FORESIGHT and SCOPE: BOOK TWO

C H A P T E R S I X T Y

"I can do that?"

"Do not deter from your lack of cognizance in a respected militarial establishment. It is only logical as someone of your background."

Can I kill her now?

"Who do you recommend I speak to?" My mouth twisted to one side.

"I have taken the liberty to assign you a mission." Lerga rolled her shoulders back before she produced a handheld, electronic device and tapped on its tiny screen. "You will report to you new commanding officer Lieutenant Nolan. You and a unit of clones are assigned to an Imperial depot on the planet Barton IV. Local insurgents have been targeting the depot due to its high-value cargo. You are to guard this cargo until its transfer the following week."

I scoffed and followed up with a smirk. "That's really not my speed. Do you have any missions that involved breaking-and-entering, or—"

"This is not a debate." Legar frowned.

"Do I at least get to use my weapons?"

"From the number of incidental attacks that have been reported," she sighed. "I would say it is a high probability."

"Fair enough. I will complete this mission," I pointed my index finger. "under one condition."

"CT-9904 and his unit are the clones assigned to this mission."

...There are no words to describe how incredibly uncomfortable I felt in that moment...How swiftly my heart dropped to my gut like a rock sinking in water...The ripples following the internal disturbance were imitated by my disordered brainwaves. Rampart's final words suddenly echoed in my ears: "Whatever you feel for CT-9904, do not let it expose itself...The Empire will find out and expunge your future in an instant. Like how they did to me." Lerga wasn't 'expunging' my connection with Crosshair by reuniting us on this mission...was she?

The blonde-haired woman locked eyes with me, but I couldn't read the neutral expression she was conveying. Her inflection remained collected and unfazed. "I understand you and CT-9904 performed a mission together on Endor, and regardless of your unfortunate failure, you both managed to return to Coruscant. The Empire greatly admires that undying loyalty. I was also informed since the arrest of Vice Admiral Rampart, you and CT-9904 have exchanged comm channels and have been indifferently conversing on a regular basis. It gives me the notion you two have an acquaintanceship, and it deems me the obligation, in addition to your combined skill sets, to restore your partnership.

"The contents of the cargo you will be guarding is of high importance to the Empire." Lerga stated simply. "I trust you and the clone unit will do your part to ensure it is successfully transported at the week's end." She readjusted herself in her seat and set aside her datapad. If I wasn't so gobsmacked in that moment, I would say she seemed proud of herself.

A lingering question itched on my tongue: Who was assigned to the mission first? Me or Crosshair?

And where are my ticks when I expected them? Is this woman really not a threat?

"Enlighten me, Lieutenant," I cleared my throat as I shifted my weight to one hip. "have I been assigned this particular mission because of my misconduct and dormancy, or because of my cursory association with CT-9904?"

"Why can't both logical analyses be true?" Lerga smiled. She then tapped the surface of her desk, like one does when a lightbulb has switched on in one's head. "I almost forgot—you are no longer Rampart's personal abettor."

My eyes narrowed. "Yes, I gathered that since I have not 'abetted' him since he was arrested for the destruction of an entire civilization."

"Thus, you require a new title." Lerga rose from her chair, and I realized how petite she was. "From henceforth, Miss Quinn, you shall be officially ranked as 'Ensign.' This will give you regular access to the Imperial Archives—keep up your studies; I admire that about you—and limited training regimes, but you no longer have the means to galavant on holiday. Nor are you prohibited to dress like a bounty hunter. That is not your life anymore. You are a member of the Empire, ergo you will don the proper uniform. Am I understood?"