up into teams. We try to only keep but so many personnel at each base for logistical purposes. The base on Yavin IV had grown thanks to the fact that several cells joined together and went there. But after the evacuation we were split up into three teams to disperse across the galaxy. That way if the Empire finds one base, then the other bases are still safe. Only the highest levels of each cell have any knowledge of the others. Much like how the Fulcrum were, few know anything about those either above or below them along the chain of information."
Hera found a place to sit. She still had nearly half of her pregnancy to go but she was already having to sit more often than she once did. Though by looking at the other woman, she may have been ready to sit as well. From what she'd learned about the drugs that had been put into her system and at the rate that they'd been administered, she was sure that the younger woman was still feeling some of the side effects from them. Even if she acted as if she was over them.
Hera placed a hand on her stomach as it had become a habit that she'd recently developed. When she did so Kiara noticed and asked, "So, do you want a boy or a girl? And don't use the copout that you just want a healthy child. That goes without saying. I know you must have a preference."
Hera glanced over at the other woman, "I may have one but if I tell you, you have to promise to keep it a secret."
Kiara snickered, "I would think that my record would show that I'm really good at keeping secrets."
Hera laughed, "I suppose it does. Alright," she leaned in and whispered, "I'm hoping for a little boy."
"Really?"
"Yes. I know Kanan would be a wonderful father no matter what, but I really think that seeing him with his own son would be a sight to see. When he and Ezra would-" Hera stopped short. "Well, I just think that a son would be nice."
Kiara nodded as she understood. She then asked, "So, have you started to set up a nursery on the Ghost, yet? That should be an interesting project."
Hera laughed but shook her head. "No. I'm not even sure how I'd go about starting something like that."
"You just may need to be a little creative," Kiara then added with a fake and exaggerated tone as she saw the Mandalorian across the hanger heading toward the mess hall, "It's a shame that you don't know anyone with a creative bent to their personality. Someone who could take on the project for you."
Hera saw Sabine and knew what Kiara was suggesting. "Yes, it is a shame. Come on. It's getting close to the mid-day meal. I'll ask her while we eat."
Hera led the newest member to the base toward the Mess Hall. When they got there Kallus was already at the table with Kanan and Zeb along with a few others from the communications center while Sabine was heading their way with her meal. Hera and Kiara got their own meals and joined them. Hera sat between Zeb and Kanan while Kiara sat between Kallus and one of the individuals who had joined from the center. Once there, it became clear that the others were discussing the potential of getting a shipment that the men of the group were planning to intercept. It contained some much-needed equipment and weaponry. Some of which could be used to gain some credits since they were running low, and they couldn't steal everything that they needed from the Empire.
"Didn't you just come back from a supply mission?" Kiara asked since she was sure that was what Alex had told her.
"Yes, they did," Hera said as she gave the men a knowing look. "But Kanan and Zeb have been volunteering for missions right and left. Though I don't know what Kallus's excuse is. Other than the men have all decide to get away from the base together as often as they can."
Kiara chuckled at the looks on the men's faces in response to Hera's comment.
"My knowledge of Imperial protocols will be invaluable on the mission. And we will have a narrow window to slip in and out," Kallus answered the Twi'lek.
Hera shook her head since she was sure that the mission was just an excuse for male bonding, but she let it go. The men were scheduled to head out after the evening meal. She knew that the equipment was needed since the supply of credits had become completely dismal. She just didn't know why Kanan, and the others, decided that they were the ones who had to go.
Kiara watched as the Ghost lifted up and flew away in search of equipment to steal so that it could be sold. She glanced around the base, looking for something to do and she was struck by inspiration. She saw Sabine and Hera going over toward the barracks of the base. She jogged over since she wanted to discuss her idea with the two of them and get the assistance of one of them.
"Hera, Sabine. I have been thinking about your cashflow problem. I think I have a solution for you."
The Twi'lek raised a brow from curiosity. "I'm listening."
"Okay, well, you know that it isn't easy saving up for a ship, even an old freighter, when one works for the Empire. Not to mention afford the upgrades that I have on the Shadow Chaser."
"How were you able to get a ship, anyway?" Sabine was the one to ask.
"Simple, I just took a few credits at a time and when I could, I'd find a game in a bar here and there-"
"You gambled," Hera said as a statement rather than a question.
"Yes. But it isn't really a gamble. I use my ability to read people, and I never lose because of it. And I was thinking, I have some credits hidden in the ship for my next upgrade. I could take it and use it to fix the credit issue."
Hera didn't like the idea. "Kanan and Kallus wouldn't like knowing that you left so soon after escaping the Empire, alone. Especially just yet. If you are recognized-"
"That is where Sabine comes in." Kiara turned to the other young woman. "I know you were responsible for giving Kallus a slight change in appearance when he came to Trilex. What would you do if I gave you free reign?"
"You mean you'd let me do whatever I want?" Sabine was beginning to like this idea.
"Absolutely." Kiara smiled. "And as for being alone, Sabine, have you ever gone to Cantonica?"
"There! Done. Not bad, if I do say so myself." Sabine pulled back and saw where she'd been able to transform Kiara into a Pantoran. With blue skin and white hair, the woman wasn't recognizable at all. When Sabine stepped aside Hera examined her work with a critical eye. If she hadn't been here the whole-time watching Sabine transform the other woman with her body paints, she would have sworn that they were trying to pull a fast one on her.
"I don't believe it," Hera said as Kiara turned to see herself in the mirror.
"Sabine, you've outdone yourself." Kiara then opened a kit that she got out of her storage locker and grimaced. Still, it was a necessity. That business with Alex being nearly caught on Trilex was proof enough. She pulled out the vocal emulator and swallowed it.
"Where did you come across that?" Sabine asked since she knew that they weren't easy to find.
Kiara paused to wait for the device to settle in her throat before she answered in a sing-song voice. "I've collected a wide assortment of things that you can say are hard to find. Like I said, I'm really good at gambling and I haven't really lost yet. But that's also because I know how to choose my opponents and when to walk away from the table." Kiara turned and motioned for one last opinion before she and Sabine were planning to leave for Canto Bight. "Well, do you think I could fool even my own father if he saw me?"
"I have one better than that. I doubt even Kallus would recognize you," Hera laughed. "Will the two of you just promise me one thing? Be careful."
"Hera, you know we will be." Sabine had given her Mandalorian armor a fresh coat of paint to make her less recognizable as well. "We'll be back in less than a week."
Hera nodded as she turned to leave the Shadow Chaser.
Two days later when the Ghost returned Hera knew she was going to have fun when the men finished unloading their cargo. She waited for them to head her way before she met them halfway. She already saw that Kallus noticed that the Shadow Chaser was missing from the hanger.
"Where's the ship?" Kallus looked around to see if it had been moved in his absence.
"It's with Kiara and Sabine," Hera answered matter-of-factly. "They went on a mission of their own."
"What?" Both Kallus and Kanan said together.
"What kind of mission? Not to mention, with her just having left the Empire this week, now is not the time for her to have gone on any missions." Kallus's heart started to race in his chest. How could Hera have just let her leave like that? Didn't she understand how dangerous it was?
"Where did they go on this mission of theirs?" Kanan asked since he wasn't happy to hear that his sister, who was still not quite up to a hundred percent when he'd left, was already out in the galaxy. He sort of thought that she'd take more downtime before she jumped into finding missions that she could go on.
"I didn't ask too many questions," Hera said since she figured that it would be best for the men to not know where Kiara and Sabine were. Otherwise, she may not be able to tolerate the men and their concern for the newest member of their small band.
"How could you not ask where they were going?" Kallus asked incredulously.
"Simple. I trust Sabine and Kiara to not do anything that would put them in any danger. They are smart women. Both of them." Hera pointedly glared at both men before adding, "And I might want to add, that Kiara found that you left Chopper behind to spy on her. I think she left you a message that he can give you later. But let me give you both a little advice. She's spent years watching her own back. She doesn't need the two of you to decide to become her protectors. It wouldn't work with me, or Sabine, and it won't work with Kiara. Don't coddle her. And most especially, don't smother her."
With that Hera headed back to work and listened as she heard Chopper approach the men, telling them that he had a message for them. Hera smiled as she left the droid to the men.
Kanan folded his arms as he waited for Chopper to pull up the holo-message that Kiara had left for him and Kallus. Kallus saw an image of Kiara standing in front of the droid and she looked, well if he had to pinpoint it, mad.
"Alright, you two. Both of you listen to me and listen well. I don't need a babysitter. Don't treat me like a damsel in distress. But leave the droids to spy on me again and you might become one, instead. I'll see you in a week's time."
Kallus and Kanan both cringed at the implication of the message.
Kiara called into the control over the desert planet in the Outer Rim that drew people from around the galaxy to ask for permission land. Upon landing she then went to her cabin and sorted through her trunk filled with the clothing that she only kept for missions like this one. She found one slinky dress and changed out of her jumpsuit and slipped into the outfit. She then headed out to give Tac instructions before she and Sabine were to leave. They wouldn't appear to be at the casino together. Sabine would be Kiara's eyes watching for any strange behaviors while she was busy at the tables.
After building up her pot at the various tables Kiara decided it was time to find a sabacc game. In her earpiece Kiara heard Sabine groan. Kiara asked her what was wrong.
"Let's just say that I recognize one of the players at the table over there."
"Who is he?"
"A smuggler that we've had some run-ins with. His name is Lando Calrissian."
"So should I take it that he deserves to have a few of his credits liberated?"
"You could say that."
"Hum. By reading him, he looks like a man who flirts with anyone with legs." Kiara adjusted her outfit, so she showed just a bit of cleavage. "Should be a simple matter to keep him distracted enough to lose a game or two."
Kiara then headed over to the table and sat beside the smuggler as she tossed her credits onto the table to join the game.
"Well, well. I do love a woman who is confident." Lando gave a wide smile and glanced down where Kiara's bare legs crossed. "Especially lovely ones."
"And I love men who know how to appreciate a woman," Kiara said in her borrowed voice through a smile. "Too many don't seem to know how to treat a lady, nowadays."
The dealer handed out the cards and half of the table must have had terrible hands since Kiara could sense their inner turmoil as they placed their bets. Lando, however, had a decent hand, made better by accepting a new card. Kiara played along, bet only a few credits for a few hands before she finally got the hand she had been waiting for. She then put on a small act of nervously biting her lip to lead Lando to believe that it was a tell and that she was bluffing. The suave smuggler bet more than half of his credits already on this hand, but Kiara knew that he had more to give. And it was all going to go to a good cause. She licked her lips and spoke up in her borrowed voice.
"Only half? And here I was hoping to see everything," she paused and allowed Lando to watch as she slid her gaze over him slowly before she continued, "that you have to offer."
"Patience. A true gentleman never presses too far on the first date," Lando's smile widened.
"And if the lady is the one to press?" Kiara asked innocently. "Would a gentleman refuse her?"
"A true gentleman would never refuse a lady anything," he paused before adding reluctantly, "unless he's at a sabacc table."
"Pity."
Kiara returned her attention to her cards and then proceeded to squirm in her seat and leaned forward to place her own bet before Lando added more credits to the pot. He showed his cards when the hand was called with pride as he reached forward to collect his winnings only to have Kiara place her hand on his arm to stop him. When she showed her own cards, his face dropped. She'd had the best possible hand.
Kiara then took her winnings and bade Lando goodbye. "A true gentleman. I hope we cross paths again." Kiara stood while leaving her hand on his arm for just a moment longer and gave him a wink.
As she walked away, she thought about how easy men like Lando were. That was when she heard a voice in her ear.
"I'm pretty sure that if Kallus was here, he'd be fuming at the ears. First you are dressed like that and then you flirted with Lando."
"What does Alexsandr have to do with anything?" Kiara then added, "Oh no. Not you, too, Sabine."
"What? I'm just saying that it's clear that he's into you. So, the question would be: Are you into him?"
