IE XXVI: MIRAGE
Droplet, droplet, droplet. Falling down from the clouds, splashing in the murky footsteps of boots.
Training day - with the usual weather. Perfect weather, actually. For some reason, Eva starts associating rainy days with strategy training. With her blaster resting across her arms covered in cold mud, Eva lies low on the ground, her eyes scanning the sharp horizon of the field. Within less than a quarter of a click lies the D-Team's stronghold. So far, no one knows what strategy they are going to use - how they've positioned themselves, possible breakthrough areas, their possible movements… The fog of war makes Eva's team blind to whatever may lie next. It doesn't flinch her with fear, however. They'll soon know what they're up to.
Through her helmet's soft, interior cladding, she feels the individual tremors of water droplets, splashing on the outside, steel shell, streaking down and falling past her eyes.
It's been a few weeks eversince. She still hasn't heard of an ISB raid on a rehab center in the heart of the Capital. Seems like Mr Dane is keeping his Rebel motives hidden quite successfully - if he hasn't escaped already, through an open window and rappelling down onto the street. Eva smirks at her imagination. If he would actually do such a thing, and see the old man rappelling down the rope like a Rebel spy on blurry CCTV footage, she'd laugh her ass off. She can barely keep it in already.
The monotone clouds flash fiery red multiple times in front of her. Dark shapes move along the horizon. It's no horizon actually - more like a ridge.
Mr Dane had quite the balls to speak freely about his motives. He didn't care if anyone could listen or the fact that the Empire surrounded him. All he cared about was her. Mr Dane knew that only she would have the patience to keep listening. Eva wonders what others would have done. Roslin would've shot him in the face in an instant. No remorse, no last word, no second thought. Not even a last breath. Just an instant kill. She'd probably hang out of the window and just shoot him from above. Peyton? Eva isn't sure. The tech girl is more thoughtful of using her blaster. She would at least follow the protocols and send a report to the ISB. Ashara and Ecklund would have done the same, no doubt.
But silly, silly Eva, she didn't do either of them. She left him in the sanctuary.
The shape of a soldier rolls down the ridge until their arms are buried in the mud and pushes themselves up with a slight struggle.
Should Eva have done what others would do? She is still unsure of her decision, and whether it was the right one to make. After all, her life is now connected to Mr Dane's ability to keep it hidden. If the ISB connects the Rebel attack on Capital Stargate to him - investigation is still ongoing - they may inevitably connect him to her. Though the odds are that he won't be found - Mr Dane did not have a role in the attack - the fear still persists in her veins.
Her eyes dart to the shape of a second soldier rising from the ridge, joining the other, and sprint through the dark mud towards her, their boots splashing heavily. Behind the two, Eva spots another shape, rising from the horizon, a dark silhouette against the grey clouds. She twists her blaster into her hands. Hey, that shouldn't be like that.
Eva ducks, her eyes peeled against the gunsight, and strikes the unknown silhouette in the chest. The stun bolt disperses over their armour plates as they drop unconsciously into the ground, head-first into a puddle of mud. A thin smile forms on her face. That's what you get for tailing them.
And then there is Daxan… Gosh, what should she tell him? It's been weeks since Daxan's flower-comment. His smile in the reflection of his bike's mirror still flashes before her eyes, and Eva is uncertain of what to do with it. In the back of her mind, however, she hopes his feelings for her have withered away. Even if she takes all the time in the galaxy, she would still have no idea how to approach this situation with him.
The two shapes come closer as Eva tilts her chin up. "Clear, commander!"
Ecklund's sniper rifle rattles against her backpack as Roslin thrusts her hand forward, gasping as her cheeks burn. "Get up, Eva!"
She stumbles up and sprints behind the two. The two disappear in a trench and Eva jumps down, joining the rest of the squad.
Almost the entire A-Team has scrambled together, pressing each other against the walls of the trench, trying to get as close to the center where the squad commanders encircle Roslin, waiting impatiently for her findings. Their boots tap lightly on the metal floor plates as they look with venomous eyes.
"And? What did you find?" asks one of them, a boy, sweating profusely. Must be nervous as hell. Possibly his first time commanding. No one sweats like that.
Roslin pushes her back against the wall, clasping her knees and bending over, gasping heavily. "Give me a sec." Her body trembles with each frantic gasp for air as droplets of mud streak down her cheeks, dripping down on the ground. "D-Team's got their base fortified to shit."
Some erupt in heavy sighs.
"But," Roslin snaps, "dead ahead, there seems to be a weak point."
"Seems to be?" a girl snaps, squeezing her way through the other commanders in the trench. Short, tight braids stick out from under her helmet, framing her face "We have to be certain. We can't walk into a mistake."
Ecklund steps forward, her glasses twinkling in the light, though, not as brightly as before. Eva waits patiently for her instructions.
"I'm certain," Ecklund gasps. "I saw it myself."
Roslin nods, still leaning heavily on her knees. "I trust my scout with my life," she raises, her eyes landing on the girl. "There's a spot where their defenses are thin. Not nonexistent, but thin."
A boy leans in. His left cheek bears three claw-like scars. "What about that kid that got shot by your overwatch?"
His eyes flicker to Eva before drawing to Roslin. Eva crosses her arms.
"That bozo was a stray," Roslin gasps. "No way do they know what's happened. They still have to figure out that one of their men got shot past their defense lines."
Eva's eyes briefly draw to Peyton, leaning against the wall of the trench across from her, her arms tightly crossed, staring with impatience and perhaps even slight disdain at the endless discussion brewing.
"You've still alerted them!" the girl snaps, her eyes wide. "They may be confused, yeah, but we won't come unexpected."
The scarred boy leans in, pressing his hand on the girl's shoulder. "Vaeska, it's a simple break through strat."
The girl lifts her shoulders. "Doesn't mean it's any less risky!"
Eva gazes away and sighs faintly. Her arms cross tighter with unease brewing within her. Come on, now's not the time to bicker.
However, for this and any attack in general, Eva knows they need everyone on board. One with second thoughts might hesitate and pull back with disastrous consequences for the rest who pound forward. Eva knows how much a rogue commander can disjoint a strategy; Roslin herself did it, once, pulling the squad forward and leaving the rest behind. It didn't end well before the face of Colonel Amitash.
The boy lets out a sigh and clasps the girl's helmet, forcing her eyes to look at Eva. "Look, we've gotten some special soldiers here, you understand that, right?"
The girl doesn't answer.
"Don't you trust the experience of the Medal of Honor?" the boy asks, looking at her.
Eva glances at her. Her cheeks swell a little. The fact that she got the Medal of Honor alone seems to really inspire some of them. Her heart warms up like molten glass.
However, Eva notices something in the girl's eyes. She can't place it. Discontent, perhaps? Jealousy? Unease? Eva can imagine it must be ashamed to be staring down a prestigious soldier by a vicious hand clasping her head like a parent mad at their misbehaving child.
The girl's eyes gaze downward, pressing her lips into a thin line, before she grasps the boy's arm and forces his hand to release her helmet. "Alright, I get it. But we should not let our guard down."
The boy nods, appreciatively.
Another boy chimes in. "So, breakthrough, it is?"
The others nod, some with a hum.
Roslin slams a new battery into her blaster with her fist. "Breakthrough."
In an instant, everyone disperses to their own squad, preparing their men and weapons for the attack. Eva lets out a heavy sigh of frustration slipping away. Finally, a decision.
Within a mere minute, the A-Team storms onto the battlefield. Following the splashing footsteps ahead of her, Eva sprints through the blasterfire, pushing up towards the first defense line of the D-Team. The overwatches behind her provide suppressing fire, their blaster shots shrieking just barely past her legs and from her flanks, forcing the opponents of the D-Team to retreat to their covers.
Eva emerges into the first trench, jumping down as she guns down a defender - a boy - completely overwhelmed by the sudden force. Over a dozen stun bolts hit his chest. He is probably going to sleep all day.
She feels a tap on her shoulder. "I've got your back," Peyton cries.
Eva hums as they dash through the trench, clearing it out from any opponents, straggling behind their retreat. Together, they clean it up, stunning some of the last stragglers of the D-Team's first defensive line.
Gasping heavily, Eva and Peyton return to Roslin, waiting at where they entered the trench. The shouts of orders and screeching blasterfire erupt from further down the battlefield as the rest of the A-Team continues to push up. Stray stun bolts fly overhead as Eva's eyes land on Roslin, her back against the wall.
"Cleaning team, reporting in," Eva smiles.
Roslin smirks. "Dealt with the stragglers?"
Peyton brushes Eva's shoulder, her blaster squeezed across her chest. "Yes, commander. All clear."
Roslin nods. "Join the others. They've already pressed their attack. I'll be following you."
Eva throws her blaster on top of the trench and climbs out, pressing her elbows into the mud. Peyton follows suit.
I'll be following you. For some reason, Roslin's words hang in Eva's mind as she rises from the ground. Roslin usually doesn't follow them. She's always in the lead - ahead of them. Why would she follow them?
Eva spins on her heels, glancing at Roslin. Her back is still against the wall of the trench across from her. "Don't you usually lead us?"
Roslin smiles. "This time, I won't."
Eva shakes her head with confusion.
"I trust Peyton to continue the mission," Roslin responds before Eva can ask.
Eva's eyes dart to Peyton brushing her shoulder. They make eye contact. Peyton shakes her head, her lips faltering into unease. "What, you don't trust me?"
"What? No-,"
Peyton bumps her elbow into her side with a smile. "I'm joking."
Eva releases a sigh of relief and breaks into a light chuckle.
So, Peyton will be taking over the lead. What about Roslin, then? Is she still coming?
"What about you, commander?" Eva asks, glancing at Roslin.
"I'll chill out and see how y'all work," she smiles. She rests her elbows on top of the trench and lifts her up, her legs dangling down as she sits on top. "Now, get going!" and she waves towards the battlefield. "They need you!"
Peyton brushes Eva's shoulder, starting to sprint. "Come on, Eva!"
A smile forms on her face as Eva turns on her heel and follows Peyton, leaping over the puddles of mud. Last time Peyton was in charge during training, she messed up hard. No response to rapid development, closing down when the tension hit, unable to improve - Peyton couldn't get the hang of it. The squad could not function when Roslin wasn't there to lead. That's probably been a month ago. Maybe two, and Eva hopes to see what they can do together now, even if their leading man is down.
The A-Team slowly pushes further up as Eva and the squad stand their ground. She drops into the mud, chest pressed against the ground, and fires at the second line of defense, providing cover fire while a large part of the A-Team pushes up.
Last time, Peyton constantly asked for status reports, demanding from everyone where they were. As a result, she failed to keep her head cool as the tension collapsed onto her.
As shapes of soldiers sprint towards the second line of defense, her gunsight lands on Peyton, taking cover behind the wreckage of a speeder while Ashara and Ecklund are with her. Through her gunsight, Eva notices Peyton's sharp eyes, her clenched jaws, and her lips, moving without a shudder. Eva smiles. Hell is at the verge of breaking out and Peyton's not even breaking a sweat. How did she learn to do that? Did someone scream at her to make her suppress her nerves, or did she get some enlightenment?
Eva digs through her memories, but no. Peyton seemed to have simply… learned, not because someone shared their wisdom with her, but because of herself.
And she knows Roslin is smiling in the back.
The battlefield slowly darkens. The grey clouds are nearly invisible against the lunar sky as the last blastershot of the day rings through the air. Eva lowers her smoking blaster as the body of a defender splashes in the mud, having been pushed out of the last hiding spot of the D-Team's stronghold.
Training is over. Victory is assured. Eva lets out a sigh of relief, her shoulders slumping. She can now add a rare victory at Malstrom Base to her list. Colonel Amitash will probably look with pride at her results.
As Eva sweeps her gaze over the other side of the battlefield, the A-team erupts into cheers and laughter, celebrating the mutual victory. She can't help but smile as her heart fills with pride. This is what unity looks like. Fighting together, celebrating together.
Eva spots Peyton on the other side of the battlefield. Eva gives her a nod as they make eye contact. Peyton smiles, her steel helmet slowly drooping over her eyes as she gives her a nod.
Walking in solitude over the field, back to base, Eva presses her arms into her growling stomach. She aimlessly follows the heels of others before her.
"Hey, Eva."
Someone catches up with her as Eva glances over. Her jaws clench. It's Kuma, the boy who tried to flirt with her in the Well at the Academy. She knows where that ultimately ended at - Stargate in flames, a Rebel agent in rehab, and a Jedi Padawan in the ISB's custody. Is he going to try it again? Her eyes sharpen slightly, barely noticeable.
"Kuma, huh?" Eva exhales.
Kuma nods. His monochrome helmet wobbles on his head. The straps that would usually tie his helmet to his chin sway back and forth, a little. "Yeah." His voice trembles with nervousness. "I don't know how to say this, but…" His words falter, stumbling over his own words. "But, I want to apologise for what I did the last time I was with you. It was stupid."
Eva recoils, staring at him as she can't yet comprehend it, until she realises that Kuma is not pushing further, but instead, accepting his mistakes. He's apologising for his action in The Well. Her eyes drift away in silence. She still can't quite believe it.
"I-, I know you're upset," Kuma stammers, gasping faintly for air. "I'm sorry that I tried to-,"
Eva shakes her head. "No, it's fine," she gasps. A thin smile forms on her face. "I'm not upset. I just-, didn't expect it from you."
"An apology?" Kuma stammers.
"Yeah. It was the last thing I expected today." She rests her hand on his shoulder with a small smile on her face. "Don't worry, it's all forgiven."
She releases him as Kuma gazes away before slowly smiling, glowing brightly as the simmering nervousness washes away.
As they continue to walk further, Eva scans around as it suddenly dawns on her. She hasn't seen Daxan today, or yesterday. Or the day before. This whole week, actually. Where is he? He's part of Kuma's squad.
Eva turns to Kuma. "Where's Daxan?"
He glances at her, kicking a rock away, splashing into a puddle of mud. "He's sleeping in early. Got hit by a fever or something."
Eva's fingers twitch slightly, her brows furrowing. "That… sucks. Is he skipping dinner?"
Kuma shrugs. "He said he was gonna be there."
Her lips part, though she's uncertain of how to answer. Her eyes drift to the puddles of mud passing her feet. So that's why she didn't see Daxan at this training. If he's sleeping in so early - it's merely dining time - it must be hitting him quite hard.
A vast line of cadets has formed ahead of her, waiting for their turn to fill their trays. Eva waits patiently with her tray locked in her armpit. The constant chatter of cadets eating at their tables fill the canteen like a continuous hum, filling every spot in her blank mind.
The line slowly moves forward. Her eyes linger to the floor. The armour pieces that were previously plastered against her body still feel like they're there, pressing hard into her skin, although she's merely wearing her light, off-duty uniform; a simple, tight jacket, a warm undershirt, jeans, and hard boots. All monotone grey.
Her eyes drift to the serving counter. Hot vapour rises from the baskets with warm food, mostly grilled meat and vegetable mixes. Eva puts her tray on the counter and serves up. As she digs with a giant spoon into the tray of meat, her arm freezes.
What about Daxan? Her thoughts instantly drift to him. He's sick, and though he said to Kuma that he'll be at dinner, it still doesn't sit right with her. In the back of her mind, she has a feeling that he won't show up.
He helped her get far into her mission. He got her from A to B, freed her from the Rebel lair, and rescued Eline. He's done a lot. And although her heart starts racing quicker at whatever Daxan's thoughts about her maybe, Eva knows it is now her turn to help him, especially now that a fever is ravaging him. Can't leave the poor thing behind.
Eva scoops up, filling her tray with mostly meat, almost emptying the basket. Some cadets behind her sigh. Some murmur with frustration, but she doesn't let it get to her as she quickens her pace, scoops a vegetable mix on her tray and two cans of soda. She gets out of line and races out of the canteen without even glancing at her own squad taking a seat amidst the tables.
At her own barracks, Eva puts the weathered box of Conergin on her tray and heads to Daxan. With her elbow, she hits the button. The door slides open and Eva steps inside, balancing the tray in her arms. It's dark except for the dancing flames in the gas heater, illuminating the room in a gentle, orange hue. In the dark, she spots a figure buried in blankets. Her fingers twitch. I knew you wouldn't show up.
Eva taps on the light button and slowly puts the tray on another bed across from him. She dodges a cup of water on the floor, half filled. Her eyes dart to Daxan, facing the wall, his back turned to her, lying on his side. He faintly grumbles under his breath, reacting to her footsteps - or the sudden, bright light.
With pressed lips, Eva drops to the floor next to him and rests her hand gently on his side. "Daxan," she murmurs. "I'm here."
Slowly, he rolls around with a trembling groan. The sweat shimmers faintly on his pale forehead and his cheeks flushed as his eyes land on her. Suddenly, his pupils grow with surprise. "Eva? You here?" His voice is weak.
Eva tilts her head. "Yeah, it's me," she murmurs, softly. "I heard you got sick. Are you alright?"
Daxan sighs, heavily, his lips trembling. "Oh, some flu, don't worry about it."
Eva rubs her hand over his side, gently. "That really doesn't comfort me," she smirks with a thin smile. "I figured you'd rather sleep in than get something to eat, so, I got you some food. " She turns to the tray of food on the bed across from her and slides it off the blanket.
"Thanks," Daxan murmurs. "I just-, feel too bad to even get out."
Eva hums as she carefully puts the tray on the floor past her knees. "I know the feeling, but you should still eat." With her fingers, she pries a slab of meat into pieces and hands it to Daxan. "Here."
Daxan's hand slowly slips out of his thick blanket and picks the warm meat from her fingers, shoving it into his mouth. "Why the sudden help?" he murmurs.
Eva shoves scoops some of the vegetables onto her spoon. "You saved Eline. She shoves the spoon into her mouth, her jaws chewing the vegetables fine before swallowing. "I figured it was time for me to return the favour. And you need it." She shoves a piece of meat into her mouth.
A faint smile forms on Daxan's flushed face, though it's clear that even smiling is too much for him to handle. Slowly, he shifts his body, props his back against the wall, facing her and his knees curled up, eating up his dinner.
As Eva cracks a can of soda open, she hands him another piece of meat. "So, you're Zabrak. Were you born here?"
Daxan shoves the meat into his mouth, giving her a faint nod. "I was. My parents were from Iridonia."
"Your home world, right? Have you ever gone back?" Eva asks.
Daxan shakes his head, faintly. "I've never even seen it. Though, my parents called it an inhabited shithole."
Eva snorts. "How's that?"
"If you're no Zabrak, you're pretty much dead, there," Daxan exhales deeply. His eyes seem to light up a little. "Climate and environment are that brutal. If you don't watch your step, you risk getting dissolved in boiling acid pools."
Eva recoils. "That… must be awful."
"To get dissolved or to live there?" Daxan asks.
Eva snickers. "Both, I think?"
Daxan smirks. "It made us a tough, hardy species. Yet, I'm getting tortured by a kriffin' fever."
Eva smirks. She hands him another piece of meat.
"Last one," Daxan sighs. His face starts to show a little bit more colour. "Can't eat no more."
Swallowing it whole - which Zabraks can do almost effortlessly, apparently - Daxan drops his head on his pillow and buries himself below the blankets again.
"Wait, I've got you something." Eva's hand rushes to the metal box of Conergin and lays it down on the mattress before Daxan's face.
His eyebrows rise. "Con… Conar…"
"Conergin," Eva smiles. Her fingers pry the box open.
"Can't kriffin' read anymore," Daxan sighs.
Eva takes a sleeping pill out of the box, rests it on the lid of her can of soda, and gently shoves it to Daxan, softly wrinkling the mattress cover.
"Take it, it'll do you good," Eva responds.
Daxan smirks. "I know, it does. Remember that I gave this to you when you were decimated by your own fever?"
Eva chuckles as the memories of that night flash past her, when Daxan suddenly stood before her door and handed her this very same box. The small pills that were stuffed inside gave her nights she could finally sleep through and slowly restored her energy. Her cheeks burn a little as she thinks back.
"I know." Eva inhales deeply with a thin smile.
Daxan drinks the soda with the sleeping pill and swallows hard. His head gently lands on his pillow again, his fingers curling around the edge of his blanket and pulling it tighter around him.
His exhausted eyes land on her. "Thanks for the help."
Eva smiles, her fingers twitching on his mattress. She gives him a slight nod. "At your service."
Daxan's smile lingers as the warm light of the gas heater dances along the curves of his cheeks. Eva rests her head on the mattress, her fingers trembling slightly. His pale hand slips out of his blanket. Eva stares at him, unable to look elsewhere, as she notices he's up to something. She wants to ask, but she quickly realises she already knows what he wants. And she isn't sure if he can stop him or herself.
His soft gaze rests on her, unable to drift away as Eva's heart pounds heavier in her chest. The room shrinks.
Slowly, Daxan leans forward, his hand slipping closer until touching her fingers. Eva freezes. Her heart crashes against her ribs. A heat wave rushes up her neck as his fingers are warm against her knuckles. Eva swallows, her mind stuttering with incomprehension, whispering faintly to pull away, to dismiss him, but her body refuses to move.
Daxan's breath is warm and shallow against her face, his eyes still lingering on her. He stops like he's waiting, giving her the chance to pull away.
Her mind goes on overdrive as Eva tries to make sense of the conflicting signals within her. One part whispers to her that she should stop him. He's sick. She'll catch it. The thought flashes through her mind, but one part wants her to stay put. Though the urge to recoil flickers inside of her, she doesn't follow through. Not this time.
Their noses nearly touch each other as Daxan's lips part. "May I?" he whispers, stammering. She can hear his heart thundering in his trembling breath.
A knot forms in her throat. Eva's faint gasps come out in short bursts as her fingers curl around Daxan's hand, remaining silent.
And then, before she knows it, his parting lips brush against hers, so soft it almost feels dreamlike. Eva's fingers clench his hand as his lips press against hers. The floor below her crumbles away as the world starts spinning rapidly around her. Is this really happening?
Then, he pulls back. Daxan's wide pupils flicker open in sudden panic. "Dank Ferrik," he stammers, his shallow voice cracking. "I-, I'm sorry."
Eva's heart throbs in her throat, unable to keep up. Daxan's hand slips from her fingers, retreating to the cover of his blanket as guilt shadows his pupils. Eva blinks, stunned by how quickly Daxan pulled away.
Daxan's eyes drift downward. "I-, I'm probably infecting you."
Eva tilts her head down, slightly, her lips trembling and her jaws clenching. That's why you pulled away?
"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have done it." His voice nears the edge of breaking down, shaking frantically. "I don't know what overcame me, I just-,"
Before Daxan can continue, Eva's hand thrusts forward and cups his warm cheek with her palm. She can feel the fever burning below his skin. Daxan turns silent as Eva tilts her head.
"I don't care," Eva murmurs, and before he can protest, she leans in, pulls his head towards her, and presses her lips to his. Her nose bumps into his as she feels the trembling breath he exhales against her lips. She presses closer, her heart pounding harder as her fingers tighten against his cheek. Shivers run down her spine as Eva slowly pulls away, just slightly.
As his shaky breath crashes into her face, Eva rests her forehead against his, looking at Daxan's dazed, blurry eyes, gazing back at her without response, as if she froze him in time.
Then, Eva watches the realisation flicker in his eyes. He swallows hard as a smile forms on his face, his eyes glowing bright like two stars.
Eva shifts onto her knees, climbing onto his bed in one swift motion. The metal board below the dipping mattress creaks under her weight as she swings her leg over him, straddling his waist and leans down, her hands bracing on either side of his face. His hands move to rest at her waist, gripping her tightly as Eva presses her lips hard onto his again, unable to hold herself back.
Her fingers trail up, slipping into his cap and tugging the sharp, hidden horns on his head. With each kiss, Eva groans faintly against his lips, barely able to keep herself alive as her veins fill with something severely intoxicating. She can barely feel the world spinning faster as her lungs race quicker.
And then, Daxan pushes her back, gasping hard, some of the glistening sweat dripping down his face.
"Wait." He swallows hard, panting as if he just ran half a click in one go. "Eva. I-, I'm about to pass out."
Eva stills, her own breath heavy, her heartbeat thundering like artillery fire. She huffs out a quiet chuckle. She leans back, shuffling over his lap as her fingers brush against his forehead, feeling each drop of sweat on his warm, rough skin.
"You're burning up," she smiles, amused. She wipes the sweat on her own face away with her fingers, until… "Hold up. Your sweat…"
Daxan pushes himself up, slightly. "What?"
Eva sniffs her fingers. "Your sweat… It smells… Funny. Almost like candy. Did you spray yourself?" She tilts her head. Did he spray himself because he was expecting her to come?
Daxan breaks into a soft laugh. "Zabrak thing. Our sweat's somewhat different from yours."
Eva chuckles as she leans in and presses her lips against his forehead, and flips herself next to him, lying down beside him. She curls up against his side, her arm bracing his waist. As far as Eva is concerned, she won't go anywhere until the sun rises.
And then, Eva realises that this is what she needed all along. Not exactly love, but pure and unbreakable distraction from the rigid system of the Imperial military - a second galaxy where the war doesn't matter, where Rebels aren't around. Just this desolate galaxy with one spot of light where only she and Daxan belong. A world where she can escape to when she can barely hold herself amidst the pressure.
It isn't just him that she wants. It's the safe haven in a far away stellar cloud he guards.
Ashara was right all along. Eva remembers when she found out that she had a boyfriend. She thought it was unnecessarily distracting. They were to be turned into tools sharp enough to slash a Rebel's artery into two. A soldier with thoughts about anything else beside the oh-so important mission was to find his way to his grave. But Eva realises that distraction is a thread of life that keeps her breathing in a galaxy that has turned into a shallow pool where the water lies at her chin, ready to drown her. But as long as she has this thread, she'll make it.
Daxan's forehead brushes against hers. "You're staying?" Daxan whispers, drowsy and uncertain.
Eva tightens her hold on him a little, resting her head against his shoulder. "Where else should I be going?" she whispers. "I just want to be with you - and you only."
Daxan huffs, softly. He sweeps his arm around her, embracing her tightly.
Closing her eyes, Eva never thought she'd be with a Zabrak - of all species. However, even if her newly found love shines brightly in her heart, fear lingers, too. Daxan is still a Zabrak. What if people find out that he's not human? He's been hiding his identity since birth, but it still doesn't feel like a guarantee. If - somehow - people find out, they'll go after her as well, since they'll know her boyfriend is an alien. They won't hold back.
She brushes Daxan's cheek gently with her head, her heart aching.
They'll have to ensure that no one - literally no one - finds out that Daxan is a Zabrak. The outcome might be disastrous. Though it leaves her slightly on edge, Eva knows he's been at it for more than ten years. No one knows - except for her - that he is a Zabrak. While it is no guarantee, it is an assurance that puts her heart to rest, and as she hears Daxan's breath slowing down, Eva leans into him, clutching onto a world where everything is possible, where she can escape to without the watchful eyes of the ISB.
Though she wonders: How long can such a world last?