A sudden shift spread across the debriefing room, just like how all eyes wandered onto me when Anakin and I introduced ourselves. Now, we were all looking at Ahsoka, acting as if we were expecting an answer.
"You're kind of putting me on the spot here, Master. Do you really want my opinion? You shot me down earlier.", Ahsoka responded, a bit hesitant to answer Anakin's question.
"The Senate needs to hold its current supply lines, so we cannot exactly divert any extra hands. We're stuck here whether we like it or not, Ahsoka.", Anakin replied. "But that doesn't mean we can't do anything about it. If you're as good as you claim, Samus, was it? The two of you can head down and investigate where we last had contact with Master Plo. And if I stay here, that will appease the Chancellor.", Anakin suggested, causing Ahsoka's eyes to turn wide.
"And here I thought you weren't going to do anything about this, Master. Sudden change of heart?", Ahsoka teased, but secretly, she was happy. She knew that Plo Koon wouldn't go down easy. It sounds like this event is already underway. I didn't say it yet, but we're actually on the northern end of the Core Worlds, we traveled quite far from Rugosa. Around here was Coruscant. We had dropped off the Toydarian King and Master Yoda paid a brief visit to the Senate. I asked that I remain anonymous, not until I can reclaim a spot of my own. I don't know if I will settle down on Coruscant, or closer within range of planets like Tatooine or Kamino. I don't see myself wandering the stars twenty-four seven.
"I'll leave that to your imagination.", Anakin replied, dodging the question. A typical response from him. Ahsoka sneered a bit.
"That plan is quite bold, I must say. We'll be able to hold our supply lines and initiate a rescue mission like this. It is all dependent on our new friend, though. I hate to give you a new task so suddenly like this. We have the money to pay you, so it'll be up to you to decide.", Obi-Wan said, looking back at me.
"Is that even a question to ask? I've tackled rescue missions before, so it'll be no different to those. I'll expect payment once it's over.", I replied, nodding my helmet.
"Excellent. Master Obi-Wan seems to hold you in high regard, and Master Yoda vouches for your skill set. Are you still doubting whether or not this mission can be done, Ahsoka?", Anakin asked again, looking at the Togruta before him.
"I don't have any issues. I'm sure Master Plo is still alive down there. Speaking of which, how will we head there? Master Plo was currently tracking a Separatists' weapon, wasn't he? We can't be caught. They're likely still lurking around.", Ahsoka replied, worried.
"You can leave that to me. You're Ahsoka, right? I have my own ship. We'll be able to go in undetected, pull your guys out, and head back to the fleet.", I said.
"Haha! I hope you do have those skills to back those words up. I expect good news from you. How far are you all out?", Anakin asked, shifting his eyes back to Obi-Wan.
"We're not far from your position, actually. We have a cruiser on the way to the Bith System. We can do a dock exchange. I too will pray for your success. We're against the clock here.", Obi-Wan said. We really weren't that far away from Anakin and Ahsoka. The Jedi can regroup, and Anakin will send his Padawan to me for a covert mission. Something Samus excels at.
I just don't know if the Separatists developed enough tech to detect a cloaked ship. One was introduced in the second event of the Clone Wars during the Battle of Christophsis. It allowed Anakin to deliver emergency supplies to Senator Organa. It was pretty up close and personal too. Separatist ships nearly clashed against the cloaked ship, but nearly avoided it in the end. It won't be like that here, as I have a much smaller ship, and it'll allow me to move around pretty easily. Rescuing these guys shouldn't be an issue. In return, it might allow me to become friendly with even more clones.
There is a reason why I'm continuing to offer my services to the Republic. This mission in particular will let me gauge just how good my gunship is.
I didn't meet god, an omnipotent being, or any related party when I passed away so suddenly. I was just brought here, and became Samus Aran. Funny how that works. Normally you do get to meet god in those fantasy isekai stories, and they give you some type of special power or system. That didn't happen for me. But instead, I came with my gunship, and Adam's AI. Maybe that makes up the difference?
It's less trouble having to worry about customizing my own spaceship down the line. I can just use my gunship for as long as I live~
As for it's design...
It's the one from Metroid Prime 3!
The main difference from that version to the one I currently have is that it's about twice as big! There's five or six chambers that allow me to walk around, like I had initially done while regathering my thoughts inside that healing pod. It wasn't just the cockpit. It can definitely allow a few guests on board, should the situation arise for it. There's a few beds inside the Personal Quarters. Not amazing, but enough to work around. I could even stock up on some weapons and supplies in another chamber, and don't get me started on the engineering chamber. Even Adam has his main terminal stored inside a chamber of its own. I was amazed by how compact and efficient the gunship was on the inside.
There should be more than enough room to bring Ahsoka on board. I could even have Adam build more rows of seats in the cockpit, right now it's just me solo. Ahsoka would need to stay behind in one of the guest beds, or hang tight when I fly around.
I saw Anakin nod his head in acknowledgement.
"Then let's proceed with this plan. I don't trust a lot of bounty hunters but as long as you pay them right, they get the job done. With any luck, Master Plo and his fleet will be standing at our side once again. We will await your cruiser, Master.", Anakin said, and dismissed himself from the hologram.
Ahsoka remained behind, and looked back at me.
"I guess that makes us partners for the time being. Try not to fall behind me too far, alright?", Ahsoka replied, cracking a smile.
"I can say the same to you. My ship will be there before you know it.", I replied, shrugging Ahsoka's comment off. With a wave of her hand, she too vanished, and the holotable turned silent.
Without hiding anything, I reached for my helmet, and it hissed while I took it off.
Obi-Wan grinned, seeing my long blonde hair flutter openly in the debriefing room.
"Anakin's sure going to love this. There's not a whole lot of women in your line of work. And you're pretty strong yourself. I'm expecting to hear a good report once the rescue mission is finished. Here's your payment from the first contract.", Obi-Wan said, handing me a rather large pouch of sealed credits. Just like the first pouch handed to me by King Katuunko which held all of those tracking fobs.
"Of course. The payment has been received. Look forward to the good news.", I replied, taking my fair share of what happened on Rugosa.
"Looking forward to this, I am. To a continued cooperation, with the Republic.", Yoda said, giving his boost of encouragement.
I don't know if I'll continue working with the Republic after this second mission is over, that remains to be seen. But for now, I walked out of the debriefing room, smiling at the money pouch. Is this what it feels like to receive your bounty for the first time?
Either way, there were many guest rooms that are kept separate from the clones' quarters. I knew not to disturb them right now. Master Yoda also informed me the clones that I previously formed a friendship with are now recuperating on Coruscant, because that is where their primary station is. They were assigned personal guard to Master Yoda before the happenings on Rugosa occurred. And now, the result is in my hands.
This cruiser entered hyperspace once again, and a guide droid brought me to my room. I happily hummed Green Brinstar again, waiting for us to arrive at the Bith System.
It was time to meet Anakin and Ahsoka.