#dr. oggurobb

[sullustangin]

Fluffy February 2024 Master List

Huzzah! I wrote 29 things for Fluffy February (ok, 28 things plus one very fluffy chapter for my bigger fluffy fan fic).

Highlights: I developed my canon for both Lenn Teraan and Cole Cantarus. I wrote another Akaavi/Mako piece (someone needs to write them an epic Carbonite Years fic). I posted my most explicit work so far (is that a low light?). Dr. Oggurobb has decided to weigh in a lot lately.

I'll post the round up list, and then reblog with the AO3 link.

Snow -- 10 ATC - the smuggler crew lands on Alderaan

Eavesdrop -- 22 ATC -- Someone is spying in the cantina.

Entertain -- 21 ATC -- Theron and Eva do an intel drop at a casino.

Learn -- 10 ATC -- Eva learns how to dance from Lenn Teraan.

Planet -- 29 ATC (chronologically "now" in canon) -- Eva buys a planet. Because.

Fire -- 36 ATC -- Eva, Theron, and the big family on Odessen roast marshmallows.

Recovery -- 24 ATC -- Eva recovers from the Nathema Conspiracy. Risha makes sure of it. CW for untended anorexia.

Smile --over the years -- Theron's teeth may not be real, but his smiles are.

Storm -- 5 ATC -- Eva meets her first magnetic storm.

Care -- 21/22 ATC -- After Theron is injured, Eva makes sure he gets the care he needs.

Quest -- 39 ATC -- Theron and his band of adventurers... need to go to bed.

Discipline -- 40 BTC -- the Grand Admiral headcanon/backstory that's been rattling around.

Splurge -- 25 ATC -- Eva buys Theron a gift that isn't exactly what he wanted.

Free space! I added to Elysium, for a little while.

Craft -- Carbonite Years -- Akaavi knits something for Mako for the first time; in terms of the relationship, that's a big deal.

Spontaneous --- Theron and Eva rope Lana into one of their schemes.

Pleasure -- 22 ATC -- Eva speculates on some of the alternative universes in which she met Theron differently.

Pain -- sometime between 25 ATC and 29 ATC -- Bit of a kinky piece wherein Theron has his old scars replaced by Eva. This is Explicit for sexual activity, biting, bruising, and blood.

Shadow -- the legend of the Voidhound, from a child's perspective.

Partners -- 21 ATC -- A Theron/Eva heist fic, with their radio comms as cover

Reward -- 40 ATC -- Dr. Oggurobb finally retires... or so he thinks, thanks to Bowdaar.

Sacrifice -- 29 ATC (between patches 7.2 and 7.3) -- Theron sacrifices one of the few things to survive from his childhood. Eva is a pregnant person in this fic, so CW for that.

Dance - Eva dances with Jace Malcom. This is a continuation of an eventual post-Nathema fic about a party.

Apology -- 28 ATC (Between Elom and 7.3) -- Theron liberates Arcann from his job at a fast food join in Dromund Kaas by punching him in the face. No, I will not elaborate (I will totally elaborate).

Kiss -- 21 ATC -- Theron thinks about the his views on good morning kisses in the early days after Eva's return.

Rain -- 21 ATC -- Theron finds Eva out in the rain after Koth is worried about her. It's not as bad as it looks.

Protect -- 14 ATC -- Dr. Oggurobb meets the Voidhound on Makeb.

Shy -- 13 ATC -- Cole Cantarus becomes friends with benefits with Eva (she pays at the bar).

Fresh -- anytime after 23 ATC -- C2-N2 tries to start spring cleaning on Virtue's Thief. "Tries" is the operative word here.

Taglist

@fluffyfebruary, @ayresis, @starlightcleric, @ermingarden, @blueburds-but-swtor, @vihola, @commanderlurker, @sarpndo, @the-sith-in-the-sky-with-diamond, @vexa-legacy, @grandninjamasterren

#fluffy february #swtor fan fiction #theron shan #theron shan x smuggler #oc: eva corolastor #dr. oggurobb #arcann #koth vortena #lana beniko #risha drayen #bowdaar #akaavi spar #mako #akaavi spar/mako

[abbee-normal]

Some fun and interesting emails from the Alliance

First, Dr. Oggurobb being all practical:

Sana-Rae having a crisis of faith:

Hylo Visz having fun at Lippi's expense:

and the dark horse of the group, Beywan Aygo bringing in a rock band!

#swtor #hylo visz #dr ogguorobb #admiral aygo #sana-rae #alliance experts #i rarely bother to level up influence on these guys #but Allie wanted to and who am i to deny her

[greyias]

7.1 Mail Call (Part 2)

SO. APPARENTLY THERE WAS MORE?

But first, can we talk about someone clearly slicing into the HoloNet servers and constantly backdating his letters so they appear BEFORE everyone else, but deliver like three hours to three days later for some stupid reason?

SERIOUSLY THERON WHY DO YOU DO THIS?

Okay, saving the best for last -- let’s go in alphabetical order. First up, Talos!

I am still very confused about Talos being involved in any of this because I’m pretty sure he sent in his two week notice back during Onslaught/Jedi Under Siege? I guess he changed his mind?? Regardless, I do love that he’s getting involved in this storyline, even on Pubside! It’s right up his alley.

Also, Imma laugh if this planet is the same one Arcann (and now Sanna-Rae) went to.

Onwards, Tau!:

Ouch. Poor Tau :(  she has not been having the funnest of times when it comes to this Malgus Reborn arc. ilu Tau, plz write more. We’ll go on more adventures soon, I promise!

Finally, THE BOY™ SPEAKS (again):

Initial Reaction: Theronnnnnnnnnn [high pitch dolphin noises]

God I love Theron mail so much. It’s just... ♥.  But first off! “a nice, long--very overdue--vay-cay-shun” The mental image of Dr. Oggurobb taking Theron’s blood pressure in the middle of staff meetings! 😂  Theron apparently having imaginary conversations where he says the Outlander’s part, in my head its in an exaggerated high pitched voice (regardless of the Outlander’s gender). Theron hates surprises but loves giving them (just like Lana hates titles but loves giving them). And of course him just being Mr. Worrywart. It really adds an extra layer to his silent role at the end of LotS, the one non-Force sensitive user showing up with a gun to hell with the fact that everyone else is throwing Force telekinesis nets over Malgus to restrain them.

Also, I DIED laughing at that last paragraph, because I know he’s talking about Malgus, but my first thought is the Outlander smiling coyly back at Theron and being all “I don’t know, it worked on you” (not that he’s really that much of a closed book these days. But still 😂)

#swtor release week #swtor spoilers #swtor 7.1 #swtor 7.1 spoilers #swtor lots spoilers #grey's silly swtor tag #mail call #all right #imma run manaan stuff tomorrow methinks #time to go do my super important vibes research for editing purposes

[bluezeri]

pt. 2.5 of the anakin swtor au

1 | 2 | 2.5

im gonna be honest i do not remember the canon timeline at all so im gonna skip to the second battle of odessan w vaylin, and early in the battle he manages to face her, alone.

he talks to her, but he quickly see just talking will not work. so he summons his inner obi-wan kenobi, and completely breaks her down. he uses everything he knows about her childhood, what senya and arcann have told him, what he gather based on her crazed ranting and anger, and he breaks down every last bit of her until theres nothing left, only a crying young woman on the forest floor. she still lashes out when he tries to come near, but it is not out of anger. he anger is gone and has left her axhausted more than anything. all thats left is fear, fear of whats to come, fear of her fathers wrath, and her mothers kindness. so he sits with her. she surenders he troops, the battle is over. he continues to sit with her.

later when they finally move, senya will see her daughter walking alongside anakin and she will cry. she approaches but is too afraid to move further. vaylin does nothing and is quickly led to the medbay to check injuries. the alliance is horribly confused.

anakin skywalker just managed to turn empress vaylin to their side.

vaylin does trust anyone except her brother, and even that is one a thin line. but she manages. anakin helps.

the emperor is still a problem. but they defeat him again because his entire family hates him.

anakin does take the throne. it doesnt feel right.

im probably still fucking up the timing of when everything happens but whatever

hes betrayed by theron. he desnt know how to feel, he just becomes a bit of a mess. the force is telling him this isnt right, something bigger is happening. he tries to tell lana at some point, but her look of pity is enough to make him close his mouth. when theron reaches out again, hes... hesitant, to say the least. he doesnt fully believe theron betrayed him but... he looked at him with such hatred in his eyes. what if he does hate anakin?

he doesnt, as he soon found out. the man he loved more than anything in the galaxy, fake betrayed him for a chance to stop the order of zildrog, without telling him. he understood it, sure, but that stop the anger from rising in him. he quickly releases it into the force, and sets his face to show no emotion he can feel theron guilt triple as soon as he does it, but he cant help but think he deserves it, just a little.

and theron goes and gets himself shishkebabed. what the fuck. ther isnt time for anger, hes already carrying theron back to the shuttle before lana can get a word in.

theron is healed eventually, and he proposes. anakin had already let go of his anger and forgave theron, and he accepts. their wedding is small, only a few people are there. but he really couldnt be happier.

of course, the war between the empire and republic is still going on, but he has a feeling it wont end anytime soon. over the next few years, the alliance slowly withdraws itself from the conflict. and eventually, it will be forgotten about completely.

he has not finished fighting, there is another war to finish. he tells his friend, his family this and they understand. they do not look sad however, because they will be going with him. anakin protests, its not their war. theyve done enough for the galaxy. but theron grbas his hands "do you really think we're gonna abandon you after all this? you cant rid of us that easy Ani" and if anakin cries a little bit, no one sys anything.

he doesnt need to be able to time travel for this one. with the help of dr. oggurobb, theyve developed statis pods that will last at least a few millennia.

3500 years later, a holocron in the jedi temple finally open and cathes the attention of the temple librarian, Jocasta nu, and requests a jedi by the name of obi-wan kenobi.

#star wars #swtor #anakin skywalker #crossover #kotfe #star wars the old republic #vaylin #senya #theron shan #valkorion #tcw #the clone wars

[forceusingwayfarer]

Just two geeky archeology nerds couple spending some time together studying artefacts when not fighting hoards of Sky Troopers during KOTFE on #SWTORLISunday

Clipping issue aside, I like to imagine Talos being an absolute cutie (his love language is totally physical touch and quality time) who just likes to be close and Asante my SI being, "Oh damn no ones watching us right!?" 😳

Dr Oggurobb is always watching. 😅

#swtor #SWTORLISunday #swtor Talos #swtor SI #swtor Talos SI #swtor talos romance when #swtor kotfe #swtor screenshot #swtor gif #swtor LI #swtor sith inquisitor

[oolathurman]

it's official coshbyss has romanced koth we'll see how it goes tho bc i know coshbyss will become VERY frustrated when koth doesn't want to see the truth about valkorion.

also i gotta say that his one-sided convo with dr oggurobb is pretty much the most in-character thing that's happened in game

oggurobb: [opens mouth]

coshbyss: [goes non-verbal and just stares]

#coshbyss

[erinmccomics]

When you disown your son because he’ll never take on your engineering company or amount to anything useful, and then he shows up a decade later wanting a defense contract for his army.

#swtor #kotfe #kotet #chiss #khim #Outlander Khim #Krondo and Sketia #comic #I just really wanted to draw Dr. Oggurobb ok #lana beniko #hutt

[minek68]

I have the sudden urge, to unleash Holiday on Dr. Oggurobb...

#swtor #dr oggurobb #also on Vaylin

[insufficient-focus]

All of the Locked Supply Crates and the random gear that was all over the place was making me crazy so I went through and did a full inventory of everything that was in my Legacy on one server. Then I assigned the sets to my main in each class. But of course, I couldn’t stop there. I wanted to make sure that I could easily locate the gear appearance so all of those sets are individually linked to Tor Fashion. Oh and which Alliance Contact to see for each set. I probably should have played for a while... XD 

#swtor #swtor gear #compulsive behavior #but i know where everything is now #satisfaction #it's late for me but one planet of heroics won't hurt #alliance base #alliance contacts #dr oggurobb #hylo visz #sana-rae #beywan aygo #crates crates crates #kotfe

[themaruslegacy]

My two favorite character choices in the expansions so far are:

1. [Why not let him continue? He's on a roll.], or something to that effect, found during the first private conversation the player character can have with Dr. Oggurobb.

2. [Wookie Impressions], found during Gault and Vette's recruitment mission.

#if I ever resubscribe I'll see if there are anymore gems #honestly if a conversation choice just lets me be weird it's immediately one of my favorites #swtor

[swtorramblings]

I Shall Save Myself-3: Inspiration

Senya at Vaylin’s bedside by @fleeting-sanity.

I Shall Save Myself Second Draft Chapter List

The Alliance has a plan to contain, rather than kill, the fallen Empress, if she should ever wake, as well as caring for her injuries and physical health. This has been developed in secret, and even those involved believe it is simply a way to delay her eventual execution.

Dr. Oggurobb looked very pleased with himself, but sometimes it was hard to tell how meaningful that was, he had that expression so often. Lana spoke first. “Is your design finished?” The doctor responded, “Oh, yes! I do not know why you went through so much effort to save her, but who am I to turn down the chance for Inspiration?” He turned to his panels, and a holo activated. “I do have to wonder, though, wouldn’t it be simpler to use a suppression device? Or keep her unconscious?” “We suspect she is simply too powerful now for anything we have to be enough, and Theron seems to think the Commander wouldn’t approve of keeping her in a coma indefinately.” Theron frowned and said, “He would, and you agreed with me.” “Of course he would. I don’t have to like it.” There were several seconds of silence before Oggurobb went on. “Very well. I don’t have a name for it yet, we developed it too quickly, but it should meet all your needs. A small, portable enclosure, with fully automated medical and defensive facilities. With some modifications, it should be useful in helping our forces survive the more extreme battlefield injuries.” He pressed some buttons, and the holo zoomed in to the inside of the design. “Of course, considering who will be occupying the prototype, we have put a number of automated weapons inside, and the unit will be sealed unless authorized personnel unlock it from the outside. It will give fair warning to Patient Zero if she were to wake, as well as alert us with great urgency. It is reasonably self sufficient for at least a month, for both medical and dietary needs. It can be fed materials as necessary from outside. If the occupant can gather local resources, it may last longer, but of course that won’t be possible in this case.” Theron said, “Still, let’s put the first one down somewhere with some kind of access to edibles and water. I’m sure the Tiralls will appreciate it.” Lana took it all in, then said, “All right, Doctor, it looks as though you’ve surpassed yourself, as you somehow always do. Considering the delicate nature of the project, we will need the names of everyone that worked on it so they can be debriefed.” Oggurobb thought, and replied, “It was just me and my usual staff. Oh, and young Vette helped with some of the automation routines.” The two humans looked at one another. Theron spoke first. “You didn’t tell her what this was for, did you?” “Of course not! We have kept the actual reason for the prototype, or why it became priority, in strictest confidence.” Lana looked suspicious. “Did she, by any chance, make any suggestions on the design?” “Yes, just one, we have added a small but efficient explosive device to destroy the unit. It would be a tragic loss, and an expensive one, but we don’t want any of our opponents to capture our Creations. It can be detonated remotely or with several pre-programmed triggers.” Theron rubbed his face with one hand. Lana looked at the ceiling for a moment. They said together, “She knows.” “I’ll have my people bring her in. Hopefully she can be made to understand the need for secrecy, if nothing else.” Theron walked out of the room. Dr. Oggurobb asked, “Is everything all right? Should we remove the explosive from the design?” Lana, ever pragmatic, replied, “No, leave it in for the prototype. We will discuss it with future production.” She paused, “All right, Doctor, this is your highest priority. How long will it take?” “No more than a week. We already have fabricators ready and programmed with the designs. I still do not understand all this effort for a person that will likely try to kill us if she recovers.” Theron returned just then. “It’s the right thing to do. Probably. Maybe. Are we doing the right thing, Lana?” “Perhaps. Regardless, we are committed to this course. Anyway, we will need Senya and Arcann soon, and they will not leave her side without some kind of assurance that she will be protected and cared for.” “Oh, yes, your brilliant plan.” “It is a risk, but it is necessary. Thank you, Doctor, we will be checking in daily. Theron, we need to go meet with Senya at the meeting point to discuss the next steps.” “The fun never ends.” “No, it really doesn’t.” Finally, they left the doctor. He released some of C2’s aroma of the week. It was going to be a long day of invention. He already had a dozen refinements to make for the next production model and needed a name for it. “To Inspiration.” He returned to his work.

As promised, just less than a week later, the prototype was ready. It was transported well outside the base, put down next to a lake surrounded by thick forest. Arcann and Senya brought the former Empress, now prisoner of the Alliance and the most hated woman in the galaxy, to the site. Though her injuries had been mostly mended, they gingerly took  her from the shuttle and carried her to the cubicle. The sensors recognized them, two of four people that had been granted access, and the defenses went into stand-by mode and the door opened. Senya carried her daughter into what would be her prison, if she ever returned to herself, and laid her down in the medical bay. She bent down and kissed her on the forehead, then exited the unit. She nodded to Arcann and stepped out to take Lana’s call. While his mother assured Lana that it was them, and that the transfer had gone smoothly, he stepped into the cube. He walked to his sister’s side and laid his hand on her shoulder. He said nothing. Soon, he turned and joined his mother. Unnoticed, a spark of lightning traced the young woman’s body and face, then was gone, before the internal sensors could activate for the first time. The doors sealed behind Arcann, and the camouflage systems activated. Mother and son knew that they were now being tracked by sensors and a fair amount of firepower. It would not be enough to stop a concerted effort, but they were needed elsewhere. If any of them were to have a chance, including Vaylin, they would need to leave her for a time. No one else would tend her or protect her, and they would not trust anyone that volunteered. They would have to trust her to this technology filled box in the wilderness. They returned to the shuttle and flew back to base. Behind them, their only remaining family slept, but not well.

#Vaylin #Senya #Arcann #theron shan #Lana Beniko #Doctor the Hutt #fanfiction

[sullustangin]

Fluffy February Day 27: Protect (Late)

SWTOR

Time: Hutt Cartel

A/N: Dr. O keeps talking to me. So we don't get that very important conversation about Lippi here, but ... we do get an understanding. And yes, there's a Star Trek TOS reference.

~~

A rapping at the doorframe to his makeshift laboratory tent. 

Dr. Oggurobb looked up.  He hadn’t expected any visitors, especially after he’d sent that ambitious little leech away.  He had to lower the focus of his vision another few centimeters to perceive his visitor. 

“Ah.  Captain.”

She had been right; that Addar boy did seem to be jockeying for a position in the galactic Senate.  And based upon how she’d methodically sacked his old laboratory, she was remarkably perceptive…

He held back “for a smuggler.”   She had yet to make a similar comment about him.  Friendly “for a Hutt.”  Book-smart “for a Hutt.”  Unmaterialistic –

Well, that one wasn’t true at all; it simply manifested differently than raw wealth, war materiel, luxury barges with dancers, and credits.  It took the form of exquisite lab equipment, highest quality optical lasers and lenses, and particularly rare and delightful tea. 

…even his own people considered him strange.  An alien.  An aberration. 

“Dr. Oggurobb.  Do you have time to give me a more detailed brief on your defenses at Tonborro’s palace?”  Captain Corolastor broke through his internal agonizing as she pulled a datapad out of her field jacket.  “I’m heading in there with a Mandalorian and a sticky-fingered Mon Calamari, and I’d like to get …” She made a motion with her hand as she booted up her device.  “…more insight on whatever creative furies seized you on a given day….so I can destroy them more efficiently.”

Then the Captain paused, stared at her datapad, and then looked up at him.  “…they explode like little bunches of colored fireworks.  That deliberate?”

Dr. Oggurobb couldn’t stop the swell of pride.  “Yes, it is by design!  Color! Vibrancy!  Impact!  Destruction should never be dull.”

“So tell me about the design process,” the Captain deftly cut in.  “And tell me anything your particularly remember about the programming.”  She reached again into her field jacket.  “It’s old, but I know it can slice anything.”

Oggurobb peered through his magnifying ocular piece, so he did not have to try to bend.  “That omnitool is of the age to be in the museum, though not the condition.  It has received considerable abuse.”

The second the words had left his mouth, he regretted them.  Most sentients had things that were of sentimental value; he had very few of such things.  He was much more concerned about the latest and the greatest technology.  He may have – no, he probably did offend her –

“Still used and useful, so why put it under transparisteel?  Same goes for the rest of my ship, if you plan on commenting on that as well,” she replied airily. 

With no further ado, she deposited herself in the single standard sentient-sized chair in the room and waited for him.  No grudge. 

She desired information more than she did an argument. 

“…very well.” 

Oggurobb moved to pick up his own datapad stack that he’d personally carried from the laboratory.  As he turned back around, he noticed her craning her neck toward a cup that he had left out.  “Apologies.  I had not anticipated visitors.  I could prepare – ”

“If it’s the bagged stuff from Shalim’s office – pass.”   Corolastor tilted the cup toward her, inspecting the bottom of the vessel.  She made a disapproving face and set it back on its flat.  “I can get my Hollis – with a modified speech board – down here with some of the ship’s stash of looseleaf.” 

Oggurobb raised an eye ridge.  “You observed the empty storage vessels when you tore apart the laboratory.”

Corolastor nodded.

“Indeed, I had been imprisoned for quite some time and under considerable duress.  My supply has been depleted.”  A pause.  “Modified speech board?”

“Won’t speak until spoken to.”

“Summon him and your tea immediately then!  It is a rare privilege to have a willing audience to explain my madness and my method, my melody and my masterwork!”

~~

The noise came far too early for Corolastor’s Hollis droid to have shuffled from her ship to his laboratory. 

Her eyes had flickered as she recognized the shift in the soundscape, the subtle change in the ambiance. 

The voices caused both their heads to turn. 

Then the blaster fire ---

Corolastor was fast on her feet, pulling her own piece.  ���I got this.  You’re probably more a lover than a fighter.”

“Apologies, but neither descriptor suits me!”  Dr. Oggurobb replied as he maneuvered himself behind his desk, as futile as he knew it was.  He was far too large to conceal himself successfully. 

By the time he’d managed to cram himself into a corner, the Captain was out the door, and the distinct patter of her blaster came to his auditory receptors, enhanced by his own technological innovations. 

She barked orders – set a perimeter, clear out the hides, scan for observational droids – why hadn’t this place been sussed out before? 

Dr. Oggurobb supposed he was useful.  He supposed that perhaps he was an unofficial hostage, here because he had information of value.  Once he had outlived his usefulness, he’d be thrown back to the Cartel, viewed as either as a traitor or inept at his job in keeping Tonborros safe and secure. 

…the accusation of ineptitude would probably be worse, in his own mind, so Oggurobb hoped for the status of traitor instead. 

Then the Captain returned, smelling of ozone and smoke and the fresh night.  “No crossfire in here?” she asked, looking around the tent to check for holes, he supposed.

“None.” 

…and then, there was a shift of the head, a slide into something else –

“Given that you’re under my protection, it wouldn’t suit to have you shot up.”

Dr. Oggurobb knew he wasn’t in danger…and yet – “You work for –”

“Myself,” answered the Voidhound. 

…in later days, Oggurobb always did admire that dramatic turn, whenever she pulled it out on other people. 

~~

@fluffyfebruary

#swtor fan fiction #oc: eva corolastor #dr. oggurobb #fluffy february

[diazuk-legacy]

Diazuk Diary: Day 533: Laore Shansha 

Lastly on Makeb. Laore Shansha with the help of Dr. Oggurobb attack Toborro's Fortress and take his isotope-5, allowing the people of Makeb to escape. Now with a ship full of refugees Laore suggest that they should use their new alliance with the Hutt Cartel to give Makeb's people a new home. With that another day another victory for the ex-spy Laore Shansha.

#Laore Shansha #smuggler #swtor #swtor oc #screenshots #my edits

[greyias]

You know what Dr O? Go for it! I want to see the mighty fearsome machines of war Seetoo and Toovee can become when injected with Isotope-5. And also, to be a fly on the wall when he had that conversation with SCORPIO.

#i ♥ all of these nerds #like dr oggurobb is so amazing #and fun #i want more cutscenes with him #just a jolly mad scientist #grey’s silly swtor tag

[dottiechan]

Ooh, this is cool! She/her, ace (‘no sex, only cuddles’ kind), no gender preference but demiromantic and aesthetically attracted to men. I’m a planner and a listener, but will talk a lot when nervous or like the person. I’m introverted and think I have a great sense of humour. I enjoy learning and discovering new things. I like walk in nature, baking, knitting and reading, preferably with tea. In sw I’d be researcher, probably something bio related, but not bioweapons (against my ethics).

(10/20) I ship you with Akaavi Spar!

Come and play Space Tinder with me!

Who says you need a blaster to join the fight against the Eternal Empire? Certainly not you, or your mentor Dr Oggurobb. The research centre on Odessen is your pride and joy, the greatest thing you've ever helped create. You do occasionally disagree with the Doctor on moral grounds, but overall you work well together.

But maybe you love the lab a little too much. Your coworkers often drag you to the cantina because of this, or just to hang out with Hylo's people. You grumble, but it's not too bad - even introverts need to socialise every now and then. Things look even better when a Mandalorian shows up. She's a quiet one, very intense and intimidating, so you never approach her, even though you wouldn't mind getting to know her.

Some nights, the cantina can be overwhelming, so you leave and enjoy a quiet walk on the Odessen base under the stars alone. Except one time you only think you're alone. "Your friends can be a little too loud." She scares you to death, but you soon find out she's pretty okay when she's not accidentally giving you heart attacks.

Late night walks become a thing for you. At first, you babble nervously, because you want her to like you, but you soon realise that Akaavi is just as comfortable with silence as you are. Whenever you talk later on, however, it is always a deeply intimate moment. You both have many layers, and getting to know one another takes months.

Akaavi knows she's fallen for you when she realises you make her smile whenever she's with you. She's told you all about her grief before, all about her vengeance and dark deeds, but you don't care. You're still here, a warm beacon of hope that makes her want to stop fighting for once.

She's more openly affectionate with you physically when you're alone. When her beskar comes off, she feels more vulnerable than ever, but she still chooses to let you in. Those broad shoulders and strong arms were made to hold you close. Expect gentle forehead kisses and quiet admissions of love whenever she thinks you've already fallen asleep.

#dottiechan ships #space tinder #swtor #akaavi spar #long post #i hope you like it! #💙💙💙

[cinlat]

Blood in the Breeze: Ch 8 (Conspiracy Theories)

Parts one and two of this series linked.

Read every chapter on FFN or Ao3.

Summary: Jorgan faces the next of life's many hurdles, Kozen finds himself on the strangest planet he's even seen, Elara makes a decision, and Zolah juggles the alliance and one irritating commander

Chapter Word Count: 5,811 Chapter Rating: T Characters in Chapter: Fynta Wolfe, Aric Jorgan, Zolah Holran, Vector Hyllus,  Kaeto Vaa, Darth Kozen, Torian Cadera Elara Dorne, Shillet Jorgan, Alexei Dorne

Author’s Note: Entire chapter under the cut for those who don’t want to follow the link. Also, Noara Starspark belongs to the lovely @kunoichi-ume​

Odessen Alliance Base Commander's Quarters Four Days Later

Jorgan forced himself look in the mirror, grimacing at the unfamiliar scrape of fabric across his brow. It took time to fit a soldier for an enhanced eye patch, leaving him with only the rough material to protect the damaged nerves from outside stimuli. Jorgan exhaled and told himself to be grateful that it hadn't been worse. There was still a chance of recovery, though slim. Medical science could do miraculous things; it had given Fynta a completely new leg. But, the technology on Odessen had been reduced to scraps; even with the brilliant minds behind them, Jorgan's partial blindness persisted.

"The pirate look suits you," observed a voice behind Aric. The Cathar shifted his gaze to find Fynta's reflection leaning against the wall with a grin. "Very sexy." His lip pulled back far enough to show teeth, but that had never fazed her. With a sigh, he pushed away from the mirror and turned to greet his wife.

"Been there, done that." Jorgan tried to focus on humor rather than the crushing fear about what came next. His latest scans hadn't been encouraging. Too many hits taken over a lifetime of service to a government that Aric no longer had faith in left him feeling wrung out. Maybe it was just his time; so many others had fallen while he'd persisted, the good soldier, the survivor.

Fynta pushed off the wall, closing the space between them and snaking her arms around Jorgan's body. They were tight, secure in a way that nothing else felt. "How about a shower?" Her nose wrinkled when she rubbed her face in the fur of his bare chest. "You smell like kolto." Jorgan grunted, waiting until Fynta disappeared into the fresher to pull the eye patch free. A milky film covered his right eye, a part of Dr. Oggurobb's experimental treatment. Had Yuun not backed the Hutt, Jorgan would have told the worm where to shove it before submitting to a Hutt, but the Gand had been insistent.

Lifting one hand, Aric shut his good eye and waved in front of his face. Only vague shadows registered from the damaged nerves. Familiar panic clenched around his heart. What if this was all he ever saw? He could learn to shoot left handed, but it would take more time than he had left to become even passable at it, much less an expert marksman. Fynta would still go out there, fighting a war on multiple fronts without him. Jorgan couldn't stand the thought of being left behind again, of losing her when he could have prevented it. Even Fynta could only resurrect so many times.

Fynta swung out of the fresher, using the door jam as anchor. "You coming, soldier?" Her body was uncovered and begging for Jorgan's attention. He smiled, finding joy in the image, even if it didn't translate to sexual desire. His gaze slid over Fynta's curves, settling on the hint of silver peeking around the corner. She'd once been where he is, unsure of the future, the subject of uncertain technology, and self conscious. It had taken nearly a month before Fynta would let Jorgan touch her false leg outside of maintenance. He would move past this, in time.

The swells of peace and overlapping waves of panic were exhausting. Jorgan let Fynta pull him into the fresher, uncomplaining as she undressed him. Fynta's touch remained playful instead of seductive, with little pats here and fingers sinking deep into the fur there.

"How about a massage?" Fynta asked when she stepped into the shower. It was too small for them both, but Jorgan remembered ways that they'd overcome that handicap. A smile tugged at his lips as he followed. There would be no impressive feats of balance this time, Jorgan could barely keep his own feet as it was, but he'd learn.

As Fynta worked soapy fingers over Jorgan's body, he released a sigh that eased the irritation he'd felt moments ago. Stress sloughed away, puddling at his feet with the suds while Fynta searched for every tense knot in his back. A low pur escaped before he could stop it, and Jorgan cleared his throat while turning to face his wife. "My turn."

Fynta grinned, somehow managing to look past Jorgan's damaged eye and conceal whatever emotions it triggered. "I heard that." Turning to present her back, Fynta wiggled her hips playfully against his groin.

"You heard nothing, woman." Jorgan bent forward to nip Fynta's shoulder while he brushed her hair aside. It was nearly to her shoulder blades now, half the length it had been before her encounter with Arcann, and covered the lightsaber scar on her back completely.

Fynta groaned when Jorgan found a particularly tight spot. Her eyes were closed, forehead resting against the rough, cave wall that still lined most of the base's interior. Moments like this were all that kept Aric going some days. The simple, domestic bliss that made him feel like more than a number in a report. "We need a vacation," he decided. Fynta snorted a laugh, then coughed up the water she'd sucked in with it. He smirked. "I'm serious, just you, me, and—"

Jorgan's hands fell from Fynta's shoulders, hanging heavy at his sides. Shillet, his daughter. He was going to lose her, and there wasn't a damn thing that he could do about it. With all of the confusion of the last few days, that had somehow slipped to the back of his mind. Aric's pulse quickened, room spinning until he had to brace one hand against the wall to keep from tipping. The comforting caress of steam had become a suffocating curtain.

Fynta's hands were on Jorgan's face. With a stubborn pull, she forced him to meet her eyes. "Tell me what you need, Aric. I'll make it happen."

Staring into those hard, blue eyes, Jorgan grounded himself in the belief that Fynta could accomplish anything that she set her mind to. The woman never gave up, even when there was nothing left to fight for. It was in her blood. Aric's voice broke. "I want my daughter back."

Fynta nodded, popping onto her toes to place a light kiss on Aric's lips. "Okay." She finished rinsing the soap from her hair and reached for the nozzle. "Down time is over."

Jorgan watched the last of the water circle the drain, his worries pushing through the steam and scattering what little comfort their shower had afforded. "Where are you going?" Fynta wrapped a towel around herself, then tossed one to him. He knew the set of her shoulders and that firm twist of her mouth. She'd be pulling boots on in less then ten minutes and heading for the door. Jorgan just wasn't sure in which direction.

Fynta paused while drying her hair, a sad smile pulling at her lips. "We've got work to do."

Planet Unknown Abandoned City

Kozen ignored the small probe that nudged at his hip again. The thing seemed intelligent in a rudimentary sense, stubborn in its directive of which Kozen still hadn't ascertained. He stood, stone still in the middle of a ruined courtyard, and focused his mind outward. Kaeto's presence called to him, like a siren song that lured sailors to their deaths in tales of old. He hadn't been apart from her in years, and now that absence was a physical pain. Kozen's chest tightened with each flair of battle adrenaline that trickled through their bond. She was near, engaged in combat, but still out of reach.

The probe chirped until Kozen turned a searing glare on it. He'd worked around droids long enough to know that they harbored a certain amount of self awareness, enough to act in their best interests. An active lightsaber was enough to stand his guide down. Once an agreement had been established, Kozen closed his eyes and reached through the Force once more. He felt...nothing. Not like in the empty lamentation of his youth when he stretched too far into the Dark Side of the Force, this was the absence of life after Vitiate had destroyed Ziost. Whatever had existed on this strange planet had vanished long enough in the past that there was not even an echo of the beings who'd once inhabited it.

There. Golden light pierced through the nothingness, twisting with violent intent. It grew in his mind, snaking through the empty streets and finally coalescing into what could only be Kaeto. Kozen's eyes snapped open, and he ran headless of what lay around the vine covered corner.

Within minutes, the sound of blaster fire, punctuated by the clank of Kaeto's swords, reached Kozen. He barely took a second to gauge the gap, then leapt without breaking stride. Shock waves traveled up Kozen's legs when he landed on the balcony across the street, forcing him to slow so that they didn't give out on him. Figures darted in and out of view to the east, lit by flashes of color. Kozen pushed the discomfort of his aching legs down and broke into a run once more.

Years of similar abuse to his body were beginning to catch up to Kozen. No Sith ever truly believed that they would live to the age where time posed more of a threat than the enemy. Kozen had led a hard life, using himself as a battering ram against the Empire's many foes. Though she never spoke of it, he knew that Kaeto suffered similar ailments. All warriors fell to decay eventually.

As Kozen drew near, he realized that there were staff sabers interspersed with the blaster fire. Knights in full Zakuulan armor stood back to back with officers from their fleet. One, particularly burly female had partnered with Kaeto. Kozen spotted a war droid circling around to flank the pair and propelled himself into a leap that brought him down on top of its dome. His weight alone would have been enough to topple the machine, but the red blade jutting from the central node ensured its demise.

The droid quivered, seized, then fell to the side. Kozen rolled away from the wreckage and came to his feet next to Kaeto. The Knight spun to engage before marking him as an ally. Her staff lowered, then sailed through the air to skewer the battle droid that had cornered a group of fleet officers. With that final stroke, the battle was over.

"We appreciate your aid." The large, female Knight's voice rasped through her damaged helmet while she walked to collect her weapon. Kaeto's eyes met Kozen's briefly, brushing his mind, while they searched one another for injury.

"Join us," Kaeto offered, her thick accent sending a shiver down Kozen's spine as it always had. Her lilting challenge had stayed his blade when they first met. That hint of other worldliness that captivated a mind that had been segregated his entire life. Kaeto had been the first Togruta that Kozen had met, and he'd been loath to admit over the years how much he enjoyed seeing the variety their galaxy held.

The Knight shook her head. "We have picked up transmissions from other vessels in distress. It is my duty to protect them." A note of hesitation entered her voice as the helmet shifted between Kaeto and Kozen. "There is news that Mistress Vaylin has been found. She's called us all to arms."

A snarl built in the back of Kozen's throat, his fingers itching to draw his blade and end the woman's chance to regroup with their enemies. Kaeto spoke, ignoring the tumult that she no doubt felt boiling within him. "Thank you for the warning. Go in peace, and may we never meet on the battlefield."

"And you," the Knight replied, then turned to her people and motioned towards their designated path.

Kozen watched the group pick their way through the droid debris, clipping his lightsaber to his belt. "It's a mistake to let them live."

"Perhaps." Kaeto retracted her sword blades and shoved them into the harness that crossed her back. In the next instant, her arms were around Kozen, startling a grunt from him. "Words can not express how pleased I am to see you." Slowly, Kozen returned his lover's embrace. He let Kaeto's warmth douse the flames of his rage, making way for the relief that she too was well.

The sound of scraping metal jerked Kozen's attention to the lone figure who hadn't followed the group. "Chakaar," Torian spat, offering another kick for good measure. Kozen hadn't felt the Mandalorian's presence. But then, he'd been too focused on finding Kaeto. One day, he would run straight through an ambush in a frantic search for her if he didn't control his emotions better.

Kaeto pulled away to greet her travel companion. "We should get moving too. More of these droids won't be far."

"Must be getting close to some kind of factory," Torian agreed. His holo chirped, revealing a flustered Theron Shan when the Mandalorian managed to pry it off his belt and answer. Torian offered a lopsided grin. "Never thought I'd be glad to see a Republic spy before."

"Yeah, well, never thought I'd be searching for a Sith, Jedi, and Mandalorian because I cared about their wellbeing, but here we are." Shan paused, then snorted a humorless laugh. "Remind me to turn that into a joke if we live."

Kozen allowed himself a heavy sigh. "Focus, Agent Shan." Despite their denial, Kozen saw little difference between the spy and the Alliance commander. Both were irreverent, disrespectful, and lacked professional timing.

"Right." Theron tapped on his datapad, pausing once to wiggle one of the wires that ran between his implants and the device. "You three are the last to be accounted for. We've found some kind of...I don't know, temple, maybe? Anyway, it's secure for the moment. I'm transmitting coordinates."

Torian's comm chirped, overlaying Theron's image with a plotted map section. The signal flickered, and Theron cursed. "I'm losing you. Just, get here ASAP. Theron out."

"Guess that means everyone else is okay," Torian added to the silence that followed Theron's departure. With rifle cradled in his arms, the Mandalorian chief checked their coordinates and motioned to the direction he deemed suitable. "Shouldn't be far."

Coruscant Residential Sector Apartment 7865

"Don't be preposterous." Elara moved the kettle from the heat and readied hers and Alexei's cups. "I couldn't possibly, and you'd do well to stop badgering me about it."

Alexei growled, not a sound he'd have dared ten years ago, and ran calloused fingers through his hair. The blonde strands had darkened in recent years, whereas Elara's had maintained the lighter coloring of their family. She wondered if it had to do with the stress of his job or something else.

"Stop that," Elara chastised, hiding any amusement behind her teacup. She firmed her tone so that her baby brother didn't think he could charm her into agreement. "You sound more like Balkar every day."

"That's my point." Alexei gestured at the apartment around them with the wave of one hand. He was in the sort of mood where the only acceptable solution to any problem was his. Elara sighed and stirred her tea with the spoon that she'd left in her cup while he beat the proverbial dead bantha. "I've got people, connected ones, with my best interests in mind. Wouldn't you like to have that kind of security too?"

Elara fixed her gaze on the amber liquid swirling beneath her fingers. She'd had that, once, until a single act of bravery had ripped it all away. Nothing had been the same since Fynta's disappearance, and each year only grew more difficult. She was tired of this conversation with Alexei, tired of defending her choices to a little brother who'd made his own share of questionable decisions.

Lifting the tea to her lips, Elara answered with a low, patient tone. "Those connections would grow perilously thin should the children and I suddenly vanish." She sipped, hoping her words would sink into his thick skull this time.

Alexei lowered himself on his elbows to put himself within Elara's line of sight, chin propped in his hands. She got a glimpse of the little boy who'd talked her into all kinds of mischief when they were younger. It warmed her heart, despite his infuriating persistence. "We've thought of that."

Elara's will faltered, eyes burning with the tears she'd stopped shedding months ago. Alexei gentled his voice and took one of her hands. "Listen, Balkar won't leave me hanging. I've got a plan, all I need is one solar day's notice. You and the kids could be free, Elara. Just think of it."

It was a tempting offer. A chance to leave this musty apartment that had never felt like home no matter how many trifles she filled it with. Hope leaked through a crack in her resolve for one, dangerous breath. "Alexei—" The door opened to reveal a more pressing obligation, one that couldn't be put off any longer. They pulled apart, though not before Elara gave her brother's hand a squeeze. "We'll talk more about this later."

Swiping quickly over her cheeks, Elara painted on a smile. "Hello, lovelies, did you have a good day?"

"Does it matter?" Shillet snapped as she helped Tayl out of his jacket.

Elara cast Alexei a pleading glance. He scowled a final time, then forced a jovial tone as he swiveled towards the children. "Who wants to help me dismantle a computer console?"

Tayl's face brightened as he scrambled away from Shillet to follow his uncle into the electronics room. Shillet stared after them, longing etched into her young features, then sighed and started for the opposite side of the apartment. "Let's get this over with." It was packing day, a day that they'd all ignored for so long that now there was no way to avoid it.

Elara accompanied Shillet to her room. It felt like it took longer than it should have, her broken heart dragging at her feet. When Elara crossed the threshold, it was to find Shillet sitting on her bed next to the laundry that Elara had folded earlier. With a breath for courage, Elara crossed to the dresser and pulled open the top drawer.

"What about this one?" Elara lifted the pink shirt with the lead singer from Shillet's favorite band on it. "Does it still fit?"

The Nautolan shrugged one shoulder while she folded a pair of pants. She'd matured a lot in the last year, taking on the womanly curves that marked her passage out of adolescence. They stood in her room, quietly cleaning out the drawers. Elara wanted to comfort the girl somehow, but there was simply nothing that could remove the sting of betrayal. Not by those who had raised her, but the Republic who had brought them together.

Setting the shirt aside, Elara went back to the dresser to choose her next task. Shillet was almost packed, with only the bare bottoms of plastic drawers to mark this injustice. She blinked away more tears before they could fall. Elara had tried everything to find a way out, even going so far as to plot an escape attempt with Balic, but none of their plans survived the initial stage.

A soft, blue sweater was squished into the corner, trapped between the joints of Shillet's dresser. Elara tugged it free without snagging the fabric and smiled. "I remember this one." She turned to show it to Shillet. Jorgan had purchased it as a surprise after the girl had begged all day. He'd given her a firm no, then changed his mind when she took it well. The joy that lit her face when he arrived unannounced a week later, bearing the gift, would live in Elara's memory forever.

Holding the sweater out, Elara offered it to Shillet. To her surprise, the Nautolan turned away and busied herself with lotions and soaps. A knot formed in Elara's throat at the rejection until she realized that Shillet hadn't packed any articles that held sentimental value. She was retreating, leaving all evidence of love behind so that she wouldn't be reminded of what she'd lost.

Elara's comm chirped in the other room, and Tayl appeared a moment later with it in hand. She'd just folded the sweater and set it on Shillet's bed when she realized that particular device shouldn't have been within his reach. "I'll take that, son."

Tayl handed it up, standing on his toes to peek at the frequency. He was due for a haircut, but Elara hated to deprive him of the only physical trait he'd inherited from his father. Ruffling those dark locks, Elara stepped out to answer in the privacy of her room.

Once the door was secure, Elara found herself face to face with Fynta's miniature form. Her stomach churned, though Elara wasn't sure if it was with joy at seeing Fynta, or dread at what news she might carry. "My old friend."

"Hey." Fynta was in a pair of black running shorts and some sort of shirt with reflective tape across her shoulders and stomach. She didn't give Elara a chance to ask what that was about. "I don't have long. I'm sure your apartment is bugged but we've got to act soon."

Elara's pulse quickened. "What's wrong?"

"A little bird told me that you're in need of a vacation." Fynta looked over her shoulder and waved someone off. Elara wondered if it was Aric, if he'd ever speak to her again. The thought of losing a treasured friendship made it difficult to breathe, but she pushed it aside to focus on the meaning between Fynta's words.

Fynta continued as if there hadn't been an interruption. "Tell Malcom that you want one more fond memory with the kids, choose somewhere in the Core Worlds, something suitably family friendly."

"They'll be watching," Elara warned, only just parsing out what Fynta intended. She made a mental note to have stern words with Alexei later. Though she wasn't sure how, he was most definitely involved. "If the commander allows it, there will no doubt be an armed guard assigned to watch for foul play."

Fynta nodded. "Of course, I wouldn't expect anything else."

Elara waited for more while someone shoved a datapad into Fynta's hands. She signed it, then pointed at another person that Elara couldn't see and made shooing motions. "Sorry, we're in the middle of a...thing here. Anyway, you won't know when we'll strike. Go to this place, have a great time with the kids. When the moment is right, Shillet will simply vanish and you'll have a couple of government paid alibis."

"What if they lock down the park before you get away?" Elara asked, options and plans forming in her mind. Shillet had begged for nearly a year to visit Adventure World, and it fit all of Fynta's parameters.

Fynta shook her head. "Don't worry about us. When Shillet disappears, search for her. Get your guards involved, hell, ask local security to shut everything down. They won't find us."

Elara hesitated. "You're sure?" Before Fynta could answer, Elara added. "This isn't a mission for Havoc Squad or the specialists you have there. It's a little girl, and everything depends on you being right."

Leaning forward, Fynta pinned Elara with those deep blue eyes that had reassured her for years. "We won't mess this up. You have my word. Now hold on, someone else wants to say something."

Elara expected to see Balic, heart lifting with the possibility of seeing her husband. It was a surprise when Aric entered the frame. A thick band of leather wrapped around his head, creasing the fur and giving him a sinister look. Balic had told Elara about the infection and his treatment. Despite the tension between them, it was good to see the Cathar upright.

Aric took the comm from his wife, retreating to somewhere less crowded judging by the drop in noise. Jorgan's throat moved, jaw working the way it did when he was trying to control his temper. Finally, the Cathar blew out a breath. "I'm not happy with how things worked out, but I understand why you did it." Elara nodded, unable to think of anything to say that would make things more comfortable. Aric sighed. "We'll fix this. For everyone."

"Thank you," Elara managed through a tight throat. Jorgan nodded, and she knew their time was up. "Give Balic my love, and take care of yourself, Major."

"You too." The image winked out, leaving Elara with the sick sensation that she'd never see those surly features again. Once Shillet was free, there would be no need to risk contact. Especially if she could manage to get Tayl to them as well. The boy would be safe with his father, and she'd make Balic see the wisdom in cutting ties with her...somehow.

Tucking the comm beneath her pillow, Elara walked back into Shillet's room to find her and Tayl snickering under their breaths to one another. The stack of shirts still sat on Shillet's bed, and Elara breathed out. Soon, the girl would be where she belonged, and Elara would sleep peacefully knowing her children were safe.

Crossing the room, Elara picked up the discarded clothes and tucked them back into the drawer. "I think we can leave these here a little longer."

Odessen War Room Emergency Council Meeting

CONNECTION FAILED

"Shit-fuck." The datapad skittered across the table, unbalancing piles of equally useless information before clattering to the floor. Zolah blew out a breath and curled worn fingers into her hair until the pain at her roots smothered the irritation building within.

Zolah Holran, who had once been prized for her ability to solve puzzles, was failing. There had been no situation that her rationale couldn't pierce through, and yet two weeks later, Theron was still missing, and she was no closer to picking up a trail. That algorithm had been her last idea, and it mocked her with repeating lines of catastrophic decline.

Warm hands rested on Zolah's shoulders, fingers tightening to show support. She righted herself, ignored the furtive glances from her techs, and stood. "I'm going to take a walk."

Vector relinquished his grip and offered a soothing smile. "We will maintain vigil." Zolah experienced a moment of weakness and almost asked Vector to join her. He would have, if only because that was the sort of man he was. In the end, Zolah turned without voicing her desires and left him to the search for their missing piece.

Cool air filled Zolah's lungs when she exited the information room. She often forgot how hot it got in there. After hours, the stifling atmosphere became just another meaningless irritation to be ignored while numbers flitted across her screen. A chill drifted along her arms, but Zolah refused to rub it away. She embraced the discomfort as proof that she was alive, and while she still drew breath, the hunt for their lost companions wouldn't end.

There had to be a way to marry a Force-users ability to connect over impossible distances with technology. Notiac and Solish assured Zolah daily that they still felt the life force of the rescue team. Kozen, Lana, and Kaeto were still alive, though nothing could be said for the others. Zolah refused to be daunted by that and pressed on with ever more inventive ways to track any kind of signal. Perhaps another visit to the resident Findsman was in order. Yuun had been working on the situation from his end as well. It had been a couple of days since Zolah had checked in with him.

As she walked, Zolah noticed the faces around her with an absent awareness. She trusted her implants to ping any suspicious behavior while the majority of her mind focused on building the next step. What had begun as a stairwell with numerous avenues of exploration had been whittled down to a rickety ladder that Zolah pieced together as she moved upward. She balanced on the shards of her failures and searched for new materials with which to begin again.

Zolah's proximity alarm sounded, and she jerked her shoulder away to avoid a young woman's distraction. Noara Starspark backed past, pausing mid-sentence when she realized how close Zolah stood. The Jedi pressed a hand to her mouth. "I'm so sorry, Agent Holran."

With a wave, Zolah's gaze slid from the woman to the newly opened door she'd emerged from. There were others milling about in a conference room usually reserved for council business. Fynta's voice leaked from the doorway, setting Zolah's already frayed nerves on edge. Her implants performed a perfunctory scan of each face that filed from the room, connections forming at a speed unenhanced brains couldn't manage.

"I trust that I don't have to remind you of the consequences should this information leak," Fynta called after the retreating mass while Zolah pressed against the flow of the traffic. "I'll know if anyone talked." Hirani raised her middle finger with a laugh while Felix's girlfriend let out a wry chuckle. Zolah ignored them and stormed towards the commander.

As soon as the remnants faded out of the room, Zolah positioned herself directly in front of the woman. "What the bloody hell do you think you're doing?"

"My job," Fynta answered as she stepped around Zolah to gather napkins and disposable cups from the conference table. Had the damn woman fed them snacks while divulging sensitive Alliance intelligence? "Keeping people who need to know in the loop."

"They didn't need to know," Zolah argued, hands balled so tightly into fists that her nails pricked into the skin of her palms. "What did you tell them?"

The smirk on Fynta's face almost overrode Zolah's ability to keep her hands to herself. Stopping to toss trash into the bin, Fynta dusted her hands on her pants. "That we're doing all that we can. Shab, Zolah, after two weeks, people at least need to know that we're aware that their soldiers haven't come home. Most of those women have been here longer than I have. I highly doubt any of them are a security risk."

Pressing her fingertips into her temples, Zolah blew out a long breath. If she let Fynta's brashness get the better of her, the woman won. Her only defense in this situation was cold logic. Finding the calm deep, deep within herself, Zolah began again. "Matters like this need to be cleared with the council, despite your hunches about who is reliable and who isn't." When she looked up, Fynta studied her with the narrowed eyes and head tilt that Zolah had become accustomed with. Despite her effort, Zolah bristled at the unwanted examination. "What?"

"You look like osik," Fynta observed without a hint of irony. It had been days since Zolah slept longer than a couple of hours. She survived mostly on caffeinated teas and stims.

"Not that I blame you," the commander continued. "If that were Aric, or any member of my family out there, I wouldn't stop until they were found." She didn't move to touch Zolah, but the slight shift of weight onto the forward foot revealed the habit. Fynta covered it by wiping crumbs from the table into her hand. "Still, you need to get out more. Take a day off with Vector and picnic in the mountains. Do something other than stare at screens, just for a few hours today."

Zolah accepted the suggestion without any real consideration. Of course she wouldn't take a day trip into the mountains, neither would Fynta if their situations were reversed. It was a pep talk fit for the average grunt, and Zolah was offended that Fynta would attempt it on her.

Shrugging, Fynta dumped her collection into the bin and started for the door. "Just a suggestion. If there's nothing else, I've got things to do. Let me know if anything changes."

It wasn't until after Fynta left that her words tickled a vague sense of deja vu. Fynta had cleared her calendar the day before, an issue that Vector had handled while Zolah worked on the useless algorithm that had vexed her all morning. The commander had claimed that it was to help Jorgan through his healing process, an orbital vacation, as Fynta called it.

Zolah's instincts gnawed at her. It wasn't uncommon for Fynta to sneak away, not since regaining her memories and realizing what losing five years of her life meant. Still, the timing felt off. Fynta was many things, a list of negatives too long for Zolah to number, but the woman wouldn't slink off at a time when so many close to her were unaccounted for.

Retrieving her personal datapad, Zolah pulled up launch requests from the night before. The Thunderclap had been given permission for a late evening orbit. Zolah reviewed the fuel allotment and navilogs, suspecting most of the latter was falsified. Fynta couldn't know that Zolah had begun requiring a crew chief signature fuel requests, though, and there was no way to fake those numbers. One brow lifted at the readout. "What are you up to?"

Perhaps, Zolah might take the commander's advice into consideration. On a whim, she opened a line of communication to the only other woman capable of running this alliance. The Miriluka appeared in Zolah's palm, still in the process of attaching her mask. Zolah pretended not to notice the smooth skin where eyes should be and greeted the Jedi with a cordial tone. "Master Carlo, I wonder if I might ask a favor of you."

#blood in the breeze #series: meet me on the battlefield #fynta wolfe #aric jorgan #things start happening #i've been waiting forever to use that shot of jorgan in his new eyepatch #full chapter post #better formatting on ao3 or ffn