"Saved by the Intern"
By: Analesse D'vrishay
Minn Starcrash (a.k.a Minn Dakara)
Nemyos [NPC+]

Location: Analesse's Offices, New Plouton
Date: Vadris 23, 5 ABY

***

Analesse D'vrishay was rarely frazzled, but today was a justifiable exception. Having been awakened by an urgent comm from Nemyos, Analesse was frantically informed that her morning meeting had just shown up two hours early and were now waiting in the board room. Any thoughts of a pleasant morning having breakfast in bed with Merrick had been hastily discarded as Analesse threw on an outfit and sped out the door. She'd arrived at the office in a flash, ignoring Nemyos blubbering attempt to explain the mix-up as she rushed past his desk and straight for the boardroom. Never had Analesse missed a meeting, especially one as important as this, and she was admittedly flustered, but shock soon overshadowed every other emotion when she arrived outside the boardroom.

Minn stood at the front of the room, her attention directed at the holographic projection set against the wall. Through the transparex walls, the sound of the young woman's voice could not be heard, but the context was clear.

One of the men seated at the end of the table raised a hand and spoke. By his body language, it was obviously a question. Minn turned to answer. She held herself with confidence as she spoke, indicating the projection for emphasis. Her eyes flicked toward the door, and to Analesse D'vrishay, who was visible through the transparent wall. The young woman smiled brightly, and all attention within the room followed her gaze until everyone had turned in place toward Analesse.

Uncharacteristically perturbed, Analesse stared dumbfounded at the scene unfolding before her - and without her. The projections on the holodisplay were her own, the esteemed men and women seated around the conference table, raptly listening to Minn's speech, her clients. There was clear indecision in her expression as to whether she was enraged or relieved that Minn had saved her. Centering herself, Analesse moved swiftly and with aplomb into the conference room. It was preferable to behave as if her absence had not been an error on her part, rather than speak the truth; such would paint her as unreliable in the eyes of her clients and this deal was too important to be jeopardized so. Instead, she smiled as she entered the room and took Minn's place at the front of the room. Giving Minn a surreptitious wink to prepare her, Analesse began crafting her lie. "I'm sorry for the delay, ladies and gentlemen. There was an emergency at one of the worksites that required my immediate attention. I asked my assistant, Ms. Dakara, to begin the meeting without me. I trust she has been informative so far?"

"Quite," announced Dovin Mellis, a man with a keen eye to begin development in the Yade District near the edge of New Plouton's borders. "Informative and charming with an exceptional presentational talent. I only wish I'd been able to snatch her up to work for me before she signed on here."

Minn smiled and blushed prettily.

Aton Samtis chuckled. He was young and attractive, though very married and devoted to both wife and business. "Had Ms. Dakara not had a firm handle on the situation and began the presentation straight away, I believe the rest of us would have been forced to endure Mr. Mellis' flirtations until your arrival. Your protege is quite adept, Analesse. You are fortunate to have her, and so are we that it was she and not Nemyos covering for your unexpected delay."

"Thank you all," Minn said. "But, I will turn things back over to Ms. D'vrishay." She turned to give herself a moment of privacy with Analesse. "I was up to the Dannet Project in the presentation, though only just beginning. They all seem very interested."

"Thank you," Analesse responded, still not certain if she should be angry with or grateful to Minn. "If you'd like, you can stay for the rest of the presentation and take notes. Otherwise I'm sure Nemyos could use help preparing refreshments."

Minn smiled and glanced aside as if she expected the flamboyant executive assistant to be there. "I think I'll take notes."

Analesse nodded curtly. "Very good." She turned her back on Minn, set down her briefcase, popped it open, and withdrew her notes, all the while simmering with rage over how such a mix-up could have occurred...and why Minn was conveniently swift to stand in her place.

***

Her clients had departed in jovial spirits and great interest in Analesse's proposed development project. It was more than assured they would sign the deal within a couple days...but Analesse held no delusions she had anything to do with the meeting's success. It was Minn with whom they shook hands as they left, with Analesse receiving only polite nods. She grinned to mask her disappointment, and when all were finally gone she stalked from the conference room, silently fuming. "Nemyos!" she snapped, passing his desk on the route to her office. "Join me."

The foppish aide shared a questioning look with Minn, who now trailed Analesse. Noting his employer's foul mood, Nemyos cautiously entered her office, closing the doors behind him. What followed was a dressing down loud enough to be overheard through Analesse's supposedly sound-proofed walls. Minn stayed close, listening to Nemyos being viciously lectured about his negligence in failing to notify Analesse of the correct meeting time. And when the man was dismissed from his tongue-lashing, his pale face and shrunken posture made clear he had gotten Analesse's message, one that left him thoroughly confused.

He slumped into his chair as Minn watched him expectantly. "I...I don't know what happened," he explained, voice shaken. "I didn't receive any notification the appointment had been changed."

Minn frowned and glanced at his computer terminal. "Maybe it's another bug in the scheduling program," she said. "All of the calendar files are supposed to be interlinked, so yours should have been updated when it was logged into the system." She glanced up at him, the sympathy in her eyes clear for even him to see. "I'm sorry you had to go through that. It wasn't your fault the system didn't work right."

He sighed. "Oh well...there goes my chance at a raise." Shrugging, he added, "She wanted to see you. Enter at your own peril..."

"Okay," Minn said and sighed. "I'll see you after, and if you want to go out and get a drink after work, let me know. After today, I think we both could use one." She gave him a pat on the shoulder, and with a sympathetic smile of encouragement, she went to Analesse's door.

She knocked softly, and pushed it open. "You wanted to see me, Ms. D'vrishay?"

"Yes," she replied wearily without taking her eyes from the display on her desk. "Close the door and take a seat."

Minn pushed the door closed behind her. She watched Analesse as she then crossed the office and took a seat across the desk. She chewed her lip with apparent nervousness.

Her employer's face was visibly tense and the prolonged, heavy silence between them decidedly uncomfortable. It was obvious Analesse was struggling to master herself, and as disciplined as she was, calm was slow in returning to her. "You performed well today," she commented tautly. "I had no idea were you so well-informed about the meeting's agenda."

"I didn't realize I was until I got in there," Minn said. "I think helping prepare the presentation and the notes for you really familiarized me with it. I almost didn't, but I knew the project was very important and we couldn't lose the clients. I just hope I did half as well as you would have."

"Don't be so modest...unless you possess no powers of observation whatsoever it was apparent they were all very impressed by you." Analesse glanced up from beneath her lashes. "You are not that oblivious, are you?"

"No, I noticed," Minn said. "It's just that, all I did was what you would have done. I've been watching you closely since I've been here, Ms. D'vrishay. All I did was what I thought you would have done. Even though they were impressed with me, it was only because of you that I could have done that at all."

"Well..." She sighed deeply and appeared to relax a touch as she leaned back in her chair. "It's a good thing you were here to cover for me. I don't know what happened.... I've never missed an appointment like that. But, it won't happen again. In case it does, though...you need to always be prepared, Minn, to handle things for me. These kinds of mistakes could cost me clients, and I can't afford that."

"I'll be ready, Ms. D'vrishay," Minn said. "I was also thinking I should help Nemyos figure out why his information didn't get updated. He's beside himself."

Analesse executed a dismissive wave. "Forget him. He likely read, then deleted the message accidentally while mooning over Mr. Astren and forgot all about it. He'll be fine. But I do have to thank you, Minn. I would have had a room full of unhappy clients if you hadn't stepped in. That was quick thinking. If there's anything you want in return...."

"Oh, nothing at all," Minn said. "I'm just happy to have been helpful. I really like it here, and will gladly do anything to make sure nothing happens to diminish you or your company."

"You're sickeningly cheerful," Analesse teased mildly, and after a pause during which she considered Minn intently, Analesse said, "How about you join me at the White Noise this evening? I can introduce you to Merrick Braston."

"Really? That would be...that'd be fantastic. I'd like that very much. I'll need to smooth things over with Nemyos, I think. I suggested going out for a drink after work. I could go for one, or he may not even be interested in going. But, I'd really like to go to the White Noise."

"If he looks like he's near tears," Analesse suggested, "tell him Moril won't be there this evening so there's no need for him to join us."

Minn stifled a laugh and nodded. "I will," she said. "I know it's not really my concern, but he was quite worried that because of today he's lost his raise. Has he?"

Analesse smiled thinly. "I'll have to discuss it with Nemyos...once I cool down," she added. "I've sent a file to your computer. I'd like you to edit and return it to me by the end of the day."

"Of course," Minn said. "May I go and get started on that?"

"Certainly," Analesse allowed. "I'll speak to you again before you leave for the day about this evening."

Minn smiled and stood up from the chair. "I'll see you then," she said, then headed back to her desk.

This time it was Nemyos watching her expectantly as she passed. "Well?" he called to her, swivelling in his chair to keep his eyes trained on Minn. "What did she say?"

"She was upset, but she thanked me for covering for her earlier," Minn said, looking rather uncomfortable. "She gave me another project to work on. And, she invited me to go with her to the White Noise tonight, to meet Merrick Braston. I told her I'd offered to help you figure out what happened with the schedule."

"Oh my gods!" Nemyos exclaimed, nearly scrambling over his desk to reach her. "You got an invite to the Noise? Tell me you're going!"

"I figured I would," Minn said. "I mean, she is the boss and she asked me. Plus, Merrick Braston is something of a dreamy sort. What's sad is it sounds like Moril won't be there. I was sort of hoping, that way you might have a chance to get him alone."

Nemyos visibly wilted. "Oh...that's horrid! He really is the only draw for me. So...this means our date's off?"

"How about postponed," Minn asked. "If you're up for that."

He shrugged, giving a negligent air. "I'm sure I can fit you in again sometime... Just be sure to give me advance notice."

"Oh, I will," she said. "I'm going to have to scoot on to my desk. I need to get editing that file Ms. D'vrishay sent me. I'll stop by later, see how things are going."

Nemyos waved with a flicker of his fingers then sashayed back to his desk. His priority for the day: avoid Analesse D'vrishay at all costs.

Minn disappeared down the hall with a thoughtful smile on her face. The plan had worked flawlessly, far better than she would have expected. She almost felt bad for the torment Nemyos would be put through, but it was a necessary part of the plan. The next part of the plan would be quite fun, especially after tonight. From the rumours she'd heard, it wouldn't be difficult at all to get Merrick Braston into her pants, and from the holo-recordings, that would be quite fun. She just needed to be sure she got a recording for Reinrich. The fun was just beginning.

---

"Devious Intent"
by: The Master Sgt. Johan Eddis-Stormtrooper Spec Ops
Talira- The Master's Operative
various NPC's

Location: Kaidaga
Date: Vadris 23, 5ABY

***

This place had enough twists and turns to boggle the mind. In fact, it felt like being trapped in one giant rat maze. Even though Johan had been led through these corridors before, they still twisted his mind.

And yet Talira knew the exact way. Even to someone who must have lived here for a while, Johan couldn't see how one could maintain her since of direction. But he followed close behind her anyway.

The stormtrooper still had to remind himself that she was a clone every time he was around her. And yet, he was startled by her face every time he saw it, so identical to the Jedi padawan who seemed to want him dead.

Not that the feeling wasn't mutual, but John usually didn't have to look at the faces of the people he killed more than once. But both times now he had been in Talira's presence, he was reminded that his job didn't differentiate between wizened old Jedi Masters and pretty young Padawan's. They were all targets, enemies of the Empire.

"Talira?" Johan asked, breaking the monotony of their boots against the gleaming floors. "Can I ask you a few questions?"

The girl glanced back at him momentarily, then nodded. "Yes," she answered.

"There was a time when the entire Stormtrooper Corps was made up of clones. That was, of course, a little before my time. Their effectiveness was unquestioned. Though, there were quite a few who weren't sure about their.....humanity," Johan said. "I guess I'm curious because I've never met one face to face. How old are you?"

"I have been aware for around six months," she answered. "Most of that time has been spent in intensive training. My growth cycle began six months before that, but I have no memories of that."

"Has it ever bothered you that there is another one of....you....walking around out there?"

"When I became aware of myself," Talira said, "I would have appeared similar to a human child of five years old. There were six of us, exactly alike. Only four of us remain, and two of the others are on assignment. So, here only one of my twins remains, but it has been all I have ever known. A part of me is curious, but I am not bothered."

"There's four of you?" Johan wasn't sure he could have wrapped his head around such a fact, if he had been a clone. On the other hand, he was a Stormtrooper, and thus was like a million others at the Empire's command, all trained and taught to fight and function alike. Was he so different?

"Forgive me for sounding so....insensitive but...do you feel like normal beings? Anger, sadness, regret, love?"

"Yes," Talira answered. "At least, as far as I understand. I have been angry and sad, frustrated. I have not loved, but we are encouraged to seek out our anger and hate and use them as tools against our enemies. The Master demands obedience of us, but he has not limited us emotionally or intellectually. There are other series of clones who the Doctor has modified more extensively, to make them more obedient. His elite clones, of which there seem to be more now, we were designed and trained to infiltrate society where needed. We are not common foot soldiers, or not all of us are. Most of the Master's clones have been bred for the purpose of infiltration and assassination. We are, or can be at least, his spies."

Johan considered his next question. "And you take satisfaction in this duty?"

"I have not yet been given an assignment," she answered. "It's the only life I know, but I'm not dissatisfied with it. I guess, with nothing else to compare it to, I don't know what I would do otherwise."

"You've never given thought to what your life would mean if you didn't have a Master to serve?"

Talira glanced around quickly. "My Master provides me with what I need, and I serve him. It is all the life I need." The words were spoken earnestly, but there was something in them, a slight strain, that lent a shadow to them.

"How did your Master come across cloning technology?" Johan paused. "Cloning cylinders we're very rare after the Clone Wars, or so I've heard."

"I do not know the whole story," said Talira. "What I have discovered, though I have not sought to discover it, is that he is not the one who discovered it. There was another before him who came across the doctor, a being from beyond the Outer Rim, they say. The other was a powerful man and very rich and he used a large amount of his fortune to fund the doctor's research. The Master believed he wasted the technology on pleasure slaves, but he began training the man as his apprentice, and then began to use the doctor to build the facility here. The man, Dargus Kandran was his name, I have heard he went over to the Jedi out of guilt for something he had done, but the Master says he is dead now."

Johan remained silent, considered the information in his head. He would need to read up on this Kandran's file when he got back to the Authority. It might give him some clues on where this mysterious "master" had come from.

He decided not to pry into Talira's life anymore than he had already. It wasn't the time, and he doubted that Talira would give up much more information willingly about her master and his operations.

Nodding to her, Johan fell into step again.

The corridor took a final turn and opened up into the chamber Johan recognized. Seated in a tall chair, the shrouded figure of the Master regarded him as Talira brought him forward.

"I will wait for you outside the door," she told him quietly once he was before the chair. With that, she withdrew to the back of the chamber.

"Sergeant Eddis," the Master said, his tone pleased, "you come before me again, and with important news, I suspect."

"I do." Johan pulled a datastick out of his vest, it's glossy surface gleaming as it caught what little light the Master's chamber had. The stormtrooper moved over to a holoterminal near the robed man's chair.

"May I?"

The Master nodded for him to continue.

Johan plugged the datastick into the terminal, pressing a trio of buttons. There was no holoprojection, but soon an audio recording was coming from the device.

The Imperial had recorded the entire encounter with the Jedi. The recording revealed the infiltration into the hideout, and the subsequent conversation as Johan revealed his plan to disable to skyhook, and use the Jedi to act as a diversion. Lastly, when the conversation ended, it listed the capabilities of the AN-132 Anti-Matter Weapon, which would be used to destroy the skyhook. When the recording came to a close, Johan drew the datastick back out.

"I'm not the most persuasive speaker," Johan said. "It took some doing to convince them to participate."

"It would have been enlightening to overhear the Council's deliberations," the Master said. "You have done well, Sergeant. And you are looking to blame this Jedi, Master Bennis, for the debacle. A devious plan I approve of."

"It won't be difficult. With much of the populace still harboring resentment for the Jedi, they will look for the most likely scapegoat," Johan observed. "I feel it necessary to inform you that when the anti-matter weapon destroys the skyhook, there will be substantial casualties in New Plouton that will result from falling debris."

The Master mused on that for a moment. "Minimize what damage you can," he finally said. "But some casualties are unavoidable."

Johan was silent. The trouble was, some casualties were unavoidable. And while the stormtrooper would stop at nothing to achieve his objective, he sometimes wished the collateral damage could be avoided.

Johan nodded, then paused. "I was hoping to take Talira with my team on the raid. My team has had little experience regarding a Jedi as powerful as Master Bennis and it would shift the odds in our favor if things don't go as planned."

"I am not certain that Talira is ready for such a test," the Master said as he studied the sergeant. "But this will be a suitable test of her abilities. She will accompany you on your mission."

The sergeant was inwardly relieved. He had been worried that the necessity of having the Jedi Master along would have jeopardized the mission. Even still, it was a dangerous landmine best tiptoed around.

"Do you believe that we have really fooled the Jedi for the time being?"

The Master gazed into the distance, though what expression may have been present on his face was hidden by the cowl. "I suspect they may be fooled on some matters, but not on others. I suspect they have no clue on the plans I have in place or how deep my agents go around this planet."

The stormtrooper knew that this man wouldn't reveal those plans. Johan still had no idea who he was, even what his face looked like. Talira has said he had once had an "apprentice". This coupled with the fact that he possessed force sensitive clones, led Johan to believe that the man was another force user. But was his angle, then? He obviously hated the Jedi, but unlike Johan, who had a mission, this strange man had revealed nothing about why he despised the Jedi, other than he saw them a self serving blight on the galaxy.

There was also the issue that he had know Johan's name, and how to find his ship. Did this "Master" have contacts in the Imperial ranks? One only came by that information with the highest clearance.

"Then, since there is nothing else," Johan made to leave. "The attack will take place with the next few days. I will have Talira message you with an update."

"Success to you and your team, Sergeant," the Master said. "I look forward to the positive results of your operation."

"I never have anything but." Johan turned, and headed for the door.

Talira was waiting for Johan at the door, ready to escort him back to his waiting speeder.

"I requested your help on this operation and your master agreed," Johan told her as they moved back towards the exit. "Is there anything you need to take before we leave. I doubt we'll have anything your size on the Authority."

"I don't need much," Talira said. "I'll grab some clothes, my weapon, and I can be ready in ten minutes."

Johan nodded and checked his chrono. "Ten minutes then." He glanced at the two visored guards that stood sentinel on the door that lead back to the speeder bay.

"Do hurry back. The one on the left is looking at me," Johan said wryly.

Talira laughed. "He's making sure you don't steal anything valuable," she said. With a final grin, she hurried off to her small room to grab some things.

Only eight minutes had passed by the time Talira had returned. She wore a large cloak that easily concealed the black-handled weapon clipped to her belt. She carried a pack slung over one shoulder.

"I'm all set," she said as she approached.

The speeder ride back to the Authority was uneventful. A few hundred yards out, Johan ditched the speeder in an abandoned lot. It had been hot wired and stolen, anyway.

The stormtrooper led the way through the back alleys of the slum, before ducking beneath the half open freight door of a abandoned factory. Inside, the Authority sat, blacked out, not a single light illuminating her matte-black hull.

"Preservation." The code word was spoken quietly into Johan's comlink.

A few seconds later, the boarding ramp of the Authority descended, dull red light illuminating the inside. A small, short figure appeared at the top. Standing, Johan motioned for Talira to follow him.

To'Makh bowed his head to Johan as he boarded the ramp. "Was your trip successful, Sergeant?"

"Yes." Johan turned to Talira. "This is Talira, one of our....friends operative. She's going to be helping us with operation. Talira, this is To'Makh."

"To'Makh," she said with a nod. She looked around, then continued after Johan as he went deeper into the ship.

They reached the personnel quarters area. Johan opened a narrow hatch, and gestured into the room inside. It was the space of a large closet, and contained only a bed and a storage locker.

"Hope you don't mind. My room isn't any bigger, and this is my damn ship," Johan quipped.

Talira smiled. "It's only a little smaller than the space I have in my Master's compound."

"You can set your stuff down and follow me to the bridge. I've got our pilot going through his pre-flight checks right now."

***

Johan set himself down in the co-pilot's seat, relieved that they had made it to the cockpit with running into Corporal Logan. Logan wasn't aware that their new accomplice was cast in the image of the women who gravely injured him. It probably wouldn't do for him to see her before Johan informed him.

Thorgim looked back at the new comers, and nodded a brief greeting. Nothing fazed the superb pilot in his zone, not even the presence of a newcomer in his cockpit.

"We're go for orbital, Sergeant."

"Very well." Johan spun his chair back to face Talira. "Take a seat and strap in."

The Sergeant pressed the intership comm. "Prepare for orbital in 30 seconds."

"Have you ever been off-planet, Talira?"

"Before today, I've barely been outside of the Master's compound," she answered. There was a hint of wonder in her eyes as she looked out through the canopy. She could feel the vibrations of the engine through the ship. She had experienced similar situations, but only through the simulators. She could only wonder if any of her sisters, the other T-Series clones, had ever experienced what she was about to experience. "It's kind of exciting."

The stormtrooper grinned in spite of himself. He supposed it was exciting. Part of Johan felt a pang of sadness that the simple joy of space travel was long lost to him

"This should be quite a show then." Johan put on a headset and nodded to Thorgim. "Hit it."

The Authority shot into the air, silent at first, then after it was clear of the city, activating it's main thrusters and rocketing into orbit. Johan reached into his pocket and inwardly kicked himself. He hadn't found the time to grab for cigarras.

---

"Too Hot in the Kitchen"
By Omri Kedemoth
Shil Ju-Do- NPC Resistance Recon Officer

Location: Tae'Sollar Desert
Date: Vadris 23, 5ABY

***

"How many were captured?" The woman asked, not looking up from a small holorecording playing before her. She watched faint figures moved outside a high wall. The ghostly images made the dim cave even more eerie. The recording ended abruptly. "All of them." Omri replied stolidly. He had monitored the attempted raid on the Jau mine from a distance.

The woman finally looked up. Omri studied her... dusty military uniform and black hair pulled into a tight ponytail. Almond-shaped eyes. And every bit a soldier.

"The raiders should have been able to approach even closer than that without detection. I gave the commander our intelligence, we told them with the stealth suits, they would be unseen." She spoke, looking off.

"They must have sensor equipment we did not count on," Omri replied. He was frustrated and surmised that Ju-Do felt the same sense of guilt he had. Their small recon group had monitored the Jau rebuilding the mine, but it had become more difficult as the Jau patrols and fighter sweeps increased.

"Its no longer safe here. Tell the team to pack up, we are evacuating." She sounded exasperated. Turning, she began to pack equipment into plasteel crates.

"Someone has to watch what's going on there, there are slaves there again, we can't just leave!" Omri protested.

Shil slammed down a holo-transceiver she was packing. "They have completed the defenses, they'll begin mining soon, same as before, what else is there to watch? We are too close, do you want to watch what's going on from inside, in Jau chains?" She spoke between gritted teeth.

Omri paused. Staring at her.

Shil turned to face him, finger jabbing in his direction. "If you dare even think I'm acting the coward, I'll gut you like I did half a dozen of those stinking Jau out there. This has nothing to do with being a hero, its military tactic, live to fight another day."

She glanced down at Omri's ancient curved sword at his side. "The day of the hero is gone, Omri. We lost a lot of good 'heroes' at the mine. But flinging ourselves at the enemy will not win this war. Its calculated strategy, precision strikes and yes...bravery that will win this war."

She turned back to packing equipment. Omri gripped the hilt of his sword until his knuckles turned white, then he turned and left the room.

---