Disclaimer: I own nothing but my original characters and works; all other characters and worlds belong to their respective owners. I'm just playing with them.
Betad by Priapus, Beans
The Agent
Chapter 01: Defection
Life is easy when you're growing up, even if the galaxy is on fire. It's… simple, easy to understand. The good guys are fighting the bad guys. The glorious Republic and the tyrannical Empire. The heroic Jedi and the evil Sith. It's black and white. Good and Evil. Heroes and Villains.
So, growing up surrounded by heroes and being told tales of the great heroes in my lineage, isn't it natural that I'd want to do the same? That I'd want to take the fight to the empire for freedom, justice and good will for all.
But real life isn't quite as simple as the holovids, and anyone who claims otherwise is trying to sell you something.
In another world, I probably wouldn't have these thoughts, but in that world I'd also be a Jedi like my mother before me, and her parents before her. I would have stayed in that enclave until I was ready to wage war against the foul Sith, throwing my life away for the ideals of the Jedi Order.
Finding out I wasn't force sensitive and was being kicked out (not that they said it so plainly) was probably the best thing that ever happened to me. My brother doesn't see it that way, feeling like we 'failed' to become Jedi, but the Force didn't choose us and as far as I'm concerned, that's a blessing.
But we'd still bought into their bullshit about the great war against evil, and left the Jedi with the delusion that we had a duty to do our part for the Galactic Republic. So, we sought another path. Having two war heroes for parents does a lot to make sure you get the best training possible, and we flew through bootcamp and both got handpicked for the Republic SIS. To fight the Sith in the shadows, defending the republic from their cruelty.
But the issue with that is that SIS agents do their work behind the curtain, and you get to see all the shit that the Republic brushed out of sight. I guess they figured that we'd never waver because of who our parents are or something equally stupid. That we were Republic right down to our cores.
Stepping out of the building, I breathe in that… unique Dromund Kaas air.
Guess they were wrong.
The Galactic Republic is a rotting carcass of an empire pretending to be a democracy. It is depraved, corrupt, and just as tyrannical as the Empire. The Sith are worse, don't get me wrong, but the Republic pretend they are a shining beacon while they Sith know exactly what they are. The Jedi are slaves to the Force, and it only took a little digging to find out that my own grandmother was exiled from the Order on the demand of the Senate for asking the wrong questions.
They didn't want someone of my renowned lineage making a stir. Well, I've sure as fuck made one now.
Theron wouldn't understand. For all his bitterness over his failure to become a Jedi, he's still loyal to the core. The Republic could spit on his face and he'd thank them for it. He's dedicated, obedient and maybe just a better person than me. I suspect he'll be volunteering for the first SIS retrieval mission to take me in (with under the table orders to make sure I resist capture and end up dead).
But what is done is done, and I, Cael Shan, son of Grandmaster Satele Shan and Supreme Commander Jace Malcom, have turned coat. Looking down at my imperial uniform, I smile wryly.
To be clear, I don't think the Empire are the good guys. I just don't think there are any good guys in this fight anymore, and I decided I'd rather fight for the honest bad guys than the ones pretending their shit doesn't stink.
Or maybe I just hated the fact that the Republic believed that when they said jump, I wouldn't even bother asking how high. Because I'm a Shan, giving my all for the Republic is in my blood.
I've said all this to Imperial Intelligence.
They even believed me.
First mistake.
"Agent Shan," a cold voice says, getting my attention to the woman waiting for me after my latest round of interrogations. Imperial Intelligence are understandably paranoid about my actions, but even the most paranoid Watcher doesn't think this could be a double-bluff.
The SIS wouldn't give themselves such a black eye, damaging the Republic and disgracing two of their heroes, just to get a plant inside the Empire. I didn't come here alone, because I handed over the Senator I was tasked with protecting when I arrived and an entire planet left the Republic because of it.
"Lady Beniko, or is it Darth?" I say, greeting Lana. Her yellow eyes don't so much as blink as she stares into my soul. My own personal Sith, I feel so honoured. of course, her role is to watch me for even a hint of betrayal and torture me to death if I show even a flicker of regret but it is what it is.
"Either will suffice. Get in," Lana demands. Sith aren't much for manners, it seems. Not even a 'how are you doing after several hours of interrogations'. Quite rude, actually. Well, I made my bed and there's Sith in it. Honestly, by most standards she's downright pleasant. Not even a hint of lightning for keeping her waiting.
Knowing that Lana isn't a girl who appreciates wasting time, I enter the airspeeder and watch her take off without a word of explanation. Rather than waste my time trying to read Lana, who might as well be a statue, I admire the jungles and architecture of Dromund Kaas. I've been here for a month and I still can't get used to the rain.
"You are in a unique position, Shan," Lana finally speaks up, getting my attention. "And not necessarily a good one."
"Because half of your Sith buddies want to torture me to death to get some win against my mother. Probably because they know that anyone not on the Dark Council wouldn't stand a chance of fighting her in any other way," I snort.
"Correct," Lana agrees simply, her lips twitching briefly. She can show emotion! "Luckily for you, the Council isn't so shortsighted, but even amongst defectors, you are especially distrusted."
"I wasn't exactly expecting a warm welcome," I shrug easily. "But you wouldn't be here if the Empire wasn't willing to give me a chance, would you? If the Empire decided I was too much of a risk, I wouldn't have made it out of that interrogation room."
"Correct," Lana agrees again. "As I said, you're in a unique position. SIS defectors are rare, and few were as highly placed as you. Frankly, the effect of having a Shan in the Empire is worth the risk. That said, you've got a long road ahead of you before you can prove you are more loyal to the Empire than you were to your last employees."
"Lemme guess. I'm going to be sent to act in ways that directly conflict with the Republic's interests to make sure I'm not a double agent? I have been in the intel game for a while, I know how defectors are viewed and tested," I reply with an easy shrug.
"That you knew this path would be so difficult just raises the question further. Why do it?" Lana asks plainly. "Some believe you were so disgusted with the Senator you were tasked with protecting that you switched sides to force him to face justice."
"And you don't?" I ask with a chuckle. They're wrong, but the look on that fat fucker's face as I handed him over was the highlight of my year. It was mostly a fucking PR assignment. 'Here, we respect your people so much we're assigning the son of two of our best heroes to your Senator's protection'.
Two months of watching that fat bastard get high and indulge in depravity that would make a Hutt squirm, all while the Republic turned a blind eye to his crimes because the planet he represented was valuable to the Republic. Theron lectured me on seeing the big picture, how his sector was going to be an essential asset in the inevitable war. What he doesn't get is that I could already see the big picture. I bet he's blaming himself, asking how he missed this.
"You aren't a fool, Cael. I might just trust a fool. Your record speaks for itself, you know that there are countless Moffs in the Empire just as bad as him, if not worse," Lana points out. "Not to mention the Sith. You didn't swap sides out of some moral crisis."
"Nope," I agree, dragging it out and enjoying the momentary tightening around her eyes. She really is a saint of a Sith, because she lets me get away with far more than any other would. "I just saw through the propaganda and realised that there wasn't a 'right' side in this war. Just the one that's going to be left when it's all done. If both sides are fucked, I'll pick the one I think is going to win."
"Fair enough," Lana says, though her tone tells me she doesn't believe that's all there is to it. Clever girl. "But as I said, you are in a unique position because nobody knows where to put you."
"Aww, nobody wants me," I say with a pout.
"Quite the opposite. Too many people want you. Every Sith wants the son of our greatest foe as their servant. Imperial Intelligence are claiming you as a defector who they turned. Just about every Imperial Military division, the Diplomacy and Public Relations divisions and so many more," Lana admits. "But that puts you in a strange position, because if anyone gets you, everyone else is going to be offended."
"Ah, politics," I snort. I am well aware that despite my considerable talents, it's my name most of them want. But then, I already knew this was going to happen. I was counting on it. Sith infighting is the Republic's best weapon. Always has been.
"So, we can't trust you enough to put you in any position that would actually make use of your talents, can't give you to any Sith Lord or Imperial Division without causing more trouble than it would be worth. You are a unique frustration and as your minder, it has caused me no end of annoyance and work," Lana continues as if I never said a word.
"So you're saying I've been on your mind a lot lately?" I ask with a cocky grin. Lana pauses, seemingly genuinely surprised for the briefest moment before she rolls her eyes. I guess not many people flirt with the scary sith lady much, huh?
[Social: Persuasion] roll. DC20.
Rolled a 9 + Base Skill 12 = 21.
Roll Successful.
Hey, you have to shoot your shot, right? Besides, I can't help but notice that the voice in my head is saying successful. It's amazing what you can get used to, because now I don't even blink at the knowledge in my head.
"Fortunately, my master, Darth Arkous, Master of the Sphere of Military Offense, had an idea," Lana continues as if I'd not spoken up. She does that sometimes. "You will be given a chance to prove yourself to the Empire, as an independent agent. Not officially a part of any one division and therefore able to work with all of them. You will report your actions to me directly rather than to Imperial Intelligence or one of their Watchers, but Darth Arkous wants to see just how talented you truly are, or if your name is all you bring to the table."
How predictable. Step one, complete.
"I would have thought the Empire already had a hefty report on my skills," I say with a cocky smile. I might not have had the longest career in the SIS, but it was a very fruitful one. "I take it you have a mission for me, then?"
"No. Grand Moff Kilran does," Lana replies, giving me a look.
"The Butcher of Coruscant himself? I'm honoured," I say easily. Surely he has no hard feelings about the assassination attempt. What's a little bombing between comrades? "So, where exactly are we going?"
"You've passed the initial investigation. Congratulations, you're officially a member of the Empire," Lana explains, landing the airspeeder on a landing pad of one of the large buildings. "This will be your home on Dromund Kaas. The speeder is yours as well."
"So, how many bugs are in the walls?" I ask as we get out, and I look around. It's a damn nice place, large, spacious, not too far from the city center. As Lana hands me the key and we head inside, I have to admit they went all out. Better than my old pad on Coruscant anyway. Guess the Empire pays better. A little underdecorated but I can work with that.
"As you remain under investigation until you have proven your loyalty, it goes without saying that this penthouse is under surveillance and will remain so until we have no further doubts about your intentions," Lana replies dryly. "I'm sure you could find them all, but tampering with Imperial Intelligence surveillance devices carries, at minimum, a five thousand credit fine, another round of interrogations and possible prison time."
"Lovely," I snort. I found listening devices in my Coruscant apartment too, funnily enough. SIS and Imperial Intelligence really aren't that different. "So, who is going to be the one watching me showering?"
"Watcher Two," Lana admits without a hint of shame.
"Ah, I knew she liked me," I boast, getting a roll of Lana's eyes.
"She recommended we implant you with a tracking device that doubles as a kill switch, as your record shows you have a habit of disobeying orders if you believe you know better," Lana points out.
"She just wants to keep a close eye on me, that's all… and who could blame her?" I ask with a flex. Lana does not look impressed. "So, where's the nearest bar?"
"The Nexus Room Cantina is supposed to be rather impressive. Do not stay out too late, you have a meeting with the Grand Moff tomorrow at first light, and will be deployed on your first mission by midday," Lana says flatly.
"Hey, you said it yourself, it's a time for celebrations. I passed the Imperial Intelligences tests, and I even got a fancy uniform and place out of it. I thought you Sith were all about passion, anyway," I joke. "Care to show me around? I'm not sure I can find the Cantina by myself."
"I'm sure you'll manage. Your record shows you are literate enough, and a quick holosearch should find you a map," Lana retorts. "You haven't proven you are worth the trouble we're going through yet. You've certainly not shown you're worth my time and attention. Goodnight, Agent Shan."
[Social: Persuasion] roll. DC25.
Rolled a 7 + Base Skill 12 = 19.
Roll Failed.
"Good night, Lady Beniko," I say with a nod and an easy smile. Hey, it was worth a shot. Watching her leave, I can't help but notice a tiny sway in her hips. She might have shot me down, but like I said, not a spark of lightning.
Tossing myself onto my large comfy couch, I stretch out with a yawn. Hell of a day. The ping of a message on my communicator makes me laugh, seeing Lana very firmly informing me of the time and location of my debrief tomorrow. She's way too serious, you'd think she was a Jedi.
…telling her that that would probably get the sparks out, wouldn't it?
But for now, where's this Nexus Cantina? I could use a drink or three.
– Next Morning –
Despite Lana's concern, I am entirely capable of waking up early after a night out. That's what my implants are for. I can operate at full efficiency with as little as two hours sleep a day for up to a week before I need to crash to reset. I also have Toxin Binders to deal with intoxication.
Agents spend a lot of time gathering intel, and people talk more when they are inebriated. Therefore, agents spend a lot of time in cantinas and need a way to deal with the risks.
"There he is, the man of the hour," the surprisingly soft-spoken voice of Grand Moff Rycus Kilran, Butcher of Coruscant, says. He's a hologram, obviously, as I arrive and glance around. A single droid, and a hologram. Ha. "I hope you won't be offended at me not arriving to greet you in person, Cael. I prefer to keep my distance from the man who came the closest to killing me. Please, take a seat."
"It's all good, Grand Moff, it's a genuine pleasure to meet the singular black mark on my otherwise spotless record again," I reply, taking the offered seat. Harder to fight back if you're seated, makes you an easy target. It's a short distance from the table, can't use that as cover. He's trying to unnerve me. "I have to admit, I wasn't expecting to see you any time soon, unless this is about settling an old score."
"Please, give me some credit, Cael. I spoke on your behalf, you know, when I heard you were joining the winning side. Your skills were wasted with the SIS, and I am pleased to see you saw the light," Kilran says easily. "Though, before we start the debrief, I must ask. How did you get that bomb onto my transport? I may have survived, but I never could work out the means you used to get it so close to me to start with."
"I'd be surprised if you did, considering we cleared our tracks well. I forged a recording of you and your pilot's wife, and convinced him to plant a device that would 'scramble' communications and allow us to capture you," I admit shamelessly.
"And he died in the blast, so I suspect Imperial Intelligence never looked into him because he showed no signs of extremism or suicidal inclinations," Kilran continues. "Wise. Even members of the Empire buy into the Republic's propaganda, so he likely believed you wouldn't kill your own contact. I take it you promised him extraction to Republic space?"
"Of course. A new two bedroom apartment on Coruscant," I agree. "How did you survive? I'm sure you were in the transport when it exploded. We were quite surprised to see you alive and well enough a week later."
"Well, I'll be keeping that to myself for now. No hard feelings, but I'd rather you not know how I survived your attempt to blow me up until you're cleared," Kilran replies with a twitch of amusement. "Now, as for your mission, I do believe Miss Beniko has a sense of humour buried somewhere inside her."
Buried deep, no doubt. Kilran pauses, watching me as I consider things before I laugh.
"A defector?" I ask, getting an approving nod from him.
"Correct. There is a damaged Republic warship called the Brentaal Star, which is currently in the process of transporting a passenger of incredible value, code-named the General. A high ranking Imperial officer turned traitor. I ordered the Black Talon to pursuit, but their commander, Captain Orzik, refused as he believed it was a suicide mission," Kilran says, as the droid hands me a datapacket. "The Black Talon is an Imperial Transport ship that makes frequent trips from Dromund Kaas to the Imperial Fleet. It is set to make another of those trips today. You will board as a passenger, and take command, reminding Orzik that imperial orders are not something he can simply refuse."
The Black Talon is a Gage-class transport ship and the Brentaal Star is a Thranta-class corvette. Even damaged, that's not a fight the Talon can hope to win. And yet, Kilran is known as one of the best admirals in the Empire, he doesn't throw away assets on suicide missions. The Star is damaged, limping through space and its weapons won't be fully operational. We can't win in a space battle, but it's enough that boarding the ship is viable.
"Assets?" I ask, musing to myself.
"Very little, I'm afraid. The Republic knows we will pursue and is driving off any larger ships. The Talon is small, and only a madman would try to attack the Star with it, so it has slipped under their radar. The Brentaal Star must be intercepted and the General eliminated before it reaches Republic space," Kilran explains. Makes sense. The Brentaal is too big to worry about a Gage-class transport, even while damaged. That assumption will let us get close and intercept.
Gage-class transports have a squad of imperial troopers but not many. Not enough to storm the Brentaal Star. No, this is the job for someone who knows Republic ships inside and out, and has the skills to infiltrate and remain undetected until they can reach the target.
"So, into the deep end?" I ask wryly.
"Sink or swim," Kilran agrees. "The Empire wants proof that you have switched allegiances, and proof that your talents are as good as they look on paper. The General is carrying high-level military secrets that would be damaging to the Empire should they be leaked to our enemies. Consider this a chance to prove your worth, Agent Cael."
"Understood, Grand Moff Kilran. They won't make it back to Republic space," I swear, accepting the ticket for the transport. There's more to this, I'm sure of it… but for now, it doesn't matter. I've picked my side in this war, and it's time to convince both sides that I was serious.
Then I can move onto step two.
After all, you can't save the galaxy in a single night.
Author's Note: I've been playing a Cyberpunk Red game and the system made me think. It's simple enough to be usable, but complex enough to be fun. This isn't a direct one to one conversion, but I do have an entire character sheet for Cael, including IP to improve his skills and roles. He's stronger than most Cyberpunk Red starter characters because he's already been through Jedi, Republic Military and Republic SIS training with several years active in the field.
Sarik was too damn strong, and as fun as breaking the verse over his knee was, I really want to write a fic where the MC can't just one shot everything with no resistance. The rolls mean that it's entirely possible that he fails, and it'll be interesting to try as a writer to work with fails instead of only working with the MC succeeding.
I don't know if I'll keep showing the rolls, or have them be behind the curtain.
I don't have any plans to use Clone Wars or OG Trilogy characters as Expies like I did for Inquisitor, but I have a vague idea for Cael's system giving him missions in other Eras for unlocks as a way to include the characters like Leia, Padme and more. We'll see.
Short chapter because I want to do the entire Black Talon Flashpoint in one go.
Roll Log
Me
Social: Persuasion roll. DC20.
Rolled a 9 + Base Skill 12 = 21.
Roll Successful.
Samael (shame on him for failing the date roll, he shall be publicly executed for his crimes)
Social: Persuasion roll. DC25.
Rolled a 7 + Base Skill 12 = 19.
Roll Failed.
Written: 17/06/2026