Exciting Prospects

It will never not be strange to have something to hide, know where that thing is hidden, and show those you are hiding it from right to it. For us we were hiding the fact that we were an Imperial vessel with spies, soldiers, and whatever I am supposed to be onboard. Naturally we hid as much of our equipment in plain sight.

We flew a YT-2300 light freighter with two mounted weapons, nothing marked as anything but a civilian transport vessel. Close inspection might show that the engines had been retrofitted to be much more powerful and the primary cargo hold could be hastily converted to a rail gun. The ship was also capable of entering a 'ghost' mode which made it virtually undetectable by any non-visual detection. I was impressed when the Captain told me about that particular function.

We laid out most of the personal weaponry we had, rifles laid out where any eye could see, and opened our cargo containers for inspection as ordered. Of course we didn't open the secret hatch in the floor beneath the cargo where we stored the proof that we were in fact an Imperial vessel. We had diplomatic papers which I could have used to try and talk our way but that would draw unwanted suspicion to myself, so I would prefer if we could make it planet side without alerting the authorities.

My plan greatly displeased the Captain of the ship, a proud Imperial sailor, but he was under orders to follow my commands. We would enter as a normal crew with our forged documentation curtesy of a real Naval Intelligence Officer. The crew of the ship all dressed in civilian attire and signaled the Republic officials to come aboard.

We cut our propulsion and waited for them to board. A tense silence set over us and I stood beside the Captain.

"I hate all this spy shit," The Captain said. There was unspoken challenge in his words, I didn't take it personally. Espionage was far from my preference as well, I was always partial to the dramatic entrance's the hero's in the holo's always seemed to make. Sadly, that would not serve my purposes, those who saw me in action needed to die so as to maintain my secrecy.

I looked briefly at the Captain, he was of an average height and slightly chubby, not much to be impressed by. But I had seen the way he moved, in full control of himself, a ruler of his domain, he wouldn't back down at mere orders or insistence. I would need to earn his respect or his terror.

I looked over at the first mate, she stood by the hatch from which the Republic officials would arrive, she was the most personable of the crew and would therefore act as the greeting party. She was silently nodding to herself, mouthing words, presumably practicing what she was going to say. Her blonde hair was done up in a low ponytail with two strands framing her pretty face, she looked nothing like the prim and proper officer who had first greeted me when I came aboard. She was quite the woman, one I very much would like to know on a far more physical level.

"Hey," the Captain said his voice a low whisper, "You know I've known that girl since she was in diapers, she's like a daughter to me." Another unspoken challenge, he was making a bad habit of it at this point. Still perhaps I will need to tread carefully with the first mate after all.

I kept my silence for now, but if his challenges continued he would need to be corrected.

Soon enough both of our attentions were drawn to the access hatch as the Republic boarding party entered. First entered two Republic Marines armed with their carbines and shiny white armor. Then entered the Chief Inspection Officer, a woman in the dress of a Naval Officer, the Republic had white uniforms instead of the Empire's grey, the medals and ribbon and pompous attitude remain the same though.

She was short, even for a woman, and a human like most officers I've seen. A darker complexion, skin like bronze, and black hair done in a neat bun. Pretty and tempting with wide hips and perky breasts. Her eye's darted about the room quickly observing everything within sight and ignoring our First Mate's greeting. Instead she ordered her men to their task.

"Sergeant inspect the cargo and bring me the shipping manifest," I heard her melodic voice softly before she cleared her delicate throat and sounded loud enough for all to hear, "My name is Lieutenant Shiara Silva, I will be inspecting your vessel, follow the orders given by my men and this will be short and easy, be warned that disobeying an order from us is to disobey the authority of the Republic."

I couldn't help but smirk at her authoritarian tone. I could think of orders I would like her to give me.

"Let me handle the Lieutenant," I said as I walked by the Captain. He wanted to protest but I was already moving. The Lieutenant looked at me as I approached, our eye's met and she said...