Part 3:
Trocaan sat silently in the meeting room. To his left Endurai and Nolaa discussed something quietly. Just then Leia walked in.
"Thank you for joining me. Everything is finally under control. Well, almost everything."
Leia sat down. "That deal was very important to for the New Republic. The Bothans are not pleased with this turn of events but they are willing to open talks with another Senator."
"Who could have done this?" Endurai asked.
"Well, at first the Council thought it was a Bothan fanatic. Someone opposed to opening a free trade deal with the New Republic." Leia replied. "But then we realized how Senator Gorca died."
"How did he die?" Trocaan asked.
Leia looked straight at him with a mixture of sadness, anger and something else. Fear? "He was choked. Strangled to death. But there were no signs of stuggle on... the body." Leia continued after a deep breath. "No bruises, scratches or anything. It was like the throat was crushed from the inside."
The three friends looked at each other and knew. Only Dark Jedi killed in such a swift and silent manner.
Leia contined. "That is why I have called the three of you here. Being Jedi you would have an advntage others wouldn't in tracking these murderers down. Will you help us?"
"Yes." Trocaan replied.
Nolaa shifted as Trocaan questioned the fifth mechanic in the hangar. The Ugnaut only shook his head. He knew nothing.
She gazed carfelly around hangar bay 12. Only this hangar and two others had held ships that left immediately after Gorca's death. After the Senator had been killed, no one was given permission to leave the planet. Any ships that had left were under suspiscion.
The ships from the other 2 hangars were fine. They were simply been going to deliver holoprojecters to Coreillia. But no one could even remember the ship from this bay. It was as if it had never existed in the minds of the machanics and guards. But records showed that a ship had left this bay.
But so far, nothing.
Trocaan finished with the mechanic and returned to her and Endurai. "They can't remember a thing about the ship or its occupants. Whoever they were, they worked quickly and quietly."
Endurai frowned. "Sounds very suspiscious."
"I just wish we had answers. All we know is that they were Dark Jedi. We don't know where to go next." Nolaa sighed.
"I could give you answers."
The Jedi turned to face this new voice. A few feet away stood a thin man in scruffy clothes. He looked at them expectantly.
"Well," he continued, "don't you want answers?"
Trocaan felt that the man was no threat, but getting the information they needed would cost them. "Who are you?"
"You can call me Tramblor. I can tell you're lookin for that Senator's killers."
Nolaa realized he had real information. Only a few knew that there had been more than one assassin invloved.
"You've been watching us the whole time." Endurai revealed.
Tramblor eyed the Rodian. "Yeah. And I was watching those killers when they were here. I've got all kinds of information you need."
"Well, we would appreciate it if you gave us those answers." Trocaan said sternly.
"Of course. But there's a price." Tramblor replied.
"That's blackmail." Nolaa replied. This man had no right to deny them information in such an important case. But the galaxy was full of this type of people.
"Fine." he shrugged like he didn't care. "Tell Leia Organa Solo that her collegue's death will go unsolved. It's your choice."
Trocaan sighed. "How much?"
"Ten thousand credits." he replied confidently.
Endurai shook his head. Not only was the man greedy but he was asking for a ridiculous amount. "Not likely. We'll give you four thousand."
Tramblor laughed nervously. "Ten thousand, no less."
Trocaan felt Tramblor's desperation and knew they would win this one. "Fine. We will take our business elsewhere. I'm sure we can find another person who has expertise in information." The Jedi began to walk away.
"Wait!" Tramblor called the three of them back. "How about eight thousand?"
"No." Trocaan said plainly.
"Uh, six thousand?"
"No."
Tramblor sighed. "You kids drive a hard bargin. Five thousand?"
"Done." Trocaan replied. "Now, the inforamtion."
"Hey, where's my credits?" Tramblor said.
"You will get them after we get what we need." Nolaa replied.
Tramblor nodded. "I must speak to you in private." He glanced fearfully around the hangar. "Let me take you guys to my ship, the Star Corrupter. It's not safe here..."
Once on board, Tramblor began.
"Senator Gorca was murdered by three Dark Jedi. Their leader is a human female. Her associates are a human male and a Trandoshan."
Endurai shuddered. Trandoshans. Violent, half-crazed and with nothing but power on their minds.
Nolaa spoke up. "I'm still confused.Why did they do this?"
"I'm sorry, I don't have a clue." Tramblor replied.
"Anything else?" Trocaan asked.
"Uh... no." Tramblor was lying. They could all tell.
Endurai looked tiredly at the man. "You do realize we haven't paid you anything yet, right?"
Tramblor swallowed. "Well, I kinda noticed something else. Their ship is the Demon Nova and I found out they came from Anoth."
That was all they needed. After paying Tramblor they boarded the Rancor and headed for Anoth.