Part 10:

5 BBY

Henry Stone: Separatist Commando/Head Janitor of Sienar Tower

Salvo: Clone Sanitation Engineer of Sienar Tower

Vonn Heinrick: High School student/ Sienar Tech Security Guard

Mawhak: Weequay Technician BK: BLX reinforced labor droid

Yughuck: Gamorrean Warlord/Deep Tunnels escort

Odi: Henry's adopted Rodian daughter

"Damn light," Salvo shields his eyes. Lianna's midday sun is as beautiful as it is blinding. "Feels like days have passed."

"Only two hours," Henry squints as he checks his communication bracer. "I can't believe I dropped my kids off just four hours ago."

"You have younglings," Mawhak is shocked. "They survived living with you?"

Salvo coughs as much as he laughs, "I like you Mawhak, welcome to the team."

"I have a daughter and I raised my wife's son as my own." Henry grins. He leads them to his speeder. "We're going to Sienar medical. Yes, everyone is getting examined…Salvo."

Salvo rolls his eyes, "Yes Commander Stone."

"I can't believe Yughuck didn't come with us after you offered to pay."

Henry smiles, "You don't know Gamorreans very well, do you Vonn?"

"No. I've played smashball against some but never really knew one."

"Gamorreans have one of the toughest immune systems in the galaxy. Diseases and poisons that would incapacitate and kill Humans are barely noticed by them. They take pride in scars and wounds, he'll display them openly; it's evidence of his survival and victory."

"I respect that but sometimes you just have to swallow your pride and visit the doctor."

Salvo can walk on his own but BK stays close and assists him into the vehicle. Mawhak and Vonn climb in the back while Salvo takes the passenger seat. "Head back to the shop and begin auto repair BK, turn on the astromechs for help too."

"Do I have to use the astromechs?"

"Yes, I want you repaired and fully functional. We might have to lead the extermination team sent to clean out the deep tunnels."

"What?" Mawhak gasps. "Again? We're going again?"

"Bring it!" Vonn raises his gory pry bar, "I'm ready for another round!"

"BK!" Henry calls the droid back, changing the subject, "Take the pry bars with you and the rest of the tools. Have the astromechs clean and return them to their proper places."

"The astromechs won't listen to me," BK grumbles.

"Tell them it's an order, from me," Henry answers. BK takes their pry bars and places them in his chest cavity for storage. His remaining hand can't hold so many.

Vonn looks at Mawhak, "Can I have that back?"

Mawhak looks at the blaster and returns it, "Sorry."

"Don't worry about it, thanks for saving us," Henry takes the blaster and removes the clip before he begins brushing off the muck.

"I…," she looks at Henry and lowers her eyes. "I didn't do that much."

"You didn't run," Henry counters. "That took a lot of courage. The goes for all of you, you did a damn fine job down there. That was best run I've ever had."

"I didn't," Salvo smirks. "I didn't even kill one damn bug."

"You kept your whining to a minimum," Henry points out. "I appreciate that."

They laugh, easing the tension, "You're lucky my skin feels like it's on fire."

Henry's comm beeps and he looks at it, "Its management, I have to take it. Hello?"

A holographic image flickers and then takes shape above his bracer, "Head Sanitation Engineer Stone. I received your message but it feels a little extreme."

"I get you're skeptical but this is a major problem," Henry parks in front of Sienar Tower.

"An extermination squad is very expensive and not in our budget. You accomplished your mission and you didn't lose any members of your team, could it have been that bad?"

"Sir, there was around forty to fifty bog Stalkers. That area needs sterilization."

"That's-that's impossible. Every report I've read describes them as traveling in groups of one to five. Even on Taris that's unheard of."

"I realize that," Henry exhales. "The only reason an insect would change their social behaviors so radically is a dramatic change in their habitat. Something scared those bugs so badly that they built a hive. They destroyed everything down there, even the lights on the walls."

"Are you sure the darkness didn't play tricks on you? No one would blame you. Could it have been two different packs or swarms, coming from opposite sides?"

"Absolutely not," Henry shakes his head vehemently. "Sir, I'm uploading both BK's recording and the one from my headset to your address. Watch them for yourself. Once you do so, I'd like you to offer commendations to my team; they went above and beyond today."

"This isn't the military Stone but I'll do what I can."

The holographic image flickered out, "Let's get you guys to medical."

"Stone," Vonn blurts out. "That's your last name? Do you know an Odi Stone?"

Henry's eyes narrow, "Yes, she's my daughter."

Vonn's eyes widen and Salvo asks, "What? You can't see the family resemblance?"

"No, ugh, I shouldn't say anything but the head instructor took her to the office."

"What for?" Henry demands with quiet intensity.

Vonn winces, "Valles Santhe claims Odi dyed her hair for calling her a green slimo."

Mawhak chuckles and Salvo coughs, "Are you teaching her your tricks Henry?"

Henry scowls at Salvo, "That's not funny. Vonn, start at the beginning."

"I don't think you're taking this seriously Mrs. Stone. These accusations border on criminal; I'm of the mind to contact appropriate law enforcement."

Odi sits in a stiff chair before the Head Instructor's desk, a gaudy wood table with far too much gilded filigree along the borders. The walls contain awards given to him for excellence in education. Behind him are photos with the instructor shaking famous politician's hands. Odi messages her temple, "This is absurd. How could I have dyed her hair without anyone noticing?"

"Your reluctance to admit your involvement is only making things worse."

"What involvement? How can I confess to something I had no part in?"

The door opens and Odi jumps, startled as the secretary declares, "You can't go in there!"

Henry's stride is as brisk as his tone, "Odi, I am so disappointed in you. How could you have embarrassed us in this way?" He turns to the Head Instructor, "I'm Henry Stone, Odi's father. I apologize; I don't know where to begin sir."

They shake hands. Secure and relieved by Henry's submissiveness, the instructor settles back in his chair. "It's a surprise to us all. Odi refuses to bear any responsibility for her actions-"

"Dad!" Odi interrupts, shocked at his willingness to believe them. "I didn't-"

"Not another word!" Henry snaps at her so quickly she sits back down in her chair. "Let me apologize again; I just don't know what's gotten into her."

"I can understand, at her age, every child is difficult. She needs to come clean and then we can move on to discussing the appropriate steps to take."

"If you'll explain to me exactly what she's done," Henry suggests as he folds his arms and strokes his jaw. "We'll get to the bottom of this."

"Odi dyed another student's hair green. We're not exactly sure how she accomplished it but the student and Odi have had prior conduct issues between them."

"Conduct? Where, and who may I ask, is this student?"

"The student referred to Odi as a green slimo on several occasions and she's gone home for the day. She is none other than Lady Valles Santhe, heir of house Santhe."

"I'm sure you disciplined her for such a derogatory term," Henry adds.

"Well, uh…no," the head instructor shifts in his chair. "It was deemed harmless."

"The student code of conduct specifically states harassment and bullying of any kind is unacceptable and will result in immediate punishment."

He waves it off, "The kids will often tease each other. We can't punish everyone for every insult. Mrs. Odi never came to me to discuss the issue. I assumed it wasn't a significant."

"Ahh," Henry nods. "I see. Well something to consider, many aquatic races such as the Rodians, Mon Cal, and Quarrens consider it a racial slur due to their excessive production of mucus so that their scales don't grow dehydrated."

"R-r-racial slur?"
"Off topic, I realize," Henry apologizes. "Please continue."
The Head instructor collects himself, "That's about it."

Henry tilts his head, "That's it?"

"Yes, that's all we have so far."

"You must have some witnesses," the Head Instructor face is blank and he blinks before Henry continues. "No? Well certainly you must have Odi on video or some missing chemicals. Human hair doesn't naturally turn green unless she's a blond and Odi used Chlorine."

"We're not missing any chemicals! We keep a close watch on our supplies!"

"So you don't have any video from the school or Lady Santhe's house guard, involving Odi," Henry inquires. Suddenly realizing the conversation is turning against him, the Head instructor struggles to respond. "At most, you have a motive, a thin one at that. Is Odi the only student that's been harassed by Valles Santhe?"

"We need to return the conversation to-"
"So there are more students she's bullied that you ignored them because she's a Santhe."

"No one said there was bullying!"

"You've also openly admitted that Lady Santhe uses racial slurs regularly."

"I never said that!"

"Chemistry and Biology weren't her strongest subjects, so how do you explain how Odi created a dye. I guess she could have bought it but how did she apply it?" Odi is in awe at her father's ability to turn the conversation against the instructor. "Did Lady Santhe provide any evidence to back up her claim, besides her...previous animosity?"

"Let's focus on your daughter, not lady Santhe."

"Oh I am focused, do you realizes you're in violation of the Sub-Adult Group and COMPNOR's Fairness Doctrine?"

"I-I-I am in compliance with all Imperial regulations!"

"Then how do you explain taking the word of a regional noble over another citizen during litigation?"

"Uh-this-um is an informal inquiry!"

"All you have is a thin motive and accusation. There are no witnesses, physical evidence, or videos. I'm taking my daughter home for the day and yes, she's returning tomorrow."

"This isn't over!" The instructor blusters.

"If you continue your pattern of harassment of my daughter, I will be forced to make a complaint with the local COMPNOR." The head instructor pales. "Think very carefully."

Henry opens the office door for Odi and she quickly exits. They walk to the parking lot without saying anything and she waits until they're sitting in the speeder and exiting the school parking lot, "That was awesome! That was so awesome…and you smell really really bad dad."

Henry smiles at her, "So…how'd you do it?"