New chapter up. Enjoy.

Nikka POV

I landed my ship on one of the merchant pads on Coruscant. Even though I spent most of my time with the Alliance, my status as a Republic privateer was still intact. I used my anonymity to help Theron keep an eye on the Republic. To learn, well in advance, if they were planning any kind of offensive against the Alliance. I was kinda enjoying being a spy and I'd learned all kinds of useful things from Theron.

I planned to slice into the military requisition forms from one of the medical centers. Unlike SIS reports and most military forms and reports, the forms used to requisition medical supplies weren't overly tracked or locked down. Apparently, it was important to hide the acquisition of ammunition, weapons and explosives, but not medical supplies.

What most people fail to realize, however, was that large operations requiring large amounts of medical support supplies, more often than not, also required large amounts of the more protected items. If they were stocking up multiple ships, it might mean a large offensive. Not to mention, thanks to Rio, I knew Elara's personal acquisition number. While I checked for any increase in medical supplies, I could also see if Elara was requesting anything. No matter what position she was currently occupying, she'd no doubt still be involved with medical matters. I was killing two birds with one stone.

Bowdaar had come with me this time around, but he stayed on the ship. As much as I loved having him around for backup, he was also very noticeable. I had an easier time being ignored when I was alone. Most security didn't bother to watch a lone woman walking into a medcenter.

I took a speeder to Justicar territory. I intentionally picked the medcenter in the worst part of Coruscant, knowing the medical staff would be few, possibly nonexistent. Not to mention, the area was still being heavily run by thugs and criminals, too involved with their own criminal activities to even notice mine. True, it wasn't the safest place to be, but Bowdaar was just a quick skip and a jump away and I left my comlink open. Anyone I couldn't handle on my own, I could certainly stall until my wookie backup arrived.

Besides, I was heavily armed and could pick up on someone's ill intentions long before a confrontation started. Sometimes it was nice being Force sensitive. Theron didn't necessarily like me going off on my own like this, but he was off negotiating with yet another potential ally and Rio was off trying to play nice with the mandalorians, with hopes of getting himself a nice, new gemini template. I was free to get into whatever trouble I wanted.

I arrived at the medcenter in question without incident. In fact, there were fewer people around than normal. The lack of people seemed odd, until I realized the medcenter was closed.

Taking the wrinkle in stride, I slipped to a side door and sliced my way in. It would only take me a few minutes to copy what I needed and get back to my ship. I could do most of my investigation with the copied files. Considering the break in, it seemed the wisest course of action.

I was halfway through my data dump when I felt someone approaching, though they paused outside the entrance where I had sliced in. They were obviously waiting for me to exit to confront me. As my data spike finished its copy, I pulled my lightsaber out from its place at the small of my back. I didn't carry the weapon often, but I usually kept it close when on Republic worlds. Not so much as a weapon, more as a symbol. People were much less likely to question the integrity of a Jedi, than some random woman with only a blaster.

Once the download was complete, I collected my spike, tucking it in a safe place that would not be found by a random physical body search. I also tucked my blaster behind my back and placed the lightsaber on my belt like it belonged there, then headed out the way I came. I was met outside the door by a Republic security officer with a blaster being held at head level. "Hold it right there!"

I quickly pulled my lightsaber, igniting the azure blade. I held the weapon defensively, almost like I knew what I was doing. The officer, upon seeing the blade, lowered his blaster without hesitation.

"Oh, sorry Master Jedi. I didn't know they assigned any Jedi to this area."

I closed down the lightsaber and reattached it to my belt. "That's quite alright. I'm out here on official council business. I'm afraid I didn't have time to make my presence known to local security."

"Do you need any assistance?" The officer asked, reholstering his blaster. This guy was being way too trusting, but who was I to argue. He was falling for my improvised disguise hook, line and sinker.

"I have what I came for, but I thank you for the offer. Now, If you'll excuse me, I need to get back to the senate tower." I walked past him, but he turned and began to walk next to me.

"This isn't the best part of town, even with Republic security now having control of the area. I'd feel better if you'd let me escort you back to the speeder bay."

I stopped and turned to the young man, giving him a critical look. He couldn't be more than twenty years old. "I'm a Jedi Master. I'll be fine on my own."

"...of course...I didn't mean to imply…" He stammered. "It's just you're so...well…"

I smiled at him sweetly. "Yes, I'm a woman and I do appreciate a fine young man like yourself offering to escort me, but I'm quite well trained. I'll be in no danger." I spoke calmly and confidently. I had spent enough time around Jedi to know how to act like one.

"Of course. Good day, Master Jedi." The officer replied, almost blushing. He turned and headed back deeper into the territory.

I quickly headed back the way I came. I had fooled the young officer, but I needed to be off Coruscant before he made his daily report. If he didn't mention the encounter, I'd be fine, but if he followed normal procedure, he'd at least mention it in his report and chances were, his superiors were not as naive.

Fortunately, luck, or I guess the Force, was on my side and I was able to get back to my ship and head offworld with no incident. I was going to have to keep my distance from the planet for a bit, though, just to be safe.

To Be Continued...