Amon paced the platform in an impatient manner, fuming side to side. Vrega simply looked at him while he leaned against a wall. They had received another message from Haron, she told them they needed another teammate to assist their pursuit of traitor Calon Mezad.
"That insolent witch! How dare she send another Inquisitor to assist, is she implying that we're incompetent?!" Amon gruffly whispered to himself. Vrega just sighed and shook his head.
"That doesn't matter to me, just as long as I get paid." Vrega nonchalantly announced. He received a disapproving stare from Amon, as he stopped pacing and looked at him. "I expected that kind of talk from a bounty hunter commoner like you. Where's the honor in mere credits?"
Vrega leaned off the wall into more annoyed stance. "Don't say I don't have honor, Imp. This whole damn thing is no longer about credits after that firefight, it's now about the honor of the hunt. I am the hunter, while they, they are the prey! So I recommend that you back off."
Amon began getting closer towards Vrega. "Then how could a mighty "mandalorian" get confused by his own smoke bomb? Answer that you pathetic slug."
Vrega began reaching for his blaster holstered in his hip. "I'm gonna make you eat those words, sithspit. I've killed force users like you before and I'll do it again!" Suddenly, Vrega was lifted off the ground as Amon's cybernetic hand clutched his throat, slowly rising. "I've killed plenty of Mandalorians too, don't think I won't add another." Amon husked. Vrega eyes sprang with anger and fear, as Amon's grip began getting tighter.
"Lovers' quarrel?" A cold, feminine voice said, feet clacking on the floor as she made her way towards the two. Amon and Vrega looks over at the armored robed figure, a long cape flowing freely behind as she walked closer. "Inquisitor Amon, release him at once."
Amon did as he was told and releases Vrega from his grip. The Zabrak coughed and clutched his throat for air. "Who in space are you?" Amon inquired.
"I am your new team leader, Serpion Sion. General Haron should've have told you about me? Well, I can't expect much when dealing with a lowly Inquisitor." Amon's sith eyes intensified at her comment, but he needed to work her or else he'll be punished by Lord Vader.
"Oy, Zabrak, get up off the floor. We need to start investigating the whereabouts of the pest they call Calon." Serpion motioned to Vrega. Vrega slowly got up and cleaned himself off of any dirt and such. "Name's Vrega Tugruu." He said, looking at a disinterested Serpion.
"Okay Vrega. Where was the last place you saw these, ugh, *rebels*." She asked, rolling her eyes at the word she loathed. Vrega put on his helmet, answering her in the process. "Not far from here, Level 1311. Witnesses say they saw two people, one matching a description of Mezad, going inside some club."
"Then that will be our first place of investigation. Follow me or go separate, gentleman, but we will meet at the area where you were attacked. I'm sure this nightclub isn't very far away from the area."
Amon spoke up. "I'm sure it'd be best if we stick together. That way they wouldn't try to separate us if they happened to have any rebel friends here."
"Hm, good idea Inquisitor Amon, I'll take it into consideration. Now we must get a move on, you leader says so." Serpion said as she began to walk away from the area. Vrega and Amon shot daggers at each other until they begrudgingly followed their new leader.
Jerriko had told the others inside the cabin to leave politely. Doing so, Ked, Khan, and Spot had left in accordance with the request of privacy. Then, Jerriko began asking Raidek some questions.
"How did you throw me off of you?" Jerriko asked. "I, uh, I don't know. I just focused hard enough a-and I just ran." Raidek answered nervously. Jerriko scooted back away and grabbed a chair to sit on. Facing him, Jerriko orange ores still bore into Raidek's green ones.
After a long silence, Jerriko spoke. "Who are and what do you, Raidek? I'm curious of why you'd steal from us."
"I'm Raidek Loto, I'm a thief." He answered abruptly. Jerriko smirked at his little comment and got up. "You're lying. I could sense it."
Raidek's eyebrow rose in a doubtful manner. "H-how the hell can you sense it?" Jerriko chuckled and stood up. "I also recognize you from somewhere. Though I can't say what it was... what was your last name?"
"Loto."
Jerriko rubbed his chin carefully and thoughtfully, not letting Raidek leave his sight as he sat on the bed. "Isn't that... isn't that the last name of Representative Ateni Loto, of Dantooine?"
Raidek began getting defensive. "S-so what if it is? You guys aren't detectives, you're just criminals!"
"Not so different than you, then. I remember you said that you have *friends* in the senate. Are you related in any way?"
Raidek's patience began to lose as he tried, but poorly, lie his way around it. "No, I just know people. Just leave me alone, take me back to Coruscant!" He yelled.
"We'll take you to Coruscant," Jerriko continued, "when we *need* to. For now you're staying on this ship." He grabbed Raidek's hand and lifted him up from the bed. "Until, let's introduce you to the crew." Jerriko gestured him to follow, and Raidek eventually did.
"This here is Ked, and that's Khan, Ked's friend, and here's Spot, Lana's astromech, but you've already met them." Jerriko announced, talking about the two that was outside the cabin. Jerriko walked down the corridor and into the cockpit, Raidek grudgingly on tail.
"Here's our Co-Captains, Calon and Lana. They helped build our little team I say, maybe a week ago? Anyways, we've gotten along very well." Jerriko said, pointing towards the two in their seats, Raidek recognizing the Mirialan girl. Lana side eyed death at him while she piloted, while Calon looked at Lana and then on Raidek worryingly. "They won't bite, unless you piss her off."
Raidek stared at her nervously, before Jerriko decided to ask Lana a question. "Hey Lana, where will he stay on the ship?"
"Who said he was staying? You know what, Jerriko, i'd like a moment of privacy." Lana signaled with her head for Calon to leave. Doing so, he took Raidek outside while Jerriko stepped in, shutting the behind him.
"He's *not* staying on my ship." She announced bluntly. The Jedi grabbed a seat and sat down, preparing for his argument. "Lana, he has to stay, we have no other choice, unless you want to kill him." Lana actually considered the last option seriously, Jerriko noticed however.
"Oh force Lana, we can't just kill this kid, he's, well, a kid. I'm pretty sure he's related to the Representative of Dantooine in some way, that'll bring too much attention." Jerriko declared, before adding one more final, yet very sensitive piece of evidence.
"I think, I think he's strong in the force, Lana. I need to know for sure, and in order to do that he *has* to stay here." Lana looked at him with an weary expression, telling of her annoyance and tiredness. Jerriko simply responded with a innocent and begging puppy face. Seeing how they really had no other choice, She gave a long exasperated sigh and gave in. "Fine...he can stay..." Lana mumbled under her facepalm.
Jerriko smiled and nodded before beginning to leave the room. "Wait," Lana interrupted, "he has to stay with you. In your cabin. No acceptions." Jerriko didn't seem to care that much, and simply nodded before exiting and taking Raidek to his new place to sleep. Calon stepped back inside the cockpit and sat in his chair.
"So he's staying?" Calon asked as he sat down. Lana just pinched the bridge of her nose and sighed. "I'm afraid so. Another mouth to feed." She complained. Calon gave a small chuckle before picking up the briefcase and seeing the coordinates on small paper. "Grid coordinates K-4? You got any idea or where we going, Lana? I don't recognize the coordinates."
"It's in the Outer Rim, but I'm not sure what it is either. I want to say Dantooine, but I'm not sure." She said, rubbing her chin in concentration.
"It is Dantooine. I should know." Raidek promptly yelled across the ship. Lana swiftly closed the door with a button before she began asking questions. "Did Danaki say anything to you about who we're suppose to meet, Calon, or did you two just go straight to kriffing?"
Calon's face boiled with embarrassment, before he stuttered out an answer. "Of course not! I mean, yes, or no, uh, um, I mean, yes and no."
"C'mon Calon, I know her. She never does any transactions with handsome guys like yourself unless there's transaction of genitals. I'm sure she told you about me and her. Boy, that Elixir of Infatuation was more potent than I thought it be when that happened." Lana said nonchalantly, Calon looked at her remembering what Danaki said about Lana.
Shame covered Calon's face before he sighed an answer. "She said that everything we need to know is in the case. After that, you know what happened." Lana grabbed the case and opened it, revealing a plethora of credits. After digging through them, she found a note with coordinates on Dantooine and a small phrase on the paper reading: Small Sparks Can Lead To Great Fires.
"What the hell does that mean?" Calon said, reading over the second note. "I don't know," Lana answered, "But I assume it's some sort of passcode. Danaki is always vague about this type of stuff. Pretty dumb if you ask me."
Lana looked at the credits one last time before she closed the case and put it down. "Well, it'll be a while before we get there." She said, relaxing a bit. "So, tell me: how was it being a stormtrooper?"
Calon figured he should've seen this coming, and answered as honest as he can. "A great experience. It helped shape me, it helped realized what I have done and what I could do. That's why we are here now."
Lana looked at him, urging for continuation. "I suppose it was difficult, the training at least. For the most part, it was drills, drills, drills, with a pissy former clone trooper who thought we were incompetent yelling at us." Calon sighed. "It took years to earn my whitehat. I thought at that point nothing could come close to the level of pride I felt."
"How was the Scouts?" Lana asked. Calon answered fruitlessly. "When you become a scout, you're part of an elite cadre of soldiers and you gave fodder to everyone lower or equal rank who wasn't a Scout Trooper."
"Being a Scout Trooper, you were considered to be an egotistical, self centered jerkass. Honestly, it was true, I was like that, my buddies Vira and Komm were like that."
Lana interrupted him with another question. "Whose Vira and Komm?" Calon started laughing at his remembrance of his former comrades. "They were my best friends. Komm was my neighbor, she was really a free spirit. It still amazes me how she passed the Corps. Vira was a schoolmate, he lived far away from me so I hanged out with him in school. He was always a thoughtful boy."
He looked to the floor, smile still there but fading. "They were really amazing. It still surprises me that they were the same squad as me even in the Scouts. I loved them. And honestly, I loved Komm more than a friend. Eventually, we had a little relationship under the radar." Lana smiled at his sincere and thoughtful adorableness at his thoughts of his friends. Calons face lightened when he realized that Lana wasn't jealous or angry.
"Komm was the first one to die." He said, smile fading away. "She decided to take off her helmet when we reached camp, we all started to, but she already had hers off." He rubbed his eyes, what seemed to be an attempt of covering his sadness.
"She got shot in the neck by a sharpshooter with a slugthrower." He continued. "Our armor is impervious to ballistics and shrapnel, if she hadn't she would've been alive." Lana was genuinely struck back at this info, her face formed condolence as he continued. "She died in my arms, her last action was holdings my cheek as I watched her bright green eyes fade away." Calon finished, holding back some tears. Lana attempted to comfort him. "I... I'm sorry."
"And Vira. He was executed because he gave water to a prisoner on his way to execution. We left him in the sun and he felt bad, especially with Komm's death just a week earlier. General Haron caught him and ordered his execution, 'for aiding terrorist in resistance against the Empire.' They shot them like dogs." Calon exclaimed, voice breaking as tears began rolling down. "Then, just after that, we did it. We did it. The smell, I still remember it, the looks, the pleads, it's still so...vivid! I just wanted to vomit after we had done it. We needed to be punished for it." He sobbed, trying his best to remain composure. He sniffled one last time before started again. "After a few weeks, I deserted. And here we are, a grown man crying in front of someone. I'm sorry for acting like this Lana."
Lana looked at him grievance and astonishment, before she stood up from her chair and hugged Calon, who also returned the hug. "No, don't be Calon. I didn't know about it, it's okay." She said, gently rubbing his back. "You're not there anymore, you're here, with me. There's nothing to fear." Calon smiled as he pulled back, with Lana smiling soft and warmly. He stared into her eyes, before he leaned into her face and pressed his lips against hers.
Both close their eyes while the enjoyed the kiss, savoring the moment and tastes of each other's lips. "You know what this means right?" Calon asked, as they hugged each other, Lana's head resting on his shoulder. "Yeah, but who cares." She said, closing her eyes as they embraced each other.
Suddenly knocks on the door interrupted their little moment, and they let go of each other and Lana opened the door.
"Hey guys." Khan said, walking inside, Ked drawing near. "Where are we going?"
"Dantooine. That's where we're suppose to meet our buyers." Lana answered. Khan took a seat next to Calon while Ked waited in the back. "So," Khan continued, "How was the kiss?"
Lana's and Calon's face blushed in embarrassment her question. "H-how did you know?!" They both asked. "Well, i'm good at knowing these things," she simply replied, placing her feet on a counter. "And there's a little window on the door, just sayin'." Khan pointed towards the said window.
"Ah geez." Lana muttered, as they shot through hyperspace, going towards their destination.
The three imperials walked around the various corners of the area where their recent skirmish had occurred. Disguised under hoods, they walked towards the sounds of music and lights. "What are we gonna do once we get there?" Vrega furtively asked.
"We interrogate the club owner, a miss Danaki Lazylaz. She's been known for rebellious activity, but she's either slept or bribed her way out of prison." Serpion replied. "Ugh, the nerve of some people, unable to face responsibility." Amon commented.
"What can you expect from a Zeltron?" Serpion said. Amon stiffed up for a second, hand tightening in paroxysm, Vrega had seemed to noticed, before he continued. They continued until they met a large line of people standing near the club. The three made their way by pushing and shoving people aside. The bouncer noticed this and tried to stop the commotion.
"Hey! Who do you think you-hurgh!" The bouncer was cut off when a sudden choke overwhelmed him. The three made their way past the dying Karkaradon. The club people started to panic and began running away.
Serpion lead the way as she killed next bouncer with her blaster. He slumped next to the door as Amon opened it for Vrega and Serpion. The music blasted their ears and heavy vibrations rumbled throughout the building. Anyone who managed to accidently bumped them were met with heavy force pushes and shoves from their blasters.
The made their way towards the second floor, trying to reach the small office near the corner. Danaki looked out her window nervously. She went near her desk and took out a holdout blaster and hid it behind her pants.
Suddenly the door was knocked down as three hooded figures slowly emerged through the door. The varied sizes looked at her intently, awaiting a response. "What brings you gentlemen here?" Danaki said, trying to remain calm.
"Where's Calon Mezad?" A deep voice asked. "Who? Is that a man you're searching for?" Danaki lied, hoping they'd leave her alone. "Yes, we know he's been here. Tell us where he is, and we'll spare you." Serpion demanded, stepping forward.
"I haven't a clue who you are talking about, now please leave my establishment, or I'll call the police-ahgk!" Danaki clutched her throat as the biggest one of the three raises his hand in the air slowly. "Don't lie to me. Tell us where he is." Amon said.
"I don't know...what your talking...about!" Danaki throated, trying to claw away the invisible hand. While the two darkside users interrogated the Zeltron, Vrega noticed a single black strain on a stainless, bright white couch. He slowly reached a gloved hand and picked it up.
"Found a hair, looks black." Vrega announced. Serpion walked over and grabbed the hair swiftly, she then brought out a small device and scanned it. In a few seconds, a hologram popped up with all of Calon's info, including days he joined the Imperial Academy to his daily hobbies. "Damn," Vrega Whistled, "should get me one of those." Serpion shot him a look before Vrega got quiet again.
"Well, Miss Lazylaz, it seems that you've been keeping secrets from us." Serpion said, walking around her office, while Amon kept her in the same position. "You must know the punishment by now then, Miss Lazylaz. Inquisitor, kill her."
"Dantooine. I sent them to Dantooine." Danaki shamefully answered. Serpion looked at her disinterestedly before repeated the same line to Amon. "My orders are the same. Kill Miss Lazylaz, Inquisitor." Vrega intervened the situation, trying to spare the girl. "You said that she would be spared, Sion. You must honor the deal."
"I don't care, I was sent by Emperor Palpatine to do what you incompetent dogs couldn't! Amon, kill her now!"
Both Vrega and Amon were a bit taken back at the harsh request, but it wasn't something they hadn't done before. However, the Zeltron woman pleaded with him before Amon was able to finish her off. Amon noticed she had a great familiarity with her, of someone he knew. Memories be a flooding back of a certain Zeltron woman, her pretty pink face and nice scent, just before the betrayal, a time where he was actually... happy. Amon just stood there gazing at the girl, while an impatient Serpion tapped her foot.
"What are you doing you idiot? I said finish her." Serpion reiterated once more, annoyed at his time. Amon looked at her before looking back at Danaki, who looked at him with worried eyes. Amon let her go and looked towards the floor, his black Stormtrooper helmet glistening off the lights of the room. "I can't." He muttered.
"Why in space not?" Serpion hissed. "I'm your leader, you are a subordinate, you are suppose to follow my orders!" Amon said nothing while he continued to stare at the floor. Serpion drew out her blaster and shot Danaki blindly. She fell over with a small trail of smoke emanating from somewhere from her curvaceous body. Amon and Vrega stared at Serpion disapprovingly as the began exiting the room.
Before they left, Serpion grabbed Amon's neck and slammed him against the wall, Amon powerless to stop it. "Next time, do what I command." She gritted, before releasing him and continuing through the crowd of partiers. "The more we stay with her the more I dislike her." Amon commented, rubbing his neck.
"Something we can agree on." Vrega commented, as they descended down the stairs, their next stop on Dantooine.
A/N: Sorry for the short chapter and the long wait guys, been real busy lately and hadn't had a lot of time. The short chapter was because i worked on Sun Soaked Stories first before this one, something I didn't really do before. OC's are not submissible still. Sorry. I also might have longer delays on both since I'm working on a story on AO3(Archive Of Our Own), so I apologize in advance, hope you understand. (Check my profile for any news about stories in: Story Updates So Far.)
Aside from that, the romance between Calon and Lana begins! I don't know if you expected it or not but I felt like the backstory/hints for Calon's past was a good time to introduce it. Anyways, we see more of Serpion and Raidek in this chapter, hope you enjoyed it Rougeification and BrenRome.
Leave comment and reviews, follow or fav, do whatever. Thanks for reading
-Big Bravo (10/26/25)