In Command (#1 Post-Order 66 Series)

In Command - Part 8

He took the bait. "Oh, it is." He leaned in closer so that she could smell his breath. "Tell me, Valla, how much technical expertise do you have?"

She sighed lightly. "Some. Lon and I run a tech repair shop out of our home. I mainly handle the billing and paperwork, but I've been known to tighten a bolt or weld a panel when needed. I do find it all fascinating, I just don't always understand the jargon." She batted her lashes at him again. Go on, explain it to me. I know you're dying to, sleemo.

Fisk launched into a several hour-long lecture about the various precious metals found beneath the surface of Lothal and their uses in elementary technical components. Senna tried to cut in with questions to steer the conversation but was having little luck as he was hardly listening to her. Even after their entrees were being cleared away by waiter droids and Wen was downing his fifth drink, he was still explaining the basics of power couplers to her. She was internally growing progressively more frustrated as she attempted one more time to ask how these items pertained to the super weapon.

"So all of these items are important individually, but they're widely available throughout the galaxy. Why is Lothal so important?"

"Well, because of the volume of resources we can obtain here, my dear," he slurred.

The band struck up a slower tune, and before Senna could press any further, Fisk turned to her, extending a hand. "Would you care to dance?"

"Oh, I don't dance much," she attempted to backpedal.

"No, please. I insist."

Hesitantly, she took his hand, and he led her to the dance floor. The lights were dimmer here, and she felt his fingers creep across her bare back, trailing down her spine. "So Valla, how would you like this evening to end?" She felt panic creep into her throat as he nuzzled her ear, and she focused on calming her breathing. He slowly began kissing her jawline and her skin crawled as the smell of liquor on his skin inundated her senses. Fisk nipped at her just below her jawline, and it stung where his teeth hit her flesh. Stay calm. You can do this. Just stay calm. You can get out of this. Suddenly, she felt his fingers creep towards her throat and begin to peel the collar of her dress away to expose her neck. The bruises. She forcefully pushed him away.

"I'm sorry, Wen. I can't...I just can't." Hurriedly, she strode off the dance floor, making her way towards the exit, her heart racing and her breath catching in her throat. She didn't stop walking until she was out the front door of the club, the cool night breeze gently caressing her face. You've got to go back in there. You haven't gotten enough out of him. She was desperately trying to calm her breathing, but her heart wouldn't slow down and she felt her blood pounding in her ears. It felt as if someone was squeezing her chest from the inside, and she was gasping for air with quivering breaths.

"Valla!" A drunk and upset Fisk emerged from the doors, coming after her. "Why would you run away like that? What's wrong?"

"I'm sorry Wen, I really just think I should go." Her mind was racing and she was struggling to come up with excuses. She just didn't want to be near him anymore. Rex had been right, she couldn't do this. "Thank you again for a lovely evening, I just-"

He clamped his hands around her wrists. "Now Valla, after the evening we just had, I can't imagine letting you just go home now, not after the lovely dinner and drinks I just paid for. I think perhaps its time to explore some other activities, don't you?"

Her blood ran cold, and she fought everything within her to not use the Force to fling him off of her. Panic rose in her throat as she looked around for any help. The stormtroopers at the entrance weren't paying any attention and the rest of the street appeared empty. "Wen, I really can't."

"Can't or won't?" There was a threat to his voice has his grip on her wrists tightened, digging the bangles in to her skin, and he pulled her closer to him.

"Valla?" a gruff voice called out behind her.

Fisk peered over her shoulder, and a scowl crept across his face. He immediately released her wrists as she felt a large, warm hand settle on the small of her back. "I didn't expect to find you out here tonight."

She turned and looked into Rex's amber eyes, staring down at her. He turned to address her assailant. "Commander Fisk, isn't it? Valla didn't mention she was meeting you tonight. Must have slipped her mind. Good to see you again. Hopefully, you were able to hold your liquor this time." His tone was flippant, but she could see the threat in his eyes. He was daring Fisk.

The commander tried to mutter something back, but Senna turned to Rex. "I thought you were out with your friends tonight, my love. I didn't expect to see you until I got home."

"Yeah, well the boys and I had stopped at some bar near here, and I was just getting ready to head home when I saw you two. Figured I'd walk you home since it looked like you were leaving as well."

Fisk opened his mouth to protest, but Senna interrupted him. "Your timing is impeccable. I was just telling Wen good night." She turned to the slack-jawed Imperial. "Thank you again for a lovely evening, Commander. It was so good to see you. Good luck with your conference next week." And with that, she slipped her arm through Rex's and they began walking back the way he'd come.

As soon as they had walked a few blocks and turned a few corners, Rex pulled her into an alley and stopped her. "I'm sorry, I know you said not to follow, but I was-"

She cut him off by wrapping him in a hug. He felt her shivering in his arms. "Thank you. You were right. Thank you for coming and getting me."

He pulled back from her, taking her face in his hands, concern creasing his brow. "Did he hurt you?"

She wrapped her fingers around his wrists as he inspected her face. "No, no he didn't. I just think that was going to go very differently if you hadn't shown up. He wasn't taking no for an answer. And I didn't get any helpful information at all. I failed."

Rex's eyes burned with anger and his brows furrowed. "I'm sorry I didn't get there sooner," he said, his eyes resting on the small bite mark just below her jawline. She quickly covered it with her hand, shame prickling at her eyes. He lifted her chin so her eyes met his. "You never have to do that again, ok? Never. I won't let you. And you didn't fail anyone. Understand?"

She bit back tears, nodding. "Ok," she whispered.

They began walking again in silence. Once they reached the dwelling, Rex guided her inside and sat her down on the couch in their front room. He could tell she was still coming down from her panic, and it had left her a little numb. Gently, he removed her shoes and set her feet on the floor. He noted the marks on her wrists from where her jewelry had been pressed into her skin and carefully removed the bangles as well, gently running his thumbs over the indentations on her wrists. Rising, he went to the kitchen and got her a cup of water, bringing it back out to her and sitting quietly next to her on the couch.

Finally, after a few minutes, she took a deep breath and released it. "I'm alright."

"Are you sure?" he asked. "You know you don't have to be, right?"

For some reason, that's what broke her. Senna collapsed forward, her face in her hands, and sobbed. Rex gently scooted closer, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her into him.

"I was just so scared, Rex. I haven't been that scared since..."

"I know. It's alright. He won't hurt you. I won't let him. You never have to see him again."

She sat up, looking at him with her tearstained face. "Yes, I do. We do. He has a conference he's attending next week in the capital city. They're discussing the weapon there. We have to figure out how to tap into that conference. We have to go."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes. Rex, we have to. I don't have to necessarily meet with him, but if we can somehow tap into the audio feed for that conference using my comm equipment, it'll be a gold mine."

He studied her face for a few moments before responding. "If you're certain. But I won't let you meet with him alone, not with how he just behaved."

She chewed her lip, her determination returning. "Alright."

"Well in that case, I guess it's time Lon and Valla took a little vacation."