Cipher Nine and Kaliyo made their way through Mos Ila to one of its less residential areas. After some searching, they found a broken pottery jar with a faded Anchorhead marking. The agent reached inside the broken hole, found a switch, and pressed it. The holoemitter in the jar activated, and a blurred figure appeared.
"What happened?" the figure asked in a garbled voice. "I've been waiting for days."
"Security takes time," the agent said.
"Who is this, anyway?" the figure asked. "Who sent you?"
Cipher Nine sighed inwardly. Terrified amateurs did not make good assets. "I'm with Imperial Intelligence. You don't need to know my name."
"Fine. No names. That's probably better."
Probably? "I was told you could help me find the ghost cell."
"Maybe," the figure said. "We'll see. I'll talk about the terrorists, but I need a guarantee. If we're going to meet, no one can know. Not the ghost cell, not Imperial security."
Oh, for fuck sake. Who do you think you contacted? "I can't promise anything unless you tell me what's going on."
The figure replied, "I don't trust you, and the ghost cell wants me dead. That should tell you enough."
That doesn't tell me a fucking thing.
"There are sentry droids all around town," the figure continued. "Imperial model, but everyone knows their holocam feeds are insecure."
A hardware bug, the agent thought. Most of them had been fixed, but some of the more remote droids were still vulnerable.
The figure said, "The ghost cell could use them to find me. Take out the droids, and I can make our rendezvous."
Are you shitting me? You want me to attack a dozen security droids on camera? In order to hide? "That plan has a flaw. I might be noticed by security. It might be better to jam the signal or use an ion pulse to short circuit the droids remotely, and make it look like a terrorist attack."
The agent waited and waited. The contact probably realized they nearly slit their own throat.
"Right," the figure said. "You probably know the droids better than I do."
No shit.
"Once you've dealt with the sentries, head to the market. Give the droids'-" The figure paused. "I mean, find a merchant named Datto Wys, and ask for a mouse droid. He'll send you to me."
"All right," Cipher Nine said. "You'll get your safe passage. Then we'll talk."
"Right," the figure said. "If the way is clear, I'll see you soon. Otherwise, we won't speak again." The holoemitter deactivated.
"Oh, fuck," Kaliyo said.
"I know," the agent said. "But, they can't all be sex parties."
"That's too bad."
Watcher Two groaned.
"It's just for an hour," the agent said. "They're not that vital. Besides, they need the upgrade anyway."
"I'll talk to one of my slicers," Watcher Two said.
The agent added, "If possible, make it look like a terrorist attack."
Watcher Two nodded. "When it's over, we can tell them it was an unscheduled exercise. They were due for one anyway. I take it your contact is-"
"Somewhat inexperienced," the agent replied.
"Wonderful. Proceed with caution. Watcher Two out."
They acquired the mouse droid from the merchant, activated it, and set it down. It sped off, waited for them to catch up, and sped off again.
Two armed mercenaries following a mouse droid. No, that doesn't look unusual at all. The agent sighed again. The contact was desperate and terrified. That suggested the ghost cell deserved its reputation.
The droid reached a remote building and detonated with a flash. The agent and Kaliyo drew their weapons and scanned the area. A human female entered the building aiming a rifle at them. For all the fear in her eyes, she held the weapon steady. She knew how to use a weapon. That was a good sign.
"Keep your weapons down," the woman said. "I don't want a fight, I just- you sure you weren't followed?"
We chased a fucking droid through the streets. But, the agent lowered her weapon, and Kaliyo did the same. "We weren't followed. We were very careful. Don't worry. We're safe."
"Safe," the woman echoed. "All right." There was the fear.
Kaliyo said, "I think she needs a hug."
The agent scowled at Kaliyo. "Please continue," she said to the woman.
"My name is Mia Hawkins," the woman said. "I'm not giving you the runaround, it's just- the ghost cell can look like anyone. Holographic disguise."
How did the ghost cell get Watcher X's toy? "That's quite a claim."
Mia nodded. "I used to be part of Cobalt Flag- the anti-occupation group on Sullust. We fought the Empire, organized bombings and sabotage... didn't work."
Untrained farmers against the Empire. Not a surprise.
"Last year, Imp security cracked down," Mia continued. "Most of us died. I was... approached by people who offered me a way out. Retraining."
"The ghost cell," the agent said.
Mia shook her head. "Just members of the Eagle's network who pointed the way. The Eagle's people smuggled me to Tatooine, brought me to this weird empty village in the middle of the desert. The ghost cell lived there- a few dozen fighters from around the galaxy, training under their leader. The Old Man. He was... ancient. Brilliant. He taught us how to move unseen, kill anyone." Mia paused and shuddered. "The Old Man's village was an empty model. We could experiment with bombs, sniper fire, whatever. I spent months there." She stopped, as if she were terrified of the memory. "Then they started kidnapping civilians. Brought them to the village so we could 'practice.' That's when I slipped away." She began to shake. "Those people were innocent. There are limits, there- the ghost cell has to be stopped."
"I understand that," the agent said. "Where is the village?"
"I don't know," Mia replied. "They kept us sedated coming and going. But I had a thought. The cell gets food and supplies from some smuggler in town- name of 'Dragon Eyes.' If we can flush him out, he can lead us there."
"Flushing him out would warn the village," the agent said. "We'll find a way to track him."
Mia shrugged. "Not my skill, but I've... had friends who were leaned on by Intelligence. They talked."
"We'll try to find a less noticeable way," the agent replied.
"Right," Mia said. "I patched together these tracking devices." She took some devices from her backpack. "Wouldn't be hard to plant them-"
"We have our own," the agent said.
"Right," Mia said.
"Take this," the agent told her, handing her a holocomm. "It's much more secure than the system you've been using. We'll contact you when we have something. Until then, remain hidden."
Mia nodded and took the holocomm. "We should leave separately."
"Yes," the agent said. "Yes, we should."
"Okay," Mia said. "Goodbye."
After Mia left, Kaliyo said, "We're all dead, aren't we?"
"You don't know the half of it," the agent replied. "Have you ever heard of a terrorist group training on civilians?"
"I've seen some nasty groups, but not like that."
"Terrorists kill to send a message, protect territory, get supplies," the agent said. "Not to train. Especially not someone that green." She sighed. "This Old Man sounds like Sith Intelligence."
"You mean 'Imperial'?" Kaliyo asked.
Cipher Nine shook her head. "Sith Intelligence is a separate branch within Imperial Intelligence. They report directly to the Dark Council. They are known for doing things that would sicken the Imperial Military. It's said, Sith Intelligence is where serial killers go to thrive."
"Wonderful," Kaliyo said. "What does this mean?"
"We don't just stop the ghost cell. We wipe it out."
Kaliyo smiled. "My kind of party."
Watcher Two sighed. "This just keeps getting better."
"Could he have gone rogue?" Kaliyo asked.
Watcher Two shook her head. "Most don't survive going rogue for very long. If any did survive, I doubt they would pick a job like this."
Kaliyo said, "So, someone on the Dark Council-?"
"Yes," Cipher Nine answered. "How do we proceed, and how would the Council respond?"
"If this were authorized by the entire Council, you never would have been allowed to get that close," Watcher Two said. "This is a single Darth making a power play. Eliminate the ghost cell, kill the Old Man, and the Council will cover it up."
"Understood," the agent said.
"And, leave your other friend out of it," Watcher Two continued. "Her involvement would create too many problems." The agent nodded. "Very good. Watcher Two out."
"Upset about the fight?" Kaliyo asked. "You look depressed."
The agent shook her head. "The term is apprehensive. They were never going to train Mia. She's not their type. They killed people in front of her-"
"To drive her out," Kaliyo finished. "It's a set up."
"But why?" Cipher Nine said. "We're not important enough for this. If they just wanted to kill us- It's sloppy. They're never sloppy." The agent exhaled sharply. "They've done their job. They're to be eliminated. It's a test. To prove we're good enough."
"What do we do?" Kaliyo asked.
The agent smiled. "We prove we're good enough."
As they left the spaceport, they saw an Imperial Officer pulling along a Twi'lek slavegirl, her lekku writhing in fear. The agent scowled at the sight.
"Friend of yours?" Kaliyo asked.
The agent shook her head. "Find some bounty hunters, and enjoy yourself. We'll find Dragon Eyes tomorrow."
"Watch your back," Kaliyo said and took off.
The agent went to the worst part of town and down into the tunnels used for sandstorms, checking the entire way to make sure she wasn't followed. She made her way down an abandoned section to a door that looked rusted shut. She reached into a broken pipe and input a code, and the door opened silently. She found two human males inside a room, waiting for her.
"Reporting as ordered." the agent said.
"Department head," one of them said. He obviously hated the situation.
"May I ask the purpose of this meeting?" she said.
The department head nodded toward the other man. "He has questions."
"Rank? Sir?" the agent said.
"Need to know," the other man replied.
"High enough," the department head told her.
"Questions? Sir?" the agent asked.
"How much can your brother be trusted?" he asked. "The bounty hunter, I mean."
"Trusted for what?" Cipher Nine asked.
"Keeping someone safe," he said.
"That depends on who it is," she told him. "And how he feels about them."
The other man thought for a moment then said, "His information officer."
Her eyes narrowed. Mako? Vette's friend? That's... interesting. And this asshole already knew the answer. Why was he really here? "He jumped in front of Force lightning for her. That should tell you."
"Is that a regular thing for him?" the asshole continued.
"If he cares about her," the agent said. "Did something happen?"
"Need to know."
The agent glared. "He's my brother."
"Need... to... know," the asshole repeated.
The agent seethed for a moment. "What else do you need to know?"
"What are his chances in the Hunt?"
Are you looking to make a bet? She managed to stop herself before asking the question. "He's stubborn enough to win. Anything else?"
"I think that's enough," he said. He left by a different door.
After a moment, the agent said, "What the fuck?"
"Orders from higher up," the department head replied.
"They risked my cover, and potentially my cousin's, for this?"
"Your cousin doesn't tell them much," he said.
"She can't. She's surrounded by Sith."
"I know," he said. "But that was their excuse."
"So some asshole could check me out?" The agent sighed. "What happened to my brother?"
He shook his head. "I don't know, but, suddenly, that girl became very important."
There are no coincidences in the Force. "One good thing, they wouldn't have asked about him if he were dead."
"Anything I can do to justify the time?"
Cipher Nine shrugged. "I don't suppose you know the identity of 'Dragon Eyes'?"
"Actually, I do."
"I had an informant," the agent said to Kaliyo. "But he was... skittish."
Kaliyo shrugged. "Works for me." She mounted her speeder. "Are we waiting for something?"
"I need Mia's input on our target. Considering Mia, we shouldn't-" Her comm beeped and Mia appeared.
"Good news," Mia said. "An old Rodian left the cantina a few minutes ago. Fidgety, nervous- I'm tracking him. Might be going to Dragon Eyes. The bad news is ghost cell assassins are all over the cantina. They're coming to kill you."
"We're not in the cantina."
"Oh," Mia said. "So, why are they there?"
"Any number of reasons," the agent replied. Like, the ghost cell was watching Mia, for instance.
"What about Dragon Eyes?" Mia asked.
"I've already identified Dragon Eyes," the agent replied. "I had an informant. Dragon Eyes' real name is Milosh Varta."
"Oh," Mia said. "He works for the local crime syndicate- group called 'the Exchange.' I don't know a lot about them. The Exchange runs spice, gambling, extortion... broken legs and blown-up speeders."
In other words, the agent thought, amateurs.
"Not a shock their guy is connected to the ghost cell," Mia continued.
"Very good," the agent said. "I'll pay him a visit."
Mia began, "He'll have-"
"I know what he'll have," Cipher Nine said. "This is what we do."
"Right." Mia looked around. "I have to go. The assassins- they'll be looking for me. Talk later." She disconnected.
Kaliyo said, "Those assassins won't stop looking for us."
"They don't need to look," the agent said. "They know where Dragon Eyes is. Fortunately, sand renders stealth and holograms nearly useless."
"What about Mia?"
The agent sighed. "She's not prepared for this, and she knows it. She's putting herself at risk for the right reasons. I'll try to get her out if I can. But the mission comes first."
Cipher Nine sighted down her sniper rifle and scanned the area around the Varta mansion. Anyone in stealth gear would be standing on an exposed rock, stone floors, or top of the building. Some might be in shadows or standing old footprints. The building was in a rocky bowl, minimal wind. But, there. That was one. They had to stand still while they waited. The strain would get to them. Stationary, they were almost impossible to see. Movement would show the distortion, and there. That was two.
"Grenade?" Kaliyo whispered.
"We expose our location, hit a few if we're lucky, and those in the blast shadow of the building are still hidden." A footprint moved. That's three.
"How many, do you think?" Kaliyo asked.
"Five or six, but we can go when I have four identified. The last two should be easy to find." Near the building. The assassin didn't move, but the shadow did. Now, second and third were her best option. The agent and Kaliyo relocated so the second and third assassins were in a line. She could kill one then the other before anyone could react. She signaled Kaliyo to stay silent, took a breath, let it out slowly, and fired twice. Both targets fell. A sniper fired on their location.
"Roof," Kaliyo said. "Three meters from the left.
The agent scanned to either side of the location. The sniper would relocate. He picked his spot well. Both directions were good. She couldn't predict. She had to find- there. Distortion from his leg. She fired, grazing the leg. The stealth field sparked up his body, and she had his torso. Once to the abdomen to stop him, once to the chest to end him.
"Now you can use the grenade," she told Kaliyo. "Hit there. Bury it deep."
The dirt and sand fell over one of the two incoming assassins, and the agent killed another. The other assassin must have gone wide, to get to the surrounding rocks as soon as possible. That choice limited his path. He must be- there. Five assassins down. One left. The last would not be here for them.
"Let's go," the agent said, and they ran toward the mansion.
As they passed the bodies, Kaliyo asked, "Where did you learn to do this?"
"It's called 'aiming'," she replied. "Get a smoke grenade ready."
When they reached the door, they heard blaster fire and a scream. They moved in, following the trail of sand to a large room. The agent motioned to Kaliyo to throw the grenade, and the room soon filled with smoke. The two entered the room strategically. Kaliyo spotted the outline, and the last assassin was down.
The scream had come from a woman cowering in a corner. The agent grabbed her and pulled her to a room clear of the smoke.
"Name," the agent said.
"Isbet Varta," she replied. "Please. Please don't do this to us. Whatever you want..."
"I want to know where Milosh is," the agent told her.
"I don't-," Isbet began. "He never says much. He's never said much, even when he was a moisture farmer. I know he's not involved with the nicest people, but he's not a bad man, I swear..."
"I don't care," the agent said. "I just-" They heard someone enter the building, their boots crunching over the sand.
Mia Hawkins entered the room. "They're all dead? What did you do out there? Forget that. You're amazing. Did they hurt you?"
"Mia," the agent said. She looked down. "You're tracking sand into the living room."
"Sorry," Mia said with a smile.
The agent smiled back. "But you don't have any sand on your boots."
Mia's smile faded. "Most people don't notice a detail that small."
"That's the difference between an amateur and a professional," the agent said.
Mia smiled again, drew her rifle, and took aim at Isbet. Kaliyo shoved Isbet out of the way, and Cipher Nine rushed in and stabbed the false Mia in the chest.
"You're going to die," Mia said, the hologram sparking across her face. "Along with the traitor..." The agent stood over a dead Zabrak.
"Once again," the agent said without turning around. "Where... is... Milosh?"
"He's... out," Isbet said. "He'll be back soon."
Kaliyo shrugged. "Guess we better wait for Milosh. I'm going to check the kitchen."
"Grab me a drink," the agent said. "I'm parched. Isbet?"
"I'm fine. Thanks."
After a while, they heard a speeder approach. The agent grabbed Isbet by the back of the shirt and put a vibroknife to her throat.
"Isbet?!" someone yelled. "Isbet?!"
"In here," Cipher Nine yelled back.
A man rushed into the room. "Isbet? What are you doing?! Let her go!"
The agent replied, "If you want the woman to live, I suggest you change your tone."
"She's not part of this," Milosh said.
"She is now," the agent replied.
He looked at his wife and then the agent. "I was promised you wouldn't survive."
The agent said, "If you can't trust a psychotic terrorist..."
"And what are you?" Milosh asked.
Cipher Nine said, "Milosh? May I call you 'Milosh'? I'm going to, anyway. Milosh, you've accidentally stepped between two predators, and you must run past one of us. One predator will tear you to shreds, because you're an irritation. The other will let you go, because she doesn't give a shit. In which direction will you run?"
"What are you asking for?" Milosh said.
"The location of the village," the agent replied.
"Do I have your word we'll be safe?" he asked.
The agent shrugged. "If you think it would help."
"What are you going to do when you find them?"
Cipher Nine smiled at him. "Kill all of them."
He looked down at the dead Zabrak and back toward the bodies outside and let out a sigh. "I don't know where the village is," he said. "I pack whatever they need... leave the shipment at a drop point in the canyons. They take the crates home by speeder. The next delivery is soon. That's all I know."
"Good enough," the agent said.
Milosh nodded. "Isbet? Honey? We don't have time to pack."
"I'm okay with that," she replied.
"Right," Milosh said to the agent. "Here's how you get to the drop point..."
"I think our friend is rubbing off on you," Kaliyo said on the way back to Mia's hideout.
"She does have a way with words," the agent replied.
"I thought trained assassins would do better."
"Trained but not experienced," the agent said. "The Old Man is probably the only real assassin. The rest are enthusiastic recruits. It means Watcher Two is probably right. One ambitious Darth, not the whole council."
"What happens to us if this Darth succeeds?" Kaliyo asked.
"We'll be dead long before then," the agent replied.
"As long as we have fun on the way."
When they reached the hideout, a holo of Mia began to play. "Hello. I'm recording this message for you. Funny thing is, I don't know your name."
Kaliyo said, "That's called 'being a spy'."
Mia continued, "By now, you've talked to Milosh. I hope he gave you what you need to find the village, because I've done all I can. Even sent everything I know about the Eagle's network to Intelligence. But now I'm leaving, because I know how this ends. After the ghost cell is neutralized, you turn me in."
"You didn't tell her?" Kaliyo asked.
"No," the agent replied.
"I like you," Mia said. "But I can't trust you. You're an Imperial, and I'm a 'terrorist.'"
"Forbidden love," Kaliyo said. The agent scowled at her.
"Oh, I had a few doubts," Mia said. "You don't seem awful. But you're still an Imperial, and I know where your loyalties lie."
Kaliyo said, "That's more than I know." The agent scowled again.
Mia said, "I can't give myself up to a life of torture. I mean to keep resisting the Empire. Maybe join up with the Republic. Something. Anyway. Destroy the village. Kill the Old Man. They're not part of the resistance. They're something... evil." The recording ended.
"Evil indeed," the agent said.
Kaliyo shrugged. "Saves us some work."
"Yes," the agent said. "Let's get to the drop."
"Do they know we're headed there?" Kaliyo asked.
The agent shrugged. "We'll find out."
The agent scanned the drop point from a ridge.
"Well?" Kaliyo asked.
"About thirty, including droids."
"Great," Kaliyo said. "What now?"
Cipher Nine replaced her blaster barrel with a projectile barrel and loaded the rifle. She took aim on one of the scout droids, waited until it's patrol took it away from the others, and fired. The projectile decelerated just before it hit its target and attached with barely a noise. The modified restraining bolt input a virus into the droid and took control.
"Nice," Kaliyo said. "Why don't you use that more often?"
"It only works on certain types of droids," the agent told her. "And advanced troops are trained to look for it. These are Exchange thugs. I doubt they've seen it."
"Won't the Old Man recognize it?" Kaliyo asked.
"Yes, but it can't be helped," the agent replied. "The droid will appear to be malfunctioning, and will ride with the supplies. The restraining bolt will send a periodic tracking signal."
Kaliyo said, "Which will look like part of the malfunction. Nice. We follow behind on speeders?"
"At a considerable distance, yes. But, until they leave, we wait."
"Any sign of the Old Man?" Kaliyo whispered.
"I don't know what he looks like," the agent said. She scanned the camp with her rifle. "Mia. She's in the tent farthest back on the right. Under guard, from the looks of it."
"Why am I not surprised?" Kaliyo said.
Two of the men from the supply trucks approached a third. He looked sharply at the malfunctioning droid and ran to the supplies, disappearing behind the crates. She could see the head of the droid and the Old Man's hand snapping off the restraining bolt.
"Party time," the agent said. She began by taking out the snipers along the walls, and Kaliyo fired gas grenades, incendiary grenades, and ion grenades into the camp.
Kaliyo said, "Fewer than I thought."
Between shots, the agent said, "The regular recruits had to enjoy the training. People like that are difficult to find, even on Tatooine."
Kaliyo switched to her rifle and started firing. "I like a good whipping as much as the next girl, but that shit turns my stomach."
"Glad to know," the agent replied.
"Race you to the Old Man," Kaliyo said.
"No!" Cipher Nine said. "You are not prepared for what he is. We take him together, or I fight him myself."
"Are you sure?" the Rattataki asked.
"We'll spar back at the ship," the agent said. "That will explain it."
"Can't wait," Kaliyo said and ran toward the village. The agent stayed back, covering her with sniper fire until she reached a defensible position. Then Kaliyo covered and the agent followed. Step by step, they moved in until they were in range of the tent with Mia and the Old Man. The agent couldn't see any distortions or missing dirt around Mia. She might be the real thing.
"Welcome, my child," the Old Man said. "I wondered whether you'd find your way."
"I'm so sorry!" Mia called out. "I couldn't stop them."
Definitely the real Mia. Only she would think this was a good time for her to talk.
"I applauded you toward the end," the Old Man continued. "You've trampled my garden, of course, but I admire your skills."
"Cute," the agent replied. "But really, am I supposed to be scared?"
"Scared?" the Old Man asked. "No. I want to see what comes naturally... however emotions surface on your flesh."
"Be careful," Mia said. "The Old Man... he's dangerous."
No fucking shit, Mia.
The Old Man's hologram shifted to an Imperial Officer, and he said, "Don't mind your friend. We found her in the spaceport and thought we'd bring her home."
You wanted to see if I was corrupted by compassion.
"We could've killed her, of course," the Old Man said. "But what reward would that be when she's served so well?"
"He's lying!" Mia yelled. "I was trying to help you!"
"You were set up, Mia!" the agent called out. "They were watching you the whole time." Mia's face paled, and her head dropped.
"Poor sweet, Mia," the Old Man became himself again and said. "You were the perfect bait to lure an Imperial Intelligence Cipher." He turned back to the agent. "You're fantastically talented. You'll show us everything... and then we'll replace you inside your own organization." He took on Mia's form. "All that's left is your defeat and subjugation. The Eagle will triumph."
"For fuck sake. How long is this pathetic game going to go on?" Cipher Nine asked. "Your training techniques gave you away."
The Old Man smiled.
"Why aren't we killing him?" Kaliyo asked.
"I need to know who he's working for," the agent said.
"Can we kill the others?" Kaliyo asked.
"Yes, of course," the agent replied. The ghost cell members looked at each other.
"Time to dance," Kaliyo said, and the battle began again.
The Old Man changed to look like one of his subordinates, but the agent wasn't fooled. He moved too much like an expert. Cipher Nine drew her pistol, and she and Kaliyo rushed the remaining ghost cell members. Well trained psychotics were no match for Kaliyo having fun. The agent charged the Old Man, aiming to wound, but he closed the gap, pulled a vibroknife from within the hologram, and sliced off the barrel of her pistol. The agent pulled her own knife and blocked his next attack.
"Imperial training," the agent said. "Who do you work for?"
"The same person you work for," he replied, as they circled each other. "You just don't know it."
"The Council won't be happy," the agent said.
He chuckled. "The Council won't matter."
"This bullshit?"
"A test. You did very well."
"The test would have ended when I eliminated the village," the agent said. "You should have left when you found the bolt. Why did you stay?"
"Our employer sweetened the pot," he said. "If I kill you, I take your place."
"Does our employer have a name?" she asked.
The Old Man smiled and attacked.
He was good, and he definitely didn't move like an old man, but the agent was just as good. Psychopathic tendencies couldn't help him in a stand-up fight. But, just as good was too good. She couldn't risk him getting lucky. At the right moment, she switched to a Republic fighting style. The sudden shift, and its implications, gave her an opening, and she wounded him twice. He fought ferociously after that, but it made him sloppy, and the injuries slowed him down. Still, he managed to wound her twice before she knocked him to the ground and stabbed under his chin and into his brain.
Kaliyo sat on a crate watching the fight, the remaining ghost cell members dead around her. "I get it now," she said. "I'll leave that kind of fight to you."
"Is that it?" Mia asked. "Is he really dead?"
The agent found Mia tied in an overly complicated and vaguely erotic way that forced her into a kneeling pose. "He's really dead," the agent told her.
"I'm sorry about everything," Mia said. "I didn't know what he was planning. I can't believe he used me."
Cipher Nine smiled politely. "There was no way you could've known. Besides, it's over."
Mia said, "So... what happens now?"
"What do you want to happen?" the agent asked.
"Seriously?" Mia said. "All I want is my freedom."
"If you run, it'll be hard," the agent told her. "Intelligence will hunt you for the rest of your life."
Mia nodded. "I know, but it's better than being a slave to tyrants. Could you... untie me now?"
Kaliyo said, "We could leave her like that. For a little while."
"Uh, why?" Mia asked. Kaliyo whispered in her ear, and Mia cried out in shock. "Who even thinks of that?!"
"She does," the agent said. "All the time."
"Secure transmission established. This is Watcher Two. Cipher Nine, report, please."
"The ghost cell is eliminated. The Old Man is dead," the agent replied.
"Did you discover the identity of his backer?" Watcher Two asked.
"He died before giving it up," Cipher Nine said. "His comments suggested a single Darth, probably a Council member. Someone with an ambitious plan."
"Thank you, Cipher Nine," Watcher Two said. "That narrows it down to all of them. But, if you succeed in exposing the conspirator, you will have the favor of the Council. For a little while, anyway."
"I am here to serve," Cipher Nine said with an insincere smile.
"The informant?" Watcher Two asked.
"Fled before the fight began," the agent replied. "After what she witnessed, I don't blame her."
"We would have liked to have gotten her," Watcher Two said. "But, you had to prioritize. I understand. Keeper is glad you didn't ask for help this time."
"Watcher X was a special case," the agent said.
"True," Watcher Two replied. "He was. I'll have more for you soon. Until then, enjoy Tatooine. If you can. Watcher Two out." The holo ended.
"You Imperials lie to each other a lot," Kaliyo said. The agent shrugged. "It's fine. It's part of what makes this job fun."