Archive of Our Own ^beta

Brierly Ronan sat annoyed as he watched Vanto work on the data analysis. Really, he wanted to not be anywhere near this traitor, but the thought that he’d be the one to stop Vanto when he surely and inevitably tries to steal imperial data inspires him through it.

His head perked and he shifted his eyes at the door that swung open. In came Commodore Faro for the second time. This time as she made her way to Vanto, she spared him of a dirty look. She reached Vanto's work space and settled beside him; leaning slightly to get a better look at his progress. Her and Vanto's eyes met and he ever so slightly nodded his head toward his datapad. Faro, also every so slightly, leaned closer. Her face didn't show confusion, but it didn't show any understanding either. She met eyes again with Vanto and they both seemed to linger a bit too long for Ronan not to notice and grow suspicious. 

Before he could say anything, Faro straightened and gave one final firm nod to Vanto before leaving the room. Again, she didn't spare him a look, thought, or acknowledgement.  

"What the hell was that?" Ronan asked his thoughts aloud. Because that was a thing that had happened. Not your typical superior checking in on work in progress. That was only ever a quick glance or short questioning. These two however, had seemingly had a whole conversation with just body language alone. It was like that the first time she checked in on him too. Ronan didn't know how long the two knew each other or how close they were before Vanto deserted. There could've been signs of communication from the other that he missed. Who knew what things they could've said to the other without Ronan having a single clue. That was unacceptable. 

However Vanto, the ever diligent, continued to ignore him.  

Ronan had seen the way Faro communicated to her crew. It wasn't like this at all. These two had to be close then. Ronan felt another shot of disgust and anger toward the traitor run through him and even a bit of pity. For Faro that was.

He crossed his arms and snarled at Vanto, "You really are the most despicable of traitors." Vanto had no reaction. Fair enough. He had already said similar statements to him in the course of the past few hours. If his traitorous nature wasn't a bother to him, then maybe his honor as a decent human being would. "Not only abandoning the Empire, but your significant other as well. She has to be your what? Girlfriend? Or did you become exes when you neglected her? Why else would she keep checking in when there are much more important things she has to focus on." he scoffed. "She obviously misses you. Otherwise she'd just wait, like everybody else wasting their time, until if  you report something worth acknowledging. Really, there's no low you won't stoop to, is there?" 

Ronan thought he saw Vanto's flow of concentration break for a second before he returned to his data trance. He leaned back into his chair. That would have to do, for now at least. Best to take victories where you can. 

Karyn decided she had just enough time for one more check in with Eli before things picked up. The look on his face last time suggested he felt like he was just shy of a lead. Perhaps she'll have some worthy news to report to Thrawn this time. She reached her doors and prepared herself to keep her gaze forward to ignore that pompous flashbang of an eyesore that was the assistant director. When the doors opened, she felt an automatic wave of relief as the aforementioned eyesore was not in her field of vision. The relief quickly was replaced with agitation because if Ronan wasn't where he was supposed to be, then who knew what peace he was disturbing?

She quickly made her way to Eli with concern showing on her face. She got ready to ask where Ronan had gone before Eli nodded to the refresher.

Ah. 

She nodded her understanding before turning her eyes to him. His eyes still on the datapad. Nothing of note on progress then. She let out a little sigh. When it was just the two of them, Karyn couldn't help but noticed how her body instinctively relaxed. Even on the verge of an multi alien battle, even with the most insufferable person she had ever met nothing but a few feet and a wall away, the company of her trusted friend made her feel like things were going to turn out okay in the end. Perhaps now would be the opportunity to ask at least one of the burning questions she's had ever since Thrawn had, with no preface, dropped the bomb that Eli Vanto would be returning to the Chimera for a mission after his year long unexplained absence. An absence because he had left the Empire for Thrawn's people and not because he was dead, like Karyn had thought, accepted, and mourned. 

Karyn's anticipation was cut when Eli spoke up and said quietly, "Ronan thinks we're dating. And he's pissed about it." he mumbled. "For whatever reason..."

Karyn let out a huff of surprise laughter before immediately feeling annoyance curl up inside her along with the urge to roll her eyes. Which she did. "Of course he does. He wasn't invited here, he doesn't know anything about what is going on. So of course he'd come to a wrong conclusion about other things as well."

Eli stopped his work to stretch his back and arms. "Part of me wants to pretend to get caught making out. Just to piss him off even more." he rubbed his neck. "But while that would be super satisfying for the short term..."

Karyn huffed, "It would make the long term even more insufferable."

"Exactly." 

Instead of discussing anything that had happened to either of them in the past year, the two were simply chit chatting and talking shit like they used to. The familiarity had surprisingly brought her comfort, despite everything going on. She honestly couldn't tell if she was happy to experience Eli's friendship again, or upset that her burning questions may never be explicitly answered. Perhaps there was some greater force out there. How else could she explain this gift of a small peaceful moment amongst the chaos. 

A very very small moment as she heard noises of movement coming from the refresher. Ronan was about to finish and interrupt everyone's privacy once again. Karyn ultimately did feel regret about not asking Eli anything at all. Perhaps that was for the best. She noticed how tired and empty Eli's eyes had been when she first reunited with him. Clearly, he had been through a lot or at least something heavy. A topic as serious as that deserved not to be rushed. Still, she had so much she wanted to say and share. She decided on the one statement that ruled true above all the others. 

She placed her hand on his shoulder and leaned in, her lips stopping just before his ear as she spoke softly, "I'm really glad you're alive." She didn't have time to see Eli's reaction as she pulled away just as Ronan opened the door and startled upon seeing Karyn. 

Immediately she moved as if all she did was walk in, lean in to look at the datapad, and walk out. Just like her last two visits. As she walked by Ronan, she glanced at him this time. The look on his face wasn't quite satisfying enough. She was sure she moved just slight enough that it wasn't clear to Ronan if she had been kissing Eli or not. Catching her eye, Ronan tensed as if expecting another nasty glare from her. Her idea would probably confirm his incorrect suspicions, but she was in a better mood now and felt like she could handle a slightly more annoyed Ronan. She was Commodore of the Star Destroyer Chimera and first officer to Grand Admiral Thrawn after all, she handled much bigger headaches. 

She winked at him.

She watched his face fall as she fully exited the room. That small moment with Eli truly had been the paradise in her trouble because right after she left, she felt icky. She had noticed the small blush on Ronan's face when she had winked at him and she shuddered at the implication. She quickly pushed that moment away and steeled herself as she made her way to meet up with the Grand Admiral.