A/N: in which everyone joins in on the interrogation, davri hates belsavis, and rei contemplates murder. also woo! halfway there!

so obviously the commandant's interrogation happens in the chapter, but it's not directly shown. just the war table scene beforehand and rei being a bit too chipper afterwards

"Captain."

Zaara frowned, watching with no small amount of concern as Rei motioned to Quinn, who led the Commandant towards the conference table. Lys stood nearby, almost managing to hide how unsettled she was. Lana and Marr waited expectantly, both eerily calm considering the news Zaara had delivered to them not long before that.

The Republic team, by contrast, seemed appropriately on edge — Theron paced, Cori fretted, T'sereen glowered. Even Satele seemed… worried? Zaara couldn't quite tell.

"The first manner of business," Marr began, clearly addressing the assembled group though his attention was focused towards the Commandant, "is why your Jedi were in the temple."

Cori and Theron both began to speak, but it was T'sereen who offered an explanation. "Are we supposed to expect that you wouldn't have done the same if the situation was reversed? If this is truly an alliance," the twi'lek challenged, "then you shouldn't bar us from assisting you."

Marr was silent, but Zaara had the very distinct feeling that he was either amused or glaring. Or both. "You don't trust us."

Definitely both.

T'sereen crossed her arms. "Of course we don't." At that, Satele raised a cautious hand to keep T'sereen from saying anything further.

"From now on," Rei spoke up, her words resembling crisp orders that Zaara wasn't used to hearing from her, "I will oversee any further investigations while on Yavin. Regardless of the team we send, they'll be accompanied by a Reclamation Service officer." Eyes flicking towards Satele, Rei clarified, "I don't care if your star Jedi just wants to take a relaxing stroll beyond the perimeter — I will know about it."

"Okay, that's just a little over—"

"We will discuss it," Marr interrupted, cutting off Theron's protest mid-sentence. "Nox is right. She has already found much to study here, and the last thing we need are soldiers — Republic or Imperial — interfering with her work." Beside him, Rei clasped her hands behind her back and shot a smug grin in the Jedi's direction.

"On to the next matter," Zaara sighed, leaning forward to rest her hands on the conference table. "Our second forward outpost has subdued several members of the Imperial Guard, but Nox and Evris brought us Commandant Ivan himself for questioning."

"We have reason to believe he can answer many of our questions about the bulk of Revan's forces." Marr easily picked up where Zaara ended. "I will interrogate him personally, and Darth Nox has agreed to assist. We can have the information we seek by morning."

"Absolutely not," Satele insisted. Cori said nothing, but her features hardened at the mention of interrogation.

T'sereen, however, seemed unaffected. "They won't be keeping any secrets. I'll oversee the interrogation."

Zaara was half convinced that the Barsen'thor was about to just suggest she interrogate the man herself, but Satele cut her off with another sharp wave of her hand. "Master Neiri." The words were hushed, but sharp.

"She has a point," Theron admitted with a sigh. "One of us is going to have to oversee it."

"I do love an audience." Rei shrugged, and Zaara supposed that was as close to permission as the Republic team was going to get.

"Look at him — he doesn't need more pain," Satele insisted, "he needs healing. Master Cori and I can speak with him."

Just set me loose with some interrogation probes, Zaara thought to herself, a frown beginning to form as the arguing continued. Might as well throw my name into the mix, too. Time was wasting, and this was the one way they certainly wouldn't be getting any information out of the commandant. She was half convinced they should just put it to a simple vote — Marr would have her support if she couldn't vote for herself — but before she actually reached that level of frustration, the debating came to a virtual standstill at one of the Wrath's comments.

"I agree with Darth Marr," she repeated. "Pain is a language the Guard is familiar with. We know they respond to it. We don't know how they would react to healing — if at all." From her tone and stance, Lys seemed perfectly calm and at ease, but Zaara knew her well enough to sense the Wrath wasn't comfortable with the decision.

What's right isn't always easy — or however the saying went.

Satele frowned, her hands clasped behind her back as she regarded Lys with disappointment. "I suppose the decision has been made, then."

Marr — Zaara liked to assume he smiled, then — nodded. "I suppose it has. Nox, Captain — bring the prisoner. Agent Ven — you're welcome to observe, along with Master Neiri and whoever else the Jedi deem necessary."

Zaara passed on the opportunity; it would be a long, slow night and she wasn't exactly lacking in interrogation experience herself. Knowing Lys would stay behind as well, Zaara nudged her with her shoulder and flashed a tired smile. "It's been a long time since we've had a girls' night," she pointed out.

It was hardly the time or place to pick the tradition back up, but the day's events — and the events of the entire past two months, really — had exhausted her, and Zaara wanted nothing more than to curl up and forget about the rest of the galaxy, even if it was only for a couple of hours.

"You, Jaesa, and Vette pick the vid, Raina and I pick the wine?" she suggested, relaxing a bit as Lys offered a slow nod.

When Lys answered, she sounded as tired as Zaara felt. "How about a cheesy Republic romcom?"

The stale scent of blood and sweat and lingering ozone hung in the air around the edge of the main base. It was nearly dawn, but there were few in camp who had been able to sleep.

Rei motioned to the Imperial medical team that had been waiting, nodding back towards where the commandant was. "Keep him alive," she ordered. "He's no longer fit for duty. Have him taken to Dromund Kaas once he's stable." It had taken far longer than she'd expected for the commandant to break; she supposed — though she'd never admit it — that Satele had been right. Considering the horrors that Ivan had already been through, a bit of interrogation at the hands of Nox and Marr wouldn't have been all that impressive.

But they'd gotten their answer, and all that was left was to rally the troops — both literally and figuratively.

Instead of heading back to the conference area where she was expecting Marr to update Zaara and Evris, Rei made a slight detour to where Theron and T'sereen were speaking with Satele.

"No comments on my technique?" she quipped, eyes locking with T'sereen's. "I know how badly you wanted to join in. We could all sense it."

T'sereen simply glowered in response, but Theron placed a hand on Rei's shoulder. "It's been a long day, so — don't."

She rolled her eyes. "Fine," she relented after a moment, doing her best to squash her desire to see the Barsen'thor squirm. "I assume we're all caught up on the situation? Darth Marr and I agree it's best to call a meeting in a few hours to plan our next move.

Satele nodded, expression pensive; Rei wondered whether the scrutiny came from what she'd said to T'sereen or if it was because she was standing so close to Theron. Either way, the Grandmaster left, asking for a word with T'sereen and promising to be at the meeting.

"You look…" Rei trailed off, frowning as she tried to decipher Theron's expression. "Unsettled."

He crossed his arms, lips pursed as his eyes remained locked on Satele and T'sereen. "That's one way to put it, given the past few hours."

"What?" she asked cheerfully, planting her hands on her hips. "You didn't forget that I am Sith?"

"No, but I didn't exactly need a reminder, either." Theron glanced over at Rei, his expression finally lightening a bit. "I was mostly referring to the whole mass ritual sacrifice thing. You're the expert on ancient Sith artifacts — is it even possible?"

Her frown deepened, fingers tapping uncertainly as she considered the question; Rei was, in all honesty, far from an expert, but she did have some knowledge on the subject. "Transferring physical energy," she mused, pausing to chew at her lip. "It's not unheard of. I've seen it happen on a much smaller scale, so… theoretically, yes?"

Theron let out a frustrated sigh, running a hand through his hair. He said nothing, looking thoughtful as he continued to watch Satele and T'sereen; Rei had to admit she was discovering a certain fondness for that particularly pensive expression. "Now we just have to find it."

"Don't forget," Rei pointed out lightly, "I'm Sith, and an expert. We have nothing to worry about."

"Well, at least one of us feels good about our chances."

She simply watched him for a moment, head tilting to the side a bit before she gave up on trying to hold back a grin. "Leave the cynicism to the Sith," she suggested, pushing up onto her toes for a brief kiss before leading the way back towards the conference table.

Rei sat with her chin in her hands, slumped onto the table as Lana updated the map display with data from the latest reports. "Mark one of my teams down for the Republic camp, too." She stretched forward, pointing to the newest pair of outposts. "I've got a system worked out. We'll see how long it lasts."

"Master Cori mentioned you've got the Barsen'thor's apprentice working with your lieutenant?" Lana's question was an offhanded one, meant simply to fill the silence at the otherwise empty conference table. With the Empire and Republic both pushing to secure outposts deep in the jungle, on the very edge of Massassi territory, the main camp was emptier than it had been since Rei had arrived.

"Her name's Nadia," Rei mumbled, no more invested in the conversation than Lana seemed to be. "I believe Talos intends to learn as much about her homeworld as he can before we leave."

Lana minimized the display, making a few notes about supply lines. "That's good. The Barsen'thor doesn't seem the sort to take an interest in those things."

She shrugged. "Theron said she's apparently a surprisingly good teacher."

"I see." Lana paused for a moment, absentmindedly reaching for a datapad before laughing to herself. "Cori's the one who was telling me about the Barsen'thor," she offered as an explanation. "Look at us — two respectable Sith sharing Republic gossip in our spare time."

Rei took that as a sign that things had been worked out between Lana and Cori, though she didn't particularly care enough to pry. "You mean you don't normally?"

"I've never had reason to," she admitted thoughtfully.

"Apparently, it's quite boring compared to what gets passed around Kaas City, according to Ashara."

"Is it?" Lana offered politely, her concentration clearly focused on her datapad. Rei took that as her sign to leave, making some excuse before pushing away from the conference table.

While she was tempted so simply go back to her ship and sleep, the main camp seemed far too cooperative for her to leave. Most days, the two sides of camp were clearly divided in the mornings and slowly mingled over the course of the day; by the evening, the atmosphere was far more relaxed.

Andronikos had a hand in that, Rei suspected, as did Kaliyo and Major Sohms.

Rei left the back clearing for the main camp, where a sizable group had gathered around a fire. Zaara and Vector sat with their backs to the Imperial side of camp, near Theron and Raina. Kaliyo, Andronikos, Pierce, the Weequay from Havoc, and Major Sohms all sat closer near the fire; T'sereen and her lieutenant — whatever his name was — sat past Davri, closer to the Republic side of camp.

She was considering heading back to her ship to watch holonet programs until she fell asleep, but Raina caught sight of her and motioned for Rei to join, giving a not-so-subtle nod of her head towards Theron. Rei rolled her eyes and mouthed thanks before making her way over to them, taking a seat between the two agents.

"What'd I miss?"

Before either Raina or Theron could answer, Pierce leaned forward so he could see Rei. "Best planet to be stranded on for a month?"

"Coruscant," she answered automatically.

Beside her, Theron raised an eyebrow. "Have you ever even been to Coruscant?"

"No, but it's a giant city. So hotels," she counted off on her fingers, "restaurants, and probably no shortage of gangs and crime if you're running low on credits."

"Knew it." Andronikos leaned back towards Rei, holding out a hand for a fist bump. "Told you there was no way she'd pick Nar Shaddaa. I've got one — worst planet you've ever been assigned to?"

Immediately, there were a half dozen votes for Hoth. "Really?" Rei scoffed. "Because of a little cold?"

"Agreed," Davri spoke up. "You know what's worse? Quesh. Warzone, hutts, poisonous atmos—"

Pierce, drink in hand, leaned forward. "Don't get me started on fucking Quesh. Had a cave dropped on me there."

"Voss," the Weequay — Vik? Rei couldn't recall his name — countered. "The boss here," he explained, giving Davri a hearty clap on the shoulder, "pisses off a bunch of politicians, and leaves me and the droid to play nice while she goes and messes up more shit."

"Mm, Voss was pretty, at least. How about Belsavis?" Rei suggested. There was the whole prison thing, and the fact that she'd had her body physically reconstructed by an ancient, sentient Rakatan machine. Her favorite part, though, was the numerous times Republic guards tried to stop her under the assumption that she was an escaped prisoner — forget the robes and the lightsaber, she was clearly a prisoner due to being Rattataki.

Belsavis was basically the worst planet Zash had sent her to.

For whatever reason, the mention of Belsavis led to another of Davri's rants — this time something about bureaucracy and the Republic being as bad as the Empire about… something. It wasn't really clear, and Rei wasn't sure if the mirialan was being intentionally vague or had just had too much to drink.

The debates carried on, moving from planets to holonet programs to various aspects of military life. After a bit, the group gradually dispersed, either to sleep or attend to some other responsibility, until only Rei, Theron, Raina, and Davri remained. Rei still wasn't certain whether she'd be able to sleep; despite the previous night's interrogation, the combination of caf and naps throughout the afternoon had left her with energy to spare at the end of the day.

"I meant to tell you," she remembered suddenly, turning to Theron, "I've… requisitioned you for tomorrow."

"…okay." His brow furrowed in confusion. "That's either a very good thing, or a very bad thing."

She laughed; opposite them, Davri made a face. "I've got teams working to secure those locking mechanisms we need," Rei explained. "Tomorrow, while they work, I'm heading down to Revan's temple to take another look. Of course, the Republic is really playing up the cooperation angle now, so Satele insisted I receive Republic assistance." She scoffed. "It would be easier on all of us if they would all just admit they don't want the Empire getting to the information first."

"So, she doesn't trust you to go back to the temple alone and decided to send me with you?"

"No. She's sending Havoc Squad."

"And you said no to that," Theron guessed.

"I said no," Davri cut in. "Because since your girlfriend decided she's the one running this whole operation, if we want to do anything — including trying to get to those damn locks — we now have to go through a bunch of forms and paperwork and bullshit just to get approval. Tomorrow's mission was already approved, and I wasn't about to go through the whole process a second time. Aric suggested Lieutenant Iresso, and I passed on the recommendation to Satele."

"Which is when I said no," Rei clarified, pointedly ignoring Davri's initial comment, "that you would be accompanying me."

Theron massaged at one of his temples, sighing before glancing up at Davri. "You can stop." He turned to Rei. "And it is a bit ridiculous. This system you've got worked out makes it impossible to get people where they need to be."

"It's fairly standard, actually," Raina piped up, leaning forward. "Some of it's actually been simplified, if I'm not mistaken."

Rei crossed her arms. "See? And yes, I did that a few years ago when I took over. But this — the forms and the dig sites and the artifacts — this is my job. For the three of you, there's the mission and that's it. I'm still concerned about saving the galaxy, of course," she assured them, rolling her eyes, "but I also have a vital section of the Empire to run." She turned to Theron, watching as his expression went from frustrated to uneasy, as it tended to whenever she brought up her position on the Dark Council.

She almost would've rather just dropped the subject right there, if only for Theron's comfort, but at the same time Rei had an undeniable need to tell him everything. She wanted to learn everything she could about him — even the minuscule, unexciting pieces of everyday life — and wanted to share all the same things about herself. Despite the fact that the topic seemed to create a rift between them, Rei's work with the Sphere of Ancient Knowledge was the most important part of her life, and had been since she'd taken charge of the sphere.

Sure, she complained about the reports and having to deal with people and the majority of the Council, but she loved the work itself. And that's what she had been wanting to share with Theron — one single day spent doing what she enjoyed the most.

Not that she'd actually considered if he'd wanted that.

Before she could debate that particular point too much, her thoughts were interrupted by Davri's increasingly obnoxious laughter. "I'm sorry," she forced out, the words not sounding apologetic at all, "it's just — and I'm not an expert on Imperial politics — but you're telling me dusty tombs are as important as the military and laws and your secret police?"

Rage flared up within Rei and she clenched her teeth tightly enough that her jaw thrummed in pain. Beside her, Raina flinched; the agent was so adept at hiding her Force sensitivity that Rei often forgot about it entirely. "The Empire is built on the secrets found in dusty tombs," she snapped, already regretting rising to the Major's goading. Instead of doing anything increasingly rash, Rei stood, leaving without explanation and stiffly making her way back to her ship.

Part of her — an embarrassingly large part, actually — hoped Theron would follow, talk to her until she'd calmed back down and reassure her that she was right. It's what Andronikos would have done, at least. Though, he likely would've had a solution for Davri that included a handful of strategically placed blaster bolts; Rei suspected he and Theron had rather different opinions on murder as an answer to public humiliation.

But Theron didn't follow, and Rei made it all the way back to her ship alone. Instead of going to bed, she joined Andronikos and Ashara in the lounge, where some holodrama was playing. She curled up silently beside Andronikos, resting her head on his shoulder and letting him wrap an arm around her.

"What's wrong, Sith?"

"Just trying to work out how to show affection when murder isn't an option." Her earlier anger had dissipated, replaced by a disappointment she couldn't quite explain.

"Your agent?" he guessed.

She said nothing; Andronikos wouldn't pry, and Rei sensed more curiosity from Ashara than genuine concern. A few minutes later her datapad chimed; she would've ignored it if not for how important a message from Marr or Zaara or Talos could've been. Rei plodded to her cabin to check her datapad and, to her surprise — pleasant surprise, even — she found a message from Theron.

[Just checking to make sure everything's alright.]

It wasn't the grand gesture she'd hoped for; even so, she bit at her lip, pulling her knees up to her chest as she sat down on her bed. A dozen responses flitted through her mind, none of them satisfactory. After a few moments of staring down at the datapad, she typed out a simple reply.

[Of course. You didn't expect me to continue to suffer through the Major's ridiculous opinions, did you?]

Rei regretted the response as soon as she sent it; it was stuffy, it was too much — it reminded her of one of Mortis or Ravage's overinflated answers they were always so proud of. She nearly jumped when she received the next message; it was less that she was surprised, and more that she was a giant ball of nerves. Instead of a single message, she found three, sent in quick succession.

[Good call, she's still going on about Imperial politics.
Actually, now she's leaving.
In case you wanted to come back.]

She was smiling despite herself, and very nearly agreed to rejoin what little of the group was left out by the dying fire. But she'd already stormed through camp to return to her ship, and couldn't just go back through the camp after making a show of walking off. Besides, their current conversation was more private than any in camp could ever be.

Rei wondered for a moment if she was taking too long to reply.

[Hmm… Tempting, but I have to pass.
Too many dusty tombs to study, remember?]

Tombs and artifacts and politics were the last things on her mind, but Rei would recite every historical fact she knew if it would prolong the conversation.

It wasn't better than killing Major Sohms, Rei had decided, but it was still good.