IE XX: LOLA'S CATALYST

Like opening the heavy, steel door of an eons-old dungeon, Eva steps slowly into the bathroom of the motel. It reeks of sweat and sour carbon dioxide as she flips the lights on. Before her, slumped against the wall, still hangs her Rebel prisoner from the towel rail, barely alive. The blood has stopped gushing out of his wounds and formed crimson stains on the bleak tiles.

With a steady heart, Eva steps aside from the door and lets the others in. Roslin enters. Peyton enters.

Then, Ashara enters. Her eyes land on his terrible wounds and she lets out a hoarse gasp. "What in Mother's world…"

Eva clenches her fists as she stares at the Rebel vermin at the floor. If they want to find out what Kishtung and her Rebel companions are up to with the Artefact, this Rebel will have the answers. Even if his injuries are soon-to-be fatal, Eva is determined to get every word of information out of him. However, though her eyes are drenched with blood, the Rebel's face flashes through the crimson haze. The sweat beads on his forehead as his eyes are shut. Life is absent from his face, but his struggle to live is all too clear, and Eva cannot shake off the feeling that instead of vermin, she is looking at a human.

"So… this is the man," says Roslin with an uncomfortable sigh. "Are you sure he will have the answers?"

Slowly, Eva nods as her eyes are stuck to the Rebel. "Hundred percent, commander. Through him, we can find out what the Rebels' next target will be. They have probably been planning such an attack for long, so he must know what's been going around."

Ashara shuffles towards her, silently. "Eva," she whispers. "What have you done to him?"

"Beaten him up… too many times, I think," Eva mutters.

"Are you even sure he's going to answer?" Ashara mumbles, her voice strained with concern.

Eva lets out a scoff of disgust. "I'll make him answer."

As her fists clench, Eva steps forward. Her footsteps shiver the floor with danger as she cracks her fingers, ready to make him answer no matter what. He seems to feel her footsteps through the floor as his body tenses up slightly. His head slowly tilts up, his eyes still shut.

You're gonna answer me, scum.

But before a word can escape her mouth. She feels a hand softly landing on her shoulder. Pulling her out of her thoughts, Eva glances over her shoulder. It's Ashara. Her Pantoran eyes flicker with concern like a mother in distress. Her lips are tightly pressed as she tilts her head slightly towards the side. Her gaze flicks towards the back of the room - a silent request for Eva to back away. Ashara's meaning is clear: they need to talk out of the Rebel's earshot.

Eva hesitates following Ashara's urge to step back. They cannot endlessly discuss their next step if they want to do something, and she is certain that the Rebel's answers will help them. Why is Ashara stopping her?

The honest concern in Ashara's eyes convinces Eva to follow. Slowly, she turns around and walks with Ashara back to the squad in silence. Ashara still holds her hand tightly on her shoulder. Eva makes eye contact with Roslin. She shrugs silently, seemingly uncertain about Ashara's intention, too.

Ashara glances over at the Rebel for a brief moment until she looks back at Roslin and Eva. "He doesn't have long to live…" she whispers, her voice strained, and makes eye contact with Eva. "If you push too hard, you'll lose him before we get anything useful."

Eva shrugs, silently. "So what, we won't need him anymore."

Ashara's lips press even tighter, almost with a hint of silent anger twisting in her eyes. "You'll break him before he's even hearing you. He's at knife's edge. He's probably already hearing the angels waiting for him and the golden gates clanging open. And I'm saying this as the medical officer. I mean it."

Eva gazes at the floor. Ashara might be right. She has already pushed the Rebel far too close to death with her previous interrogation. She beat him up, shot his hand off, strangled him, and broke his ribs and possibly his lungs - for a good cause, still. But had she continued, she might not have gotten the answers she needs.

"We have to do it differently," Ashara whispers. "I think I know how, but… it requires some of my stuff, which I won't be able to use when any of you go down," and she makes eye contact with Eva. "May I?"

Eva's fists still clench before finally letting go. Slowly, she drops her head. "Go ahead."

Ashara remains quiet, wanting to be sure Eva won't add anything else, until she gives her a nod, recognising she has all the freedom. "Thanks. I hope you don't mind switching strategies."

Swiftly, Ashara turns around. Eva follows her footsteps with her eyes as Ashara gently lowers herself to the floor and bows over the Rebel, inspecting him with two, keen eyes. He seems to notice her as he lets out a faint groan, his legs slowly moving.

"Keep still," says Ashara, softly. "You don't have much longer to live, considering your blood loss. I can patch you up, but only in exchange for everything that's inside your brain." She taps lightly on his sweaty forehead with her finger. "You got me?"

The Rebel's lips twitch slightly, but no word comes from his mouth. Then, a weak groan - an agonising plea for help - follows. The Rebel gives a silent, shivering nod, devoid of any life residing within him.

As Ashara puts her medpack on the floor and starts patching him up, Eva watches her. She feels a wave of discomfort washing over her. Has there ever been an Imperial wanting to save a Rebel? Most would leave them for dead and beat them up anyway regardless of how close they are to meet death. Even Eva would, and she still wants to. Even if he'd die before he'd answer, it is simply much more satisfying to just see him die. He tried to kill her when they were racing a hundred plus kilometers an hour over the highway. Some humans - or monsters - are just too inhumane to be saved.

Even now, a part of her wants to see him die. Yet, Ashara, kneeling before him with unwavering focus, is challenging an instinct Eva struggles to understand. It feels wrong in Eva's stomach as she tilts her head slightly downwards. Her eyes drift to her feet. Is this the right way? Should they help the enemy? Should they use their medical resources for this?

Eva is not sure.

As they give Ashara some space, the squad disperses: Ecklund and Roslin take the roof, on the lookout, Daxan is… somewhere - probably smoking. Eva and Peyton remain in the motel room, waiting for Ashara to finish patching up the Rebel. Sitting sideways at a chair at the dining table, her arm resting on the backrest, she stares at the bleak, shut door of the bathroom, hearing the faint murmurs and the clink of tools.

Even if it is socially accepted, will Ashara's plan help? Will a man so far down in his hole suddenly come out and reveal all of his precious secrets? Surely not? It's an indoctrinated, fierce man who put everything of his life into the Rebel cause. He'd rather take the blade and slice his own throat in two without second thoughts. No way would he sway his door open so easily, right?

A cold tap hits her hand resting on the metal table. Eva glances over at Peyton. They make eye contact.

"Hey, maybe you should make yourself useful," Peyton murmurs. The screen of her datapad enclaved in her hands reflects off her eyes. "Considering it's all your plan."

Eva nods, slowly. "Right… Do you need me for anything?"

Peyton hums, softly. "Do a com-check. Just call everyone in, one by one. We'll see whose comms is bugging."

"Will do," Eva responds. She straightens up and swings her legs around, sliding into a proper seating position. "What are you doing?"

Peyton presses her lips, glancing briefly at her screen. "You know that weapon of hers, that burning sword or something?"

Burning sword? She remembers Mr Dane calling it a lightsaber of some sorts. Hopefully, his recovery after the Rebel shoot-out and the consequent explosion is going swiftly. Her lips freeze for a moment, thinking about him. She should see him at the hospital, at one point, check in on how he's doing.

Eva hums, his thoughts about Mr Dane still reminiscent. "Lightsaber, you mean."

"Is that how it's called? Well anyway, I've been searching for a weakness in that thing - trying to… theorise about possibilities."

"You've got anything?" Eva asks.

"Well," and Peyton inhales sharply through her nose, "I think it's some sort of plasma weapon. I've seen it deflecting blaster bolts like a laser against a mirror. Only plasma can do such thing - deflecting highly-concentrated beams of energy. Usually, those kind of weapons are shit at holding off particles. So, assuming this… lightsaber thing, is a plasma weapon, then fire might be its weak point, I think."

Fire, huh? So we're going back to the old times, killing beasts with fire and spears. Neat.

Eva's eyebrows rise with surprise. "Fire. I shouldn't be surprised that you're the one to find that out. Great work."

A short smile forms on Peyton's face. "Thanks. But it's still quite a gamble. I'm still working on it," and she quickly focuses her attention on her screen, going back to work.

If Peyton's research is true, then Eva recognises the fight might be easier to win.

Going back to work too, Eva moves her wristlink to her chin and checks-in with everyone of the squad. It ensures that their comms are working as they should and that they won't face any surprises in the future. Everyone responds in a timely manner without issue. However, she does notice a low-frequency static noise on the channel. It probably isn't much of an issue; it is mostly frequency interference caused by household appliances or background activity, or simply Imperial technology bugging a little.

Aside from a negligible static, everything seems to be fine. It might be a good thing to check her ammo. She may need to replenish a powercell or two.

As Eva puts her blaster gently on the table and starts counting her operable powercells, her blank, working mind is slowly drawn to Peyton. They have been through so much together. They worked through the pre-recruitment program of the Academy, helped each other from day one of the Junior program and fought through so many Rebel barricades. Yet, lately, things seem to have changed. She has changed. Eva wonders why.

As the movements of her fingers freeze, Eva's eyes slowly drift to Peyton. Her eyes are fixed at her datapad, tapping away. Though they sit almost right next to each other in the room, a breeze of cold air rushes in to fill the distance that has formed between them - a subtle tension that she cannot ignore.

"Peyton," Eva begins, her voice quiet.

She doesn't look up. Her focus remains on the datapad as she responds with a hum. "Hmm?"

Eva hesitates. Don't be too direct. Just… I don't know… swim into it. "I was wondering… you think we're doing okay?"

Peyton's fingers freeze on her screen, and she finally glances up at Eva. Her eyes are unreadable at first as her brows furrow slightly. "Yeah, we are, aside from the future stand-off with Kishtung. Roslin's back. Ashara's fine. Ecklund's fine," her eyes shimmer with enthusiasm for a second. "She stunned three boys at the training with one shot, by the way. The stun bolt bounced off of their chests three times before dispersing. It was astral-,"

"No, I don't mean that," Eva snaps, stammering. "I mean, us. Us two."

The short-living enthusiasm vanishes from her eyes as Peyton slowly leans back in her chair with uncertainty. Her gaze remains unreadable. She crosses her arms. "What do you mean?"

"Well… I don't know," Eva murmurs. "I feel like things are different between us."

Peyton's head tilts a little. "Different how?" she asks, cautiously.

Eva's fingers brush the edge of the table. "We've been close friends ever since the Academy, you know? But you seem… dissatisfied with me? Mad, maybe?"

Peyton's eyes drift away, staring elsewhere as if searching for the right words. "I'm not… mad at you, or dissatisfied. Just… frustrations. I've just got a lot going on, okay?"

"Like what?" Eva stammers.

"Like being second-in-command officer now," Peyton responds, lifting her shoulders a little. "It's not easy. And sometimes, you make it harder."

Eva blinks, clenching her jaws as she's caught off guard by Peyton's bluntness. "Me?"

"Yeah," Peyton responds, soft. "I get it. You run off, do your thing and save everything and everyone. I get it. You're trying to help or you think it's the right move. But now, I'm responsible for a lot. When Roslin was gone, I had to report to the higher-ups for any word or letter - any mistake or action. Now that she's back, we have to account for all the shit we go through. And that's a lot of shit."

Eva glances down. Her fingers curl into loose fists. She didn't know Peyton had to join Roslin in accounting for the squad's actions at the top of command. How must it feel, standing there while some pairs of burning eyes looked at you, able to demote you for any stutter?

Wrong decisions probably have much more consequences now.

Eva leans back. "I thought… I didn't know you felt like that. I thought it was okay. I mean, you gave me clearance to wing it on my own."

"I know I did," Peyton responds, her voice softening. "Maybe it's a mistake from me. But I've been erasing your breadcrumbs at Malstrom Base to convince them you were sick. It's quite the weight that's on my shoulders. Guess how pissed they'll be once they find out."

Eva lets out a soft, uncomfortable smirk. They don't need to guess; last time they fuddled a sickness report, they had the ISB slamming their fists on the tables because they thought Eva was responsible for assault, home invasion, and the murder of an Imperial citizen they didn't know was a Rebel infiltrant. Ashara and Peyton got smacked quite hard when the ISB found out they had played around with the Academy's files.

But those hectic moments paid off: thanks to their fraudulent efforts, Eva unmasked one of the most wanted Rebel spies. Sometimes, the rules have to be broken to do the right thing. Why does Peyton not seem to understand that?

"I know…" Eva trails off. "I didn't mean to make things harder for you. But sometimes the rules aren't enough. Protocols would've wanted us to sleep through the crisis. Don't you think the right thing is sometimes achieved by breaking the protocols?"

"Everything's gonna turn into shit when everyone does it," Peyton responds. "Protocols exist to keep everything in place, to ensure everything is orderly." She smirks a little. "Although, no one at the Academy seems to have the balls you do, but… still. They don't want anyone playing around as their own boss."

"Sometimes, you have to, though," Eva murmurs, her eyes drifting away to the floor. "I mean, when shit hits the shields, I'm not sure if I can rely on superiors sitting at their desks, drinking booze, getting laid or something, half a city away, while I'm digging my own grave here. They don't know the true danger. Only we do. Sometimes, we have to make our own orders."

"Then you're giving yourself a bigger shovel to dig your grave while you're at it," Peyton shrugs.

Eva drops her head, almost hitting the surface of the table with full force, only to be stopped by her arms. A frustrated sigh escapes her. She clenches her fists, trying to keep her tone down. "If the odds of destroying our enemy are in our favor, I'd take that risk, even if they'd throw us down a rank. Do you really want to be stuck to protocols all the time?"

"I do," Peyton responds. "It keeps everything orderly and tidy. It would be chaos if everyone thought the same as you."

"But what if they're wrong and you're right?" Eva asks.

Peyton's eyes drift to her datapad, unsure of how to respond. "I don't know. But we also don't know jackshit about what the Army or the ISB are doing. They could already be onto this. If we'd draw our own line, we'd possibly hinder their operations and make everything go worse. They might already be working on this."

"I'm not sure if I could live with that, letting them try fixing it while I hold the secrets," Eva sighs.

Peyton leans forward slightly, resting her arms on the table. "Okay. But… let me reconnect to what you said earlier. Us two. You think we don't like each other anymore?"

Eva goes silent and swallows hard. Should she tell her she doesn't feel like they're friends anymore? What if Peyton rejects it? Will she get mad? Eva shifts uncomfortably in her seat. Her fingers toy with the edge of a powercell in her hand.

"I don't know," Eva murmurs. "It doesn't feel like how it used to be…"

Peyton's expression softens. She rushes for Eva's hand, fiddles the powercell out of her fingers, and holds her hand tightly. A wave of warmth pushes through the cold of her veins as her eyes dart to Peyton.

"Peyt," Eva gasps. "What are you-,"

"Eva," Peyton interrupts softly, her thumb brushing against her cold knuckles. "You think we're not friends anymore? No! We're still friends as much as when we first met each other."

"Then why does it feel like we're headbutting each other ever since?" Eva murmurs.

"Because it's what friends do," Peyton responds. "You do things that I don't always agree with. It's driving me crazy, but you've never turned your back to me. It's just soldier's life. And maybe I should headbut you. I mean, you're reckless, and yes, you draw your own line. Sometimes I have to pull you back. It's not so bad."

Eva lets out a trembling sigh as her fingers tighten around Peyton's. Her chest expands with relief pushing out all the cold in her blood. "You want me to stop running away?"

To her surprise, Peyton shakes her head. "Nah. Just keep doing it. You force me to take risks that I wouldn't dare, while I pull you back to keep you to the rules." She leans back against the backrest. "I guess we balance each other out, perfectly."

Eva smirks. A flicker of warmth settles in her chest, destined to stay there permanently. "It means a lot."

Peyton nods with a smile on her face. Her eyes shimmer with joy. "Don't forget that you mean a lot to me, too."

Eva chuckles as her grip on Peyton's hand tightens. Her shoulders relax with relief, and as her eyes meet Peyton's gaze, there is no sign of the coldness and hostility that once burned in her eyes. Their heads clashed when they both unexpectedly had to compete for second-in command. Peyton no longer agreed with Eva's 'let's wing it' missions, but what Eva realises now is that, even with disagreements and clashes, they are still friends.

Friendship is the strength to value each other despite the conflict. It is not the absence of disagreements but the willingness to work through them.

After what seems to have been an eternity, the squad rushes back to the bathroom. The space is cramped as the dim light flickering above casts uneven shadows over the floor. This time, they are joined by an imprisoned Rebel who's well and alive and hasn't been for days in lonely confinement - in a motel, of all places. Despite his pale, sweaty skin, his wounds are sewn and his eyes are wide awake.

Eva's eyes sharpen in an instant as she tightens her fists. What she needs to know from him is one, simple thing: the step the Rebels will take next. Where they will attack is where Kishtung will be. Where Kishtung will be, so will the Artefact. If the Rebels are smart, they have spent months - maybe years - preparing for such an attack. That timespan should be enough for this Rebel man to have heard at least whispers about what they are possibly targeting next. And now that Kishtung seems to be their strongest soldier, Eva imagines her as the leader of the troops, standing at the forefront with her lightsaber aimed at wherever they shall march to. Eva feels it in her very core: she is close to stopping them. She is in reach, but all that remains to block her way is a single variable.

Ashara swings her medpack from the floor and walks back to the squad. She taps Eva on the shoulder. "Work's done." She shuffles closer to her ear. "Be gentle," she whispers.

Or she might break him as easily as before. Though she wants to shove it off, Eva takes it to herself to remain calm and keep her fists where they belong: not in his jaw. She gives Ashara a curt nod.

"Eva, do you need space?" Roslin asks.

"That would be appreciated," Eva responds, her eyes fixed to the Rebel.

The rest rush out of the room, leaving her alone with a Rebel whose fate lies in her hands. Her eyes grow sharper. If he doesn't give her what she needs, it might come down to her fists. However, she cannot let herself go freely on him. Besides, she'll need to spare her energy for whatever is next. She shouldn't waste it on this petty interrogation. As Ashara's words echo through her mind, she takes some deep gasps of cold, stale air and steps forward. Her boots echo faintly on the cold floor as her eyes burn into the Rebel.

"You owe us answers," Eva growls.

The Rebel huffs. Her eyes meet his. Defiance shimmers in his eyes, trying to keep himself together. Her hands clench. "I said, you owe us answers," Eva barks, her voice echoing through the room.

The Rebel's gasps are barely audible as his lips press into a thin line. At last, he seems to give way as he drops his head slowly with the regret already reflecting strongly in his pupils. "Yes, I do," he sighs. "What exactly do you demand?"

Eva inhales sharply. "Your Rebels have the Artefact now. I want to know where they'll strike next."

The Rebel lets out a shivering sigh. "I'm warning you, I don't know it all." His voice is hard, trying to remain strong, but the cracks are clear as day to her ears.

Eva shrugs. "That is not a problem. You surely must've heard rumors though. Ya'll would've been preparing for months for such an attack - years maybe. Tell me, have you heard anything about some upcoming operation?"

The Rebel shifts uncomfortably as his back is pressed against the tiles. "I've heard things. Nothing concrete, though."

"I'll take what you've got," Eva responds, crossing her arms tightly. "I don't have much to lose anyway."

His pupils grow as he swallows heavily. "They have your sister, don't they?"

Eva's heart sinks in her chest. He knows about Eline? How? And how does he know they took her? She closed him up in this bathroom a day before they took her. If he knows they took her, then were they planning Eline's abduction all along? Was Eline already part of the grand scheme before she got taken? She thought it was merely a desperate attempt at gaining grip. Seemingly not. Eva's jaws clench as the blood within her starts boiling.

"You know?" Eva snarls.

"It was an assumption - a well-considered one, sadly," he sighs. "With this Jedi suddenly at the wheel, she murmured about a lot. She spoke about anything that could take her precious Artefact back. Your sister's abduction was one I heard spreading the quickest."

Eva almost stumbles away. She knew the Jedi abducted Eline herself, but now that she's hearing the confirmation, it feels like a bomb. Her vision turns narrow for a moment as Eva's eyes drift away with the rage burning within her. "Piece of shit," she murmurs.

The Rebel raises his chin, slightly, looking at her with studying eyes. "I'm sorry. It's not my way of fighting the Empire."

"Shut up," Eva snaps, whispering. Her eyes dart back to the Rebel as she stabilises herself. "Your information will be your 'sorry'. Now, talk. What else have you heard?"

"Freedom fighters are dreamers," the Rebel continues, inhaling sharply through his nose. "We've been fantasizing a lot about attacking your precious installations. None were realistic though, but I can't be sure what command found realistic or not."

Eva tilts her head a little. It seems like he is talking around the things that matter, rather than giving concise and clear answers. A lot of ideas went around but all were impossible, or so it seems. However, whether they were realistic or not, did Rebel Command not give a shit? Did they actually plan attacks that were actually not possible? That can mean a lot. The Rebels could very well be planning for the attack on the Imperial Center; impossible and unrealistic, but perhaps not to the Rebels themselves.

A lot of targets are open now. Anything Imperial can be wiped out tomorrow. Eva feels like she's making some distance, but not enough. She knows she will have to narrow it down.

"Be more specific," Eva barks. "Is there anything that seems plausible to happen this week?"

The Rebel closes his eyes and drops his head, seemingly thinking. "Well, there may be one. It's strategic, a hub… Much traffic, lots of movement… It's something about securing information. They said it's the key for something bigger down the line."

Securing information and being the key to the bigger picture seems to line up with the Artefact. Kishtung has been trying to secure it for a long time, after all - even going as far as abducting her sister. It being the key to something larger makes sense. But the location is blurry. Strategic, hub, traffic, movement… It is all mumbo jumbo that can't click together.

"You're vague," Eva leans closer, her dark shadow looming over him. "I need something better."

The Rebel raises his eyes to meet hers. "Look, that's all I know. I'm a driver, I run arrowheads, not conferences," he stammers, and he lets out a heavy, trembling sigh. "They called it a chokepoint, whatever."

Eva's eyes sharpen as her thoughts churn. She can feel her mind cracking as each detail echoes through her mind. Chokepoint. Strategic. High traffic. Suddenly, a memory clicks into place - the empty warehouse below the hovertrain bridge. There was a datapad she recovered there, and it had something on it, though Eva cannot remember as crystal clear as she had hoped. Unfortunately, she cannot look back; she lost the datapad to the Artefact as the ceiling collapsed onto it, crushing it. However, she knows the memory is somewhere deep in the abyss of her mind. She will have to discuss this with her squad now that her ideas are fresh.

Besides, if he's not lying, then this is all the Rebel knows. It isn't worth it to keep hammering on something that he doesn't know. Time to head back.

"If that's all you know," Eva growls, stepping back. "Then you better be accurate." She turns around and heads to the door.

"I am," the Rebel mutters, his voice cracking. "For what it's worth, I hope you stop her. I didn't sign up for this. I've been dreaming of fighting alongside a Jedi for a long time. With a Jedi comes dawn, they said. This Jedi… ain't it."

For a moment, Eva's movement falters and she stops in her tracks. The words of Mr Dane flash back as she remembers standing in his personal museum with the old relics shimmering around her in a sea of twinkles. They were the guardians, the knights of the light, he told her. They were supposedly the defenders of the dawn, or so she interprets it. This Jedi… ain't it?

Eva's lips press into a thin line as she remains quiet. "The Jedi. I heard they are the guardians of the light. What's true of it?"

The Rebel's eyes sharpen as he lets out a scoff, spitting on the floor. "Next to nothing," he growls. "She's more like the guardian of peace turned into the harbinger of darkness."

"What do the others think?" Eva asks.

"Most are too captivated by the magic," he snarls. "Now… Just get out of my sight, will you. I've given you all I have."

His defiance towards her, as if he's commanding her, rubs the wrong string in Eva's chest. Her jaws clench a little as she tries to stop herself from regaining dominance. He should remember that he's not in charge of whatever Eva does, but for now, she lets it go, because it is a crucial part of the information. Not everyone in the Rebel Alliance seems to align with Kishtung's methods. Perhaps it's of use to her.

As she strides to the door, she glances one last time at the Rebel, and even as the direct threat passes him, the certainty of his own claims remain in his eyes, shimmering strongly. He seems to be sure of whatever he has told her. Now, let's see what she can make of it with the squad.

"Anything useful?" Ashara is the first to speak as Eva steps out of the bathroom. The rest has been waiting in the bedroom, scrambled around, sitting in chairs and on the chaotically wrinkled bedsheets.

"Definitely something," Eva responds. Slowly, she wanders towards the dining table. Peyton and Ashara sit there as their eyes track her intensively, all curious.

"What did he tell you?" Peyton asks without hesitation.

"Gonk, for now…" Eva trails off. As her movement grows slower, her mind spirals deep into her thoughts.

So… he said something about traffic and… movement? Yeah.

It feels like something is clicking, but why? Why does traffic and movement feel familiar? After she interrogated the same Rebel a few days ago, he led her to that warehouse the Rebels had abandoned. They found a datapad there. It had something about movement and traffic. It is unfortunate that the data got destroyed during the Artefact's furious demonstrations.

But.. Daxan saw the information too. Does he remember it?

Slowly, her eyes drift to Daxan with sharp eyes. "Daxan, you remember what we found on that datapad a while back, when we were in that warehouse?"

Daxan's lips press tightly into a thin line. His back leans against the barren, weathered wall in the back of the bedroom as his eyes trail off. "I can't remember exactly… but," and then, his eyes light up. "Wasn't it a timetable of some sorts?"

Eva's pupils grow in an instant. Now she remembers all the timestamps that were recorded in the logs of the datapad. Rows and rows of them. "Yeah, it was that. So, the Rebel told me they are targeting some place with a lot of traffic and movement, and it's strategic and a chokepoint."

Peyton leans in. "What kind of timetable was it?"

"I don't know," Eva shrugs.

"Did they have any frequency, or something, like gaps between the timestamps?" Peyton asks.

Eva doesn't remember that. Her glance shifts to Daxan. He leans forward from the wall, looking at Peyton. "If I remember correctly, there were gaps of 30 minutes between each timestamp."

Peyton nods, pondering as her eyes slowly drift away. "That's quite organised. Sounds like Vaulent ATC."

"Vaulent ATC?" Eva wonders, raising her eyebrows.

"Air Traffic Control," Peyton responds. "They schedule landings and hyperspace departures every 30 minutes like clockwork."

So it seems like the Rebels are targeting something that has to do with air traffic. Eva's shoulders sink a little. That still doesn't pinpoint the exact target. There are many facilities across the moon that handle air and space traffic. Air Traffic Control itself, Capital Stargate, Vaulent Air Command, some of the regional spaceports, Steergard Naval Yard, or the dozens of scanning installations scattered across the moon. There is no clear direction. They have to dig further.

"Then… what could they attack then?" Eva asks. She starts looping around a little. "There are too many targets."

Ashara tilts her head. "Maybe they're gonna attack some military installation? I mean, it's what the Alliance usually does."

Eva scoffs. "Usually…"

It's not what the Alliance did when they laid dozens of homes including hers in ashes, accidental or not. Scum.

"It's always possible," Ashara shrugs.

Eva hums. Even then, the options are nearly limitless. However, she links back to what she said earlier: high traffic, much movement. Scanning installations don't fit that description. All they do is spin and scan. That eliminates most, and her thoughts immediately go to Steergard Naval Yard. It is a naval installation outside the Capital the Imperial armed forces use to relocate and move their troops and equipment. The military calls Vaulent 6 the gateway to the Outer Rim; because of Steergard, it is the perfect place for moving troops into the rest of the galaxy. That might be the Rebel's target, and strategically, it is excellent. And it excellently fills the requirements: lots of movement, lots of traffic.

"What about Steergard?" Eva asks. "It has it all, movement and traffic."

Peyton shrugs. "Maybe."

Roslin leans in, her arms tightly crossed behind her back. "I'm not sure, though. Steergard doesn't work with a 30 minute time schedule."

"You sure?" Eva asks.

Roslin nods. "Dad used to walk guard there. He began counting the cargoships taking off to kill some time." For a moment, she takes a deep gasp, as if trying to hold in the tears from the memories. "He said he counted 20 in an hour. Every day."

Roslin swallows heavily. Briefly, worry flickers through her mind and Eva wonders whether she should ask her commander if she's okay. But it might be better to hit Mynocks.

Eva inhales sharply through her nose. "So, like… one every three minutes."

Peyton's eyes drift away. "So Steergard ain't it, I guess."

Eva shakes her head. Bummer. If it did have a 30 minute time schedule, they would've been done right away. Of course it wouldn't be that easy, but it does feel like a heavy fog in her mind, hard to move through and see what is right.

Ashara and Peyton erupt in murmurs as they discuss some other targets. Eva is too deep in her thoughts however as her gaze lingers to the telescreen. It displays the quiet adventures of Lola's Academy. She can barely hear the voice of Lola and the squeaks of her Bogling pet. The overnight HoloVision schedule seems to like the programme a lot. For a moment, it draws in her all of her focus.

Lola's bright freckles burst with energy amidst the monotone colour as her white jacket, adorned with colourful mission badges, waves in a stormy wind. With her head over the handlebars, the little girl races through the streets of the Capital on her bright pink speeder bike. Her racing helmet covers most of her head as some strands of her red hair wave behind her like flags.

It unlocks a distant memory. In this episode, Lola is embroiled in a race against her rival, Eva remembers. Lola made a bet in the Academy's canteen with some boy that she's always the fastest. Her rival, who has a knack for evasion and elegant turns, challenges Lola to a race: from the Capital all the way to Northbound, a distant city at the north pole of Vaulent 6. Cold is meaningless there. With conviction, Lola accepted the challenge and now, she's going faster than she's ever gone before - especially since she's rarely driven any vehicle.

Lola's inexperience shoots her in the back; her rival speeds through a maze of city blocks and quickly, she loses him, leaving her behind in a cloud of grey dust. The girl pulls herself out of the race and stops at the side of the drawn road. Her speeder hums quietly under her as she wipes some of her bright red strands of hair away from her eyes.

Through the murmurs of her squad, Eva barely hears the bird-like voice of Lola. "Why is he pulling ahead?"

Her voice echoes through the street that's drawn with monotone, grey brushes. Lola leans with her arms on the handlebars, dropping her head as her gasps cut through the vidscreen's hum.

"How will I ever win from him if he's so fast?" Lola murmurs with a shiver in her voice. "I can't win… I don't even know how to drive!"

Eva lets out a faint smirk. "Tell me all about it," she whispers.

She can't win if she doesn't know where Kishtung will strike next. It is impossible if she doesn't have all of the puzzle pieces. Eva's shoulders slump with hopelessness.

Lola's shoulders slump too as the girl lets out a sigh, clasping her forehead. "Maybe I should try to think which route he is going to take?" she murmurs to herself.

We've been trying that. No results, yet.

Lola reaches for her pocket and grasps a small holoprojector. She turns it on and a circular map of Vaulent 6 is shown, hovering above the projector.

It won't work. Trust me. Eva remembers the end of this episode quite clearly: Lola calls off her race and returns back to the Academy. The next day, and Lola walks past her rival with four officers of Capital Police, arresting him for reckless driving. Two Academy officers watch the scene unfold with disappointed eyes. The message to the young boys and girls: be a good, well-behaved cadet. Be perfect. Follow orders. Don't race and abide by the laws. Lola, just go home.

Then, Lola raises her head. A realisation shines brightly in her sparkling, blue pupils as the map is reflected in her eyes. "Wait… that is weird. He is not taking the fastest route to Northbound."

Eva tilts her head with surprise. That's not the outcome she expected. She thought Lola would go home and sleep through the night. Is she remembering this episode incorrectly? Either way, her interest suddenly peaks and her pupils grow. The murmurs of her squad go silent.

An animated, white line draws through the map. It is the route she and her rival have taken so far and it is twisting through the city blocks. Lola seems to realise something. "He is zigzagging through the maze… as if he is not going to Northbound at all, but somewhere else."

Then, the echoing voice of an Academy instructor erupts from the vidscreen as Lola recalls what he has said to her during strategy drills: "A rival's movements are not random. There is always a reason behind them. Do not just chase the 'where'. Understand the 'why'," she murmurs.

Understand the 'why'.

Lola zooms out the holographic map and studies it. Then, a dot blinks on the edge of the map, and a bright spark erupts from her eyes. "He is zigzagging towards the communication tower."

His intentions are not to reach Northbound at all. Instead, he is racing to the communication tower, far on the outskirts of the Capital. That tower can message anyone in the galaxy. The Alliance too.

Lola turns off her holoprojector and her face is left to be illuminated by the faint streetlights around her. Eva's chest tightens as Lola's words echo in her mind. Do not just chase the 'where'. Understand the 'why'. It raises a question. What are that boy's intentions? Why is he not heading for Northbound as agreed? Because of something… shady? Something rebellious?

On the screen, Lola revs her speeder's engine. The determination flashes across her freckled face. "Northbound no more. Comms tower, it is," and she speeds away.

Eva watches as Lola takes a shortcut and as her arrowhead draws a sharp, pink line through the monochrome cityscape. The girl arrives at the comms tower, and there, she intercepts her rival. Panting as he falls off his arrowhead, Lola walks towards him with a grin etched on her face and her hands on her hips. She snatches the boy's arm and there, enclaved in his hand, lies a datacard.

The grin on her face grows. "Gotcha."

And then, it all clicks together. Lola did not defeat her rival by just chasing his heels, even after he shot out of distance. No, not at all. Instead, the little girl choose to pull out of the race and contemplate about why he's driving; why he's driving through a maze while the most efficient path is straight ahead. The boy needed an excuse to get out of the Academy, and he did so by using Lola's lost bet. Well, that was quite a stupid mistake. He underestimated her quite a lot, because by finding out his motive, Lola found where he was heading and stopped him. That's how she turned defeat into victory.

Do not just chase the 'where'. Understand the 'why'. What is driving Kishtung? What are her motives? Eva realises she has been thinking this the wrong way all the time. If Lola, a small, little girl, three years younger than her, can do it, Eva can too, and she starts thinking.

Kishtung, Kishtung… What's driving her? All the time, she's been after the Artefact. It's like… her birthday gift. I stole it so she wanted it back with a fight. The Artefact is of course very important to her, that's obvious. Almost as if she has an obsession with it. But… why? What does she want to do with it?

Eva digs deeper into her memories as she starts looping around, her eyes drifting away, from Lola's triumphant face to the monochrome floor.

When she activated the Artefact, she called it a test. She didn't know what it was. Did Kishtung want it because she wanted to investigate the Artefact? But… she also said she didn't want it in the enemy's hand. She wants to secure it, too. So… she wants to escape, to flee, to run away, because Vaulent 6 isn't a good place to secure it. Vaulent 6 is like… what? Top 5 most Imperial place in the galaxy?

And then, the realisation hits her as hard as a hovertruck. Thinking back to what Mr Dane told her about the Jedi as a whole, Eva remembers Kishtung is not alone. She has a whole organisation of knights like her, or at least had one. Securing the Artefact is of high importance. She wants it where it's safe, where no hand of the Empire or any other entity can reach. The place where that can be achieved is when Kishtung is with her people. And they are not on Vaulent 6, but elsewhere in the Galaxy. Where exactly, Eva does not know. But what she does know is that there is only one place on Vaulent 6 that can bring one off world: Capital Stargate. It is the largest and most important spaceport on Vaulent 6. It has transfer lines to all over the galaxy. Almost no world is inaccessible through Capital Stargate. And, not only does it work with a 30 minute time schedule, it is the only road out of Vaulent 6 and the greater Gorathion System.

If Kishtung wants to escape, to secure the Artefact and reach her own Jedi-kind, she will have to go through Capital Stargate. It is the most logical target for her and the Rebels to attack, and perhaps, Kishtung's only way of escape.

Capital Stargate… Eva almost stumbles back as the name echoes infinitely through her mind.

"That's it," Eva whispers. The shock ripples through her bones as she's filled with disbelief.

Her eyes draw to the vidscreen. Lola looks straight at her, as if she knows Eva is on the other side, watching her. Her bright freckles explode out of the screen amidst the monochrome background, and the little girl gives her a nod with a small smile forming on her face. If it wasn't for Lola's resourcefulness, Eva would have never possibly found out Kishtung's next step. Thanks to the girl, Eva might now be one step ahead of her rival, exactly as how this episode of Lola's Academy concluded.

A smile forms on Eva's face, maintaining deep eye contact with Lola on the screen.

"Thanks, Lola," Eva whispers.

Lola gives her a short nod and a wink, and Eva fills with warm bliss.

Then, Roslin leans into Eva's narrow view, blocking the vidscreen with her face as the credits of the episode roll in. "Did you say something, Eva?" she murmurs.

Eva smirks. "I think I found out where Kishtung will attack."

The murmurs of the squad cease as all heads turn to her in silence.

Roslin shakes her head with confusion. "What? Where?"

"I think she will attack Capital Stargate," Eva responds.

Peyton leans in from her seat. "Capital Stargate? How?"

"Because she wants to flee," Eva responds, her voice growing louder with conviction. She walks to the center of the room, towards the rest of the squad. "Look, she did everything to get the Artefact back. It's clear she's obsessed with it because she doesn't want us to have it. She wants it somewhere safe where the Empire can't get it. So that means she's trying to flee."

"To where?" Ashara asks.

"Don't know. Probably some forgotten, backwater world," Eva responds, "but if she wants to get anywhere off-world, then she will have to go through Stargate. That's her only way out of Vaulent 6."

Peyton tilts her head. In her eyes, Eva can see she isn't fully convinced yet.

"I… I'm not sure," Peyton stammers and makes eye contact. "Stargate… kind of makes sense. Like, it's the easiest way to steal a shuttle there than at Vaulent Air Command or Steergard, I suppose, but it's not strategic at all. Like, I'd expect them to attack the VAC or Vaulent ATC… at least something military, you know? Something that gives them a shuttle and stabs a dagger deep in the Empire's spine. Attacking a civilian target won't make the Alliance gain anything. It won't get them to win the war."

Eva presses her lips, gazing down. It is indeed an odd thing that the Rebels are targeting Capital Stargate.

"Odd indeed…" Eva murmurs.

Even if it is the gateway to the galaxy, it is not a target worth enough to waste Rebel resources on. The Alliance is unlike the Empire. While they have troopers en ressources en masse, the Alliance does not. Every trooper is worth more than a million Creds. Would they really attack Capital Stargate with the risk of suffering immense losses, simply to get a single Twi'lek and her Artefact off-world? Even if it is not a military instance, it is still highly guarded by the Spaceport Security Authority and the Capital Police Department. They may not be directly affiliated to the Imperial military, but they are still highly equipped to deal with threats such as Kishtung and her Rebels.

An attack there would still cost the Rebels a lot of men. Capturing it or destroying it would have no consequences for the Empire. Perhaps it will for Vaulent 6, but not for the greater Empire. The Emperor wouldn't break a sweat, not even when the stinking smoke of Stargate reaches his nostrils. He wouldn't give a damn about a civilian installation.

But what will matter to the Alliance the most? The Rebel cause or Kishtung's cause? How much power does her rival hold over her allies? Now that she's thinking more thoroughly about it, there are some things that do not align, but with the lack of any other option, Eva is willing to bet that Capital Stargate will be the next to lay under fire. And from deep down, Eva feels like it is the best option.

Kishtung has acted obsessively, so far. Hell, she kidnapped her sister to get the Artefact back. It is hard to believe that now, out of nowhere, Kishtung will change her mind and suddenly give no shit about the Artefact. She wants the Artefact safe, after all. Capital Stargate gives Kishtung the certainty she needs.

Eva's shoulders rise with conviction. "Peyt, I'm sure she'll go for Stargate. She's obsessed with the Artefact. She wants it out of here."

Roslin crosses her arms firmly. "Are you sure?"

Eva makes eye contact with her. "I am. 100 percent. Her obsession is driving her forward, so will it be her downfall."

However, Roslin's eyes drift away. The uncertainty shimmers strongly in her eyes.

"Besides," says Eva.

Roslin makes eye contact.

"She has my sister," Eva snarls, her voice turning into a growl. "I will get her back."

Roslin closes her eyes, letting out a faint sigh. "You sure again… it's not the feelings that speak?" she whispers.

"Maybe," Eva snarls. "But it's giving me the energy I need. I'd save you too if you were my sister."

A short smile forms on Roslin's face, and for the first time this night, her uncertainty and doubt about the upcoming operation is no longer shimmering strongly in her eyes. For a moment, her commander stands unwavering and indestructible before her, even when they are about to face an equally indestructible enemy.

!AUTHOR! I've just finished writing the finale, which will be 3 chapters long. They'll be up soon.