Chapter 37
Cause and Effect
Contemplation was something one learned when one regularly travelled, least of all through the vast, near endless abyss of space. During her time as a Jedi, and now as a Shinobi under Naruto Aayla had spent a great deal of her time within the bulkheads of a starship, left alone with her friends and her thoughts.
During her former and current careers Aayla had learned the art of contemplation quite well. She had also learned calm, serenity and patience during these long terms of travel. She had also come to see the true terrifying beauty of the vacuum of space, the starry darkness, the black twilight and the glow of a sun and planets in a star system.
Yes, space was beautiful but also deadly. The lack of oxygen or any other elements meant that no one could survive in the vacuum without protection, and the effects of violent decompression showed this danger all too well. Still Aayla felt a keen serenity, sitting in light meditation within the confines of the Star Destroyers recently remodelled viewing gallery.
Her role in the negotiations was minimal, simply as a representative of the Shinobi, few in number as they were. The main importance of this situation was the negotiations of an alliance between the Jedi and the rogue Clones, and those negotiations were well and truly underway and looking very promising.
She would have rather been with Naruto on his assignment, but he wanted someone who knew the Jedi, who knew the Clones and who he trusted more than anything. The Shinobi may only be four at the moment, but Naruto had made it clear that they would be a different faction of this planned force, not subservient but equal.
He hadn't said it but Aayla knew that Naruto wanted to recreate the Shinobi here, with a different creed and a different set of ideals. Aayla didn't know what he planned with a rebirth of the Shinobi, and it was something she wanted to ask him. Her main fear was a mercenary army of chakra wielding soldiers working for the highest bidder. They'd make the Mandalorians look like common guardsmen.
That was the source of her contemplation.
The blast doors at the other end of the room opened, spilling light into the darkened chamber which until now had only been lit by the stars. A shadow fell across the chamber, and Aayla opened her eyes and turned her head to see who had impeached on her meditation space.
It was T'ra Saa, the Neti Jedi Master glided into the chamber with an elegance very few people could naturally possess. Aayla did not rise, and watched as her unofficial teacher during her Jedi days stood beside her and sat down, crossing her legs and for a time watching the starry darkness through the main screen.
"Negotiations have come to an end." The Jedi Master said softly.
"Mm," Aayla hummed, closing her eyes as the blast doors closed, once again darkening the recently created observation deck.
"The alliance has been finalised," T'ra Saa continued, herself closing her eyes and settling into a calming trance. "The younglings will be protected within these walls until we can find a more permanent hiding place for them. The Clones have also agreed to hold off any raiding campaigns until such a time."
"Good news." Aayla allowed.
"Yes, very good news." The Neti agreed with a nod. "We're about ready to send out Jedi teams to look for a hospitable planet outside of the Empires influence."
"That's regions from the Core to the Mid-rim out of the question," Aayla said, opening her eyes to look over at her former teacher and friend. "Outer-rim territories would probably be the best, largest region of the galaxy by far, the Empire can barely police the entire region and there are a lot of uninhabited planets out there. The only other option is the Unknown Regions."
"Which could hold dangers as bad as the Empire," T'ra Saa shook her head, and Aayla nodded hers in affirmative. "Just because the territories of the Unknown Regions haven't been explored by us doesn't mean there's nothing in there, remember the Outbound Flight."
Aayla knew about the Outbound Flight. It was a Jedi led operation to try and explore the unknown regions before the Clone Wars had started. The vessel, along with all aboard, had been missing and considered lost not long after it entered the Unknown regions, no one knew what happened to it but it had been agreed that the vessel and all those aboard had been lost.
It had been a tragedy for the Jedi; with just over thirty Jedi Knights and Masters aboard the exploration vessel it had been considered a great loss for the Jedi of the time. Almost every Jedi had known and respected someone who had volunteered for the Outbound Flight project and the entire Order had been in a state of mourning for a week after.
If only the Jedi knew that the disaster of the Outbound Flight had just been the tip of the iceberg, and a sign of things to come.
"The Unknown Regions are too risky to explore, even for a safe haven from the Empire," Aayla said at last, taking a deep breath. "There are plenty of uninhabited planets off the Empires notice. The Jedi just need to find the perfect planet to hide."
"The Jedi," T'ra Saa asked with a raised brow. "It sounds like you no longer consider yourself one, Aayla."
"I'm not," Aayla replied, looking over to her friend. "I've had my rank as Knight revoked by Master Yoda, at least for the meantime. I've been emotionally compromised Master Saa, I admit that."
"I know." T'ra Saa said, lowering her head. "I know that we've probably lost you from the Order, but there's one thing I want to ask you. What are you going to do?"
"Isn't it obvious?" Aayla asked with a wan smile. "I'm going to follow Naruto, help him rebuild his people... and make sure he does it right. I will be his conscience, making sure he doesn't stray and become the very thing he's gearing up to fight."
"You're going to become a Shinobi, then?"
"Yes." She replied.
"I'm sorry to hear that." The Neti shook her head as she stood up, taking a few steps towards the wide screen before turning around. "Are you sure being a Shinobi is the path you want to take? You're time as a Jedi is at an end, but with your abilities and knowledge you can become anything you want and be successful."
"I'm sure," Aayla responded without hesitation. "I may have the ability and the credentials to be anything, but not under the Empires rule, and so long as Naruto remains a Shinobi I will follow him."
T'ra Saa said nothing, remaining where she was and watching Aayla, focusing on her and remembering the little girl who had run through the halls of the Jedi Temple laughing and playing with her friends, the little girl who had been nurtured into a Jedi by herself, Tholme and Vos. In that moment the little girl was replaced by the young woman sitting across from her.
Just because she wasn't going to be a Jedi anymore didn't mean that she was going to follow the same path as Anakin Skywalker as she and the rest of her former teachers had feared. She was a different person from Anakin, a stronger person. T'ra Saa needed to have faith in her, and trust that she would not fall the same way as Anakin fell.
Yes, T'ra Saa would have faith in her.
She had faith in the little girl taken from a life of slavery and brought under the wing of the Jedi and turned into this strong, resilient and noble woman.
"He's coming back."
The older Jedi turned her attention back to the younger woman as she rose to her feet and walked over to the screen, placing her hand against the duraglass pane, eyes closed. She was a gentle presence in the force, at ease and calm.
"You're bond with him has become this strong," T'ra Saa uttered under her breath, folding her arms under her bust as she contemplated. Aayla was indeed beyond the reach of the Jedi at this point. Her bond with Naruto had become so strong that she felt his presence even when he was light-years away. To a force-sensitive such ability was proof of a powerful emotional bond.
"Strange," Aayla's quizzical voice brought the Neti back from her thoughts. "He seems sheepish, really sheepish... what has he done now?"
There was a flash of light and a metallic form appeared in the distance, coming up as nothing more than a small dot in the vastness of space. Aayla spun on her heel, giving T'ra Saa a look which the Jedi immediately understood and together the two of them exited the observation deck, making their way along deserted corridors to reach the main turbolift to the bridge. The ride up was short and quiet and together the two of them exited the lift and made their way into the busier bridge of the Star Destroyer.
Even with the bridge being busier it was still fairly deserted, with nothing more than a skeleton crew taking up the main command consoles. Out of the hundreds of rogue clones only a few dozen had experience in manning the command systems of a Star Destroyer. Most of the more base systems were running on slave drives and basic artificial intelligence programs.
Standing before the communications console of the main command deck stood the figures of Obi-wan Kenobi and Alpha's second-in-command, who had given himself the codename Bravo. It was something the higher echelons of the new Free Clone Army had adopted. Those considered Lieutenants of Alpha had taken on the follow up names of the Phonetic alphabet, from Alpha to Golf.
"What's going on?" T'ra Saa asked as the two women approached.
"We have an incoming ship, identified as a Frigate of the Munificient-class." Bravo replied.
"A Separatist Frigate, out here?"
"There's also another smaller vessel at the fore."
"They've already identified themselves as the Morning Star, and we've also confirmed that the ship leading them is the Will of Fire," Obi-wan said as he looked over to Aayla with a smile. "By the looks of it his little mission appears to have been a sweeping success."
"We managed to contact him, you're timing was perfect actually." Bravo said as he pressed a few buttons on the comm. System. "Can you hear us Commander?"
"Loud and clear!" came the familiar reply. "The mission was a success, managed to get a hold of about two thousand freed slaves and a fully armed and fuelled Frigate."
"Very good news Naruto," Obi-wan replied with a nod. "Were you followed?"
"Nah, did a couple of micro-jumps and released a half dozen decoy probes," Naruto replied flippantly. "The Imperials were sent on a wild goose chase, probably ended up at Ord Mantell."
"We'll probably be moving on anyway, just to be on the safe side." Bravo stated as the turbolift doors opened revealing a handful of other senior officers and Jedi Masters, including Alpha, a few of his Lieutenants and Master Shaak Ti; "Anything else to report, commander?"
Aayla sent a quizzical look Shaak Ti's way as she came to a stop, "Commander?"
The council member shrugged, "We offered him a permanent seat on the council and rank of General, but he just smirked and said he would rather be a battlefield commander."
Aayla sighed, raising her right hand to rub her forehead, "Sounds about right."
"Yeah, there is one little thing." Naruto replied over the line, and his voice gave away a sheepish and borderline nervous tone. "We also picked up a Confederate Admiral and the acting Director of what's left of Confederate Intelligence. We figured they'd be helpful."
"You liberated two high ranking Separatist officers?" Alpha asked with a frown.
There was nervous laughter down the line, and this brought everyone's attention to the comm. Console. "That's not the only thing we brought along."
Any questions were silenced and replaced by foreboding when proximity alarms blared, echoing through the very halls. Aayla could feel the sudden panic and foreboding felt across the ship. A panic she herself felt when she saw flashes of light, dozens of flashes of light, each one representing the arrival of a vessel.
"We have multiple contacts!" A clone yelled from the right crew pit. "We have Separatist warships... fifteen, twenty one, and thirty... no forty three!"
"Arm weapons," Alpha ordered sharply. "Get the sublight engines online, spool up the hyperdrive, bring us about now!"
"Hold on a minute sir," Bravo stopped as he looked at the comm. System, taking in the readings. "We're getting basic communications from the fleet."
"We kind of tagged along with these guys as well." Naruto finished sheepishly.
"They're broadcasting surrender signals!"
"What?"
"They're surrendering sir!"
Aayla found herself massaging her forehead again, muttering under her breath as she attempted to lessen the headache she was getting. "He goes to free slaves and comes back with an entire Separatist fleet as well. I really need to take part in his away missions."
"I think I can make that an order, if you want?" Alpha was also massaging his temple, attempting and barely succeeded to process the information he was getting. "Tell them, and I can't believe I am about to say this, that we accept their surrender."
"Of the one hundred and fifteen Battleships, Carriers, Cruisers and Escorts about fifty three were able to follow us in escape, scouting squadrons have already been scattered to try and find anyone else who was able to retreat separately but for now none have been found. Thirty seven of the escaped warships have suffered varying degrees of damage, eight of which would be considered critical." The small group of officers and allies listened to the Ensign's report with varying degrees of trepidation. "Vessels determined as such include the Cruisers Seleucami, Geonosis and Mygeeto... the Battleship Celestial and the Carrier Dominant. These vessels have suffered serious structural damage, and most of their weapons are out of commission... engineer teams have considered any attempted repairs on these ships as a wasted effort."
"I see." Admiral Swell rubbed his forehead as he took in the information. It was unfortunate, but such was the fortunes of war. "Begin evacuations of those vessels considered unable to be repaired, repost affected crews across the fleet and prepare scavenger units to strip any useful materials."
"Yes Admiral."
"It will be best to clear all data from their hard drives as well, so as not to compromise any of our hidden bases or safe ports." Sull added, looking over at the Admiral who nodded in agreement.
The Ensign saluted and turned on his heel, moving on to make sure that the orders were followed. Once he left the two officers turned their attention to the other four sentient beings in the room. "Now that that's out of the way I suppose we should be getting down to business. I take it you are the leader of this little band?"
Naruto shrugged, "Not really, the Clones and Jedi have their own hierarchy and command structures. I'm just the guy who hatched the plan, and these are the ones who were crazy enough to follow me."
"Crazy enough," Rex breathed out a sigh before turning to Celeste. "He really is like this all the time, I thought you were kidding."
"You were with us long enough to know by now," Celeste replied with a shrug. "
"I... see," Sull replied with a face of stone.
"Anyway, if you want to see about solidifying an alliance you really should begin negotiations with them. The main leaders you will be dealing with will be Grand Jedi Master Yoda and General Alpha." Rex explained. "They have been selected as the overall leaders of the coalition."
"And where do you and you're comrades fit into this?" Swell asked.
"Naruto here has recently been promoted to a Commander," Celeste said with a shrug. "As for the rest of us... well."
"Oh I almost forgot," Naruto said suddenly, before turning to his two comrades with a sheepish grin. "Congratulations, you two have been promoted."
"What?" Rex asked, after a moment of silence.
"When?" Celeste demanded.
"Before we left," Naruto replied, taking a step back and raising his hands as the former Clone Commander and Jedi Shadow advanced on him with piercing glares. "You've both recently been promoted to the rank of Captain's, again congratulations."
"You were going to tell us... when?" Celeste asked with a raised brow.
"I was... planning on it, but I kind of forgot," Naruto replied hesitantly, before his eyes widened marginally. "Shit I forgot again, Aayla's been made into a Major."
"A Major," Rex mouthed. "How was she made into a Major? Do we even have enough troops to spontaneously promote four people up in rank?"
"Well they are kind of thinking of joining," Naruto added pleadingly, pointing at the Admiral and his lieutenants.
"They have their own hierarchy," Rex pointed out.
"Excuse me, we're still here." Sull coughed, getting their attention.
"Oh," He at least had the decency to look sheepish. "Sorry about that."
Swell watched the blond haired man for a long moment. "Why do you think we, once sworn enemies of the Jedi and the Clones of the Old Republic, would join forces with them?"
"Mutual survival," Naruto informed bluntly. "Let's face it at the moment you and you're fleet are the strong man in this proposed Alliance, just over fifty fully crewed, full armed and fuelled warships of war against a Star Destroyer and her flotilla. However there are things that the Jedi and Clones possess which you lack."
Swell raised a brow questioningly, "Such as?"
"Elite shock troops, special forces, people with leadership experience and that little strength known as Force sensitivity," Naruto continued, taking a few slow, winding steps around the holotable separating them from the Confederate officers. "Most of the Clones on that Cruiser were either former Commandoes, ARC Troopers or high ranking officers, most of the adult Jedi were former Commanders, Trainers, Spies and Generals. "
"We have that." Sull countered.
"You have the army, but you lack the Special Forces and spies, we can provide that." Naruto replied simply, folding his arms. "Look we can try and sell the idea of an alliance with a battalions worth of battle hardened Clones who could rip a small army apart, and two Companies worth of Jedi who could do the exact same thing but we already know that you've decided to join us. You wouldn't have followed my ship and had gone you're separate ways."
"Maybe we followed you because handing in both Jedi and Clones may give us a pardon with the Empire." Swell said simply. Immediately the atmosphere in the room changed from one of simple negotiation to one of tension and borderline suspicion.
"Come on," Naruto replied with a smirk, not missing a beat even as Rex and Celeste tensed. "I doubt you two are cowards, and with the hatred you both hold to the Empire for not just defeating the Confederacy but also for the sanctions on your planets and the enslavement of your peoples. I doubt you'll go grovelling to them, even with a thousand Clones and Jedi."
There was a long moment of silence before Swell broke out in a croaking laugh, "The boy is good."
"He's also insane." Sull said in way of agreement.
"I get that a lot." Naruto smiled.
"Really he does." Celeste agreed.
"His friends are just as bad."
"Hey!"
"We will need help with the evacuations of the heavily damaged ships. A Jedi's abilities will come in handy, and also make things go a heck of a lot faster."
"We'll see what we can do," Rex replied with a nod. "I can think of about two dozen Jedi who would be more than happy to help, and another three dozen who will help with a little coaxing."
"Well then, I suppose we'll need to get in touch with Master Yoda and General Alpha."
"What a coincidence, they should be hailing you any minute now."
"And we're going to go on ahead," Celeste finished.
"Why is that?"
"He has a girlfriend who's probably going to kick his ass." The former Jedi Shadow informed.
"And we're going to enjoy it." Rex finished with a smirk.
"Gee, thanks."
Aayla watched closely as the Separatist shuttle entered the cavernous confines of the Star Destroyers hanger, flanked by a duo of ARC-170's as it settled onto the metal decking with a slight lurch of its landing gear. Its circular dimensions allowed memories of the war to return, where she had seen these same ships act as troop transports as well as diplomatic shuttles, similar to how the Grand Army used the LAAT's.
This one wasn't being used as a troop transport, it had another purpose entirely. Within the hull of that vessel was the most senior surviving commander of the former Separatist navy, alongside one of his lieutenants and most likely an honour guard of heavily armed combat troops. They were ready on this end, with Alpha and Yoda in attendance, surrounded by a half dozen Jedi Knights and a line of Clone Troopers in full armour connecting their delegation to the shuttle, their compact blasters held at attention.
While they were waiting for their once enemies and possible allies to make an appearance the former Jedi knight took into account that the hanger was almost half empty, with several shuttles and fighters out in the cold depths of space, either moving to the Morning Star with medical teams or to the heavily damaged Confederate ships. There were maybe twelve heavily damaged warships out there, unable to survive another jump into hyperspace. They would have to be scuttled, and their crews evacuated.
Her thoughts were suddenly thrust to the side when the landing ramp lowered with a whirl of hydraulics and a sudden hiss of steam. Aayla was suddenly on alert, expecting a platoon worth of Super Battle-droids to march down the ramp, guns held at attention. She was surprised to instead see flesh and blood Neimoidian Home Guardsmen, six in total, descend to the decking and stand to attention. The Admiral and his Lieutenant followed close behind, walking past the guards who quickly and professionally remained where they were.
Behind the Separatist leaders came some more familiar faces, and Aayla felt her heart skip a beat when she saw him. Naruto was exactly as she remembered him, no sign of any injuries or severed limbs, which was always a good thing. Rex flanked his right and Celeste his left as they stepped onto the metal decking.
He looked back and forth before settling his azure eyes on her, and smiled a smile which would light up a room. The former Jedi could do little more than smile back, beginning a mental countdown in her head.
She wanted nothing more than to run up to him and kiss him with all the passion she could muster, but managed to remain professional as the two factions met in the middle. Words were exchanged, some of the tension seemed to lift from their collective shoulders and then Alpha motioned for them to take the negotiations to somewhere more private.
She counted the seconds until the possible future leaders of the alliance exited the hanger through the main blast doors, waiting until they closed with a hiss then threw caution to the wind and began walking fast towards her lover. Naruto saw her approach, as did Celeste and Rex, who looked at each other knowingly before moving off to the side.
Aayla closed the last twenty meters at a sprint, jumping into his arms and kissing him hard on the lips, their tongues began a short lived battle for supremacy as she latched her arms around his neck and he grabbed her hips, keeping her firmly in place as he explored the inner cavity of her mouth. She moaned at the contact, mind going numb from a slow depletion of oxygen.
She wasn't sure when they parted, but when they did they were both flushed and both panting heavily. The former Jedi then allowed her head to rest on the crook of his neck, closing her eyes as she listened contently to his heartbeat.
"Miss me?" he asked between gasping breathes.
"Mm," was all Aayla could say, not trusting her own voice to form coherent words at the moment.
"I was only gone for three days, Aayla."
"Was it that long?" she asked playfully.
Somewhere in the back of her mind Aayla was chastising herself for missing him as badly as she did. He was only gone for a few days and here she was missing him like some lovesick teenager. Was this what love did to a person, make them unable to live without someone? Too think about them when they weren't together?
Her inexperience in this could be pretty mortifying.
"It must be nice."
Rex looked down at the smaller form of Celeste, "What?"
"To be in love." She replied, looking wistfully at them.
"Want to join in?" Rex asked with a bit of teasing in his voice.
"What?" the former Jedi Shadow asked, mortified. "Hell no, it would be so weird."
"Explain?"
"Aayla is like a sister to me, and Naruto is like a brother. Any romantic feelings I may have had for him have been replaced by that." She said with certainty, certainty that she felt. She may have had a bit of a crush on Naruto when she first met him, it was called lusting after the hero who saved her life, but as time went by she saw that Naruto and Aayla had something she couldn't match, and she was okay with it. They just clicked, fell in love and it showed.
"So you wouldn't jump in if they asked?"
Celeste looked at him, features scrunched up in slight disgust.
Rex chuckled at her expression.
"I do envy them though." Celeste allowed. Somewhere deep down she hoped she would have that one day. The way they looked at each other, with such softness, such love that only a retard would be unable to see it. It would make most people feel a pang of jealousy, though envy was probably a better word.
Strange, when she was a Shadow of the ancient Jedi she never even thought of it, the idea of finding someone and settling down. Her work was her life, but now, with that life well and truly behind her she found herself thinking of such things. Now she saw them and any thoughts of her rejoining the Jedi of now were long lost.
"So you won't be rejoining the Jedi, then?" Rex asked.
Celeste shook her head in response.
"Do you not agree with their views?"
"It's not that," the millennia old former Jedi replied with a shrug. "The Jedi's code isn't necessarily wrong. It's just another way to live. The idea of no emotional attachments means that they can concentrate on other things besides love. Obviously the way they live won't be for everyone, but the Jedi never forced their members to stay, you could resign at any time."
"So you're resigning?"
"From what I've heard the Order has been destroyed and reorganised at least three times since I was put in hibernation, to technically there is no order to return too for me." Celeste replied, looking up at the tall commando with a flirty smile. "Besides, if you go by that idea then I'm much too old to join the Jedi Order, right?"
"I suppose."
"Now it's just getting ridiculous," Celeste muttered suddenly. Rex looked at her questioningly before looking back, eyebrows raised and a silent oh rounding his mouth. The two of them were at it again, kissing quite deeply and passionately under the watchful and in some cases disbelieving gazes of the six Separatist guards, as well as a few technicians and mechanics doing rounds. "Seriously, they'll be stripping each other next."
"Can't have that," Rex said with a sigh.
"No, we can't."
Rex chose that moment to interrupt their personal reunion, coughing into his hand to gain their attention. He shrugged off their glares before pointing out the obvious. "I know you guys missed each other and all, but please get a room."
"Huh?" was their eloquent responses, slightly dazed from taking each other in.
"I know you two missed each other, but please keep your own surroundings in mind." Celeste said firmly, hand rubbing her forehead. At their innocent expressions she used her free hand to point.
They looked around, seeing the small crowd watching them, some hesitantly, some intently, some annoyed, others disbelieving. Their heads each did a full hundred and eighty degree movement before realising flashed across both their pairs of eyes and they quickly split up, looking embarrassed, Naruto scratching his cheek, which was flushed and Aayla looking so embarrassed she would probably overheat, if the full body flush was any indication.
"Get a room."
"And screw each other silly."
You would expect them to argue the choice of wording, sound ashamed and nervous and all sorts of other difficult emotions. But they simply looked at their friends in apology before Naruto grabbed Aayla's hand and began walking towards the exit at a fast pace. Celeste and Rex watched them go, shaking their heads in unison before turning back to each other.
"They're taking it seriously, aren't they?" She asked with mirth.
"Oh yes," Rex replied before looking around. "Want to commandeer a shuttle and see about retaking our ship before the ARC's decide they like it?"
"Please, lead on."
"So, how's it going?"
T'ra Saa flashed a smile at her long time friend, "You should be getting regular updates."
"I am, but considering you're in the room I think you'll be able to give me a more precise assessment." Tholme replied as he lifting his cup and Caff and took a sip, revelling as the hot liquid made its way down his throat before looking back at his fellow council member. The two of them were currently in a half empty cafeteria, enjoying the silence.
"Which one, the pact between us and the clones is pretty much finalised." T'ra Saa shrugged. "There will be some tension for a while, but it'll die down once old camaraderie is reignited, plus we now know that those left won't shoot us in the back."
"I know that much, I was asking more along the lines of our talks with our former enemies." Tholme replied.
"They're progressing," T'ra Saa allowed, seeing his questioning gaze and sighing. "The General and Master Yoda are trying to negotiate a treaty to bring us all on equal footing, but there are a few issues. Like the fact that the Separatists are bringing the manpower and materiel into the relationship, plus a number of troops equal to a sector army while our own manpower equals to a small flotilla and a thousand soldiers if we're lucky, and that's both the clones and us."
"So the Admiral thinks his people should be calling the shots because they're bringing more quantity into this alliance?" Tholme asked.
"More or less, though the Admiral does admit that although his forces are bringing the quantity we and the clones will be bringing the quality, with nearly six to seven hundred Clones, two hundred Jedi and some other elements." T'ra Saa continued as she absently swirled a spoon, creating a minor whirlpool in her cup. "I think he can be talked into allowing us our autonomy, but as too supreme command we're drawing a blank."
"Has the idea of a council been put forward?"
"It has, but the Separatists are worried that if it becomes a triumvirate then they'll be overruled by the Clone and Jedi representatives, they propose something more along the lines of a senate or a council of twelve."
"That will put us in the minority," Tholme frowned.
"Exactly," the Neti master affirmed.
"What about a Shinobi representative?"
"A Shinobi representative on the council? With only four Shinobi in existence, three of whom are recently out of training and still technically considered Jedi even though they resigned?" T'ra Saa asked with a look. "They'll never go for it."
"Well what about that Frigate full of soldiers and civilians out there, if we can convince them to join the Shinobi instead of the Separatists then we may have enough clout to put one of them on the council, and if we can do that we may have enough representatives to at least be a vocal minority." Tholme explained.
"What you're thinking is to give Naruto his own legion?" T'ra Saa frowned.
"Have you heard some the reports from our medical teams, they almost worship him for what he did. He managed to pull off an escape of several thousand people, soldiers and civilians alike, from a heavily fortified Imperial military base. Okay there was a major battle going on overhead, and he had plenty of help, but he still managed to pull it off." Tholme explained as he took another gulp of his Caff. "At the moment if any of the people on that Frigate were asked to follow him, they would do it in a heartbeat."
"There's also another problem though, that his idea of tactics and command are out of date by several thousand years. He has no grasp of modern warfare, back on his home planet his people were still using swords and knives to fight, the idea of slug-throwers or blasters are completely foreign to him, let alone air or orbital support." T'ra Saa pointed out with a shake of her head. "He has the basic grasp, but he's still thinking like a dirt general in a medieval age. The reports of him being completely unprepared for the aerial support says it all."
"Granted, he needs some work on tactics before he can successfully lead an army into combat, but at one point we were exactly the same, remember the beginning of the Clone Wars?"
"Those early mistakes were costly Tholme," T'ra Saa sighed as she leaned against her chair. "Most of our losses were from the first year, Jedi killed by the dozens, hundreds even, and taking their legions with them. If we tried that same approach now then you can say goodbye to Naruto and his Legion before they became a competent fighting force."
"So we teach him," Tholme retorted lightly. "Teach him our mistakes and gains. Give him a better idea of how a modern war is fought. The records of the early days of the Clone Wars are a good place to show him what not to do, while records of latter stages are a good way of showing him what to do."
"You think he'll learn fast?" T'ra Saa asked with a raised brow.
"I think so," Tholme allowed.
"He'll also need experience, from what I have gained of him he is more of a soldier instead of a commander. Give him an objective and he will get it, but give him command of an army and he will expect them to do what he does, and from what Aayla has been telling me about him in the field he is a man who leads from the front." T'ra Saa explained this as she took a sip of the Caff. "He's a soldier Tholme, not a battlefield commander."
"Yet we've already promoted him as such." Tholme countered dryly. "Rex vouches for him, and Alpha trusts his input. The Clones see a diamond in the rough with Naruto in terms of being a possible battlefield commander, or else they wouldn't have promoted him like they did."
"There is another approach," a new voice said, and both Jedi Masters looked up to see a third person take a seat at their table. Rahm Kota took a swig of his own cup of steaming hot Caff, wincing at the hot taste before looking at his two fellow council members.
"Good evening, Master Kota," Tholme greeted neutrally.
"Master Kota," T'ra Saa added with a soft smile.
"Master Tholme, Master T'ra Saa," Kota greeted in return.
"What is this other option?"
"That we convince Uzumaki to rebuild the Shinobi as a possible fighting force, one who could work alongside the Alliance against the Empire." The Jedi Master explained, looking into each pair of eyes of his fellows. "If we can rebuild them as a fighting force then we have another voice on the council, and we can also have another card to play against the Emperors Hands and his private army of force sensitives."
"The idea is... intriguing." Tholme allowed.
"But also potentially dangerous." T'ra Saa interjected, looking at each man in turn. "You've read the reports haven't you. The Shinobi were mercenaries, bounty hunters for hire... think Mandalorians with the ability to wield the elements and vanish in the shadows, the perfect assassins. Do we really want to unleash that upon the galaxy? Some of the things these Shinobi of old could do would make even the ancient Sith quake in their boots."
"Naruto did say that if he ever rebuilt the Shinobi he would do so under a different code of laws and ethics," Tholme countered thoughtfully. "He would follow something more along the Jedi way. That is what he told me."
"He's an idealist," T'ra Saa sighed as she massaged her temple. "The Shinobi way of life was through the life of the mercenary, the gun for hire, the private army and the assassin. One cannot go through their training and not see that. Give them a few generations, and once Naruto is gone they will degrade into what they once were, they would fracture into dozens of villages and a third faction would rise in the age old conflict between the Jedi and the Sith. Wars between us are bad enough, do we really want to add a third party into the fray?"
That certainly got the other two Jedi Masters thinking. They had all read the report Naruto had given them, and he had left absolutely nothing out, a full range of scrolls and artefacts on his people and their history. They were mercenaries, assassins for hire, even when they came together to create their Hidden Villages that basic truth didn't go away. It became a natural way of life, and the idea terrified many Jedi. The Shinobi had done many good things on their home world, dictators and tyrants typically didn't last long under their watch and there was indeed peace once they settled down and borders were drawn, yet their dark ancestry remained. You're opinions Master Kota, while seemingly necessary now, may backfire badly in the future, once this conflict has ended."
Both human Jedi Masters were deep in thought, taking in the wisdom of the age old Neti sitting across from them.
"I like Naruto," T'ra Saa allowed at last, sighing as she seemed to sag into her chair. "I adore him. What he has done for us, as well as what he has done for Aayla, is immeasurable. He gave us hope in our darkest hour, managed to rally us to a common goal, even potentially ally with old enemies to accomplish this, but looking at his peoples history, what they did... if we rebuild the Shinobi as a viable fighting force it may help us in both the short and long runs, but there is every possibility they will become what they're ancestors were, and that could be potentially deadly for this galaxy."
"So you believe the Shinobi should remain buried in history?" Kota asked.
"I do," she replied with a thoughtful frown. "Unless we can find a way to integrate a new Shinobi order into a greater picture, alongside the Jedi as peacekeepers and protectors and not allow them to become independent entities then maybe... just maybe."
"It could work?" Kota asked before leaning back and sighing. "Force preserve me I need a stiff drink."
Aayla cried out in complete rapture as she collapsed on top of the bed, chest heaving back and forth as she took in huge gulps of air. Naruto was above her, looking down at her and marvelling how beautiful she was when in an afterglow, sweat glistening from his own brow as he sucked in and out deep breathes before collapsing beside her. The soft colouring of her cheeks, her slick skin, glazed over dark eyes, the hissing of breathe from a slightly open mouth, deep dark blue lips parting just enough to show her white teeth.
She was perfect. It had only been a couple of days since they had seen each other, but the moment their eyes met he had a sudden urge, like he had not seen her in months let alone a couple of days. He had wanted to ravage her, to rip her clothes off and do so many kinky sexual things to her that it would have her crying out in ecstasy, convulsing in pleasure, unable to even leave the bed she would be so exhausted.
He would say his mission there was a success.
"You know," he managed through sharp breathes. "If this is the result of us... being apart... I think I'll try a whole week next time."
She managed a giggle between heaving breathes. "Not... on you're... life!"
"You got to admit... that the sex is worth the wait." Naruto managed, finally getting some control over his heaving chest.
"Undoubtedly," she managed; amazed that she was able to say a word in such a state. Their first time in the Will of Fire had been so untested, so unsure, so scared of them hurting each other, with Naruto not being with a woman in years and Aayla having no experience in sex, period.
With that early indecision out of the way they began to properly experiment. Naruto's stamina was out of this world, but she was able to keep up, if just barely. Aayla had felt and learned things that if you asked her two years ago if she would do it she would look at the questioner like he had a few screws loose.
Aayla turned, snuggling up to her lover and burying her head into the crook of his neck, taking in the mixture of their scents and humming in contentment. Naruto's only response was to trace his finger up and down her lekku, smiling as Aayla shivered at the touch before giving him a half-hearted glare, which melted away pretty quick.
He wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close, placing a kiss against her forehead, getting a hum of contentment in response from his love. It had only been three days, yet it had felt like a lifetime. He hadn't felt like that since before the Akatsuki attack on Konoha, and this was something he would never give up.
"Naruto?"
"Yeah?"
"Take me with you next time you get an urge to be a hero," Aayla mumbled.
"You got it."
In the depths of the Imperial Palace, new stage of the Galactic Empire, in one of the deepest chambers of the great fortresses depths the most powerful man in the galaxy inspected the latest results of his machinations. The throne he sat on, high backed and made of black ebony, was cool to the touch, sitting on the top of a flat surface surrounded by a hexagon of steps.
Two red robed Imperial guardsmen flanked his left and right, long poles of force pikes held stiffly in their right hands as they stood to attention, the folds of their long crimson cloaks hiding their armour and their utility belts, lightsaber hilts clipped to them. Across the chamber, at every exit were another two red robed forms, twelve in total. His Imperial Guard, his defenders and protectors, symbols of his status and power.
The Emperor eyed each man for a long moment before bringing his attention down to the single figure knelling at the foot of the steps, dressed in black carapace armour with an encompassing black cloak draped around his shoulders. His messy black hair hid his features as he bowed but the old man could see his onyx eyes watching him intently.
He was a potentially dangerous man, Palpatine knew this, dangerous enough to be kept very close. The warriors he had trained proved to be some of the most elite and skilled in the galaxy, assassins and bodyguards as cunning as his own Imperial Hands, as skilled as his Imperial Guards and as silent and deadly as anything he had ever seen bar the likes of the Anzati Assassins.
"You're troops are ready?" Palpatine asked, voice raspy.
"Yes, my Emperor." The man knelt before him replied.
"Good, it is time to put them to the test." Palpatine rasped as he looked down at perhaps one of his most powerful and deadly pawns bar Darth Vader himself. He pressed a rune on his ebony throne and watched as a bright flash heralded the activation of a hologram between him and his servant, a list of names scrolling before the black haired assassins eyes. "This is a list of names of those considered detrimental to the wellbeing of the Empire. They're status and power in their respective systems means that we cannot deal with them publicly so we must turn to other methods."
Sasuke Uchiha said nothing, not even focusing on the list of names, knowing that they would be presented to him later. He eyed his present master instead, onyx eyes watching and waiting. "You wish them removed, I take it?"
"That is correct," Palpatine replied simply. "The method with which you and your entourage choose to remove them is up to you, however it needs to be done quietly and with no evidence that we were involved."
"I understand, my Emperor." Sasuke nodded his head as he rose to his feet. "It will be done."
"This is what your unit was created for. Do not hesitate or show mercy," Palpatine said, his ancient voice echoing through the confines of the room as his newest pawn turned on his heel and stalked from the chamber, long black cloak billowing like a wrathful shadow as he walked.
The huge blast doors opened as the assassin approached and wordlessly he stepped through them, hearing them close behind him before he spoke. "Let's go."
His two bodyguards immediately flanked him as he walked down the long corridor, both wearing similar light black armour to his own, except these had crimson trim with black fatigues underneath and no cloaks. At their utility belts was a holstered blaster pistol, a long knife and a small number of storage scrolls placed in satchels, tied to their right leg was another satchel, reminiscent of his hazy memories from before with an assortment of light tools from kunai and shuriken to ninja wire and paper bombs.
These two were some of the best and brightest of his students, twin sisters who had foresworn their birth names and taken up the names he had given them, Ayumi and Amaya. The twins were almost exactly identical, same rough height, lithe body type, pale features and shoulder length raven hair, the only differences were their eyes, Ayumi had piercing green eyes while Amaya had deep chocolate brown.
The twins said nothing, faces cast in stone as they escorted their commander through the great halls of the Imperial palace to the landing pad of their shuttle, located in the lower open aired pads of the monstrous fortress instead of the higher, more populated docks. The blast doors opened and a gust of cool air blasted against their exposed faces, but the three paid the drop in temperature no mind as they ascended the steps towards the landing pad, the folded wings of their transport, a new Lambda-class Shuttle, coming into view.
At the lowered landing ramp stood two black armoured Stormtroopers, not members of their unit, but still troops handpicked by Sasuke to act as his fist if the quiet dagger was impractical or unnecessary, the two elite soldiers came to rigid attention as he and his two bodyguards passed them, blaster pistols held firmly against their chests, waiting until their three passengers disappeared into the shuttle before ascending themselves, closing the rampway behind them.
Sasuke sat on one of the seats and strapped himself in, feeling the engines of their transport hum to life as Ayumi and Amaya followed his movements. The three were silent until the shuttle was in the air before relaxing.
"That old man unnerves me." Amaya muttered as she cracked her shoulder muscles.
"Mm," Ayumi agreed, drawing a kunai knife and spinning it around slender fingers. "I never noticed it until now, but his aura is an air of malice."
"You are finally learning," Sasuke muttered as he leaned back against his crash webbing and closed his eyes, feeling the shuttle shake as it entered the upper atmosphere. Ever since he had first met that man he had felt such an air of cruelty and malice under the grandfatherly visage, one which he knew he had felt before but could not place. "You were given the list, were you not?"
"Yes, my Lord." Ayumi nodded before reaching into her satchel and taking out a small chip, one which would fit very snugly into a holopad. "Orders were basic, memorise the list of names, no copies, keep it in top security systems, destroy it once mission is accomplished."
"Complete deniability," Sasuke nodded, reaching out with his black gauntleted hand to grasp the small chip and look at it. "Once we return gather the unit, we will be briefing them on this list of names."
"Did you read them, sir?"
"No, but I still know the names." Sasuke replied absently, "Every individual who poses a threat to the Empire, every military, political, diplomatic and rebel opposition figure. I already see who a good number of those names are."
He ignored his underlings inquisitive gazes and looked to the cockpit of his shuttle, mind engulfed in another target. The man he had faced in the abandoned mines of Kessel some months ago, a man who knew his name and was the same as him.
Naruto Uzumaki.
He would run into him soon, he knew this in his very soul.
Naruto sighed as he looked around the darkened chamber which he and Aayla had temporarily commandeered for their reunion. It was quite deep within the confines of the Star Destroyer, in one of the areas not yet in service and considered abandoned. There was a surprisingly large amount of these unused bunks and all of them were furnished with bedding.
He looked down, seeing a familiar head using his chest as a pillow, groaning every time he tried to move. Instead of waking her he was content with simply watching her sleep, how peaceful and beautiful she was, slight crinkling of her nose, relaxing of her features, and slight parting of her lips. He desperately wanted to dart in and capture them in a kiss.
Sage preserve him, he was getting soft.
He needed to get up, do his morning stretches and have breakfast. There was only one problem. Aayla moved in her sleep. She was currently draped on top of him while she had fallen asleep beside him, content in her dreams and in using him as a mattress.
He leaned forward, placing a chaste kiss on her forehead, smiling as she groaned and awoke from the soft touch. She looked up at him with bleary eyes and smiled back before nuzzling back onto his chest. "So it wasn't a dream, you really are back."
"Mm-hmm," Naruto hummed in agreement, placing his hands under her arms and pulling her up face to face with him, revelling in the softness of her form flush against him, her chest pressed against his almost sinfully. He sealed his mouth over hers in a kiss, which she returned, their tongues battling for dominance as he flipped her over and laid on top of her.
His hands clasped onto hers, pressing them against the mattress and keeping her in place as he mercilessly continued the battle. When they finally parted both he and she were panting continuously, but through that he raised himself just enough to see her chest rise and fall heavily, breathe exhaling and inhaling gulps of air, her cheeks coloured from the exertion.
"You're... insatiable." She managed through gulps of air. She watched him as he began to lower against her with a mischievous glint in his eyes, a glint which made her body tingle and burn in anticipation of what was promised to come.
She licked her dry lips as he closed in slowly, feeling his eyes drink her up with insatiable lust which made her quiver. She felt something hard press against her inner thigh and could feel her heart pounding in her ears. She would not deny that she did want what was promised to come.
"Narutomm," she stifled a groan as he lowered himself to her chest and placed his teeth gently around a dark blue nipple, gently pulling and squeezing her flesh. For a brief moment she forgot what she was about to say, almost lost in a haze of lust and anticipation. "Naruto... wait."
He looked up at her, blinking suddenly to try and remove what she considered a similar erotic haze. For a moment she considered telling him that it could wait, that it wasn't important, but her training as a Jedi kicked in and she admitted that it was well needed, if loathed sometimes by her more base instincts.
"Wha... what is it," Naruto asked breathlessly, similarly using his own Shinobi training in an attempt to calm his mind, as hard as that was, and listen to his lovers words. Whatever she needed to tell him had to be important to stop him now. He managed a boyish smile which made her heart flutter. "Getting tired?"
She gave him a wry look, raising herself on her elbows so that her flushed face was mere millimetres away from his own, but he could see that her eyes weren't glazed over, instead they were sharp and serious. "Not by a long shot yet. It's just that if I don't tell you what's happening now then I won't be able to remember."
He managed a wry smile, "Well then, might as well tell me. You have five minutes before I jump on you and ravage you until you're screaming."
A shiver caught her at his words. It wasn't a baseless jest he was using, but a proven promise. She forced her own perverted thoughts to the back of her mind with a furious shake of her head, clasping her eyes shut. When she opened them again she found Naruto chuckling, and blushed furiously. "Sorry about bringing work into this."
"Its fine," Naruto replied as he rolled off of her and too her side, his finger softly tracing circles and lines along the skin of her flat stomach, once again making Aayla shiver at her lovers ministrations. She sent him a half-hearted glare.
"Stop that."
Naruto smirked and raised his hands over the bed sheets. "Sorry, can't help myself."
Her half-hearted glare melted away, and she closed her eyes with a small smile at her lover's antics. "Can we get this out of the way?"
"Please."
"Alpha and Master Yoda put a plan to me during the negotiations."
"Together?"
"Separately, I don't think either of them knew the other had the same idea."
"And what was this idea about?"
"They both asked, in their own way, if we can aide them in ferrying and guarding diplomats to and from different planets." Aayla explained, finally gaining Naruto's full attention. "They're planning on trying to find help from worlds who are discontent with the Empire."
"I suppose we would have to make these kinds of moves sooner or later," Naruto sighed.
"Mm, while we are fine at the moment there is only so much we can scavenge from, especially now that you've brought in a large fleet." Aayla explained, trying to sound serious and not quite pulling it off considering the only thing keeping her modesty was the bed sheets. "For the fleet we're going to need replacement parts, as well as food, water, weapons and ammunition."
"And also potential recruits," Naruto added. "Isn't it going to be difficult though? How do we know which planets will be receptive and which will welcome us with an opposing fleet."
"We do have a list of such governments." Aayla informed. "You see, before the formation of the Empire there was a delegation of Senators in the old Republic Senate. This delegation formed an anti-imperial, pro-democratic coalition of two thousand who petitioned Palpatine to give up his special powers and step down from office once the war ended."
Naruto grimaced at that. "I take it he didn't take it well."
"Several of the more vocal members were imprisoned. Some vanished without a trace after the Empire was fully formed." Aayla nodded her head. "However there are still some who Master Yoda and the General think we can trust, like Bail Organa of Alderaan, Mon Mothma of Chandrilla, Garm Bel Iblis of Corellia, Tendou Bendon of Ithor and so on."
"Do they really think they'll be able to help, even if they are senators?" Naruto asked, frowning.
"Senators are usually very powerful and influential individuals, sometimes former rulers or leaders of their home worlds. Bail Organa is considered a member of one of Alderaan's Royal Houses and Mon Mothma was an influential member of Chandrilla's government." Aayla explained. "They hold a lot of clout, and can aide us, if behind the scenes."
"So the once mighty Shinobi are now simple bodyguards," Naruto growled, though it was all a jest. He saw that Aayla didn't get his joke, seeing her fret through her dark eyes. "A joke, I was joking. We actually did much more baseless work."
"Such as?"
"Dog walking," he replied easily.
Aayla giggled at this, and then looked at him and his serious expression. "You're serious."
Naruto broke out laughing at seeing the look on her face. "Oh it gets better. Low level Genin also took on other jobs such as finding missing animals, construction work, curriers, cleaners, gardeners and so on."
He looked up at her again, seeing her shocked expression and broke out laughing again. It was difficult for Aayla to take in this information. The Shinobi, officially bodyguards, assassins and soldiers also walked dogs and pulled weeds from gardens for a living. Currently her mind was going over the information, and the same message appeared.
Does not compute
Naruto looked at her wide eyed expression for a moment, frowning, before raising his hand and waving it in front of her face a couple of times, not getting a response. "I think I broke her."
It took a few more seconds before Aayla blinked, and then blinked again; shaking her head furiously for the second time that morning, afternoon... evening... it was difficult to tell when you were living in space. Naruto looked at her as she leaned in close, frowning as she studied him. "I am not dog walking."
"I never said you would," Naruto replied with a faint smile, so even the mighty Jedi Knight before him had her limits. He reached an arm around her slender shoulders and pulled her in for a long kiss to her forehead. Aayla simply closed her eyes and enjoyed the sensation.
Three days had definitely been too long in her mind. Did that make her possessive, easy to jealousy? She hoped not.
"So we're going to be protecting diplomats while they try to trump up support?" Naruto asked, oblivious to her inner turmoil. "Any ideas as to who we're going to be ferrying around?"
"Well Alpha and his clones are out, decided to leave it to the Jedi. He even tried to convince me to convince them." Aayla answered. "Yoda was of the same mind, it's mainly going to be council members, as well as a few masters and knights for protection if need be. I think he wants us to ferry either Masters Kenobi or Ti around."
"Well it's alright if we get Kenobi," Naruto said as he gently pulled Aayla on top of him.
"I heard that the two of you were getting along," Aayla replied as she nestled her head against his chest and breathed in his scent.
"He worries about you," Naruto told her. "He was really worried about you when you resigned from the order."
"I'm not surprised. He and Master Vos grew up together. They were friends, so obviously they would keep an eye on their respective apprentices. He was kind of like the big brother type." Aayla informed him. "He saved my life more than once, a brilliant Jedi and a fine man, even had a crush on him when I was a Padawan."
"Oh did you now," Naruto asked, a playful smile on his face as he once again began tracing lines along her exposed skin.
"Mm, a lot of the girls around my age did," she replied, deciding to play a devious game with her lover. "He was the strong, handsome type with a quirky and fun personality."
Naruto reversed their positions with a simple flip, and a gasp of surprise from his partner as he pressed his body against hers, a devious smile on his face. "So I'm guessing that this crush is no longer relevant?"
Aayla was about to answer with a cheeky reply but was stopped by the sudden feel of something hard pressing softly against her inner thigh, a surprised gasp followed by a squirming groan was her response to his question. "That was a little cruel of you."
Naruto shrugged, "You're five minutes are up."
Aayla's response was to bring herself up to her elbows, sultry smile in place as she placed her arms around his neck and pulled him in for a searing kiss. After a long while they parted, breathless, a trail of saliva moving from the edges of her lips to just below her chin, chest once again heaving back and forth.
Naruto, also breathless, managed a quirky smile. "Want to keep talking?"
"No," she replied equally breathless, cheeks ablaze and eyes glazed over in longing and lust. "Take me."
"How can I resist that?" Naruto replied, eyes just as glazed over and lust filled. He wanted nothing more than to take her until neither of them were able to walk, and he would, and he will. He kissed her furiously, with such force that she lost her grounding and fell against the mattress. The air of the small chamber was soon filled with the grunts and cries of passion as the two lovers once again lost themselves in each other.
Boba Fett frowned as his hands glided over the keyboard, dark eyes flashing left and right as he took in the streams of information. He once again applauded Sintas, the girl was more than just a pretty face and a good hand with a blaster, but also quite the achieved hacker, managing to plant an untraceable bug inside Imperial communications, which was considered impossible to crack.
He ignored the light feminine groan behind him as he continued to read the information, frowning with each paragraph he read. He even managed to ignore the creak as his partner got out of bed and the slaps of her feet against metal decking as she made her way over to him. He even managed to ignore the warmth of her arms around his shoulders, the press of her against his back and the light hiss of breath as she kissed his neck. Sintas could get very affectionate in private.
He could see her pout when he didn't react to her ministrations and felt her pinch his cheek with enough force to leave an impression. "Owe."
"I have your attention?" she asked.
"Yes, you do." He replied, feeling her disentangle herself from him as he turned in his chair to get a look at her, marvelling once again at her lack of modesty. The girl stood before him completely naked, not a piece of clothing on her. "You are shameless."
"Look who's talking," she replied as she sat on his lap, giving him a kiss on the cheek. "So what's gotten you so interested?"
"Just looking up on some news on the bounty," Fett replied as he swivelled back, looking at the dim lit screen as he leaned a little into his woman. The two of them, barely eighteen and already lovers, his father always said he'd learn the tricks of the opposite sex fairly quickly.
"Ah, this Naruto guy right?" she asked as she leaned forward, giving Fett a tantalising look at her chest as she gripped the control yoke and began to read. The more she read the more her brow rose until it was almost up to her hairline. "You've got to be kidding."
"That's what I thought," Boba replied, watching her chest and receiving a flick to his ear as a result. "Owe."
"Eyes on my face, Bo," she replied sternly.
"What do you expect considering your choice of attire... as in nothing at all?" Boba replied irritably.
"Pervert." She scoffed.
"Exhibitionist," Boba countered.
"Child molester," she snapped,
"You're eighteen," Fett shouted back, before his face went pale. "You are, right?"
Her snigger was all he needed, "You're unbelievable."
"Had you there though," she said smugly. "So is this right or did you make this up?"
"It seems to be legitimate," Fett replied with a shrug, forcing his lustful teenage impulse to the side for the moment. "He crashes a party between the Confederate remnants and the Imperials-"
"Aren't the Seps supposed to be done by now," Sintas frowned.
"There are still a few flotillas and fleets moving around, although at this point they're turning to piracy and mercenary work. This was one of the last great fleets, under the command of an Admiral Swell." Fett explained. "Apparently the Empire caught him, and the fleet acted on fed information to try and get him back. The Imperials laid a trap, the Confederates ran right into it, chaos ensues, you get the rest."
Sintas nodded her head.
"So anyway, he crashes into a party between the Confederates and Imperials, manoeuvres through them in a fragile freighter without a scratch, lands on the planet, infiltrates a heavily fortified Imperial base, commandeers a captured Separatist warship, leaves the planet with thousands of freed prisoners of war, and managed to escape with just over half of the Separatist navy." Fett shook his head in wonder. "Guess what Sin, they've found you're bug and they're messing with you."
"Ha ha," Vel retaliated in mock humour.
"If this is true then this will bring up his bounty by a lot," Boba murmured, leaning back in his chair and looking up at the raven haired woman in his arms. "We can still back out."
"That's unlike you," Sintas frowned, looking right at him. "Is he really that strong?"
"He is."
"No man is invincible," Vel shook her head in reply.
"He's not invincible, but his skill and ability are insane, almost beyond human." Fett replied.
"Jabba won't let you back out, you're one of his strongest hired guns and with the threats being thrown at him he would never forgive you." Sintas said firmly. "You won't be able to work in this region of space anymore Bo, hell you'll probably end up with a bounty on your head nearly as much as this guy."
"You seem to know a lot about him."
"I grew up in the Outer-rim, and I've heard the stories," Sintas replied seriously, looking him right in the eye. "Jabba the Hutt does not take betrayal well. If you slight him you will be running for the rest of your life. Plus it will harm you're reputation as one of the strongest gun hands this side of the rim."
That was Sintas, in her own way, telling him to be careful with his choices. Boba Fett had heard similar stories about the great Jabba the Hutt, but he needed the influence of the creature to be able to work in the Outer-rim. That was what Sintas was telling him. If he wanted to remain a bounty hunter then it would be best not to go against the likes of Jabba the Hutt.
Fett sighed, "I don't want to lose you, Sin."
"Now you're insulting me and my gun," Sintas replied cheekily.
Fett leaned in and kissed her, a longing kiss, one which she returned with equal intensity. He picked her up in his arms and began walking to the bed, breaking the kiss just long enough to place her on their bed and lay on top of her.
"Why are you being so sentimental all of a sudden?" Vel asked.
Fett looked at her for a long moment, before a flirtatious smirk crossed his features, "It's just seeing you naked like this makes me very possessive."
She flicked his ear again. He flinched before growling down at her and that damn sexy little smirk.
This woman was insufferable, but he did not want to lose her, and in the heat of battle, with so many bounty hunters and government soldiers now gunning for this man's head he was afraid he just might. When a high level bounty like this came along alliances became the most fragile things, hunters would turn on each other because of greed and pride, and they would be targeted by the local law because they also wanted the bounty and the bragging rights.
Once Naruto Uzumaki was cornered it would become a very trigger happy place, and if something happened to that Jedi woman he cherished so much then it would go from a trigger happy situation to an all out massacre. Fett didn't know Naruto Uzumaki's full ability and power, not even close, but he did know that the man was nowhere near defenceless.
And seeing him when he had kidnapped his little Jedi lover, well, he didn't want to be put in that situation ever again. He would never forget the feeling when those feral azure eyes looked right at him.
He had felt like a Womprat, cornered by a Krayt Dragon.
Author's Note: Right the votes are in and tallied, the private messages and reviews have also been added as well as my own personal preferences. Should Celeste be added to the mix? The vote was 2/1 in favour, but the private messages and reviews were completely against it, and I was never really very enthusiastic about the idea to begin with.
I decided no, my own beta reader even gave me a good way of doing it, but I still decided no. The reason behind it is that I have been reading fanfiction for a long time, and 90% of all good stories who suddenly become harems are destroyed because of them. There are a few good ones that show how the human mind reacts and so on, but I feel that if I do this then it will take the story from what I want, and turn it into something else entirely.
So the harem idea is dead in the water.
Sorry about that.
On another note, hope you enjoyed the extra long chapter, my apology for not updating since 2012.