Imperial Entanglements

Mara Jade

She listened to Harris's voice through her earring com. She had to leave the room without being unnoticed and the best chance for that was the restroom window, small as it was. Nothing to worry about, she had made her way out of worse places. She inspected the window for any wiring, if security was a big thing in the house, windows would be an obvious target.  

The Hand jumped up and into the small frame and then she saw them: motion sensors right outside the window. They were there to detect anyone who tried to get in, but probably had a blind spot for someone trying to get out. The key to non-perceivable change is go extremely slow so none would notice. It took for her about five minutes to be able to get the crystal window open, but she did. She reached into the force but it felt flat and silent, of course there would be Ysalamir at Castor's safety fortress.  

The redhead sighed and focused, she had to move very slowly, hoping she wouldn't trigger the sensors. She had experience evading laser security, but she didn't know the precise range of those sensors, either way she had to do it. No sound was heard when she was finally clinging to the border of the window, she carefully looked down, it was maybe a 22-feet fall. She could handle it, she had to.  

Trooper Harris

Harris was outside the safety fortress. Little did he know the difficulties that Mara was going through to evade the security systems. He just knew somehow she was getting ready somewhere close. He raised his head and saw the window which had being opened. He smirked - they were twins in the way of thinking. He took the blaster out of his holster under the coat. ‘Come Mara. It is clear’, he whispered without hoping she could listen to his voice. He stood upright between the mansion and a large decorative wall of bush - well, it was not that decorative, since it was full of thorns. He knew Mara would come flying out the window and he should be there just in case she moved towards the wrong direction.

Mara Jade  

The Emperor's Hand let go of the window border and fell on hard on her back. Immediately, she saw Harris trying to help her up. She got the air sucked out of her lungs when her back hit the ground, it took her a few seconds to recover and be on her feet.  

"I've got everything we need to bring this man to justice", she said, catching her breath.

Trooper Harris

“I knew you would do it. You’re the Hand after all”, the trooper helped her to stand, holding her respectfully in quite a different manner of what he had to do earlier. His gaze crossed with hers and he felt embarrassed. Why on Earth was he having that kind of unprofessional thought? Anyway, although he wanted to say something about that, he didn’t.  

“We still need to move beyond the walls. They’ve got cameras everywhere. I’m wearing a camouflage suit. I can cover you partially... but it is risky”, Harris pondered in the exact moment the armored hovering car moved slowly from behind towards the gate, approaching them. He stared at her, as if waiting for her initiative.

Mara Jade

Mara bent down and started walking to the back of the building hoping Harris would follow. They had to be out of there right away and then manage to get to the transport.  

'To think the most difficult part was done' she thought, waiting to hear the sound of the vehicle parking and the occupants entering the bunker.

Trooper Harris

Harris was holding his blaster right behind Mara. The plan was unclear to him. What would he do? Perhaps they would sneak in under the flying car’s belly and being taken out? Enter under the bonnet? The options were still to be decided.

As the armored car parked, none of its occupants left. Other employees brought it a large and heavy box, which was placed where Castor Legolas stayed. “Be careful, this place is full of disruptors”. Harries swallowed dry as those weapons were illegal - he wanted to blast them all as it brought to the surface bad memories.

Mara Jade

Mara watched as Castor's bodyguards loaded the weapons into the bunker. She was anxious, there was no way to tell if the vehicle would leave or stay. There had to be another way out, but again, security in the place was not to be underestimated, it was meant to keep everyone away, but would also lock any intruders in.  

"We have to find a way out of here, I'm hoping that fence the vehicle came through is not the only way", the redhead told Harrys, maybe he had a chance to examine the outside better.

Trooper Harris

“Mara, I have no idea, perhaps we should move cautiously”, the trooper said as they heard the goonies talking about using the armor to take the weapons somewhere. The mere idea those disruptors could be used by the Black Sun and their folks made his blood boil. It was not the scope of their mission, he should not get Mara involved with that.  

“We could roll under the car and grab somewhere. How strong are your arms, Mara?”, he spoke teasingly. He truly didn’t have a better idea. Neither was he sure he was looking for the least dangerous course of action at the moment. He should wait for her lead though.

Mara Jade

"Are you kidding me? after pulling that ugly mass of a man onto his bed I can hold on to anything", Mara joked. "I'm afraid it's the fastest and ironically the best way out of here", she accepted, trying to trace the best way to get under the vehicle.

Trooper Harris

Harris waited for her to choose the path and followed her. He didn’t hesitate a second to roll under the car ahead of her to prove it was a safe. In the next second, she was next to him. He held in what seemed to be an axis - it would not heat, as it was only for cooled gases.

“I think we are fine here”, he whispered and stares at her. He was preparing to use his abs muscles to keep his body off the ground. He knew the vehicular could go fast and they’d need to rely solely on their strength.

Mara Jade

This mission was making a few things very clear. First, the Black Sun was part of something bigger, and someone within the Empire was helping with keeping it away from loyal eyes. Second, Mara and Harris would need better resources to face this new threat. And third... Harris was 90% brave, 10% suicidal. 

Mara Jade followed the trooper under the vehicle and held to the bars next to him, looking to her side and seeing how he was doing. The task seemed to be easy for his fit body. She wished she could use the force to help both of them, but not as long as they were still under the perimeter bubble of wherever the Ysalamir were kept.

Trooper Harris

The timing seemed perfect. Right after both were accommodated under the narrow space, the vehicular began to move, raising more from the ground and passing by the three check points inside the bunker. The idea had spared them an amazing amount of energy and time. The car raced into of the high ways well above ground and the wind made their muscles cold - probably, the thermal sensation was below zero. He swallowed dry and wondered whether it had been a good idea.

Mara Jade

As soon as they passed the second check-point, Mara could sense her reach into the Force coming back to her, they were out of the Ysalamir's reach. "You'll feel holding on gets easier, but don't loose your grip okay?", she warned him.  

The Hand used the force to protect both her body and Harrys from to withstand the situation and the elements, she could feel her muscles easing he weight and the temperature becoming more bearable. She hoped they would reach a safe distance in no time.

Trooper Harris

Harris could not believe what was going on after Mara spoke. Which magic was that? He eased his muscles a bit and felt as if an invisible hand were pressing him upwards. That made the journey much easier.  

“You need to teach me this trick, Mara. I liked it”, he naively smiled and for the second time, their gazes crossed since that still unsettled incident. When the armored car reached the outskirts of the city, where the neighborhood didn’t look so nice, it turned to the right towards a large facility with several warehouses. As they were under the car, they could not see the ads of the company owned by Castor Legolas - he mentioned the name to Mara. It parked just next to one of the most remotes warehouses. Harris turned to Mara.  

“I think it is time for you to go. The information must reach the Empire”, he said nonchalantly.

Mara Jade

The vehicle came to a full stop and the men riding it came down. Mara could only see their uniform boots and part of their grey pants. They were unloading something from the vehicle, most certainly weapons. She used her forces senses to assess their environment, they were buildings, warehouses, and more vehicles. Organic signatures were abundant, this was no doubt Castor's operation center, Lupus Corp. She heard Harris voice.  

"I should leave? And where is it exactly that you are going?", she inquired, since she didn't expect her partner to stay.

Trooper Harris

“I can’t let those disruptors spread. Those toys have been forbidden for decades and if they’re used, people will die. I’ve seen the effects”, he said somberly. “But this is not your business, Mara. You must return to Pellaeon and convey the information you obtained.”, he mumbled, looking away from her piercing emerald eyes. His soul was burdensome as he’d do whatever he could to destroy those weapons.

Mara Jade

As soon as the vehicle stopped, the Emperor’s Hand took Castor's hand into hers as she had done before and pulled him out of the car with her. She was impatient and couldn't take that for much longer. She was happy to be out of the confinement of the transport only to find herself walking into a bunker. Mara looked at Castor and smiled, caressing his cheek with the back of her hand playfully, she had to be left alone with him, only then things would go her way.

AdmiralPellaeon

Castor let Iris lead him for a while.  

“I see you’re looking forward to it as much as I am”, he grinned. This time, he took the lead and walked ahead, holding her hand in an attempt to show some dominance.  

The security leader and the six men followed Castor towards the second floor, where his master suite was located. At the door, he turned to the six, including Harris in disguise, and ordered them to stand there.

Mara Jade

As both entered the room, Mara saw a door in the left leading to a small office, where all the evidence she needed could be. It was a gambit. Ahead was a huge bed and to the right, was a swimming pool and the equivalent of a huge jacuzzi.

AdmiralPellaeon

Harris stood outside as commanded. He studied how to incapacitate his opponents in case of necessity.

Mara Jade

She studied her scenario and smiled: it was all very fitting. She wouldn't even need to make Castor talk, everything she needed was right there. All she had to do was getting him drunk and maybe entertain him briefly, he would eventually fall, drunk or drugged. She reassured herself by feeling the tiny flask disguised as her choker pendant.  

"What a nice place you have, Mr. Castor, only fitting for its distinguished owner", Mara tempted him, walking around the place, allowing him to admire her figure as she looked for security cameras and microphones which she assumed were there

AdmiralPellaeon

Just like a puppy after his mother, Castor drooled at the sight of her curves. She was definitively the most gorgeous woman had ever been to that room.

“Thanks, Iris. What’s the value of money if you can’t use it to entertain yourself?”, he asked leaning against a counter and grabbing a bottle of Corellian rum. “I take you will join me in the drinks, right?”, he said opening the bottle.

Mara Jade

"How could I not?", she smiled, sitting on the couch with and patting the spot next to her for Castor to sit.  

"You have such a fine taste Mr. Castor, you must have spent a fortune... Of course that wouldn't be a problem for someone like you", the redhead kept talking, buying time.

AdmiralPellaeon

Castor filled up two glasses and smiled. She was behaving like a lady, educated in those elite families of Coruscant. Of course, he didn’t expect a professional prostitute - he had paid a small fortune for the surprise.  

“Money is no concern for me, Iris. So what did the bodyguard feel when he touched your body?”, he insisted on talking smut. It was necessary to break down her pride, he thought, so that he could do whatever he wanted with her.

Outside the room, if Mara could feel, Harris was calm, trying to hear whatever would come out of the room and from their com channel.

Mara Jade

Mara smiled, took a small sip of her drink and traced Castor's nose with the tip of her finger.  

"I can't tell what he felt, but fear would have been appropriate... after all, I'm here for you", she said, the first part of her sentence secretly intended for him.  

"How does one end up with such great luxuries?", she asked, looking around as if marveled by the place.

AdmiralPellaeon

Castor felt her fingertip trailing on his nose. Iris was provocative in the right measure and his member came to life, throbbing under the tuxedo’s trousers.  

“The origin of my fortune?”, he raised an eyebrow, staring at her, while one hand went up her arm, feeling how strong it was, moving to the string around her neck.  

“I’m a businessman. I am involved in interplanetary trade. That’s what I do. Now tell me: what about your family?”

Mara Jade

"My origins are humble, my father was a merchant, my mother helped however she could. They were good people", Mara lied, suddenly standing up and sitting on top of him, running her hands up his arm to the hand with his drink, she leaned down and kissed his bald head and forehead, keeping him from seeing her free hand pouring the drops of sleep drug she had previously taken from her necklace into his wine. She could feel his body reacting to her, she had no time, that drug better worked quickly

AdmiralPellaeon

Castor’s erection throbbed into life as she straddled over him. Castor gasped for air as his eyes suddenly were facing her pert, round breasts. Castor was an objective person, so his hands went for the neck of the redhead and undid the knot holding her velvet green dress. “Iris I want to be inside you”, he muttered as his breathing sped up.

Mara Jade

Mara gently pulled back and again touched her glass to Castors.

"A toast for that", she granted him "to the bottom!", the female spy said out loud, pretending to drink while guiding Castors glass with her own hand towards his mouth for him to drink.

AdmiralPellaeon

Castor was so into Iris that he could not declined her challenge. As he watched her drinking his glass, he wanted to prove himself as a man - he swallowed all the content as her dress fell revealing her bare breasts and tummies, just straddling over him. It was such a sight that his member hardened immediately under Mara’s rear. “I will not let you down, Iris”, he laughed already under the effects of the spirits... but showing no fast sign of the sleeping potion.

Mara Jade

"Won't you?", she joked, wrapping herself in her golden cloth, provoking him and moving away at the same time. The Emperor’s Hand had no time for that nonsense.

AdmiralPellaeon

Castor stood up as she seemed to play hard. “Where are you going?”, he asked as he reached her and stood in front of Iris.  

All of sudden, he blinked once, twice, yawned, and his hands laid on her waistline, weakening quickly. “Iris...”

Mara Jade

"How about you join me in bed?", Mara said, walking backwards and pulling him with her. By the time they reached bed, he would be fast asleep.

AdmiralPellaeon

Castor didn’t last another second. His hands weakened and he fell to his knees and then in between her feet. He was sleeping deeply and would be alike for the next hours.

Mara Jade

She finally caught her breath, she had been holding it for quite a while. Now she had to be quick, she walked into the office and went over every document she could get her hands on. He didn't even bother to hide it, why would he? After all, what were the odds any his nightly conquests would be interested in man's business.  

Mara had no trouble accessing his terminal, for such a big fan of security, this was a major bummer. It was all there, the contracts, the merch offerings and of course, the buyer list, all of them criminal cells well known within the Empire. That was all she needed, the Empire would have no mercy. She extracted a small device from her wristwatch and loaded the files. She could hear Castor's loud snoring, but she knew he wouldn't stay that way for long. She had to be out of there as quickly as possible.  

The redhead erased her access from the terminal memory and put her device back to her wrist watch. With some effort she dragged Castor the rest of the way and lifted him by his shoulders to put him on his bed.  

"I'm sorry hun, but I must leave for now, hope Luke wont find out", Mara said the key word, hoping Harris would hear it as she headed towards the bedroom door

AdmiralPellaeon

Harris didn’t know what was going on inside the room of Legolas Castor. Was Mara doing well? How long would the roleplay continue before she’d knock him down and copy whatever she needed. The girl didn’t know that Harris has killed one of Castors’s bodyguards to be there.  

Sooner or later, the body would be found at the basement of the concert hall (or at the garbage system of the city, in case his silly plan of throwing him in parts in the dustbin worked. Hopefully, they could use the disguise later but that was not their first priority.

Anyway, the longer the operation lasted, the greater the chances of something going wrong.

Harris heart was beating fast as she spoke their password. For sure, the cameras and mic inside the room were for later use - no one would dare see what their master was doing during the intercourse. Through his com channel with Mara, he listened to a casual conversation and felt jealous, angry. Why did she need to do something against her will?  

He meant, was it really against her will? He remained quiet and tried to focus on the mission.

After some minutes of silence, Mara said the password and that she was leaving the room. That was good. All he needed was to get out of the sight of two other bodyguards as the three others were involved with menial tasks. Both of them had already gone to the kitchen to grab some food - that was his chance to do so.  

“Hello there, I’ll go to the kitchen. I need some nuts to fill in the gap in my stomach.”  

His colleagues replied. “No problems, Jim. Take your time. Castor is having a great night apparently”. They all laughed, and he sound was heard by Mara in the com channel. After turning the corridor and going door the stairs, Harris went to the kitchen, took some nuts.  

As he was alone, he spoke. “I’ll be down just where you will jump, Arrin”.  He pushed a windows from the kitchen and saw the room of Castor above - it was clear that the most logic way to get out of there was through the narrow window - perhaps from the restroom? Harris has no idea. He would not fit there, but Mara has an elegantly deadly body.

Without understanding why, Harris shut down the one he was using and switched to the camouflage mode. It was the witching hour, when the sun lights are weaker and the penumbra increases - it was the ideal time to go unnoticed. Of course, there were dozens of cameras and sensors in the area, all of them unable to pick up any signature, including heat. He stood under the window and waited - she’d not take longer to fall onto the garden, possibly she’d fall on her arms, he thought - it was not a huge fall, but 7 metres always requires some skill.  

Mara Jade

Mara had attended countless events like that one before, but this one was specially boring. "Entertainment?", she thought to herself, the vague things that caught most people's attention meant nothing to her hyperactive brain. Just having to sit there in place for more than a few minutes made her feel impatient. And then, all of a sudden, her senses in the Force exploded. Had the Ysalamiri been taken away? She looked around carefully in case something strange could be seen from her seat, but nothing seemed out of the ordinary. Whatever the reason, she could count on the force once again, if needed, not that she would make the mistake of relying so much on it again anyway. She squirmed in her seat, trying to keep her body calmed and relax, it had been long since she had to be still for so long.

Trooper Harris

Harris left the cage in silence. He carefully opened the hatch and found the railing where dozens of lightning, sound and other pieces of device were hanging. The stormtrooper skillfully walked in the narrow walkway, looking for the best position in the sight to be close to Mara. The railings and walkway were some 100 meters above the floor - the tiny rope could stretch for more than 200 meters. Mara was safe. He took his blaster and laid on the walkway, using the target to look for Mara and Castor Legolas. She was just below, seating on her place. From where he was, the could see the top of her breasts - she was really gorgeous and felt jealous of Castor Legolas, who would have a better view and a far more receptive Mara.

Castor Legolas began to walk down the corridor towards his seat. His bodyguards were covering the exits and seemed to be quite comfortable with the scene. After all, all the local politicians were in the payroll of the Black Sun.

Castor Legolas was a short man, standing at the same height of Mara without heels (1m60). He was partially bald and weighted some 85 kg - not a fit man, truth to be told. Everyone stood up to give way to him - the entire planet knew who he was. The local Moff was not there - for sure, the criminal leader was the most important person in the hall. As Castor Legolas saw the redhead beauty next to his place, he smiled widely. He sat next to her and asked. “Greetings, beauty. I am afraid I have not yet met the most beautiful woman in Chibias”, he flirted without being afraid of being rebutted. “Nice to meet, I’m Castor Legolas, CEO of Lupus Corporation”, he used the facade name of the business used to launder money of the Black Sun. “May I ask about you?”

Mara Jade

"Of course", she smiled as genuinely as possible presenting her hand to the bald man, his red cheeks making him look silly, but of course he wasn't, not for his dark biddings. "Who wouldn't know such a charming and powerful man" she added, feeding his ego for strategy "I'm very lucky to be seating next to you" she finished. She had to be careful with her words, too much flattery and she would turn into a suspect.

Trooper Harris

Castor Legolas’s ego skyrocketed with her reply. He smiled back confidently. “Thank you for being so sweet, stranger. What’s your name? Your accent tells me you are from Coruscant, right?”, he laid his left hand on top of hers casually. He was cold and smooth, the sort of person who had never held a blaster or trained hard.

Mara Jade

"I see you're also very well educated", she said "My name is Iris Legasov, and yes, I'm from Coruscant, this is my first visit to your lovely city, but I could never imagine I would have the pleasure to meet you personally, Mr. Castor" she continued. "I find this play a little slow to my taste though, I'm surprised an important and knowledgable person such as yourself takes the time to share with his fellow citizens" she looked at him, smiling and leaning closer to him.

Trooper Harris

Castor Legolas smiled at how friendly the pretty female stranger reacted to his approach. “Nice to meet you, Iris Legasov, I’m delighted to host you in our humble planet. Of course, we’re nothing like the Coruscant evening but we make an effort. Actually, it is quite popular for off worlders to come here to enjoy our music. It may be slow, but it speaks volumes about the soul of our people”, he spoke as his hand insisted to hold hers. He was limitless as no woman dared object him. “So tell me what brings you here?”, he asked as the bell rang for the second time - the show would start momentarily.

From the walkway, Harris could see everything. He was taken over by unbearable amount of jealousy... yet, he had to stay professional.

Mara Jade

"Oh yes, I've heard you're a man of your people" she said, refraining from taking her hand away, this was one of the most difficult things she had to do as part of her job, and she hated every single time. "Tell me about your people, your city" she asked, trying to pretend to be interested in him as she imagined most women would.

Trooper Harris

“My city, my people?!?”, Castor reacted surprised and leaned closer. “Iris, I am not interested in talking about them, specially when I’m next to such a breathtaking girl. Tel me, you look pretty young. Are you 18?”, he asked, still holding her hand. Question is: how would Mara obtain the relevant pieces of information about the Black Sun and start to break down that organization, just as apparently Admiral Pellaeon wished?

Mara Jade

"Clever man you are, I'm just a year older than that", she said. "I wonder why it is it's just little me and not some important and gorgeous lady sitting next to such a gentleman this lovely evening?"

Mara had to find a way to direct the man into a more useful conversation, make him think he'd need to impress her with his talents or power, and maybe she could get hints to what she was looking for.

Trooper Harris

“Iris, I like surprises. That’s why you’re seating next to me. The thrill of the unpredictable. All I asked was to have a redhead beauty. I don’t care about anything else...”, Castor Legolas replied without realizing that Mara has just slotted a serious flaw in his security. 

“Now, will you come to my home after the concert is over?”, he asked blatantly and straightforwardly. That was a no-return ticket to the unknown, to what neither she, nor Harris could control. Harris skipped a heartbeat - he kept the radio silence though.

Mara Jade

So they were right. Someone within the empire had made the arrangements for their mission and that included her seat at the concert hall. The same figure had to be working for Castor. They were right, but yet it was unexpected. Now she wondered if Castor had any idea his redhead provider was someone at the higher ranks of the Empire. Perhaps Castor had been watched for long and their mission was just a distraction... or a trap. Whatever it was, Mara had to get to the bottom of it, because this all meant there was someone within the Empire working side by side with criminals, and that could not be tolerated. She had to go on and take it as far as she had to in order to get the information. "I'd be honored", she answered with a smile, one she used to hide her now boiling anxiety.

Trooper Harris

The bell rang immediately after Mara accepted the invitation to join him at his place. The crowd stayed in silence and the concert started - for the next hour and a half, Castor ribbed his hand on hers, squeezed and breathed close to the woman he believed to be a Coruscant prostitute. Truth to be told, he had asked a Scott service to provide him with the most beautiful redhead in Coruscant - perhaps someone jumped in and sent Mara. The fact is: Castor Legolas was still an enemy of the Empire and his destruction was in the Empire’s best interest. Harris stayed frozen, breathing heavily ahead, his blaster targeted at Legolas’s head all the time. He would need to find out quickly how to follow Mara. How would he infiltrate Legolas mansion?  He swallowed dry as he feared he would fail. His heart speeded, and if Mara were closer, she would hear his beats.

As the intermission started, Castor turned to Iris, kisses her cheek, stood up. “Shall we go? They have an excellent Chiss wine here. I assure you it is one of the finest spirits in the galaxy”, he said, offering his hand to Iris to hold.

Mara Jade

She nodded in acceptance of his invitation and took his hand, following him. That was a given, sooner or later the victim would want to have a drink, and of course, give her more than enough for her to get in a more pleasant mood. The things she had to do. Sometimes she had to remind herself it was all for the sake of the Empire, and so, it was all worth it. But the more times she had to do this, the harder it was to swallow. She walked by Castor's hand to the hall lobby where long tables were filled with food and long bar served all kinds of drinks.

Trooper Harris 

Harris stood up and rushed towards the stairs, leading to the backstage. He could not stay too far away from Mara. Fortunately, his suit could switch easily to a tuxedo, so he would not be perceived as a stranger in the crowd. Yet, he’d be carrying his backpack, weapons and the like in his back.

Castor was stopped a couple of times before reaching the lobby. In the restaurant, some waiters ignored the line and offered him the glass of the beverage he mentioned early. He raised his glass to Iris. 

“A toast to your beauty, Iris. I had no idea nature could produce such a beautiful woman. And I’ve seen many redheads before”, he wrapped his right hand behind Mara’s lithe waistline. Some people in the crowd saw the two and made comments about the redhead’s beauty. Harris arrived just in time to see him, pulling her closer. 

“Are you enjoying the concert? I’m delighted with the sublime interpretation”, he said, showing no willingness to talk about any conspiracy or plan of the Black Sun.

Mara Jade

"I am, but I'm enjoying you even better", she dared, trying to keep Castor's attention on her. She had to remind herself constantly of the real goal to keep her body from pushing away. If she didn't manage to get Castor's trust, she would never learn anything useful to bring him down along with whomever he was working for. She too was hoping that Chiss wine would help her.

She caught a glimpse of a very good-looking man in a tuxedo. She cautiously looked again, it was Harris! What was he doing there? She felt more anxious by the second.

Trooper Harris

Harris stayed calm outside, although his force signature clearly showed nervousness. He mixed up in the crowd, not far from Mara. He even talked to one or two girls who approached him. Yet, his eyes were on his friend.

“Iris, do you dance?”, Castor asked, as he realized that she was looking away. “Of course, this music is not for dance, but perhaps we could listen to something more exciting as we go home”.

Mara Jade

"Certainly", she answered without hesitation, centering her attention back to Castor, using her charming smile to keep him happy. "I'm really enjoying the company of a legend", she begun "But what about the man behind it? what are Mr. Legolas Castor's deepest hopes and desires?" she finished, giving him a seductive look.

Trooper Harris

Castor melted down with the question. It seemed that the girl was into him - at least, she was roleplaying better than the past ones, who had not being told about his interests. 

“I’m not a man of hope, Iris. I am a pragmatic person just as you seem to be. As for desires, I think we both know I like redheads.. your green eyes are hypnotic”, he said, holding her waistline tighter, pulling her closer gently. Then the bell rang for the second part of the concert.

Harris took a deep breath. He should go back to his position.

Mara Jade

"Let's go back and listen to the rest of this", she said, taking Castor's hand into hers and pulling him along, happy to be able to pull away from him, if only for the rest of the show. She wanted to look back and see if Harris was following, but Castor wouldn't tolerate her attention elsewhere. If she were to loose his confidence, she would lose the mission, and even worse, endanger Harris. She guided Castor back to their seats, looking back at him with a big smile like she watched so many young women do with their objects of infatuation. She had become a professional acting up something she had never experienced for real. 

Trooper Harris

Legolas was flattered by Iris’ words. Praising a man was the fastest way to gain his confidence, to lure him into a trap. Never would he believe that a 19-year-old child could be a spy working for the Empire. That’s why he let Iris lead him back to their seat, without realizing that she was gaining the upper hand in many aspects over him.

Behind Mara, Harris worried more. For sure, she was in charge of the situation but it was escalating to a completely different level. The 6 body guards in the concert hall were watching Legolas Castor from close and there was little to no chance that they could make a mistake. Harris was considering to go up again when the second bell of the intermission rang - in that moment, one of his bodyguards split from the main group. Harris acted by instinct and followed him to the restroom.

She found the rest of the show impossible. She reached into the Force for calm and an extra dose of patience. She could sense the man beside her growing impatient as well, but his urge was way different than hers. The mere thought made her stomach turn inwards. But there were worse things that could come out of this mess, way worse. She placed her hand on top of Castors which was intentionally touching hers. Her thoughts were also about Harris. Was he back to the rooftop? or had he stayed around closer. She reached into the Force for his signature, once she had learned to recognize quickly, a very strong signature for a non sensitive. But all she could sense was his vague presence. He either was too far, or something had happened to him. The thought sent chills down her spine, but she kept her composure, she had to.*

Trooper Harris

Harris entered the restroom shortly after the bodyguard. He simply didn’t give any chance for him: he bear-hugged and placed his hand on his mouth, pulling him backwards firmly and asphyxiating the opponent in less than 2 minutes. As the body fell loveless, he dragged it into one of the toilette cabins, searched him for ID, coms etc and took what was relevant. He scanned his face and body, so that he would look like exactly the same. All of sudden, he was listening to the talks of the bodyguards and was aware of everything going on - why hadn’t he have this idea earlier?

Just some minutes later, Harris was entering the concert hall and his force signature could be felt by Mara. He spotted the beauty from afar and stayed calm. For the next hour, he listened to the conversations and learned what he could about the Black Sun. He wished he could tell Mara what had happened but he trusted that she would find out. His skin looked darker, his hair was black and his eyes brown.

Legolas continued to rub her hand, growing excited with the prospects of an unforgettable ride.

Mara Jade

She knew the minute Harris walked in the hall, she could sense him, almost see him very close to them, but she didn't dare turn. Why would he abandon his post? had something gone wrong? had he been captured? All of her doubts were cleared when she felt him casually walk around in Castor's bodyguard uniform. She felt relief, but she also noticed the change in his features, it was still him, but his skin was different, his hair, his eyes. Was he a shapeshifter? How could she not notice before? She felt upset about it, perhaps her lack of experience with that sort of species. She forced her mind to go back to the show and Castor, turning her face to him and dedicating a knowing smile. She had now idea how things were going to go from then on. At least in that uniform Harris would be able to follow them safely, or at least, that's what she hoped.

Trooper Harris

Harris pretended to behave casually - he didn’t say much in the com channel, just nodded and stood where he was expected to. The concert finally ended and a round of thunderous applauses followed. During the next three minutes, the room was clapping hands - that’s exactly when Castor Legolas took Iris by the hand and left the room quickly. The six bodyguards, including Harris, formed a human corridor to protect Iris and above all, Castor Legolas in their way to the armored car. 6 men joined the others in the speed bike and the remaining four, Harris included, entered the armored car.

“Iris, I know this may sound unpleasant, but those men are here to protect me...”, he let the words in the air. It was always unpleasant to see the woman being touched and searched by another man.

Mara Jade

"It comes pretty advertised that you must have a good body of security, Mr. Castor", she nodded, not trying to hide her annoyance, this time it was only proper.

Trooper Harris

One of the bodyguards who seemed to be the leader hesitated to move forward. They looked at each other, as if asking who was going to search the redhead beauty. Of course, all of them were excited by her looks, but at the same time they feared Castor Legolas’s jealousy. None of them wanted to touch his woman. Harris realized there was some hesitation in the air and stood up inside the car.

“Ma’am, I believe I must search you. It’s just standard procedure”, he said looking at Castor and the leader for approval.

Mara Jade

*She looked at Harris, her mind debating between relief and embarrassment. "If you must" *she muttered, standing in front of Harris.

Trooper Harris

Harris knelt in front of her and started to touch her pair of shoes, pretending to look for anything suspicious. His hands roamed over her feet, ankles, thighs, which were well toned and strongly built - there he found something suspicious but pretended it was nothing. His hands went for her groin and just for his surprised, she was wearing nothing. He gasped for air and his hands moved to her rear, pert and muscular. By then, the dress was rolled up, exposing her strong legs.

“Are you a fitness teacher, Iris?”, Castor asked spontaneously as he admired her body.

Mara Jade

Her eyes opened wide in surprise. One thing was allowing someone to touch her body only so far, she was usually able to extract any information before things went beyond comfortable, but something very different was being forced to allow her partner in crime search her body. She did all she could but she felt the heat of blood up her cheeks and ears. She could never be more embarrassed, or angry.

"I don't need to be one to punch you somewhere you wouldn't like", she growled, being convincing didn't take any effort.

Trooper Harris

Harris stopped. Her rude reply left everyone surprised - none of the former female escorts displayed such aggressiveness. The leader motioned for Harris (or whoever he thought it was Harris to further search her. He rolled up her dress, revealing her impressive abs - his fingers touched her tummies and moved up towards her breasts - she didn’t need to wear a bra to keep them firm and tight. His gaze crossed hers - he made an effort not to look apologetic. Anyway, he had done it in a way far less disrespectful than any of the other men would do. His hands went for the small clip on her hair, taking it out - he examined it and returned to her. 

“She’s clear, Sir”.

Castor smirked as Iris replied. “I like your stubbornness, Iris. You’ll be treated accordingly”, he waved at her, asking her to seat on his lap.

Mara Jade

The redhead sighed, she had already taken more than she could be comfortable with. "I'd rather wait to have privacy so I can enjoy all of you", she said with a seductive smile, she expected it to be an acceptable way to say no. She sat next to Castor and held his hand, squeezing it and gazing into his eyes. Then she looked out the window and briefly at Harris, trying to express an apology with her face, but mostly failing. She didn't mean to be rude to him, but she was far too anxious and uncomfortable. She reached into the Force trying to taint Harris's emotions, then quickly backed away. Why in the galaxy was she so damned worried about what he thought or felt?

Trooper Harris

Harris begged for Mara not to stare at him. ‘Damn it’, he thought to himself as their gazes crossed momentarily. He hoped that no one else had realized. Castor was a crook and as such, he was suspicious of everyone. He could not ruin the disguise before it was necessary.

Mara Jade

In less than an hour walk, they reached the borders of the big city, a place too crowded and too noisy for her taste "Stay close, it'll be a few blocks into the center of the city, we should see the concert hall pretty soon" she told Harris, walking a little faster. Her senses in the Force were sharp, but still she had learned her lesson and tried to keep her focus on her physical surroundings.

Soon enough, they reached the center of the city, full of people of all kinds and of course, full of transports. They could barely transit without crashing or block each other. "Big city, big mess" she sighed, checking on Harris who was right beside her. A little to their right they could see the giant and elegant construction of the concert hall, with its pillars, its crystal dome and its golden details.

"There it is" she said, then turned around and walked back into the street and deeper into the alley. "Please, keep guard for me, I'll get ready" she asked Harris. "Asked", she tought, for some reason, giving an order to this stormtrooper didn't feel right. What in the galaxy was going on with her?

Trooper Harris

Harris followed Mara until she ‘asked’ him to wait. He was certain she would accomplish her mission without his assistance. He leaned casually against a pole, activated his blaster under the loose trousers and nodded. He expected her to have her clothes changed, but as she told to wait, he would do that. From where they were, it was possible to have a relatively clear view of the concert hall. He started associating the parts and picture with the diagrams he had received - he figured out how to arrive at the rooftop: the cable way passed just 6 metres to the east side of roof. He would swing the trolley and jump. Risky but doable for a mere human like him. Piece of cake for Mara though. By she didn’t need to be there, she had the tickets. He checked the chronometer and Started to worry as Mara was taking longer than 15 minutes to come back. He had not heard anything - she was somewhere inside, perhaps finishing their makeup.

The doors of the concert hall opened 2 hours before the spectacle, exactly at 1 pm local time. It would be odd to be there alone, so he agreed that a small delay was not harmful to the plans. Then, he spotted an armored flying car arrived, surrounded by 6 speed bikes, each of them with 2 bodyguards. Legolas left the car followed by other 4 men. One bodyguard dismounted each of the speed bikes and the four began to inspect the surroundings, as if looking for anything suspicious. Harris knew they’d be coming to his direction and sneaked into the alley where Mara had entered and crouched behind the large dustbin. ‘That was close’, he thought to himself. Mara was facing Legolas Castor and 8 men in total in the concert hall, while six others were in the speed bikes. Not so dangerous, he thought. But where was the redhead? They had to adjust they com frequencies. Was she going to be that reckless? He held his breath in the hope Mara would reach him.

Mara Jade

She had never been a typical female. She had never been a typical human being either. But knowing how to look exactly right for every occasion was part of her job. A dune lady in Tatooine, a smuggler's female trophy or an underground dancer for some Hutt gangster, she didn't care. She finished her light makeup and fixed her elegant green dress in place. She was ready. She sensed Harris's tension as she walked back to him. Then she saw the armored vehicle and the bodyguards securing Castor's perimeter. "Seems someone's very afraid of something" she whispered into Harris's ear. "I should get in and merge with the locals" she said, not even trying to hide the annoyance in her voice.

Trooper Harris

Harris gasped surprised as she appeared out of nowhere. How has she sneaked in behind him out of nowhere? He decided not to ask - she was the Hand after all. “I got it. I think this is quite standard for these thugs. They’ll shoot at everyone they dislike or look suspicious. As I said, I will be in the rooftop. My radio frequency is YX682,76. If you have any com, use it - send it and I’ll wait for your Imperial code. If you need, I can throw a rope and pull you upwards - keep in mind this scape route, I don’t think you’ll need it anyway”, he stretched his hand to hold hers firmly. “I know you don’t need it, but.. good luck”, he said still paying attention to the speed bikes.

That was the firm time he tried physical contact with Mara. How would she react? He didn’t know. It was just instinct, hugging a fellow before the battle they could not return from.

Mara Jade

She squeezed Harris's hand tighter than she should, but she had accepted the fact that she cared for him, after all he was trustworthy and extremely valuable for the Empire. "You'll be able to hear everything" she told him, taking her golden round earring between her thumb and index, it was both communicator and microphone.

"If things get tough, we should have a key word, no imperial codes for safety" she warned, looking at Harris for the key word.

Trooper Harris

Harris felt her hand. Impressively, it was soft and warm. He wanted to stare at her face, to see how she was acting, but he didn’t find it professional. Neither would she. Besides that, the speed bikes were flying time and time again. He needed to find the precise time to sneak out of the alley without being seen.

“A key word?”, he asked surprised but it made sense, taking into account what had happened earlier. “Why not Luke for me and Arron for you?”, he smiled without facing her. He liked the irony of using the name of a rebel traitor. No one would suspect.

Mara Jade

"Works for me" she smiled. "Be careful Harris" she said, taking a last glimpse of her companion and heading for the concert hall entrance.

Mara walked slowly and careless, like any lady in high society would, looking around casually with the intention to detect anything abnormal. But everything was normal for the occasion. She watched Legolas Castor from a few feet away, he indeed looked like a man who had gained the favors of a criminal organization and the local government at the same time, probably cheating on both. She watched him closely, the way he moved, the way he talked, even the way he would constantly look around like a scared creature. That was the price he had to pay for his fortune and his fame. A couple of women walked up to him and begun chatting. Castor was being polite, if anything. Maybe, his attention wouldn't be as easy to catch as they had expected, but she had her tricks. The Force was quiet, not even the sensory overload inside the hall would make a presence, and that was a big sign on itself. There had to be Ysalamir around somewhere.

‘Damn it’, the Hand thought to herself, whomever who was responsible for the ambush at their arrival was now right there... or wasn't? What if Castor was so afraid of getting caught he would go the distance to prevent force users to have any advantage? This mission was getting more confusing by the minute, but one thing was clear: the only way to know was to get in the head of Legolas Castor, and that was her goal. She followed the crowd taking their seats slowly, and soon she was sitting next to Castor himself.

Mara Jade

Shortly Mara and Harris reached their destination. In front of them was a small building with no front door, only a cracked frame indicated the entrance.

“It’s here, let’s hope things hadn’t change much", the redhead said, the place didn’t look like much. Inside, the dim light barely allowed them to see the few tables and the bar at the front, surprisingly, the air carried the nice scent of food and drinks.

The bar was almost empty except for them and a couple more people minding their own business at one of the tables. She walked up to the bar where a big Mon Calamari was back to the wall, cleaning some glasses.

“Moxxar Daar, still cleaning somebody else’s mess?” she said outloud, the Mon Calamari quickly turned around and looked at her with his big yellow eyes, his mouth dropped open.

“Arrrin? Is that you?”, Moxxar Daar said before pulling a huge contraption made of glass bottoms and he pressed it against his eyes.

“Oh yes, yes, it is you” he said, recognizing Mara Jade. “It’s been a long time Moxxar, it’s nice to see you again” she smiled, then noticed the confused look on Moxxar’s eyes as he saw the young man standing beside her.

“Moxxar, meet my friend…” Mara started saying then looked at Harris waiting for him to make up with a name for himself.

Trooper Harris

‘Long time?’, Harris asked himself. How could it be if Mara looked so young? He smiled as Moxxar approached and shook hands. “How do you do, Moxxar? My name is Luke”, he smirked eyeing Mara with the corner of his eyes.

“Before anything, would you mind opening a bottle of Corellian beer?”, Harris asked Moxxar. He pretended to be friends with Mara as he pulled a chair for the redhead to seat next to him. He had no idea what made her path cross with that Mon Calamari, a species known for being against the Empire. Cautious was advised, Harris pondered.

Mara Jade

‘Of all the names’ Mara thought for a moment, of all the names he could have picked, an enemy name, that enemy. She immediately sensed his confusion and caution about the Mon Calamari, her ability to reach into the Force was back, which meant there were no Ysalamir around, and maybe, just maybe, they were safe for the moment. She sat next to Harris and watched as Moxxar served him the requested drink.

“I would pour one for you, but I don’t know if you’re still going to end up leaving without even taking a sip” he joked, she smiled. “I’ll have the same”, Mara said, she wanted to put the Mon Calamari at ease.

“Are you in one of those crusades of yours again?”, Moxxar Daar asked her, placing her drink in front of her.

“Crusade?” she laughed. “No, I’m just passing by”, Mara said, taking the glass and taking a sip. “I was wondering if Luke and I could use your guest room” she asked him, the Mon Calamari looked at the young man then at her.

“Sure you can, but I must warn you it won’t be very clean, it’s been ages since someone stayed here” he said. “Don’t worry, it won’t be for long, as I said”, Mara paused, taking another sip “we’re only passing by” she finished putting the glass down. The Mon Calamari went through another doorframe behind the bar and came back, throwing a card at her. She caught it.

“Thank you Moxx, I really appreciate it”, the Emperor's Hand said with a genuine smile, then she turned to look at Harris.

“Are you ok with sharing a room?”, she asked Harris casually.

Trooper Harris

Harris didn’t expect those words coming from Mara’s lips. After watching a casual conversation between the redhead and the Mon Calamari, Harris finished his glass and watched Mara drinking her own. So she was not used to drinking, not at least from Moxxar’s perspective. “Of course I’m not against sharing a room with you”, he replied trying to hide his heart juvenile enthusiasm. “You can use the sanisteam first”, he joked as he stood up and walked towards the guest room. “Where did you meet this Moxxar? How can you trust a Mon Calamari? Does he know to whom you work?”, Harris asked as they entered the room.

Mara Jade

“Don’t let the bed bugs bite”, Moxxar joked.

“Thank you again Moxxar, thank you a lot”, Mara said again in a soft voice, placing her hand on the bar.

“You don’t need to thank, there’s no way I could ever thank you enough for what you did for me” he said, placing his big Mon Calamari hand on top of her tiny human hand which disappeared under his. “I did what was right” she said then jumped off her seat and walked next to Harris. “Good night!” she said, waving goodbye to Moxxar who waved back.

The redhead caught up to Harris and guided him to the back of the building where the door to the guest room was. “Yes, he is a Mon Calamari, and yes most of them are rebels but some are just people you know?” she started saying, trying to answer Harris’s doubts as best as she could. “All I can say is he once offered me a place to stay and heal my wounds so I could carry on with my mission. A very messy mission, one of the few I’ve had in this planet” she told him, using the card to open the door to the room and walking in behind Harris.

Trooper Harris

Harris turned on the lights. He was surprised that Mara was answering to his questions. Are they becoming friends? Never did he expect to develop that kind of relationship with the Hand. He knew he was an expendable resource for the Empire.

He placed his backpack on the ground and took off his shirt. He laid on the small couch and looked at the queen king size bed. “You can sleep in the bed. You must look fresh tomorrow if you are into the madness of going to meet Legolas in the concert hall”, he added stretching his arms above his head, making his muscles bulge.

Whether Mara realized or not, his attitude towards her was changing. There was some respect, admiration… no longer childish jokes. ‘Damn, that should not be happening’, he thought to himself. It was not professional to attach or have feelings. Yet, the memory of covering Mara, feeling her breasts under his body, the casual touches: he was feeling what he should not. Was it a Sith spell?

Mara Jade

Mara took a glimpse of the bed and sighed. There was no way she could get any sleep that night, her head crowded with thoughts and questions about the day’s events and the sake of the entire mission. But Harris was right, she had a role to play the next day. She then looked at him, taking his place on the couch, a complete gentleman. She smiled to herself. He had proven to be a tenacious and strong companion. But there was something else, something she had never experienced around stormtroopers. A true sense of trust? No, it couldn’t be. Mara was probably still upset about the Ysalamir incident… that and, that other emptiness in the Force she had been feeling even with no Ysalamir around. She had failed her Master during the last mission. It had been a test for her and she had failed horribly. She had been punished with inaction precisely because the Emperor knew it was the worse of tortures for her.

And Mara deserved every bit of it. She still did. Maybe this mission was indeed personal, a challenge she had to conquer in order to regain her confidence. But deep inside, she knew there was some other reason she couldn’t allow herself to fail now. She took a last glimpse at Harris.

“Good night Luke”. the Emperor's Hand joked. “Thank you” she added, then rolled on her side and closed her eyes

Trooper Harris

Harris watched her going to bed dressed just as they arrived at the spaceport. The evening was going to be uncomfortable - after the incident he’d never be able to sleep in that planet. He recalled all the reports about the mysterious Emperor’s Hand, how she had been trained, how close she was to the Emperor. Momentarily, he wanted to tell her why he was there, who had commanded him, who gave all the reports. He never felt like that in the past 5 years. As a former member of the 501st, he was raised not to show his feelings, not to attach, just to obey. It was along time since he left his companions behind. Somehow he could still feel her uneasiness.

“Mara, don’t torment yourself about what happened today. I am here to be your shield”, he added. His sense of humor was gone, his lust was there though. If he were in the good old days, he’d jump into the bed and have his way with that woman. He felt it was inappropriate. “Mara, tomorrow in the morning, we’ll review the plans together. We can’t let any detail go unnoticed”.

Mara Jade

“You are not here to be my shield”, Mara replied, feeling the tension rising. “I have been sent on missions like this more times than I could count. Ever since I was a child, I’m not worried about my safety” she added, trying to find that cold core she was so famous for.

Growing up serving the Empire she had never formed a bond with anyone except for her Master, who was the closest thing she ever had to a family, and yet the farthest. Mara did get to make friendships, but they never lasted, she wasn’t meant for that. Her life was a secret, her identity was a secret. She was the Emperor’s hand and nothing more… Mara Jade was only a vessel for the Emperor’s will. And it would be better if she stayed that way, anything else could end up an unnecessary mess. “You should get some rest, after all you did get all beat up” she said, her voice sounding severe, she wasn’t joking.

Trooper Harris

“I’m resting”, Harris replied without caring about whether she wants him to be her shield or not. He swiftly fell asleep. On the following day, he woke up early and left the room. After talking to Moxxar, the young man grabbed real food for Mara, not those packs of ration that the Imperial Navy would give to everyone.

The trooper brought some fruits, some bread and two cups of coffee on a tray and placed it next to her bed  - he suspected that Mara had been awaken all the night and that she knew he left the room alone to return with food. For a couple of seconds, his eyes assessed her body, awed with her curves, her muscles toning her thighs, her breasts which would perfectly into his hands.

Mara Jade

Mara couldn’t get much sleep through the night, but finally, the first glimpse of dawn could be seen through the cloth covering the room’s small window. She didn’t see Harris, but she didn’t have time to wonder as he entered the room with a tray with food and a scent she couldn’t resist, coffee. She sat on the bed and turned as he placed the tray on the desk next to the bed. “How are you feeling?” she asked, looking up at him.

Trooper Harris

“Not one of the best nights, but I’ve had some worse experiences… I will never recall the time I spent on Moll during a survival training. It can always get worse, Mara”, Harris said biting an apple. “You look good. Legolas will fall easily when you smile… but I’ve been thinking. Won’t he check your references? Where did this redhead come from? Is she from Coruscant? Alderaan? He may have lots of questions as he is a professional crook”, he spoke showing concern for her.

Mara Jade

“It can get a lot worse”, Mara thought to herself hearing Harry’s words “Relax” she said “He might be a professional crook, but I’m a professional actress”, she added, trying to calm Harry’s anxiety. “I have everything I need to pass for a Coruscant diplomat”, she smiled, taking a sip of her coffee while watching Harris. This man was really something. Not only was a credit to stormtrooper training, but he was more than that. He was actually human, something stormtroopers were supposed to leave behind. She had worked with stormtroopers countless times and even commanded entire armies. But stormtroopers where trained to leave peers behind. Their mission, their target, was all they cared about. They worked together as one, but they didn’t have a bond, or a sense of belonging.

Harris was definitely different for some reason, or perhaps Mara was wrong about stormtroopers, she had known a few others who would count as human beings, but very few. “We should be on our way soon, we don’t know if there’ll be more surprises before we reach the concert hall” she said, getting on her feet and getting ready to leave.

Trooper Harris

Harris nodded with her impressions - it was unclear who had whistles the blow on their arrival. It could be someone from within the Empire, it could even be someone willing to undermine their mission. The Black Sun could know nothing about them. “I wish we could have stayed longer to search those Twi'leks. Perhaps we’d find some evidence about who’s against our mission. I have a hint, it is not the Black Sun. They may know nothing about us…. by the way, the concert is scheduled to start at 3 pm. Do you need make up or hair dresser?”, he asked changing the topic. “I am sorry but I can’t help with that.”, he smiled as he finished his apple. “So how’s your coffee? I had no idea you liked t so much… anyway, anything is better than those tasteless ration bars…”

Harris was not so sure about surprises on their way to the concert - one thing he was sure: no one had followed them. However, he didn’t have any idea about Moxxar and how Mara met him. Loyalties may shift over time… but Mara would never trust the Calamari if he were not reliable.

Mara Jade

Mara looked at her wrist for the time, it was still early “I think the odds favor the inside job hypothesis, who else but someone within the Empire would know about our mission?” she had a couple of suspects for the matter, one she didn’t specially like at the higher ranks of the Empire, one she wasn’t sure she would dare to confront “We’ll walk to the other side of the city, you’ll know when were close”, she told Harris. In fact, the big city was shockingly different from the outside areas like the one they spent the night in.

“Not only it looks different, it can be more dangerous, we must be cautious” she added, remembering the time she had been sent there, again as a punishment. She had to deal with a territorial dispute between two politicians, and she hated politicians.

“By the time we're there I can change quickly, don’t really need a lot” she smiled, throwing her backpack over her shoulder again and walking out of the room. She stopped by the bar but didn’t see Moxxar at the bar. Mara frowned; she would have liked to say goodbye. Maybe some other time

“I’m ready, let’s go”, she told Harris, heading to the city.

Trooper Harris

Harris paid attention on her analysis. He didn’t have anything to add as he always received order as a special operations trooper. To sum up, the Black Sun didn’t know anything about them, so Castor Legolas would not be expecting a blow from the Emperor’s Hand. “Dangerous for whom?” He asked incredulously as he was with the Emperor’s Hand and himself.

Trooper Harris

Within the expected time, the ship left the hyperspace. Harris was seating on the pilot´s seat and waited for the clearance to land on Chibias port #4922B. It took some three minutes to be cleared. He moved down the atmosphere and landed it exactly where the air command had ordered. "Now the fun begins, Mara", he stood up and grabbed the backpack which he had already prepared. He hit the button on next to the door and walked out, examining the surrounding before Mara did. There was no one in the space port and he found it odd. He scanned the area looking for some danger in vain - he felt that as part of his mission, he should protect her. "Come", he said to Mara as if he had control over her.

Mara Jade

She threw her backpack over her shoulder and walked out the ship. She focused her senses in the Force, trying to perceive any anomaly around them, it was in fact odd that the place felt so empty. She stepped ahead and looked around, the place looked dirty, almost abandoned, but this place wasn't exactly famous for being nice or tidy, except of course for the palace and the rest of the places the powerful and rich would go around and live in. She hated that world, so vane and artificial. "We should stay alert, this people are not precisely predictable, and they don't like strangers" she said to Harris, taking the lead and heading to the streets.

Trooper Harris

Harris nodded. He followed her in silence, paying attention to every detail and by stander in their path -. He was slightly tense as the space port was unusually empty, even for a small world.

After some 200 metres, when they were about to leave the space port through a narrow corridor, the blast door hissed and slammed ahead of Mara before. There was something odd as he saw a couple of reptiles running from one side to the other.

Everything happened in a fraction of second. Harris listened to a couple of clicking sounds coming from behind them - Harris could recognize two blasters being armed anywhere in the galaxy. Suddenly, he realized that they were the targets. Without thinking and acting by his own instincts, without any force influence, he threw onto Mara, protectively, his chest covering her body. Four bolts of laser flew over them. His heart raced; Harris rolled out of her, laid on his back, took his own blaster from holder inside his jacket and shoot at the first Twil'ek, hitting his head. In the next second, he was shooting at the second seal-like species, an Aqualish.

Harris was unprotected as the creature shoot at him repeatedly. All he could do was to roll to the sides in a couple of times. After the creature missed him six times, Harris finally shot the alien in the head.

Mara Jade

She thought of an ambush set in place given the odd silence, but she trusted her senses in the Force to alert her. Then it happened, with no warning, Twi’leks came appeared and begun to shoot their blasters. She felt her body pushed down to the ground as Harris protected her from the fire. She saw him pull his blaster and roll away firing back at their attackers. She immediately went on her feet but she couldn't anticipate their enemies intention, it all made sense. She took and activated her lightsaber, the magenta blade ready to block the fire, but despite being on the ground Harris managed to shoot the las one down. She kept looking for more, but all she saw was the reason she couldn't sense any of her surroundings through the force, the Ysalamir. She walked up to Harris and extended her hand to help him on his feet. She was embarrassed, and angry, she trusted to much her force senses, she should have anticipated the chance of Ysalamir in the place, especially if the criminal organization wanted to keep force sensitive authorities, weather the Jedi or the Sith lords at bay.  

"Are you alright?" She asked Harris, a shadow of concern and guilt tinted her voice as her eyes examined his body for wounds. "I'm sorry, I didn't see this one coming so quickly" she admitted to her companion.

Trooper Harris

Harris took a deep breath - he had no idea of how to use the force, although it had helped him a couple of times. Their mission had hardly begun, and they had been unveiled. At least, he had scored with the Emperor's Hand and that was not irrelevant. He stared at Mara who was visibly uneasy with the situation. When asked whether he was alright, he held her hand.  

"You look great from under", he joked in the hope she would smile back. He felt her strong arm helping him to stand. "Do not be sorry. I am glad you did not kill me earlier after all.", he paused. "We can’t go to the hotel that was booked for us. Someone knows we are here...", he stood next to Mara and whispered close to her head. "A traitor within the Empire, no big news", he used a data pad to check a new place for them to stay.

Mara Jade

"I have the proverbial bad feeling about this" she said, picking up her backpack from the ground and walking up to Harris "Forget about it, I've been here before, I know of a place" she added gesturing with her head for him to follow. It was about 40 minutes standard time for walked before they reached the less charming corner of the city. It was the zone where most of the people who didn't have much would end up living, but it was safe, most of them where only native families struggling to survive in contrast of the opulence of the main city.  

"Thanks, for saving my life back there" she started talking while they walked. "I shouldn't favor my sense in the Force over my physical awareness" she confessed, still scolding herself for failure, a habit she had developed from an early age under the Emperor's training.

Trooper Harris

Harris also had a bad feeling about that. He had no idea about the effects of those reptiles on Mara Jade. Were they placed there on purpose? Harris just attached his data pad back in the backward and started walking behind her. As they walked, he wondered whether they would be disguised properly - after all, both were good looking and Mara was always a girl to be looked at. "You are welcome, Mara. It is my pleasure to be useful to the Hand", Harris replied, unwilling to mock or make a joke again - that situation had somehow impacted on her. Soon was he walking next to her.

As Mara spoke about the force, he didn't understand it quite right. Was it something related to the old Jedi religion? For a second, he wanted to make a question, but he remained quiet. "Perhaps we should abort the mission, Mara. Who could possibly know about us coming? What if they are working for the Black Sun? What if they spring a trap tomorrow for you in the Concert Hall?", he asked truly concerned about her wellbeing.

Mara Jade

She had to keep herself from walking faster while considering the trooper's option. Someone knew they were there, and someone wanted them dead, those were the facts. But backing up from a mission was not something she could think of doing. If anything, the more dangerous it turned, the more it spiked her interest. Or perhaps she was being reckless. It wouldn't have mattered if she had been on her own, but she had Harris with him, and for some strange reason she felt responsible for his safety, maybe she liked him enough to care. She shook her thoughts away, she had no time to be emotional, she had to focus, forget about the Force and rely only on her own strength and skills.  She stopped for a moment and turned to Harris. "I think I may have underestimated the situation, maybe you should go back and bring back reinforcements, but I'm going to stay", she finished.

Trooper Harris

"Go back without you? No way!", Harris replied immediately. Whether she could understand him or not, he equally felt responsible for the girl. He did not want to give the wrong impression for her. "Moreover, I am worth one battalion of stormtroopers", he friendly punched her right shoulder. He held her shoulder. "We are going together to the Hell's Gate. Are we far?"

Mara Jade

Mara Jade

Mara entered the bridge of the Imperial Star Destroyer Chimaera and headed straight into the state room, where Gran Admiral Pellaeon was waiting for her. She knew the Admiral only by his career reputation within the Galactic Empire which was impressive to say the least.

AdmiralPellaeon

Pellaeon smiled allowing her to read how sympathetic he was in force towards her.

“Differently from others, I have nothing to fear from you, Hand. I have a mission for you. Are you in between assignment from the Emperor? Or should I look for a bounty hunter?"

The Admiral knew how to handle people and for this reason, he tried to toy with her pride. Little did he know how different Mara Jade was.

Mara Jade

"It's up to you Admiral, and how important this mission is for you." Mara crossed her arms - she was used to that kind behavior from fellow Imperials.

AdmiralPellaeon

Pellaeon grinned as she seemed to have accepted the assignment and pulled a chair on his room, next to the bridge of the ISD Chimaera.  

“Please have a seat. It is a long story”, he says.  

“Have you ever heard of Chibias? It is not that bad planet, I believe. It is located in the Mid Rim, close to Sibisme. There is a great concert hall there”, he explained staring at her beautiful emerald eyes.

Mara Jade

"Please continue", Mara was totally focused on his words, quickly scanning her own memory for any additional information.

AdmiralPellaeon

“The Rebel Scum is plotting something from Chibias. We have control of the planet but we want to move stealthily. It seems there is a traitor in the Rebellion willing to cooperate. I could send Veres or a stormtrooper".  

He briefly grinned. "but I believe that we need to be more subtle, less threatening to the Rebel deserter... perhaps somehow charming. We must find out where their fleet is, so that we can strike them at once”. The Admiral slammed the table as recalled the fallen comrades in past battles.

MaraJade

Mara smiled. "Understood, I'll make my way there tonight see what this rebel whistler has to say".

AdmiralPellaeon

Pellaeon nodded.  

“Do you need transportation? I have a highly trained storm trooper who could help you in this kind of mission. His name is Harris”

Mara Jade

The Hand denied with her head. "I can get there on my own"  

She started walking away then pauses for a second. "And thanks for the information, I'm sure the Emperor will be pleased to know one more rebel cell has fallen".

She headed to her chambers.

AdmiralPellaeon

The Admiral was about to protest as she walks away, but he is mesmerized by the sight of her rear, curvaceous body in the black skintight suit. He swallows dry and smirks, turning the communicator to Harris.  

“She’s on her way to her chambers. You’re ordered to go with her. The Rebel shall be at the Concert Hall and you are to watch her. That’s what Vader commanded”.

By the time she arrived at her chambers in the Imperial Destroyer, a young man around her age is leaning against the door. Standing at 1m88, he is well built and good looking. His blue eyes were piercing the Emperor’s Hand as she approached her room. “Greetings, Mara Jade. I’ve been told you are traveling to Chibias. Perhaps I may be useful.” He threw a data card towards her.

Mara Jade

She stared at the young man standing by, the perfect prototype of a stormtrooper... before war gets to them. She guessed he was probably there because of Pellaeon.  

"I wonder why Admiral Pellaeon things I'm in need of any assistance", she frowned.

TrooperHarris

Harris knew about the legendary beauty of Mara Jade. Nothing would have prepared him to her arrival - he was used to have women drooling around him and for the first time, he seemed to have momentarily lost his ground. His heart skipped a beat when she appeared and as he was told, she declined his assistance. A lone wolf. He approached her, trying to regain the confidence he was used to next to pretty women. She can definitively feel his strong signature in the force. As the data card he had thrown at her direction was on the floor, he bent his knees and took it. He raised his trunk and towered over her, tilting his head to the right.  

“I thought you were going to take this data card in the air”, he said placing the hand next to her in the wall and hitting the opening button of the door.

“You’d rather listen to me. The Emperor may be displeased if you treat me unwell”, he smirked as slid into her chambers.

Mara Jade

She was used to higher rank officers’ attitude, but certainly would have never expected it from a stormtrooper, specially not from one so young. Probably had a nice post next to Admiral Pellaeon, his man of trust, and of course, it had gotten to his head. 'Men' she thought to herself, trying to maintain composure

"I don't like to play catch with strangers" she answered in a flat voice, standing still outside the door.

TrooperHarris  

Harris entered her chambers and turned his back to Mara. He was not a force sensitive –not that he knew anything about the Force - but he was stronger in the force than the average person. Little did Mara know that he reported to higher ranks than Admiral Pellaeon.  

“Mara Jade, we have two options. You can stay outside without knowing what I have to offer you. Or you can come inside, open a bottle or Corellian wine, listen to what I have to say and then, kill me with you bare hands”, he said with an equally flat voice.  

“Of course, you can do that, but I think it’d be a waste of imperial resources”.

Mara Jade

She could sense the young man's arrogance as clearly as his presence in the force. "At least I can agree to one thing, I will kill you with my bare hands" she said, walking in, the door closing behind her.  

"Alright", she said, standing in front of him, her arms crossed. "The reason I won't kill you is?" She stares right at him, her patience running low every second.

TrooperHarris  

“I thought we had agreed you’d kill me”, Harris retorted as he walked to a computer station and tapped on the screen. “How safe do you think it is?”

Mara Jade  

"I'm pretty sure it's not, feel free to get to the point please" She looked at the screen from a few steps.

TrooperHarris  

Harris sat and showing no sign of fear, he typed an 18-character password. “Can you recognize this person?” A long file opened with the basic data about a certain Legolas Castor.

Mara Jade

She carefully looks at the picture of the stranger on the screen

"Enlighten me", she asked, lowering her tone for a bit, she had no clue who that man was.

TrooperHarris  

“It comes as no surprise you are no familiar with. He’s the new human ‘nephew’ serving Black Sun’s Xizor. I believe you heard about this criminal organization. We know they have been playing with us and the Rebels”, he was serious as he had heard about her past missions.  

“The point is: we do not know whether Legolas Castor is actually willing to provide us with some information or to set a trap for the fleet.”

Mara Jade

"We should find out", she answered. The name Xizor certainly resonated in her memory. A highly influential character within the Empire, she had never really liked him, but he was in good favor with the Emperor, and whatever she thought about him was out place.  

"There's a good chance that this guy Castor is only a pawn".

TrooperHarris  

“That’s why they are sending you. You have skills no other spy has, Mara.” Harris swirled the chair, so that he faced her.  

“Legolas Castor has a weakness. Redheads. Of all species. We have a ticket for you and know what? You’re seating just next to him in the concert hall in Chibias”, he says without making any effort to hide his concern about her safety.  

“I was commanded to be away watching over you. Don’t worry, I won’t be a dead loss. You may leave me behind if I get into trouble”.

Mara Jade  

"So that was it", she thought to herself. She had used her looks as a wrap on of distraction before, in fact it was quite an advantage given certain kind of targets.  

"I see you and your boss had everything set. Anyways, this should be a piece of cake" she said "Tell your superior I appreciate him taking the time to make preparations ahead", she added.  

"Now, if you don't mind I'd like to get busy", she finished, walking up to her chamber door and opening it, gesturing for the young trooper to leave.

TrooperHarris  

"Not my boss, our boss", Harris muttered in between his teeth without giving further explanation. He watched her rear swaying, almost in provocation to him - for a second, he wanted to slap it but he declined.  

"I am glad we could come to good terms, Mara. You´ll not be down", he agreed with her request and stepped out of the room - as he was in the door, he added. "Look for an old HWK-290 light freighter in the docking bay. We are not using any imperial transport, since it would raise suspicious... and I will fly it", he added, leaving her chambers. He boarded the ship and waited.

Mara Jade

Mara sighed. That trooper indeed had an attitude and that annoyed her, but she kind of like it. He was also very stubborn, something she would probably have to deal with. The information provided by Harris had been useful, and she herself had thought about piloting a low-profile ship to Chibias... Then there was the Xizor business... she had been on Chibias before, trying to bring some order back 8n to place after suspecting said ruler of treason, unfortunately, Xizor had his ways of not getting his hands dirty, so hard evidence of it was hard to find. Maybe, and just maybe allowing the stormtrooper to join her was a good idea, he could eventually come handy, she thought. She gathered her weapons and prepared a small bag with some appropriate clothes, she would have to merge at the concert hall gala and use her looks to her advantage.  

After a few minutes she boarded the freighter and joined the pilot.  

"Ok Harris, Let go".

TrooperHarris  

Harris decided to play the professional - if they were going to partner, there was no reason for them to fight each other. He stood up and bowed showing some respect.  

“There’s a room behind the pilot cabin: keep it for you, Mara” he said as he prepared the ship to take off.  

“You’ve just had a great stress in Sullust, so take advantage of this ride to relax. If you want to play sabaac or just drink some Corellian wine, I’ll be here”. Shortly after, the two entered the hyperspace. The trip would last 1 day in a series of pre-programmed jumps to the hyperspace.

Mara Jade

She was suspicious of the trooper's sudden change of attitude. He had proved himself useful, but she wanted to make sure he was up to the task, she had known a few stormtroopers who despite of the rigorous training would miss a simple target more than once or even fail protocol. Besides, she wasn't just going to sit for the ride, inaction tended to ruin her concentration. So she went and sat next to him.

"So tell me, stormtrooper Harris, how good of a pilot are you?"

TrooperHarris

Harris did not hide his surprise when Mara approached him. Her attitude was stern and professional. He turned his eyes to her and nodded. "I have had my quota of dogfights with smugglers in some missions for the Empire. I'm still alive, so it may mean something", he said as the ship came out of hyperspace, turned slightly and made another jump.  

"I plotted the known routes, even though the Hand may be authorized to use the Imperial-exclusive ones. I thought it'd be wiser, just in case someone hacks the NavComputer when we are out of the ship. It will cost us some time but will add some safety too." He swirled his chair slightly so that he could see her slender body. She was indeed pretty as he had been told. It was clear why she was the Emperor's favorite Hand.  

"I do not expect that we need to use my skills as a jet fighter. I am more worried about going physical. Those Black Sun goonies do not think twice to beat and torture people. I'm glad I can join this mission. Their crime syndicate must be ended".

Mara Jade

She was impressed by Harris's strategy skills, he had even planned ahead to cover up their tracks in case their transport was found. She smiled in approval. He was also very aware of the dangers they would probably encounter once they reached their destination, and most important, she was a professional but by no means infallible, he could see something she didn't.  

"Let's make sure it happens", she eagerly added to his comment.

TrooperHarris  

Harris stood up, towering over the redhead. He casually placed the hand on the back of Mara's chair. He knew he was winning her, although he lacked the degree of development in the force. "Yes, I don´t like those criminals", he snorted in disdain, trying to hide personal feeling of grief and suffering in relation to the Black Sun. Harris left her alone and walked to the cargo bay, where he took off the silly stormtrooper armour and put on a pair of bermuda. He began to do push-ups shirtless, focusing on what was to come.

Mara Jade