Chapter 7: Loyalty to the Cause
The Imperial base on Balmorra was a hive of activity, a team of three slicers to each terminal trying to hack into the Republic's communications arrays while technicians and officers bustled about to assemble their troops for an attack on the Republic's main base at Tarik. One officer's mind however was a little out of sorts for unexpected running into his past the other night. He had run into that twi'lek girl again when he had told her not to follow him and she didn't listen. He didn't even care if it was an accident. If he had to get it through to her head, that, that one night was a mistake and would never mean anything between them he would not be shy in telling her. He left his old life and most of friends behind when he pledged himself to the Sith Empire. Malavai Quinn was a patriot to the Empire and would serve until his dying breath, not even the words of that twi'lek could bring him back to her side. He distinctly remembered her with a man that night, no doubt one she had fallen for but he was in the best possible place, here among his comrades and among the most powerful people in the Empire, including the omnipotent Dark Lord of the Sith, and Dark Council member Darth Zhorrid, the head of the Sphere of Technology and Quinn was eager to gain her favour. Any Imperial who managed to earn the respect of a Sith Lord automatically gained the respect of the entire Empire and that was his ultimate goal. To serve the Empire, but to serve alongside a Dark Lord of the Sith and finally be recognised for his talents, not wasting his life away on a backwater world mending droids. Iz'phal had always told him as a child that power was not everything and that it could be gained and earned through doing what was necessary for the Republic and the "greater good" so she called it. Quinn chuckled to himself. That notion to him seemed astounding and wondered if she still lived by those words. Officers of lower authority saluted him in their lines as he strode past them walking through the labyrthine corridors of the military base to meet with his superior. This was a proud moment for him, a meeting with the Admiral of the troops on Balmorra and he would be damned if anything or anyone would ruin it for him. Two identical floor to ceiling blood red banners bearing the Imperial symbol towered beside the entrance to the Admiral's chambers and every time Quinn saw it and what it represented it filled him with pride. No matter what his old friend once said one day the Empire was going to bring justice and peace to the galaxy and he was going to achieve this. Getting clearance to enter the room he took a moment to survey his surroundings, the spacious chamber indeed the barracks of a man who demanded only the highest amounts of loyalty and respect. On immediately hearing the voice of his superior he stopped admiring the lavish the vast amounts of artefacts and relics on the desk in the centre of the room and stood to attention and offered a crisp salute. The admiral of the Imperial war effort on Balmorra and leader of Sobrik base Riekenn Durant strode into the room, circling Quinn almost as if inspecting him before confirming him to relax his stance, Quinn still standing up straight placing his gloved hands behind his back. Riekenn had earned the rank of Admiral from his superior on the Dark Council for his ruthless efficiency in imperial operations and driving the resistance off Balmorra. He was an essential part of the Empire's succeeding war efforts and Quinn knew it would only be a matter of time before the Imperial's completely ruled the planet and its people. The promise of such power, of crushing a rebellious population for the greater good excited him, but first to the business at hand. Being one of the highest ranking imperials on Balmorra his rank insignia was two rows of eight identical squares, the top red, the bottom blue with three golden squares to symbolize commanding office. He was of a strong build, deep green eyes and a sallow face with his slick short brown hair tucked behind his ears, a grey command cap resting on his head. When he spoke his voice reflected urgency as if what he was about to say was of upmost importance.
"Captain Quinn, I gather you know why I have summoned you here" Riekenn spoke in a formal tone, standing to face the Captain, gloved hands on his hips getting the response immediately, Quinn's voice reflecting slight confusion. As honoured as he was for the summoning by his superior he had little notion what this meeting was about and had no knowledge of how it would impact the Imperial war effort.
"Not as of yet sir, but I gather it's important" Quinn replied as his superior paced around him again, guessing that he had picked the right man for the job and that he would be honoured to carry out this top priority mission.
"Of the upmost importance" the Admiral reminded him, seating himself behind his desk and drawing a datapad towards him. "In fact essential to our war effort. I require only the best Captain. That is why I am choosing you and your squadron to make this your top priority" Riekenn said seeing Quinn's face fill with colour. He knew he was valued asset in the Empire but to hear a compliment direct from his superior made his heart swell with pride, a pride that he refused to show on his face. Quinn had been promoted to Captain for his diligent and relentless work throughout the Imperial military and the Admiral knew it was justified. He valued Quinn as one of his most valuable medics and operatives and knew that with his ruthless efficiency this mission would be over within the week and then the Republic on this world would fall quickly.
"What is it you would have my team do sir? We are as always ready to serve" Quinn wasted no time in displaying his eagerness for the assignment but when the orders were issued he felt a lump form in his throat, and a knot tightening in his gut from slight shock, a shock which he pushed away so as not to seem hesitant.
"You perhaps heard of the young star spacer called Iz'phal Trua, a Republic patriot and a thorn in our side. We have intelligence tracking her and she needs to be brought to heel" Riekenn explained, seeming pleased with the figures on his datapad before giving Quinn eye contact. "She has halted many of our occupations on several worlds and must be captured, preferably alive so that we can show her what happens of those who defy the might of our Empire. I task you and your squadron with the task of bringing her to our strong hold prison on Dromund Kass…" The Admiral paused, gazing at him as if to test his resolve and after a few seconds of silence resumes with the briefing. "You have no idea the amount of officers and young upstarts who would jump to be in your position. Iz'phal Trua must be stopped by any means if necessary. I will inform you of her last location and you shall have my personal shuttle at your disposal. Between the reputation of your squad and your piloting skills Captain I see no challenge in this for you. Is this all clear?" he questioned, again seemingly testing his loyalty but despite the resistance to say something else Quinn saluted and showed his willingness to accept the mission. "It's settled then. I shall expect to hear from you when she is in captivity. Dismissed Captain" Riekenn ordered as bowing stiffly at the waist to his superior Quinn turned sharply on his heel and started for the door. When he had left the room he felt a heaviness creep into his heart, a feeling he had refused to let affect him from the moment he joined the Empire. The Admiral had no idea Iz'phal used to be one of his closest friends and of course he did everything to conceal that but assuming Iz'phal would never forgive him for the way he treated her all those years ago he thought their friendship was lost. Yet still a part of him, a part he thought he'd buried away felt for her, wanted to help her and apologise for what he had done and not go through with it, but the strong ruthless part of him pushed it away. He was an Imperial soldier, a servant of the great Sith Empire and anyone who told him he was anyone else was dead to him, including her. Getting over his momentary stumble he shook his head slightly as if to clear all the needless emotions from it, smoothing out the folds of his tunic as he made way to his barracks to relay the orders to his squadron but little did he know how his next actions would affect him until it was too late.
Iz'phal awoke from her sleep, all her muscles feeling like elastic as the events of the night unreeled in her mind. Knowing it had ended with a moment of happiness she refused to dwell on the negative, stretching her shapely legs slightly as she snuggled into the warmth of his embrace, feeling ever at peace when she was with him. She felt him stir next to her, feeling a tickling sensation down her lekku as she closed her eyes, drifting away with the pleasant experience. She was slightly caught off guard when he spoke but her lips rose into a smile as she gathered the blanket around her.
"I did mention how beautiful you are right Iz?" Corso reminded her, his voice a husky whisper as both were affected by the amount of liquor that they had drunk the previous night, Iz'phal trying to shrug off the fact she had a roaring hangover. She groaned slightly before mumbling a reply turning on her other side, his eyes just beginning to open, almost pulling her in with their longing gaze.
"You keep mentioning it, but you are damn handsome yourself Riggsy. I've not done too badly" Iz'phal murmured, quirking a playful eyebrow at him knowing the events of the night had exhausted both of them but she admitted to herself she hadn't had that much fun in ages and she felt privileged to be with him.
"You know that thing I said last night bout kids Iz, well I wasn't lying…" Corso crooned in her ear as she laughed light-heartedly knowing he was teasing her. Perhaps maybe in the future she would be ready to settle down and start a family with him, with the man that meant everything to her, but not right now: They were just starting out and had all the time in the world. "When we're both ready of course Izzy, don't want us to go rushing into anything…Just saying in the future it's well worth considering" Iz'phal's heart almost swooning at his constant care and love for her. No man had ever put her needs before his, or treated her the way he did. It made her feel alive again; felt needed in the world and above all gave her life meaning. Throughout all she had been through in her life it was a relief to have someone apart from her friends she could spill her heart too and he would always listen, always be truthful and honest with her. "One of these days Iz when we earn enough we'll stop travelling and get a place of our own. Somewhere green with lots of wide open spaces for the little ones to run around in. That's always been my dream you know, to find the right girl and settle down somewhere. I got the girl, now we just got to make the money…" Iz'phal pecked him on the forehead. She loved it when he spilled his heart to her, always looking to the future and it made her happy, happy to know he was thinking about it.
"Course, I will always be thinking bout the future but that's a way ahead…Don't want to go back to Nar Shaadaa" Iz'phal groaned, twirling a stray lock of his brown hair through her fingers. She knew they were on course to meet with their next contact and that when Risha had received word from Bowdaar that the couple where aboard she had set the coordinates and the flight path, making the jump to hyperspace. Iz'phal knew they had been travelling through the night and needed to thank Risha for the skilled piloting that is if she could get out bed. "Don't want to get up…" Iz'phal moaned, as she possessed a natural beauty that with all the makeup removed reeled him in, trapped him from the very first day he had set eyes on her. Yes he was trapped but any sane man would never wished to be set free from a woman like Iz'phal Trua. "Urgh my head…" she groaned, Corso taunting in her ear as she placed her hands to her eyes.
"Izzy's all hungover…" he laughed then realising he wasn't in top shape either as his head rang with all the loud noise his ears had endured last night. "Goddamn it Izzy, why did you have to buy that whole bottle of Melzeck. Bantha hide knows how we got through half that bottle. I hate that stuff…You were relentless last night" Corso protested at her moving as she pecked him on the cheek and stepped groggily out of bed, slipping on some plain leggings and a loose fitting tank top.
"Hey!" she snapped in a friendly tone, as even in her hungover state she could be playful "I'm not the one who was firing down Sam shots last night. That was impressive by the way" Iz'phal complimented as she inspected the bottle of 40% proof and it suddenly hit her no wonder they felt wobbly.
"Let's give this to Risha, lie and say it's water" Corso joked, eyes sparkling with a touch of audacity as Iz'phal nudged him hard in the ribs crawling back onto the bed to sit beside him.
"Corso nooo, you can't do that. She'd kill you" Iz'phal jibed, as she tried to coax him out of bed but he wasn't having it. "Come on get up you lazy Kath Hound!" Iz'phal said, trying to sound fierce, tugging on his shoulder but he knew she was playing. "I'm just as hungover as you and I'm dressed…Come on Riggsy…" she crooned in her most seductive voice, shaking him by the shoulder but it didn't work, Corso pulling the covers over him. "I'll make you…" Iz'phal warned as Corso immediately opened his eyes and propped himself up on his arms giving her a mischievous look.
"Oh yeah and how exactly you planning to do that Izzy…" Corso asked suavely, Iz'phal leaning in close to him, placing her arms around his neck.
"I won't give you any kisses for a week if you don't move" Iz'phal tried to say but just ended up laughing as Corso leapt at her, almost tackling her under him, pinning her arms by her sides gazing warmly down at her.
"You make this way too easy Iz. I'll just have to get them myself then" he laughed, placing several kisses on her face and neck. Iz'phal tried to fight him off at first then realised he was just playing and so relaxed, pulling him close to her.
"You have to catch me first" Iz'phal said warmly, her soft voice, always filled with that air of kindness that bared into his heart and kept it beating, kept him alive.
"I already have…" Corso crooned into her neck and was about to go further reaching a hand under her shirt when Risha without even knocking burst through the door hands on her hips, glaring at them. In a rush to cover herself up Iz'phal grabbed the sheet beside her while Corso just lay next to her trying to look as innocent as he could.
"Sleep alright Risha?" asked Iz'phal, knowing full well what the answer to that question would be obvious as she glowered at her in a friendly manner, shaking her head.
"You're kidding Captain. Not with you two at it all night long!" Risha shot back as Corso shared Iz'phal a knowing look and knew what he meant as she linked her arms around his neck. She sighed before crossing her arms and checking the datapad in her hand. "You two got back late" She commented, spying the half empty bottle of 40% proof and rolled her eyes, knowing they would not be on top form for the meeting today. The meeting with their next client and of great importance: Boga the Hutt and his Republic ambassador.
"Not really…Corso sweetheart what time did we get in last night?" Iz'phal asked, Corso's brain now in a mush as he picked a random time.
"Somewhere between three and four's my guess…Risha, do we have to meet this son of a hutt today. Can't it wait? Me and Izzy aint exactly in top condition" Corso protested, Iz'phal snuggling close to him.
"Sorry to say Corso this meeting cannot be rescheduled so you'll just have to solider on unfortunately. Now up and at em Captain! Let's go!" Risha commanded as she swept from the room leaving a tired looking Iz'phal and Corso behind her, closing the door to their room.
"No way in the name of House Organa am I moving today. Izzy you can handle it" Corso winked at her seeing her gasp slightly at his audacity before running a hand up his chest.
"I don't think so. I can barely function let alone talk. I'll try and convince Risha to move the meeting. I don't want to screw things up…" Iz'phal explained as she pecked him on the cheek before getting to her feet as he found the strength to get up and wrap his arms around her, his voice ever kind and gentle towards her.
"Iz when was the last time you messed something up. You're a professional…" Corso complimented but was also telling the truth. Feeling her confidence grow she laced her fingers through his and gazed warmly up at him.
"I had such a lovely evening last night. Minus the little incident. It meant the world to me and it shows how much you care for me…We'll do it again but not for a while…Oww my head…" Iz'phal groaned, Corso looking down at her with nothing but adoration for her in his eyes.
"It weren't too bad where it Iz, if I do say so myself. Now you go talk to Risha, I'll be with you in a bit" Corso suggested as Iz'phal nodded, drawing a kiss from his lips as she walked away from him. "Love you Iz" he called after her as she replied in kind before searching the ship for the whereabouts of Risha. She never knew how vulnerable she would be without him at her side and she would find out, find out in the worst way she could imagine.