The Spider and the Storm

Thalassa set down her wine, and a shadow passed over her face. "As far as I'm concerned, you did us a service shedding light on that matter. You have nothing to fear from me in that regard." She studied him. "Has the Empire given you trouble? Or perhaps Governor Tarkin?"

"I've not heard from the governor since our parting." He wondered if she knew Tarkin had left him to fend for himself on Atoa. "The Empire itself doesn't seem to know I exist...but there are others who may be of some concern." He glanced at Zee, but he judged there wasn't much he would tell Thalassa that she would not eventually know, or already knew. "The Inquisitors. I've deduced they are not actively searching for me, but they have in the past, and if they know I'm alive and well, they may try again."

He was unsure if this would put him in jeopardy with Thalassa. The Inquisitors were well known for bending rules that typical Imperial officers followed. They were loose cannons and functioned independent from many of the Empire's goals. They were Vader's hounds, specifically.

"There's not much I can do to protect you from them," Thalassa said with a small frown. "They do as their master pleases. I have no reason to think they would test the waters with us--we have our fingers in many pies, so to speak. I won't pretend there hasn't been some...tension between the Empire and the Treacle in recent months, but the Inquisitorious has yet to be involved. I can't grant you asylum, but if you believe your affiliation with me will create something of a buffer, that would be reasonable."

"They're not much of a threat if one has the proper resources." This spoke a little to his confidence of facing them, but with a broken ship and hardly enough fuel to make it from one system to the next, he was an easy target. "I do not plan on incurring their wrath at any point in time, however."

"I certainly hope not." She looked up as F2 returned with a few servants bringing in more platters. "At any rate, I'll find somewhere for you to make yourself useful--preferably somewhere close to me. You were a fine bodyguard before--perhaps you and Zee can share that responsibility?" She looked to Zee as she said this , and they made eye contact. The Nautolan gave a nod and a shrug, and Thalassa appeared satisfied.

"I would be honored to hold such a position." He finished his plate. "I've been quite impressed with what I've seen so far."

"Thank you." Thalassa looked toward Thamer. "Don't worry, Senator, I haven't forgotten you. Zee, keep at it for a little, if you don't mind. I'd like to speak with Sirejj away from any prying ears."

"Of course." Zee balled up her fist. "Take your time!"

Thalassa pushed back her chair. "Come, Sirejj, let's take a walk. I'd love to show you the gardens."

"Gladly." He stood up and followed her, again taking up his staff and using it as a walking aid more than a weapon. Though he knew Thalassa was aware of it's true use.

Thalassa opened the door. Zee punched Thamer again as she exited.

The head of the Treacle wilted ever so slightly as she stepped out of sight. Her eyes showed fatigue that hadn't been there a year ago, and her shoulders slumped just a little bit more. It was clear she carried a greater weight than before.

Sirejj sensed that familiar pain return. She'd hidden it well. It brought back to him many of the memories from what took place one year prior.

He was silent as they walked, studying her passively.

Her mind had changed little from when they'd first met. Her grief was more visible now, but work had pushed that to the back of her thoughts. She had a business to run. On top of that, there was a cold and steady anger stirring inside of her, and she was preparing to act on it. Resolve straightened her back and squared her shoulders.

"I have questions about Atoa," she murmured. "How many people are still there?"

"Very few. They may have moved by now, when I spoke with them there were only old men and women left, none of fighting age." He wasn't sure what her intentions were. He wouldn't be a part of any further destruction of that planet.

"Hm." Her face darkened slightly. "That's disappointing. You've told no one what you discovered there, I hope?"

"Not a soul. The Governor is the only one I told." He frowned. "My question in return is, who else knows the truth of what took place there?"

"Zee. No one else, unless Wilhuff told Gideon." She glanced at Sirejj. "Anything you would tell me, you can also tell her. She knows it all and she stands with me on this issue. And on others." Thalassa paused by a glass door leading outside. "Sirejj, things are changing. The Treacle is starting to pull away from the Empire on my orders--if you're looking to stay under the radar, this may not be the time to work with me."