[Episode V - NR][O12 - Gyndine - NR3F] The Sleemo Seven (I)

In orbit above Gyndine...

Kessa looked around the rec room of the Republic cruiser, noting the stark difference between herself and these other ex-Rebels from the New Republic guards who had brought them here.

Those same guards now blocked the door.

She played out the scenario of grabbing a blaster and making her escape. Wouldn't make it far, I'd bet...

"Hey, Kavren. Good to see you again. Still as sharp with a knife as you were back in the day?"

Kessa glanced over at the next table.

"Haven’t had much practice in prison, Dex," Kavren Draal replied evenly, producing a knife from somewhere inside his vest with a wry smile. "But I’m willing to give it a shot."

He slammed his hand down over Dex’s, spreading both of their fingers across the table. Kessa winced...

...and then watched, impressed despite herself, as the blade flashed between their outstretched fingers in a blur. Sparks flew from the durasteel table. Not a drop of blood.

Impressive...

Dex’s bravado vanished quickly.

"Okay- okay! Woah man, that’s enough!"

"Hey! How in the kriff did they get a knife?" one of the guards barked, patting her belt and realizing her blade was missing.

Kavren grinned, twirling the stolen weapon, taunting the guards.

"I’ll teach you some manners, you ignorant nerfherder," the second guard growled, pacing forward and igniting a stun baton with a crackle.

"Make my day, bureaucrat," Kavren shot back, blade poised.

What surprised Kessa most was how little anyone else reacted. A few quick glances, but nobody said a thing.

The only person who seemed to care was the Duros seated against the far wall. Tarnov Voss hadn’t moved, but his wide, glassy eyes tracked everything in the room, calculating.

“That’s enough.”

The voice cut through the tension like a vibroblade. Every head in the room turned at that.

Major Alrec Rhyse stepped into the doorway, his uniform crisp, his expression carved from stone. The eye patch, and the hard glare from his good eye, did nothing to soften his presence.

The guards stiffened immediately.

"These criminals are going to need all the weapons they can get in a few days, trooper," Rhyse said coolly. "If the two of you can’t manage a room of has-been Rebels, I’ll be conducting a thorough review of the Navy’s roster."

The baton deactivated. With that, Kavren lowered the knife.

Rhyse stepped fully into the room.

"I'm guessing you've reasoned why you were all released from prison and brought here," he began. "The Concordance with the Remnant has been broken. The Republic is engaged across multiple systems."

Kessa suppressed a scoff. Did he think they got HoloNet updates in prison?

"You’re here because I believe you hate the Empire more than you resent the Republic." His gaze swept the room. "And that’s saying something. I’ve read each of your sentence records."

Kessa rolled her eyes. The real surprise was how many former Rebels weren’t locked up. The New Republic had expected revolutionaries to become model citizens overnight.

"Our Navy will provide transport and extraction," Rhyse continued. "Your objective is to locate and eliminate six high-ranking Remnant officers."

A ripple went through the room.

"These individuals are responsible for war crimes. For atrocities. For the deaths of people you once fought beside."

Kessa folded her arms. "Why the secrecy? Why use criminals for a military operation?"

Rhyse turned toward her. His singular eye fixed on hers, unblinking.

"The Remnant may ignore rules of engagement. The New Republic will not," he said evenly. "The Senate cannot be seen authorizing assassinations." He continued, "You have all been officially reclassified as escapees. To the Empire, you are dangerous fugitives. If you’re captured or killed, the Republic retains plausible deniability."

Muttering broke out instantly. Angry looks flashed toward the guards.

"That’s enough," Rhyse snapped. Silence fell across the room.

"I don’t like this arrangement any more than you do. Which is why I secured terms with the Senate." His voice lowered slightly. "Complete the mission, and your records are wiped clean. Full pardons. A transport. Credits. You can disappear to whatever wretched corner of the galaxy you choose." Now that got Kessa's attention.

Rhyse turned toward the Twi’lek playing sabaac.

"Ryla Tesh will serve as your liaison planetside. She represents the Flame of Zhar. Her syndicate maintains... connections on Gyndine. They'll get you weapons, and the intel you'll need to complete your mission."

Kessa exhaled sharply. Fantastic. Seems like the New Republic outsourcing everything to criminals now.

"If you succeed," Rhyse concluded, "you’ll remove some of the worst scum left in this galaxy."

He paused, measuring them. "May the Force be with you."