Spoilers for the Trooper, Bounty Hunter, Agent, Smuggler, Sith warrior, and Jedi Consular storyline.
Rated T - Language, violence.
The steady whir of speeders that rumbled continuously on Coruscant was the first thing Nona noticed. She had not been back to the capitol in weeks. Being on the front lines of the war effort was more appealing than wading through the muck of politics to Nona. Yuun was the most visibly excited of her squadron. The Gand spoke about how he had never been the Republic capitol.
"The hum of the speeders is a beautiful symphony Yuun could listen to for hours." He said. Yuun spoke in a dialect not many understood. Vik was one of them.
"Could someone shut this freak up?" He grumbled. Havoc Squad had been waiting at the spaceport for their transport for only moments when it sidled up at the edge the ledge.
Coruscant was made up of countless levels. At this height, Nona could not make out the bottom of the drop from the spaceport. She had spent time in the bowels of Coruscant and promised herself not to return there. Gangs and Spice ran rampant on the lower levels where the façade of regality and civility the Republic put up for the upper levels was not present. It was midday and the sun beat down on Nona and her people. They were all in their heavy gear. In her black chestplate and greaves, Nona was comfortable. On her armor was the insignia of the galaxy-famous Havoc Squad as well as markers for the numerous awards she had been bestowed. Many beings at the spaceport had stopped in amazement to see Havoc.
Before Nona had captured General Rakton, one of the highest ranking, and most important generals in the Imperial Military, no one outside of the Republic Army knew of Havoc Squad. However, Nona's superiors thought it best for the morale of the Republic to spread knowledge of the existence of Havoc Squad and their innumerable triumphs. Nona had never been one for the spotlight and now she had been forced into its heat.
"Major Nonalo Alsorran, I presume," said the small man who stepped out of the transport. He wore the dark uniform of an SIS analyst. Nona nodded. "This way, sir." Nona followed him.
"We are headed to the Republic Army HQ, Major," Aric stated with a salute. Nona said nothing. She watched her squad move out with envy. She wanted nothing more than to hash out war stories with other soldiers.
The transport was small and had an open top. The wind rushed through Nona's dark hair as they rode. The man beside her was speaking quickly into his communicator in Huttese, meaning the vehicle was automated and being driven by the computer. Nona let her mind wander.
Since her brutal battle against Rakton and his men, Nona had not felt that lust for battle she'd had since enlisting. The quiet life of being a general cooped up in safety on Coruscant did not appeal to her either. Seeing Jonas Balkar in that cantina on Corellia stirred feelings inside her that had been stagnant for years. She watched a vehicle speed alongside them. Inside was a very intimate pair of lovers. Nona's chest tugged. She was alone and not willing to admit it even to herself.
"Good to see you again, Major," Jonas said as Nona and her SIS escort exited the transport.
"Likewise, agent." She said with a slight smile.
They had arrived at a darkened cargo drop site. The air smelled of exhaust and rotting organisms. Nona felt as though she were in the depths of Coruscant again. Above the huge doors of the looming warehouse was a flickering sign, "Barmy Pharmaceuticals Inc." The neon greens and reds reflected against Nona's face.
"This is one of the SIS's many blacksites on Coruscant." Jonas explained. Nona nodded. The warehouse's interior continued the industrial façade with boxes labelled for various medicinal materials. "Thank you, Harrot." Jonas said to the escort. "Sorry to do this, Major, but I'm going to need to take your weapons." Nona raised an eyebrow. Two agents had approached her from behind, heightening her unease. Jonas must have noticed because he waved the agents away.
"Fine," Nona said. She took the blaster she had fastened to her belt off and handed it to Jonas. The heavy cannon she carried on her back took more effort to give to him. Jonas visibly struggled under the weight of the thing. Nona smirked. After Jonas deposited the weaponry into the arms of an unlucky officer, he guided her along a series of corridors. In an unremarkable hallway, Jonas came to a sudden stop, startling Nona as she bumped into him. Her apologies were met with a hand wave.
"The defector is in here." Jonas pointed his thumb at the door behind him. Nona waited for him to say more. He appeared almost uncomfortable under her intense stare. "I'll be in the room beside you. So you don't need to worry."
"I won't." Nona stated. Jonas flushed at her bluntness.
"Obviously, Major." He moved aside, Nona's eyes following his with a questioning expression. She stepped into the room. Adoko Gale sat, bound and bloodied before her. The two soldiers at the door gave her formal salutes and stepped over each other in an effort to leave the room as quickly as they could. Adoko chuckled while Nona took the seat across from her.
"Who did this to you?" Nona asked, gesturing toward the purple eye and open scratches on Adoko's pretty face.
"Doesn't matter." Adoko said. She fidgeted in her seat before speaking once more. "Now that you're here I can talk." Nona nodded for the agent to continue. "The Empire is about to acquire an impressive weapon that will make them unstoppable. I'm here to tell you about it, so hopefully you can beat them to it." Adoko winced.
"Tell me about this weapon." Nona ordered.
"I would if I could. I only know the coordinates. Imperial Intelligence is good about keeping its people in the dark."
"Why should I do anything? Sounds like a trap to me." Nona leaned back in her chair. Adoko smiled without humor.
"This would be a poor excuse for a trap, but I understand your reservations, Major." Adoko squirmed again. "All I know about this weapon is that the Rakata created it."
Rakata, Nona remembered this name. The Rakata were a sentient race of aliens that controlled the galaxy with its Infinite Empire thousands of years ago. She had come across some of their ancient technologies during her time stationed on Belsavis, a prison planet in the Outer Rim. Whatever disbelief she had felt toward the agent before dissipated. The Rakata were a violent, unsympathetic race that swore to enslave all species they found to be beneath them. If the Empire got its hands on this mysterious weapon, it was likely the war would be lost.
"Where is it?" Nona asked.
"I'm not an idiot, Major." The agent grumbled. She twitched once more but this time it was obvious to Nona what she was doing. Adoko had been working on the plasma hand bindings that held her together. With a burst of light, the band disappeared. She smiled with triumph and brought her hands around to massage her wrists. At that second, Jonas rushed through the door along with two other officers, all pointing blasters at Adoko. She giggled at them as she raised her hands in the universal sign of innocence. "Easy, boys." She said with a seductive tone to her voice. Nona internally cringed. She could never pretend to be a sexual being. Spy work was never her calling.
"What do you want for the information, cypher?" Nona asked, ignoring Jonas and the others.
"I'm never going back to the Empire. I need to be assured immunity for me and my crew." Adoko said, meeting Nona's eyes. Nona shrugged.
"That's a lot to ask for." Nona affected her voice to sound aloof. She hoped it came across that way.
"I have more information I can provide about the Empire. I have military base locations, training facilities." Adoko spoke quickly, desperation creeping onto her face.
"If I recall, you defected to the SIS before this. Didn't you just go running back to Intelligence? Why should you do anything different this time?" Nona asked. Jonas and his men had relaxed their firing arms and holstered their blasters. Adoko's jaw tightened.
"That was a mission from Intelligence. They had me brainwashed and I could not control my actions. Check your SIS records, they knew of this brainwashing and took advantage of it." Adoko shot a glare at Jonas. Nona looked to him. Jonas crossed his arms over his chest.
"That group was working without the direct orders of SIS." He said flatly, not breaking Adoko's scowl.
"Lies." She spat. "Whatever, trust me, don't. I can prove my intentions; take me with you. I know someone who has more information about this weapon. She's one of yours so you can trust her."
"Who?" Jonas asked before Nona could.
"Ellyx Mirode." Adoko said with a knowing smile.