Cipher Nine sat in the cantina, clearly alone, her lekku flicking sharply. Her handler responded patiently.

He wouldn't.

I know.

The Mandalorians and the Republic?

Talking.

That's bullshit.

I know.

They knew. Someone knew.

Probably, but no one is talking.

He's my brother.

He's on Dromund Kaas. He's safe for now.

I know.

They have a job for you.

Important?

One you'll like.

Throwing me a bone?

Yes.

When?

Soon. That's all I've got.

She sighed and nursed her drink.

"Agent," someone said. She turned and found Vector. "May we?" She shrugged, and he sat down. "We wish to apologize for our part in the events."

"Apologize?" she said. He nodded. "For what?"

"The hive understands," he said. "When we hibernate, we lose as many as a fifth of us. We accept it, because we must. Without hibernation, all of us would die. We approached the negotiation with this in mind. It aligned with Watcher Two's plan. We forgot what it means for your kind."

"You're not going to tell me I did the right thing?" she said.

He shook his head. "Instead, we will ask this: Would you do it again?"

She laughed at that, a painful, empty laugh, but, fuck, she needed it. "Yes. And I would hate myself just as much."

He nodded again. "We joined your crew to understand your kind. We believe we have chosen well."

"I'm not sure if that's good or bad," she said.

"We are sure," he replied.

"You came here just to tell me this?"

He shook his head. "You have been summoned."

"Cipher Nine, come in," Watcher Two said from Keeper's desk. "I was just finishing the personnel security updates."

"Something happen while I was gone?" the agent asked.

Watcher Two said, "Among the victims of Eradication Day were several high-ranking officials. The Dark Council took advantage of that to reward our success. My predecessor was elevated to Minister of Intelligence. I was made the new Keeper of Operations Division."

"Congratulations," the agent said. "Darth Zhorrid?"

"Recovering," Keeper said. "She still controls the Sphere of Imperial Intelligence. As you suspected, her instability was mostly an affectation so her father would not consider her a threat. She shows signs of becoming a competent, but not exceptional, Council member."

"Keeper, huh?" Kaliyo said with a smile. "I like having dirt on someone with authority."

"That's quite enough, Kaliyo," Keeper said. "What we did was-"

"Recorded, just in case," Kaliyo said.

"You are joking!" Keeper said.

Still smiling, Kaliyo said, "The best part was the leash."

"Excuse me?" the agent said.

"Could we get back to business, please?" Keeper said. "Now then, we found Jadus's plans in his ship's computer. He had forty ships thought to be decommissioned and five hundred Eradicators in the early stages of growth, with more growth chambers ready. He also had nearly three million followers. They are being rounded up."

"Why so many?" Vector asked.

"Disillusioned Imperials that hated the Treaty of Coruscant," Keeper said. "They thought we should have finished the job. The plan was for each ship to control a hundred Eradicators. Take power in the Empire, then assault the Republic. His quick victory would have saved Eradicators for that war. Casualty estimates exceed two billion, Empire and Republic combined."

"I understand," Cipher Nine said.

"None of us was happy about it," Keeper said.

"I know," the agent said. "It's why you kept your promise to Kaliyo. None of us thought you would."

"I will admit," Keeper said. "Kaliyo's treatment of me was cathartic. In its way."

"That must be why you gave me three days instead of one," Kaliyo said. "If you're interested, I know this Zabrak Sith. She'd love to help."

"I have heard of Lord Hexid's reputation," Keeper said. "We can discuss it later. As I was saying, I'm mounting an operation against the Republic Strategic Information Service. Our concern is this man, Ardun Kothe." A man appeared on holo. "SIS for nearly a decade, responsible for sixteen covert projects in the Mid Rim. The best spymaster our enemies have."

"Ambitious for your first operation," Cipher Nine said.

"This plan has been in motion for some time," Keeper said. "But recent events have demanded a response. Ardun Kothe's division recently received a classified sanction from the Republic Senate. Complete autonomy; no restrictions on their activities. The Republic believes Ardun Kothe can win the war. We need to know what he has planned."

"Do we have a full workup on him?" the agent asked.

"Born on Dantooine," Keeper said. "Disappeared awhile then joined the SIS after the Treaty of Coruscant. Motivations unknown. Since receiving his own division, he's instigated three slave rebellions, one corporate takeover and, we believe, inspired two of our own generals to defect. Now imagine him with unlimited resources."

Vector said, "He sounds like someone who could change things."

"Indeed," Keeper said.

"What's our plan?" the agent asked.

"You," Keeper said. "Imperial Intelligence has leaked documents to the SIS suggesting that one of our trustworthy agents is... traumatized and ready to turn."

"I'm glad my pain was of use to you," the agent said.

"War is looming," Keeper said. "We do what we must."

"Become a double agent," Cipher Nine said. "It will be a challenge."

Keeper said, "They'll believe it if you convince them. It's what you're best at. I should warn you: This sort of work can be... psychologically taxing."

"I'll keep that in mind," the agent said. "All right, take me through it."

Update. Her movements were less sharp, and her handler was less on edge.

Proceed.

Code three. Nar Shaddaa. Twelve days. Will proceed.

Target?

Ardun Kothe.

Impressive. Story?

Traumatized Cipher.

Sensible. He won't be told.

Understood.

The other job is ready.

Will I like it?

You will. Courier mission to Tatooine.

What's so special?

Your contact.

"Why are you going to Tatooine?" Kaliyo asked.

"Vacation," Cipher Nine said.

"I'm staying here?" Kaliyo said.

"Not quite," the agent said. "Take Vector to Nar Shaddaa. I'll join you there shortly."

"I suppose I can show bugboy around," Kaliyo said. "How about it?" she said to Vector. "Want to see the sights of Nar Shaddaa with an expert?"

"We look forward to it," he replied. "Cipher Nine, we hope you enjoy your vacation."

That she would. Headquarters needed to give her something. Not out of kindness, she understood that. She needed healing, or she could be compromised.

She boarded the Nightshrike, the memory chip hidden in the hilt of her vibroknife. She brought some less Imperial clothes and some weapon components. As soon as she was in hyperspace, she went to her workbench and began to build. She'd wanted to make this gun for years. She had the plans ready, but never an opportunity. Still she burned a lot of time getting it exactly right.

She had to wait a day after the weapon was ready, then she bought a broken down speeder bike and left Mos Ila. She changed clothes in the middle of the desert and changed speeders at the first settlement she found. Headquarters scheduled it well. She reached Anchorhead just ahead of a sandstorm. She rented a small room, went to the spaceport, and waited for her contact. She felt worlds better when she saw the ship land.