They were six hours travelling when the alarm sounded informing them that they were coming up on the station.
They were both in Imperial uniforms when Billy requested clearance to dock at the refueling station. He eased up to the airlock and set the clamps, then went to the engine room to coordinate the hook up of the fueling hoses.
"Let's go get a drink," he suggested heading for the airlock.
"Aren't we safer here?" she asked. She was sure the look he gave her was condescending and that made her angry.
"Please explain to me what part of this whole plan you think is safe." When she couldn't answer that, "So we might as well go to the cantina, have a drink and practice being who we claim to be."
"Slicer 18 and Cipher 9."
"Exactly." He stopped just before opening the airlock into the space station. "One more thing." He tilted her cap forward, just slightly out of regulations. "And never look straight ahead; look at the floor about 3 meters ahead. The surveillance recorders can't pick up facial features that way."
It felt odd wearing the cap that way and she had to resist the urge to adjust it as well as remind herself to look down not straight. Billy told the fueling supervisor where they were going as they passed him. He ensured no one else was on the elevator that took them up to the main floor. With a practiced eye, he located the cameras and led a circuitous route to avoid them.
The cantina was exactly as he hoped. It was busy but not full. "Have a seat; I'll get us a couple of drinks. Salusian Ale?"
"Yes, please." She felt vulnerable alone. Here she was, a deserter, in uniform. If she were caught…
"I sense your fear," The woman's voice hissed in her ear. "You want to talk to me about that."
The urge to turn her head was almost overpowering, but her fear was greater. She slumped down in her seat and wrapped her arms around herself. She suddenly wondered what the Hell she had been thinking - starting out on this hair-brained suicide mission. How did she expect to fool a Sith into going into the Wilds with her and killing him?
"Your fear consumes you, I can help."
Anya turned deeper into herself. The Sith preyed on the weak. She was afraid that if she looked, she'd tell this woman everything. She clenched her teeth and held herself tighter.
"Slicer 18, drink your ale," Billy set the mug in front of Anya. "My Lord, you shouldn't try to frighten Imperial Intelligence. Darth Warthas would be most displeased."
The woman's voice suddenly changed to seductive cooing. "It seems to me, a man such as yourself would find a strong woman, a fearless woman much more interesting. I am willing to give you the honor of a Sith's company."
Billy saw the flush of rage that stiffened Anya's spine. He lay a hand on her shoulder before she could spin and tear the Sith's head off. "Perhaps someday when I'm not on duty, My Lord. In the meantime, my time, and hers, belongs to Darth Warthas. Good day," Billy turned his back on the Sith and sat.
"It is not wise to disappoint a Sith," the woman growled.
"It is less wise to disappoint a member of the Dark Council."
Anya could hardly believe that Billy had just told off a Sith. She had never heard anyone other than another Sith chastise a Sith.
"Who are you?" He asked gently.
"Slicer 18, Imperial Intelligence." She felt herself smile.
"And don't ever forget that, or the fear Imperial Intelligence carries with it. Even Sith fear what we know or what we can learn and use against them."
They finished their drinks and returned to the ship. Billy took a spacewalk double-checking his ship then paid for the fuel and they left the spaceport.
"How long till we reach Balmorra?" She asked after they made the jump into hyper-space.
"22 hours, barring further complications."
"I didn't handle that very well," she said after a long silence. "It never occurred to me on Nar Shadaah how hard it would be to face a Sith. The guards at Shadow Town are… stupid and lazy." She fell silent for a while again. "That Sith, she knew I was afraid."
"First, you handled it great; she couldn't control you. Second, Sith arrogantly assume everything revolves around them - not unlike a child; so she believed you were afraid of her, not the situation. Third, fear keeps you on your toes; without it, an agent gets sloppy." he patted her shoulder and left the bridge with her following. "You asked how to hide the truth. Focus on what you are doing at that exact time. For instance, when we meet Darth Warthas, we are there to deliver an urgent message from the Dark Council and assist him in the capture of Master Shan. That is all that must be in your mind. Practice that."