Corellia could be such a dirty city. Havock stepped off the transport from Tadath. She had gotten her first leave since joining the Empire. There were so many people in the spaceport. She had her reservations about coming 'home' to Corellia. She thought about the planet as she made her way though the overly crowded streets.

Jed, the only father Havock had known, practically begged her to visit. But this place, only seemed to remind Hav that she really had no idea where she really came from.

It was strange to be dressed in her civilian clothes, it had been so long since she was out of trooper uniform. She pulled her coat closer, wrapping it around her as she passed some of the merchants near the spaceport.

She slowed as she saw the orphanage, her first 'home'. She left before she could really ask what circumstances brought her there in the first place. She knew the nurses named her, so whoever left her there didn't even bother to do that before they dumped her on someone else's doorstep. Ayme, that's what they named her. One of the older nurses', Nica, her mother died just before Havock's arrival. They decided to name the helpless baby on their doorstep after the dead woman, so on paper she was Ayme. 

She adjusted her sack she had draped over her back. Her teeth started to grind together, she still hadn't looked away from the building that served as her first home. It looked so old and in need of repair. Small too, it just seemed so small now.

Shaking her head Havock turned to look down the street. She walked the next two blocks with very little thought. She had been down this road so many times. She arrived in front of a large but inconspicuous building that belonged to her foster father, Jed Katash.

Hav walked into the building. It was old and smelled of decaying flimsy. Descending the stairs to her second ‘home’ she opened the door. There was an entertainment room directly to her right as she made her way through the hallway. Five or six people were in there engaged in some sort of card game, and making quite a noise so nobody even noticed Havock was there. Hav just kept walking, passing the common rooms. She made her way down to the level with their bedrooms, and found hers just has she left it.

Pausing for a second as she entered the threshold, Havock looked around the room that had been hers since she was eight years old. She made her way over to the bed and set her pack down. Only then did she notice how numb her shoulder had become from carrying the bulky bag for so long. Her hand rubbed the sore shoulder a few times before she got to the work of unpacking.

She had gotten most of the items in her bag away, her wrist was sweating so she undid the latch. Taking off the nerf skin bracelet, she rubbed her wrist. Havock looked at the pale wrist as turned and sat on her bed. The tattoo on her wrist had been there since before Jed found her, since the orphanage and probably before that. Lost in thought, staring at the tattoo, she didn’t even notice the man who was standing in her doorway.

“Thought you'd never let that thing see the light of day.”

Havock didn’t look up, “Thought you'd stopped smoking those cancer sticks.” She grinned and looked up at Jed.

He chuckled, held the lit cigarette up at her as if to say ‘see this’. Then he dropped it and smashed it beneath his foot. She laughed, although subconsciously she was still holding her wrist. They met in the middle of the room and embraced.

“Took you long enough.” Jed said as they released. Jed was a big man, with jet black hair and a rugged beard. He glanced at the naked wrist with the tattoo, but knew better than to bring it up.

“I’ve been busy you know.” She backed up and returned to her seat on the bed. “You’ve lost weight.”

Jed smirked, “Yeah. I stopped eating all the foods I like. I’m miserable, but I look really good.” He put his hands in his pockets. “So, heard you got promoted.”

Havock nodded. “Yep, I’m a Lance Corporal now. Happened after our last mission, to a planet called Kalee. Things got kinda messy but we pulled out of it okay.”

“Messy?” He had his eyebrow raised as he sat next to her.

“A few of us got captured by the locals. Things did not look good, and I…just freaked out for a while. I’ve never felt so hopeless. But the way I figure it. I’m the new girl, and I’m the one that panicked on the last mission. I feel like everyone is questioning whether or not I can cut it. And the truth is…I don’t know. I’m terrified. But I’m more terrified of not trying.”

Only then did Havock notice the datapad in his hand. She recognized the insignia on the back and knew that he had received orders from the mysterious invisible bosses that payed them their paycheck. She would tease him about the supervisors with no faces often but decided he had probably heard those jokes enough. “What's that all about?” Havock pointed to the datapad in his hand.

“This? You know what this is Havock, its a job. Now don't worry I wouldn't ask you to come...”

“Shut up.” She reached over and grabbed the datapad. Looking over the data she raised an eyebrow and looked back at Jed. “You weren't going to ask me? Lucy would get shot for sure if you sent her out on this.”

He laughed and shook his head, “Good thing your here then, I guess.”

“When is the briefing?”

“Right after dinner, may I offer the lady some food.” He stood and with way too much chivalry offered Hav his hand.

She just shook her head and batted it away, getting up on her own. “My haven't we gone soft?”

“See what happens when your gone.”

The lobby of the bank was huge. The floors were blue but so shiny and reflective Hav could see herself as clearly as if she was looking in a mirror. Lucy paused to check her make-up, and then she turned to Havock. “See the guy standing over there. His wife looks the jealous type right?”

Rolling her eyes and discreetly glancing in the direction Lucy indicated. She saw a man in a business suit standing with obvious discomfort next to a woman. “Okay, fine. I’m going to get in line, I’ll cover you.”

Lucy looked at Hav. “So tell me Havock, and be honest, how’s my hair?” She fluffed the curly tendrils as she spoke.

Havock looked at the girl with the blinding blond hair, frankly to Havock she looked absolutely ridiculous. “Yeah, its fine.”

“Thanks baby.” She blew Hav a quick kiss as she walked off to ruin that poor man’s day. God I miss Jae. At the very least she would find a way to keep me from killing Lucy. Hav thought as she shook her head and made her way to the queue.

She could see Jed and Bishop already over with the manager in his office. Havock knew that Jed could convince people of anything. If he wasn’t working for Black Nebula he would probably be a used speeder salesman. She caught Bishop's eye, and he winked. Hav nodded in response and got behind the last person in line. If Lucy's scene didn't do the trick Hav had to come up with something. She watched the scenario unfold.

Lucy walked by the man, if you can call that much hip bumping walking. She dropped something from her bag and bent over to pick it up. Of course when Lucy bends over, she really does it. Her butt was directly in the mans line of sight and she was sure to push her chest out as she snapped back up. Ack how do they always fall for this crap. Just like all the others, the man had his jaw open. Only by having years of social training, was restraining the urge to stick his tongue out and pant like a vonskyr.

Here comes the fun part. Havock took a chance to sneak a look back at the managers office. These guys always have glass offices, heh, so predictable.  

By the time her head came back around to Lucy, things were getting interesting. The wife was whispering angrily at the man, getting closer and closer. She started throwing in a few pushes on his chest as Lucy sauntered over to 'help' things along. The wife jumped like a cougar at Lucy and was barely restrained by the man. Who, humorously, was trying to make excuses for his wifes behavior while holding the raging woman back. 

That was enough to get security pulled. Havock looked back at the office. The manager was standing but had not left the office yet. And he never did. Seeing his crack security detail deal with the dispute he apologized to his potential meal tickets and sat back down. Fracking Hell!

Havock was almost to the front window now. They called her number and she approached the teller. Now she was going to have to ruin their day.

“How may I help you, Ma'am.” The teller was far to cheery they must be being monitored.

“I'd like to make a deposit in my account. Here is the number.” Havock rattled off some make-believe account knowing the woman wouldn't find anything. Knowing that when she didn't all hell was going to break loose.

After a few minutes of frowns and clicks on the keyboard the teller finally looked up at Havock. “I'm sorry, but we have no account by that number. If you could give me your name and your....”

“WHAT DO YOU MEAN? NO NO THERE SHOULD BE...WAIT...WHERE IS YOUR MANAGER, HUH. YOU CAN'T CHEAT ME.” Havock just kept it going, punching the heavily plated glass between her and the teller for good measure every now an then.

That must have done the trick, because the manager came running. “Ma'am excuse me I'm the manager. Perhaps we can go talk somewhere...”

“NO, no you can explain to me why this number is not working.” She slammed the flimsy down on the counter. “You tell me why MY account doesn't EXIST, huh?” She banged the teller window again. “I bring my credits to this bank, and you LOSE my account.” Havock looked at the rest of the queue, “you guys sure your moneys actually here? Better check!”

The people in line started to pull out comlinks and datapads, mumbling to each other. The manager started to sweat.

“Miss I promise I can help you if the account is current I can find it. It's just a misunderstanding.” He said both to Havock and loud enough for the majority of people in line to hear.

Behind his shoulder Havock saw Jed and Bishop give her a signal and head for the exit. She dangled the manager along for another thirty seconds before making her exit.

“Okay enough. I can't handle this. I'm out of here.” Havock grabbed the flimsy and headed for the exit. The manager made feeble attempts to convince her not to leave angry and pleaded for her not to take her business elsewhere. She could still hear him as the doors shut.

Havock walked into Jed’s lounge area. The room was full of books…smelly books. Havock had no idea why Jed would keep these bound pieces of flimsy when a perfectly good data pad could hold them all. He was there, with Bishop leaned over a computer completely engrossed in something.

Havock walked around the table and started to stare at the books on the shelves.

“Oh can I recommend one?” Jed asked. Havock turned, his posture had not changed but his head was lifted and looking at her.

“Heh, only if it comes in the compact form.” She held up her datapad to illustrate what she defined as ‘the compact form’.

He shook his head and rolled his eyes. He turned back to the screen as Bishop continued to clack away at the keys. Havock looked up as a new person walked into the lounge. It was a young man, medium build; he couldn’t have been older than fifteen. He bounced up to Jed then frowned as he saw Havock, “Hi Jed, who are you?”

Havock raised an eyebrow at him, Jed looked somewhat agitated as he pulled himself away from the computer screen. “Ah Toby.” He glanced over at Havock standing with her arms crossed and eyebrows rose glaring at the poor young man. “This is my daughter, Havock.” He nodded then went back to the computer. Bishop still had not flinched, or moved his eyes from the screen.

“Oh well hi, hey you know Jed had me looking up some information to organize the personnel files. I saw your file and I wanted to tell you that I love your nickname, Ayme.”

Havock’s eyebrows went from being raised in slight amusement to instantaneously being locked in a frown, narrow and angry. Both Jed and Bishop stopped what they were doing and slowly raised their heads to Havock. The lack of Bishops clickity-clack on the keyboard was deafening.

Havock just looked at Toby for a few very silent minutes, before licking her lips and smiling. “Toby, right?”

The poor confused young man nodded quickly at Havock.

“Okay, your new here. So, here’s the deal. You will never, ever call me that again. I’m Havock, Hav, maybe Havvy. But if you ever call me that other name again, I will hurt you. Understand, Toby?”

Toby had gone a nice shade of white that went very nicely with the décor of the room. He visibly swallowed before answering the blue eyed girl. “Yeah, s-ssorry, Havock.” He sheepishly turned and walked back towards the exit.

Jed just shook his head at Havock, she turned to look at the pair of them her arms still crossed. She smirked and shrugged her shoulders, “what?”

Bishop looked up at Jed, “Geez boss, I don’t know seems to me being a trooper has made ol’ Havvy kinda soft on the noobs.”

Jed turned sharply to look at Bishop with a frown, before realizing it was a joke. Then all three of them erupted in laughter.

“Okay, okay Hav.” Jed spoke breathlessly through laughter, emphasizing her name.  “Are you just about ready for the mission?”

“Yes. I’ve got my gear together. But I wanted to check the armory. See if you got any new toys since I’ve been gone.” She smirked and her blue eyes twinkled just a little.

“Well get going, we need to get out of here at 2300. Meet us at the garage.”

“Yes, sir.” She smiled as she saluted and headed out.

Havock guided the transport around until she found the row of shipping containers that should contain the one with the briefcase. Pulling the vehicle to a good position she powered the engines down and started to take off the coveralls to reveal the black suit underneath. Havock double checked her blaster then glanced over at Bishop.

She had to do a double-take to make sure he wasn't crying. He wasn't, but he looked like he could at any moment. Taking in and releasing a deep breath Havock leaned over in Bishop's direction. “Bishop...we need to do this, we can talk as soon as we get back to the house.”

He looked at her, frowning, but his eyes softened a little and he nodded.

Havock jumped out of the drivers seat and walked around to the large rear door, opened it and went inside.

“Nice driving there Kid.”

Jed looked at the man to silence him before turning to Havock. “What the hell happened back there.”

Havock looked sheepishly at Jed. “Nothing, it was nothing. Everything's fine the guard doesn't suspect anything.”

Bishop walked behind and around Havock, careful not to touch her, and started to look for his datapad. Jed noticed and narrowed his gaze at the boy then cocked his head and looked at Havock with raised eyebrows.

Havock just shook her head and pleaded with her eyes for Jed to leave Bishop alone for now.

“Got it.” Bishop held up a datapad. “Now we can find the container, lets go.” Without making eye contact he walked out and started scanning.

Havock rolled her eyes and followed him out leaving Jed and the other man to interface with the security system from the transport.

They walked in silence, Havock keeping watch and Bishop scanning each of the shipping containers. At least the intel they found had narrowed it down to only a section of the yard. They would never have found anything if they had to check every single one.

The had walked a few hundred meters when Havock heard the datapad 'beep'. She stepped up next to Bishop and looked at the screen over his shoulder. He walked over the the containers door, it was number 1060. Havock stood with her back to the large metal door of the container, keeping watch. Her eyes darted over to check Bishop's progress on getting the lock open.

“Impatient?” He asked, his eyes hadn't left the datapad but his eyebrows were raised.

Havock turned her head completely to look at him. “Who me?” She looked back over the yard. “Never.” She smirked.

Bishop just shook his head. Then they both jumped a bit when the door opened with a loud 'click'. There eyes met before Havock walked past him into the dark container.

She clicked a flashlight attached to her wrist and shined it on the contents.

The container was surprisingly clean, in fact it looked cleaner than her room back home. There was little in the room to speak of. What looked like a small desk, maybe a chair behind it. There were a few boxes neatly stacked against two of the three available walls.

Havock walked around taking a survey of all the items. No briefcase was in sight. She glanced back at Bishop, who was now taking his turn standing guard. Its going to be an interesting conversation when they get back to the house. Havock hadn't a clue what she was going to say. She closed her eyes for a second, Hav needed to focus. She could start going through boxes, but something told her to check the desk.

She examined the chair and the desk, making sure there were no visible triggers. When nothing could be found she sat in the chair and started pulling on the drawer handles. None would budge.

Havock pulled out some tools from a pouch in her belt, and used them to pick the lock under the desk. With a quiet 'snap' the desk and all the drawers unlocked. Hav opened all in turn and found them surprisingly empty. Pulling out the largest drawer again she felt around the bottom and found the latch. Heh, got cha'

Shining her flashlight on the contents, she saw the gray outline of a briefcase in the drawer's hidden compartment. She pulled the briefcase out and headed towards the exit as she went past Bishop he immediately shut the door. Then they both heard a 'beep'.

“Was that your comlink?” Havock frowned at Bishop. His hands were still on the door handle.

“No my comlink is off, so is the datapad.” Hand still not moving he turned to look at Havock. “What the hell was that, Hav?”

Havock started to answer when it 'beeped' again, and again. The interval got shorter.

“Umm Havock.”

“Move Bishop!” Havock grabbed his arm with the hand not clenching the briefcase. They ran, the 'beep' growing more distance in the background. Havock threw the briefcase at Jed through the open back door.

“Gotta run, talk later.” Bishop had already started closing the door. Havock jumped into the drivers seat and got the engine running.

Havock pulled the transport out with Bishop still half-way out the door. He glared at her as the door slammed shut. “Could you give a guy a chance to actually get in the vehicle?”

Havock would have answered but she was cut off as the container blew. She could see the red flames growing just before the aftershock hit the transport. She drove past the now vacant guard house, the guard must have gone to investigate. Regardless it didn't matter, they had what they wanted and no one looking as they left. Havock drove inconspicuously back to the house.

The group had started to assemble in the briefing room around the giant conference table. Havock took her seat and started to rub the lump on the back of her head from her earlier fight with the punching bag. Bishop walked past her and sat in the seat next to her. He looked at her and frowned. “What's wrong with your head?”

Havock looked at him, still trying to make the headache go away. “Nothing.” Immediately she regretted how harsh the word had come out. Hav dropped her hand to the table and let out a breath she didn't know she had been holding since Bishop sat down. As she looked at him all she kept thinking was I'm sorry, I'm really sorry . But instead she said. “Bishop, I didn't mean...what I meant was...” she let out an exasperated sound then continued. “I fell, in the gym.”

Bishop laughed out loud, Havock frowned and why  did I not want to hit this man again? “Loose a fight with the treadmill again?”

Havock's eyes went wide and she whacked him hard in the shoulder. “You did not bring that up, I warned you if you ever brought that up again I would kill you.” She shrugged. “So come on lets go, I'll get my blaster pistol.”

A few years before joining the Vast Empire, Havock had been running on the treadmill for over an hour. When Bishop came in and told her that Jed needed to talk to her, she just stopped the machine cold and tried to walk off. Tried being the operative word, since the first step she took was a stumble backwards sending her flying into a weight bench. Bishop almost hyperventilated he was laughing so hard. Took  her forever to live that one down.

“Whoa, whoa.” Bishop was smiling and holding both hands up in the air. “May I petition the court for mercy?”

Havock smirked at Bishop and put a finger to her chin as if to think about that. Just as she was about to answer him Lucy came up with a sly smile and put one arm around both Hav and Bishop. “So nice to see you too getting along again.”

Havock closed her eyes and started to rub her temple. Bishop just shook his head at Lucy. “Lucy, I swear sometimes...”

Before any of them could continue Jed stepped up to the front of the table and started the briefing.

“First of all good job all of you. With the exception of some massive destruction, nice to have you back Havock, we achieved our objective and were able to deliver the briefcase to the bosses and we have received our payment. You will all receive your cut within the next hour or so.” With that a few people started to get up and leave.

Havock looked around very confused. “Hold on, what was in the briefcase?”

Everyone froze where they were and looked either at Havock or Jed. Bishop and Lucy looked at Havock with a surprisingly similar confused expression on their face.

Jed frowned and shrugged. “How am I supposed to know? We get the stuff, that's all. None of my business what's in it, or what they need it for. As long as the credits arrive on time. You know that Havock.”

Havock looked up at Jed, her arms crossed in the chair. Now all eyes were on her, she started to swivel the chair with her foot as her blue eyes drew daggers at Jed. “I don't understand how you can do that, what if it was a weapon, and you don't know...”

Everyone jumped except Havock when Jed slammed his fist on the table. “Everyone out, Havock and I need to have a talk.”

The room cleared out in record time. Nobody spoke as they walked briskly towards the exit. When the door slid shut, Hav was still in her chair with her arms crossed. She was chewing on her cheek looking at the paint on the wall.

Jed walked over and sat in the chair next to Havock. He put his elbows on his knees and clasped his hands together, then stared at Havock waiting for her to look at him. “Ayme.”

Havock slowly turned to look at him and raised an eyebrow. He had a smirk on his face. “Made ya' look.”

She avoided looking him in the eye. “That's not funny.” She bit her lip as she continued to fidget in the chair.  “You're not going to make me call you Dad now, are you?”

He genuinely laughed at that. “God no, That just doesn't sound right at all.”

Hav smirked and looked down a her hands. “Heh, you started it.”

“Seriously, tell me what's wrong.” His eyes were soft as he looked at her. “You've been acting weird lately.”

“Our last mission, I'm talking about the Army, well the last mission still bothers me. I wake up with nightmares, I just wish it was over in my mind. And, I don't know, this Bishop thing...”

“Bishop.” He sat up a little. “What did Bishop do?” His hand instinctively went for his holster.

Hav smiled a little. “Umm relax, nothing. He just still...likes me...I guess. And that's bothering me too, Bishop's just a friend and I don't want to loose him as a friend.”

“I would be happy to explain that to him for you.”

Havock reached out and grabbed Jed's arms. “Please no, he looks better in one piece.”

Taking a deep breath Havock looked at Jed. “I have to go back tomorrow, you know that. And yes, I want to. In fact I miss the Army. I just have a lot on my mind. I guess. And I don't understand this anymore. I don't know how you can know so little. I mean we follow orders in the Army but we know what were doing. I guess I just don't understand anymore. Or I'm just in a mood. Who knows.”

He though about that for a few minutes. “Hmm, well tell you what. If its me and you talking, you can question all you want. But in the briefing room with everyone here. Do your old man a favor and not question him in front of his entire crew again, okay?”

Havock looked sheepishly at Jed. “Yeah, sorry about that.”

He put his hands on her shoulders and patted her a few times, then he leaned forward and kissed her on the forehead. “Go on, get out of here. I'm sure there's a few things you need to do before you leave.”