=Theed Shield Generator Complex =
With a winding series of clicks and a soft beep, the next detonator in Ricco Bene's arsenal announced itself ready. It wasn't a thermal detonator like the last two he'd placed. This one was an ion detonator, designed not for structural but electronic damage. The Sith acolyte regarded it with a satisfied look. Not too bad, considering that he'd had only a matter of hours to plan and execute what he hoped would be an effective diversion.
The fist-sized ion bomb was mounted inconspicuously under a console in the Theed Shield Generator Complex. The detonator was fixed in a carefully decided position. Once Bene triggered the irreversible destruction sequence, the system would be so badly damaged that the Royal Guard would be unable to turn the city's shields on or off.
Bene snorted. If by the time he was ready to make his exit and the shields were stuck off, then he'd be clear to leave the city with no problem. And if they turned the shields on, well, good for them. Because they wouldn't be leaving to follow him easily- anything electronic trying to pass through there would simply short out. (Either way, Bene had made sure a segment of the shield would be disabled anyway, in case he needed a back door exit.)
It was a win-win for Bene. His master Tyranus would surely be pleased at his careful planning. Before he had left Serenno, his master's homeworld, he'd spent hours looking over schematics of important buildings in Theed. This bomb was only one of four in his master plan.
Bene watched a small light blink on the detonator as he crawled out from underneath the panel. Surely no one would spot it there until it was too late.
He swept his cloak around him as he walked confidently back down the main avenue in the complex. At night, it was sparsely patrolled. A smile crept across Bene's cheeks. The patrols and staff he had come across… well, he'd be content to just say that they'd had a friendly evening chat with the business end of a lightsaber.
Yes, Bene was well prepared. Earlier today, he'd knocked out the Royal Guard's scanner database, making it nearly impossible to clear any ships or pilots for departure from the spaceport. A few minutes ago he'd sabotaged the shield generator with a stolen override code that would disable it for one sector only, and then just now planted the detonator for good measure. And, as a precaution, he had disabled most of the security cam feeds in the city, running an idle loop in place of real-time footage to fool anyone who might think to check.
His heavy boots clumped against the floor, but Ricco Bene walked lightly with a spring in his step. He hadn't expected this all to be so easy.
When he reached the set of now-unguarded doors to the facility, Bene stepped into the night and found that there was no one running to meet him. The city of Theed was quite nearly deserted, and he'd managed to slip past the Naboo Royal Guard's noses yet again without incident. It was almost too easy for Bene's tastes.
But it was rather chilly. Bene pulled his cloak closer around his face and strode across a scenic plaza. One more detonator to place, and then he would be ready for the next phase in his plan.
