Kira blasted through the rubble before Brooke could stop her. General Var Suthra had sent them out to gather the Jedi forces around Corellia. When they'd heard Master Kiwiiks call for help, there was no stopping the apprentice.

"Master Kiwiiks! Master, can you hear me," Kira desperately called out. Brooke kept silent as she followed the other woman through the demolished building, she understood all too well the panic her friend was feeling.

As they got closer to the source of the transmission, they encountered Imperial troops. Fighting through them as quickly as possible, they made their way to a large empty room. Or at least, Brooke thought it was empty.

"'Bout time you showed up."

Brooke spun around toward the direction of the voice just to come face to face with the soldier she met on Alderaan. She was crouched on a pile of rubble in a corner of the room, blaster rifle in hand. The debris gave her an extra three feet, giving her a height advantage of anyone trying to enter. She moved to sit on a destroyed column, leaning her rifle against the wall next to her.

"Thought I'd have to take down the whole battalion before one of you would grace us with your presence."

"Where's Master Kiwiiks," Kira demanded.

"Calm yourself, Kira," the Jedi Master answered from further in the room, "I'm all right."

Lt. Horner nodded to her left, where Brooke saw the blond-haired soldier crouching over Master Kiwiiks who was on the ground, upright and back resting against a nearby wall. She was cradling her abdomen as the blond soldier treated her.

While Kira raced over to her former master, Brooke swallowed her pride and said, "Thank you for your help, Lieutenant. Master Kiwiiks is a close mentor and friend."

"Major."

"Excuse me?"

"It's major now," she corrected. "And you're welcome."

"We got off on the wrong foot."

"Really? And here I thought it was Jedi policy to yell at soldiers for actions they don't like. Although, that could just be me that reaction."

"I apologize for that," Brooke sighed. "I had just lost my Master and watched a friend die…"

"My condolences," Maj. Horner replied sincerely. "And since we're being honest, I wasn't in my best form, either. I was hunting down traitors who'd defected to the Empire after leaving me to die. I didn't mean to sound as if I looked down on you more than I do Sith. Truth be told I hate both of your orders equally."

"Please, don't hold back."

"I never do," the major replied with a wink and a smirk. "Not sure what you've heard about me, but my father was an Imperial General. He was executed, most likely, for being on the wrong end of a Sith power play. It has been my experience for all your order's talk otherwise, the Jedi aren't much different than the Sith, just not as obvious about it."

"Jedi have never claimed to be perfect," Brooke argued, "but the Sith revel in their power plays and back stabbing machinations. We try to be better."

"Maybe, but you lot are pretentious as fuck about everything."

"Ok, you're not completely wrong on that point," she conceded with a sigh thinking of Master Karden and the fights she had with him about Kira, "but there is a reason for why we do what we do. We seek to maintain balance in the force, to keep the Dark from destroying the Light."

The soldier gave an annoyed huff, "Your Order sees everything in terms of dark and light, constantly battling it out…"

"Right," the Jedi agreed, unsure of her point.

"I see everyone else caught in that unending fight. And I'm so tired of seeing so many people die because of it," she said with a tired sigh, looking around the building.

"I see." Brooke didn't know how to respond. It was a perspective she'd avoided thinking about, even though Alderaan had been a key battle ground during the last war.

"I know it's not your fault," Maj. Horner continued, "but I was pissy when we first met for that reason as well as others mentioned, and you caught the brunt of it. Whatever it's worth, I'm sorry Master Organa."

"What did you just call me?"

"Master Organa," she repeated. "Isn't that your name? You said that day at the palace you had family members die in the attack."

"Right, no, I'm actually from House Alde," Brooke clarified. "I am related to House Organa, but not actually a member of it."

Rolling her eyes, the major sighed, "I swear you lot have the genetic diversity of a monochromatic rainbow."

Lips twisted in amusement, Brooke asked sweetly, "Couldn't the same be true about anyone from Dromund Kaas?"

The soldier laughed before shouting over her shoulder, "Did you hear that Dorne? The Jedi just called you inbred!"

"What, no I didn't!"

"Somehow, I'm inclined to believe there was a bit more to the conversation than that," the medic replied with a sigh, not bothering to look up from her scanner. It was the first time Brooke had heard her speak, and she cringed at her strong Dromund Kaas accent.

"Lt. Dorne's from the capital, I was born elsewhere," Maj. Horner explained with a smile.

"How do two Imperials end up in Republic Special forces?"

A dark look passed across the soldier's face, but Lt. Dorne interrupted before she could say anything. "We're not Imperial, Master Jedi, not anymore. We've both proven our loyalty to the Republic and earned out citizenship."

"I didn't mean to insult you."

"No one ever does," Maj. Horner sighed. "Doesn't change the fact we'll always be the dirty Imps. Anyway, to answer your question, you lot were so undisciplined it would take an Imperial to whip you all into shape."

"I'm sure General Var Suthra would be pleased to hear your description of the Republic Army," Brooke countered, hoping to keep the conversation light.

Laughing, Maj. Horner replied, "It's not like I haven't said worse to the brass's face. Maybe one of these days I'll tell you about my fights with Supreme Commander Malcom. Hint: he doesn't like a former Imp commanding his old squad."

"You're just great at making friends."

"It's a gift," the soldier replied with a grunt as she jumped down. "Since you obviously have the situation well in hand, we need to be heading to our next objective."

"Stay safe, Major."

"Where's the fun in that," she asked with a smirk. "Do me a favor, tell Var Suthra if he ever wants to see how real soldiers fight, Havoc will be happy to show him how it's done."

"I'm not telling him that," she shot down. "But… if you want a real challenge, I may just have need for someone with your skills."

"If it's a big enough hit, will be there," Major Horner promised. "After we take down Rakton."

Major Horner and her squad were aboard Brooke's ship, none of them sure how to react. Shaking her head to clear her thoughts, she turned to Kira, "Is that crazy broad serious?"

"Always," Kira answered.

"Let me get this straight," Maj. Horner asked incredulously, "you want to fly into Kaas City in the middle of a war to take out the Emperor himself?"

"If you don't think Havoc is up for it…" Brooke goaded.

"I didn't say that," she interrupted. "I just didn't think I'd ever run into anyone crazier than us."

"The Republic Navy will be launching an attack to distract from our landing. If you're going to help, we need to leave now."

Major Horner turned to look over her team. "What do you guys say?"

"We'll never get another chance like this," Capt. Jorgan immediately answered.

"I agree," Lt. Dorne said with a nod, "and though I do not believe the Imperials will surrender upon news of his demise, it would significantly reduce moral among the Imperial forces to dangerous levels while elevating the moral of our own forces significantly."

"I've never been to the Imp capital," Sgt. Vik muttered, scratching his chin. "Bet I could find a lot of useful things there…"

After getting agreements for both 4X and Sgt. Yuun, Maj. Horner turned back to the Jedi. "Looks like we'll be joining you. When do we head out?"

With a small smile, Brooke turned and headed for the cockpit.

"Lord Scourge, how much do you know of Imperial Military Emergency SOP," Lt. Dorne asked.

"More than I have time to tell," he replied curtly. "Is there something specifically you wish to know?"

Unfazed by his demeaner, she answered, "Is the frequency for emergency communication still 996.3?"

A look that was not quite a smile crossed his features as he answered, "Yes, it is."

"What are you thinking," Maj. Horner asked.

"An attack on Dromund Kaas will cause chaos," she explained. "If we can give out conflicting distress calls, it will help keep troops away from the Dark Temple."

"And with the two of us using an Imperial accent, we can direct them into our ambushes," Maj. Horner finished. "Good thinking Dorne."

"You really think they never changed their security protocols," Brooke asked.

"Why would they," Maj. Horner asked. "These procedures are universal throughout the military, just like ours. The frequency would be classified, but Scourge would have known it. I'm guessing his defection isn't common knowledge, so the Grand Moff in charge of the security for Dromund Kaas would have had no reason to change it. Who is it by the way?"

"Grand Moff Ardun," Scourge answered.

"Yeah, guarantee that lazy fuck didn't change a thing," the soldier snickered.

"Are you sure about that," Kira asked.

"I'm willing to bet his life on it."

"Excuse me?"

"There is only one acceptable punishment for failing to adequately protect the Capital," Lord Scourge answered.

"Right, so not regretting ditching the Empire first chance I got," Kira muttered.

"You're not alone in that sentiment," Maj. Horner replied, a sentiment Lt. Dorne was quick to agree with.

Once they touched down, Maj. Horner was gathering her team as Brooke came up to her.

"Ready for this, Major?"

"Always ready," was the cocky reply.

"Stay safe out there, don't take too many risks." The major paused what she was doing to stare incredulously at the Jedi. "What?"

"Did you really just tell us to be careful after dragging us onto the Imp Capital to be used as a distraction while you take on the most powerful Sith alive?"

"Well, when you put it like that…"

"These are the missions we live for," she said as she clapped the Jedi on the back. "When we get out of all this, you owe first round."

"Deal," Brooke answered as the major stepped away and approached her team.

"Everyone good to go?" At the chorus of affirmative responses, she replied, "Alright, let's move out. It's Havoc Time!"

"Did… did you really just say that," Brooke asked.

"What fun is this job if you don't have a tacky catchphrase," Maj. Horner asked with a grin. "Catch you on the flip side."

While Brooke went after her target, Havoc Squad took advantage of the chaos.

"You sure this is what we're looking for," Maj. Horner asked as Yuun sliced a terminal. They were in an obscure warehouse, hidden away in an alleyway. It was unremarkable, filled with what looked like random droid parts.

"This is the place," Dorne confirmed. "Intelligence likes to hide their hubs in plain sight, giving the appearance of an insignificant location with hidden security measures."

"And you would know this how," Jorgan questioned as he scanned the room for hostiles.

"When your father is the Attaché to the Minister of Intelligence, there are things you pick up," she answered cryptically.

After a few moments, Yuun announced he'd accessed the database.

"Is it what we're looking for?"

"Yes, Major," the Gand answered, "this database contains a significant amount of intelligence."

"That'll make SIS happy, download what you can and let's move out. If it's as sensitive as you say we don't have much time before this info goes stale," Maj. Horner observed.

"Fortunately, the fleet's attack and our diversion should have bought us enough time," Lt. Dorne stated.

"Still don't want to get caught with our hands in the cookie jar," she replied, scanning the room. A container in the back corner caught her attention. Looking at it closer, she saw a device behind it, looking much more advanced than anything else in the warehouse. "Hey Dorne, that look like a camera to you?"

Her medic took a closer look and answered, "That's would be a logical deduction, given the database's contents."

As soon as Yuun announced he had successfully downloaded everything, Maj. Horner ordered, "You heard him people! Let's move out before we get swarmed." She turned back to the camera and waved.

"Was that necessary," her second in command asked with a huff.

"Just wanted to make sure Imp Intelligence knows they got one upped by us again," Maj. Horner replied with a smirk, looking back at the camera one last time.

Brooke still couldn't believe it was done. They had taken out the Sith Emperor, and everyone from her team and Havoc Squad had made it through. True to her word, she picked up first round at the cantina aboard Carrick Station.

"You know," Maj. Horner said, coming up to lean against the bar next to Brooke, "against all odds, I like you. I think we'll be friends."

"I'm honored," she replied sarcastically.

"You should be. You're the first force user I've met I didn't want to shoot."

"And you're the first Imperial aristocrat I've found tolerable, Major."

"To be fair, that's a low standard," she countered. "And as long as we're not on mission, you can call me Rory. I hate standing on titles."

"As long as you call me Brooke."

"Deal," she agreed, clinking their glasses together. "You ever have another op you need help on, don't hesitate to give Havoc a call. Haven't this much fun since we blew up the Gauntlet."

"That's just because I've been busy," interrupted a dark-haired man who had just approached the bar.

"Jonas Balker," Rory greeted fondly. "There's only two reasons you ever come find me."

"Well, I don't have new intelligence for you, if that helps narrow it down," he replied with a smile before turning to Brooke. "Jonas Balker, SIS. Pleasure to meet, Master Jedi. I hear congratulation are in order."

"Thank you, but I couldn't have pulled it off without Havoc Squad's aid."

"No joke," he agreed. "Had more than one op that only they could have pulled off."

"As much as I enjoy hearing how awesome I am, there's something I'd much rather be doing," Rory interrupted, chugging the remains of her drink. "Brooke, it's been a pleasure. Remember my offer next time you got some crazy shit to pull off."

"Absolutely," she agreed as she watched Rory grab Jonas' hand and head towards the exit.

Not long after they left, Lt. Dorne approached, asking "Beg your pardon Master Jedi, but have you seen the Major?"

"You just missed her," Brooke answered. "She just left with an SIS agent."

"Agent Balker," she asked, and Brooke could have sworn there was a note of disapproval.

"That's him."

"I see," Lt. Dorne replied, a slight frown forming. "Thank you for your time."

It was the image of Major Horner last smirk at the camera before departing the warehouse that the Minister of Military Offense had on display as Grand Moff Ardun begged for his life.

"Please, my Lord," he gasped out. The Grand Moff was currently held in the air as his windpipe was slowly crushed. "There was… no way… to have prevented…"

"No way to have protected our Capital," the dark lord demanded. "Clearly this was long overdue," Darth Arkous snarled as he snapped the officer's neck.

Lana ignored the Grand Moff's gurgling as she went over the data breach. It a storage hub for Imperial Intelligence, masquerading as a warehouse. It was one of several that were used, it's perceived obscurity a means to hide it in plain sight. Although it looked abandoned, it had several security systems and an alarm system that triggered anytime someone entered without authorization. However, with the chaos of the Republic's attack, there was no one left to respond to Havoc Squad's breach.

"Incompetent fool," Darth Arkous muttered as he approached his apprentice. "Do we know what they were able to download?"

"Mostly information regarding defenses on several key worlds," Lana answered.

"That would explain the recent successful attacks made by the Republic in the aftermath of this violation."

"I've alerted all other planets whose data was stored on that server," Lana replied. "I've been assured changes to security protocols are being made."

"Ensure they happen," Darth Arkous ordered. "Any update on Vasil Dorne?"

"None. He disappeared the same time as the former Minister of Intelligence."

"I don't think it's a coincidence both his children defect, he disappears, and then his daughter leads a team directly to sensitive information."

"Intelligence is looking into it."

"What's left of them," Arkous complained. Lana didn't bother to give a response, she didn't have a better answer and hated complaining without having a solution to offer. "Tell me, Lana, what do you think of the leader of Havoc Squad?"

"Major Horner," Lana asked, looking the picture over. She'd heard a lot over the years of the young major, most notably when she took down the Gauntlet. This was the first time Lana had seen a picture of her, and quickly clamped down on any feelings stirring at it. It had been a while since she'd been with anyone, and now was not the time to think about it. Even if the major was her type…

Clearing her throat, she answered, "Intelligent, however daring to the point of recklessness. She uses an air of fearlessness to masks her contempt for life. The major wants us to know she was responsible, she's daring us to respond."

"Whether it's pride or a death wish, the major bears closer watching to ensure she does not interfere with future plans," Arkous stated. "Now about Master Alde…"

The next morning, Rory made it back to the ship, head pounding with a massive hangover. The ship looked empty, so she took it as a good sign as she made her way to the med bay. She dug through the cabinets, looking for the combination of drugs she used for her hangover cure.

"I can name at least 6 different regulations you're violating right now," Elara announced.

Rory whirled around to see the lieutenant in the back corner of the med bay, arms crossed and glaring at her. There was a storage locker that had initially obscured her from view when the major first scanned the room.

"Have I ever mentioned you look like my old school mistress when you give me that look," Rory asked as she turned to continue her search.

"Clearly it had no effect on you," Elara sighed.

"None," she confirmed. "So how about we skip the scolding this time around?"

"I don't understand why you waste your time with him," Elara sighed. "You know you don't mean anything to him."

"Which is how much he means to me, it's very convenient."

"That is not the point," she snapped.

"Would you prefer I just pick up random guys? Sleep around with strangers? Personally, I think no strings sex with someone I know is better than doing that with a stranger."

"Aneira," her friend sighed, "you deserve so much more than this." This was not the first time Elara had raised her concerns with Rory's habits.

"No, I don't." Defeated, Rory sat heavily on a nearby cot. Whether it was because she was hungover or because she was tired of dancing around this topic, she confessed, "I'm not strong enough for anything more."

"What are you talking about," Elara asked, taking a seat next to her.

"I can't deal with losing someone that important to me. My parents, and then Jaxo…" Rory's throat closed at the sharp pain at the thought of losing her friend. She had stayed on the line as Jaxo died, owing her that at least. Her last moments still haunted to soldier and caused the battle with Rakton to turn personal. Clearing the emotion out of her voice, she continued, "Odds are high that before this war is over, you and Jorgan could fall too. It's the risk we volunteer for, but I don't know if I'm strong enough to handle that with someone I love."

"I used to feel the same," Elara confessed, "or that no one would ever give me the chance because of my background. Then one day, it changed."

"Love at first sight," Rory joked.

"Nothing quiet so dramatic," she chastised. "I didn't even like him at first. Then one day we were arguing over paperwork and something changed, I couldn't even tell you what. One moment I was lecturing him about his lack of submission timeliness, the next he muttering something about getting it in by the deadline in the future. I felt something inside twist and it was like I was seeing him for the first time."

"Falling in love over paperwork, you're such an Imperial."

"And you're bitchyness is so much worse when you're hungover," Elara sighed, getting up off the cot. Moving faster with the knowledge of where everything was located, she was able to quickly put together a hangover cure for the major. "This is the last time," the medic stated as she gave Rory the dose. "After this, you'll have to buy this yourself."

"Yes ma'am," Rory saluted before heading out.

Sighing tiredly in her wake, Elara straightened up the med bay, wondering what she should do for her friend.