#Treasure Planet is good which is why it's not here. also. in case you were wondering
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i decide what's mid. originals only (no sequels), no sleeper hits/cult classics (Atlantis), no Golden Age (Pocahontas even if it's arguably mid), and The Aristocats isn't on here because it's not mid it's just bad
#i need a new text post tag i guess#ray's polls#disney#Treasure Planet is good which is why it's not here. also. in case you were wondering#the aristocourse#midsneypocalypse
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All right...for those of you who don't know my thoughts about Wish, yes, I wasn't happy with the finished result, but no, I'm not a hater. I'm mostly just disappointed that this project that had so many good ideas came out so half-baked, and THIS is a perfect example of what I mean.
No, it's not because "Star Boy" appears in it -- at least, not by itself. I do actually like Star's "himbo" personality in this, even if I also completely understand liking the idea of a mute version of the character. (The downside is that the mute Star from the finished film honestly doesn't have much personality outside of just being cute, in contrast to other mute magical Disney characters like Tinker Bell.)
No, the lost potential here is two-fold --
Firstly, I once again felt more emotion watching this storyboarded sequence than I did at any point in the finished film. I smiled hearing the fun banter between Star and Asha, insinuating that they're becoming closer despite their contrasting personalities; I felt some suspense in how Star and Asha were going to get away from evil!Queen Amaya; I even laughed pretty hard at the cat-and-yarn gag! I didn't laugh once while watching the finished movie.
Secondly -- and this point is actually the one I want to focus on more -- is the commentary given about why this scene was cut. I truly think another unspoken reason behind the decision was that this sequence was clearly inspired by the transforming chase scene in Nimona, which Disney of course infamously dropped when they closed Blue Sky Studios and later got picked up by Netflix, only to receive glowing reviews from just about everyone...but one of the core reasons that Head of Story Mark Kennedy cites for why they changed this scene (aside from wanting Star to be mute and not a shapeshifter like other Disney characters, which I'm a bit confused about because yeah, Disney's done cute, mute non-human characters before too -- what about Dopey, Pascal, Maximus, Dumbo, Bambi, Magic Carpet, Sven, and again Tinker Bell?) is that they wanted Asha to be the hero and be able to "solve all her problems" without Star's help.
Up to a point, I understand what Kennedy means -- the theme of the film is supposed to be that we all have the power inside of us to make a difference, and that's great. But by making it so that Asha doesn't need any help from Star, it takes something away from their relationship. No human is an island, and relationships, both in stories and real life, are often built on that fact. Just look at Ariel and Eric in the original Little Mermaid -- Ariel saves Eric from drowning and from Ursula zapping him with Triton's trident, and then Eric saves Ariel from Ursula by skewering her with the broken figurehead of a ship. Even in non-romantic examples, we have Judy and Nick having to help each other solve the case in Zootopia; Buzz and Woody helping each other get back to Andy in Toy Story; the Parr family and Frozone all fighting together against Syndrome's robot with their unique powers in The Incredibles; Jim Hawkins and Long John Silver working together to save themselves and everyone else at the end of Treasure Planet; even Anna helping Elsa learn how to control her magical abilities through an act of authentic, courageous, selfless love that only she can do in Frozen. These characters needing help and deep emotional connections with others is what creates a bond between them, helps the characters grow and change into stronger people, and makes us as an audience enjoy watching the two characters together. We become invested in both the two individual characters and the relationship forged between them. Because they all have their unique strengths and weaknesses, they supplement and complete each other. Even perfect paragon Superman in most DC properties isn't an island -- when he's in the Justice League, there are plenty of times where he needs help from Batman or other team members to save the day. Even Superman is a stronger character when he has people around him who can balance out his flaws.
If Asha never needs help, that runs the risk of the challenges she's facing seeming far less consequential, because no human can handle absolutely everything, all by themselves. Yes, perhaps in the finished film, Asha asks her friends to help her liberate the wishes (a task which ultimately fails, leaving Asha to confront Magnifico alone again and realize exactly what everyone has to do to defeat him on her own anyway)...but just in regards to Star and Asha's relationship -- which even the filmmakers have said is something like a "soulmate" relationship, though not in a romantic sense in the finished product -- these two can't have a meaningful connection if one of them is completely self-sufficient. This is also why quite a few Disney fans didn't like that the Little Mermaid remake changed Ursula's defeat to have it be Ariel who killed her, rather than Eric, because it hurt the "equal" dynamic between the main couple where they both helped and supported each other.
In short, "girl power" shouldn't have to mean never needing to rely on anyone else...and honestly, looking at this scene concept, we don't see Asha relying on Star too much! She's the brains of the outfit -- she's making plans; she's providing Star some much needed common sense; she's using Star's light as a distraction so they can get away...she even escapes Amaya at one point by sliding right under her horse! Asha in this storyboard is a bad-ass!
What we see in this sequence is these two characters having to help each other in order to succeed. And that would've been a great foundation on which to build more dramatic stakes and a relationship with actual pathos, whether romantic or not.
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Who wants to read me wax on about how I finally figured out how to make the plot of my Waveriders sci-fi novel work, and the secret answer was all I needed to do was mash-up the plot of The Goonies with my sky-pirates but swap out the treasure they were looking for with the prison of the megalomaniacal murder goddess that was hidden there two thousand years ago by her ex-girlfriend after the galactic god war that doubled as the most dramatic break-up in the history of the universe.
The 14,000 year old ADHD battle goddess currently masquerading as a pirate joining them on their treasure hunt would like to say for the record that none of these cities were here when she hid her ex's prison on this planet 2000 years ago. So its really not her fault that she can't remember where she put it & needs this crew of misfits and malcontents to find it for her before her ex's religious order of zealots & brood of demigod offspring that never thought she was good enough for their mom anyway find it first and let her out to restart the whole galactic god war that pretty much JUST ended, as far as she's concerned. She is TIRED. She wants to take a NAP.
But nooooooo, the stupid mortals had to look at the literal most inhospitable planet she could find and take it as a CHALLENGE to build an entire civilization right on top of her homicidal ex's temporal tomb, like LITERALLY right on top of it, and now she's stuck playing pirate ship with the most obnoxious mix of idealists and anarchists she's ever seen (and she's been to like, ALL the planets!) in the hopes that they can do a better job retracing her steps from 2000 years ago than she can. Again, in her defense though, she's pretty sure she was the divine equivalent of concussed the whole trip, last time she was here.
And the worst part is, she can't even smite any of the smarmy little fuckers when they annoy her, which happens roughly once every ten minutes, because revealing herself in all her resplendent and terrible glory - while satisfying - would unfortunately qualify as a "tactical error" since broadcasting your location to everyone in the galaxy that you DON'T want finding the thing you're looking for BEFORE you've even found it yourself, is, well, shitty fucking tactics.
Which would be doubly embarrassing in her case, since she basically invented tactics. Like. All of them. Conceptually. Not that that makes the idiot child in charge of this sky-ship any more inclined to listen to her Very Sensible and Smart Suggestions That Would Lead Them To a Decisive and Glorious Triumph Over Their Enemies, since, y'know. She couldn't exactly give him her ACTUAL resumé when applying for the esteemed position of 'glorified deckhand.' The whole incognito thing again. Whoever invented THAT concept needed to be ritually murdered and ripped from the very loom of reality. Immediately. This might actually be the worst trip she's ever been on, and she's literally been to Hell. All the Hells.
Plus if she had given her actual resumé there's no way Captain Infant would've been able to wrap his teeny tiny mortal comprehension around the incomparable list of her legendary exploits, the endless armies of eldritch entities all dead by her hand...see, this is why gods weren't meant to travel in stealth. When there's no one else to rhapsodize about your divine brilliance and you have to do it yourself, you just sound vain. Why are there never any worshippers around when you actually need one?
Aaaaaand now the tedious little fruit flies want her to join them in their card game, because building camaraderie and improving crew morale is either a really big thing with mortals in general these days or maybe just this batch in particular. She's not really sure, and also, she doesn't care. Not when the end result is having to sit through one of the dullest excuses for a game she could imagine, and she's literally imagined entire worlds into existence. Her imagination is NOT the issue here. They're not even playing for souls, just money, so what even is the point?
Honestly, this is why she stopped bothering with mortal friends ten thousand years ago. Its like the complete opposite of that saying 'never a dull moment.' Its all the dull moments. For decades at a time! Which doesn't sound like a long time in the grand scheme of things, obviously, but when you're bored, even decades feel like forever.
Like right now. Ever since she stepped back on this miserable excuse for a backwater planet - and SERIOUSLY, who thinks settling on a GAS GIANT is a good idea, there was a REASON she assumed nobody would ever chance stumbling across Tayana's prison here of all places, and that reason was Logic. And assuming that people have some.
Well, if this whole experience has taught her nothing else, its that she wouldn't be making THAT mistake again.
#lol hey remember how I started this post with a question like 'who wants to read me doing the thing I just did'#it was a trick question. whoops. I know. Im as surprised as you are#kalen writes things sometimes#waveriders#not actually part of the book just me amusing myself whilst celebrating that the plot kerfluffle that#had been giving me so much grief has been smited most verily#huzzah and other utterances of joy and celebration
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Concepts for the Start of our Spelljamming Campaign.
As I mentioned before, my basic concept for a campaign was for the players to form a party of adventurous treasure seekers on a ship. Pirates. In a universe of thousands of cultures and worlds with no central authority(unless you as DM want to create one), it seemed natural that right and wrong would be more factionally based than any other concern.
Why? Factions are interested in many things. Sustainability and growth are chief amongst these. Even the most morally good group does not want to cease existing because they couldn't bring themselves to compete for viability with other possibly more aggressive ideologies. Would the faction of Corellon Larethian lie down and allow groups of evil to erase the importance of their art? Absolutely not. It is, and always will be, a competition. For the actors in this drama, the player characters, this is a good thing.
I spent a bit of time in the months before the release of Spelljammer: Adventures in Space looking over previous content to determine what factions might be fun to encounter and form relationships with. The best list I found was here: https://www.worldanvil.com/w/spelljammer-universe-franciscovega/a/a-list-of-factions-in-the-multiverse2Fphlogiston-article
You can see that previous story tellers in 2nd edition were busy populating the Universe with diverse action groups. Many of the previously published adventures have encounters with these groups, and I was very excited about adding several of these groups to my campaign.
I knew that my long term goal was for the party to discover an ancient civilization and many strange artifacts and locations, but I still wanted to present a real universe filled with interesting obstacles. After all, they are starting in a spaceport with very little functional knowledge of how daily life in the Spelljammer universe really works. Who can they work with, and who must they avoid? It is really a blank canvas for the DM.
If you start your Spelljammer campaign on a world such as Faerun, then the player characters likely have a distinct world view based on their associations with religions, races, and factions on that world. There may be Zhentarim or Harper agents in Waterdeep, but there is also a solid legal system that doesn't want any shenanigans on their watch. The player characters know much of what to expect. In a spaceport, most, if not all, of the factions they knew from Waterdeep have no representation or influence outside of the party itself. The spaceport doesn't have to be completely alien (though it could be), but the party will need allies to explain the setup.
You could present a group in need of help which could appeal to your player characters, but I chose instead to present a job offer. Even though they are starting at 5th level, the party does not have their own ship yet. So, they need to pay for passage or join a crew. I decided to have a ship looking for an 'away team'. In this case, the captain of the ship is a priestess of Celestian, so travel and discovery are her path. Scouting and searching dangerous planet locations, not so much. So, a tidy cut of all loot for the captain and crew, and we are off to discover.
My original thought was that the captain had acquired an old map or information leading to an ancient site on a distant planet. While she felt certain the ruins should be there, there was no telling what else would exist in that system or on that planet. Now, the ancient civilization discovery is supposed to be the long play, with ship combat encounters more to the front. So, I decided that the planet they were heading to in this distant wildspace was inhabited now by kobolds and orcs, but to spice it up, I added a group of slavers based on the planet's moon havesting humanoids from the planet for the The Fleshdealers faction, because at some point Illithids just have to play a part.
So. I had been putting together many resources on Roll20 for these encounters when Spelljammer 5e released. I don't have to tell you that the space combat rules I was expecting didn't materialize. With our first session less than a month away, I was scrambling to find a set of rules that worked for me. Hats off to the many creators who have put out the many various rulesets available on the internet. It quickly became apparent that any ship combat that made sense would represent a separate sub-game. A quick poll of my players showed they didn't mind what I decided, they would try it. They are very cool like that.
Ultimately, I devised a movement system based on mph speed ratings(from 2nd edition, I think) on a grid of 150 ft sized hexes (so ships could be in just one hex). So, the rule for boarding applied anytime two ships were in the same hex. All ranged attacks had to reach somewhere in the enemies hex to by useable from a range perspective. The ship the party was on has two range weapons, which I allowed the players to roll attacks for, though the ship's crew manned them.
For the most part, the players just wanted to get close enough to use their own attacks and board the enemy ship. They had no interest whatsoever in some sort of naval combat. The whole being on ships really did not resonate at all. They did enjoy defeating the enemy and taking their ship, even if the helm of that ship was corrupted by blood magic. Yeah, I felt the basic rules for spelljammer helms lacked any flavor at all. I decided that the kobolds had seized a slave galley and refitted the helm with their powerful blood magic totem. This meant they could sacrifice some of their slaver prisoners for a performance boost to speed for their ship, etc. The repurposed slave galley was in bad shape and the less-than-evil party couldn't bring themselves to sacrifice prisoners to power it. They destroyed it instead.
The takeaway from our first session was that I needed to rethink the 'pirate' concept. The episodic 'star trek' format of visiting alien worlds and discovering was still the base format, but the space battles will need some further thought. Of course, your group may be much more interested in tactical naval combat. There is no wrong answer. The point is to find something that everyone enjoys and do that.
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ABO Stony AUs!
Celestial Navigation by sabrecmc
Summary: 18 year old Omega!Tony finds himself Bonded to Captain Steve Rogers. He isn't happy about it until he is.
Note: Does it need any explanation? This fic is an all time classic and favorite in the Stony fandom!
Object: Matrimony by BladeoftheNebula
Summary: Omega Tony Stark craves adventure and an escape from the life his parents have planned for him in New York. He places a listing in a marriage catalogue to seek a match with an alpha out West, and Sheriff Steve Rogers answers his advertisement. But finding a nice alpha doesn't mean it's all smooth sailing from there..
- A Mail Order Bride AU -
Note: A 10/10! This has all the splendid elements of ABO with an added twist of a West setting and time!
The Team Omega by AngeNoir for PhenomenalAsterisk
Summary: Steve Rogers is thawed, stressed, and not quite sure what Director Fury wants with him. Giving him a unit of all alphas, even if most of them Steve had fought alongside when the alien menace had nearly wiped out the entire city of New York... The thing is, more than four alphas wouldn't work in a unit with one another, not for long. Everyone knew that. Steve knew that, intimately, with the Howling Commandos.
Which was why Director Fury had, apparently, assigned them an omega.
Frustrated at the inability to even choose his team, let alone choose the omega that was supposed to keep the peace between everyone, Steve storms back to his unit's assigned quarters. There, he meets Tony Stark, grandchild of Howard Stark, clearly unhappy with his position and just as clearly unwilling to break contract with the U.S. military complex. So why was someone like Anthony Stark here, in Steve's charge?
And how could Steve even act upon his genuine attraction, with the power imbalance clearly in place?
Note: I admit, this has one of the best takes on ABO I read in a while! It’s a good read!
If You Love Me I'll Love You Too by Carsonian
Summary: Starrk hands Steven a knife, leatherbound and strong, to fulfill the rite. The Alpha must go first. Steven takes Anthony’s hand, slices a clean line across the palm.
“And in the sharing of blood, I am become yours.” Steven recites.
Anthony takes the knife and returns the favour.
“And in the sharing of blood,” He looks up, eyes dark and unfathomable, “I am become yours.”
Note: A well-written ABO Stony fanfic with a dash of arranged marriage and Middle Ages (though the time period wasn’t exactly specified). It takes on how Steve and Tony navigates through their forced marriage and how they learn to care for each other!
Tribute Given, Treasure Gained by sphagnum
Summary: “Steve,” the Captain said, hand over his chest.
Tony licked his lips. Was he supposed to give his name, or remain silent until he was asked a direct question? The Captain--Steve, apparently--already knew his name, he had to, it had been included on the settlement he and Stane had signed. Was this a test? Time was passing and Steve was still waiting with his hand on his chest but Tony had to figure out the right answer fast or when Steve moved he might--“
Tony,” he blurted.
“Tony,” Steve repeated. He hadn’t come any closer. He said something short that might have been pleased to meet you or you look good on your knees. Tony had no way of knowing and he wasn’t going to risk echoing it. He kept quiet. See, Howard? I do know how to shut up when my life depends on it.
Note: A nice ABO with Warlord!Steve! This is a great read, with the steamy smut on the end being a nice cherry on top!
While We Pretend to Sleep by Typo66
Summary: Tony pretends to be an alpha. Then he forgets he had been pretending. One thing he remembers is Steve. Steve tries to help out in his old fashioned, ethically strict way. Tony likes making big gestures. He has never been subtle.
Note: Another Stony classic! This is a great take on ‘Tony denying his nature’! A deifinite 10/10 read!
Rockabye by BladeoftheNebula
Summary: Cute alphas didn’t appear out of nowhere to help ruined omegas. That was a widely accepted fact.Tony Stark had always known his life wouldn’t be easy as a genius omega in an alpha’s world. But not even he predicted getting knocked up and forced to move to a small town in the middle of nowhere.
Note: A fun read where Firefighter!Steve lend a hand to pregnant Tony! It also takes place in a Small Town kind of setting, which is an added bonus!
In the middle of the night by defenceless_stark
Summary: In the past, alphas used to only mate with other alphas and maybe the occasional beta or delta. Omegas were seen as useless and scum to alphas. Omegas would only stay in a pack if they could keep up and they were only protected if they were the head alpha’s offspring. Over time, alphas soon discovered that omegas were useful for producing offspring, due to their high fertility rates and weaker genes, so, in most cases, only the alpha’s genes will pass on. Alphas soon evolved to an omega’s scent, making them possessive and dominant over omegas which led to an increase in abuse and mistreatment.
Steven Rogers was expected to be an omega, but much to everyone’s to surprise, he was an alpha.
Anthony Stark was expected to be an alpha, but much to his father’s disappointment, he was an omega.
Like any omega, Tony had his fair share of omega abuse and harassment. But unlike any other omega, he wasn’t one to sit around and take it.
Note: If you are avid ABO fan, this is a Stony fanfic that you wouldn’t want to miss!
In A Rut by rougewinter
“You don’t have to do this, Tony.” Pepper said as she tightened her white knuckled grip on the clipboard in her arms. “I’m sure we can find someone else.”
“Yes. I do.” Tony said, surprised that his voice came out steadier than he expected.
Or the one where Steve goes into an Alpha Rut and Tony is the only one who can help.
Note: A short but sweet-well, not sweet since it has that dose of great smut! make sure to check it’s sequel where Tony is in heat! (Heat Up by rougewinter for avengemehamlet)
Please don’t (give me what I want) by masterlokisev159
Summary: After the events in Siberia, a new law is declared and Steve and Tony's newly reformed relationship is torn to pieces.
Then Tony goes into heat. And Steve is adamant to save it.
A post-civil war story where Tony is put in a position where he cannot consent to anything at all. Steve, the strongest alpha of all time, is furious.
Note: For those Stony shippers that wants a bit of angst!
Perfect Man for the Job by Ilearnedtoreadforthis
Summary: After his ordeal in Afghanistan, omega Tony creates the Stark Housing Initiative: Executive Level Development (or S.H.I.E.L.D., for short) to provide housing to returning veterans. When alpha Steve Rogers applies to manage S.H.I.E.L.D., it turns Tony's life upside down.
Note: This is a cute employee/boss story with a dash of ABO!
World Acclimation by Del_Rion
Summary: When an unexplained phenomenon washes over the entire planet, the Avengers are left to struggle along with the rest of the population. Chains of command, relationships and friendships alike are put to the test as new biological imperatives take hold, and only one thing is certain: the world will never be the same.
Note: This is one of my favorites! It has a unique take on ABO that I don’t see often. And well, Am still hoping for the next installment. Though, read the tags carefully!
You Are Not Broken, Just Bent. by NazakiSama166
Summary: He won't break!
No matter how much he was tortured, no matter how much he was beaten, starved, threatened... He won't, he won't, he won't!
Until he did...
---
When Shield uncovers a hidden sub-basement in the house of Obadiah Stane, they find a tortured omega and his pup. Everything went down the drain when that Omega turned out to be Tony Stark, Howard Stark's son that went missing six years ago.
Note: Anyone in the mood for angst?
WIP:
Finding Pack by Naferty
Summary: In a world where pack means everything from status to fame to survival and to family, newly pack-less Tony Stark is trying to survive after those he once trusted betrayed him, and starting over by searching for a new pack to take him in, but with his age and status weighing heavily on his shoulders finding someone to take a chance on him might be easier said than done.
What pack wanted an old infertile omega in their ranks? Certainly not the famous Avengers pack led by the equally famous Captain.
Note: This is a bit of a slow burn Stony fanfic that ticks all ABO boxes! It’s an all-time-favorite and classic!
Secrets Don't Make Friends by sayah1112
Summary: Tony Stark has a secret. Several, in fact. Outed to the world as an Omega, he finds himself stuck between a rock and a hard place. His only hope at salvation rests upon the strong shoulders of a certain Captain Steven Rogers. The problem? Rogers hates his guts.
Note: Another favorite of mine! This is a great hurt/comfort fanfic centered on stony!
This is just part 1 guys! I’m kind of a big fan of ABO so I have a few more to recommend!
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Not A Date
Summary: You’re Bruce’s cute little intern and he has a crush on you, but doesn’t want to admit it. Except Thor’s kind of his best friend and can tell. He just needs a little push.
Pairings: Bruce Banner x black!reader x Thor
Warnings: smut, mmf threesome, age gap, daddy kink, swearing
(A/N: decided to change it up a little to celebrate 500 followers 🥳. It’s a little long. Enjoy, like, and reblog.)
Tagged: @titty-teetee, @harrysthiccthighss, @iam-laiya, @sweeterthanthis , @night-of-the-living-shred, @mariahthelioness29, @liquorlaughslove, @blackmissfrizzle
Bruce would have never thought about being with someone that worked under him until you. He liked to think of himself as a man with integrity when he wasn’t the Hulk. Yet he found himself thinking about you in the worst ways.
It was worse because you were half his age. He never wanted to cross that line. Despite Tony trying to convince him to ask you out for drinks. He didn’t wanna freak you out or make you think he was a creep. You really had no business looking that sexy in a lab coat, though.
What was worse was that it seemed like he couldn’t get a break from you. You genuinely enjoyed his company. You were eager to learn and Banner was definitely eager to teach you.
The only problem? Thor had taken a liking to you. How the fuck was he supposed to compete with that.
Would you rather have Banner? A nerd that spends all day in the lab or Thor. A king from another planet whose people had been forced hereafter said planet had been destroyed. The choice seemed pretty obvious to him.
Not that Thor wasn’t great. After everything that’s happened Bruce and Thor were practically best friends. Thor gotten him through a really rough time and obviously Banner had been there to help the god save his people. Then after everything with Thanos. They’d bonded in a way neither of them had expected.
He doesn’t even know why he tortures himself thinking about it. It was bad enough that the King of New Asgard was making googly eyes at you. Or that you seemed to be reciprocating it.
You were doing it right now. Laughing about something he said while his friend trailed his different colored eyes up and down your body. He couldn’t even blame him.
“Banner, you want to come out with us for dinner?” Thor had asked as you’d started taking off your coat getting ready to leave the lab for the day.
Bruce sighed. Why did Thor have to torture him like that. “No, it’s okay.”
“Oh, come on, Dr. Banner,” your voice was so smooth and sultry. Like you were always about to whisper something dirty. “Come out with us. All work and no play make you a dull boy.”
“I wouldn’t want to impose on your date,” he said as he finished packing up.
You tilted your head to the side with those confused puppy dog eyes. “Date? This isn’t a date. We’re just bored. And I wanna get drunk.”
“Yeah.” Thor nodded. “Just three friends having a few drinks and dinner.”
Banner looked between the two. Both of them with those sweet looks on their faces. Why the fuck did Thor have to be one of the nicest beings he’d ever met. It was hard to say no to him.
“Okay fine. Where are we going?” He asked as he finished packing up.
“It doesn’t matter as long as I get nachos!” You replied with a grin. “But I need to change first. I feel icky.”
Bruce had decided to do the same. He didn’t want to admit it, but he wanted to at least look nice for the first time you’d be seeing him out of work. Not that he was planning on acting out on any feelings. Again. He didn’t wanna freak you out.
“I know your secret.” Thor narrowed his eyes with a smirk on his face making Bruce almost smack onto him when he’d walked out of his room.
“Jesus, Thor!” He put his hand over his heart trying to not freak out completely.
He put his hand on Bruce’s shoulder. “Shit, sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you. I do know your secret, though.”
“What are you talking about?”
“You like Lady Y/N. Am I right?”
His jaw dropped, but he tried to sober up quickly. “Wha- what. Why, why would, what makes you think that?” He stuttered.
“I’m a fertility god.” He rolled his eyes dramatically. “I can tell these things.”
“Oh...” he trailed off his cheeks getting bright red.
Thor laughed. “There’s nothing to be embarrassed about. She’s beautiful.”
“She’s half my age,” he replied.
“So?” He frowned in confusion. Of course, Thor would have no concept of an age difference when he’d lived through centuries.
Bruce sighed. “So, it’ll look odd if I start dating my twenty-five-year-old intern, Thor.”
He shrugged. “Look I’m sure Stark has done much worse. Don’t worry about what people will think or you’ll never get your chance.”
—
You sipped from your margarita from your spot beside him. Why’d you have to be so close. Not that he was complaining. You’d started drinking the tequila before you’d even gotten the chance to get your food.
It was so different seeing you out of the lab and compound. You were dressed so simply in a white v neck tucked into your black jeans and a pair of black boots, but you looked so good. Your hair was up and done in your natural look. Like a cute pineapple.
“Wait, can either of you even get drunk?” You asked.
Thor had set down his beer and nodded. “I can, there’s nothing like Asgardian mead, though. What about you, Banner?”
“I don’t drink. Not sure how the big guy would react,” he answered.
She nodded. “That makes sense. Hope you guys don’t mind if I get drunk as fuck.”
“Feel free,” Thor replied. “We’ll protect you. Won’t we?” Thor kicked him lightly under the table.
“Yeah... yeah,” Bruce replied.
“Dr. Banner, loosen up. We’re here to have fun.” You nudged him.
“Yeah you’re right,” he replied a tiny smile appearing on his face as he tapped his fingers against the table. “I guess a beer wouldn’t hurt. If anything, we can just stay at Tony’s.”
“How many homes does this man have?” You asked wrinkling your nose.
—
Thor spun around with you on his back as you guys walked towards the entrance of the complex Bruce had told you that Tony wouldn’t mind if the three of you crashed in for the night. Just because Stark Tower was gone didn’t mean the billionaire didn’t have other properties around New York.
Banner laughed as he walked behind the both of you. He’d stuck to a beer to be safe and had loosened up at least a tad. He’d enjoyed seeing you have fun more than anything. All those stories the three of you would share. Of course, nothing compared to the odd adventures Thor had over the centuries, but still entertaining nonetheless.
Once you’d made it in you pretty much skipped inside as you looked around the penthouse. “Wow is it weird that I’m surprised that he’s trusting us with this place?”
“What’s not to trust?” Banner asked with a chuckle.
“Oh, come on. This is the face of a troublemaker.” You made a kissy face at him.
He shook his head. “You look like you stay up watching Bill Nye the Science Guy.”
Your jaw dropped. “Hey! Bill Nye is a national treasure. I used to have a crush on him. I think I have a thing for nerds.” You shrugged as you walked over to the kitchen.
Thor wiggled his eyebrows at Banner before motioning at him with his head. Bruce in turn shook his head at his friend. “Just talk to her,” Thor whispered still a little too loudly.
“No,” he replied.
“Think Tony will get mad if I drink some of his wine?” You asked as you took a wine glass.
“Eh, Stark will be fine,” Thor replied. “Enjoy yourself.”
So, the three of you had settled down to watch a movie. You’d also maybe raided the pantry which led to you and Thor throwing M&Ms into each other’s mouths while Bruce munched on chips. “At least Tony let us stay in the place that has snacks.” You laughed.
“Or does he know?” Thor asked with a smirk leaning over to steal one of Bruce’s chips.
“We’re not breaking and entering, are we? Because you guys might be able to get out of it, but...”
“We’re fine,” he answered, waving you off. “This is like the party house.”
“Yeah and where he goes when he wants to snack away from Pepper,” Bruce said with a smirk on his face.
“Wow shady, Dr. Banner,” you gasped with a giggle.
He groaned. “How many times have I told you to call me Bruce.”
“What if I like it?” You teased. “Besides if I call you Bruce I’m gonna end up calling you Brucie.”
“How about you can call me whatever you want then.”
You narrowed your eyes at him and he knew he was in for trouble. “Fine. What if I call you Daddy?”
For a minute, Bruce was sure his brain had short circuited. As soon as that word left your mouth, he could feel it happen. He closed his eyes for a minute. Almost like he was savoring it. He opened his mouth ready to say something witty or flirty or anything and, “Uhhhh...” It was like his voice had short circuited.
“Bruce, I’m kidding.” You laughed as you stood up, poking his shoulder. “I’ll be right back. I have to pee.”
As his friend was trying to process what had just happened, Thor sat beside staring at him with a dopey grin on his face. “I told you,” he teased waving his hands excitedly.
“She was just joking,” he quickly retorted.
Thor shook his head still absolutely beaming. “No. She’s totally into you.”
Bruce groaned because even if you were, it was still so inappropriate. “Thor, I can’t.”
“Yes, you can. Who’s going to stop you?” Thor shrugged. “Now fuck the twenty-five-year-old or whatever that is.”
“Thor!” Banner said, feeling himself almost lose control. The Hulk must have had a crush on you, too, because he did not like the other man talking about you like that.
Thor quickly sobered up, not meaning to push him that far. “Shit, I’m sorry,” he said.
“Is everything okay?” You asked peeking out of the bathroom. You looked a little panicked because in the few weeks you’d been helping him you’d never seen him go Hulk. This was the first time you’d even gotten a glimpse of him.
“Yeah. Just...” Thor looked at Bruce. “Give us a minute, Sweetheart.”
“Okay,” you replied softly biting your lip and close the door again. You’d already been over so many evacuations plan for just in case it happened, but you kind of cared about him so it would be kinda hard to see him like that.
“You okay?”
Bruce had his eyes closed and nodded. “No. I’m fine. I just... he wanted to come out and play a little.”
“You sure? We can go for a walk if you want. Clear your mind or whatever.”
He laughed. “No. I’m okay. Thanks. Y/N, you can come in!”
You peeked your head out again, looking between the two of them. “Everything cool?”
“Yeah, we’re good,” Bruce answered feeling a little bad if he’d scared you.
You came back over and took a seat on the couch that was across from them. Like you weren’t sure if you should get close.
“Y/N, you can sit here,” he said, looking down at your former spot on the floor.
You knew he hadn’t done it on purpose, but this kind of felt like a command and you found yourself complying. You weren’t even sure if it was from what’d just happened or from the daddy thing. “Okay,” you replied softly, making your way over.
You sat criss cross applesauce in between them. Thor peeked out from over the top of your head, staring him down. ‘Do it,” the god mouthed to him. You looked over and groaned. “Shoot forgot to get more wine,” you said standing up again.
“Banner, be a man,” Thor mumbled.
“I could say the same thing for you.”
“I am a man. I would have kissed her already. Taken control. Like a man.”
“I don’t want to scare her off.”
“So, you do like her!” Another grin grew on his face. “I told you.”
Bruce groaned softly. “Why would I want to do that with you here anyway?”
“Just trust me on this,” he replied as you walked up with another glass. They probably should have stopped you because by now you were pretty tipsy.
“Ohh, trust you with what?” You asked, sitting back in your spot.
“Nothing,” Banner replied. “It doesn’t matter.”
“It does, but he won’t admit it.” Thor added with a dramatic sigh.
You scrunched up your face in this cute pout as you got on your knees to wrap your arms around Bruce’s shoulder. “It’s okay, Brucie. I won’t let Thor bully you.”
Thor was so giddy.
Your breasts were so close to his face. “I thought you were supposed to call me Daddy?” He asked, looking up at you.
You got back on your knees your arms still around him. “Bruce! You’re so bad.” He could have done it. Just moved a little bit closer. Instead he froze again.
At that exact moment. While you were waiting right there. For him to just move closer to you. To connect your lips. His fucking phone rang. He groaned, resting his head against your shoulder. He dug it into his pockets to answer it. “Fucking Tony.”
You retracted your arms as he got up to take it. You leaned back resting your ass on your heels. “What, Tony?” He said a little harshly into the phone after he’d made it into the hallway.
“Where’d you put my wrench?” He asked and Bruce could hear the clattering of things being moved in the background.
“Seriously? This is what you’re calling me about?” Bruce laughed sarcastically.
“I texted you, but you never got back to me. I knew you three were out on your date thing.”
“It’s not a date, we’re just hanging out,” Bruce replied clearing his throat. “Why would you call it a date?”
“Yeah, whatever. Keep lying to yourselves. Anyway, where’s my wrench?”
It took a minute, but he’d finally found it and he was hoping he could get back to where the two of you were a moment ago.
It didn’t even make any sense. He was a fifty-year-old man, he shouldn’t have even been trying anything with you. Yet there he was ready to risk it all. For as Thor kept putting it, twenty-five-year-old pussy.
Of course, though, Bruce had the worst luck in the world. Between the Hulk and that whole thing. Making Ultron. Yeah, he’d fucked up a few times. Apparently walking away from you was one because there you were with his one of his best friends making out with you just like how he was supposed to.
Thor pulled away from your mouth to start kissing her neck. His hand went to one of her breasts. You looked up at him with this troublemaker eyes. “I told you to be a man, Bruce,” Thor said, in between nips on your skin. “So, I’m showing you how.”
He could feel his face getting hot. Like the big guy was threatening to come. He didn’t want you to see him like that, but as you stood up you wrapped your arms around his neck.
“It’s okay. I have enough holes for the both of you.”
His jaw dropped, but he couldn’t respond as you’d already smashed your lips into his. Your mouths worked together. His hands stayed at his side as you pushed him back until he could sit on the couch.
You climbed on his lap. Straddling him as his hands went to your ass like it was an instinct. He could pretty much hear the Hulk actually giving him kudos for doing it.
“See how much better that is,” Thor said sitting next to the two of you as he started kissing your neck.
Bruce thought for a minute. He should be telling Thor to go away, but the fertility god was just trying to help him out. Maybe he could play and not really touch.
“Brucie,” you moaned as he started to trail down your neck with his lips.
“Been teasing me all night. Haven’t you?” He said, into your ear.
You nodded with a chuckle as you started to roll your hips against him. He moaned into your neck as he cupped the bottom of your ass. You gasped, “Daddy.”
His dick rubbed into you in the most delicious way. Fuck he felt so damn good. “That’s such a good girl,” Thor said, coming to sit the beside of you.
“Thor!” Bruce pulled away.
Thor rolled his eyes. “Stop making this weird.”
You laughed grabbing the man who’s lap you were currently on top of. “It’s okay,” you said in such a cute way, your body perking up.
He sighed before looking at Thor who started to kiss your neck again. You didn’t even give him a chance to think as you smashed your lips against his. It didn’t take long for that to become his focus.
One of them started to pull your shirt up making the other follow. You helped them as you pulled it from your body, lifting it over your head. They kissed the tops of your breasts as Thor reached behind to undo your bra. “Look at these beautiful fucking tits,” Thor said licking your nipple.
Banner went back up to your lips, grabbing your ass with so much more force. Suddenly Bruce stood up with you wrapped around his waist. Ended up dropping you so your back was against the couch. You squealed then laughed as he started kissing you again.
There was still enough room between the two of you to where Thor could fondle you and kiss your neck. Honestly you felt like a fucking goddess with the two of them worshipping you like that.
You started to undo Banner’s shirt needing so much more. He helped to undo the rest while you reached forward to unfasten his belt. He was quick to help so you could start to work off your own pants.
It all happened so quickly. Before he knew it the both of you were naked and you were ready for him to fuck you. “Please,” you whined.
“What do you want?” He asked.
“For you to fuck me.”
Just like that he slammed into you, not being able to wait anymore. Fuck it had felt so good. He’d been wanting to do this ever since you started coming around. All that pent-up sexual frustration.
The noises coming out of your mouth were perfect. He couldn’t believe he was finally inside of you. “Yes,” you moaned.
Thor had taken his dick from his pants as he watched the two of you. Bruce never thought he’d find himself here. Fucking you with his best friend stroking himself as he watched. It was probably hotter than any porn he’d ever watched.
“Harder,” you whimpered.
“Fuck her like a man, Banner,” Thor groaned. “Like the slut she is.”
“Yes,” you mewled.
Banner groaned before pulling out of you. “Turn over.” He demanded.
You did as you were told, flipping onto your stomach so your ass was in the air. He wasted no time in slamming into you making you yelp. “That’s good, Banner. Fuck her just like that.” Thor reached out to stroke your cheek. “You look so beautiful getting your cunt stuffed.”
You moaned looking up at the god with big doe eyes. The way you were biting your lip. Banner honestly felt intoxicated just from being inside of you. As he worked his hips back and forth while you worked back against him, he honestly felt like he’d died and went to heaven. Even Hulk was giving him props.
“That’s it,” Thor groaned as you finally put your mouth on his dick. As much as he was trying to resist it before, it was kind of hot to see you getting your face fucked by Thor as he fucked your pussy. 
“I’m gonna cum,” you moaned taking your mouth off of Thor. Bruce rubbed your clit making trying to coax it out.
You tightened around him. He honestly felt like you were trying to milk his dick. “That’s it,” he groaned. “Cum for me, Baby. Be a good girl and cum for Daddy.”
His words made you explode because you were not prepared for him to say anything like that. Banner pulled out of you helping you flip back over onto your back. He once again wasted no time to enter your overly sensitive pussy.
You scratched his back and he noted that it was probably his favorite feeling. The way you raked your nails up and down. “Oh, Daddy.”
“That’s a good girl,” he groaned.
Thor got on his feet so he could get access to your mouth once again. You turned your head, ready to serve. “Thor!” Banner groaned.
“It’s okay,” you moaned. “I like it. And, look at how pretty it is.”
“See, Banner. It’s okay.” Thor moaned feeling your tongue back on him.
Besides it felt kind of good to be this desired. As a woman of science there was something so hot about Bruce Banner fucking the shit out of you while your mouth was full of dick from an alien god king. This was like your dream come true.
Though hesitant at first, Bruce was finding himself enjoying seeing your mouth be used by Thor at the same time as he fucked you. The way you licked it like he was your favorite popsicle before taking into your mouth. He could tell you were having a little trouble me multitasking since you kept pulling away from Thor to moan.
“Fuck, Daddy!” You whined having to pull away from the other dick once again. Your head was swimming because it was almost too much, but you were determined to please.
“Ah, ah, ah, Pet, I didn’t tell you to stop,” Thor scolded grabbing the puff of hair on top of your head so he could push back into your mouth. Even at the strange angle you were sucking his dick like a perfect little cocksucker.
It honestly looked so good. Seeing you moan as you tried to keep up. Bruce’s mouth was practically watering as he looked down at your spread-out legs and the way you attempted to take his best friend down your throat. He wasn’t sure if you could because Thor was as big as he looked like he’d be. Then again seeing you choke on him sounded kind of hot.
Slobber drooled down your chin. You were making such a mess, but it looked like that had been exactly what you’d set out to do. Bruce had only seen blowjobs that sloppy in porn. “That’s such a good girl,” Thor groaned. “Look at that. Doesn’t she look so pretty like this.”
“So pretty,” Bruce grunted as he fucked you getting more on your body now. He buried his head into your neck as you wrapped your legs around his waist.
You were slurping on Thor’s dick and fuck you were so wet. How was your pussy so damn wet. “Been teasing me all this time, huh. How long you been wanting this? Is that why you applied for the internship? So, you could take my dick?” He angled his hips in a way so that he could go deeper. His cock surrounded by your spongy walls.
As much as you’d fantasizes a long time about him, you never thought it’d be like this. Fuck were you pleasantly surprised.
“Answer me, Honey,” he said, looking back up at you.
Thor’s hand was still gripped in your hair and he forced you off of him long enough for you to speak. Except at that moment you finally reached your breaking point cumming around him. You felt yourself milk his dick and all he did was keep fucking you. “Yes!” You cried. “Fuck me, Daddy!” You begged.
“Such a good girl,” Thor cooed before shoving himself back inside your mouth.
You moaned around him. All that spittle on your face. Bruce wanted to kiss you so bad, but considering your mouth was a little preoccupied he hesitated. It did look good, though. He glanced up at Thor who was mostly watching you take him like a good girl.
He noticed Bruce’s eyes on him before looking down at him with this slight smirk, shrugging his shoulders. As a god and until recently a prince, he had no shortage of lovers. This meant from different beings to whomever. Men or women or anything else. So, with the way Bruce was looking at him, he wasn’t really shocked.
Bruce on the other hand had only been with a handful of women. As Thor’s thick cock was just right there in front of him with your lips sucking at it, he felt like he couldn’t help himself as he leaned forward to lick what you hadn’t been able to fit into your mouth.
Thor hissed at feeling your mouth and his tongue now added. “Fuck,” he said under his breath.
You smiled around the dick in your mouth and pulled out with a giggle. “Daddy!” You squealed. Bruce blushed, pulling way. You leaned into him to connect your lips with his. He stopped moving and instead held you there. “It’s okay. I’m having so much fun.”
“Me, too,” he said, his face still red.
“Banner, it’s okay,” Thor said, rubbing the other man’s salt and pepper curly hair.
Bruce found it more comforting than he even expected before lifting away from you so he could lick it again, tasting the saltiness. You moaned underneath him connected your lips to his neck. “Don’t stop, Daddy,” you whispered in his ear before nibbling along his earlobe.
He ground himself, starting to move his hips again. This time fucking you with slower, deeper thrusts. This tingle that had already built up inside of you grew more intense. He was working your pussy so fucking good. Then seeing him do that you could feel a new orgasm building up inside of you.
“Help me, Baby,” Bruce said.
Thor smiled because he was happy to see the teamwork. Besides two mouths were definitely better than one. “That’s it.”
“Fuck you’re gonna make me cum again,” your voice shook as you suddenly clung to him. This one was definitely going to be more intense.
You squealed out your moans opening your mouth before biting down on your lip only for your jaw to drop again. You lip quivered into a pout while your brows tensed up. He couldn’t help it has he mesmerized the little details. Noticing how your eyes got so desperate looking. And it was for him. For what he was doing to you. Of course, you’d clearly enjoyed what Thor had done to your mouth, but he was the one fucking you into two orgasms one right after the other.
“That’s it, pretty girl, cum for Daddy,” he grunted because he could feel himself ready to also cum inside that pretty pussy. “Want Daddy to cum all in this pussy?”
You nodded, but you were so sensitive at this point because your orgasm was intense. Bruce quickly followed behind unloading into you. Tremors ran through your body as your eyes closed.
When Bruce looked down to see he immediately got off of you. “Shit, Y/N,” he said, he rubbed your cheek. “Hey, hey,” he talked to you ever so softly.
Thor got down next to you. “Sweetheart, are you okay?”
You wrapped your arms around him and he hugged you back tightly, kissing your temple. Bruce rubbed got down beside him, so he could rub your back. “I’m sorry. It was just a lot.”
“Don’t be sorry,” Bruce said. “I didn’t hurt you, did I?”
“No.” You laid back down as Thor kissed your forehead.
“Why don’t we go lay down?” Thor suggested.
“That’s a good idea,” Bruce said, grabbing your hand and kissing your knuckles.
Thor carried you to one of the many bedrooms. Your legs wrapped around his waist; chin perched on his shoulder. Bruce trailed behind watching the glazed look in your eyes.
As Thor laid you down, he made sure the blankets were pulled over you before kissing the top of your head again. “Comfortable?”
“Mhm,” you answered contently.
“Need anything?” Bruce asked. “Water? Pretty sure we’ve been through most of the snacks.”
“Can you lay down with me?” You asked looking between them with big eyes and a pout. Thor grinned before getting in beside you, Bruce quickly doing the same. You got snuggly between them. Thor against your backside and Bruce in front of you so you could wrap your arms around them.
You were enjoying the closeness of them. They would kiss you softly wherever they could reach and traced their fingertips on your skin. All the affection was making you feel like you’d settled into his haze.
Thor tickled your side and you giggled trying to get closer to Banner. “Daddy, tell him to stop.”
Bruce chuckled and kissed your nose. “Is Thor teasing you, Baby?”
“I’m the tease?” Thor gasped. “I’m the one who didn’t even get to cum and somehow I’m the tease?”
You laughed. “I’m sorry.”
“You will be sorry,” he said, as he brought his hands further down over your butt, squeezing your flesh.
The jealousy Banner would have felt earlier was gone. Instead replaced with curiosity over what he could possibly do to her. The anticipation was making him hard all over again.
“Daddy!” You gasped; eyes wide as you looked into Bruce’s. “He’s touching me!” It sounded like you were trying to tattle and Bruce couldn’t help it as he laughed.
“Oh yeah? What’s he doing?” He asked with a smirk on his face.
Thor had lifted your leg up so he could stuff his large fingers into your cunt from behind. “His fingers are in my pussy,” you replied with a moan.
“Does it feel good?”
“It feels really good,” you whimpered.
Bruce chuckled as he pulled you in so he could kiss your lips again. Thor kissed your shoulder as you started to leak all over his fingers. “That’s such a good girl. Why don’t you ask Daddy if I can fuck this pussy,” he whispered in your ear, the bass of his voice sending shivers down your spine.
“Oh, Daddy, can I?” You asked.
“That’s not how you ask politely, Sweetheart,” Bruce scoffed.
You swallowed down a moan because fuck Thor was really working you over good. “Daddy, can Thor please fuck me?”
“Since you asked so nicely,” he said. He felt like he was drunk off of you. For once even Hulk was at peace.
Thor grabbed you making you face him as he kissed you greedily. You climbed on top of him straddling his waist. He grabbed your hips to lift you up and then eased you back down onto his dick.
“Oh.” Was all you could say. Your face felt hot all of a sudden. It felt like you were almost too full from him.
Bruce smiled at the dazed look on your face. You looked so beautiful. “How does it feel?”
“He’s so big,” you whimpered.
“You wanted a God’s dick baby,” Thor said beginning to move you up and down his length. “You have to take it.”
“Is it too much?” Bruce asked taking his hardening member into his hand because watching the two of you was so perfect.
“I can take it,” you whimpered through gritted teeth because you weren’t entirely sure you were telling the truth.
“That’s such a good girl,” Thor groaned. Fuck your cunt was tight. If you weren’t having such a hard time now, he would have been slamming in and out of you. Your pussy felt so damn good.
Bruce’s watched intently as the other man fucked into you. He wasn’t sure what had come over him tonight, but he doesn’t think there’s any coming back from this. “Fuck, Thor,” he groaned, “your dick is too big for her.”
“Is it too big for you, Sweetheart?” Thor asked. “Too much?”
“I promise I can take it,” you cried because you felt like you were gonna be split in two.
“You better fucking take it,” Bruce said.
Thor finally started to pick up the pace. You threw your head back, biting your lips, eyes squeezed shut with your eyebrows furrowed.
You looked so gorgeous like this and even though you’d just made Bruce cum in that pretty pussy he wanted to do it again. Thor had this smirk on his face because there was something so funny about this little human woman struggling to take him.
Thor looked at Bruce as he’d glanced over him and Bruce wasn’t sure what came over him as he pressed his own kiss to Thor’s lips. Thor always needing to dominate kissed the other man deeply tongues fighting against each other.
You finally opened your eyes noticing the change in Thor’s movements as he tried to keep up with both at the same time. You started to move your hips faster because fuck they looked hot together and even though it felt like Thor was going to break you, you needed it.
“Fu- fuck!” You yelped as your orgasm came through. Thor smacked your ass and laughed against Bruce.
“See I told you her twenty-five-year-old pussy would feel good,” Thor couldn’t help himself from saying.
“Thor!” Bruce groaned.
You stopped moving, a laugh wrecking up through your body. “What?”
Your night pretty much went the same way. Getting used by both men until you were completely tapped out. You fell asleep nestled between them as they whispered sweet nothings to you and surprisingly each other.
Bruce couldn’t believe the smile that was on his face. Whatever aftermath happens after this he could deal with it. As long as you and Thor were there. Well mostly you since Thor would have to go back to New Asgard at some point.
—
“I don’t even know how she found out!” Tony complained to Happy for what was probably the millionth time.
The other man shrugged. “Maybe the kid let it slip?” He suggested as they finally came through the door. The both of them looked at each other as they saw the bowls of snacks around the floor and the only have drunken glass of wine.
And all the clothes.
“Who the fuck...” Tony gasped.
“I’ll do a sweep of the place,” Happy said already getting into protective mode.
Of course, Tony not being able to be patient wanted to see who the hell it was that had clearly had sex on his damn couch and didn’t even clean any of the evidence.
His jaw dropped seeing you in bed all safe and sound with Bruce. All of the irritation he felt was suddenly replaced with shock, but also relief because at least it was just Bruce. Besides he needed to get laid.
Thor came out of the bathroom at that moment, making Tony’s eyes widen as soon as he saw the god in all his naked glory. “Hi, Stark.” Thor greeted him with a grin as he went back over to the bed.
“I fucking called it!” Tony shouted, jolting the two of you awake.
You let out a scream before throwing a pillow to hit him in the face. Happy had covered his eyes because this was too much for him. “We’ll just wait outside,” he said, grabbing Tony’s shirt to yank him away.
“I knew it was a date!” He giddily yelled.
“Well, at least we don’t have to tell everyone because Tony is probably having Friday text everyone.” Thor shrugged, before scooping the both of you into his arms. Fuck, Tony. He was going back to sleep with his two small humans and then take them out for breakfast.
#bruce banner smut#thor smut#bruce banner x reader smut#bruce banner x reader x thor smut#thor x reader#Thor x reader smut#Bruce banner x reader#Daddy!Bruce Banner#Bruce banner x black!reader#thor x black!reader#Thor x Bruce#Bruce banner x black!reader x Thor smut#Bruce banner x black!reader x Thor#bruce banner x reader x thor
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this soundtrack fill is for kittenlzlz, who i cannot tag because it’s all sabotage all the time over here. also, i'm sorry, i didn’t realize you’d changed your prompt until after i wrote this one, so this is for the first thing you sent in.
anyway, here’s some dystopian sci-fi angst for sam and bucky with a hopeful ending. the song for this one is “achilles come down” by gang of youth.
—
When he was young, Sam spent thirty-seven weeks in New Mexico, learning how to keep people alive until evac. That others may live was a motto they preferred to operationalize rather than idealize, and, without the EMT training, pararescue tended to turn into high-risk body retrieval. So he spent the better part of a year learning how to keep a body breathing, and he learned, also, how to recognize when any effort was likely to be wasted.
Which is how he knows that what he’s looking at isn’t fully human. Because a human would already be dead.
It’s the blood that tells him, more than anything else. The Chitauri bleed a thick, dark blue substance that goes black if their cybernetics are leaking. And there’s plenty of blue and black puddled on the asphalt, but that red is a hemoglobin gift, and that means it’s all human.
“Shit, man,” Sam says, crouching next to the only human at this massacre. “You could keep a blood bank in business all by yourself.”
The man lifts his head and blinks at him, slow and a little dazed. Not dazed enough, though. He can almost focus on Sam’s face. “Not anymore,” he says, after a beat.
More blood bubbles up at the corners of his mouth. Sam can see it between his teeth.
“Yeah,” Sam says. And he laughs, because he might as well. Because he came out here with a team of ten to clean out the aliens, and it looks like one guy did their work for them. “Guess not.”
He’s a pathetic sight, really. Ragged body armor, hair clumped together, skin sticky with blood and ichor. He’s belly down on the cracked parking lot, and there’s a smear of blood behind him, showing exactly how far he’s managed to drag himself.
Sam’s not excited about what he’s going to see, when he rolls this guy over on his back.
“You gonna fight me if I help you?” he asks.
Most of them, these Enhanced, the surviving Super Soldiers, they can’t help it. Sam’s had to put a few down himself, although not for a while now. It’s been almost a year since he had to kill anything with a human face.
The man sighs. He rests his forehead against the asphalt, closes his eyes. His fingers flex and then go still. “I don’t know,” he says.
That others may live, Sam thinks. But the problem has always been that lives are balanced on both sides of the scales, and, sometimes, saving one means sacrificing another.
This man killed fifteen Chitauri, and he did it alone. There are kids back at the base. Vulnerable people.
The safest choice would be to leave him here. Let him save himself, if he can. But Sam’s never really been the safe choice type.
“Okay,” he says, hands curling around his shoulders, carefully rolling the man over on his back, “let’s see the damage.”
It’s enough to kill a human. But that’s not really what he’s dealing with.
—
The Super Soldiers were a desperation play. Sam was supposed to be one of them. The best of Earth’s fighters, dosed with serum, patched up with cybernetics based on Chitauri tech, sent out to face the enemies that had invaded the planet.
Sam’s still not sure exactly how it happened, what level of their defenses failed. He only knows failure by its consequences.
The neural implants were hacked. The soldiers turned against their people. Sam, who’d been four days out from his own procedure, was shifted to a team tasked with hunting them down and eliminating them.
These days, there aren’t many left. There’s not much of anyone left. The Chitauri fundamentally misunderstood their target. Sam could’ve warned them. The species of mutually assured destruction was never going to die quiet.
He thinks about that while the Soldier sleeps, chained to a bed in a locked basement in an abandoned building two miles from the base. Sam keeps watch. He has a radio in case anything goes wrong, but he doesn’t intend to use it for anything other than warning them what’s coming.
“I could’ve been you,” Sam tells him. And then, smiling at nothing, shaking his head, “Hell, you could’ve been me.”
He wonders where he’s from. He wonders what his name is.
He wonders, when he can’t help it, what he did. If he ever killed anyone Sam used to know.
—
The Soldier sleeps for forty hours and then sits straight up in bed, rips the chains off his wrists like they’re pipe cleaners, and then turns to face Sam. “What the hell,” he says.
“Oh, well,” Sam says, too startled to be afraid. “Didn’t want anyone stealing you.”
The Soldiers makes a face at him, an incredulous sneer that twists up his mouth and pulls his dark eyebrows together, and he looks so human, so perfectly skeptical, that Sam starts laughing.
“Well,” he says, with a shrug, “you killed fifteen aliens with a tire iron. You’re a treasure.”
“And I want it back.” he says, immediately. “Where’s my tire iron?”
“Confiscated,” Sam says.
He glares, and Sam‘s probably meant to be intimidated, but he knows – they both know – that, if this guy wanted to scare Sam, he could just start breaking bones. Or walls. “I want it back when I leave.”
“Leave,” Sam repeats. He kicks back in his chair, balances on the back legs as he swings his feet up onto the Soldier’s bed. “Why’re you leaving?”
The Soldier stares at Sam’s booted feet near his knees. “Usually it’s the fact that I’m a timebomb that chases me off,” he says, “but it looks like your manners are the real horrorshow around here.”
Sam grins at him. He’s merciless about it, uses the most charming smile in his arsenal. He expects the guy to soften a bit, but he’s not expecting the doubletake he gets, the there-and-away bounce of his stare, like Sam’s suddenly something he wants to look at but doesn’t want to get caught looking at.
Huh, he thinks.
“When’s the last time you hurt someone?” Sam asks.
The Soldier’s face crumples up and then flattens out. “What is this? Some kinda trial? An interrogation?”
“If this were an interrogation, I wouldn’t’ve given you the soft pillows,” Sam tells him.
The Soldier doesn’t look like he buys it. But, after a moment, he tips his head to the side. “Probably wouldn’t want to get blood on these white sheets,” he acknowledges.
“Christ,” Sam says, because that more or less seems to be the only thing he could possibly say to something like that.
The Soldier shrugs. He brushes his hair away from his face, blinks, and gives Sam a skeptical sideways stare. “Did you wash my hair?”
“With a firehose,” Sam confirms. “Damn near shaved the whole thing off. You were a mess, man.”
He shrugs. “It’s messy work.”
And, sure, it is. Sam knows. His base is the first resettlement outpost in this region. They’ve been clearing Chitauri out of the area for months.
But he still takes a damn shower whenever possible.
“Who were you?” Sam asks. “Before the program?”
The Soldier looks away. Looks at nothing. After a long pause, he recites, careful and rote, “Sergeant James Buchanan Barnes. 107th.”
“Okay,” Sam says. “James. When’s the last time you hurt a human being?”
He worries at his lower lip, teeth pressing into the skin. He’s quiet for a very long time. “Thirteen months, ten days,” he says, finally.
Sam considers the timeline. “You think it’s over?”
“I think the implant’s in my fucking brain,” he says. “It’ll be over at brain death.”
“It’s just a chip,” Sam says. “It’s not sentient. Someone’s gotta send the message, right?”
The Soldier’s jaw works. “Even if the aliens stay out, there’s gonna be plenty of people who want to use someone like me, as soon as they rebuild enough to manage.”
It’s a hell of thing, and it could’ve been Sam.
He nudges the Soldier’s knee with his boot, and the Soldier stares at the point of contact. He doesn’t look angry anymore. If Sam had to use a word to describe the expression on the Soldier’s face, he thinks he’d use something bittersweet and barbed, something like lonely or longing.
“Gonna be a long damn time before anyone’s rebuilt,” he says.
“Aliens could have reinforcements here at any time,” the Soldier says.
“Maybe,” Sam says, although he thinks they might’ve learned some kind of lesson. At the very least, they’ve probably learned that it’s just not worth the effort.
“Look,” Sam says. “I think you should come back to the base.”
“No,” he says. Immediate and definite, louder then he’s been so far.
Sam expected it. Maybe part of him hoped for it. “Okay,” he says. “Then we’ll stay here. And, when you’re better, I want you to take a radio. And I want you to check in with us. All right? Every day.”
The Soldier stares at him. “Why the hell would you want that?”
Sam smiles, studies the hollows of the Soldier’s face, the scars, the freckles he must’ve earned when he was young, used to play too long in the sun. He has, Sam thinks, beautiful eyes. “There’s not a lot of us left,” he says.
“‘Us,’” the Soldier repeats, scoffing audibly.
“Us,” Sam repeats. He nudges the Soldier’s knee again, and the Soldier cuts his eyes away, glares at the wall. But, a moment later, he shifts, leans his knee into Sam.
—
His name is Bucky Barnes. He’s fussy as hell, stubborn beyond belief, helpful every chance he can get, and fond of cats and songbirds. He doesn’t cheat at cards, and he doesn’t accuse Sam of it either, even when Sam beats him damn near every hand.
He’s a good man. Even now.
“I’m gonna miss you,” Sam says. Because it’s been two weeks, and Bucky’s decided he’s well enough to go.
Bucky ducks his head. “Shut up,” he says.
Sam wonders if he was always this head shy about affection.
“C’mere,” he says. “I’ll give you a goodbye kiss.”
“Shut up,” Bucky says, practically scuttling away, head still ducked. When he raises it, he’s grinning one of his ghost grins, the ones that almost show who he used to be, like a faint echo of a louder, happier man.
“Okay,” Sam says. “But if I don’t get a goodbye kiss, I’m definitely not gonna talk dirty to you on that radio. You gotta put in the work, Bucky.”
“I hate you,” Bucky tells him, and his crush couldn’t be more obvious. Sam would be embarrassed for him, if he weren’t busy being charmed.
“Yeah, yeah,” Sam says. “Check in every day, or I’m gonna track you down.”
“Hm,” Bucky says. He adjusts his pack on his shoulders. He’s got that tire iron, an alarming number of knives, and two guns. He’s setting off to kill more aliens. He’s going alone. “That supposed to be a threat?”
He was a Barnes in the Army and Sam was a Wilson in the Air Force, and so Bucky is a Super Soldier and Sam is not. It’s unpredictable, sometimes, the way mercy falls.
“Be careful out there,” Sam says, and he knocks his elbow against Bucky’s.
“Yeah,” Bucky says. He rolls his eyes and then catches Sam watching, and he blinks, falters. “Yeah,” he says, again. Softer, steadier. A promise, not a joke.
Sam considers him, lets the moment hang. Waits. Sometimes, all Bucky needs is the space and time to make up his own mind.
“I’m gonna miss you, too,” Bucky says.
“There it is,” Sam says, grinning, almost crowing in triumphant. “There--”
“Oh, Jesus,” Bucky says, rolling his eyes again, getting theatrical about it. “I already regret saying it.”
“Can’t take it back,” Sam taunts, grinning wide and smug.
“I’m going,” Bucky says, and he starts off, doesn’t look back.
“Hey, Buck,” Sam calls, when Bucky’s just about to break through the treeline, disappear into the woods. “I hate to see you go, but I love----”
“Fuck off, Sam!” Bucky says, but he’s laughing, and Sam can still hear it – surprised and happy, fully human – even after Bucky disappears.
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Ah man I'm so glad you made that post about ski resorts and racism, I never see content about the effects of ski resorts on the land. Keeping jumbo wild was a huge W and I was so glad to see it, and I hope it puts pressure on the people trying to push zincton through. I actually haven't heard much abt the zincton project lately, do you know of any updates? Thanks again for the content, so rarely hear other voices online from the inland temperate rainforest
Hey, thank you so much for the message. I know you’re also a fan of the region. Glad you saw that post and said something to me. :)
Yes, there has been some new media coverage of Zincton as of November 2020. And can I use this as an opportunity to say a couple of things about this rainforest? Sorry in advance for rambling and all of this text.
Right? The downfall of the Jumbo project was uplifting. Ski resorts obviously (like many “parks” in US and Canada) involve Indigenous dispossession and obscuring/erasure of histories and lives. (Details from that article: US sky resort visitors are 88% white, and half make over $100 thousand a year.) As for voices from the inland temperate rainforest: Gotta mention that the province of BC goes to such great lengths to silence the voices of the Sinixt people, declared “extinct” by the Canadian government and whose traditional territory includes much of the inland temperate rainforest (between 2016 and 2020, BC has fought against the Sinixt and their request for recognition, appealing every ruling, culminating in an October 2020 Supreme Court hearing). BC institutions like to claim the inland temperate rainforest as a “treasure” or “prize”, a “globally-unqiue” ecosystem, as a sort of entitlement or patrimony; meanwhile, the province of BC legally fights the Sinixt in court, ignores the caribou extinction, and still issues dozens of logging/timber and clear-cut contracts in the inland temperate rainforest each year. That said, the end of Jumbo was good news.
For anyone unfamiliar: Jumbo was a ski resort mega-development project planned for the Purcell Wilderness on Ktunaxa traditional territory right in the heart of the inland temperate rainforest region of interior so-called British Columbia, in old-growth cedar-hemlock forest, on the edge of glaciers, and in the middle of key habitat of southern mountain caribou, grizzly, wolverine, mountain lion, lynx, wolf, elk, mountain goat, marten, fisher, etc. The Glacier Resorts-owned project would’ve been “the single largest ski resort in North America” including a “resort base” of at least 110 hectares, a hotel with over 5,500 beds, and an expectation of over 3,000 visitors a day. The Ktunaxa had opposed the project since 1991, and took a case to federal Supreme Court. In January 2020, the Ktunaxa were able to buy-out the project, and the Jumbo area will now be managed as a formal Indigenous Protected Area.
The new Zincton resort is also being built on Ktunaxa and Sinixt land, about 70 kilometers away from the former Jumbo resort site.
Traditional territories:
And yes, there are some updates on Zincton from November 2020.
@moss-effect -- I know that you already know this stuff. But for anyone unfamiliar:
The Zincton resort is being constructed only about 70-ish kilometers or so away from where the Jumbo resort was planned. Zincton is also on Ktunaxa territory, as well as traditional land of the Sinixt. Zincton (being built near Valhalla and Goat Range, between Naksup and Kaslo) expects a “grand opening” in December 2021. The project is run by the owner/founder of a local outfitter/recreation company. As of November 2020, BC’s Mountain Resorts Branch is still reviewing the owner’s formal proposal. Zincton sits closer to even more extensive old-growth forest and major protected areas.
Zincton also seems to be a manifestation of that now-classic category: “progressive” settler-colonial entrepreneurs from coastal BC, the Pacific Northwest, and/or Rocky Mountain West are familiar with local rhetoric and therefore elude criticism by rebranding their extractive and development projects as “eco-friendly”. According to The Narwhal (November 2020) the owner/project leader had this to say about the project: “There is a real story here of a proven disruptor facing down the mob to do one last project for the kids and grandkids. … Jobs for locals, a future for families, saving the hospital. Zincton is the Tesla of the ski village business.”
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Also, for context: Here’s a post I made about the inland temperate rainforest, its ecology/geography, and its endemic creatures. Here’s a post from June 2020 about the Zincton resort development. Here’s a compilation post with news/timeline/summary and maps describing the extinction of southern mountain caribou in 2019 (southern mountain caribou are a local icon, completely endemic to this region, and are highly endangered; caribou were declared extinct in the contiguous United States in 2019 when the last of the southern mountain caribou were relocated farther north to BC). Here’s a compilation post with news/timeline following the Sinixt case to receive formal recognition from BC/Canada in 2019 and 2020 (much of the rainforest, including the Zincton site, is within Sinixt traditional territory; the Canadian government declared the Sinixt “extinct” in the 1950s).
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Location of core cedar-hemlock forest of inland temperate rainforest region, compared with distribution range of the southern mountain caribou:
Photos I took of stream habitat in inland temperate rainforest:
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Coincidentally, just a couple of days ago, The Narwhal just released an “explainer” dedicated to the Zincton: Paul Fischer. “Why B.C.’s Zincton resort, the proposed ‘Tesla of ski villages,’ is worrying conservationists.” The Narwhal. 27 November 2020.
Zincton claims that it is a “radical departure from the status quo” and will be a “carbon-zero” resort. But local groups oppose the project, including Wildsight, West Kootenay Eco Society, and locally-famous Valhalla Wilderness Society. (The core of the inland temperate rainforest is sometimes referred to as “Valhalla” or “Caribou Rainforest”.) The project also claims that the resort’s focus on so-called “eco-tourism” is a good way to “grow and replace economic decline,” which you might perceive to be a settler-colonial interpretation of the “value” of the forest and also suggests that the concern here is, of course, making money. From Fischer’s article: ‘In a series of emails with The Narwhal, Harley [the project leader] dismissed environmental concerns. He said impacted grizzly habitats are low quality and categorized the criticism from certain environmental groups as a “copy and paste” campaign motivated by a desire to oppose everything rather than contribute constructively.’
These quotes can be found in the article:
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Here’s some other stuff:
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Headlines from the Jumbo resort news:
The Sinixt case:
Southern mountain caribou herd decline in the inland temperate rainforest between 1990 and 2018. The Zincton resort will directly affect Purcells South, Central Selkirks, and South Selkirks herd.
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And I want to say that both the Ktunaxa and Sinixt people have recently been undermined, insulted, and dispossessed by BC and development projects in similar ways. Media, educational material, and conservation groups in BC like to point out that the inland temperate rainforest is “globally-unique” (in that it’s really the planet’s only sizable “coastal-type temperate rainforest” existing inland and away from a coast). And you’ll see the inland temperate rainforest described with terms like: prized, treasure, gem, hidden/secret rainforest, etc. And the region is discussed in settler-colonial terms/concepts (”BC’s forgotten rainforest,” “BC’s other rainforest”, “a magnificent carbon cache”, “unparalleled resource”) as if it is the patrimony of the province of BC or Canadian state. Which of course is problematic because it (1) associates the forest’s importance with bioprospecting/scientific extractivism, carbon sequestration, or other metrics of settler-colonial “value,” and also because (2) the province of BC continues to fight very hard against recognizing the land as part of Sinixt territory (after Sinixt people and allies were able to win cases against BC, the province continued to appeal, and this case has now culminated in the October 2020 hearing at the federal Supreme Court, which will soon make a final ruling on whether or not Sinixt people are legally allowed land rights to harvest, travel, etc. within BC).
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Here’s a map:
From 2018, there is this book:
In the US, too, parks, like ski resorts, are implicated in Indigenous dispossession.
Glacier National Park (at the border of BC, Alberta, and Montana) sits on the edge of the Kootenay and inland temperate rainforest regions. Conservation groups, universities, and other US institutions have taken to calling Glacier part of “the Crown of the Continent” (another possessive/patrimonial term maybe?), a portion of the heavily-glaciated Canadian Rockies that kinda includes Banff and Jasper, too. Glacier National Park is on Ktunaxa and Blackfeet territory. A recently published book that might be interesting: People Before the Park: The Kootenai and Blackfeet Before Glacier National Park. Sally Thompson, Kootenai Cultural Committee, and Piikuni Traditional Association. 2015
Described by Montana Public Radio in 2017: “Step [...] into the world of the Kootenai and Blackfeet peoples, whose traditional territories included the area that is now Glacier National Park. [...] In this book, the Kootenai and Blackfeet tribes share their traditions -- stories and legends, foodways and hunting techniques, games and spiritual beliefs.”
Just a special place.
Thank you for saying something.
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Hearts of Kyber
a/n: Hello lovely readers!! I’ve been working on this work for the last couple months (and especially the last couple days). It has been an absolute pleasure working with these amazing artists who are astounding. I hope you love what we’ve put together!!
Corporalki: @kazandthecrows
Materialki: @anubem (art link) @generalstarkov (art link) @pijoshi (art link) @mitdemadlerimherzen (art link | art link 2) @erandraws (art link) @nannadoodles (art link)
Summary: When an Imperial pilot defects, the Rebellion sends its best spies to find out what he knows. They discover the existence of a planet-destroying weapon known as the Death Star and a scientist who holds the secrets to its only weaknesses. Guided by the pilot, Wylan, and a former storm trooper, Matthias, Kaz Brekker leads a team to uncover the secret that can save the Rebellion before it’s crushed for good.
A Grishaverse Rogue One AU for the Grishaverse Big Bang 2021
Read on AO3 or below the cut
Part I
Inej barely remembers those early days with her family living in the heart of a city. She gets flashes of memories - playing with dolls, toddling after her father, parties full of boring adults who couldn’t care less about her. What she thinks of when she remembers her family is what came after: the travelling band of performers they joined. It’s there that she felt comfortable. The troupe was her family: they encouraged her, taught her tricks of the trade, and were the ones who trained her as an acrobat. They travelled from system to system, performing in cities and small villages alike, on hot planets and cold. She had careful rules to follow about her interactions whenever they landed.
Despite all the restrictions, she remembers feeling carefree. The caravan was her domain and she was empress. The day her life changed was just like any other. She remembers her mother running a hand over her hair, whispering that they were going down into town. Her sleepy head full of cotton can’t remember her exact words, just the feeling of warmth, the comfort of routine. Only recently - on her eighth birthday - had she earned the right to sleep in instead of joining her parents’ customary outing.
Sometimes in her waking hours, she forgets that happened years ago and in her half-waking state she thinks she can still hear her mother’s soothing whisper and her father patting her hand as he tucks her treasured stuffed bear under the blankets of her bed so she has company.
Inej’s eyes fly open as the harsh lights of simulated daylight jolt her unrelentingly from her sleep into the cold reality of her life.
She rolls up to a seated position and runs her arm over her sleepy face. She makes no effort to make herself presentable and glares at her arm with the repulsive peacock feather tattoo. It’s been eight years since that morning when her whole life burned around her, her whole extended family vanished in the blink of an eye and she was sold into the slave markets of the Hutts before she was even aware what that meant.
“Inej Ghafa, the mistress will see you now,” a mechanical voice says over the speaker hidden in her room. Luxurious drapes and curtains cover the mechanical aspects of the room, but can’t hide the prison-like nature of a room without windows in a pleasure house. This has always been Inej’s cage.
Of course, to the Empire, this isn’t slavery. She has an indenture that she’s working off, this was a choice she made. Inej stands. The words are bullshit. It’s a pretty story told by those who believe themselves to be above such terrible things just because they use different words. Inej is old enough to know what happens in the different rooms of the pleasure house she currently calls home, but still too young to be expected to participate fully. But she knows her days are numbered.
Girls in this trade grow up quickly. She’s still a tease, only suffering a a groping hand here, a leer there, the occasional bit of voyeurism which makes her skin prickle and means she can never feel comfortable in any room, including her own.
Inej dresses with practiced movements in the ridiculous trappings Madam Helene requires. There are far too many bells on the outfit, too many dangling bits that can tangle for it to really be the exotic outfit Helene claims the clients want. She hates the way the silk feels against her skin when it used to mean the soothing comfort of performance attire.
For now, her role is to just be an ornamentation for the pleasure house, but madame makes sure she knows what could happen the moment she steps a toe out of line. She’s not above selling Inej off before her time, the cost of which would do nothing to lower the exorbitant cost of her supposed indenture.
Inej keeps her head down and walks quickly to the main room. In the early hours, there are few patrons who might be looking for a companion, but Inej has learned to keep her head down in any case. She’s short and skinny - underdeveloped to most tastes - so aren’t many interested in her and the ones that are she should avoid with even more care.
There’s a boy in the room with Helene: a boy with a familiar cane. Inej is so surprised to see him that she forgets to look away meekly when his dark eyes meet hers. She tilts her head in curiosity. Last she saw, he was slipping out of a back hallway which she knew allowed Helene to eavesdrop on clients as they spent the night with girls, or that she offered to well-paying customers who took pleasure from that sort of thing.
He looks just as cold as he did that night, but she vividly remembers the surprise in his eyes when she spoke from over his shoulder. He wasn’t a regular customer at the brothel but he was on good terms with a couple members of the staff and she’d seen him exchange kruge for information on more than one occasion. Last she saw him, she’d offered him help.
“Ah, there’s my little Suli Lioness.” Madam Helene smiles benevolently, but her perfume chokes Inej as she wraps an arm around her. “Inej, do you know who this is?”
“They call him Dirtyhands,” she answers, voice proper and meek as Helene likes. All the other girls have told her not to ask questions any time she tries to find out more. She can’t help but wonder if offering herself to him was a mistake, but she knows this place will kill her if she doesn’t find a way out.
“Hmm…,” Madame hums. She turns to the boy with a set face and Inej’s chest tightens in apprehension. “I’m afraid your offer will not be accepted, Mr. Brekker. Inej is precious to me.” Her bejeweled fingers dig into Inej’s shoulder. “I couldn’t possibly part with her.”
The boy raises an impeccable eyebrow. “I was under the impression our negotiations were finalized.”
Helene releases an exaggerated sigh. “Oh, you silly boy. Did you know the Empire has offered quite the reward for you?”
Inej tenses. She knows that Madame is fickle in her alliances, but she’s never openly invited storm troopers into her house: they don’t pay well.
“You’d better run, little boy, if you want to get out of here before they can grab you.”
Two doors into the main room slide open with a whoosh of air to reveal armored bodies with blasters levelled at the boy. Inej’s quick eyes note that the door closest to Brekker has no guard, instead being left clear if he wants to escape. If she were him, she would be running but instead he looks bored as he stares back at Madame. He lifts his wrist to check his time piece, an old fashioned analog device that hasn’t been used in decades.
There’s a pulse of static followed by a volley of blaster shots. Inej jerks down out of the way but is shocked to see that none of the shots were aimed at them.
“You should have taken the money, Helene,” the boy shaking space dust from his jacket. “We could have continued this lucrative partnership.”
Madame pales and looks around at the rumpled crew of men who are all standing around. Most have holstered their guns, but a tall dark-skinned man walks up to them and gestures Helene back away from Inej. Madame drops her grip as if she can’t get her distance fast enough. She turns to the boy.
“Please! You have to understand, the troopers would have killed me if I didn’t.”
The boy looks at her impassively before shrugging. “Per Haskell is still willing to buy out her indenture. I’m sure we can agree on a more reasonable price.”
Inej snorts. She can’t help it. They’re literally haggling over the price of her indenture after not killing one another. Frankly, it’s ridiculous. The boy looks over at her. Although his face is a mask which reveals no secrets, Inej sees a hint of amusement lurking in his dark eyes before he focuses again on Madame Helene.
“Congratulations,” the dark-skinned man who shooed Madame Helene away says, leaning down to her, even as his eyes stay on the boy and madam. “You’re being rescued.”
She looks around at the rag tag group she’s now willing to bet are Rebellion spies and wonders if this will actually be any better. Beyond them, she spots a couple of Helene’s girls with their bloodshot eyes, thin skin and haunted looks. It’s enough to remind her that is it. This is what she wants: a chance to save her father and get revenge on the Empire which has caused her so much pain.
Inej straightens as much as she can. It looks like she’s joining the rebellion.
...
Three years later…
“You ever wonder if Kaz is actually a demon?” Jesper asks speculatively. He points his blaster to the sky and stares down the barrel. It’s in the best possible order he can make it. The sights are calibrated, the lazer refined and the trigger pull smooth. He couldn’t ask for a better weapon.
Other than it’s partner, which is still in his holster and also freshly taken care of.
“You’re supposed to be watching his back, Jesper,” the Wraith’s voice reminds him, tinged with annoyance.
“Yeah, yeah,” he mutters, rolling over so he can look over the side of the building to where Kaz is meeting with his contact. “You know, I’m still not sure why all three of us need to be here for one pilot.”
“If you want, we can always switch positions,” Inej offers. “You can play get-away pilot.”
Jesper snorts as he lines up his sight again. “Yeah, right. That’s all yours, spider. Besides we needed the sniper position here, remember?”
There’s a long suffering sigh over the radio and Jesper grins. Through the scope his eyes bounce to Kaz. He can’t see his face, but Jesper knows he’s got that stone face of annoyance, which, as it turns out, is not so different from his normal ambivalent face except that it includes the slight twitching of the vein at his temple.
Inej claims he’s seeing things, that it’s all in Jesper’s head. According to her, Kaz’s tell has to do with his eyes or some other sappy thing like that because they’re both secretly in love with each other. Jesper thinks they’re both idiots and he likes to think that one day, if he makes a bad enough joke or an inappropriate enough comment, that vein on Kaz’s temple is going to burst.
He thinks it's good to have goals like that. It makes the dirty work they do for the Rebellion more palatable.
“I still think it would be better to have me on the ground,” Inej grumbles. “You know I’m no good at the piloting stuff.”
“You’re the one who wanted to come. If I recall, Per Haskell offered you leave and instead you came here.” Jesper notices the stiffening of Kaz’s shoulders. His informant is still calm, if a little jumpy-looking, so he knows that’s not the source of the tension. His eyes scan the street and see nothing alarming.
Jesper hasn’t asked but he knows there’s something going on here that they’re not sharing. Inej has been wound tight since they started to hear rumors of an Imperial weapon strong enough to take out a planet. While it was still just a rumor, Kaz and Inej were chasing the thread down with a vengeance. It’s what brought them back to this city world where they had found Inej three years ago.
Now if only his sneaky little cohorts would share the secret with him. That would be great.
Jesper grumbles to himself. Like that would ever happen. He looks through the scope of his rifle. The tell tale of white of stormtrooper armor catches his eye and Jesper focuses on the location. The odd trooper presence in a city like this isn’t necessarily something to make note of. It happens on occasion, but this is a pair and he can spot another pair making their way in what looks to his eyes like search patterns.
“Heads up, Kaz. We might have company.” Jesper says as he keeps an eye on the soldiers. “Moving in pairs. Looks like a search pattern.”
They’re too far away to hear the words that are spoken, but Jesper can guess what it is from here: “Hey! You there!”
He watches as Kaz drags their contact into an alley as the storm troopers converge from two directions.
“I’ve lost sight of you, Kaz.” Jesper sights the troopers through his scope and taps a finger against the trigger. Killing troopers brings more attention than Kaz likes. They work in secret. “Exit strategy?”
Through Kaz’s comm he hears the panicked pleas of Kaz’s contact swiftly silenced by a laser bolt. He grimaces at the additional body count as Kaz’s gravelly voice comes over the comm.
“I’ve got it. Jesper, join Inej. Meet me at the rendezvous point.”
He takes one last look at the troopers closing in on the alley and then stands. If Kaz needed help, he would ask. The man had a thousand and one plans. There’s no way he didn’t account for a way out of this trap. It sounds like he’s probably climbing, a feat considering his bum leg from when he landed on it wrong a couple years back and it never healed properly.
“You know, for once I’d like one of these missions to go smoothly,” Jesper mutters under his breath as he hightails it back to the ship. He stows his blaster and keeps it from sight as he moves through the crowds. Seedy cities have been a second home to him for years, since he left the Imperial flight academy, if he’s being honest. He liked the anonymity the city gave him. It always felt better than the emptiness of the moisture farm he grew up on. He hates the heat and the sand.
Oh, God, the sand.
He walks aboard the ship with the swagger of a drunk who won big at the betting table. He nods jovially to those he passes. There are a couple glances down to the pistols at his waist, but that’s normal on a large port like this one. Intergalactic travel to major cities has always been fraught with trouble and this one isn’t especially savory. They don’t have the clearance for savory.
Inej sits on the ramp of the ship, sprawled out across it like a cat. She opens her eyes as he arrives and stretches. “Ready to go?”
“Shouldn’t the get away pilot be ready to run?” Jesper teases as they walk up into the ship and Inej diverts to the cockpit, starting the take off procedure.
“I spent the last hour bemoaning my terrible coworker who insists on gambling at each port and always staggers back drunk, occasionally with unexpected company. I’ve already got tower clearance to leave. And taking off won’t set any red flags with the Empire so we’re clear.”
Jesper drops into the copilot chair as Inej goes through engine checks. “You did all that?”
“You’re not the only one capable of sweet talking people, Fahey.” She shoots him a look and he chuckles.
“I remember when your first attempt to blend in. Didn’t you end up stabbing someone?”
Inej scowls at the memory. “And no one has tried to grab my body since then without a threat of a knife point.”
Jesper chuckles. “Fair enough.” He shifts as they fly high enough to leave the atmosphere and then drop back down, drifting through the carefully mapped out empty space of blind spots that allow them to drift down to the meeting point. Despite it taking them almost no time to get there, Kaz is already sitting against a crate on the roof of a run down building, cane held out in front of him with his hands crossed on top.
Jesper moves back toward the loading bay and opens the doors. He leans against the side of the doorway as the ship turns to face Kaz. “Hiya, honey. Miss me?”
As always Kaz rolls his eyes at Jesper’s attitude as he climbs the ramp. “We’re clean. Any trouble at the port?”
“Nope,” Inej reports from the cockpit. “Just a couple nosy traders looking for a good time. Sent them after Jesper.”
“Har har,” he shoots back as the ramp closes with a firm whoosh of pressure stabilizing. He turns to Kaz who has dropped onto the bench and closed his eyes. His lame foot is extended slightly in front of him, a tell that it’s aching from the exercise of escaping the troopers. Jesper can also see where his blaster sticks out from under his jacket, the clip of the holster no longer in place. He definitely used it. “Did you get the intel?”
Kaz nods.
“Where are we headed?” Inej asks. From the body of the shuttle, Jesper sees her hand hover over the hyperspeed settings, preparing to change the destination of their jump.
“The pilot is on Jedha.”
They both freeze and you could hear a pin drop in the shuttle. Jesper glances at Inej and sees the same worry painted in the lines of her face. “Are you sure?”
Kaz finally opens his eyes and leans forward. “It’s been confirmed. That’s the second source and this one claims to have actually seen the pilot.”
“But he’s a defector, why would he go there?” Jesper asks.
“Jedha’s not a stronghold for the Empire, but they do trade there.” Kaz answers, as if that explains the reasoning.
“But it’s a Shu stronghold. They’re cut off. We haven’t had contact in years.” Jesper glances at Inej in the cockpit. “Nina was there when the communications shut down. She wasn’t able to get out and no one’s been able to go in.”
Kaz rams a gloved hand over the top of his cane. “That isn’t strictly true.”
Inej whips around. “What?”
He sighs. “We have a way onto the planet. The problem will be finding the defector and getting him to talk to us.”
“And getting off planet again,” Jesper cuts in. “Or have you forgotten how the Shu seize whoever and whatever they want? There’s a reason we don’t have an outpost there.”
Kaz stares at him with those cold, blank eyes and then turns toward Inej. “Set the course.”
For a long moment, Inej doesn’t move. Her fingers tap against the control as she gazes at Kaz with an inscrutable expression on her face for a moment before she turns back to the controls and the ship lurches into hyperspace.
Jesper crosses his arms as he faces Kaz from across the ship. “You knew we were headed to Jedha.”
Kaz stares back at him for a moment and then closes his eyes. He leans back against the side of the ship. Jesper wishes he was surprised about the lack of communication.
He sits down next to Kaz. “This way on to Jedha...does it have anything to do with Nina?”
Kaz cracks open an eye. He looks Jesper over and shuts them again. “She was able to get one message out since the Shu shut down. The last message that got out - the one that opened a path - the agent was lost. Haven’t heard anything since.”
“Nina?”
“Under orders to lay low.”
“Are we taking her out with us?”
Kaz’s hands tighten on the head of his cane. “We’ll see.”
...
There was something happening. Nina looks around the marketplace covertly as she examines the fruit in the stall in front of her. It’s the same bland, slightly bruised fruit that they always have. Two years on this desert planet and she’s still not used to the blandness of the food. She’s missing the lush variety of Aldaraan and the sweets she used to eat by the bushel. There’s no sweets here in Jedha, especially not in the mostly abandoned temple.
She exchanges a coin for two shrivelled pieces of fruit and a smile with the vendor. She slips off the main thoroughfare and into the archway that leads into the dilapidated temple. Like most of Jedha, it’s covered in a fine layer of sand and dust, and shows the wear and tear of years of war.
She tosses a piece of fruit to the tall and skulking shadow that leans against the archway. Matthias catches the fruit of the air. He pulls a wickedly long knife from behind his back and cuts the fruit into meticulous pieces, eating with precise movements to stop the juice from creating a sticky mess.
Nina is far less careful. She bites into the fruit and does her best to stop the overripe fruit from spilling juice down her chin. It’s a messy process and her fingers will end up coated in sugary sweetness. It’s her little act of rebellion that makes Matthias shake his head in her direction, when his eyes aren’t sweeping the plaza.
“There’s something in the wind,” he says as he slowly eats another slice of his fruit. Nina’s is almost gone. She’s sad for that.
“Rumors.” Nina glances at the gangsters on the corner of the street with their strange metal suits. They’re looking antsy, searching the street. “There’s not much chatter. Something about an Imperial pilot. Broke through the Shu blockade.”
Matthias’s eyes drift back across the crowds of people. Nina rearranges her robe and leans against her staff. Two years posing as acolytes of the temple and proselytizing about Sankts has her accustomed to her character. No one bothers with a monk spouting ideas of an old religion they no longer believe in.
“The Empire is still confined to their kyber shipments,” Matthias observes. He casually cuts the seeds from his fruit. “Their shuttle routes haven’t been altered. The Shu though.” His eyes dart to their locations around the square. “They’re looking for someone.”
“A defector,” Nina says.
Matthias finally looks over at her in surprise. “Yours or mine?”
“Does it matter?” she asks. “Either way, we need to find them before anyone else.”
“Do we?” Matthias grumbles and slips his knife back into the sheath hidden somewhere on his person. “It’s not like anyone’s come to get us in the last two years.”
Nina rolls her eyes. They’ve had this argument before. “Come now, druskelle. Where’s that attitude of dedication to the Empire?”
He snorts. “It died two years ago.” One of the Shu guards moves and Matthias’s attention strays. “Think it’s important enough that they’ll risk their peace with the Shu?”
Beneath the question is the unspoken one that neither of them have put words to, but they both know is lingering in the back of their minds: Is this defector more important than they are? Nina’s last mission was to get a contact off Jedha to the Rebellion. Matthias had saved her from capture by the Shu and they hadn’t been able to risk an attempt to leave Jedha since then. The Empire had some sort of deal with the Shu that allowed them access to the Kyber mines but that was it.
“Perhaps it’s time we went to collect tithes, Brother Helvar,” Nina announces. She pulls up the hood of her robes and leans on her staff as she walks out from the temple. Matthias follows behind her with grumbled complaints under his breath. The occupants of the city are familiar with their dynamic, although they’re sure to vary the times they depart the temple. Routines are too predictable.
Matthias doesn’t speak even as Nina stops to talk with every friendly face she sees. For the first year, he had complained at every moment, even as she explained to him the importance of blending in, of becoming part of the populace. Now he even lets the children climb on him when she stops to share a story about the saints.
“They’re jumpy,” Lin shares with Nina in whispered tones, her eyes darting around the square even though there don’t appear to be guards around right now. “Jan said he saw stormtroopers preparing to enter the city.”
Nina performs a blessing on an elderly man. “Any idea what they’re looking for?”
“A pilot.” Lin shifts her daughter around on her hip. “Imperial pilot. You don’t want to get between the troopers and their goal. The Shu are looking for him too. If you know what’s good for you, you’ll stay out of their way.”
Matthias moves closer. “And the pilot?”
Lin glances at him and then back at Nina. She’s always been more skittish around men. It’s a look Nina’s uncomfortably familiar with and one she knows speaks to a violent past interaction. The way she grips her daughter just a bit closer breaks Nina’s heart.
Nina nods encouragingly.
“Down by the old refractory.” Lin freezes up as soon as the words escape her mouth. Her eyes widen in surprise at what she just divulged. She darts away in a panic, leaving Nina and Matthias to continue to serve the poor with their usual tithes.
By unspoken agreement, Matthias follows Nina’s lead as she takes them on a winding path. The last year and half of long meandering routes work in their favor as Nina leads them with more purpose.
It feels good to have a purpose again. She hasn’t had contact with the Rebellion, but if this is big enough that the Empire is willing to fight the Shu for the interloper, then it’s big enough for the Rebellion to also be looking. The Empire has the strength to use brute force. The Rebellion will send Kaz Brekker. Per Haskell would be an idiot to send anyone else.
As they get closer to their destination, Nina slows her pace and purposefully plays up her monk persona, passing out alms and blessings in equal measure. Matthias moves gruffly in her wake, watching her back in a way that might be suspicious if it hadn’t been his stable characteristic for the last two years. The Shu are used to their dynamic of the devout believer jaded sceptic. They had adopted the personas for safe passage before the Shu blockade and been forced to maintain it since then.
It was useful, despite neither Nina nor Matthias being well versed in espionage.
By the time they reach the old refractory buildings, Nina and Matthias are moving at a crawl, speaking to every person they see. Nina’s eyes scan the faces for one that looks out of place, one that screams uncertainty or distrust.
She gets pointed down a dark alley by one of the urchins after she shares with him one of her precious jojo beans. It’s the closest she can get to her sweets in this city. She glances at Matthias and he nods. His body is intentionally relaxed, ready to move as necessary in response to a threat.
Nina leads the way into the factory, looking around carefully as they move into the space. She breathes in deeply and sinks into the meditative state. The air around her settles, buzzing with the life force of the inhabitants of the city. In a couple of breaths, she narrows it further so she can feel the interior of the building.
Matthias mutters under his breath, something about religious mumbo jumbo and insanity.
Nina turns sideways and opens one eye to glare at Matthias. He rolls his eyes and gestures at her to continue.
Her use of the Force is unrefined, based more in the faith that it will work than on actual knowledge about what she’s doing. It’s an old religion and the order they’re with is still respected even if not believed in. Okay, so maybe respected is pushing it. They’re disregarded as religious fanatics who don’t do much of anything.
She follows the light of the Force through the factory, letting it guide her feet, trusting it to protect her from bumping into any of the clutter. Dimly, she senses Matthias grunt as he moves something out of her path before she hits it or it hits her. She keeps her focus on the life signature that shines like a beacon, coming to a stop once they’re in sight of the huddled mass. She opens her eyes and peers into the gloom.
“We’re here to help you,” Nina says. Her soft voice carries around the large space. She ignores Matthias’s mutter about talking to herself.
“Who...who are you?” A tremulous voice asks. It sounds younger than Nina expected, more uncertain. She thought a defector would be more hardened, more convinced of their path to go against the Empire in such a way.
Nina squats down to look at the hunched over figure. Matthias has one hand hovering over his hidden firearm, the other on a dagger. She’s deep in her meditation of the Force and senses no danger from the huddled figure.
“You’re the pilot, right?” Nina asks instead of answering.
His eyes look her over, lingering on her and Matthias’s matching robes. “You’re priests?”
He inches forward. There’s enough light cast on him that his Imperial uniform catches her eye, answering the question he avoids. She smiles softly at him and holds out her hand. Behind her Matthias shifts, disliking her proximity to perceived danger, if she has to guess.
“Word on the street is you’re a defector. We’re here to help.”
...
Wylan doesn't think he's ever been this cold in his life. Which is bizarre because this is a desert planet. You'd think it would be warm but instead he's found himself huddled in dark corners, scavenging like a rat for scraps for the last couple days while he tries to escape notice from the Shu. Jedha was supposed to be a safe haven for him, somewhere the Empire couldn't touch. The Shu had tried to grab him first, had detained him and demanded answers to their questions about the Empire. His protests that he wanted to defect fell on deaf ears. Then they'd dragged him into a cave with a beast they called Bor Gullet.
It's a blur after that.
He remembers waking in a cell to garbled words, a blurred hologram of his father glaring disdainfully down at him. A comment about the Empire being grateful to the Shu. Wylan doesn't know how he escaped. There's a memory of loud noise, a flash of heat, and dirt. Then it's all dark and cold.
He'd avoided people after that, stuck to shadows, and only ventured out when the emptiness of his stomach threatened to eat him from the inside out.
He doesn't even know how long it's been since he escaped the cell...or was released...he doesn't know.
Then the woman appeared, like an angel out of the darkness and she promises salvation.
Wylan knows enough of his father's games not to immediately trust the gesture. "Who are you?"
“We’re with the Rebellion,” she says with a smile.
The monk behind her rolls his eyes and turns away. They don’t look like any monks he recognises. The only person he’s heard of who truly follows the old religion is the Darkling and Wylan’s not so unfortunate to have ever seen him in person. “You don’t look like Rebels.”
“He’s right. We don’t,” the man tells her.
The woman looks over her shoulder, eyes narrowed in a glare. “Matthias Helvar.” She turns conspiratorially back to Wylan and there’s a friendly glint in her eye that makes him want to trust her. “Once he was the most devout of you all. Rose through the ranks of the Empire almost as high as they come. You want out of the Empire. We can help.”
Wylan’s eyes drift over the man’s features and there’s something that reminds him of the way General Brum’s men carry themselves, the elite of the troopers he’s only seen from a distance. Wylan wants to string words together but they slip away like soap and water.
“Will you come with us?” She prompts, yet again.
He can’t combine the fears and hopes and questions into coherent sense. All he can do is nod in agreement. Whether they harm him or save him, he’ll be dead or caught if he stays here on his own. He needs allies and he’s not in a mental state where he can do much of anything himself.
“Good,” she says. She pulls him forward and manhandles Wylan into a monk’s robe over his tattered pilot’s uniform. “I’m Nina. This is Matthias. We’re going to get you out of here alive. Good?”
Wylan nods. She shoves a basket into his hands and drops additional bits of clutter from the warehouse floor into it.
“We should be heading back,” Matthias rumbles.
“Walk between us,” Nina instructs, pulling the hood of his robe up. Matthias mimics the movement. “Don’t make eye contact. Don’t talk to anyone. Just stay in step with us. We’ll speak for you if it comes to that.”
Wylan has enough sense to nod along. He knows talking will only give away his current state of complete confusion. He can see the looks Nina and Matthias exchange in response to his silence. He’s not so lost that he doesn’t understand what’s going on but the thoughts take too long to reach his lips and disappear like fragrance on a breeze.
The ground is dusty and uneven under Wylan’s feet. It captures his attention as he walks, so different from the metal hallways and corridors he’s used to walking. His feet catch from where they scrape the ground and he tries to tell his body to lift his feet higher, but they don’t seem willing to respond any more than what they do by instinct. When was the last time he walked on anything that wasn’t steel?
He’s so preoccupied by swirls of dirt that he walks right into a wall.
Well, not a wall, but the giant monk - Matthias. He bounces off the man’s back, which feels like the equivalent of walking into a wall. The man doesn’t even move in response to him walking into him at full speed, but Wylan almost falls on his butt, and would if it wasn’t for Nina catching him.
She steps past him to stand next to Matthias. She pushes him further into the shadows behind Matthias as she looks past him to see what’s grabbed his attention. Wylan shuffles sideways and ducks down so he can look around the hulking figures.
The white helmets break through his current haze and Wylan stumbles backwards. The Storm Troopers followed him. He can’t allow himself to be captured, not after he finally escaped that place and his father’s restrictive control.
“Wait!” Nina whispers harshly, but Wylan’s body is moving without his consent. The urge to get away is too strong. It drives him, haltingly, step-after-step through twisting and confusing alleyways. He’s not sure where he’s going except away. If he can get to a port, he’s sure he can fly a ship.
Another flash of white Imperial helmets send him careening in another direction which leads him into a square. The sudden exposure leaves him disoriented and he spins around looking for another exit as a child is ushered into one house and shutters are slammed shut. Wylan gulps. He walks back and turns, running into someone for the second time. This time the person rocks as he crashes into them, but Wylan’s still the one wheeling back.
He blinks at the man, carrying some sort of stick. He looks like he could belong here except that his eyes are too intent. It’s the kind of gaze you couldn’t stand for too long but are also scared to look away from. It takes him a second to notice the tiny girl at his side. She’s looking around, causally flipping a blade in her hand. The other rests on a blaster. Now that he realized that, Wylan notices the man is also armed.
“Wylan Van Eck?” The man asks.
Wylan blinks at him in shock. He’s helpless to do anything but nod. They’re not Empire and they don’t look like the Khergud who grabbed him, so they can’t be that bad. Or at least are likely better than the alternative.
“Right. Time to be off. Let Jesper know we’ve got the package.” The man turns abruptly.
Wylan glances at the girl who steps aside and gestures at him to follow. He hasn’t decided if he will when there are footsteps behind him. He twists back to see who’s following and breathes a little easier when the monks appear. Maybe monks are better than whoever the man is.
Maybe he’s dead anyway.
“Oh good. You’re here.” The man says. “We can all go then.”
Nina smirks from where she’s bent over catching her breath. “Nice to see you too, Kaz. Been ages.”
...
It’s convenient that they were able to find the pilot and Nina in one place. He would have trouble getting Inej and Jesper out of here with just the pilot. They’d had no communication with Nina, no way to get in contact with her once they were in the atmosphere. Kaz takes it in stride and moves back the way they came. The rest will follow and someone will make sure the pilot comes along with them.
It would have been a fantastic escape. In and out with no trouble whatsoever. It would have been too lucky for him, so the storm troopers that come streaming racing around the corner where Nina and her friend emerged are hardly a surprise. The real unlucky bit is that they also appear in the two other access points to the square.
The pilot looks ready to bolt. Nina and the second monk steps forward. Kaz respects the bulk of him and hopes that he’s good in a fight. If it were just him and Inej, they would split up and meet at the rendez-vous. The pilot is going to be the issue.
“Halt. Surrender or you will be terminated.”
Inej pushes Wylan behind her and toward Kaz. The boy curls in on himself. How he ever got up the courage to desert the Empire, Kaz hasn’t a clue. Now they just need to get him out of here with whatever valuable knowledge is worth breaking the standoff with the Shu.
Kaz pushes him into a doorway, out of sight of the blasters. “Stay down.”
The boy whimpers.
Nina steps forward, hands raised in a deceptively helpless gesture. “Calm down. We’re all friends here.”
“Stand down or we will open fire,” the trooper repeats. The entire line readies their weapons. Their blasters might be unreliable and clunky, but with so many firing, they’re bound to hit something.
“You don’t want to shoot us.” Nina tries again.
“That’s what you’ve got?” the second monk asks incredulously.
She glares at him. Kaz watches Inej palm a blade and twirl it effortlessly in one hand. The harsh sunlight glints off the edge of the blade: steel instead of a laser edge many prefer. He knows she likes the way the old fashioned blades feel in her hand. They look like they belong in her grasp.
Nina steps forward again, closer and closer to the troopers. “You’re not going to shoot us.”
“Hand over the pilot.” The trooper says. From across the square, Kaz can hear the gun prep to fire. This isn’t working.
“Yeah. That’s not going to happen,” he drawls from the back of the group. The second monk glares at him, but Kaz just twirls his kane, unbothered. It was going to come down to this anyway. There’s no point holding it off as more backup and fire power arrives to support the troopers.
Shadows fall across the square and Kaz gets his first look at the notorious Khergud soldiers who have kept Jedha independent for the last two years. “Imperial Troopers. You have no authority in our city. The pilot is ours.”
Nina, her monk, and Inej grow tense at the new party. Beside him the pilot starts to mutter under his breath, rocking back and forth.
This actually works to their advantage as the troopers are forced to divert their attention. The Khergud fires directly at the troopers before jumping into the air. The troopers open fire, most on the Khergud, judging them to be the bigger threat.
Inej seizes the moment to dive forward into the fight, taking out two opponents in moments before she’s engaged by one of the Shu soldiers. She moves like an acrobat, twirling through flailing limbs that breeze past her. She’s a force of nature.
Kaz is distracted from his awe by a guard landing a few feet away and leaping for Wylan. He dispatches the soldier with a few whacks of his cane. He crumples under a well-placed hit to the temple.
More troopers race toward the noise. They stop around the corner of an alley, firing from their protective spots and forcing the monk and Kaz to step back to cover. They lob a grenade into the square. Kaz takes two steps forward and hits it back with the metal head of his cane. It soars in a perfect arch back to the troopers, who scramble for cover too late.
The monk nods in acknowledgment and moves to relieve Nina from her two enemies. Inej falls back as she takes out her opponent and the rest are distracted by Nina and the monk. She moves to stand alongside Kaz, stretching out the muscles she just used as she slips her blades back in their many holsters. The explosion rocks the block which takes out one contingent of troopers but they're met with more troopers and Shu, crawling out of the cracks like cockroaches.
A moment later shots arc over their heads, rapid fire, each one hitting its target and leaving the recipients incapacitated.
Kaz relaxes infintestimently. He'd been prepared to dive for cover. His hand twitches toward Inej but he knows she can take care of herself. She doesn’t need him trying to tackle her and throwing off her center of balance.
A figure emerges along the roofline, a rifle resting against his shoulder. “There were an awful lot of explosions for people who were supposed to be blending in.”
“I hope you’ve got an exit plan, Brekker,” Nina says. She diverts to the Imperial pilot after a glance at the monk.
He nods and moves for the alley. “This way.” He glances at Inej and up at the roofline. She nods and follows his tacit directions. Kaz leaves her to do what she does best: cover them from the shadows.
Kaz walks with purpose through the streets. Now that fighting has broken out, it appears that no one is holding back. Shu are fighting stormtroopers, troopers are fighting the Khergud and civilians are running for cover. Jesper’s and Inej’s shadows move with them. The monk - who Kaz Brekker suspects is the Druskelle Nina mentioned before she went dark - leads the charge, with his long legs that eat up the ground in long strides. Nina covers their escape with a simple bo staff.
“Where are we going?” The monk asks as he fires off a round of shots.
“Left!” Jesper shouts as he crashes to the ground on the back of a Khergud soldier. “I don’t know why we ever thought this was going to be a quiet mission. And I still say we need a demolition expert.”
“We’re spies, Jesper,” Kaz growls over the sound of battle.
Jesper shoots him a cocky grin over his shoulder. “But this is so much more fun.”
“There’s something wrong with you,” the monk mutters.
“Kaz.”
He looks sideways, unsurprised to find Inej at his shoulder, silent as always. He follows her gaze upwards and nearly stumbles to a stop. “Jedha doesn’t have a moon.”
Nina and the monk stumble to a stop. Jesper glances up for a moment. “That’s what I wanted to tell you. It appeared out of nowhere. It’s too big to be a ship but moons don’t move.”
“That’s it,” Wylan whispers. The pilot suddenly jolts into motion. “We have to go. Now!”
Kaz is forced into an ungainly run. He tries not to notice Inej hovering at his elbow, keeping pace with him as they race toward the ship. The Imperial pilot is ahead of them all, heedless of laser bolts. Jesper yanks him back by the collar to direct him to the correct ship.
As he reaches the ramp, Kaz starts to hear screams.
“Jesper, get us out of here!” Kaz yells. Inej hits the control to shut the ramp as Jesper guns the engine.
“What do you think I’m doing, Brekker? Buckle up. This ride’s about to get bumpy.”
...
The whole world has turned upside down. Matthias isn’t sure what he’s doing, to be perfectly honest. Staying with Nina was a mutually beneficial proposition. They were stuck on a foreign planet, where the only people they could trust were each other. He’d become accustomed to their partnership and been shocked by how much he relied upon her. Now, looking at this ragtag group - so different from the ordered discipline of the elite Druskelle guard - Matthias is at a loss for how the Resistance has managed to become a thorn in the Empire’s side.
He will admit that they were, like Nina, surprisingly capable and effective. However, he can’t hide how scandalized he is by their lack of any sort of recognizable chain of command. The trio moves like his old unit in that they’re so familiar with each other, they don’t need to shout out commands. But their actions of Jedha display an alarming disregard for a cohesive plan and seem to thrive on the chaos of the moment.
“What was that?!” The boy with the cane asks, turning around to stare at the group before his eyes zero in on the unfortunate pilot.
Matthias hasn’t gotten much from the boy, except that he stepped back from the fighting yet was clearly capable of surviving physical confrontation. Nina and his two companions seemed to defer to him as some sort of leader, which spoke to a sharp mind. Nina called him Kaz, which would indicate one of the high level members of Rebel Intelligence. He’s heard him referenced as a nightmare or a demon, spoken of in whispers and myths more than anything else.
All in all: Matthias expected someone older.
“That was the Death Star,” Wylan whispers. His eyes look haunted.
Matthias frowns. “Impossible.” He starts when five sets of eyes jerk towards him in the silence of hyperspace. He grits his teeth. The word wasn’t supposed to be spoken out loud. “They’re decades away from creating that technology.”
Wylan is shaking his head. “No. They found a scientist. Got him to create what they needed. I...I was able to get away. To warn the Rebellion. It’s a planet killer.”
“A planet killer?” The small girl repeats.
“Is that even possible?” Nina glances at him for confirmation. Matthias has no answer. It was only an idea when he was with the Druskelle last. Brum used to talk about it, but it was never close to a reality. Not then.
“Why don’t you ask Jedha?” Kaz says.
“We don’t know that it destroyed the whole planet,” the small girl points out.
The boy doesn’t look away from where he stares out the window at the white streaks of stars passing in hyperspace. “At the very least, we know it destroyed the city. If the Empire has a weapon like that, we’re left defenseless.”
“That’s why I was sent to find you,” Wylan says. He freezes when all eyes turn to him and he curls in on himself from his spot beside the pilot. Matthias has spent years in Imperial bases and has no idea how this pilot managed to get into the program, let alone became important enough to have access to this top secret project. It seems highly suspect to him.
“Sent?” The boy asks, finally turning so his whole body faces the pilot. Matthias does have to admit he cuts an intimidating figure even as he leans on his cane.
The pilot swallows. “The scientist. I was supposed to get to a contact they had with the Rebellion. There was someone I was supposed to connect with...the Wraith? But I got redirected…” He frowns. The more the pilot seems to search for words, the harder they seem to come.
Matthias has seen this before. “He was captured by the Khergud. They most likely probed his mind using Bor Gullet. That’s how they dealt with any Imperial or Rebel spies they found.” He leans back against the steel hull. It actually feels good to be back in space again after being grounded for so long.
It feels like freedom.
The boy looks at Nina. She nods in confirmation. “It’s true. We only escaped detection because of the temple.”
“Because all she would talk about was the Force,” Matthias mutters. He adjusts his muscles so they’re loose and he can react in an instant if needed. Nina drops into the space beside him, using his shoulder as a pillow as she settles in like a cat that can get comfortable anywhere.
“I saved your life,” she says without opening her eyes.
He grunts and doesn’t let his smile emerge.
“The Wraith,” Kaz repeats, focusing on Wylan again. “What were you supposed to tell them?”
Wylan still looks nervous. “Well, I was supposed to pass on...a message...There’s a way to destroy it. A weakness.”
“A weakness?”
Wylan yanks at his hair. It’s useless to try to force him to remember more in his state. Matthias watches the trio of rebels to see what they’ll do at this obstacle.
“He didn’t tell me,” Wylan whispers, clearly realizing this might not endear him to his rescuers at this point. “I was supposed to...bring someone back. They wanted...they wanted someone to rescue them, and they would share the weakness. I was just supposed to be the messenger. It wasn’t supposed to happen like this. It wasn’t supposed to happen like this.”
Kaz scowls and glances at the girl who looks at the man in the pilot’s seat, all having some sort of silent conversation. Matthias watches the interaction with interest.
“Where is this base?” Kaz finally moves closer, crouching so he can look Wylan in the eyes.
“Eadu.”
Matthias vaguely recalls the outpost. Far from most of the known universe, it’s one of the Empire’s research bases. There’s not a huge platoon placed there for protection. It’s a secret base, kept out of the way, and by necessity sees few changes in personnel. There were a couple training missions on the planet to diversify the team’s experiences and analyze security procedures.
“We don’t have anyone on Eadu,” the girl notes.
“Because Eadu’s on lockdown. Nothing in or out that isn’t high level.” The boy flying the craft throws over his shoulder. “Out of the flight academy, I only stopped there once because they needed a supply run immediately. They didn’t even let me off the shuttle. To be a pilot there, you’d have to have some pretty impressive clearance.”
Matthias alters his assessment of the crew that got them off Jedha. To get through the Imperial Flight Academy is impressive. The man also demonstrated impressive aim and combat skills. Despite not being highly regimented, they do appear to be a solid team. He glances down at Nina.
“So in order to get the information on the weakness, we have to go to Eadu,” the girl says. She’s twirling a knife in her hands, one with a true steel blade like he hasn’t seen in ages. Her comfort with it is another mark in their favor.
“Jesper’s right. It’s impenetrable. We haven’t managed to get anyone on the inside.” Kaz taps his fingers on the head of his cane.
“So we go.” The girl shrugs. “We redirect. We need to find a way to beat this thing or millions more are going to die.”
“Procedure is to report for further orders. We’ve got the pilot.” Kaz looks at her with a heavy look.
“Matthias can help.” Nina elbows him as she speaks up.
He scowls down at her as everyone turns to stare at him. She didn’t even bother to open her eyes to betray him.
“I’m not a traitor.” Matthias glares at the lot of them.
“You’ll help,” Nina says with a self-assuredness he’s come to hate over the last couple of years. Because as irksome as it is, she’s usually right about these things. They both know it.
“We’re supposed to just trust a stranger on your word?” Jesper asks.
“Get twisted, Fahey. You know my word is good.”
Kaz and the woman - whose name Matthias still doesn’t know - have another silent conversation. She turns to look at him, her eyes speculative. Kaz leans closer to her. “You think you can do this?”
She doesn’t take his eyes from Matthias. Her knives continue the casual twisting in her hand. She shrugs and looks back at the mastermind. “It is our kind of job.”
Kaz nods. “Jesper, alter course. Van Eck, help get him close without being seen. Matthias, you need to tell us everything you know, and quickly.”
“Why should I?”
“Because if you don’t, I’m going to make your life very unpleasant.”
“How do you even know the pilot is right? How do you know there really is a weakness? This could be a trap.” It sounds like the kind of thing Jarl Brum would think up to capture Rebel spies.
“Faith,” Nina says. “This is the right choice.” She finally sits up and stretches.
Matthias rolls his eyes at her religious display. He sighs. “I can tell you what I know. It could still be a trap.”
“The pilot is Wylan Van Eck. He’s on my list of potential informants. He became an Imperial pilot because of familial connections. It’s how he has access to sensitive information. We know they’re working on something on Eadu. If this is what he says, then we need that information.” The girl explains it in an even voice.
“And if there isn’t a secret weakness?”
Kaz and Inej exchange a long look.
“Then we find another way to blow it up,” Jesper supplies.
Matthias isn’t sure he likes the looks of glee on their faces.
“So how do we get in?”
The girl turns to look at Matthias, her dark eyes just the slightest bit terrifying now that he’s actually getting a good chance to size her up. She tends to fade into the background and let her comrades take charge, but definitely is not to be underestimated. He stares at her and then glances at Kaz.
“Inej is a ghost,” Nina says. “She can get in and out without anyone noticing.”
He looks her over, still assessing. This moment, more than any in the last two years of surviving, feels like he’s standing on the edge of a cliff. The last two years he could justify to his superiors: he was surviving a hostile planet, he had to get close to Nina or he would have died, he was trying to learn the secrets of the Rebel scum. This was different. If he does this, he’s helping the Rebel cause. He’s actively going against everything he’s ever learned.
Nina hits him in the shoulder, as if sensing his internal conflict. She twists upright to look at him and raises an eyebrow in challenge.
He can hear her voice in his head, berating him for his strict no-nonsense rules and his consuming hatred for anything that goes against the order of the Empire. There were countless debates as they marched through Jedha, each an intellectual exercise. He can honestly say that he doesn’t believe the Empire is never wrong, but is that enough to make him give up their secrets?
“They murdered everyone in Jedha,” she whispers to him softly. “Lin, Mauri, Katya…” She closes her eyes against the pain.
He wants to wrap her in his arms and pull her close. Nina feels everything so deeply, unable to stop herself from connecting with everyone she meets. He wants to protect from that pain, to comfort her. Those lives lost today. They were innocents. People that should have been protected and instead…
He opens his eyes and nods his agreement to Nina.
She grins, life and joy filling her back up as she bounces around in her seat, the way she gets excited whenever they found something reasonably sweet on Jedha. “Matthias meet Inej. Inej, meet Matthais. He’s a little shy but he knows what’s at stake.”
It’s like shedding a piece of armor or throwing off the last vestiges of who he once was. There’s no turning back now, and he has surprisingly little regret as he opens his eyes and asks the first damning question: “Where do you want to start?”
<hr>
Inej barely remembers those early days with her family living in the heart of a city. She gets flashes of memories - playing with dolls, toddling after her father, parties full of boring adults who couldn’t care less about her. What she thinks of when she remembers her family is what came after: the travelling band of performers they joined. It’s there that she felt comfortable. The troupe was her family: they encouraged her, taught her tricks of the trade, and were the ones who trained her as an acrobat. They travelled from system to system, performing in cities and small villages alike, on hot planets and cold. She had careful rules to follow about her interactions whenever they landed.
Despite all the restrictions, she remembers feeling carefree. The caravan was her domain and she was empress. The day her life changed was just like any other. She remembers her mother running a hand over her hair, whispering that they were going down into town. Her sleepy head full of cotton can’t remember her exact words, just the feeling of warmth, the comfort of routine. Only recently - on her eighth birthday - had she earned the right to sleep in instead of joining her parents’ customary outing.
Sometimes in her waking hours, she forgets that happened years ago and in her half-waking state she thinks she can still hear her mother’s soothing whisper and her father patting her hand as he tucks her treasured stuffed bear under the blankets of her bed so she has company.
Inej’s eyes fly open as the harsh lights of simulated daylight jolt her unrelentingly from her sleep into the cold reality of her life.
She rolls up to a seated position and runs her arm over her sleepy face. She makes no effort to make herself presentable and glares at her arm with the repulsive peacock feather tattoo. It’s been eight years since that morning when her whole life burned around her, her whole extended family vanished in the blink of an eye and she was sold into the slave markets of the Hutts before she was even aware what that meant.
“Inej Ghafa, the mistress will see you now,” a mechanical voice says over the speaker hidden in her room. Luxurious drapes and curtains cover the mechanical aspects of the room, but can’t hide the prison-like nature of a room without windows in a pleasure house. This has always been Inej’s cage.
Of course, to the Empire, this isn’t slavery. She has an indenture that she’s working off, this was a choice she made. Inej stands. The words are bullshit. It’s a pretty story told by those who believe themselves to be above such terrible things just because they use different words. Inej is old enough to know what happens in the different rooms of the pleasure house she currently calls home, but still too young to be expected to participate fully. But she knows her days are numbered.
Girls in this trade grow up quickly. She’s still a tease, only suffering a a groping hand here, a leer there, the occasional bit of voyeurism which makes her skin prickle and means she can never feel comfortable in any room, including her own.
Inej dresses with practiced movements in the ridiculous trappings Madam Helene requires. There are far too many bells on the outfit, too many dangling bits that can tangle for it to really be the exotic outfit Helene claims the clients want. She hates the way the silk feels against her skin when it used to mean the soothing comfort of performance attire.
For now, her role is to just be an ornamentation for the pleasure house, but madame makes sure she knows what could happen the moment she steps a toe out of line. She’s not above selling Inej off before her time, the cost of which would do nothing to lower the exorbitant cost of her supposed indenture.
Inej keeps her head down and walks quickly to the main room. In the early hours, there are few patrons who might be looking for a companion, but Inej has learned to keep her head down in any case. She’s short and skinny - underdeveloped to most tastes - so aren’t many interested in her and the ones that are she should avoid with even more care.
There’s a boy in the room with Helene: a boy with a familiar cane. Inej is so surprised to see him that she forgets to look away meekly when his dark eyes meet hers. She tilts her head in curiosity. Last she saw, he was slipping out of a back hallway which she knew allowed Helene to eavesdrop on clients as they spent the night with girls, or that she offered to well-paying customers who took pleasure from that sort of thing.
He looks just as cold as he did that night, but she vividly remembers the surprise in his eyes when she spoke from over his shoulder. He wasn’t a regular customer at the brothel but he was on good terms with a couple members of the staff and she’d seen him exchange kruge for information on more than one occasion. Last she saw him, she’d offered him help.
“Ah, there’s my little Suli Lioness.” Madam Helene smiles benevolently, but her perfume chokes Inej as she wraps an arm around her. “Inej, do you know who this is?”
“They call him Dirtyhands,” she answers, voice proper and meek as Helene likes. All the other girls have told her not to ask questions any time she tries to find out more. She can’t help but wonder if offering herself to him was a mistake, but she knows this place will kill her if she doesn’t find a way out.
“Hmm…,” Madame hums. She turns to the boy with a set face and Inej’s chest tightens in apprehension. “I’m afraid your offer will not be accepted, Mr. Brekker. Inej is precious to me.” Her bejeweled fingers dig into Inej’s shoulder. “I couldn’t possibly part with her.”
The boy raises an impeccable eyebrow. “I was under the impression our negotiations were finalized.”
Helene releases an exaggerated sigh. “Oh, you silly boy. Did you know the Empire has offered quite the reward for you?”
Inej tenses. She knows that Madame is fickle in her alliances, but she’s never openly invited storm troopers into her house: they don’t pay well.
“You’d better run, little boy, if you want to get out of here before they can grab you.”
Two doors into the main room slide open with a whoosh of air to reveal armored bodies with blasters levelled at the boy. Inej’s quick eyes note that the door closest to Brekker has no guard, instead being left clear if he wants to escape. If she were him, she would be running but instead he looks bored as he stares back at Madame. He lifts his wrist to check his time piece, an old fashioned analog device that hasn’t been used in decades.
There’s a pulse of static followed by a volley of blaster shots. Inej jerks down out of the way but is shocked to see that none of the shots were aimed at them.
“You should have taken the money, Helene,” the boy shaking space dust from his jacket. “We could have continued this lucrative partnership.”
Madame pales and looks around at the rumpled crew of men who are all standing around. Most have holstered their guns, but a tall dark-skinned man walks up to them and gestures Helene back away from Inej. Madame drops her grip as if she can’t get her distance fast enough. She turns to the boy.
“Please! You have to understand, the troopers would have killed me if I didn’t.”
The boy looks at her impassively before shrugging. “Per Haskell is still willing to buy out her indenture. I’m sure we can agree on a more reasonable price.”
Inej snorts. She can’t help it. They’re literally haggling over the price of her indenture after not killing one another. Frankly, it’s ridiculous. The boy looks over at her. Although his face is a mask which reveals no secrets, Inej sees a hint of amusement lurking in his dark eyes before he focuses again on Madame Helene.
“Congratulations,” the dark-skinned man who shooed Madame Helene away says, leaning down to her, even as his eyes stay on the boy and madam. “You’re being rescued.”
She looks around at the rag tag group she’s now willing to bet are Rebellion spies and wonders if this will actually be any better. Beyond them, she spots a couple of Helene’s girls with their bloodshot eyes, thin skin and haunted looks. It’s enough to remind her that is it. This is what she wants: a chance to save her father and get revenge on the Empire which has caused her so much pain.
Inej straightens as much as she can. It looks like she’s joining the rebellion.
<hr>
Three years later…
“You ever wonder if Kaz is actually a demon?” Jesper asks speculatively. He points his blaster to the sky and stares down the barrel. It’s in the best possible order he can make it. The sights are calibrated, the lazer refined and the trigger pull smooth. He couldn’t ask for a better weapon.
Other than it’s partner, which is still in his holster and also freshly taken care of.
“You’re supposed to be watching his back, Jesper,” the Wraith’s voice reminds him, tinged with annoyance.
“Yeah, yeah,” he mutters, rolling over so he can look over the side of the building to where Kaz is meeting with his contact. “You know, I’m still not sure why all three of us need to be here for one pilot.”
“If you want, we can always switch positions,” Inej offers. “You can play get-away pilot.”
Jesper snorts as he lines up his sight again. “Yeah, right. That’s all yours, spider. Besides we needed the sniper position here, remember?”
There’s a long suffering sigh over the radio and Jesper grins. Through the scope his eyes bounce to Kaz. He can’t see his face, but Jesper knows he’s got that stone face of annoyance, which, as it turns out, is not so different from his normal ambivalent face except that it includes the slight twitching of the vein at his temple.
Inej claims he’s seeing things, that it’s all in Jesper’s head. According to her, Kaz’s tell has to do with his eyes or some other sappy thing like that because they’re both secretly in love with each other. Jesper thinks they’re both idiots and he likes to think that one day, if he makes a bad enough joke or an inappropriate enough comment, that vein on Kaz’s temple is going to burst.
He thinks it's good to have goals like that. It makes the dirty work they do for the Rebellion more palatable.
“I still think it would be better to have me on the ground,” Inej grumbles. “You know I’m no good at the piloting stuff.”
“You’re the one who wanted to come. If I recall, Per Haskell offered you leave and instead you came here.” Jesper notices the stiffening of Kaz’s shoulders. His informant is still calm, if a little jumpy-looking, so he knows that’s not the source of the tension. His eyes scan the street and see nothing alarming.
Jesper hasn’t asked but he knows there’s something going on here that they’re not sharing. Inej has been wound tight since they started to hear rumors of an Imperial weapon strong enough to take out a planet. While it was still just a rumor, Kaz and Inej were chasing the thread down with a vengeance. It’s what brought them back to this city world where they had found Inej three years ago.
Now if only his sneaky little cohorts would share the secret with him. That would be great.
Jesper grumbles to himself. Like that would ever happen. He looks through the scope of his rifle. The tell tale of white of stormtrooper armor catches his eye and Jesper focuses on the location. The odd trooper presence in a city like this isn’t necessarily something to make note of. It happens on occasion, but this is a pair and he can spot another pair making their way in what looks to his eyes like search patterns.
“Heads up, Kaz. We might have company.” Jesper says as he keeps an eye on the soldiers. “Moving in pairs. Looks like a search pattern.”
They’re too far away to hear the words that are spoken, but Jesper can guess what it is from here: “Hey! You there!”
He watches as Kaz drags their contact into an alley as the storm troopers converge from two directions.
“I’ve lost sight of you, Kaz.” Jesper sights the troopers through his scope and taps a finger against the trigger. Killing troopers brings more attention than Kaz likes. They work in secret. “Exit strategy?”
Through Kaz’s comm he hears the panicked pleas of Kaz’s contact swiftly silenced by a laser bolt. He grimaces at the additional body count as Kaz’s gravelly voice comes over the comm.
“I’ve got it. Jesper, join Inej. Meet me at the rendezvous point.”
He takes one last look at the troopers closing in on the alley and then stands. If Kaz needed help, he would ask. The man had a thousand and one plans. There’s no way he didn’t account for a way out of this trap. It sounds like he’s probably climbing, a feat considering his bum leg from when he landed on it wrong a couple years back and it never healed properly.
“You know, for once I’d like one of these missions to go smoothly,” Jesper mutters under his breath as he hightails it back to the ship. He stows his blaster and keeps it from sight as he moves through the crowds. Seedy cities have been a second home to him for years, since he left the Imperial flight academy, if he’s being honest. He liked the anonymity the city gave him. It always felt better than the emptiness of the moisture farm he grew up on. He hates the heat and the sand.
Oh, God, the sand.
He walks aboard the ship with the swagger of a drunk who won big at the betting table. He nods jovially to those he passes. There are a couple glances down to the pistols at his waist, but that’s normal on a large port like this one. Intergalactic travel to major cities has always been fraught with trouble and this one isn’t especially savory. They don’t have the clearance for savory.
Inej sits on the ramp of the ship, sprawled out across it like a cat. She opens her eyes as he arrives and stretches. “Ready to go?”
“Shouldn’t the get away pilot be ready to run?” Jesper teases as they walk up into the ship and Inej diverts to the cockpit, starting the take off procedure.
“I spent the last hour bemoaning my terrible coworker who insists on gambling at each port and always staggers back drunk, occasionally with unexpected company. I’ve already got tower clearance to leave. And taking off won’t set any red flags with the Empire so we’re clear.”
Jesper drops into the copilot chair as Inej goes through engine checks. “You did all that?”
“You’re not the only one capable of sweet talking people, Fahey.” She shoots him a look and he chuckles.
“I remember when your first attempt to blend in. Didn’t you end up stabbing someone?”
Inej scowls at the memory. “And no one has tried to grab my body since then without a threat of a knife point.”
Jesper chuckles. “Fair enough.” He shifts as they fly high enough to leave the atmosphere and then drop back down, drifting through the carefully mapped out empty space of blind spots that allow them to drift down to the meeting point. Despite it taking them almost no time to get there, Kaz is already sitting against a crate on the roof of a run down building, cane held out in front of him with his hands crossed on top.
Jesper moves back toward the loading bay and opens the doors. He leans against the side of the doorway as the ship turns to face Kaz. “Hiya, honey. Miss me?”
As always Kaz rolls his eyes at Jesper’s attitude as he climbs the ramp. “We’re clean. Any trouble at the port?”
“Nope,” Inej reports from the cockpit. “Just a couple nosy traders looking for a good time. Sent them after Jesper.”
“Har har,” he shoots back as the ramp closes with a firm whoosh of pressure stabilizing. He turns to Kaz who has dropped onto the bench and closed his eyes. His lame foot is extended slightly in front of him, a tell that it’s aching from the exercise of escaping the troopers. Jesper can also see where his blaster sticks out from under his jacket, the clip of the holster no longer in place. He definitely used it. “Did you get the intel?”
Kaz nods.
“Where are we headed?” Inej asks. From the body of the shuttle, Jesper sees her hand hover over the hyperspeed settings, preparing to change the destination of their jump.
“The pilot is on Jedha.”
They both freeze and you could hear a pin drop in the shuttle. Jesper glances at Inej and sees the same worry painted in the lines of her face. “Are you sure?”
Kaz finally opens his eyes and leans forward. “It’s been confirmed. That’s the second source and this one claims to have actually seen the pilot.”
“But he’s a defector, why would he go there?” Jesper asks.
“Jedha’s not a stronghold for the Empire, but they do trade there.” Kaz answers, as if that explains the reasoning.
“But it’s a Shu stronghold. They’re cut off. We haven’t had contact in years.” Jesper glances at Inej in the cockpit. “Nina was there when the communications shut down. She wasn’t able to get out and no one’s been able to go in.”
Kaz rams a gloved hand over the top of his cane. “That isn’t strictly true.”
Inej whips around. “What?”
He sighs. “We have a way onto the planet. The problem will be finding the defector and getting him to talk to us.”
“And getting off planet again,” Jesper cuts in. “Or have you forgotten how the Shu seize whoever and whatever they want? There’s a reason we don’t have an outpost there.”
Kaz stares at him with those cold, blank eyes and then turns toward Inej. “Set the course.”
For a long moment, Inej doesn’t move. Her fingers tap against the control as she gazes at Kaz with an inscrutable expression on her face for a moment before she turns back to the controls and the ship lurches into hyperspace.
Jesper crosses his arms as he faces Kaz from across the ship. “You knew we were headed to Jedha.”
Kaz stares back at him for a moment and then closes his eyes. He leans back against the side of the ship. Jesper wishes he was surprised about the lack of communication.
He sits down next to Kaz. “This way on to Jedha...does it have anything to do with Nina?”
Kaz cracks open an eye. He looks Jesper over and shuts them again. “She was able to get one message out since the Shu shut down. The last message that got out - the one that opened a path - the agent was lost. Haven’t heard anything since.”
“Nina?”
“Under orders to lay low.”
“Are we taking her out with us?”
Kaz’s hands tighten on the head of his cane. “We’ll see.”
<hr>
There was something happening. Nina looks around the marketplace covertly as she examines the fruit in the stall in front of her. It’s the same bland, slightly bruised fruit that they always have. Two years on this desert planet and she’s still not used to the blandness of the food. She’s missing the lush variety of Aldaraan and the sweets she used to eat by the bushel. There’s no sweets here in Jedha, especially not in the mostly abandoned temple.
She exchanges a coin for two shrivelled pieces of fruit and a smile with the vendor. She slips off the main thoroughfare and into the archway that leads into the dilapidated temple. Like most of Jedha, it’s covered in a fine layer of sand and dust, and shows the wear and tear of years of war.
She tosses a piece of fruit to the tall and skulking shadow that leans against the archway. Matthias catches the fruit of the air. He pulls a wickedly long knife from behind his back and cuts the fruit into meticulous pieces, eating with precise movements to stop the juice from creating a sticky mess.
Nina is far less careful. She bites into the fruit and does her best to stop the overripe fruit from spilling juice down her chin. It’s a messy process and her fingers will end up coated in sugary sweetness. It’s her little act of rebellion that makes Matthias shake his head in her direction, when his eyes aren’t sweeping the plaza.
“There’s something in the wind,” he says as he slowly eats another slice of his fruit. Nina’s is almost gone. She’s sad for that.
“Rumors.” Nina glances at the gangsters on the corner of the street with their strange metal suits. They’re looking antsy, searching the street. “There’s not much chatter. Something about an Imperial pilot. Broke through the Shu blockade.”
Matthias’s eyes drift back across the crowds of people. Nina rearranges her robe and leans against her staff. Two years posing as acolytes of the temple and proselytizing about Sankts has her accustomed to her character. No one bothers with a monk spouting ideas of an old religion they no longer believe in.
“The Empire is still confined to their kyber shipments,” Matthias observes. He casually cuts the seeds from his fruit. “Their shuttle routes haven’t been altered. The Shu though.” His eyes dart to their locations around the square. “They’re looking for someone.”
“A defector,” Nina says.
Matthias finally looks over at her in surprise. “Yours or mine?”
“Does it matter?” she asks. “Either way, we need to find them before anyone else.”
“Do we?” Matthias grumbles and slips his knife back into the sheath hidden somewhere on his person. “It’s not like anyone’s come to get us in the last two years.”
Nina rolls her eyes. They’ve had this argument before. “Come now, druskelle. Where’s that attitude of dedication to the Empire?”
He snorts. “It died two years ago.” One of the Shu guards moves and Matthias’s attention strays. “Think it’s important enough that they’ll risk their peace with the Shu?”
Beneath the question is the unspoken one that neither of them have put words to, but they both know is lingering in the back of their minds: Is this defector more important than they are? Nina’s last mission was to get a contact off Jedha to the Rebellion. Matthias had saved her from capture by the Shu and they hadn’t been able to risk an attempt to leave Jedha since then. The Empire had some sort of deal with the Shu that allowed them access to the Kyber mines but that was it.
“Perhaps it’s time we went to collect tithes, Brother Helvar,” Nina announces. She pulls up the hood of her robes and leans on her staff as she walks out from the temple. Matthias follows behind her with grumbled complaints under his breath. The occupants of the city are familiar with their dynamic, although they’re sure to vary the times they depart the temple. Routines are too predictable.
Matthias doesn’t speak even as Nina stops to talk with every friendly face she sees. For the first year, he had complained at every moment, even as she explained to him the importance of blending in, of becoming part of the populace. Now he even lets the children climb on him when she stops to share a story about the saints.
“They’re jumpy,” Lin shares with Nina in whispered tones, her eyes darting around the square even though there don’t appear to be guards around right now. “Jan said he saw stormtroopers preparing to enter the city.”
Nina performs a blessing on an elderly man. “Any idea what they’re looking for?”
“A pilot.” Lin shifts her daughter around on her hip. “Imperial pilot. You don’t want to get between the troopers and their goal. The Shu are looking for him too. If you know what’s good for you, you’ll stay out of their way.”
Matthias moves closer. “And the pilot?”
Lin glances at him and then back at Nina. She’s always been more skittish around men. It’s a look Nina’s uncomfortably familiar with and one she knows speaks to a violent past interaction. The way she grips her daughter just a bit closer breaks Nina’s heart.
Nina nods encouragingly.
“Down by the old refractory.” Lin freezes up as soon as the words escape her mouth. Her eyes widen in surprise at what she just divulged. She darts away in a panic, leaving Nina and Matthias to continue to serve the poor with their usual tithes.
By unspoken agreement, Matthias follows Nina’s lead as she takes them on a winding path. The last year and half of long meandering routes work in their favor as Nina leads them with more purpose.
It feels good to have a purpose again. She hasn’t had contact with the Rebellion, but if this is big enough that the Empire is willing to fight the Shu for the interloper, then it’s big enough for the Rebellion to also be looking. The Empire has the strength to use brute force. The Rebellion will send Kaz Brekker. Per Haskell would be an idiot to send anyone else.
As they get closer to their destination, Nina slows her pace and purposefully plays up her monk persona, passing out alms and blessings in equal measure. Matthias moves gruffly in her wake, watching her back in a way that might be suspicious if it hadn’t been his stable characteristic for the last two years. The Shu are used to their dynamic of the devout believer jaded sceptic. They had adopted the personas for safe passage before the Shu blockade and been forced to maintain it since then.
It was useful, despite neither Nina nor Matthias being well versed in espionage.
By the time they reach the old refractory buildings, Nina and Matthias are moving at a crawl, speaking to every person they see. Nina’s eyes scan the faces for one that looks out of place, one that screams uncertainty or distrust.
She gets pointed down a dark alley by one of the urchins after she shares with him one of her precious jojo beans. It’s the closest she can get to her sweets in this city. She glances at Matthias and he nods. His body is intentionally relaxed, ready to move as necessary in response to a threat.
Nina leads the way into the factory, looking around carefully as they move into the space. She breathes in deeply and sinks into the meditative state. The air around her settles, buzzing with the life force of the inhabitants of the city. In a couple of breaths, she narrows it further so she can feel the interior of the building.
Matthias mutters under his breath, something about religious mumbo jumbo and insanity.
Nina turns sideways and opens one eye to glare at Matthias. He rolls his eyes and gestures at her to continue.
Her use of the Force is unrefined, based more in the faith that it will work than on actual knowledge about what she’s doing. It’s an old religion and the order they’re with is still respected even if not believed in. Okay, so maybe respected is pushing it. They’re disregarded as religious fanatics who don’t do much of anything.
She follows the light of the Force through the factory, letting it guide her feet, trusting it to protect her from bumping into any of the clutter. Dimly, she senses Matthias grunt as he moves something out of her path before she hits it or it hits her. She keeps her focus on the life signature that shines like a beacon, coming to a stop once they’re in sight of the huddled mass. She opens her eyes and peers into the gloom.
“We’re here to help you,” Nina says. Her soft voice carries around the large space. She ignores Matthias’s mutter about talking to herself.
“Who...who are you?” A tremulous voice asks. It sounds younger than Nina expected, more uncertain. She thought a defector would be more hardened, more convinced of their path to go against the Empire in such a way.
Nina squats down to look at the hunched over figure. Matthias has one hand hovering over his hidden firearm, the other on a dagger. She’s deep in her meditation of the Force and senses no danger from the huddled figure.
“You’re the pilot, right?” Nina asks instead of answering.
His eyes look her over, lingering on her and Matthias’s matching robes. “You’re priests?”
He inches forward. There’s enough light cast on him that his Imperial uniform catches her eye, answering the question he avoids. She smiles softly at him and holds out her hand. Behind her Matthias shifts, disliking her proximity to perceived danger, if she has to guess.
“Word on the street is you’re a defector. We’re here to help.”
<hr>
Wylan doesn't think he's ever been this cold in his life. Which is bizarre because this is a desert planet. You'd think it would be warm but instead he's found himself huddled in dark corners, scavenging like a rat for scraps for the last couple days while he tries to escape notice from the Shu. Jedha was supposed to be a safe haven for him, somewhere the Empire couldn't touch. The Shu had tried to grab him first, had detained him and demanded answers to their questions about the Empire. His protests that he wanted to defect fell on deaf ears. Then they'd dragged him into a cave with a beast they called Bor Gullet.
It's a blur after that.
He remembers waking in a cell to garbled words, a blurred hologram of his father glaring disdainfully down at him. A comment about the Empire being grateful to the Shu. Wylan doesn't know how he escaped. There's a memory of loud noise, a flash of heat, and dirt. Then it's all dark and cold.
He'd avoided people after that, stuck to shadows, and only ventured out when the emptiness of his stomach threatened to eat him from the inside out.
He doesn't even know how long it's been since he escaped the cell...or was released...he doesn't know.
Then the woman appeared, like an angel out of the darkness and she promises salvation.
Wylan knows enough of his father's games not to immediately trust the gesture. "Who are you?"
“We’re with the Rebellion,” she says with a smile.
The monk behind her rolls his eyes and turns away. They don’t look like any monks he recognises. The only person he’s heard of who truly follows the old religion is the Darkling and Wylan’s not so unfortunate to have ever seen him in person. “You don’t look like Rebels.”
“He’s right. We don’t,” the man tells her.
The woman looks over her shoulder, eyes narrowed in a glare. “Matthias Helvar.” She turns conspiratorially back to Wylan and there’s a friendly glint in her eye that makes him want to trust her. “Once he was the most devout of you all. Rose through the ranks of the Empire almost as high as they come. You want out of the Empire. We can help.”
Wylan’s eyes drift over the man’s features and there’s something that reminds him of the way General Brum’s men carry themselves, the elite of the troopers he’s only seen from a distance. Wylan wants to string words together but they slip away like soap and water.
“Will you come with us?” She prompts, yet again.
He can’t combine the fears and hopes and questions into coherent sense. All he can do is nod in agreement. Whether they harm him or save him, he’ll be dead or caught if he stays here on his own. He needs allies and he’s not in a mental state where he can do much of anything himself.
“Good,” she says. She pulls him forward and manhandles Wylan into a monk’s robe over his tattered pilot’s uniform. “I’m Nina. This is Matthias. We’re going to get you out of here alive. Good?”
Wylan nods. She shoves a basket into his hands and drops additional bits of clutter from the warehouse floor into it.
“We should be heading back,” Matthias rumbles.
“Walk between us,” Nina instructs, pulling the hood of his robe up. Matthias mimics the movement. “Don’t make eye contact. Don’t talk to anyone. Just stay in step with us. We’ll speak for you if it comes to that.”
Wylan has enough sense to nod along. He knows talking will only give away his current state of complete confusion. He can see the looks Nina and Matthias exchange in response to his silence. He’s not so lost that he doesn’t understand what’s going on but the thoughts take too long to reach his lips and disappear like fragrance on a breeze.
The ground is dusty and uneven under Wylan’s feet. It captures his attention as he walks, so different from the metal hallways and corridors he’s used to walking. His feet catch from where they scrape the ground and he tries to tell his body to lift his feet higher, but they don’t seem willing to respond any more than what they do by instinct. When was the last time he walked on anything that wasn’t steel?
He’s so preoccupied by swirls of dirt that he walks right into a wall.
Well, not a wall, but the giant monk - Matthias. He bounces off the man’s back, which feels like the equivalent of walking into a wall. The man doesn’t even move in response to him walking into him at full speed, but Wylan almost falls on his butt, and would if it wasn’t for Nina catching him.
She steps past him to stand next to Matthias. She pushes him further into the shadows behind Matthias as she looks past him to see what’s grabbed his attention. Wylan shuffles sideways and ducks down so he can look around the hulking figures.
The white helmets break through his current haze and Wylan stumbles backwards. The Storm Troopers followed him. He can’t allow himself to be captured, not after he finally escaped that place and his father’s restrictive control.
“Wait!” Nina whispers harshly, but Wylan’s body is moving without his consent. The urge to get away is too strong. It drives him, haltingly, step-after-step through twisting and confusing alleyways. He’s not sure where he’s going except away. If he can get to a port, he’s sure he can fly a ship.
Another flash of white Imperial helmets send him careening in another direction which leads him into a square. The sudden exposure leaves him disoriented and he spins around looking for another exit as a child is ushered into one house and shutters are slammed shut. Wylan gulps. He walks back and turns, running into someone for the second time. This time the person rocks as he crashes into them, but Wylan’s still the one wheeling back.
He blinks at the man, carrying some sort of stick. He looks like he could belong here except that his eyes are too intent. It’s the kind of gaze you couldn’t stand for too long but are also scared to look away from. It takes him a second to notice the tiny girl at his side. She’s looking around, causally flipping a blade in her hand. The other rests on a blaster. Now that he realized that, Wylan notices the man is also armed.
“Wylan Van Eck?” The man asks.
Wylan blinks at him in shock. He’s helpless to do anything but nod. They’re not Empire and they don’t look like the Khergud who grabbed him, so they can’t be that bad. Or at least are likely better than the alternative.
“Right. Time to be off. Let Jesper know we’ve got the package.” The man turns abruptly.
Wylan glances at the girl who steps aside and gestures at him to follow. He hasn’t decided if he will when there are footsteps behind him. He twists back to see who’s following and breathes a little easier when the monks appear. Maybe monks are better than whoever the man is.
Maybe he’s dead anyway.
“Oh good. You’re here.” The man says. “We can all go then.”
Nina smirks from where she’s bent over catching her breath. “Nice to see you too, Kaz. Been ages.”
<hr>
It’s convenient that they were able to find the pilot and Nina in one place. He would have trouble getting Inej and Jesper out of here with just the pilot. They’d had no communication with Nina, no way to get in contact with her once they were in the atmosphere. Kaz takes it in stride and moves back the way they came. The rest will follow and someone will make sure the pilot comes along with them.
It would have been a fantastic escape. In and out with no trouble whatsoever. It would have been too lucky for him, so the storm troopers that come streaming racing around the corner where Nina and her friend emerged are hardly a surprise. The real unlucky bit is that they also appear in the two other access points to the square.
The pilot looks ready to bolt. Nina and the second monk steps forward. Kaz respects the bulk of him and hopes that he’s good in a fight. If it were just him and Inej, they would split up and meet at the rendez-vous. The pilot is going to be the issue.
“Halt. Surrender or you will be terminated.”
Inej pushes Wylan behind her and toward Kaz. The boy curls in on himself. How he ever got up the courage to desert the Empire, Kaz hasn’t a clue. Now they just need to get him out of here with whatever valuable knowledge is worth breaking the standoff with the Shu.
Kaz pushes him into a doorway, out of sight of the blasters. “Stay down.”
The boy whimpers.
Nina steps forward, hands raised in a deceptively helpless gesture. “Calm down. We’re all friends here.”
“Stand down or we will open fire,” the trooper repeats. The entire line readies their weapons. Their blasters might be unreliable and clunky, but with so many firing, they’re bound to hit something.
“You don’t want to shoot us.” Nina tries again.
“That’s what you’ve got?” the second monk asks incredulously.
She glares at him. Kaz watches Inej palm a blade and twirl it effortlessly in one hand. The harsh sunlight glints off the edge of the blade: steel instead of a laser edge many prefer. He knows she likes the way the old fashioned blades feel in her hand. They look like they belong in her grasp.
Nina steps forward again, closer and closer to the troopers. “You’re not going to shoot us.”
“Hand over the pilot.” The trooper says. From across the square, Kaz can hear the gun prep to fire. This isn’t working.
“Yeah. That’s not going to happen,” he drawls from the back of the group. The second monk glares at him, but Kaz just twirls his kane, unbothered. It was going to come down to this anyway. There’s no point holding it off as more backup and fire power arrives to support the troopers.
Shadows fall across the square and Kaz gets his first look at the notorious Khergud soldiers who have kept Jedha independent for the last two years. “Imperial Troopers. You have no authority in our city. The pilot is ours.”
Nina, her monk, and Inej grow tense at the new party. Beside him the pilot starts to mutter under his breath, rocking back and forth.
This actually works to their advantage as the troopers are forced to divert their attention. The Khergud fires directly at the troopers before jumping into the air. The troopers open fire, most on the Khergud, judging them to be the bigger threat.
Inej seizes the moment to dive forward into the fight, taking out two opponents in moments before she’s engaged by one of the Shu soldiers. She moves like an acrobat, twirling through flailing limbs that breeze past her. She’s a force of nature.
Kaz is distracted from his awe by a guard landing a few feet away and leaping for Wylan. He dispatches the soldier with a few whacks of his cane. He crumples under a well-placed hit to the temple.
More troopers race toward the noise. They stop around the corner of an alley, firing from their protective spots and forcing the monk and Kaz to step back to cover. They lob a grenade into the square. Kaz takes two steps forward and hits it back with the metal head of his cane. It soars in a perfect arch back to the troopers, who scramble for cover too late.
The monk nods in acknowledgment and moves to relieve Nina from her two enemies. Inej falls back as she takes out her opponent and the rest are distracted by Nina and the monk. She moves to stand alongside Kaz, stretching out the muscles she just used as she slips her blades back in their many holsters. The explosion rocks the block which takes out one contingent of troopers but they're met with more troopers and Shu, crawling out of the cracks like cockroaches.
A moment later shots arc over their heads, rapid fire, each one hitting its target and leaving the recipients incapacitated.
Kaz relaxes infintestimently. He'd been prepared to dive for cover. His hand twitches toward Inej but he knows she can take care of herself. She doesn’t need him trying to tackle her and throwing off her center of balance.
A figure emerges along the roofline, a rifle resting against his shoulder. “There were an awful lot of explosions for people who were supposed to be blending in.”
“I hope you’ve got an exit plan, Brekker,” Nina says. She diverts to the Imperial pilot after a glance at the monk.
He nods and moves for the alley. “This way.” He glances at Inej and up at the roofline. She nods and follows his tacit directions. Kaz leaves her to do what she does best: cover them from the shadows.
Kaz walks with purpose through the streets. Now that fighting has broken out, it appears that no one is holding back. Shu are fighting stormtroopers, troopers are fighting the Khergud and civilians are running for cover. Jesper’s and Inej’s shadows move with them. The monk - who Kaz Brekker suspects is the Druskelle Nina mentioned before she went dark - leads the charge, with his long legs that eat up the ground in long strides. Nina covers their escape with a simple bo staff.
“Where are we going?” The monk asks as he fires off a round of shots.
“Left!” Jesper shouts as he crashes to the ground on the back of a Khergud soldier. “I don’t know why we ever thought this was going to be a quiet mission. And I still say we need a demolition expert.”
“We’re spies, Jesper,” Kaz growls over the sound of battle.
Jesper shoots him a cocky grin over his shoulder. “But this is so much more fun.”
“There’s something wrong with you,” the monk mutters.
“Kaz.”
He looks sideways, unsurprised to find Inej at his shoulder, silent as always. He follows her gaze upwards and nearly stumbles to a stop. “Jedha doesn’t have a moon.”
Nina and the monk stumble to a stop. Jesper glances up for a moment. “That’s what I wanted to tell you. It appeared out of nowhere. It’s too big to be a ship but moons don’t move.”
“That’s it,” Wylan whispers. The pilot suddenly jolts into motion. “We have to go. Now!”
Kaz is forced into an ungainly run. He tries not to notice Inej hovering at his elbow, keeping pace with him as they race toward the ship. The Imperial pilot is ahead of them all, heedless of laser bolts. Jesper yanks him back by the collar to direct him to the correct ship.
As he reaches the ramp, Kaz starts to hear screams.
“Jesper, get us out of here!” Kaz yells. Inej hits the control to shut the ramp as Jesper guns the engine.
“What do you think I’m doing, Brekker? Buckle up. This ride’s about to get bumpy.”
<hr>
The whole world has turned upside down. Matthias isn’t sure what he’s doing, to be perfectly honest. Staying with Nina was a mutually beneficial proposition. They were stuck on a foreign planet, where the only people they could trust were each other. He’d become accustomed to their partnership and been shocked by how much he relied upon her. Now, looking at this ragtag group - so different from the ordered discipline of the elite Druskelle guard - Matthias is at a loss for how the Resistance has managed to become a thorn in the Empire’s side.
He will admit that they were, like Nina, surprisingly capable and effective. However, he can’t hide how scandalized he is by their lack of any sort of recognizable chain of command. The trio moves like his old unit in that they’re so familiar with each other, they don’t need to shout out commands. But their actions of Jedha display an alarming disregard for a cohesive plan and seem to thrive on the chaos of the moment.
“What was that?!” The boy with the cane asks, turning around to stare at the group before his eyes zero in on the unfortunate pilot.
Matthias hasn’t gotten much from the boy, except that he stepped back from the fighting yet was clearly capable of surviving physical confrontation. Nina and his two companions seemed to defer to him as some sort of leader, which spoke to a sharp mind. Nina called him Kaz, which would indicate one of the high level members of Rebel Intelligence. He’s heard him referenced as a nightmare or a demon, spoken of in whispers and myths more than anything else.
All in all: Matthias expected someone older.
“That was the Death Star,” Wylan whispers. His eyes look haunted.
Matthias frowns. “Impossible.” He starts when five sets of eyes jerk towards him in the silence of hyperspace. He grits his teeth. The word wasn’t supposed to be spoken out loud. “They’re decades away from creating that technology.”
Wylan is shaking his head. “No. They found a scientist. Got him to create what they needed. I...I was able to get away. To warn the Rebellion. It’s a planet killer.”
“A planet killer?” The small girl repeats.
“Is that even possible?” Nina glances at him for confirmation. Matthias has no answer. It was only an idea when he was with the Druskelle last. Brum used to talk about it, but it was never close to a reality. Not then.
“Why don’t you ask Jedha?” Kaz says.
“We don’t know that it destroyed the whole planet,” the small girl points out.
The boy doesn’t look away from where he stares out the window at the white streaks of stars passing in hyperspace. “At the very least, we know it destroyed the city. If the Empire has a weapon like that, we’re left defenseless.”
“That’s why I was sent to find you,” Wylan says. He freezes when all eyes turn to him and he curls in on himself from his spot beside the pilot. Matthias has spent years in Imperial bases and has no idea how this pilot managed to get into the program, let alone became important enough to have access to this top secret project. It seems highly suspect to him.
“Sent?” The boy asks, finally turning so his whole body faces the pilot. Matthias does have to admit he cuts an intimidating figure even as he leans on his cane.
The pilot swallows. “The scientist. I was supposed to get to a contact they had with the Rebellion. There was someone I was supposed to connect with...the Wraith? But I got redirected…” He frowns. The more the pilot seems to search for words, the harder they seem to come.
Matthias has seen this before. “He was captured by the Khergud. They most likely probed his mind using Bor Gullet. That’s how they dealt with any Imperial or Rebel spies they found.” He leans back against the steel hull. It actually feels good to be back in space again after being grounded for so long.
It feels like freedom.
The boy looks at Nina. She nods in confirmation. “It’s true. We only escaped detection because of the temple.”
“Because all she would talk about was the Force,” Matthias mutters. He adjusts his muscles so they’re loose and he can react in an instant if needed. Nina drops into the space beside him, using his shoulder as a pillow as she settles in like a cat that can get comfortable anywhere.
“I saved your life,” she says without opening her eyes.
He grunts and doesn’t let his smile emerge.
“The Wraith,” Kaz repeats, focusing on Wylan again. “What were you supposed to tell them?”
Wylan still looks nervous. “Well, I was supposed to pass on...a message...There’s a way to destroy it. A weakness.”
“A weakness?”
Wylan yanks at his hair. It’s useless to try to force him to remember more in his state. Matthias watches the trio of rebels to see what they’ll do at this obstacle.
“He didn’t tell me,” Wylan whispers, clearly realizing this might not endear him to his rescuers at this point. “I was supposed to...bring someone back. They wanted...they wanted someone to rescue them, and they would share the weakness. I was just supposed to be the messenger. It wasn’t supposed to happen like this. It wasn’t supposed to happen like this.”
Kaz scowls and glances at the girl who looks at the man in the pilot’s seat, all having some sort of silent conversation. Matthias watches the interaction with interest.
“Where is this base?” Kaz finally moves closer, crouching so he can look Wylan in the eyes.
“Eadu.”
Matthias vaguely recalls the outpost. Far from most of the known universe, it’s one of the Empire’s research bases. There’s not a huge platoon placed there for protection. It’s a secret base, kept out of the way, and by necessity sees few changes in personnel. There were a couple training missions on the planet to diversify the team’s experiences and analyze security procedures.
“We don’t have anyone on Eadu,” the girl notes.
“Because Eadu’s on lockdown. Nothing in or out that isn’t high level.” The boy flying the craft throws over his shoulder. “Out of the flight academy, I only stopped there once because they needed a supply run immediately. They didn’t even let me off the shuttle. To be a pilot there, you’d have to have some pretty impressive clearance.”
Matthias alters his assessment of the crew that got them off Jedha. To get through the Imperial Flight Academy is impressive. The man also demonstrated impressive aim and combat skills. Despite not being highly regimented, they do appear to be a solid team. He glances down at Nina.
“So in order to get the information on the weakness, we have to go to Eadu,” the girl says. She’s twirling a knife in her hands, one with a true steel blade like he hasn’t seen in ages. Her comfort with it is another mark in their favor.
“Jesper’s right. It’s impenetrable. We haven’t managed to get anyone on the inside.” Kaz taps his fingers on the head of his cane.
“So we go.” The girl shrugs. “We redirect. We need to find a way to beat this thing or millions more are going to die.”
“Procedure is to report for further orders. We’ve got the pilot.” Kaz looks at her with a heavy look.
“Matthias can help.” Nina elbows him as she speaks up.
He scowls down at her as everyone turns to stare at him. She didn’t even bother to open her eyes to betray him.
“I’m not a traitor.” Matthias glares at the lot of them.
“You’ll help,” Nina says with a self-assuredness he’s come to hate over the last couple of years. Because as irksome as it is, she’s usually right about these things. They both know it.
“We’re supposed to just trust a stranger on your word?” Jesper asks.
“Get twisted, Fahey. You know my word is good.”
Kaz and the woman - whose name Matthias still doesn’t know - have another silent conversation. She turns to look at him, her eyes speculative. Kaz leans closer to her. “You think you can do this?”
She doesn’t take his eyes from Matthias. Her knives continue the casual twisting in her hand. She shrugs and looks back at the mastermind. “It is our kind of job.”
Kaz nods. “Jesper, alter course. Van Eck, help get him close without being seen. Matthias, you need to tell us everything you know, and quickly.”
“Why should I?”
“Because if you don’t, I’m going to make your life very unpleasant.”
“How do you even know the pilot is right? How do you know there really is a weakness? This could be a trap.” It sounds like the kind of thing Jarl Brum would think up to capture Rebel spies.
“Faith,” Nina says. “This is the right choice.” She finally sits up and stretches.
Matthias rolls his eyes at her religious display. He sighs. “I can tell you what I know. It could still be a trap.”
“The pilot is Wylan Van Eck. He’s on my list of potential informants. He became an Imperial pilot because of familial connections. It’s how he has access to sensitive information. We know they’re working on something on Eadu. If this is what he says, then we need that information.” The girl explains it in an even voice.
“And if there isn’t a secret weakness?”
Kaz and Inej exchange a long look.
“Then we find another way to blow it up,” Jesper supplies.
Matthias isn’t sure he likes the looks of glee on their faces.
“So how do we get in?”
The girl turns to look at Matthias, her dark eyes just the slightest bit terrifying now that he’s actually getting a good chance to size her up. She tends to fade into the background and let her comrades take charge, but definitely is not to be underestimated. He stares at her and then glances at Kaz.
“Inej is a ghost,” Nina says. “She can get in and out without anyone noticing.”
He looks her over, still assessing. This moment, more than any in the last two years of surviving, feels like he’s standing on the edge of a cliff. The last two years he could justify to his superiors: he was surviving a hostile planet, he had to get close to Nina or he would have died, he was trying to learn the secrets of the Rebel scum. This was different. If he does this, he’s helping the Rebel cause. He’s actively going against everything he’s ever learned.
Nina hits him in the shoulder, as if sensing his internal conflict. She twists upright to look at him and raises an eyebrow in challenge.
He can hear her voice in his head, berating him for his strict no-nonsense rules and his consuming hatred for anything that goes against the order of the Empire. There were countless debates as they marched through Jedha, each an intellectual exercise. He can honestly say that he doesn’t believe the Empire is never wrong, but is that enough to make him give up their secrets?
“They murdered everyone in Jedha,” she whispers to him softly. “Lin, Mauri, Katya…” She closes her eyes against the pain.
He wants to wrap her in his arms and pull her close. Nina feels everything so deeply, unable to stop herself from connecting with everyone she meets. He wants to protect from that pain, to comfort her. Those lives lost today. They were innocents. People that should have been protected and instead…
He opens his eyes and nods his agreement to Nina.
She grins, life and joy filling her back up as she bounces around in her seat, the way she gets excited whenever they found something reasonably sweet on Jedha. “Matthias meet Inej. Inej, meet Matthais. He’s a little shy but he knows what’s at stake.”
It’s like shedding a piece of armor or throwing off the last vestiges of who he once was. There’s no turning back now, and he has surprisingly little regret as he opens his eyes and asks the first damning question: “Where do you want to start?”
...
Look out for Part II on 9/9!
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Legendarily Preposterous - 2
It has been close to a year since Don Armage had been defeated, and the newly (re-)elected President of the Space Federation, Ohtori Tsurugi, faced a different kind of battle from the ones he experienced both as a legendary warrior who fought Don Armage the first time, and as a Kyuranger.
Ao3 I FFN
--------
"Do you think Tsurugi and Kotaro are going to be alright?" Hammie questioned worriedly.
Every member of the Kyurangers, sans Kotaro and Tsurugi, gathered at the Orion Battleship, orbiting above the Earth. They were worried for their technically eldest and youngest members of the team.
It had come as a surprise for the recently promoted supreme commander of Rebellion, Shou Ronpo, and the Orion's commander, Stinger, when Tsurugi delivered the news to them.
Tsurugi had also explained Kotaro's circumstances with the accusation made by well-meaning but narrow-minded Earthlings, which explained a lot of things about Kotaro, according to Stinger.
"They'll be fine," Lucky assured the team. "Kotaro knows us, he knew that we'd never let him do something he did not want to."
"According to Tsurugi, Kotaro cannot testify for himself," Raptor pointed out. "Tsurugi would be in there facing it alone."
"W-why?" Hammie questioned.
"I see, they fear that we might have brainwashed Kotaro into fighting with us." Stinger offered.
"Mama Mia!" Spada exclaimed. "If we did that, we'd be no better than Don Armage himself."
"Don't worry about Kotaro," Champ voiced his opinion. "He's a lot more level-headed than anyone would give him credit."
"That's true, garu," Garu agreed. "Even when we were captured by Akyanbaa, he did not panic but kept on calling out for Naga."
"I'm so sorry for that," Naga apologized once more.
"Don't worry about it, garu," Garu shook his head. "I'd like to think that you did what Stinger did to Kotaro and his brother back when he was still a spy."
"It's all in the past now, Naga." Balance assured his friend. "You were not in control of yourself, then."
"I agree with Champ, we need not worry for Kotaro or Tsurugi." Shou voiced out. "Tsurugi is a capable man, I'm sure he'll tell us how legendary this one would be."
"For the meantime, I'm cooking us a meal for when Kotaro and Tsurugi come here and bring us the good news."
As the Kyurangers baited their breaths, waiting for the outcome of this so-called trial was. As they waited, they played catch up with one another.
Lucky had installed Jiiya as his advisor, and officer in charge for whenever he's out of the Leo system, traveling, helping people acclimate themselves to a life without Don Armage or the Jark Matter.
Garu has made plans of joining Lucky in the near future, as soon as he had sorted everything in his home planet.
Shou was promoted to Supreme Commander of the Rebellion
Spada began preparations for his restaurant on Earth after visiting his family on his home planet.
Hammie had visited her loved ones before entering college for a full degree in education.
Champ began his quest of becoming the next robot wrestling champion.
Stinger was busy patrolling the different star systems with Kotaro as soon as he was promoted to commander of the Orion Battleship.
Raptor went from being Shou's assistant to Tsurugi's assistant to becoming Stinger's assistant. She dutifully informed Stinger of anything and everything with regards to the matters of the universe, especially distress signals or remnants of the Jark Matter army.
Balance and Naga were also with Stinger, Raptor, and Kotaro. As the others patrolled, the two of them began researching and retrieving the different treasures that were lost in the wake of Don Armage's rule
"Ne, Raptor, I can't stand it any longer! Can you let us view the broadcast of Tsurugi's case?" Hammie exclaimed impatiently. "I'm really worried."
"No need to worry," The supreme commander assured. "The people of Earth are accusing Tsurugi of child endangerment because Kotaro has fought alongside us, which put his life at risk." He added.
"Then why was Tsurugi the only subject to that accusation?" Lucky asked. "While I asked everyone to risk their lives to defeat Don Armage, I still allowed him to participate instead of asking him to give his kyutama to Stinger."
"It's probably because all of us aren't Earthlings." Stinger voiced his answer. "If the Earthlings assumed that that the majority of us are from Earth, we would probably face the same accusations."
"Stinger is right," Raptor nodded. "They excused our letting Kotaro joining us as 'ignorant to Earth laws and customs'," She added. "Despite there being an ancient saying that goes "ignorance of the law excuses no one."
"Talk about luck!" Lucky exclaimed.
"What's so lucky about this?" Hammie questioned.
"Things are easier for Tsurugi." Lucky grinned raising his fists into the air.
"What do you mean, garu?"
"We're a team; we provide each other with backup." Lucky grinned. "What we did was not child endangerment, but ensured Kotaro's safety."
"I don't follow, garu."
"What Lucky means is that, by letting Kotaro join instead of sending him home, we ensured his safety and wellbeing as opposed to letting him fight Jark Matter alone." Shou paraphrased Lucky's explanation.
"Oui, no dish is served with only one ingredient." Spada nodded. "It needs other ingredients for one ingredient to work."
"Raptor, tune in to the broadcast," Shou ordered the pink android. "The trial should be over by now."
Raptor nodded as she input a few commands on her tablet before a holographic screen appeared before everyone that reported the aftermath of said trial.
"Ohtori Tsurugi has been found not guilty of child endangerment after he pointed out that Sakuma Kotaro could have fought all on his own without the backup of his fellow Kyurangers." A female reporter stated.
"Talk about lucky!" Lucky exclaimed, pumping both of his fists in the air.
"That's a relief." Hammie sighed. "I hope nothing like this ever happens again." She whined.
"Oui." Spada agreed. "I think I'm going to cook Kotaro's favorite dishes not found on Earth to celebrate."
"That's a great idea!" Hammie agreed.
"Shush, it's not over yet." Shou silenced the group.
"President Ohtori was already in the middle of his defense when a child stood up in his defense," The reporter continued. "The boy claimed that people, some were even present in the trial today, had thrown stones at the Kyurangers, one of the stones almost hit Sakuma-kun, if not for his fellow Kyurangers."
"Jiro," A small smile adorned Stinger's face.
"Kotaro is really an intelligent child," Champ nodded. "Probably leagues above his peers on Earth."
"Of course," Shou nodded. "Rebellion HQ has been singing him praises because of how quick he can process things, even when he was accelerating through everything."
"What do you mean, garu?" Garu asked to clear away his confusion. "How do you know it was Jiro who said those?"
"Simple, Kotaro is just brilliant like that." Champ nodded.
"Long story, short, Kotaro had his brother relay his brother's version of the events," Stinger supplied.
"That would really help Tsurugi's case, especially since Jiro did not condemn or praise us, which they assumed Kotaro would do the latter in part of being supposedly brainwashed." The draconian supreme commander explained.
"It makes me wonder," Naga voiced out. "What was the use of our Kyuranger licenses if Tsurugi is just going to be accused of child endangerment?"
"Right!" Hammie exclaimed. "I actually forgot about our Kyuranger licenses!"
"That is true, even Kotaro's got one." Balance nodded.
"According to the child wellbeing committee, there was no question about the legality of our licenses." Raptor informed. "They only have an issue with Kotaro joining and getting a license to be a Kyuranger.
"I guess that makes sense," Champ nodded. "Earthlings have their own sense of justice."
#uchuu sentai kyuranger#kyuranger#king lucky#prince lucky#lucky (kyuranger)#shou ronpo#hammie (kyuranger)#naga ray#balance (kyuranger)#spada (kyuranger)#raptor 283#champ (kyuranger)#stinger (kyuranger)#garu (kyuranger)#story
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Restoration (Final Automata)
More speculation about that Final Rose x NieR: Automata idea.
Assuming that all goes well with Remnant opening a portal to Earth, how would things progress?
I think then obvious one would be military aid and restoration assistance in exchange for access to resources and technology. Simply put, Earth has a lot of resources, and the machines have advanced technology, as do the androids. Remnant is also extremely good at waging total war. They’ve been doing it for centuries. Their entire culture and civilisation is built on being able to wage large-scale warfare while still having a functioning society that continues to grow and innovate.
Moreover, Remnant has access to advanced cyber warfare and weapons specially designed to deal with large, heavily armoured foes. It would be trivially easy for them to simply start switching to catalysed-corrosion rounds. Vanille already has these since they were part of her ‘in case of robot apocalypse’ research. Basically, they’re rounds that cause extremely rapid and widespread corrosion in targets made of metal. They’ve since been refined by people like Diana and Hope to deal with certain types of threats (e.g., rogue mechs, metal-using Grimm, etc.) although their use is strictly controlled.
Earth also potentially gives Remnant a failsafe. If Remnant falls and the Grimm take over, they could potentially retreat to Earth and blow the portal up behind them, ensuring that at least some of their civilisation survives even though there is no way they’d be able to evacuate everyone through the portal in time.
The big thing for the androids, even bigger than helping them win the war against the machines, is the ability to restore mankind and Earth’s damaged ecosystem. The androids lack the ability to create a living human with the genetic information they currently possess. Not only does Remnant have actual living humans (albeit not exactly the same as Earth’s) but they also have stupidly advanced genetic science.
Remnant, remember, has developed reproductive science to the point where two men or two women can easily have children that are 100% genetically theirs. They have access to artificial wombs for babies to gestate in, and they possess sufficient skill to piece together badly fragmented genetic matrices or even genetic matrices that are missing entire chunks. They will be able to bring humanity back, and they will be able to do so on an industrial scale once proper facilities have been established. Really, the only reason you don’t see this on Remnant is due to their population already being close to the maximum they can support without seizing more territory, a process that cannot and should not be rushed.
Of course, there are issues. First and foremost is the portal. The initial portal was an accident. Once Asami and the androids build a beacon on Earth, they will be able to stabilise it, but the current portal is small and in Vanille’s lab. If the androids and Remnant can come to an agreement, you would see the construction of much larger portals on both Earth and Remnant in more easily accessible but defensible locations. This would allow for the transportation of troops, supplies, and other equipment on a far more appropriate scale.
The second issue is Dust. In Finale Rose, Dust operates via its connection to the Lifestream since Dust is actually just a crystallised fragment of the Lifestream. This is why Dust mines can regenerate, and why Dust has such a wide variety of types and effects. The reason Dust doesn’t operate in space is because it is too far from the Lifestream, which saturates the planet from its surface through to its core.
Although the exact mechanics of this are not known at the time (Asami is 22 when this occurs, placing it five years after Ruby first started at Beacon Senior Academy), research has uncovered several things. Experimentation with space probes and various kinds of Dust has already revealed the existence of ‘seeds’, which are a special type of Dust that is found only in the densest, richest veins of the Lifestream. Testing has shown that when put into space with satellites and the like, Seeds allow Dust in their vicinity to operate properly.
What Vanille and the others don’t know yet is that seeds are literally seeds. They are the means by which Living Planets like Remnant spread. Volcanic eruptions and other natural events hurl huge chunks of rock containing seeds and other forms of Dust into space where they travel until crashing into another planet. They then begin a new Lifestream on that planet.
In a bid to ensure Dust works on Earth, Remnant’s forces will transport a seed to Earth... only for it to immediately take root and begin to spread. This can occur incredibly rapidly if the seed is fed Aura and other resources, something that Vanille and the others begin to do as they understand what is happening. Given all of the magical/technological weirdness in NieR, this wouldn’t be considered that weird for the androids, and it’s a price they’d be willing to pay to get humanity back, especially since it isn’t harmful to humans.
So what happens after the alliance is made and all that jazz?
Phase 1
Here, the key objective is to set up a safe-zone where the larger portal can be built. This will involve obliterating local machine forces and fortifying the area. Once this has been done, the new portal can be built and construction can begin on the facilities needed to support the war effort and the restoration effort in earnest.
Phase 2
Once a sufficiently large swathe of territory has been claimed and made safe, construction of a ‘Restoration Facility’ can begin. The aim of this facility is to serve as the nexus of the genetic research and reproductive science efforts needed to restore Earth’s humanity. You can expect this to become the most heavily defended location on Earth with the android moving the majority of their assets there to defend it.
Phase 3
Here, you can expect the machines to launch an offensive once they realise the scale of the new threat. This is where Remnant’s excellence in siege warfare and willingness to use weapons of mass destruction comes into play. By this point, you can expect multiple lines of defence, huge quantities of artillery and anti-air defences, and automated defences backed up by cyber and chemical warfare, infantry anda armour support, and the androids.
You can expect Remnant’s best and brightest minds to accelerate the theft and repurposing of machine technology along with massively increased cyber attacks on the machine’s network and key nodes. This, combined with the use of massive area-of-effect EMP style weaponry, will prove key to first blunting and then repelling the machine onslaught.
The renewed war against the machines will eventually be won via subversion with the Synthetics (led by Penny and Aigis) and friendly machines (e.g., Pascal) succeeding in splintering the machine forces by offering freedom and free together with protection from the ‘vaccination’ attempts that would previously have culled any dissenters from the network. The fracture in the machine’s unity will be sufficient for the allied Remnant and android forces to strike a series of decisive hammer blows, destroying key machine facilities and units as well as inflict major damage to the network via cyber attack. Throughout all of this, downed machine units are being refurbished and sent back into battle on Remnant’s behalf.
Phase 4
With the machine forces largely in retreat or at least driven back, the territory claimed by Remnant and the androids is expanded and further fortified. The research into restoring humanity reaches fruition. Generation 1 of the new humans begins gestation in a deep, underground bunker built beneath the Restoration Facility. The androids assign additional forces to its defence.
Generation 1 consists of 100 infants selected using the fragmented samples and limited data the androids were able to provide. The intent is to produce a group with as much genetic diversity as possible while maximising survivability and minimising any genetic predispositions toward illness. Gestation time is approximately 9 months.
Generation 2 enters gestation three months after Generation 1, long enough for any problems to be detected. Generation 2 consists of 200 infants. This sets a trend, with subsequent generations doubling the number of infants and occurring in roughly one-year-long cycles.
Phase 5
With new humans being born, it becomes necessary to see to their care and education. This present the androids with a problem since they know essentially zero about raising children. Again, Remnant is of service here.
Creches are set up near the Restoration Facility where the newborn humans can be raised and later educated. At this point, this compound is the most heavily fortified location on Earth, and many of the people from Remnant remark upon the essentially religious awe with which it and the newborn humans are regarded.
Specialists from Remnant are brought in to help teach the androids how to care for and raise the new humans. This process is a difficult one as the androids are unsure of themselves and terrified of somehow accidentally destroying what they have gained. Nevertheless, they persist, and the androids gradually grow into their role as mothers/fathers and educators. It becomes common practice for androids to cycle in and out of combat roles and creche roles since research has noted that this markedly increases combat effectiveness. The androids are no longer fighting in pursuit of a dream but in the defence of a priceless treasure they have finally obtained.
Onwards...
So, you can kind of see how things will go. The fledgling society will have many challenges ahead of it, not least the fact that most of Earth’s human culture has been lost, necessitating a ‘filling of the gaps’ with the culture of the androids and Remnant.
You’ll also see the construction of more and more androids as both soldiers and more specialised roles (e.g., educator models, etc.). This timelines does have a few interesting tweaks in it.
Fraise and Satin meet on Earth. Fraise is a senior member of the genetic and reproductive sciences team whilst Satin is there as an educator (keep in mind that Fraise is 11 years younger than Asami).
Asami ends up being venerated as the harbinger of good fortune. Quite a few infants end up named after her.
Philosophy becomes a subject of great interest amongst androids, friendly machines, and synthetics with many conferences and symposia taking place as they come to grips with their new reality.
The final battle against JENOVA is won far more easily with the androids deploying en masse to aid their beleaguered allies.
The expansion into space happens simultaneously across both worlds with the Earth faction referring to itself as the HAM Alliance (Human-Android-Machine Alliance). The name is something of an in-joke amongst the leaders of the three groups.
HAM stumbles across Protean Ruins on Mars...
Final Effect is thus very different with HAM and its Remnant Allies having a much tougher war against the Reapers this time around (due to how early it occurs in their history) followed by them hilariously ROFLStomping them the second time around in the Remnant-side since by then they’ve advanced even more rapidly than in the normal Final Effect timeline.
EDIT: Let me know what you think. I basically just threw this together in one sort of flow-of-consciousness sitting.
EDIT 2: I should add (in case anyone missed it) that Aura counter White Chlorination Syndrome, and in particular, a planet’s Lifestream has a similar effect for all living things within its range. As a result, a repeat of the WCS cannot occur on Earth now that it has a Lifestream. Moreover, the science required to create the portal can be used to shield against a similar intrusion should anyone attempt it in the future. White maso is far less harmful when cut off from its parent dimension since that cuts off its link with the ‘god’ that causes WCS, rendering it a toxic irritant but not anything especially deadly. This is discovered in the years following the construction of the portal as Vanille, Raine, Diana, and the gang go all Indiana Jones on the ancient records and ruins. In an emergency, you could even start implanting shards of seeds into the bodies of humans without Aura to protect them.
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Care to Make a Wager? (SVSSS Fic)
Summery: No System AU: In which Airplane finds he has a new lease in life, but of course it would have a cost. Of course, being the creator of this world gives him quiet the price cut. Not to mention the untended bonus content.
Still, he did not expect the direction his life would go.
(Warning: mentions of death, violence, and most stuff you could find in SVSSS Canon. You should be good, but here is a just in case.)
---
When one Airplane Shooting Towards the Sky was reborn, he really wanted to curse his lot in life. Sure, he had been born into a rather well off Merchant Family, but when the Lord of the Family has two Official Wives and a crap ton of Mistresses on the side, things were bound to get crazy.
Luckily one Shang Huan had one hell of a Mother; in another life, Airplane might have described her as a ‘killer queen or a ‘boss ass bitch’, but as his mother, he just thought of her as the most amazing woman on the planet. As it was, She alongside a whole bunch of tutors taught him everything he needed to know about the world and then some.
(Sewing was a bitch to get right.)
But with those lessons, it didn’t take long for Shang Huan to realize he was in his own fucking novel; it had not been a happy realization, making him break out into a truly childish tantrum, filled with screaming and tears that only calmed after he was given some delicious melon seeds.
(Luckily it had been attributed to wanting a snack after a morning full of lessons, otherwise he probably would have gotten the switch for it...)
But with all this knowledge of his place in life now with him, Shang Huan needed to start planning; good thing that was one of his specialties.
Noting down every bit of information he could, Shang Huan mapped out as much items and cheats he could afford to take from the Protagonist, as well as places he could and couldn’t go, hazel eyes narrowed as he messily scratched out his plots with his trusty quill and journal. The many lessons he Mother made him go through only helped to sharpen him, as well as learn the world’s common sense.
He was having a good go at it, building himself up as much as he could before something completely from left stage truly changed his course.
“There is a legend of Dreaming Glory, said to be a treasure to ensure great health and excellent rest. Though be cautious, for it is guarded carefully by the spirit of a Felled Divine Beast, angry and resentful of the betrayal it had faced.” was a tale a wandering storyteller spun, a group of children ooooing and awwwwing at the right places, even as Airplane felt his jaw drop at the information, focusing more on those words then the candy his mother allowed him to buy at one of the festival stalls.
See, while the Legend of the Dreaming Glory was definitely right at home with this world, it actually hadn’t been anywhere in Proud Immortal Demon Way; it had been in one of his earlier short stories, where Airplane had been practicing with the Xianxia/Xuanhuan genres (and didn’t need to rely on it, dreaming more of the theater then writing). (Until a mugging gone wrong and dreams cut short-)
This... opened a few more roads then expected, especially if all his fantasy stories came into play, as there had been a lot of experimentation with plots and ideas until he hit his cash cow with PIDW. After all, taking something from the protagonist was always going to be a risk of somehow getting his attention, no matter how much the man wouldn’t actually need it.
(After all, showing off had always been a part of Luo Binghe’s character; showing that he was no longer the penniless street kid, no longer the weak disciple, no longer the one who was always pushed around, but now the one who can take.)
It also meant more research; thankfully, his Mother was one to always encourage more in the way of learning, thankfully humoring all the ‘trips’ he wished to take.... In hindsight, he probably should have questioned why she was always willing to take him and go, but at the time was just thankful that he could indeed confirm places he would need to visit later and squirrel away items that were within his reach. (An actual legit Cultivation Manuel, even if it was only directed for growing crops and alchemy, was still his most proudest find, only needing a riddle to get and easily hidden in his pouch with his other learning books. Being an Author only got him so far, as every little detail was needed to ensure one stayed on a steady path, though did provide it’s own little boosts here and there.)
------=------
One day, when Shang Huan had been 13, sneakily already past the first part of Cultivation Qi Refining and entering into the first stage of Foundation Building, found his Mother to be ill, no Doctors seeming to be able to cure her (or willing too as he saw a servant of the Second Wife slip a few gold; he got his revenge in the end), Shang Huan took a deep breath and buckled down, doing all that his Mother said to do with the time she had left, learning as much as he could before it would no longer be open to him.
(Like he could stay here in this den of vipers, without his Mother’s protection and love; there was nothing else for him here after all.)
In that time as his Mother stubbornly clung on, he listened as she mourned his chance to enter into the prestigious Cultivation Sect of Cang Qiong like the First Wife’s Third Son, Shang Shaoqing. She apologized greatly that she could not fight for him to get that chance, like so many of the other Mistresses did for their own children.
‘Huh,’ Airplane couldn’t help but think, ‘looks like I just dodged a arrow.’ though it was good to finally know just what the timeline was for the story; Shang Shaoqing was to be a certain traitorous Peak Lord after all.
As it was, his Mother showed her determination and spirit greatly, lasting till he was 16 before she finally past away, a smile on her face as she did, her son long gone with his inheritance and her blessing of broken ties, carrying her name meaning of Shang instead of his Father’s.
(If the night before, Shang Huan had decided to tell her of his other life, told her how this was a story he had happened to read, showing her a few of the treasure he had gathered, how he cried when Shang Wenyan had only smiled with a few too many teeth, her voice fierce as she praised her son with all her heart, hugging him close with what remained of her strength as she told him her last words.
“Live life however you want my child, live and dream and hope, do not be afraid to destroy any your way, and know I will love you always my greatest pride and joy.”
Well... no one needed to know about that.)
But with this new freedom came it’s cons as much as it’s pros. As he was stuck at a bottleneck in Foundation Building at Middle Stage, there was still a number of things outside his reach until at least Core Formation First Stage...
------=------
It was during his wandering, selling talismans he could make at his level, along with tales he made up that he finally got his big break.
He first heard tales of a powerful Resentful Spirit that was residing in a broken land near the Borders, no one from Demons to Humans wanting the land as it was deemed useless for all the resentful energy there, and no one bothering to pay a sect for what they considered a waste of money and time.
Shang Huan saw this, and wonder if it was what he recognized... Taking in more details and scoping out for any information, Airplane couldn’t help but wonder how lucky it was; this was indeed a spirit from one of his very first stories in fact. He knew exactly what to do.
Instead of fighting the Resentful Spirit, Shang Huan brought it pure cave water and incense, smelling of ash and jasmine.
This certainly got the Spirit’s attention.
“What do you want Rogue?”
“I want for many things to be honest.” the brunet Cultivator smiled, not showing any teeth so as to make it look falsely gentle, “But for now, I admit I do desire your land.”
That got a huff for his efforts, the spirit a mass of negativity and ire, but actually still listening.
“You have provided the right offering, so I will give you a chance; bring me wine of the Soothing Jade Flower, the Broken Sword of Chun, and a branch of Deathly Yew... You get me these three things, and the land will be yours.” And with that shopping list given, the spirit was gone, even as the energy seemed thicker then before, the incense and water gone.
And with an absolutely evil grin, Airplane was off; he had already remembered the Wine and branch, had even gotten them first as he had plans for them, but he had not remembered the broken blade.
Fortunately, it wasn’t too hard to find; he had written that the blade had been struck with a heavy stone in a battle between Demons and Cultivators on the borders of the land, where it would lay forever. And lo and behold, there was only one ancient battlefield it could be abandoned in, as this was PIDW.
There weren’t many left over from the borders after all, most of them being purified already. And as he thought, the Bloody Sword Grave was still around, a testament to just how much the resentful energy had soaked into the ground, demons and cultivators alike avoiding the place like the plague, even as bloody rusted swords stayed stabbed into the ground, their thirst and hatred still felt even to this day.
Couldn’t be compared to Xin Mo of course, but for being swords on the surface they sure were impressive. Ignoring all these deadly, intact blades stabbed into the ground, Shang Huan covered his face with a scarf drenched in purified Qi infused water, even as the talisman he sewed on for defense and purity glowed the more he traveled through.
He finally stopped at a blood splattered rock, digging carefully around it as he did, before he managed to pull out four broken pieces of what had once been a beautiful blade, but was now nothing but shambles and rags.
Having what he needed, Airplane made his way back to the spirit and their lands.
------=------
(This deadly spirit of a truly terrible Cultivator, who had been feared and revered for being a monster on the battlefield... cried as they saw the items laid out before them.
“Ah, no my Han-Er, my beloved figher... why you stupid, loveable fool...” The Spirit sobbed, easily using his energy to clean and reformed the blade, manipulating the energies of the other two items to aid it, ensuring the sword would still be pure, hugging it close even as it seemed to damage them.
“... He tried, to come back to you; his fellow soldiers betrayed him... He loved you so much... still does.” Shang spoke, watching as the spirit that laid resting in the blade finally came out with this truth, purifying the other as they did, along with most of the land around them.
The brunet had to look away from their reunion, their emotions a bit too much for him... This had been one of his first tragedies he had written, a solider and their beloved separated because of jealousy and hate, doomed to wait for each other forever, the solution to be so easy to have, if someone had given them a bit of kindness, to discover the truth of their separation, though never given the chance in the end... He never mention just what the Beloved’s gender was, made it ambiguous, but had in his mind of minds always thought of them as a man...
Maybe he shouldn’t have put too much of himself into his work, but a habit is so hard to break.
“... We truly thank you; as promised, the land is now yours to do with as you see fit; all you need to do is put your name on the deed and your blood into the ward stone. All the treasures inside are now rightfully in your ownership, so mote it be.” was announced, making Shang Huan turn to see two beautiful and handsome men smiling at him, before they bowed seeing they had his attention.
Airplane could only bow back, biting on the words of how he owed to them to do this at least.
And with that, they were gone, to enter finally into the cycle of reincarnation, together at last...)
------=------
Having his own place was wonderful; a lot of work, but wonderful all the same.
The wards around his land ensured no one with malice could actually enter it, along with protections against thieves and robbers like most noble Sects had. Shang Huan even went as far as to make sure he owned the plot of land in the official records, having everything stamped and recognized, even as he made sure no one actually looked too closely at what land it actually was.
He even made sure to pay his yearly taxes to the Emperor on time, making sure everything was nicely recorded and logged. (And seeing as he didn’t live in any town or such, he didn’t have to bother paying anything to any Lords for protection! How nice was that?)
But having a base of operations, one with land rich in Qi and perfect for Cultivating on, it not only gave Airplane security, but many other advantages as well.
He now had a place to securely put all the treasures he had gathered, which was a lot considering it was a variety of weapons, valuables, and even priceless seeds to plant. He could be completely self-sufficient as he cultivated, the spirits on the land easily convinced to do chores in exchange for sweets and treats (And being able to live in such a energy rich place). Not to mention how his Cultivation not only went up, but combined with other manuals that were treasures of the home, Shang was set on his way to being a powerful Cultivator in his own right.
And if he was feeling a bit cooped up, he could always go on journeys around his world, exploring and treasure hunting for odds and ends as he saw fit.
Soon enough, Shang Huan had managed to reach 34 years old, entering the Peak of Nascent Soul stage in his cultivation when, in a bit of boredom and interest, he bought out a debt ridden gambling house on the border of his territory, that rested in a ghost-like town on the border of the Human World and the Demon Realm.
It was, quiet frankly, just something to do to pass the time. It wasn’t too hard to fix the place up, and warding it had been a fun challenge of his skills, but he honestly hadn’t expected anything much of it, just putting a few of his lessor needed or easily replenished treasure up to be won. And making it to where anything bet could only be what one had to bet, alongside making sure others would have to honor it had been a fun spell to create, as he really didn’t want to be bothered by liars and braggarts and then having to chase them down. He even just made up some Golems and bargained with a few willing natural spirits to help run the place.
This was just suppose to be a fun little venture; he never expected it to blow up like it did.
------=------
It started slow; a trickle, with a whisper, a simple rumor.
There is a place where priceless treasure could be won; if you’re willing to bet for it that is. But be careful to not bite off more then you can chew, for it might be more then a bit of blood and coins you lose.
Some poor sods have even lost their very souls to the place, even now working where screams and laughter flow so freely to the terrible click the dice, the gentle flap of the cards.
It is a place no Mortal is safe, where no Demon has promise, where a Cultivator is honor bound to accept what is due; after all, no one has to enter the place, no one needs to keep coming back, no one has to bet their all, not all all.
But oh, how they come; even those who dare not darken the doorway of that gambling hall come, filling what was once an empty town into one practically bustling with life. Funny, how it came about because of such a deadly place.
And oh, do not even bother messing with the Gilded Plane Gambling Hall’s Owner, a man who at first seems so weak and stumbling, so gentle and busy with their hard work, who at first couldn’t hurt a fly even as he smiles so prettily.
He’ll smile that same smile even as you sell your very soul at his tables, those gorgeous hazel eyes amused even as the crowds pant at his feet, screams all around from both terror and ecstasy.
(Shang Huan can’t help but sigh, pinching the bridge of his nose as he is once more offered someone’s entire being; if he’s said it once, he’s said it again, betting is at the tables, not at his feet.
Just another day it seems; hopefully there will be no explosions in the kitchen again.)
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0.0 huh, I did not expect this when I started writing; I just wanted to have Airplane have some fun in the world he created, maybe opening up a few businesses to make money on the side. I did not mean to make him into an oblivious Hua Cheng of the PIDW verse (Yes, in this verse, he will be as terrifying and pretty, I will not take criticism for it.)
Also, I was greatly inspired by Nighthaunting, though instead of ballet I have SQH as a theatre kid whose dreams got cut short due to bad luck and assholes. I love how they have built their world, and how they say that writing was probably a side thing for Airplane, which just makes so much sense. Also, I am all for Airplane being scary and fully taking advantage of his author knowledge, so haha! Hope you all enjoyed this story~
#SVSSS#Scum Villain Self Saving System#Scum Villain Self-Saving System#Shang Qinghua#Airplane Shooting Towards the Sky#Wager (SVSSS) Verse#SVSSS Fic
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night visit
Obi-Wan Kenobi x Jedi!reader
reader is fem!
Description: Obi-Wan finds out about your favorite pastime.
Word count: ~3.6k
Warnings: a tiiiiiny bit of jealous Obi-Wan, pining, possibility for a part two??
Update: here’s part two :)
A/N: Here’s my first attempt at writing for our dear Obi-Wan! I love him so very much, he’s up there with Anakin for me, and I’ve been wanting to write for him for some time now. I hope I did him justice!
I know paper and books in general are rare in the Star Wars universe, especially those not relating to ancient texts and such, but for the sake of this piece, they’re a bit more common. Rare still, but not impossible to find. As always, let me know what you all think!! Also, I did some research into Ryloth for the fic, but everything is not accurate!!!
P.S. my requests are open! Please feel free to drop any requests in my asks! If you wonder who I write for, don’t hesitate to ask (I am still deciding who I will write for myself)!
gif credit to owner
——
For how extensive the Jedi Temple Library is, it still amazes you how limited the selection can be. Well, at least it seems limited for your liking. Which is why you currently find yourself in a dusty shop in the lower levels of Coruscant, standing on your tiptoes in an attempt to reach a deep emerald colored spine that caught your eye the moment you looked at the bookcase. You’d been happy to find this place, a small shop that stores many rare finds. In your case, it had something you always tried to get your hands on when possible: books.
You try not to swear under your breath as you’re mere centimeters away from grabbing the book from the top shelf of the wall. You could use the Force to bring it down, but then again it’s so close...
At the sound of the shop owner’s voice behind you, you break concentration and jump back a bit, your efforts of reaching the book gone.
“If I could offer you some help?”
You turn to look at the older looking Sullustan’s, a thankful smile on your face. “That would be wonderful. I was aiming at getting the emerald book.”
You point at the book, and with a nod the Sullustan heads over to the bookcase, a small stool held by his right hand. He places it down, climbs on, and plucks the book from the shelf, handing it to your awaiting hands. You thank the Sullustan, smiling as your eyes land on the sturdy cover.
“That’s a good pick,” the shop owner says. “It’s about the writer’s life, how she overcame obstacles and helped her home world prosper. I am sure you will enjoy it.”
“I look forward to reading it, then.”
After spending some more time looking through the other books the shop held, you exit the small establishment with three new additions to your collection. You consider the trip to be a success, and once you are on your speeder, you take out your data pad from your bag, writing down the location of the shop for future reference.
Back at the Jedi temple, you quickly make your way to your quarters before a scheduled briefing with Master Aayla Secura, Master Mace Windu, and Master Plo Koon. You make sure to keep the bag containing your new treasures underneath your robe. Jedi were meant to have no possessions, and though you were sure having a few books shouldn’t be a problem, you hadn’t had any objections about it yet. You’d like to keep it that way.
You reach your quarters, walking in just to drop off the bag and immediately head to the meeting room. Within a few minutes, you arrive, just in time by the looks of it. The three Jedi look up at your arrival, each giving you their form of greeting. They are standing around a holotable, a projection of another planet on display. You walk over to stand between Aayla and Master Plo Koon, ready for the meeting to begin
“Glad you could join us, Y/N,” Master Windu says, “we appreciate your flexibility given the short notice.”
“Of course,” you say, a small smile appearing on your lips to reassure them it’s no problem.
“There’s recently been some tensions resurfacing on Ryloth. Specifically with the Rylothians loyal to Senator Taa and those loyal to Cham Syndulla,” Master Windu explains. “General Kenobi and a few of his troops were sent to Ryloth to try to calm the tensions. The situation seems to have calmed, but we are sending you and Master Secura to Ryloth to deliver some relief supplies provided by the Republic as well as to assist help with any other tensions.”
You nod in understanding, looking over at Aayla, who takes over the next details of the mission. These types of missions were becoming more common for you. As the Clone Wars has thrown all of the Jedi Order onto the frontline, you were not exempt; however, your tendency to resort to negotiation tactics, spotted early on by your former Master Plo Koon and reflected by your green-toned saber, allowed you to see a bit less of the battle compared to other Jedi. In addition, your lack of being granted the title of Jedi Master as well as your lack of having a Padawan under your teachings meant you were usually assisting other Jedi who had their own troops. Though you were usually by Aayla’s side, it wasn’t uncommon for you to jump around helping other Jedi and their respective troops.
“We’ll be leaving now, that way we can have time on our side. It shouldn’t be a long stay, but we should plan to stay until the next rotation. Can you grab what you need and meet in the loading dock?” Aayla asks.
You nod once again, grabbing the data pad that is being handed to you by Master Plo Koon. “Of course, I’ll be there right away.”
“I hope this mission can continue helping you sharpen those negotiation skills, Y/N,” Master Plo Koon says. Though you’ve had some time not being his Padawan, he still looks out for you quite a bit.
“Of course, Master,” you say. “Thank you for continuing to help in my teachings.”
You say your goodbyes as the meeting is concluded. As Aayla walks in the direction of the dock, you quickly walk in the direction of your quarters. Walking in, you grab the first bag you see, stuffing the data pad in it along with a few things you think will be good to have for the stay.
You make your way quickly to the dock, seeing Aayla standing near the entrance of a cargo ship.
“The supplies are already loaded,” she informs you.
“Sounds good,” you say, and follow her into the ship.
Aayla instantly sits in the pilot seat, leaving you to take the seat next to her. You hold back a chuckle.
“I see you’re still taking your precautions from our last trip.”
A small smirk appears on Aayla’s face. “Anyone would try to limit your piloting after your last excuse for a landing.”
You can’t stop the laugh that leaves your lips. “Okay but, in my defense, we were ambushed. I think I made a good landing given the circumstances.”
“Tell that to the scraps of metal that remained of that ship.”
You laugh again, this time joined by Aayla. Your fellow Jedi, and close friend, would be holding that against you for the near future it seems.
The rest of the trip to Ryloth was the same, your conversation with Aayla was lovely, filled with jokes and teasing. It was nice to talk about something other than the war for once.
When you arrive to Ryloth, Aayla stations the ship on the dock. You see a few people waiting for your arrival, the ever occurring flips of your stomach coming back at the quick sight of familiar auburn hair.
You and Aayla exit the ship, greeted by General Cham Syndulla, Clone Commander Cody, and Obi-Wan Kenobi. Aayla walks out first with you close behind. You are surprised to see General Syndulla there to welcome you two, but seeing the damage that the Twi’Lek people were still dealing with, you knew his priority at the moment was the wellbeing of his people, not politics. That and the fact that Senator Taa was back in Coruscant doing senator business.
“Master Jedi Secura, General Y/L/N. Great to see you two.” It’s Syndulla who greets you.
“General Syndulla, we’re thankful for your welcome,” Aayla says. She heads his way, and the two begin to discuss the state of his people.
You look over at Obi-Wan, a small smile appearing on your lips. “Obi-Wan,” you greet.
“Y/N, it’s good to see you,” he greets in return. You join his side, and together you follow Aayla and General Syndulla, Commander Cody staying behind to order troops to take down the supplies.
Obi-Wan is a few years older than you, meaning some of your years as Padawans overlapped. During your first years as a Padawan, Master Plo Koon had some shared missions with former Master Qui-Gon, and being early in your training, you gravitated to the other Padawan on the missions, Obi-Wan. From those missions, your friendship formed, and you often trained together during and beyond your Padawan years. Even now, with Obi-Wan being a Master on the council, your friendship never faltered.
“How have things been here on Ryloth?” you ask Obi-Wan, hoping he could update you on any progressions the situation may have.
“Things seem to have settled some. General Syndulla and Senator Taa have had their talks and seem to be working out an understanding, news that has calmed tensions among the Twi’Lek people. General Syndulla and Senator Taa agree that right now the focus should be on rebuilding Ryloth.”
You nod in understanding. It seems your time on Ryloth would be shorter than expected.
“How was your journey with Master Syndulla?” Obi-Wan asks.
“It was good. Aayla still refuses to allow me to pilot with her onboard.”
Obi-Wan chuckles lightly. “Well with the way she described your last landing together, I don’t blame her.”
Your eyes narrow, the smile on your face not aiding in your efforts to put on a serious face.
“You’re one to talk about landings. Don’t think I’ve forgotten of Anakin’s retelling of your landing with him and Chancellor Palpatine.”
Another chuckle escapes Obi-Wan’s mouth. You feel your cheeks start to warm at the sound of it. Before you start to fall into the nervous mess that he causes you to become, you speak again.
“Where is Anakin anyways? I was surprised that the other member of the Kenobi-Skywalker duo was not here.”
Obi-Wan’s brow rises. “He’s on a mission with Ahsoka on Florrum. Something about pirates. Should I let him know you missed him?”
Now it was your turn to raise a brow. “And why would I want that?”
“Well,” Obi-Wan says, moving his gaze to look at anything but you, “you seem to be very fond of him.”
If you didn’t know any better you’d think Obi-Wan sounded...jealous? No, no, you do know better. He’s not jealous. He can’t be.
“I like to think of him as the Padawan I am yet to have. Even if he now has a Padawan of his own,” you explain. You’ve been hesitant of taking on a Padawan yourself, afraid you wouldn’t be the best teacher. Instead, you’ve avoided having one by helping with the younglings in the Jedi temple, that and avoiding the conversation with Master Plo Koon when he brings up the topic.
Obi-Wan nods, looking down for a second before smiling and looking over at you. “I understand. He likes to see you as a second Master himself.”
A warmth makes its way to your chest, causing you to smile. “I’m very honored to hear that.”
The rest of the walk into the meeting room is filled with small talk, mostly updates on your respective battles and missions. Once the four of you finally reach the meeting room, the conversation turns to the task at hand: the tensions on Ryloth.
It seems that the tensions which had risen were due to Senator Taa’s plan to reopen old mining facilities on Ryloth. Though the retired mines are located outside the city, they are not completely away from population. In fact, most of those in Syndulla’s Twi’lek Resistance lived near the mines; if they were to be used again, it would be hazardous to their health and way of life. While Senator Taa tried to justify the proposition as a way to bring in more jobs, General Syndulla saw it as a direct punishment to those in his Resistance.
“He has said that he will consider not re-opening the mines, but who is to say that he won’t try to attack those of the Resistance some other way? He’s said he plans to work with us, but in reality it’s not that way.” The frustration is evident on Syndulla’s voice.
“There’s no guarantee he won’t do something like this again, General. But you have to trust that the Republic will stand with what’s right for all of the people of Ryloth, not just a select few,” you say, hoping to ease some of the frustration from Syndulla.
“Will the Republic really stand with all of Ryloth? Or will it stand with its senator?” General Syndulla challenges.
“I give you my word, General. I will not allow there to be any unjust treatment to the people of Ryloth through way of the Republic. You have been through enough.”
Syndulla nods at your words. He seems to have faith in your words, the tension easing out of his face.
The conversation lightens, moving on to ways the Republic can aid with the rebuilding of Ryloth. Aayla lists off the supplies you two had brought, and before long, the meeting is concluded. You’re talking with your fellow Jedis about possibly heading back to Coruscant early, when General Syndulla speaks again.
“I just received word that Senator Taa will be coming in tomorrow. He plans to address Ryloth on the decision of the mines and wants to thank you for your help with the supplies,” Syndulla informs you. “We have rooms for you to stay for the night, so you should be comfortable.”
“Thank you for your hospitality, General Syndulla,” Aayla says, earning a smile and a nod from him.
“Of course. I can show you to your rooms now.”
~~
Later that night, you find yourself in the room they provided for you. It was spacious yet cozy, welcoming you to relax. It isn’t until you unpack your bag that you realize the books inside. They were the ones you had purchased in Coruscant. In your rush to pack back in the Temple, you didn’t realize you’d grabbed the bag with the books.
Well, you think, some reading before bed would be nice.
You settle for the emerald colored book you had chosen. You’re about to open it and begin reading when you hear a light tap on your door. If it weren’t for how quiet the room was, you would have missed it.
You wait to see if you hear another knock, but instead hear something else. A sigh. Again, it’s soft, quiet enough to be ignored except you know who’s sigh it is.
Setting the cup of tea you had down, you walk over to the door, opening it and being met with the set of pale blue eyes that makes your heart pound more than any brush with death could.
“Obi-Wan,” you say, suddenly wishing you’d brought your tea with you to soothe your suddenly dry mouth.
His lips form a small smile, and he looks almost nervous as he stands before you.
“Hello Y/N, I hope I’m not disturbing you.”
You quickly shake your head, wanting him to never feel like a bother to you.
“Not at all, Obi. Please, come in.”
He hesitates for a second, then walks inside. You close the door after him, turning to see him casually looking around the room. And just like that, the once spacious room now looks incredibly small with him inside.
Maker, the effect Obi-Wan has on you scares you. You have never felt this way about anyone but him, the foreign feeling tugging at you whenever you see him making it difficult to think, to breath at times. Yet, however strange and foreign this feeling is, there’s also a sense of familiarity that it holds. It’s what you’ve felt for a long time now, your feelings for him dating back to your shared Padawan years.
You are drawn out of your thoughts at the sound of Obi-Wan’s voice.
“Is this a book?”
Your eyes dart over to see him holding the emerald book in his hands, curiosity painting his face.
“Yes, it is. I was planning to read before bed,” you explain, walking over to where you had made yourself tea. “Do you want some tea?” you offer.
“I would love some, thank you,” he says, looking up from the book cover.
“You can look through it if you like, Obi.” You can’t help but smile at how polite he is, not wanting to look through the book without your permission first.
He flips through the book, his fingers touching the paper pages, his eyes reading through the words he catches. You take his tea and walk over to the small dining table he is standing by, grabbing your own on the way. You set the cups down, the sound making Obi-Wan look up at you and thank you again before taking a seat in the chair next to yours.
“I didn’t know you had an interest in books,” Obi-Wan says, setting the book down to take a sip from his tea.
“I’ve been reading them for some time now. The paper is a nice break from the data pads.” You bring your cup up to meet your lips, the warmth of the tea soothing you. “Now, to what do I owe the pleasure of your visit?”
His blue eyes meet your own, glancing at where the cup meets your lips before darting back to your eyes. The observation makes the tip of your ears warm, and suddenly you wish you would’ve opted for a cold drink to help with how incredibly hot the room now feels.
“I wanted to see you,” he says, the simple answer putting your heart on overdrive.
“Oh?” is all you can manage to say, your hands suddenly feeling very clammy. You rub your palms on your robe covered thighs, looking down at them to try to gain control of whatever state it is you are in.
Keep it together, Y/N.
“I can’t believe you never told me about your liking for books,” Obi-Wan says, his attention once again drawn to the book. You thank the stars he’s looking at it and not you, taking a small breath before answering.
“I guess it never came up. I haven’t really told anyone.”
“Why not?”
You shrug at his question. “I didn’t know what reaction I’d get. You know Jedi are not supposed to have possessions.”
He nods, understanding why you might have been hesitant to tell anyone about your pastime.
“If I may ask, what is it about books that you enjoy?” His eyes are back on your face, his attention completely on you.
“Reading them almost gives me the same sense of calm that meditation does. It allows me to forget about the war and the fighting and learn about something, about someone I didn’t know before,” you explain.
Obi-Wan nods, smiling. “I understand. It’s fitting, you know? Your wanting to keep learning.”
“Really? How so?” You ask, cocking your head slightly.
“You’ve always been smart, Y/N. When we were Padawans together, where would I find you in between lessons?”
“The library.” You don’t realize the two of you answer at the same time until his smile grows.
“Exactly,” he continues. “The library. And as we began to go on missions, you were always drawn to people, wanting to learn about them, to try to know them. I’ve always wondered which is bigger, your intelligence,” he lightly touches your temple with his pointer finger, “or your kindness,” and moves to lightly touch your chest where you’re sure he can feel the violent beating of your heart.
Your temple burns where the ghost of his touch had been. It’s the same with the spot on your chest, the robes you are wearing doing nothing to help ease the flame his touch holds.
“Obi-Wan, I...thank you,” you say, not really knowing what else to say.
He just smiles again, and you stop yourself from reaching over to hold his hand. You wish you could reach over and just touch him, feel him close to you.
“Well, I should get going. Senator Taa should be arriving early, and I don’t want to be the cause of you not getting enough rest.”
Obi-Wan stands up, taking his now empty cup to the sink to give it a quick wash before setting it to dry. He dries his hands and walks over to where you’re now standing, taking a hold of your arms and giving them a small squeeze.
“Thank you for having me,” he says, both of you leaning in for a hug. His beard tickles at your face, and he pulls back too quickly for your liking.
“Anytime, Obi. You know I always enjoy your visits,” you say, your whole body ablaze now as you walk him over to the door.
“Have a good night, Y/N.”
“You too, Obi-Wan,” you say, and with a final smile, you watch him walk over to his room.
The next morning, as you rush to be on time for Senator Taa’s arrival, you nearly fall over the bag at your doorstep. Confused, you pick it up, opening it up to find a single book. It’s blue, a deep, rich blue that’s nowhere near the same hue as the blue eyes that caused your sleepless night, yet that’s the first thing that comes to your mind at the sight. You open the cover, finding a small note written inside.
‘To bring some calm to this mess we call life.
- Obi-Wan’
You can’t stop the smile that makes its way onto your face. Walking back into the room, you set it on top of your packed bag, excited to add it to your collection back in the temple. You haven’t read a single word from the book besides Obi-Wan’s note, but you are certain about one thing.
It’s your favorite.
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Night Crystal
(Dhawan!Master x Reader)
Warnings: Grammatical Errors, Nightmares, Injury
Summary: Reader happens to be a human which Master took with him on board of the TARDIS. She travels with him through space and time. Just these few days were tough, especially with those nightmares she started having.
Words: 1973
(A/n): Here I am, back on posting my writings. Actually a first time posting a fanfic for Dhawan!Master x Reader.
You wandered through the TARDIS in thoughts. You should sleep or at least rest, but you couldn't sleep. Not with these constant worries about yourself or the Master. Surprisingly he looked concerned when he saw you the last time. You never thought that he would be able to show some emotions towards humans, other than despise, annoyance or anger.
"Can you lead me to kitchen?" you stroked the wall of TARDIS and closed eyes for a moment. Slight humming came through the walls and red pointers appeared on the ground. You needed coffee, to stay awake, forget what you have dreamed about an hour ago. The nightmares began when you first visited Newath planet, where Master stole a crystal just because he was bored. Who were you even traveling with? You had no idea, but he didn't seem like a good person, he didn't seem like a person at all. Before two months, he just appeared in front of your house and pulled you into TARDIS. Master left the doors open, giving you some time to decide whether you want to run away from him or travel with him. It was a time and space traveling machine and you were curious, so you decided to stay. At first, he didn't speak to you, but you followed him everywhere he went. As the time passed by, you learned some things about him, but you still didn't know why he took you of all humans. And why you, when he despised humans so much? When you asked him, he always left without questions.
Following the red pointers on the floor got you nowhere, just back to the empty console room. It was lightened up with a red light of the TARDIS, which just made you close your eyes slightly again. Surrounding was messy as always, Master apparently wasn't a person who would clean every day but neither were you. TARDIS was surrounded with libraries and artefacts with trophies which Master gathered on adventures across the universe. The crystal was put on a red cushion in the middle of it all. It had to be pretty valuable.
With loud sight you walked to the TARDIS, "What do you think? Why did he choose me of them all?" you frowned and leaned on the console.
"You should sleep," you heard his voice from across the room. You smiled to yourself and turned to him, hugging your torso anxiously.
"No, no, don't do that! Don't look at me that way," he said.
"What way?" you mumbled, cringing on how your voice skipped.
"Like you were about to cry," Master said and walked closer to you sighing, "You humans are so fragile... Tell me what upset you?"
"I... Just can't sleep, there is nothing you could do."
"You are pushing your limits human, when you did sleep the last time," he stepped closer to you, carefully observing you.
"I don't know," you looked on ground carelessly.
"No, there is something else, you don't behave like this normally," he paused, before asking, "Or do you?"
"Why did you take me?"you asked, hoping that he will leave. You wanted to be alone. Eventually you would sleep, just not now. Not when the nightmares still remained in your head.
"I have an enemy... well, friend... doesn't matter," he started. You lifted eyebrows, finally he was about to tell you the reason why he took you.
"She travels with humans too, I thought that maybe... Just once," his breath shaked, "I could have a companion." You smiled at him, he never got so emotional.
"It's really interesting you survived for so long," he added, screwing up the nice moment. You nodded for yourself, this was Master after all.
"Now tell me, human, why don't you sleep?" he caught your hands, making small circles with his thumbs against them.
"Can you... can you look?" you stuttered. You saw him doing this few times. Hypnotizing people, reading thoughts in rare cases, he was good at it, "It's hard to explain."
"You trust me?" Master frowned, stepping back away from you, letting your hands go. It left him shocked. Would you trust him? You traveled with him two months already, from time to time he yelled at you, but he never hurted you. Sure, there were also times when you yelled at him. He never let anything hurt you.
You stopped him, catching his hands. He stopped moving and looked into your eyes, his confidence suddenly fading away. You gave him a slight nod and he gasped.
"Why does it feel like I knew you my whole life?"
"This kinda happens when you travel with someone longer than five minutes without threatening them," you gave him a small smile, but his face went dark. He remembered everything that he did to his previous companions or people that put their trust in him.
"You know nothing about me, you shouldn't trust me," he pulled his hands away from you.
"I'm having nightmares, that's just it, that's why I can't sleep," you mumbled and sat on the near chair, "So can you look or not?"
"What kind of nightmares?"
Master was standing next to the console, observing something. You shifted on the chair uncomfortably. You missed Earth, but TARDIS never landed there, it was like Master was avoiding your home planet on purpose.
"Look and see," you said. You knew that he was curious by nature, curious and dangerous, and you were letting him in your head willingly. You could see that it was slowly getting on his nerves. He stepped closer to you and put his hands on your head. You feel a slight buzz in your mind as he was searching for the nightmare. You were glad that he was following the traces you left him right to the memory of the nightmare. The moment he found it, he flinched back. You opened your eyes slightly and saw him running to the TARDIS swearing slightly. He seemed to be in a rush, quickly typing some coordinates on the monitor screen.
"What are yo-" you started when you realized that TARDIS landed somewhere. Master walked quickly to you and without a word, he put his hands on your temples again. World went blurry and you fell asleep. No nightmares this time, just quiet and dark.
You woke up laying in your bed in the TARDIS. Was it just another nightmare? What exactly happened? Your head was aching, but you decided to get up and walk to the console room. You nearly fell on ground, if it wasn't the handle that suddenly popped up from the TARDIS wall, you would faint.
"Thanks," you whispered, leaning against the wall of the TARDIS. Sometimes you had a feeling that TARDIS was the only one who cared about your well-being.
You sat there a few minutes and when the world around you stopped turning, you decided to stand again, this time without a fall. Stumbling to the console room, you were thinking about what happened in that nightmare that you had. You and the Master actually talked there, maybe it would be good to talk to him in real life too. Maybe your mind was giving you some signs. You couldn't travel with someone you didn't even talk with. It was like traveling alone when he avoided and ignored you. Maybe it was time to leave... But would he let you?
Walking into the console room, you noticed that Master was leaning in between the open doors of the TARDIS, looking out. You saw the red burning stars behind him, but he looked kinda confused, lost in the chaos that was happening outside. His hairs were slightly disheveled and his purple coat torn on shoulder.
"Are you alright?" you asked, slowly walking to him. Only then you noticed, he was holding his chest, blood was soaking from him.
"Human..." he turned to you. You quickly walked to him, because he started to lose the ballance. You caught him, so he wouldn't fall out from the TARDIS. '
"Master what happened," you asked him shocked, pressing on the wound to stop the bleeding.
"I saved your life," he frowned and his eyes closed.
"No, no don't die, you can't! I can't be stuck here! I can't pilot the TARDIS! Wait... How?"
"It didn't trigger the regeneration, I'll explain later," he closed his eyes, falling unconscious.
"Med bay! Quickly!" you yelled at the TARDIS. At the closest wall, doors appeared. You pulled Master inside the room and put him on the bed. Luckily you were a nurse before you started traveling, so you knew exactly what to do.
After you patched him up, he was safe, at least for now. He needed rest. You backed away from him, thinking if you should stay, or go to the console room. Maybe you would find a way to land. You would find a way to get home. But were you ready to leave space and time? Would you leave him in here all alone? That alien was menace, he didn't know when to stop, you were always at least trying to stop him when it was possible.
You shaked with your head to clear your thoughts and went to the console room. It was like TARDIS knew about your thoughts... Telepathic field... Of course. She just sadly hummed, but didn't try to stop you.
Passing the things that Master gathered or stole on adventures, you noticed one was missing. The crystal, it was gone. You know how much he wanted it, why he would throw it away? Or was that crystal dream too?
Master took you on that planet, full of hidden treasures. There was an alien protecting the jewel. But it wasn't protected enough, not when Master stormed there with his TCE.
You got the crystal, but since that happened you were having those nightmares...
Suddenly a hand was placed on your shoulder.
"Where are you going?"
"I don't know... We have all time and space, but we are still rushing somewhere, we don't even know where," you turned to him. He was barely standing, but looked better, "You should rest."
"You should rest," he said and turned to console, "I'm taking you home."
Your eyes lightened up, was he?
When TARDIS landed, you didn't believe your eyes. Earth, home...
After all that time, nothing changed. But it was nice to see your house. But it didn't look like a home anymore.
You walked out, but turned back to Master, "Are you going to come back, right? You know... You can just... Visit my house or something."
"I'll be here tomorrow, sleep well," he mumbled quickly and wanted to turn back to console, but you stopped him.
"No..."
"What?"
"You are lying, you are not going to come back, am I right?" you frowned, "What happened?"
"You..."
"No, that crystal... What was it? Why is it gone?" you pointed on the stand, "There was a crystal."
"It's gone, same as the planet," he said quietly. He still had that 'I don' t care' face, but you saw the tears in his eyes. Maybe it was just from the injury.
"Master... Why?"
"They were about to hurt you, they were sending you those nightmares. They did it to the wrong person," Master said, now angry. They were gone, the planet, the crystal, just because they tried to hurt you.
Did it mean that he cared about you?
"I want to stay," you said, guiding him to the nearest chair. He shouldn't stand for too long, "Thanks for saving me," you mumbled too quiet and too fast.
Master looked up to you as you walked around the console.
"Can I stay?"
Master nodded and closed his eyes. He was tired, but he wasn't alone and he was about to protect you as long as he could.
#doctor who#Dhawan!master#Dhawan!master x reader#The Master x reader#the master#Doctor who fanfictions#Dhawan!master/Reader#The Master/reader#Dhawan master#Dhawan Master x Reader#Dhawan master/reader
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Wishing you were somehow here again - part 1
Commander Wolffe x Jedi ! Reader
Summary: Wolffe loves you, his Jedi, more than anything. Nothing could ever come between your hearts. Or at least that’s what you believed up until he was commanded to kill you under Order 66.
A/N: Unfortunately for you all I have returned, once again inspired to write more heartbreaking angst for Wolffe. Luckily for you, however, this first chapter will exclusively be fluff. Kudos for anyone who knows what the title is a reference to. Enjoy my lovelies ;)
You had always thought that Wolffe looked most handsome under the light of the moon. The way the silver glow framed his face made him out to be some ethereal being sent from the stars themselves.
From where you lay next to him on the grassy hill you could just about see the blissed out smile that graced his features. He had brought you out here away from camp to bask in the beauty of the night with him, and there you were, fingers clasped with his as his thumb stroked tender circles on your palm, grounding you in the moment. His eyes were gazing up at the vast expanse space above you, but you couldn’t bring yourself to peel your sight from him. Sensing your lingering stare, Wolffe turned his head to you, smile broadening at how enamoured his beloved looked.
“What’s goin’ on in that pretty little head of yours, hmm cyar’ika?” he coaxed sweetly, squeezing your hand.
“I really love you, Wolffe,” you spoke softly, not daring to break the pure serenity of the moment.
He huffed in loving amusement, rolling onto his side to look down at you with fond eyes.
“And I love you, my starlight. But what’s brought this on? You goin’ all soft on me, General?”
“Can’t help it, Commander. ‘S all your fault. Might just have to court martial you for it,” you mused.
“Court martial! And what exactly would the reasoning for this court martial be, might I ask?”
“Mm, well, quite a few things actually. For starters I’d accuse you of making your Jedi General fall hopelessly in love with you- that’s the most important one.” Wolffe grinned down at you as you spoke. “Next I’d accuse you of distracting your General from patrol and making her stargaze with you instead. Also important. Finally I might accuse you of having brought me here over an hour ago yet not having so much as kissed me on the cheek even once, although that can be rectified before it’s too late.”
Wolffe let out a genuine laugh before leaning down closer to you, putting his weight on his forearms, obscuring most of your vision but leaving a slight backdrop of the blinking stars surrounding him.
“Ah well, in that case I suppose I had better make a start. You have my sincerest apologies, Mesh’la.”
“I might find it in me to forgive you, but you’ll have to make it up to me first.”
“Yeah?” he cooed.
“Mmhmm. Real nice.”
“I think I can do that.”
He began with a gentle kiss to your jaw, rising up your face to your cheeks, brows, forehead and nose, spoiling every inch of you in the loving way he thought you deserved. He muttered compliments and praise in between kisses, soothing you with his whispers of “sweet girl,” “so beautiful,” and “so good for me.” You both sighed in harmony as he finally closed the remaining distance to meet your lips, locking them against yours. Your noses pressed together, eyelids fluttering at the sheer intimacy of the moment.
When you eventually separated from each other, you remained with your foreheads touching, both panting to reclaim the breath you had stolen from the other. You remained there, silence unbroken for minutes, just enjoying the moment.
Wolffe was the one to break the stillness, pushing himself off of you to lean on his side again, eyes wandering over your face in thought.
“What is it?” you spoke serenely, surveying his expression. He appeared to be deep in thought, although what about you couldn’t tell.
“Do you remember when we first met?” he spoke up after a few more moments of thinking.
“Of course, how could I forget?”
“We all knew that General Plo had trained a padawan to knighthood but we’d never actually met you. I remember on one campaign to some planet in the outer-rim we were resting for the night and Wildfire asked the General to tell us a story to pass the time. That was the first time he told us about you. Told us how you’d taken out an entire squadron of clankers all on your own and without your saber. I’ll admit I fell a little bit in love with you right then. The more he told us about you the more I wanted to meet you. That night I couldn’t sleep because I couldn’t stop thinking about what you might have looked like. I lay there picturing your face, wondering things like what colour your eyes might be. If there’s one thing I guessed right it was that your eyes would definitely be striking, had to be to match the personality that went with them. So in some way I suppose you could say I was in love with you before I had even met you. I’ve heard Master Plo saying before that the force can bring people together. I don’t know if that’s real or not, I’m no Jedi, but I like to believe that we were meant to find each other, you know?
“Wolffe, you’ve never told me any of this before,” your eyes were glued to his lips as he spoke, captivated by his words.
“I was always too embarassed to tell you. Honestly I’m surprised the boys didn’t get to blabbin’ about it to you before now. And the first time I actually met you? Stars. If you ask the boys they’ll tell you that I looked hypnotised. According to Sinker my mouth was wide open like I’d been hit straight on by a gunship. Nothing I’d imagined before could even compare to how beautiful you were. If I wasn’t in love with you before that then I definitely was then. My vode still haven’t stop teasing me for that one. But you wanna know when I was sure you were the one for me? You remember that time I got injured on Naboo after that clanker we didn’t notice hit me good in the knee?”
You winced, the memory still fresh in your mind. “I still have nightmares about that sometimes. Thought I was going to lose you, and even though I hadn’t known you all that long I realised then that I couldn’t bare to live without you.”
Wolffe took one of your hands in his, pressing a reassuring kiss to your knuckles in comfort then moving to play with your fingers absent-mindedly as he continued to speak.
“And that’s why I fell for you. You looked after me all day and night, even while I slept, making sure I was clean, hydrated, comfortable and not in any pain. You cared for me so selflessly. When I woke up and saw that you had fallen asleep next to me in exhaustion I wanted nothing more than to show you just how appreciated you were. But I just couldn’t find the words no matter how hard I tried.” He looked into your eyes, noticing how they had glazed over slightly from how close you were to tears.
“I know. I felt your emotions through the force. No one had ever felt that strongly for me in my life. Which is why I kissed you when you woke. Couldn’t find the right words either,” you smiled at him, lips trembling with emotion.
“You’ll never know how often I think of that kiss. Think I nearly passed out again when it happened, my heart was racing so fast. You had me absolutely doll dizzy. But you know what the funny thing is? You’d think that I’d have become more used to it by now, you kiss me at every chance you get, but I haven’t. Every single time you kiss me I feel that same way I did the first time. You’ve got me good, sweetheart. Point is- I don’t ever want to stop feeling that way. I want to be able to lean over and kiss you for the rest of my life. So, Y/N, I’ve been thinking about this for a while now and I’ve decided. I want to marry you.”
“What?” you gasped, heart pounding against your chest.
“I know it technically won’t be a legal marriage seeing as I’m a clone and you’re a Jedi, but that doesn’t matter to me. We don’t need paperwork to prove our love for each other. I want you to be my wife. My wife who I can spend every day of the rest of my life spoiling in the way she deserves. So, what do you say? Y/N Y/L/N, will you do me the honour of becoming my wife?”
Both of you now had tears streaming freely, a sob catching in your throat as you went to reply.
“Yes,” you choked out. “Yes, Wolffe, I would love to marry you.”
The two of you were crying your hearts out, smiles pulling at your cheeks so brightly that it was nearly painful. Wolffe wasted no more time before standing up and pulling you to your feet then into his arms, picking you up to spin you in pure unbreakable joy.
He set you down and instantly brought your lips together, giving him a new most passionate kiss to think about for the rest of his life.
“I love you,” he laughed through his tears. “I love you so much!”
“I love you too. I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you.”
Wolffe paused for a second, visibly thinking before kneeling down to the grass.
“What are you doing?” you asked, but he was too distracted with what ever he was doing to reply.
You watched as he plucked a long blade of grass out of the soil forming a loop with it then tying it off so it was shaped like a circle.
“A ring. I’m sorry I can’t get you a pretty one straight away, so this will have to suffice for now, but one day, after the war, I swear to you I will buy you the most beautiful ring I can.”
Wolffe took your left hand delicately in his, sliding his grass ring onto your fourth finger. You once again sobbed at his actions, throwing yourself into his chest and tucking your head under his chin.
“Wolffe, it’s perfect. I don’t need a fancy ring, I only want you. And if you think I’m not treasuring this ring made from the grass of the hill you proposed to me on for the rest of my life then you don’t know me like I thought you did.”
He laughed, a wide grin settling on his face as he pulled you tight against him, rocking you in a slow dance as you both tried to stop crying.
Absolutely nothing could tear the two of you apart. Or at least, that’s what you believed. Palpatine, you would soon discover, thought otherwise.
#commander wolffe x reader#clone wars imagine#clone wars x reader#star wars imagine#star wars x reader#clone x reader#clone imagine
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Superman #84 (December 1993)
Superman takes a short Paris vacation! Like, one day short. What's the worst that could happen?
Oh, man.
So, for the past few issues, we've been hearing about children being abducted in Metropolis. Now we see that they're being kept inside a giant toy house by some creepy bald man in Quasimodo clothes who seems to be obsessed with toys -- a "Man of Toys," if you will. Side note: no wonder the children haven't been found... all the articles about them are just gibberish! (See clip below.)
The kidnapper thinks that these kids' parents don't deserve them, and that they're much better off here, in an underground hideout with a man who threatens to starve them if they don't play with him. (And I do mean literally play, with action figures and stuff.) Meanwhile, as these children cry for help, Superman is having the time of his life. While helping move a stranded ship with some huge-ass chains, Superman spots a sunken galleon with a treasure chest inside and fantasizes about keeping the booty...
...before turning it over to the authorities anyway, the big boy scout. Then, he wakes up Lois at 6 AM and tells her they should go to Paris right now, which usually means your significant other is having a mental breakdown, but in this case they can actually do it. And so, after deciding that he deserves to use his powers for fun every once in a while, Superman and Lois drop everything and fly to France with super-speed for the rest of the day/issue.
Anyway: back to the child abduction! Cat Grant and her son Adam attend a Halloween party at Adam's school, but there's a disturbed weirdo in a hideous costume lurking among the crowd. Yes, I'm talking about Jimmy Olsen in his Turtle Boy suit.
Shortly after that, a guy in a dinosaur costume (see, all the creeps are dressed as reptiles) lures Adam out of the party with the promise of "superb video games." What child could resist that? Of course, that turns out to be the kidnapper and Adam ends up in his hideout along with the rest of the missing children and, worst of all, not a single "Lextendo" console.
The kidnapper gets angry at Adam when he refers to the toys at the hideout as "old-fashioned junk" (he was REALLY looking forward to those video games), and even angrier when Adam tries to free the other kids. Adam is brave and puts up a good fight, but...
And those were Adam Morgan's final words. "Uh-oh."
Next, we have a pretty harrowing scene of Detective Turpin letting Cat know Adam’s body was found, and Jimmy and Perry White taking her to the morgue to identify the body (most people probably wouldn't bring their former boss to something like that, but Perry sadly knows more than most about losing a kid). As for Lois and Clark, they were gone so long that the Daily Planet had time to print a headline about the murders. The issue ends when the lovebirds walk into the office smiling like two people who just spent the night fooling around in Paris... only to feel like jackasses when they find out what happened.
To be continued!
Character-Watch:
And that's it for little Adam Morgan who, unlike the also tragically diseased Jerry White, didn't even get any post-death appearances. Adam went from a little kid scared of Superman, to a huge brat, to a character who was approaching likeability as of last week. That's why I hate it when DC kills off young characters like Adam or Liam Harper: in long-form storytelling, children represent potential. Look at how much Wally West or Dick Grayson evolved over the years compared to their mentors! Sure, there's a huge probability that Adam would have ended up disappearing from comics for 25 years anyway, but who knows, maybe we'd now know him as Teen Gangbuster or something. GangbusTEEN.
This issue also represents a turning point for the kidnapper, who is never named or seen clearly in the story itself but I don't think I'm shocking anyone by spoiling the fact that he's Toyman (it's in the cover, for one thing). In his last two appearances before this storyline, Toyman helped Superman save some kids from Sleez and looked genuinely sad to learn about Superman's death, so this is a pretty dramatic change for the character. We'll find out why he went from big softy to child killer in Superman #85 (but don't get your hopes up).
Plotline-Watch:
The most disturbing part of the issue, all things considered, is still the part where Toyman climbs into a giant crib and hugs a huge stuffed bunny. Look at serial killer Tommy Pickles here:
Don Sparrow says: “Even with the upgrade, Toyman is still just a man in a suit, a common complaint about Superman’s rogues gallery.” Funny you should say that, because I JUST shared an old Wizard interview in our Twitter in which Dan Jurgens talks about how Doomsday came out of his frustration with the fact that most Superman villains are dudes in suits (plus other interesting tidbits from the era, like how it was actually Roger Stern’s idea to bring back Hank Henshaw, so check out that link!).
Don again: “The entire Superman storyline of this issue feels like filler. Diving for buried treasure and soaring off to Paris -- it all feels like wasted time next to the Adam storyline.” I have a theory that the entire ship sequence is there as an excuse to put Superman in those big chains and make that Spawn joke (which I didn’t get until now, since I’ve always read this issue in Spanish).
Superman says that pulling that big ship was "a little easier than expected" -- that's either another hint that there's something going on with Superman's powers since he came back, or a subtle dig at the state of American ship manufacturing.
Another adorable "window tap" scene for the books, and this is the sexiest one so far. Is it me or has Jurgens started copying more than just Teri Hatcher's hairdo from Lois & Clark? (For anyone who thinks Lois has gotten implants, I refer you to this clip.)
While in Paris, Lois asks Clark if he's ever wondered what would happen if his rocket had landed in other countries. Don: “Clark’s conversation with Lois sounds like a bunch of concepts for Elseworlds stories. We eventually would see a Russian Superman, and a British Superman, but not yet the French Superman. (Hire us, DC!)” Yep, got my French Superman pitch ready, Jim Lee. Or just let us do Russian Superman again, since Red Son wasn’t even the first time you published that idea.
Don once more: “Another thing that makes no sense about the ‘new’ Toyman is his resentment of technological toys—when in previous appearances he himself had deadly high-tech toys to vex Superman over the years.” I especially resent his hatred of video game consoles. Incidentally, I wonder what types of games are available for Adam’s beloved Lextendo. Star Lex 64? Mega Man Lex? Sonic the Hedgehog 3 & Knuckles & Lex?
No one is more upset at Lois and Clark for going AWOL than Whit. NO ONE. He's so furious that his usually grey mustache turned black.
Patreon-Watch:
As always, shout out to our patrons, Aaron, Murray Qualie, Chris “Ace” Hendrix, britneyspearsatemyshorts, Patrick D. Ryall, Samuel Doran, Bheki Latha, Mark Syp, Ryan Bush and Raphael Fischer! Last month’s exclusive Patreon article was about the recently unearthed sequel to Superman 64 for the PlayStation, featuring Metallo, Parasite, and Lois looking even hotter than in this issue:
Hot damn. Find out more at https://www.patreon.com/superman86to99!
And believe it or not, Don Sparrow has even more to say about this issue. Read his section after the jump:
Art-Watch (by @donsparrow):
I should start off my section with a big caveat: I flat out hate this issue. There were several weird decisions made in the post-Death-and-Return era (most of them along the same lines of making the Superman titles more grim-and-gritty), and this story was one of the worst of them. My theory is that, despite the praise and record-breaking sales of the Death and Return storyline, the Superman creative team felt pressure to have more extreme storylines, perhaps in response to the wildly successful Image books coming out at the time. Between this story, and the upcoming “Spilled Blood” storyline, the Super books take a hard—but temporary--turn into more violent and upsetting storytelling—even though these stories are by the same writers as the previous few years. While death has always been a part of comics, and Superman comics was no exception, there is a jarring glibness and unfeeling toward the way violence is handled in these pages that is quite different from the stories that preceded it. It’s made all the more jarring by the fact that well-established personalities suddenly veer wildly out of character, Toyman chief among them.
We start with the cover, and while it is technically well-drawn (by the familiar team of Jurgens and Breeding) it’s also a very upsetting visual. I think they should have gone with the pieta type pose with Adam and Superman, OR the scary badass bowie-knife Toyman (who apparently has a Cheshire cat smile now) but not both. But the cover is a good hint at the tonal dissonance of the comic within.
We open with a splash of the now-extreme 90s looking Toyman, with his serial killer shaved head and spooky cloak, ignoring the pleas of hungry kids he has locked up in a tiny jail cell for days at a time (if that sentence doesn’t ring alarm bells for how wrong this is for a Superman story, I don’t know what will). For much of the issue Toyman’s eyes are obscured by glare on his lenses, further de-humanizing a character who was once one of Superman’s more empathetic bad guys.
We cut to Superman tugboating a huge tanker with giant chains and it’s a cool visual (one repeated in the Batman V Superman film). It feels especially out of place to focus on, given how upsetting this issue is otherwise, but throughout the whole comic, Lois is drawn smoking hot, especially on the two page spread on pages 9-10.
The scenes depicting the actual murder, while still wildly out of place in a Superman comic, are well done, and give a real sense of darkness and menace, which I suppose is the intent. Perhaps my least favourite visual is the Big Bird stuffie, silently bearing witness to what’s about to occur.
The edges of the panels on get more slashy and off-kilter (to me, looking very much like the layouts more typically seen in Image comics of the day) and I suppose I appreciate the restraint of how little Dan Jurgens shows of the death of a child, showing only a bloody slash on a black background. This is still a pretty baroque image for a Superman comic, but certainly less violent than it could be, given what is happening.
Cat Grant’s silent horror is well staged, and powerful in its way. Lastly, Clark Kent bending in sorrow and regret is a powerful image.
While this issue is handled marginally better, and more maturely than other comics on the shelf at this time, I still believe it is one of the biggest mistakes of the era. Giving a long-established character an unceremonious death for shock value is gross on its own, but making it a child definitely crosses a line for me. Making it worse is that, while the Toyman is a criminal and a killer, he has shown in past issues (a similar kidnapping storyline involving Sleez) that he genuinely cares for the well-being of children. So for a long-time reader, this also felt like a betrayal of a long-established, fully developed character. Adding to the ugliness of this is that Adam dies heroically, trying to free the children who have been caged, unfed, for days, but even in that regard, he fails. The headline at the end of the issue confirms all the children are dead. Adam’s death did not buy the other kids enough time to get away. It was all for nothing. Had Adam died, but the other children lived, maybe this issue wouldn’t leave quite as bad a taste. [Max: It’s weird because it’s all told in a way where it’s told in a way where it would make sense, narratively and within the story universe, that the other kids survived, but then it’s almost casually revealed that nope, they died too. A scene of one of the kids relaying Adam’s heroism to Cat in a future issue would have gone a long way.]
Superman doesn’t come off well in these pages, either. It’s honestly the type of story they should just stay away from, because the more you think about all the calamity that is going on around the clock, the less defensible the whole Clark Kent persona becomes. Superman carving out time to romance his fiancée directly led to the preventable deaths of innocent children—how do you come back from that?
STRAY OBSERVATIONS:
I’m always looking for hints that perhaps Jimmy or Perry know Superman’s secret identity deep down, and Jimmy’s anger at Lois and Clark on their return to the Daily Planet offices would seem to give that theory some credence, as he’s as angry at them as if he knew Clark really were Superman. Either that, or he’s ticked that it fell to him, and none of them to escort Cat into the morgue. [Max: Has this issue finally converted you to the “Jimmy is terrible” side now, Don?]
I don’t think I’m the only one who disliked the new Toyman—SPOILERS BE HERE: years later, in Action Comics #865, Geoff Johns retconned this whole story, reverting Schott into the criminal who over-relates to kids, rather than the child-killer of this story. Apparently the infantile Schott, who speaks to “Mother” a la Norman Bates, is a robot so lifelike it fools even Superman, and the “Mother” he’s constantly replying to was the real Winslow Schott trying to recall the malfunctioning robot. [Max: That’s one Geoff Johns retcon I really didn’t mind, even if it felt kind of derivative of his similar “all the Brainiacs are robots made by the real Brainiac” reveal.]
#superman#dan jurgens#josef rubinstein#toyman#cat grant#adam morgan#dan turpin#whit#gangbusteen#super luthor fighter ii turbo championship edition
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