Izaya looked around himself.

'Huh, harrower-class always looked big on the outside but I assumed they'd be like Republic star destroyer's and be completely cramped on the inside. The Republic could learn a thing or two from them about spaciousness. Feels way less claustrophobic.'

The raven took in all his surroundings, mostly looking for either a place to hide or the shield generator room.

Voices coming up behind Izaya made him pause. He quickly looked around for a hiding spot, finding one in a narrow gap filled with wires and pipes. Small for most but not for him. He pushed himself into the space as far back as he could, having to shimmy sideways in order to do so.

"...Generators are farther—."

"Remember that, Kid. So we—tell you again."

"Are they—on the—of every Harrower?"

Izaya recognized the voices as the three men and the new recruit who heckled him earlier. They were barely audible over the sound of a heavy cart rolling with them.

"38, record." Izaya commanded softly.

A beep was the only reply.

"Yup. In—Republic are more—the control panels than the mo—out the engines. So we have—a spot where they—shoot."

"O-oh, if—case, how—our—"

"Because—the outside—idiot, and it only—particular area."

Their voices began to dwindle as they continued on their way, talking all the while. They took no notice in the small space Izaya was in and passed on by without worry. Once the sound of the cart was finally no longer audible, Izaya pulled up his holovid.

"38, play back recording." Izaya said, putting on wireless ear pieces.

["Yup. In—Republic are more—the control panels than the mo—out the engines. So we have—a spot where they—shoot."

"O-oh, if—case, how—our—"

"Because—the outside—idiot, and it only—particular area."]

"Audio edit." The screen flashed at his words as it filled out his request. "Remove foreground audio. Enhance background audio. Play."

["Yup. In the middle of the ship on the fifth level. The Republic are more concerned with shooting up the control panels than the mother box, or taking out the engines. So we have the shield generators stored in a spot where they don't typically shoot."

"O-oh, if that's the case, how come they can take out our shields?"

"Because the amplifiers are on the outside, you idiot, and it only takes out the shield in that particular area."]

Izaya closed the holovid as he looked out.

"Fifth floor, huh?"

He pocketed his holovid and went about shimmying his way out.

'I guess I'll just have to hide till we take off. Ow!'

As Izaya shimmied, he felt a wire catch on the small pouch on his waist, in which the wire pulled out and shocked the raven's hip.

'Dammit.'

Immediately, a siren echoed throughout the entire ship. Izaya jolted in shock before panic started to set in.

'Oh shit! I triggered the alarms! I'm already compromised!'

Izaya began sidestepping faster, getting out of the gap quickly and stepping into the hall.

'Where to go? I can't leave the ship; there are way too many Sith on the compound for me to fight! I can't use an escape pod, I'll get shot down before I even make it out of the atmosphere! Shit, I'm—'

The alarm turned off mid-blare.

"Wha...?"

"False alarm, everyone. Maintenance check on security systems. Go back to your business."

'False alarm. Jesus Christ, way to scare a man.'

Izaya leaned against the wall while he let his nerves calm down.

'Fucking hell...'

The raven didn't take much longer, knowing he was still on assignment and still could be compromised if he dilly-dallied too long.

'Alright, back on track. I have to find a hiding spot.'

Izaya noted there were several rooms around him, however, he didn't know if any of them were locked or in use. If they were in use, he would more than likely get caught and not many excuses could work on why he was in someone else's room and shouldn't be on the ship. It was too big of a risk.

He could hide in a storage closet but it was just as big of a risk as hiding in a room on the not-so off chance someone will need something from it.

Next option would be the vents. But he knew the Republic ships had motion sensors in the vents. So it was highly possible the Sith would have them too and they'd find him.

Last possible option was above the elevator. In a Republic destroyer, there were no camera's in the elevator shaft, and the camera's in the elevator were known for bugging out every once in a while. What's more there was a small space between the roof of the lift and the top floor to make room for the jack engine robotically moving the elevator. A space just small enough that a person like Izaya could lay flat and not be crushed.

The only problem was whether or not a Republic Star Destroyer was the same as a Sith Harrower. If it was then this plan was his best possible option. But if it wasn't, he'd have to take a risk that may not pay off.

'Won't know till I look. Elevator...'

Izaya headed down the hall, following the trail of the maintenance crew. The elevator was soon within sight.

He stood in front of the elevator, pressed the button and waited.

"Hey!"

Izaya nearly jumped out of his skin at the voice that bellowed behind him. But he very calmly looked over his shoulder.

A blond man dawned in a black trench coat and all black clothing ran up the hallway, holding a metal contraption Izaya didn't know. The elevator doors opened. The raven faced front, relieved to see no one was in it, and stepped in.

"Hold the elevator!" The blond called.

Izaya debated letting it close; it would be more convenient for him if he did. Getting on the wrong side of a Sith who would know he's on the ship is the only reason he didn't. On the off chance that he meets this Sith again, it was better to not give any reason for him to make a scene and draw attention to the stowaway. Izaya held down the 'open' button.

The blond Sith rushed in.

"Thanks."

"No problem." Izaya looked at the blond with a grin. "Just don't make it a habit, else I'll have to start keeping a tab."

"Heh, I think my track record shows I'm not good on keeping tabs."

"Oh, do you owe a lot at the bar?"

"I don't drink."

"Oh? Then what's your debt?"

"Hm?" The blond looked over at him, cocking a brow. "You don't know me?"

'Never seen you on a battlefield...' "I'm sorry, I'm new."

"O-oh, I see."

"So, your debt?"

"Um..." The blond looked away form Izaya, the raven seeing a flash of shame cross his face. "Property damage and medical expenses."

Izaya didn't answer. 'Oh, is this possibly the man that tired to attack a new recruit but instead crippled four seasoned Sith? What was his name?'

"You must be Heiwajima Shizuo then?"

The blond glowered at his item. "So that's how I'm recognized."

"I'd heard rumors of you attacking new recruits. I was...actually told to steer clear of you if I didn't want anything broken."

"...I see." The man known as Shizuo kept his head down. "Well, I usually don't try to hurt new recruits."

"Oh, so that man was an exception?"

"He was talking shit." Izaya saw the metal fold slightly in Shizuo's hands. "The bastard sat there saying he'd kill my family if I didn't duel him. Who wouldn't want to knock his ass flat?"

'...And yet another example of Sith being pointlessly violent.' "I see."

"Look, regardless of that, I don't attack recruits. There's no point in beating down someone who's new to something. That'll just discourage them. The bullshit others use that beating them makes them angry, which makes them stronger, is stupid, in my opinion."

"Oh, so how'd you train an apprentice?"

Shizuo's eyes widened. "...You know, I actually never thought of that."

'What the hell is the point to a Sith if they don't want an apprentice?' Izaya thought, knowing that Sith typically took on apprentice's to have them be their murderers.

"I guess I'd be gentler than my lord was with me. I'd probably break the kids neck if I'm not careful and I wouldn't want my apprentice to be scared of me."

'...That's very soft-hearted for a Sith...'

"I'm...assuming you're a new recruit?" Shizuo asked.

"Ah, yes, I am. For the maintenance crew. I got lost..."

"Oh. Well, maintenance got split in two, in case you didn't know. Some are on the bridge, the rest are in the sheild generator bay."

"I know. Where are you heading?"

"I'm heading to the bridge, you?"

"Shield generator."

"Okay. That's on the fifth floor." The blond looked over at the buttons on the elevator.

And both of them realized neither pressed a button.

"I didn't know what floor I was going to..." Izaya said, fawning sheepishness.

"I got wrapped up in the conversation."

The two laughed.

"Well, I'm going to the tenth floor." Shizuo smiled at him. "You mind lending a hand?"

"Heh, looks like I'll have to keep a tab, after all." Izaya reached forward and pushed Shizuo's designated floor. "You said fifth floor for shield generators?"

"Yup."

Izaya pressed the button. "Thank you. You've been very helpful. More than the rest of my senpai's."

"Senpai's?" Shizuo's brows rose.

"Oh, sorry, in my language it means—"

"Upper classman. Also can be used for someone who has more experience than you on a job but isn't your boss."

Izaya's eyes widened. "How'd you...?"

"I speak the language too. My parents were adamant I know the original language of our people."

"Wow, that's—"

"A first. I know. Same for me."

"That...actually makes me really happy."

"Me too."

"Hm, how well do you actually know the language?" Izaya smiled at him with narrowed eyes, speaking the aforementioned language.

"Like I said, my parents wanted me fluent in it."

"Well, you at least passed my test. You're full of surprises, Shizuo-chan." Izaya grinned.

"Shizuo-chan? Hey, don't call me that! I'm your senpai!"

"Eh, but Shizu-chan is actually likable. It's the first time I've been so comfortable with a Sith—"

Izaya stopped himself, refusing to show the surprise he felt. 'I nearly blew my cover!'

"I know what you mean," Shizuo said, obviously thinking that Izaya just ended his sentence. "But you shouldn't call me 'chan'. It sounds girly."

"I think it sounds friendly." Izaya smiled at him, hiding his growing unease. "Your name strikes a lot of fear in new recruits, Shizu-chan make you sound more approachable."

Shizuo didn't reply, glaring at the ground.

'I need to be careful around him. He makes me feel so comfortable all because he can speak a dead language.'

"Fine. Shizu-chan it is but don't spread that around. If anyone comes up calling me 'chan', I'll have to punch you. Got it? Flea."

"Fl-flea?!" Izaya jolted, looking at the blond. "Where did that come from?! I'm not a flea!"

"You're annoying like one."

"How rude! I haven't done anything annoying!"

"Sure, flea-chan."

Izaya opened his mouth to retort. But nothing came out.

Shizuo grinned.

Making Izaya "Hmph!" and turn away.

Shizuo laughed softly. Then he looked over at the raven.

"What's your name, by the way?"

"Eh, oh, it's Kanra—"

Izaya quickly turned away, his eyes going wide.

'What am I doing?!'

"Kanra? That's a...nice name. Not sure it's a guys name, but..."

Izaya knew that Shizuo noticed his reaction. It would be strange if the blond hadn't notice.

"My-my parents were weird." The raven said, trying to salvage his reaction but his mind was blank of any other excuses that would work.

Izaya was becoming compromised.

The elevator beeped, the door opening on the fifth floor.

"Sorry, got to run. It was nice meeting you!" Izaya ran out.

"Bye..."

Izaya dashed down the hall, his fists clenched tight as his eyes flashed around to find some place to hide.

'What the hell was I thinking? I gave him the wrong name! I was so...what was I thinking?!'

Izaya found a storage closet, not caring if he gets caught as he needed to calm himself down immediately. He rushed in, closing the door and squatting down. He placed his hands over his nose and mouth as he stared at the ground.

'That man. He was so...different than my information led me to believe. He wasn't like any Sith I've met before. He was...actually likable. Surprisingly. He was charismatic—a trait I've never seen in a Sith. Especially one who was rumored to attack new recruits! He wasn't...I wasn't...'

Izaya closed his eyes tightly.

'I jeopardized my entire mission in that one interaction. All because we spoke the same language...'

But Izaya knew he couldn't help it. He hadn't spoken to someone in that dead language since his sister...

The raven shook his head, pushing the thought out of his mind.

'Kanra's dead. The Sith killed her. And that's why I'll never fail a mission. The Sith will end.'

With a new found determination, Izaya stood and left the storage closet, leading back to the elevator to hide as he originally intended.

Shizuo glared down at the floor, his mind racing.

'That...new recruit...'

The image of the young raven sat at the forefront of his mind.

'He looked...so familiar. Where have I seen him before? I know I've seen him before...'

His eyes narrowed.

'And what was with that reaction to saying his name? Is that his real name or is that an alias of some sort that he doesn't tell people? Maybe it was his real name and he gives out an alias?'

Shizuo scowled.

'No, that's not the most important. What's important is...'

The memory replayed in his mind. The memory of that new recruit running, his coat flaring and swinging with his movements.

Exposing a custom light saber that Shizuo recognized.

'That was Narik's saber...'

Shizuo knew Narik as a low-class Sith member. Malgus had attempted to train him alongside Shizuo but the weak-willed Sith had failed and was put in a lower ranking so that Malgus, "would never have to see this filth again." But the two had grown close during their shared apprenticeship.

So close that Shizuo was the first to know when word got out about his death nearly a month ago.

'Did Narik have an apprentice? If so, that would explain why Kanra had it. But if he was, I was never introduced to him so where did I see him before?'

The elevator doors opened.

"Hey, Heiwajima, about time."

Shizuo looked up to see Walker standing by a control panel, a maintenance member underneath it.

"Hurry, come on! We can't set off without that!"

"Yeah, yeah, I know." Shizuo rushed forward and handed the item in his hands over to Walker.

The pyro turned his back on Shizuo to help the maintenance member the blond didn't know. But the blond didn't mind. He favored the notion of looking out the window to think.

'Where have I seen that recruit before?'