"Familiar Alliances"
by: The Master Sgt. Johan Eddis - Imperial Stormtrooper Special Operations various NPC's

Location: Kaidaga
Date: Vadris 17, 5ABY

***

Rubbing his eyes, Johan stood in his cramped "office". Space was limited on the Authority, and so Johan's office was more like a closet with computer access. Across the screen scrolled all of the news feeds coming in around the planet. Thanks to the state of the art electronics suite on the ship, Johan could any public communications, and with a little bit of time, most private or encoded communications as well.

He had been searching for any sign that could pertain to further sightings of the Jedi he had encountered, but so far, Johan had come across nothing that helped him. The news feeds were full of the usual, a robbery, corporate earnings, and other pointless facts that Johan cared little for.

Fishing into his pocket, Johan pulled out a fresh pack of cigarras. He fumbled around for one, lit it, and took a long drag. Yes, he felt a bit better now.

Making his way into the medbay, Johan sighed in frustration when he saw Corporal Logan asleep. They had been keeping him mostly sedated since his injury.

It was frustrating. They had only been on this planet a short time and already Logan had suffered an almost fatal injury and the only thing they had to show for it was one dead Jedi, two escaped, and no leads to continue the search.

Johan was about to take off his comm headset and try to catch a little bit of sleep when the commbead inside the headset flared to life. "Sgt. Eddis?" It was Corporal Thorgim in the cockpit.

The sergeant sighed, before clicking over so his pilot could hear him. "I'm here."

"Could I get you up here?"

"On my way."

***

The cockpit was dark, the only light was the faint glow of the consoles and the small screens which gave Corporal Thorgim the information he needed to expertly guide his craft. Outside the cockpit, dark clouds could be seen flashing by, and beyond them, the faint lights of a settlement, but one that was becoming closer and brighter.

Johan mentally chided himself. He had totally forgotten they were en route to Kaidaga, a city on the planets southern continent. The Authority was largely self sufficient, however, there were a few items, such as some more advanced medical instruments that Mustoc needed to continue treating Logan.

"We're about five minutes out," Thorgim informed him. "There is a small hospital on the outskirts of the city." Touching a screen, the pilot brought up a map of Kaidaga. "Not far from is this district, which is apparently is a bit run down. This series of landing pads, apparently, hasn't been used in quite some time".

Johan only nodded.

"But that's not the best part," Thorgim told him. "If this intel is correct, this city has an extensive sewer system. In fact, I'm pretty sure this you can use the system to move all the way from the landing area to that hospital."

The screen changed, bringing up a view of the hospital. Small sheds filled on corner of the hospital's compound. "I'm willing to bet that those sheds have med supplies in them," Johan said. "We could start there."

***

The Authority dipped in low over the group of landing pads. The intel hadn't been wrong, they were abandoned and had fallen into a state of disrepair. But perfect for their uses. The dark night gave the Authority it needed to land virtually unnoticed.

Johan led the way off the landing pad. His eyes scanned the surrounding area, his headset adjusting to night vision mode to allow him to see in the blackness. Mustoc followed him, carrying a bag which he would use to gather the supplies he needed. Standard imperial blaster rifles were carried by both.

Logan was obviously in no condition to move, Thorgim had to fly the ship, and Johan had told Silas to stay as well. Stealing a few medical supplies and trinkets shouldn't be too hard for two men.

As Johan's feet finally stepped off the Authority's ramp, he felt uneasy. His trained senses saw no one, but his instincts told him otherwise. One didn't do this job and not trust their instincts. A nod from Mustoc told Johan that they both felt the unwelcome gaze of an third party they could not see.

From the shadows, three shapes emerged. Blurred and indistinct at first, but the ship's running lights soon illuminated them enough for the details to be apparent. At the fore of the group, a young woman with dark hair and high cheekbones, a very pretty face and lithe figure observed the Imperials. Behind her, a man in a black cloak with hood pulled low over his face stood to the left; a woman, similarly cloaked, was a shadow on the right.

The young woman at the front focused her gaze on Johan. "You are expected," she said, "please come with us. You will not be harmed."

For a moment, all Johan could do was appear dumbstruck. Standing before him was the same woman he had tracked to Zenarr Inc., and who had been responsible for the shoot out that had left Corporal Logan nearly dead.

After a split second of indecision, Johan brought up his weapon, training the muzzle of the blaster on the trio. Behind him, Mustoc did the same, and above, Johan could hear the sound of the Authority's blaster cannons coming to bear on the Jedi and her two companions.

"I don't know how you tracked us, Jedi," Johan said, his eyes watching the three for any movement. "But we've got a score to settle."

The two behind her made no moves, but in a heartbeat, she had drawn and ignited a lightsaber. It's crimson glow bathed her black clothing in color of blood. Hovering into view, a pair of weapons platforms mounted on a repulsor sled trained their weapons on the Imperials. At the control of each was a heavily built humanoid in black body armor.

Her eyes flicked to the ship, then back to the Imperial officer. "You are making a mistake if you believe I am a Jedi," she said. "And if you attempt to harm us, I assure you whatever interests my Master has in you will disappear and instead you and your team will be hunted down and destroyed. You lack the support to survive against an attack by him. He is a very patient man, but your delay will surely try his patience."

Eyeing the repulsor sleds with disdain and contempt, Johan keyed his communicator. "Corporal Thorgim, do you copy?"

"Affirmative, Sgt."

"Private Mustoc is going to be coming back inside. I will be leaving with our new acquaintances. Get the ship back into orbit and wait for my signal. If you don't hear from me in 48 hours, your in charge until Corporal Logan can re assume command," Johan told him.

"Sergeant, are you sure that's....."

"Don't question my orders, just do it."

Johan clicked the comm off, looking to Mustoc. The team medic looked reluctant, but nodded once to Johan and then headed for the ship. The ramp closed shut behind him, and after a second, the Authority's silent engines hummed to life, lifting the ebony vessel off the landing pad, and after a second, vanishing into the darkness.

After it disappeared, Johan turned back to the entourage. He eyed the young woman a second time. At first glance, she had seemed a perfect match of the Jedi he had encountered before. But as he studied her closer, Johan wasn't sure he was looking at the same person. The eyes especially, seemed different. Colder, somehow.

"How does this work," Johan asked her.

"There is a speeder waiting," the woman said, and motioned to the side past a pair of the repulsor sleds. "My master wishes to discuss your presence here. One of our agents spotted you in the city, fighting with some of the Jedi. He is quite curious to hear of your experience."

"Well then," Johan said. "I wouldn't want to make him wait, then." Johan climbed into the speeder, carefully laying his blaster rifle across his lap. He pulled his box of cigarras out of his vest, picking one at random sticking it between his lips. The tip glowed cherry red as Johan took the first puff.

"Are you going to blindfold or sedate me," Johan asked with a hint of sarcasm. "Or would that be too cliche?"

"That will not be necessary," she answered after she climbed into the front hatch of the speeder. "You may address me as Talira."

The speeder pulled out. The darkness masked much of what lay beyond the speeder's canopy, but after a minute of driving, the entire canopy faded into a matte darkness. The series of turns the speeder then went through seemed somewhat excessive, but in time it finally slowed.

"We have arrived," Talira stated and the locks on the speeder doors clicked free.

His black boots stepping out of the speeder, Johan took in his surroundings. It was a bay, and he saw a few other identical speeders parked. The means to which they had entered the garage was less apparent, since Johan couldn't place the exit. Perhaps it was meant to be that way.

Johan himself had been on the other end of this enough times. Disorient your contact, put them at a disadvantage. He took another log drag from his cigarra, doing his best to play off the sense of discomfort he was feeling.

On the far side of the garage, a hatch was being guarded by two black armored men. Assuming this was their course, Johan didn't wait for Talira to give him direction.

Neither guard moved until Talira had approached and nodded. She slipped in front of Johan and led the way down the corridor. There was very little light within the complex, and only the faint illumination of the globes set into the walls provided any hint of where they were going.

Talira offered no conversation, merely moved between the sections of the master's complex. After what seemed like hours, though could have been no more than fifteen minutes, of walking, the corridor opened into a much larger room.

Standing before a window that seemed to look out over the city stood a man in dark robes and a hood pulled up over his head. His back was turned to Talira and Johan.

"It is good of your to join us, Sergeant Johan Eddis," came the voice that seemed somehow familiar, vaguely, but there was something very different in it. "Please come forward. Thank you, Talira. You may go now."

Taking slow steps, Johan approached the figure clad in black. The echoes of his boots against the immaculate floors seemed to echo across the entire chamber. As much as the chamber had an oppressive atmosphere, it was...familiar. That familiarity was almost comforting. Almost.

Johan made a slight bow, out of respect for the information and power this individual commanded, if nothing else. Johan's name and rank were top secret Imperial intelligence, requiring a level nine security clearance.

"I dislike meetings where I have no information of the subject, sir," Johan said tactfully.

"I am sure you do," came the reply.

"As you seem to be aware, my name is Sergeant Eddis, Imperial Stormtrooper Special Operations Division. I am the Imperial authority assigned to this world. If I might be so bold in asking how the knowledge of my mission came into your possession, and what business you have with me?"

"One of my eyes and ears in New Plouton reported a fight between your unit and a Jedi Padawan," the man replied. "I have a special interest in the Jedi and their activities. I am particularly interested in how they are planning to respond against the threat of the Jau. Your activities, due to the involvement of the Jedi, have piqued my interest, especially since you survived the encounter with all your limbs intact."

"But, that was not your question, was it? As to how I know what I know, I am afraid I cannot reveal that information. But, I will state that I have my people placed very highly on this planet and beyond. I have need of people, Sergeant, and I believe our goals may be similar. And I will not ask you to betray your allegiances to a fading Empire."

Johan approached the shrouded man slowly. "My goal is the restoration of Imperial rule on this planet, citizen. Fear not that Imperial power will return to the Outer Rim, and it would be wise to chose to be a friend rather than any enemy."

"If there is a planet on which Imperial rule can be restored when the alien invaders have finished with it."

"Of course, we seem to have a shared interest in the destruction of these Jedi mystics," Johan said. "I find it strange then, that you employ the same mystics in your charge."

A shadow of a smile appeared deep within the shroud hiding his features. "Is it so very strange, coming from where you do?"

The stormtrooper considered his past dealings with Lord Vader, and shifted his weight uncomfortably. Whoever this man was, he seemed to have way to much information as was safe for any one person to know.

"I would suppose not," Johan admitted.

Johan looked back at the door through which Talira had exited. "She's a clone isn't she? She's a perfect copy of the Jedi that I encountered in New Pluton."

"She is," was the answer. "My former apprentice had a weakness for pretty faces and cloning. I took what he made, however, and made it useful."

The young man seemed to consider this for the moment, before turning to look out the window over the city. It was still night, and the only illumination came from the few building lights and the thrusters of the odd Jau aircraft on patrol.

"Where do you suggest we begin with these Jedi?" Johan asked his mysterious patron.

"For now, the Jau are the largest threat. They cannot be allowed to hold this planet. That being so, I am content to let the Jedi continue to fight against them, exhausting themselves in the process. They will lose some of their number. And, once the Jau have been pushed back, the planet will be ripe for takeover. And, the Jedi will fall."

"Then I believe we will find ourselves in much agreement then," Johan said. "Tell me though, what do you gain from the Jedi's destruction? Why is this issue your own?"

It was a question bred from years of distrust working in the secretive world of the special forces. Everyone had a goal, a motive, even if it wasn't one they would admit.

"The Jedi Order are usurping betrayers. They betrayed the Republic once in pursuit of power for themselves, and they will do it again. Before the Jau came, the Jedi had people close to the High Princess, forcing the political spectrum in a direction of their choosing. They cannot be trusted, and with their power few can fight against them. They must be destroyed, less they destroy us all."

"The Jedi used their powers to lord over the population long into the history of the Old Republic," Johan mused. "It is not unexpected that they would seek to preserve their own little kingdom here."

"It world be best if I had a way to contact you, if we are going to work together in the future."

The shrouded figured nodded. "I will see that you have one."

"Then I will depart," Johan said, with a slight bow. "I trust one of your servants will show me out?"

"Talira will see you back to your ship. We will speak again soon, Sergeant."

The young woman appeared again to stand by the Imperial soldier's side. She gestured toward the exit.

---

"Deadly Appreciation"
By: Minn Starcrash
Reinrich Tas
and Maeren Shivral

Date: Vadris 17, 5 ABY
Location: Nocturnal Delights, New Plouton

***

Minn Starcrash passed through the office door with little hassle, the guard outside waved her through with a glance. She wore a sleeveless leather catsuit that hugged her figure with her lightsaber clipped to the belt that sat low on her hips.

Within the office, she found Reinrich Tas where she expected him with one of his dancing whores standing opposite him. The girl was pretty and blonde, and seemed to be a favorite at the club. She made Tas more than any of the other girls, and could dance and sing when put up on stage. Minn knew her name, but not much more about her. Maeren Shivral is what her card said, but everyone just called her Shiv. And she seemed to have been born for this business.

"It was a good night," the girl was telling him as she placed a credit chip on the desk. "I think tomorrow night will be even more. The repeats are getting popular. That one desert man has come to me three nights in a row now."

Minn moved out of the shadows and approached the desk where she took a seat on the corner to observe the whore. She raised an eyebrow and saw the woman glance her direction, but then fix her attention back to Reinrich.

"The others will be bringing their chips down once they've finished," Maeren Shivral said. "I'll be out to dance until the closing."

"As you should be," Reinrich informed her, though his eyes were devouring Minn's enticing figure. "The way you gorge yourself day and night, I require a week's earnings to recoup the food costs." A disgusted sneer flashed at Shiv. "If you're not careful, you'll grow out of your outfits. Then what good will you be to me?" He nodded towards Minn, so attractively draped upon his desk. "Take a look at her - the perfect specimen... You don't stuff your face with everything in sight, now do you, Minn?"

"I don't," Minn said with a smile.

"I have a high metabolism," Maeren said, then opened the robe she wore to show that she wasn't gaining weight. "See? I'm not getting big. I just need a lot of food, especially with how active I am."

"Trying to justify literally eating into my profit?" he accused in a menacing whisper. "Leave before you make me do something you'll regret."

Shiv left the room quickly, not bothering to mention to Reinrich that she easily brought in more than what it cost to feed her.

Her departure, however, left Minn and Reinrich alone. Minn laughed softly. "She's spirited. I've seen her dance, and the men out there love her." She shrugged. "But, I'm not here to talk about your whores."

"No," he agreed, "you're not." Taking only another moment to indulge in the sight of Minn, Reinrich quickly diverted his focus to the matter at hand. A datachip sailed end over end towards Minn, who snatched it out of the air in midflight while keeping her eyes fixed to Reinrich's. "Your next task," he explained.

"Assassination," Minn asked as she slipped the chip into her top. One of the drawbacks of the skintight outfit she wore was the complete lack of pockets, but she liked the way people looked at her in it. Reinrich seemed to particularly approve.

"Bellak Vacor," he confirmed. "A particularly bothersome competitor. And since he refuses to be bought...." Reinrich shrugged. "He needs to die."

"Consider him dead," Minn said. "Any particular way you want him to die? I suspect removing his head with a lightsaber might be too suspect."

"Anything especially painful...just make sure it's not traced back to me. Everyone knows I hate him - even the faintest of suspicions and my name will be dragged through the bantha dung." This elicited an ironic chuckle from Reinrich. "Though, I'm not exactly respected as it is...but it's still best if they're unable to pin this on me."

Minn gave him a smile. "I'll make sure no one can point a finger at you," she said. "I've actually already got an idea. So, as soon as possible? Or do I have some time to prepare?"

"Any time you need," Reinrich allowed. "Just...get it right."

"Oh, you can count on that," Minn said with a laugh. "I'd bring you a trophy, but that would be too easily traced back to you. So, you'll have to be satisfied with my personal report and whatever headlines his death makes."

"And if I'm not satisfied" --he smiled lecherously-- "you'll have to make sure I am, won't you?"

Minn rolled her eyes. "I will have to make sure you're satisfied. Though couldn't your prize performer do that just as well?"

Reinrich waved his hand dismissively. "She only knows so many tricks. Besides, you're my servant - you'll do what I want of you with no complaints. Are you clear on that?"

"Perfectly," Minn answered. "Whatever you want, you get, Master. Without question or hesitation."

"Then kill Vacor," he told her emphatically. "And do it today."

"He'll be dead before the sun rises," Minn said as she slid from his desk and sauntered toward the door. "I'll see you when the job is done."

"I will," Reinrich returned, smiling luridly, "and without that bodysuit on."

Minn flashed a smile in Reinrich's direction before slipping out the door. She didn't have much time to put her plan into motion, but with a little ingenuity on her part she would turn Vacor into a corpse.

***

When Minn Starcrash returned to Reinrich's club, the sky was just lightening to the grey of pre-dawn. By now, she was known well enough around the club and had no troubles getting through the numerous doors that led to Reinrich's private sanctum. Outside his door, she stripped out of her bodysuit and boots, leaving them beside the door. In her hand, she carried her weapon belt since she didn't trust the fools that worked for Reinrich not to steal the blaster or her lightsaber. The only other occupants in the hall were the blonde she'd seen in Reinrich's office earlier and a Twi'lek guard pressing her naked body against the wall while he took her roughly from behind.

Ignoring the two, Minn slipped through the door and into the darkness of Reinrich's private chambers. The view of New Plouton's nighttime cityscape seemed far more appealing to him, as his eyes remained fixed to the skyline while ensconced in his highbacked armchair. He summoned Minn forward with a beckoning curl of his finger. "Great view, isn't it?"

"It is," Minn said. "The city seems to have more breathtaking vantage points than most cities on the planets I've visited. The architects knew what they were doing. Though, I believe it is only with power that the scene can truly be appreciated."

"And with you, I may find that power soon enough." When Minn was near, Reinrich glanced aside at her, then motioned his eyes towards his lap. "Tell me...did he scream?"

"He begged for mercy and received none," Minn said, settling down across his thighs. She described the events of the previous hours, leaving out nothing. In the end, it was a brutal death and one that would never be traced back to Reinrich. "His screams were not very manly at all."

He chuckled with near arousal as he conjured images of his competitor being slaughtered by the Jau, with his rigid, eager manhood quickly slackening upon the realization he was not being led to a hotel room for a night of bliss with Minn. She was proving as artful as he himself boasted to be. Now on his lap, Reinrich stroked her thigh gingerly. "You weren't seen?"

"The Jau saw me there, but I was careful to change my appearance enough that they wouldn't recognize me again if they saw me." She grinned at him. "I was able to make sure he was dead before I got away from them."

Reinrich nodded approvingly. "You wouldn't be opposed to performing another such task?"

"No," Minn said. "I would have no objections or opposition to performing another hundred such tasks."

Brushing his lips against her throat, Reinrich whispered, "Because you're ordered to, or because you want to?"

"I have to do it because I am ordered to," Minn answered. "But it is something I enjoy very much, and so I want to continue doing it."

"Then will you do something else for me?" To persuade her, Reinrich dipped his hand between her thighs. "Will you do what I ask?"

Minn gasped softly as his fingers brushed against her. "Anything," she answered.

Reinrich grinned cruelly. "You're very pliable for being touted as such a powerful creature. Does that mean you can also be broken?"

"Hardly," she said. "The core of my training is discipline. And while I'm letting myself enjoy what you're doing, I'm still very much aware of what's going on around me, and what I could do to you if I needed to."

"But you won't hurt me," he told her confidently. "Your master won't let you until he's gained what he seeks....so until then" --he penetrated her roughly with his fingers-- "I want no more threats from you. It's very irritating."

"Very well," she answered. "No more threats. I enjoy my time with you, but if someone came through that door to attack you, I would be ready and able to respond."

"Deadly in every way," he mused favourably. "I can appreciate that...but this next task requires some delicacy, will require you to be softer, warmer. Can you be that, Minn?"

"I can be delicate," she said. She gave him a doe-eyed look of such convincing innocence, she seemed almost a different person. "What would you like for me to do for you, Mr. Tas?"

Gently cupping her chin in his hand, Reinrich leaned close and whispered, "Become someone's friend."

"I can do that," Minn whispered back. "And my objective?"

"There are two," he explained. "I want confidential information extracted, and I want a competitor thrown off her game. But I warn you, Minn" --his tone darkened and eyes narrowed-- "she's not to be hurt."

"No harm will come to her," Minn promised. "So, I become her friend, find out her secrets, and throw her off her game."

"And create the impression - justified or otherwise - that you are carrying on an affair with her lover."

"Sounds intriguing," she purred. "Though, I suspect my having an affair with her lover might put a strain on our friendship. I will have to be extra charming."

"That is why," he explained, "she can't find out right away. Get the information, then shake her up with the revelation."

"I will bide my time," Minn said. "And how will I make contact with you? I will need an apartment near her offices as well."

Reinrich smirked. "Always asking for more, aren't you?" Still, he nodded his assent. "Whatever you need. So we are agreed." He shifted in his chair to gain better access to his zipper, and once undone Reinrich pulled Minn against him. "Now," he breathed against her ear, "you have another duty to attend to, hm?"

Minn put her upcoming mission out of her mind as Reinrich slid inside of her. He filled her up very nicely, and she wondered if she would miss the time they spent in here when she went undercover. With a seductive smile for him, she put all thoughts out of her mind save enjoying herself now, and making Reinrich miss her once she was gone.

---