The Spider and the Storm

"And you're planning on trying to stop him?" Sirejj didn't condone genocide any more than the next person, but a handful of ships would be child's play for Imperial destroyers.

---

Vader had just returned to his own ship when he received the call. He paused in his tracks and answered it, the alarm signals going off in his mind.

"Governor, what is the matter?"

"I'm planning on getting them out before he can blow the whole place to bits," she replied, and as an afterthought, "again. They could be allies."

---

"He's here. On Coruscant." Tarkin's teeth were gritted. "Sirejj." He hesitated. Should he omit his wife's involvement or sell her out? She'd sheltered the Dathomirian, clearly, but that didn't mean that she was trying to make trouble. On the other hand...

"They won't leave. I asked that when I was there. None of them..." He paused. He remembered one of the Atoans clearly who had a longing for something other than the caves, but she was the only one. "There was one maybe that would leave, but the rest of them feel bound to their world by their faith. I will warn you that I may return empty handed."

---

"What?" Vader turned around quickly as if he was about to board the small transport and head back to the surface. He stopped himself. "How do you know this and where is he now?" He immediately switched to demanding. Subtlety was never his strong suit.

"It's not up for debate," Thalassa snapped. "Faith or not, they'll die if they stay and I need them alive. They're the next best thing to Jedi."

--

"He's in a transport on Upper Lane 19," Tarkin replied. "He's probably headed for one of the hangars. He's with Thalassa; I have an idea of where they're headed."

Sirejj grunted. He wasn't sure about that but there was no changing her mind.

---

"Thalassa?" So their suspicion of her was not unfounded. "Governor, what all does she know of your most recent orders?" His tone was warning.

They reached the hangar after about five minutes. Thalassa was out the door before the transport stopped moving, hitching up her skirts so she could walk faster. The corvette wasn't far; it was about a one minute walk.

---

"She knows where I'm going and what I'm going to do there." He cursed himself for his boasts. "She doesn't know why. Shall I try to cut her off or focus on the task at hand?"

Sirejj brandished his staff and stayed close to her side. Any interference and he would intercept it. He suspected there would be.

---

"Focus on the task at hand. Our operations on Atoa will not be interfered with again." Vader's tone was dangerous. "I will mobilize a unit to stop their departure if it is not already too late." He took a deep breath, steadying himself. "Even if they escape now, we know where they will be going." Thalassa. That would be another call to the emperor. Her and her organization was a far more delicate matter than hunting the Zabrak. Her past actions could be excused due to the anguish of losing her son, but this was potentially more than that.

"They left swiftly." Tarkin glanced skyward; if only Coruscant had a landing platform large enough to accommodate a Star Destroyer! He'd have been up and away by now. "I believe I'm engaged in a race, Lord Vader." There went any chances he had at sleep. "Better send some people ahead to Atoa as well, just in case. One can never be too cautious."

"Oh, I have already set that plan into motion." Saying that eased his nerves some. "Anyone sent there to meddle in our work will be met with a swift end." His last words were venomous. "One of my inquisitors will be there. After they deal with that cowardly Zabrak, they might be of service in hunting any of the remaining sorcerers." There would be little left after Tarkin was through. The would would be effectively purged down to the inner crust. Not a single living thing was to be left alive, sentient or otherwise.

"Good. See to it he contacts me when I arrive; I fear I'm invested in the Zabrak's demise, now."

--

Thalassa boarded the ship in no time. Her captain was asleep in the cockpit, but a sturdy rattle to the shoulder woke him.

"We're leaving," she said sharply. "Set your coordinates; find us a route that will get us to Atoa."

The captain set about punching buttons, knowing better than to ask questions.

Spoiler

"invested in his demise" well he'd like to see you dive off a cliff too bro just wait

Sirejj did a quick pace of the ship, locating the weaponry and shields. He would be quick to operate them if need be, but that would be a disaster. Hopefully they were quicker than the Imperials that were no doubt on their trail.

Spoiler

Tarkin's fixing to get a pop in the face

The weapons and shields were very limited; the vessel they were on was a simple one meant for transportation between worlds. The guns that it did have were outfitted for taking shots at pirates, not at deft TIE fighters. If there would be an airborne fight, the ship's best bet was to jump to hyperspace as quickly as possible.

Thalassa shut herself in her quarters, comm in hand, and began damage control. First on the list was Zee to check in with her; the ships were being prepped for the journey. She gave a brief explanation of what had happened, then moved on to her partners in the Treacle and Motti Industries to inform them that they may need to shore up their assets and double down on the more tentative allies they'd all made. Vilo Stygos looked deeply displeased; the conversation clearly wasn't over. Silam Regarsus, though, offered her additional support.

"I have a little militia shored up on Umbara," he said once Stygos had left the call. "I'd be happy to send them your way, fight the good fight and all that." A staunch Separatist, Regarsus had never quite gotten over the end of the war.

"Your enthusiasm is appreciated, Silam." Thalassa dipped her head. "But best not to rock the boat too hard. I've incriminated myself, but the Treacle needs to keep functioning. A boat can't paddle with one oar, and frankly I'm concerned about Vilo's allegiances."

"As you wish. Be careful; call me if you change your mind." The call ended.

Thalassa stepped out, looking around for Sirejj.

Sirejj stood closeby with his arms folded across his chest. He was clearly thinking, and his eyes studied her carefully as she approached. The excitement had calmed some, but they were not yet to safety. He would have liked to take a swing at a stormtrooper. His mind was focused on a plan for getting to the survivors on Atoa as quickly as possible.

He was thankful he'd rebuilt much of his strength while under Thalassa's command, though it hadn't been very long. He would need it to get through the caves as quickly as possible. Then going back through them with survivors in tow? That would be a difficult task, and it was very possible he'd have someone at the top of the caves waiting to take off his head when he emerged.

In this moment of adrenaline he felt his old confidence returning. Let Vader send one of his Inquisitors. He knew now that he was alive and would certainly be after him, but Sirejj would expect them. He'd like to send one home in pieces to receive a beating from their master for failing their task.

So long as the Sith himself did not decide to join the party, he felt he could defend himself.

Thalassa stopped when she saw him, letting her shoulders relax at last. The ship started up and began to rise, preparing to leave the hangar.

"I won't be staying on Atoa," she said. "Zee will be there with one ship and she'll leave you another so you can get off. Both will be used to transport the remaining Atoans. I need to go to Eriadu to make some arrangements; I want you to meet me there when you've dropped the survivors on Phelarion. Can you do that?"

"Yes, but we have effectively made ourselves known as traitors. Will you be safe on Eriadu?" That was Tarkin's home. Wouldn't that be a dangerous place to be?