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greyias · 4 years

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FIC: Smoke and Mirrors - Chapter 17

Title: Smoke and Mirrors Fandom: SWTOR Pairing: Theron Shan/f!Jedi Knight Rating: T Genre: Pre-Relationship, Slow Burn Synopsis: Something’s rotten on Carrick Station, and Theron won’t rest until he finds out what. But picking at the frayed threads of suspicion quickly unravels a conspiracy much larger than even the Republic’s top spy can handle on his own. (A mostly canon-compliant retelling of the Forged Alliances storyline, as seen through the eyes of Theron Shan.) Author’s Notes and Spoilers: See Chapter 1.

Chapter Index: 01 | 02 | 03 | 04 | 05 | 06 | 07 | 08 | 09 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | Crossposted to AO3

As soon as he was inside the door of his apartment, Theron had the chip out of his pocket and inserted it into his datapad. The first file on it wasn’t any official SIS document at all but apparently a note, written especially for him:

So here I am, minding my own business, when this intel request comes across my desk from none other than your old buddy, Rian Darok. I pulled it, but then I asked myself, what does a SpecOps officer need with this information? From what I can tell, cracking down on cargo smuggling isn’t the highest of priorities for him and his team. I pulled a copy for you too, since you’re so interested in “oddities” right now. I don’t know what you think is going on, but you know this guy has clout right? And not just in SpecOps. Watch yourself. — JB

Theron tried not to roll his eyes as he paged to the next file on the chip. Jonas was a good man to have along on a mission, but sometimes he could get hung up on something. Apparently in this case it was the havoc that Rian Darok could cause for an unsuspecting SIS Agent. Which wouldn’t be a problem, because Theron was suspecting everything right now. Which was probably good for his survival chances in the short term, but would probably give him hypertension if he ever lived long enough to see old age.

He scanned over the pulled file, but as Jonas said it was… just odd.

"Known Smugglers: Inner Rim" was just what it said. A giant list of cargo smugglers that operated in the Inner Rim. And by giant, he meant several thousands names. It would take far too long for him to cross-reference every name by hand. He was going to need to get creative on this.

He sat down at the terminal in his apartment, and began to start typing. The programming required to cross-reference the names against what he knew about the Korriban and Tython ops was complex, and he had to be very careful to hide his trail in case it dinged anything classified. The SIS didn’t keep it’s data on the HoloNet, but it definitely had its own hooks into the system. If he needed to do a deeper search on any of the names of the list, he could do that manually, but he needed to narrow this down to something manageable, otherwise he could be chasing a dead lead for months.

The chronometer had already ticked well past midnight, and he was nearing the end of his coding efforts when his implants alerted him to a new message in his inbox. He finished his train of thought, then pulled away from the data terminal, feeling his muscles protest at the motion after being hunched into one position for so long. Scooping up his forgotten datapad, he opened up his inbox to see who had written.

To: Theron Shan From: Greyias Highwind Subject: Late Reply

I must apologize for the delayed reply. Our latest mission hit a slight snag, and I only now have had time to catch up on my correspondence. Barnaba is a very lovely travel spot, as long as you don’t mind the occasional internal spat between royal houses. Kira wants to buy a timeshare here. She says that it would be a fun vacation spot. I tried to remind her we don’t collect a salary (as you accurately pointed out), but Doc nixed the idea before I could, saying this visit gave him too much work already and doesn’t want any more gray hairs. He can be a bit vain at times but is probably right in this case.

It sounds like you have been keeping yourself busy as well, even if it was perhaps less exciting work. Did you ever find what you were looking for in all of that data? I don’t know if it helps, but in a letter about the ongoing reconstruction efforts at the temple, the Grand Master mentioned a missing Rakata artifact. I unfortunately didn’t have much time to spend in the archives during our initial reconstruction efforts, but I didn’t see any artifacts tucked under anyone’s arm while they were leaving. Perhaps it was extracted during the original raid? I must confess, if the Council was hiding a piece of Rakata technology, then they did not want it falling into the wrong hands. In my own experience it is rarely used for benevolent purposes.

If the artifact was included in the SIS’s reports, I wonder if it is mentioned there the exact nature of the device. I could enquire further with Master Satele regarding it, but I am afraid I am not very good at concealing the truth from her in matters such as these. It is probably best if I don’t attempt it unless you think it’s necessary.

I think I hear my self-appointed keeper returning. I must wrap this up before he confiscates this datapad as well. I will continue to wait to see if you discover anything considered “noteworthy”.

I have a feeling you will know exactly where to find me.

As he finished the letter, Theron couldn’t help the frown. A missing piece of Rakata tech definitely could have been among the missing items. He’d have to check into the official report, but it would take a few extra steps to keep his name from showing up on the logs since they’d closed out the investigation. Surely the Empire wouldn’t have conducted an entire raid in the heart of the Republic for just one artifact. Surely their resources would have been better directed elsewhere. The more he tried to fit the pieces of all of this together, the less this made sense. There was something else going on here, he just wasn’t connecting the right dots.

He glanced back at the data terminal, his back screaming in protest at the thought of returning to the hunched over position so soon. He began to perform a series of exercises to try and stretch out the kinks, carefully balancing the datapad so he could re-read the contents of the letter again as if it might magically answer any of the questions it raised. As he focused on the details to see if he missed anything regarding the artifact, the reason for the delay in reply started to prickle at him. The letter had definitely been written with far more reserve than the previous ones.

As he finally worked free the knot in his lower back, he pulled up the HoloNet and ran a search on news articles for the Tapani sector. He didn’t need to look far to find the buzz about a daring rescue of an entire orphanage from the nefarious plot of a rogue minor house trying to curry favor with the losing house in the Barnabas succession. They apparently took the building as a hideout concealing a hidden stash of weapons and had planted dentonite around the perimeter. All orphans had safely been pulled from the exploding building and while the article didn’t say there was going to be a statue erected in a certain Jedi’s honor, Theron half expected it to. He was already scrubbing a hand across his face by the time he got to the end. Beyond being possibly the most disgustingly cliched do-gooder he’d ever met, the woman was a giant flashing neon sign that attracted attention wherever she went. What the hell had he been thinking bringing her in on this? There was no way they were going to remain under the radar if she stopped what she was doing every five seconds to rescue kath pups and nexu kittens.

He opened up a new message, and stared at it for a few moments before he began writing out his reply:

To: Greyias Highwind From: Theron Shan Subject: Interesting

I’m sure the life of a Jedi Knight is very busy, especially one that seems to wind up on the top of the HoloNet News feed as often as you do. It’s understandable that you can’t always reply to every piece of mail you get right away. Although I do admit I was thinking I’d hear back sooner than a week.

But your reply, even delayed, is appreciated. I hadn’t gotten far sifting through the data, but I’m going to double-check the report when I get in tomorrow to see if I can find the piece of tech you mentioned in the log. If the Council had it locked up, I doubt they were willing to share with the SIS the exact nature of the device. But hey, maybe we’ll get lucky and everyone will have been in a sharing mood. Hope springs eternal right?

Speaking of the Council, I think you’re right in that we should probably not share anything with the Grand Master right now. All I have right now are threads and suspicions, but nothing concrete. We need to figure out what’s going on before anyone’s going to take us seriously. I’m getting there, but it’s slow going. I’ve gotten some leads on Darok, but they’re just… odd. He’s started requesting intel, like on the weaponization of the Iso-5 on Tython. That makes sense. My other lead is just confusing, and I’ve got no idea what it means. I was actually working on it when your message came. If anything comes from it, I’ll let you know.

Theron stared at the blinking cursor, trying decide if he should end it there, but something was still nagging at him. Rescued orphans aside, there was nothing in the report that indicated why it took her an entire week to check her inbox, seeing as that incident had occurred almost five days ago. It was none of his damn business and he didn’t care. He really didn’t. Not beyond keeping an eye on a potentially valuable asset for his operation. Still, it felt as if he didn’t quite have control over his fingers typing out the last portion of his reply.

Now, it’s not my business or anything, but in my line of work I’m used to reading between the lines. I couldn’t help but notice you mentioning everything but exactly what delayed your reply. If I do find something, are you going to be up to joining my investigation? Or do I need to write your medic for permission first? Hopefully you managed to hide that datapad from him successfully enough so you don’t have to smuggle another one just to check your mail.

I’ve got to finish running down this other lead before I call it a night. If I find anything new, I’ll be in touch. Try not to blow yourself up rescuing another orphanage in the meantime.

#swtor fanfiction #theron shan x jedi knight #Theron Shan #Female Jedi Knight/Hero of Tython #oc: greyias highwind #otp: adorkable #smoke and mirrors #SoR Fic O Doom #swtor #fanfic #greyfic

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thewriterwithnoplan · 5 years

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Dirty and Useless (Part 1)

Summary: Jason Todd had always said there were only two types of cop; Dirty and Useless. So when Y/N comes along with a spunky partner and a laughable code name it’s safe to say they don’t exactly see eye to eye. But if they’ve got anything in common it’s their secrets. Both are hiding behind masks whether they know it or not. Will the Robin get the Nightingale to come out of the shadows? Pairing: Titans!Jason Todd x Reader Word Count: 1234 Warnings: Swearing

"Morning Y/N!" Melisa chorused with a grin, climbing into her colleague's car and handing the driver a travel mug of F/D. "Thanks for picking me up today, the car should be back from the mechanic tonight so you won't be stuck with me for much longer.

Y/N chuckled and murmured around the lip of her mug as they pulled out of the driveway, "Much as I'd like that, Mel, we've both just been assigned a new case. So I guess we're stuck with each other a while longer."

Melisa gave an exaggerated groan and nursed her own coffee. The pair were always on assignment, rarely did the two get time off and even then the holidays were often tense. The life of a federal agent was like that, especially when you were one of the Sparrows. Or at least that's what the others over at the Federal Burea of Investigation called them.

Y/N and Melisa were fairly famous among both the FBI and the CIA. They had the highest closing rate, having solved more cases than anyone else. And to top it all off they were versatile, whether it be an under-over case, a stakeout, an interrogation or a good old fashion high-speed chase, you called the Sparrows. So neither was exactly surprised that they'd been assigned a new case so quickly.

"What have we got this time?"

Y/N gave the woman a bemused side grin, "Something fun."

***

Y/N parked her car in front of the covert FBI headquarters and turned in her seat to face Melisa. The H/C haired woman produced a manila folder and began pulling out photos to show her partner. The two sat in solemn silence for a while as they examined the gruesome pictures and the mutilated bodies behind each.

"So these five bodies drop, I get that bit." Melisa handed back the images. "But why are they involving the feds, moreover us?"

Y/N didn't look up from the folder as she said, "These photos weren't done by our guys, they were taken by the murderer and sent to Gotham PD addressed to the Robin."

"Okay fine, it's a big-league killer and we get to catch him, but it says the bodies were from all over the country. Why send the case all the way to Chicago, especially if the photos are for Robin?"

Y/N shuffled through the file again and pulled out two new images. One depicted a couple laying broken by a severed trapeze swing. Another showed someone called 'Atlas the Strong Man'. She let Melisa scrutinise them as she exited the car wandered to a nearby food stand. When Y/N returned her partner was standing there with an expression that asked; Well?

"So the couple," Y/N handed Melisa a doughnut, pausing long enough to lick the sugar from her fingers. "Worked at the same circus as all of the other vics. But get this, they died fifteen years ago, their ropes were disintegrated with hydrofluoric acid."

"The same acid used on the new bodies?" Melisa guessed, ripping a chunk from her sugary treat. "And strongman? When did he drop?"

"That's the thing, he hasn't. Clayton Williams is still kicking, he's the last one from Haly's circus."

"Is he a suspect?"

"Nah," Y/N shrugged, leading the other woman into their office building. "Williams is clean, besides hydrofluoric acid sound familiar?"

Melisa licked her lips as she plopped down onto her desk chair, "Do we still have contacts in the Maroni crime family from the Tony Zucco case?"

"Sure do."

***

How had everything gone to shit so fast?

It was supposed to have been a simple mission. They'd done the hard part in figuring out that Nick Zucco was the melting man - a name the press had given the killer, one that the girls had delighted in taunting. This was supposed to be the easy part, sending the police in and waiting as back up that they likely didn't need. One moment Y/N was stretching her legs up and down the sidewalk while Melisa monitored the police scanner. And then the next moment...

"Help me."

"Where's that backup? We need that backup!"

"Send in the Sparrows!"

Melisa had bolted from the car before Y/N could ask what had happened. There was perhaps only one of the major difference between the two women; Melisa could outrun Y/N any day. So the H/C girl was left to eat dust as she made her way into the abandoned building. The emptiness of the place and the utter silence within should have been the first give away that something was amiss. The second was the grunting and the screaming.

"Mel!" Y/N yelled, racing toward the anguished cries. "Mel! Melisa!"

The H/C haired woman skidded around the corner just as a caped man landed one last punch. Gun raised the woman approached, taking in the countless bodies groaning on the floor. Melisa laid beneath the assailant's feet, her body curled in on itself as she whimpered. Y/N trained her firearm on the strange man as she crept toward his shadowed back.

"Put your hands up," She forced her fleeting confidence to arise once again as her hands shook.

It wasn't that Y/N was scared, or that she hadn't been in countless situations like this. Rather, it was the fact that this man had taken down Melisa and that wasn't supposed to be possible. Not for an everyday serial murderer like Nick Zucco. But who else would be here? Wearing a cape and mask and a chest plate?

Y/N realised her mistake the moment she got within arms reach of the man. He lunged for her, clamping a hand onto her wrist even as she shot, once, twice. The man didn't even flinch. What in gods name was he wearing? She'd just shot him point blank and he was completely fine. Panic would have risen in the girl if this wasn't her job. If bad guys and murderers and villains weren't her life.

He twisted her arm behind her back, grunting when she threw her head back and spun out of his grip. Y/N let years of training come to the surface as she blocked the man's fists blow for blow. She dodged and dipped, dancing away from his sweeping kicks and reeling fists. Something in the fighting style was familiar to Y/N, she knew it well.

So when the man twisted the girl was perfectly delighted to find his entire left side unguarded - just as she'd predicted. Y/N threw a swift punch to his side, driving an elbow up into his nose the next moment. The man stumbled backwards giving Y/N the perfect window. With all the force she could muster the girl drove her foot into his chest, sending him sprawling onto the floor underneath one of few lights.

"Dead." Y/N growled, gun aimed between the man's mask covered eyes.

He heaved an exhausted breath, glaring up at the girl, "Who the fuck are you?"

"I'm a Sparrow," She bared her teeth, "The question is; Who do you think you are?"

"I'm Robin, bitch." Something hissed beside them and then smoke exploded to life through the room. A foot connected with Y/N's wrist, sending her gun flying with a horrible crack.

"See you around Sparrow."

#jason todd #titans #jason todd x reader #dctitans #netflix titans #y/n #reader #reader insert #halys circus #flying graysons

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