The Phantom Meeting
The silence was dormant as Anakin and Marisa charted through the data, the hum of the engine, discussing the possibilities, four keys means four planets to search, why can't it be simple like having all four keys right next to that vault, both correlating through the translated data, most of it are riddles, although entertaining to the mind, equally frustrating as the both seem to think one thing and couldn't agree to the answer, feeling the tension beginning to suffocate the room Ahsoka asked if Proxy could show them the ship, so they wouldn't get lost if they were to be in places in case of emergency, which Shepard seconded, if there is an armoury, it would be the best place for him to be to keep his weapons and equipment maintained. Seeing Marisa waved her hands as she argued about one translated data that could be the possible planet number one to which Anakin disagreed saying it is too populated to even hold such a key.
Shepard and Ahsoka followed Proxy with great reluctance as he gave the tour of the ship, giving a bit too much detail on each location.
"As we are gathered here, this is the place that have recently gave birth to a monstrosity which Lady Marisa dispose of" Proxy spoke, as sobs still being heard behind the closed door "I'm afraid it is the only public toilet on the ship, besides the private use in the Ladies room"
"So you don't have another one?" Shepard asked, not highly amused by this information.
"That is why lady Marisa has a private bathroom, for this sudden occasion, if you follow, we are coming across one of my prized and favourite rooms" Proxy beckoned as he came into a large room, seriously how big is this ship? And the amount of room it has, the engine room must be massive for the capabilities it has.
The room was vast as plated metal covered the walls, a few scratches here and there, resembles the endurance it forced through a sudden death match.
"The Gladiatorial, or as the Lady wish to plainly state, Spar room" Proxy chirped as his gears whirled into action, Ah such great memories of how close he came to killing the master, even tried to go for the midsection of his groin, a weakness on the master's part.
"Huh cool, so this is where you train?" Ahsoka asked, simple pads placed on one of the end of the room, meditation possibly? Proxy simply nodded.
"Indeed this is where the master will no doubt meet his end" proxy chimed happily "If you wish you can use all types of manoeuvres within this room, besides the engine room, this is the second largest room that the Lady have installed within the ship"
"All types?" Ahsoka raised her brow, looking around it is very quite spacious, still she wouldn't mind giving this room a go, maybe see how the two fight, well she seen Marisa fight, her elegance and balance, as she dance against one of those assassin's, she definitely worked on her defence more, but it was a two against one situation, so Ahsoka's curiosity towards a one against one, maybe she could spar with her.
"Why yes, Master always likes to do a vault on occasion, never knew why, It always seem to leave one self vulnerable in the most opportune moments"
"Do you have an armoury?" Shepard asked, seeing how they have all this equipment, they have to have some place to maintain them.
Proxy paused for a moment, processing the schematic of the ship within his database, there isn't an armoury listed on the ship, unless the clone is referring to the workshop where Lady Marisa would tinker her gadgets and maintain her weapons in case of an emergency, and possibly where the master hides his junk in plain sight, perhaps an opportune moment could present on the way if the master is still in mourning.
As if on cue the door opened as Galen, his eyes red from his grief, glancing around, his eyes prying onto Proxy.
"Proxy, I need….." pausing as his eye's glancing to Ahsoka and Shepard, pondering whether to continue his train of thought, then deciding against it "Never mind, I'm not that…." before ducking as a blaster fire aimed for his head missed him by an inch, it would have been concerning if he didn't scurried out on all fours rapidly out the room.
Ahsoka ignited her lightsaber eyeing the source to see Proxy sighing, handing the pistol back to Shepard, noting that he swiped it out of his holster.
"I assume that was the opportune moment that you mentioned?" Ahsoka glared, putting her sabre away, looking around to see Anakin rushing in, his eyes darting around to the cause, his expression wasn't entirely amused to begin with.
"Mind telling me what the Kriff just happened?" Anakin yelled, then seeing Shepard taking back the pistol, disbelief that he didn't notice his pistol being removed.
"An opportune moment" Proxy sighed, before turning it's big eyes to Shepard "Your firing mechanism needs calibrating, if it was 0.001 percent faster I would have surely achieved my primary programming"
"I'll keep that in mind" Shepard cautiously placed his holster away, then proceed to move away, preferring to avoid such an incident again.
"Is this going to be a constant problem?" Anakin snapped, his mood already sour, not amused to hear a sigh behind him.
"Proxy, as much as I love you trying to kill my brother, I am afraid it will have to be put on hold for the remainder of the mission" Marisa spoke aloud, not too concerned on what happened "We don't want mister Grumpy here get even more grumpy"
"Why?" hearing Ahsoka, sensing the tension already "Does this mean you deciphered the data already?"
"And one of the planets we have to go" Marisa grimaced, seeing Anakin's face darken "So tell me Ahsoka, ever been to Tatooine?"
"Once, but that's a mission a long time ago involving Stinky" Ahsoka said Marisa raised her brow at the word Stinky "Long story"
Anakin turned "Let's get this over with" being very frustrated on setting foot on that planet again, why does galaxy wide threat always involve that kriffing pile of rock, if he had his way he wouldn't go there again, but duty calls, and the dark memories.
"How long is this story?" Marisa asked, noting on his dark demeanour, signalling the group to follow her "Hopefully the story would explain what's his problem with the planet besides the Hutt's"
"I don't really know, he doesn't really talk much about why, he just doesn't like the planet, doesn't like sand maybe"
"Who doesn't like sand?" Marisa frowned "Well maybe Tatooine sand isn't as great, but ever been to a Mon Calamari when it was peaceful? Let's say their beaches and sand are the best between your toes, soft and just the right temperature as it coats your feet from underneath, the waves coming in as the ocean breeze cools your core and the sun keeping you warm as well"
"That sounds really pleasant" Ahsoka smiled "But sadly such simple pleasures we can't have because of this war, or the order"
"Shame" Marisa frowned more out of disappointment that Ahsoka is not afforded such luxuries "You should come into my line of work, we have a bit more freedom and less stress"
"I have to pass sorry, the Jedi offers peace to the republic, despite such hardships, it helps us be calm in stressful situations, as the masters states that the rules we have is what protects not only us but everyone around us and also it is my home after all, even master Plo, who is the master who brought me there" Ahsoka answered "I would suggest you and your brother to come to us if it helps"
"Commander, I highly advise against that" Shepard pitched in "Nothing against you StarDust, just only the idiot"
"I would have to agree with the Lieutenant Shepard" Proxy stated "If Master were to enter the Jedi Temple to become one of them, the results would be catastrophic on galactic proportions"
Gazing at the doubt on the faces of his audience, Proxy blinked, surely they already realise what the master is capable of, oh well shall be fascinating to see the shock when the time comes, perhaps it shall create an opening.
Wasn't too long to see Anakin taking control of transponder, already in talks with the Chancellor, Marisa not approving that he touched parts of her ship without her permission, eyeing to one of the chairs, Galen lazily spinning around, recovering from his near death experience, the collar still strapped around his neck, he must be having the worse time of his life without the use of the force, luckily he manage to survive an assassination, although his methods are questionable.
"Tatooine, you say?" Palpatine murmured, his brow furrowed "Well it should be easier to gain Jabba's permission to investigate the planet for this key, as you would say"
"Since we have rescued his son, I'm sure he will allow us"
Galen tensed slightly at the mention of Jabba, frowning "Wait, we have to have fatty's permission?"
Anakin smirked, amused with the insult "I don't like dealing with them either but it is necessary, besides he may have information if there's any unusual energy spiking on his planet"
"Very well, I will arrange with Jabba the Hutt, hopefully this investigation will go smoothly" turning his head to Marisa, Palpatine's eyes focused intently "As agreed any more translations that would provide valuable clues to the next three locations of the keys, if you find the first one we would like it to be sent to me for extra security"
"As you wish, chancellor" Marisa nodded, having a bad feeling, seeing the transmission ended, sighing once more turning to Skywalker "I plot a course to Tatooine, hopefully the chancellor is good to his word and we won't be raided for when we land"
"Have faith, the chancellor have never let me down especially since our mission is critical" Anakin spoke in defence, slightly offended, as his gaze wondered to Galen, seemingly lost in thought until his eyes slightly widened as if he realised something "Mind saying something?"
"Nope" the reply was instant "Nothing is wrong, I'm just going to go and inspect the our supplies and see if we are in need of stock" with that Galen sped off, as if in a hurry.
Looking to Marisa, her complexion the same as his, the same thought came to mind, when did he ever check supplies.
"Should we be concerned?" Anakin asked, watching Marisa thinking on the matter, as if trying to process what her brother said
"Yes, as much as I hate to think about it, he never does chores, usually Proxy or myself clean up the mess" Marisa grumbled "But since he is still suppressed from the force, he couldn't really do much"
Nodding in agreement, might need proxy or Ahsoka to keep an eye on him for the time being.
In the ship somewhere, no where need the storage area
Galen paced back and forth, he is literally having the worst time of his life, force suppressed, nearly been killed if it wasn't for his quick thinking, his spot being altered, his shit cast into the unknown and now the planet of all planets they need to land on, he is blacklisted to ever step foot on.
This matter can break the fragile peace on the ship, and worse he have noticed something important during the transmission that he needs to bring this matter with great urgency, he eyed one the buttons, the intercoms, he had a few installed around the ship if he were to make an announcement.
Pressing the button he breathed with a sigh, the truth must come out.
"All male passengers come to the conference room in the next five minutes, that is all"
Time will tell if they are willing to accept the truth that he bring to the table.
Ahsoka and Shepard heard over it as they remained in the spar room as they saw Proxy gave out a heavy sigh.
"Does that mean I am not needed?" Ahsoka paused, confused about the sudden call.
"Indeed, Master have something important to speak, which is a very rare occasion, the fact he has requested all males is truly not so" Proxy walked to the door, turning to the clone, waiting for him to follow.
"Wait, are you serious that I have to go to one of his conference calls" Shepard asked incredulously.
"Oh yes he is very specific, as I stated it is such a serious matter for the master to use the intercoms for such matters" proxy stated again, the droid itself doesn't seem to concerned.
"Did he use it for when he…. You know" Ahsoka said, pushing the memory back for what was said which in hindsight got them out of a serious situation with a cruiser, still who wants to know about his stool.
"Yes" Proxy immediately replied, not missing a beat, turning to Shepard once again "I would advise not to keep the master waiting as this is a rare occasion, you may find it….. illuminating"
"I hope I won't regret this" Shepard sighed as he saluted Ahsoka before departing with the droid.
Walking from the cockpit Anakin seem slightly disgruntled, Tatooine, the one place he hates returning to, to top off his list of being annoyed, StarKiller called a meeting which doesn't consist of either Marisa or Ahsoka, which seemed odd as there is only himself and Shepard that are on board, unless he counts the droid, StarDust advised that he go despite protest that they have far more important things to do, but as her point was made, would you rather hear him for ten minutes or the whole journey to the sand planet. Luckily StarDust pointed out the way to the conference room, ironically it was the table next to the transmission, still the ship is spacious one would pass it off as a small frigate, well slightly cramped in some areas, apparently StarDust prioritise where goes where.
Entering the room, to his surprised Shepard was sitting one chair, at attention, patiently waiting, the droid sat in silence, not moving at all and StarKiller himself, hunched over as his fingers spread across his chin and nose as if contemplating on what needs to be said, his eyes spell a seriousness that piqued Anakin's interest, seeing his hand motion to the empty chair next to Shepard, taking his seat.
A pregnant pause and Galen eyed each man waiting before resting his hands on the table in front.
"I call you honourable gentlemen to this meeting because of great importance, two reasons that need to be disclosed" His eyes wandered again "What to be said must not to be repeated to the ladies of the ship, especially to my sister"
Anakin raised his eyebrow, very serious, he never seen him this serious since, ever, perhaps this is one of those rare moments that StarDust mentioned, even Shepard seem more attentive.
Giving out a heavy sigh "It came to my epiphany during the conversation with the chancellor that came to my notice" Leaning onto his hand as he is deep in thought, his brow furrowed "There's too many dudes on this ship"
With that note, all hope was gone from Anakin's patience, hearing a bang on the table, Shepard seem to bang his head on the table as they both have the same thought. Anakin resisted the urge to then proceed to pinch the bridge of his nose, the droid seemingly unsurprised, it knew it wasn't worthwhile, but the Idiot took their reaction differently.
"I know this is a lot to take in, even I was perplexed as well, this is a crisis that must be resolved and…." Galen paused as he watched Proxy motion his head to speak, not that he can stop him.
"Master, are you saying there is no opposite sex to procreate with, seeing as one member is only fourteen and the other being your sister" Proxy interjected, Galen coughed and spluttered, his eyes widened.
Dammit Proxy don't say stuff like that.
"Of course not, if the ladies come to realisation that they are outnumbered, serious consequences would happen like… a mutiny against us, this is the moment we must show a face of unity"
Anakin and Shepard stared at this idiot and then glance to each other, the same thought crossed their minds, they both have wasted their time, what they would have thought to be something serious, was not.
"You said there was two reasons you called us here" Anakin spoke "I'm assuming they are similar" pinching the bridge of his nose, his patience thin, but he is too tired to get angry, wanting to get this over with, ten minutes or the whole journey…. The airlock seem to look very pleasing at the moment.
"Ah the second is that we are going to Tatooine" Galen shrugged "As you may know I may or may not have been blacklisted to set foot there"
Anakin open his eyes, blinking, that is some interesting news for once.
"How and Why?" Anakin asked, he might be able to tolerate the guy if he pissed off the Hutt's to be blacklisted.
"Did a job there maybe a year ago, something that Marisa didn't know about and I tend to keep it that way" Galen shrugged not happy they are tracking away from the real problem.
"Fair enough, what was the job?" Anakin asked again, Galen span in his chair giving a heavy sigh, Anakin frowned "We need to know because if this were to hinder our mission because you pissed off Jabba that badly, we could be blacklisted as well to set foot"
"I just did a job and my employer that hired me to do this job gave my code name and face to that fat fuck which then led to said employer getting killed because the fat fuck number two was a little bitch" Galen stated, still twirling in his chair "The job is in the past and I already solved that problem by keeping out of sight and being very discreet"
Anakin glared, discreet, doubtful he knows the meaning but decide to put the matter to the side "I'm assuming StarDust doesn't know about this" seeing from the glare that's a no, sighing getting up "Fine, I'm going to rest, Shepard your time is your own until we arrive"
Upon this Shepard nodded and left hearing StarKiller speak up "Wait we haven't solved the first problem"
"Master it appears they don't take this to the capacity of urgency that you have desired" Proxy stated watching the others leave, thinking of the time wasted on this meeting, Proxy watched their reactions, as predicted due to the masters track record ever since Coruscant, his luck has dwindled, patience is needed to determine when it is necessary to test out his new upgrade.
"Least you took this serious Proxy" Galen sighed his eyes laid onto the droid.
"Oh master I could never take you serious, I just came to witness and analyse the reactions of the two members that wasted their time at this delicate situation, I am pleased to inform you that it took five minutes longer than predicted before they decide to vacate the room" Proxy stated, watching his master open his mouth processing his words.
"What was your prediction to begin with?" Galen asked, curious.
"Immediately Master, Immediately" proxy stated before he too vacated, analysing the other two was most valuable, any minor detail is crucial in case he has to deal with them, especially the Jedi, the sudden urge to delete his existence remains ever since he sent that electrical Electro magnetic pulse to his system, only the master can get away with shocking his systems.
Anakin travelled back to the cockpit to hear giggling, wondering over as he leant against the wall to see Ahsoka and Marisa talking and giggling, a smile crept over his face, it's been a while that he saw Ahsoka relax, because of the war, and his need to teach her how to survive, not much of a child hood, such restrictions the jedi order impose in his opinion, not that he had much of a childhood, frowning to the thought, it has been over a year since he set foot on his home planet, the time being a slave, clenching his fist as his mind wonders to a much darker time, closing his eyes, he could see them all, animals the lot of them, the pain slowly etching its way before subsiding.
His blue eyes wonder to StarDust, StarDust…. Marisa… he wants to place his trust in her, seeing how she can make Ahsoka smile, live just once for a moment instead of fighting. Maybe for Ahsoka's sake he'll give her one more chance, yet a creeping feeling, he never really knew anything about her, how she learned the force, family and how long they been doing this, seeing Marisa glance to his direction, the dark brown piercing his, a sudden blush formed on her cheeks as she looked away.
"Skywalker, a moment if you may" hearing her voice, Anakin curiosity piqued.
"If it is going to be like that meeting with that idiot I may have to pass" Anakin smirked, seeing her irritation.
"Please, at least you entertain him for ten minutes, which I must apologise for, his meetings have never been worth while as Proxy once said, listening to a dead Jawa would give far more entertaining information than his male only meetings" Marisa spoke receiving a chuckle from her audience "But that's not what this is about" pointing to the co pilot seat.
For once Anakin obediently sat next to her, seeing Ahsoka moved to another chair where Proxy sat during the battle.
"Since you guys are going to be here for a very long while, I will have to teach you what is what in the cockpit" Marisa spoke, glaring to Anakin smirking "Hey I can change my mind if you want"
Anakin raised his hands in defence "I didn't say anything of the sort, what made you realise you need me to pilot the ship" receiving a very defiant glare, smirking again at her reaction.
"Well since you have the tendency to touch my ship from everywhere you go and I still doubt your piloting skills" marisa bit back, her own smirk curved her lips "In case I'm not here to pilot the ship and my brother is in the turret, I believe it is best to make yourself useful"
Anakin wanted to retort but held back, letting this slide, he is in charge of the mission after all and thinking that she is trusting him to pilot the ship is a step in the right direction for both of them.
It is truly fascinating that some levers and switches can create different effects, the blue button that ventilates the coolness of space into the engines were ingenious, for emergencies only as stated like going overdrive through atmosphere to reach a certain distant closer to hyper speed, wanting to avoid such situations as much as possible because it could damage the coolant system if used continously and that they would have to scrub and manually clean the ports because of any residue from the outer space that could clog the system.
Marisa also explained the fibre glass that encase the turrets, custom made and very expensive, besides Proxy, the Phantom is her biggest investment yet, always wanting the latest security and the up to date tech she can get her hands on.
Looking at the schematics Anakin felt like a kid exploring a whole new technology for the first time.
"The sensors where you're sitting next to Ahsoka along with the port is our sensor's it tracks enemy movements if we were to be in a fight, also be able to triangulate information on the planet surface, it also our navigation terminal, usually proxy gets it down to a second to plot course but just in case he's not here and you are, you can be my navigation unless you want to be my gunner" Marisa explained seeing Ahsoka smile, liking the idea of being able to do something, then disgust shower her face at the memory of the Rancor den in the lower gun pod.
"Wait, this ship can't triangulate structures or power usages underground?" Anakin asked, for something advanced quite under tehc in that department.
"It could" Marisa grumbled her eyes now lazily towards him "It would have a more precise reading to the sensors if I had a functional X1 chip that seems to fry in that machine of yours"
"Hey now, don't go blaming my machine" Anakin spoke offended, slightly guilty that it happened but it was for a good cause.
"Uh huh" Marisa spoke, hiding the fact it was because of Proxy, not like she's going to tell him that "Well without it, it wont' make our jobs easy, we could have a good read out of Tatooine from above atmosphere and scan areas of abnormalities without the need to ask the Hutt's which I too don't want to deal with"
"Is it because of your brother?" Anakin spoke, without thinking seeing her pause, narrowing her eyes at the statement, oh, he was telling the truth about her not knowing of his blacklist.
"No" Marisa suspiciously eyed Anakin, suspecting what might have been said at the meeting "It's because the Hutt's have the tendency to offer contracts that leaves a sour taste, although thinking about it, Galen had to do a few on Nal Hutta, so maybe I prefer he doesn't get involved on Tatooine, they can be quite territorial if Jabba would find out we been dealing with other Hutt's"
That would be problematic, but not even close to StarKiller situation.
"Do we have a plan when we get there?" Ahsoka asked, as she getting used to the terminal.
"Well, first we be resting, ships on course and it be a while we are in hyper space, it's been a long day, Ahsoka you can take my room until we get the other storage rooms to be prepared for liveable conditions" Marisa stated apologetically "I heard your Lieutenant wanted to be in an armoury?"
"He likes to keep things maintained" Ahsoka stated, Marisa nodded in thought.
"I could makeshift my workshop into an armoury, if he likes we could set up a bunk for him so he can live and maintain it if he wants, that would save me a bit of trouble finding rooms to clean up" Marisa's mind calculating on the other rooms, might get Proxy to the cleaning, the trick is actually get him to do it, maybe bribe him with another upgrade, unless glancing to Anakin for a moment, there is another way to get it done but it won't be good for either party if it were to work.
"So where would I be sleeping" Anakin asked, as Marisa paused for a moment, her face turning apologetic, clocking on to where he might temporally be "you are joking right?"
Galen's room
"Absolutely not" Galen glared at the ceiling in his bed, with Anakin on the other side with a makeshift wall between the two of them, thank the force for a double bed "To have that Bitch send this Skywanker into my bed is absolutely disgraceful, is she trying to force me to clean out one of the rooms just to have you out of here? How dare she, why can't she have you in her room… no wait scratch that, completely out of bounds boy."
"It isn't like I want to be here either and can you shut up" Anakin growled, is this going to happen for a while, when is it his turn to be in the cockpit, actually the cockpit is a better place rather than here.
"Then sleep on the floor bitch if you don't like it, only reason you're here because you haven't blabbed about me being blacklisted and I still got this collar, so can I have this removed?" Galen grumbled.
"No" the reply instantaneously.
Anakin glanced to the floor, cluttered in data pads filled with force knows what, he could catch a disease if he were to sleep on the floor, might have spied something crawling about still debating whether to leave the room now, no rest would be gained any ways.
"Unbelievable, this is an invasion of my privacy, how am I suppose to have my pre sleep meditation, worse of all you're a dude, your not naked are you?" Hearing him on the other side of the wall starting to rustle about, maybe trying to get comfortable since they are sharing a bed.
"No, not even in sleep wear" Anakin spoke "Are you?"
Silence from the other side, by the force he really is, what is going through his mind right now.
A Galen is kneeling on the wooden platform as another is wearing some kind of light clothing, it's tied in a bun, with a Katana in hand.
Before them a huge line to the left of it was in tow, as headless bodies and heads to the right hand side, the pile piling up.
"You must atone and regain your Honour" The one called out as the kneeling Galen pulled out a Wakizashi and proceed with Seppuku, the precision of blade lopped off the head cleanly.
A few observing as a Galen in generals outfit watched the scene before, with an Admiral standing next to him.
"What is this line for General" the Admiral watched with less concern.
"These Galen's allowed the big man to accept a man into his bed" the General spoke.
"hmm we have reports that they constructed a wall between the two and the assailant is fully clothed, reports stated he might be leaving the bed" The admiral spoke, until seeing horror in the generals eyes.
"It is not the man in the bed that these idiots are being punished for" The General looked back, hauntingly.
The Admiral took a few minutes to think, if that isn't the crime, then what is? Suddenly oh no. The confirmation as the General looked back to him, horror etched on both faces, they didn't allow that to happen.
"Correct Admiral, they got the big guy naked on his side, and the worse crime is also committed… They allowed him to have a boner while sharing a bed with a man"
"They haven't started protocol have they?"
Silence was the answer, as they watch the Galen's responsible repented for their crimes.
Anakin left the room shortly after that, for the first time he couldn't wait to get to Tatooine in his entire life.