Fuming

Posted on Wed Sep 30th, 2026 @ 1:51pm by Admiral Martius Ferris & Lieutenant Commander Genevia Linsbo

1,466 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Daiyu
Location: IS Ravager, Admiral Martius's cabin
Timeline: Evening

After his tense conversation with the Emperor, Martius had returned to the bridge, not letting it show how he was feeling. For his crew, he would always project the image of strict aristocratic poise. It was one of the things that the more junior crew had started to admire and idolize about him, his unwavering cool and level head, regardless of the situation.

Of course, inside, he was in knots.

The whole situation with the inquisitors was a bad taste in his mouth. He would much rather hunt down the criminals that were plotting against the Emperor and his plans for the galaxy, without those force users on his ship. Of course, as long as His Highness ordered Martius to do so, he would obey.

He would just have to find a way to deal with the sisters that had been assigned to the mission. One, already turned traitor and on the run, after murdering several dozen loyal troopers, the other, proving she clearly is not up to the task of hunting the rogue Jedi.

Martius would carry on, as best he could, to complete his mission successfully. He knew that his life depended on it.

Hours later, when the graveyard shift took over, Martius finally told Felicia that he would turn in for the evening. He stressed that he did not want to be disturbed, unless it was an emergency, the Emperor or Lord Vader. His aide and body guard acknowledged the orders and bid him a good evening.

In his private cabin, he was busy pouring himself a very healthy portion of ale, when he heard the door slide open, then closed and relock. He then picked up the delecate hints of the soft perfume that he had purchased Genevia during their last shore leave.

Smiling an exhausted grin, he turned to face her. "Good evening, my love. I thought you'd already be in bed for the night?"

Genevia shook her head from where she was sitting on the couch. "No I have some work to do tonight. And I heard you had a call with His Excellency."

Sighing softly, Martius nodded. "It was not the most pleasant one I have had with His Grace." He lowered his frame i to the couch next to her, laying his head back on the headrest,as he popped open the top few buttons on his uniform jacket, his eyes closed from frustration.

Genevia watched him for a moment, taking in the tension in his shoulders and the exhaustion he had managed to conceal beneath that carefully maintained exterior of his. She knew him well enough to recognise when something was bothering him, even when the rest of the galaxy saw nothing but the composed Imperial Admiral. "That bad, was it?" she asked softly. She shifted closer, reaching up to gently brush her fingers through his hair before resting her hand against the back of his neck. She began massaging the tense muscles there, her expression thoughtful. "I take it His Excellency wasn't calling to congratulate you on the progress of our mission." There was a faint note of amusement in her voice, although it quickly faded. She knew the stakes involved, particularly when the Emperor himself was taking a personal interest in their activities. She was also acutely aware that the Inquisitors had become considerably more trouble than they were worth. "Martius, you've barely stopped since this entire mess began. Between a rogue Inquisitor, an apparently incompetent one and whatever His Excellency has demanded of you now, I'm surprised you haven't thrown someone out of an airlock." She leaned over and pressed a gentle kiss to his temple before settling against him. "Tell me what happened, darling. And before you tell me it's classified, might I remind you that I'm already involved in this rather spectacular disaster?" Her fingers continued their gentle ministrations as she glanced towards the generously filled glass in his hand. "Besides, judging by the size of that drink, I suspect you're going to need something considerably stronger than my sympathy tonight."

Martias let out a soft moan of pleasure, as Genevia's expert healing fingers performed their magic on his tense neck muscles. "I will give you until forever to stop doing that," he groaned softly as he shifted slightly to give her more access.

After a few beats, he responded to her question. "The Emperor made it very clear what my responsibilities are for this mission." He paused then continued. "Second Sister is to be allowed to continue her hunt of the Jedi. However, if she allows the hunt to become personal...then she is to be removed...permanently. The Ravager is to start hunting the Jedi's accomplices. As she will surround herself with them again before she attempts to escape the planet. She is to not feel hunted by my troopers, so, I am caught between a trained dog, who is trying to get off of her leash, and a larger predator, ready to feast on my corpse, should I fail."

“The Emperor has given you an impossible assignment,” Genevia said quietly. “Not because the objectives themselves are impossible, but because he has deliberately placed you between two forces you cannot control.” Her expression tightened. “The Second Sister answers to an authority beyond your command, yet you are apparently expected to determine when her actions have crossed some invisible line between duty and obsession. And when she does, you are expected to deal with her.”

Genevia paused, meeting his eyes. “Permanently.” There was no mistaking the concern in her voice now. “Martius, she is an Inquisitor. Whatever either of us may think of them, she was trained to hunt Jedi. If His Excellency expects you to remove her, then I sincerely hope he intends to provide something more substantial than permission.” Her thumb moved gently against his collar as she considered the rest. “The accomplices are another matter.”

Genevia leaned back slightly. “That, at least, is something the *Ravager* can actually investigate. People need food, transport, shelter, credits, forged identities. They make mistakes. They speak to people. They leave records.” Her eyes narrowed thoughtfully. “And if the Jedi believes your attention is focused elsewhere, she may become careless.” For the first time since he had begun explaining, a faint smile touched Genevia’s lips. “So perhaps we stop thinking about hunting the Jedi.”

She let that statement hang for a moment. “Let the Second Sister chase shadows through Daiyu if that is what she wishes to do. We find everyone around the Jedi instead. Who supplied her? Who transported her? Who treated injuries? Who suddenly purchased fuel, weapons or passage for people who should not exist?” Her hand slid from his chest and gently took the glass from his fingers before placing it on the nearby table. “And preferably we do it without turning half of Daiyu against us in the process.”

Genevia looked back at him. “If your troopers start kicking down doors and arresting everyone who looks suspicious, anyone helping these people will disappear underground. Quiet surveillance will tell us far more.” She hesitated before adding more softly, “As for the Second Sister…” Concern returned to her eyes. “Promise me something.” Her fingers found his hand. “If the Emperor’s condition is met, you do not confront her yourself. Not alone. Not because you are an Admiral and certainly not because your pride tells you that you should.”

A small, affectionate smile appeared. “I happen to be rather fond of you, Martius Ferris. I would prefer His Excellency’s larger predator find something else to eat.” She leaned forward and kissed him gently. Then she settled against him again, returning her fingers to the tense muscles of his neck.
“Tomorrow, we hunt accomplices.” A beat. “Tonight, Admiral, you are going to sit here, drink your absurdly large ale, and allow me to prevent your shoulders from permanently attaching themselves to your ears.” Her lips curved slightly. “And that is an order.”

Martias listened to the words that Genevia said to him. They did more than make sense, they assured him that he was not alone in this situation. This was yet another confirmation, that he had found his true partner to live life with. No matter what struggles came his way, he knew that this woman would stand with him, shoulder to shoulder, and face each one together.

Closing his eyes, a warm, loving grin crossed his face. "Far be it from me to dispute the instructions of my chief medical officer." He put his glass down on the coffee table, then turned to face her, wrapping his arms around and pulling her down across his lap. Their lips melded in a passionate kiss, and for the rest of the evening, they enjoyed each other to the fullest.

~OFF~

 

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