Spoilers for the Trooper, Bounty Hunter, Agent, Smuggler, Sith warrior, and Jedi Consular storyline.
Rated T - Language, violence.
The Sphinx's Malcontent was unlike any vessel Nona had seen. Its level of untidiness bordered on art. Despite the uniform coating of dust on many of the ship's interior surfaces, Ellyx guided her guests around the ship with a proud smile on her lips. Nona was placed in a large sleeping room with Adoko and Risha. When the major entered with Adoko just behind her, Risha Drayen turned her head to see who had entered. Her expression of annoyance warned Nona to stay away. Risha trudged out of the room.
"She never changes," Adoko mused aloud.
"You know her?" Nona asked. They had moved fully into the room and were placing their personal effects onto beds they claimed as their own.
"Not personally. I've simply heard of her and her father." Adoko said. Nona regarded the spy icily. She looked more intimidating now in clothing that supplemented her lithe body. On her boots, Nona saw sheathed knives and a small blaster pistol. Nona was sure the woman had other weapons stored on her body. Adoko herself was surveying the major. "I've heard a good deal about you. I was almost given an assignment to assassinate you." Adoko said with a hint of a smile.
"I haven't heard of you." Nona said. Adoko smiled.
"Then I did my job well." She crossed her arms over her chest.
"I don't trust you." Nona said, straightening her back as she spoke. Adoko nodded her head.
"Makes sense that you wouldn't, Major. But this isn't about you or your Republic as a matter of fact." Adoko pulled a shiny knife from her belt and began sharpening it with a tool. "If this weapon gets into either faction's hands this galaxy is doomed."
"How do you know about this weapon?" Nona asked. Adoko smirked and Nona understand this reply as, there is no way in seven sectors I am telling you. Nona turned from the cryptic agent and thought back to earlier. As a major, Nona did not have many to report her actions to. However, General Garza was that person.
"I'm headed to Nar Shaddaa with agent Balkar." Nona had said through the holocommunicator to the general. She stood at attention, waiting for the general's response. Garza was an older woman with graying hair but she did not let that change the way she commanded the Republic Army.
"I received the official order from SIS this morning, Major." Garza's voice conveyed irritation. "I'm not going to lie, Major, without our best squad on the frontlines, the morale is going to fall. I don't like my best and brightest being taken from me."
"General, just I am going to the smuggler's moon. My squad is remaining behind on Coruscant. Feel free to utilize them as you deem necessary." Nona noticed the flash of anger pass across the general's face.
As she emptied her light bag of what little personal items she cared to take with her, there was a knock on the doorway. Nona saw a smiling Jonas beckoning for her to follow. Unnecessary embarrassment welled up within her knowing that Adoko was right there. Jonas led her through the Sphinx's circular passageways to an empty communicator room. Once she entered, he shut the door and turned to her.
"Adoko Gale cannot be trusted." Jonas said, peering into Nona's purple eyes.
"Naturally, but what makes you say that?" Nona asked, putting hand on her hip. Jonas sighed and ran a hand down his face.
"I, uh," Jonas was suddenly red with humiliation. "Knew her. During my early years in SIS she used me for information."
"Used you," Nona repeated. Realization colored her own cheeks. "Why are you telling me this?" Jonas himself appeared confused suddenly.
"She wormed her way into my life with promises and lies. Adoko is good. She is one of the best cypher agents Intelligence has. For her to up and leave them suddenly does not make sense to me."
"She may have seen too much. Other Imperial agents have defected to the SIS before her." Nona said. She did not quite like how important Jonas believed Adoko Gale was. Tired of having her emotions toyed around with, Nona said, "Did you really just bring me in here to gossip about the Imperial aboard or do you have anything important to speak with me about?" Nona used the tone she affected when speaking to her squadron before battle. It was intimidation, pure and simple. Before Jonas could say anything more, Ellyx Mirode came over the intercom to announce their departure for Nar Shaddaa. She then requested Nona's company in the cockpit. Nona was thankful for the excuse to leave a nervous Jonas behind.