Tales of a Mercenary
Chapter 1 – Senate Spy
The sun rose high between the smog and colossal buildings of Coruscant. The ships soared through the air with little sound.
This is what Cari called home.
The only scene that had changed was the appearance of the Republic Army. Ships carrying thousands of clone soldiers soared by, transporting them from building to building, some flying out of the atmosphere into space.
Cari flew by a passing Acclamator-class ship, triangular in shape. She was on her way to the Senate; Supreme Chancellor Palpatine had called a meeting of the delegates. Cari knew this was her chance to gather information to relay to her bosses.
Cari was dressed in a Corellian-made outfit, the insignia and purple color letting all know she was a Senate member, but she knew better. Her eyes sparkled in the morning sun, speeding past skyscrapers and air cabs.
The air cab, green in color, stopped, the Senate standing tall and dome-topped about a mile away. The clouds in the distance gave the building an air of importance, a center of major happenings.
It was, after all, the most important building on Coruscant, thought Cari.
"'Ere ya go miss. Just 'op on da train ta get ta the Senate," the Cabbie said, his accent telling Cari he was from the lower-levels of Coruscant. He opened the door, Cari practically gliding off the air cab onto the duracrete ground.
"Thank you," Cari replied, her voice leading others to believe of her innocence. "Take this for your troubles." Cari handed the man a handful of Credits.
"Thank ya ma'am," the cabbie said, closing the door behind Cari, careful not to catch her dress.
Cari walked to the train, smooth even steps giving her a grace many had, but few could pull off. He reached the train and showed her ticket, getting onto the Senatorial cart. She sat and thought of her mission.
It was simple. She would sneak into the Senate meeting, record the meeting, and bring the recording to her boss.
I hope I can get this plan finished without a hitch. I want to make sure I get my pay from the men who hired me. I need to see them though, and know I'm not in this for their benefit, and my loss, Cari thought.
The train came into a smooth stop, a gentle voice of a woman telling where the train has stopped, where the next destination was, and telling all the passengers who are leaving to have a nice day.
It'll be a good day when I succeed, Cari thought, leaving behind a tall Nautolan.
She quietly walked behind the female Nautolan trying to be unseen in the Senate. Walking down the well-lit hallway, Cari saw many doors leading to different areas. Most of the ones facing the interior of the building led to the Senate assembly chamber itself, while the ones on the opposite side led to offices and other rooms.
Ahead, guards were escorting the senators to the correct platforms. Just act as if I'm a senator's aide, and the security guards won't know the difference, Cari thought.
A tall guard wrapped his arm around her arm, taking her to a cart a few meters away from the meeting point. Cari remained calm, trying not to show anything on her face, her heartbeat had risen.
"Here you go Miss," the guard said politely with his almost aristocratically accent.
"Thank you sir," Cari replied, the door to the cart opening with a quiet whoosh.
She stepped in, the air cool. Two other humans stood, turning around.
"You are the stand-in aide for the representative of Uyter, correct?" a young woman senator asked.
"Yes. My name is Cari."
"I'm Lexi Dio, the senator. Please sit. The meeting is starting."
Cari sits, watching as Supreme Chancellor Palpatine and the beaurocrats stepped up, feeling the gaze of all upon him.
"Fellow delegates of the Galactic Republic, a war has begun between the Separatists and the Republic, as I'm sure you know. Our Clone army has served us well, and will continue to do so in battles to come. I wish to discuss with you this situation.
"As we have found out, the Trade Federation plays a part in this 'Clone War,' providing many of the droids that make up their massive droid armies. Other planets
have joined the cause, adding their resources to the Separatists'." Palpatine paused, taking in a deep breath.
* * * * *
An hour later, the Senate members debated heatedly over the war, Cari taping it all. Suddenly the door to their platform opened, the young man lucky they were not a main part of the debate.
"Senator, please forgive my lateness. I am the stand-in aide," the young man said, clean-cut and well dressed.
"That cannot be. The stand-in is here," Lexi Dio said, standing motionless towards Cari.
"I have papers from Supreme Chancellor Palpatine's office, as well as the offices of Uyter."
"May I see them?"
"Certainly."
The man handed the papers to the Senator, Cari's hear racing.
I'm caught, she thought. I need to escape.
Cari stood up, the Senator done reading the papers.
"These seem to be correct and in order, Lexi Dio stated, her eyes drifting from the young man to Cari in suspicion. "Do you have your papers Miss Cari?" the Senator asked.
In a moment, Cari was gone from the platform, the noise of the Senate turning into a quiet hallway. She continued running, waiting for guards and droids to chase her. Her dress whipped behind her out of her way, which is why she had gotten this dress for: the purpose of escape. She turned her head slightly, finding it odd, but lucky, no one or nothing was chasing her. She turned back around, four guards coming towards her.
Smoke bomb was the only thought of escape that entered her mind.
She stuck a hand in her robes, pulling out a shiny metal ball with a button sticking out. She pushed the button and threw it towards the guards, a dark smoke emitting from the metal orb. The guards waved the smoke away, another puff taking its place. While the guards coughed and fanned, Cari ran by them, holding her breath, squinting her eyes. She finally reached the train, her luck holding out; the train was still boarding. She hopped on the train, waiting for the doors to close and the train to leave. Come on, leave already!
Finally the doors closed; the train departing.
Cari sat down, relaxing from the chase. The train car was empty. With the flick of a button, the recorder rewound the tape, and then she played it.
"Supreme Chancellor Palpatine! Please let my forces, as well as the Clone army attack and finish the Separatists off," a man's voice said.
"I am sorry, Senator, but we must think this through before we make any actions," Palpatine's voice of reason responded.
Cari stopped, relieved that she had gotten the first part, and probably last, of the debate.
They probably stopped the meeting since they found an intruder, Cari thought.
They should be happy.
* * * *
The sun set, the night life of Coruscant coming out. Ships soared through the air, the lights of the endless buildings lighting the way.
Cari sat in a bar, neon lights stretching from each end of the color spectrum lighting the large room. She was waiting for a relay.
She wore her hair in a ponytail, her shirt and pants black in color. She preferred not to bring attention to herself with flashy colors and interesting hair.
Bars like these were hangout for the criminal and working alike. Many species gathered for fun or business.
"Ah Cari, you're already here. Good," a voice said, young and street wise.
"Taris, you're here," Cari said without turning around.
"You have a tape for me to deliver?"
"Yes…and no."
"'…and no?'"
I want to go with you and deliver the tape myself," Cari said, turning her head to look at Taris, now sitting and ordering a drink.
Taris had a look about him that tells you he's lived on the street his entire life. His dark brown mop of hair glowed with the neon lights, as did his blue eyes. He wore a black jacket and black pants; his "night job" uniform.
"I don't know. You're not supposed to do that. I don't really see him myself. I deliver what needs to be delivered, and say what needs to be said."
"I need to talk to the boss. Can you do this favor for me?" Cari repeated, not taking no for an answer.
"Ehh…Alright, but you owe me big time," Taris said, giving in, knowing the headstrong woman would not give up.
"Thank you Taris. Next time we meet, drinks are on me," Cari said smiling.
The two get up, leaving, their still cold drinks on the counter, bubbles dancing in the blue and red.
* * * * *
"Who's there?" a rugged voice asked, responding to the knocking.
"Taris Balstyn.
I have a delivery for the boss."
"Code."
"4296325."
"Confirmed."
The door in front of Cari and Taris opened, the dim lights invited them to come inside from the almost pitch black.
"Stay calm Cari. The boss is tapped into the Force and can sense your fear, so they say," Taris warned, not looking back or missing a step.
Cari nodded, even though he didn't see. She followed close behind, passing under dim lights in the dark hallway.
Taris said not to be scared. How couldn't she? She was going to be the boss, who is possibly tapped into the Force and can sense her feelings. Even more unnerving was the darkness that surrounded her. She felt as if someone or something would jump out and attack her. The two stopped in from of an almost invisible door in the faint lighting. The door slid open, cold air escaping the tightly guarded room. The two stepped inside, the lighting much like the hallway behind them.
"Welcome Taris," a dark voice beckoned.
"Greetings, sir. I have brought a package as well as the one who got the package."
"Very well. Please, leave us be."
"Yes, sir."
Taris left, Cari alone, her eyes now adjusted seeing a cloaked figure.
"Cari, I applaud your determination and abilities you showed today."
"Thank you, sir."
"Do you wish something of me?"
"Yes. I want to get earnings."
"In due time. The Separatists will reward you greatly when the war is over and the Separatists win.
"Thank you, sir," Cari replied, wishing she could argue, but knowing she shouldn't.
"No, thank you for your bravery this afternoon."
"You heard, sir?"
"Yes. Unfortunately, we do not need the information you have collected and brought to us. We do appreciate your actions, however, and you will receive your money any way.
"Yes, sir. Thank you," Cari said, slightly disappointed.
Cari dropped the tape off on a table on her way out, the soft whoosh announcing her leave.
Outside, Taris waited for her in the darkness, arms crossed as he leaned against the wall.
"How did it go?" he asked.
"He already had the information."
Having said that, Cari walked away, Taris close behind.
"Stupid Girl," the cloaked figure said in a tone of annoyance.
He stepped out from the spot he stood, only his aged chin and nose visible. The night seemed to embrace his powerful posture.
"Pelanken, keep an eye on his 'Cari.' She's sharp and untrusting."
He turned, a human dressed in plain black robes writing down notes.
"Hire her again. I have another assignment for her."
"Yes, sir," Pelanken said.