Chapter 14

Chapter 14

Surprises

That evening as they approached the ship Palpatine sensed something wrong stopping Senator Freey before they left the carriage. He asked the driver if there were any dangerous animals in this area of Maridia.

"Not really, there are the Dando dogs but they have never been spotted this close to City. Why do you ask?"

"I think I saw some movement at the tree line." Palpatine said pointing to the nearest grove of trees. He was dropping his arm when two large four legged creatures burst from the trees headed right for them. In rapid succession a blaster pistol appeared in their driver's hand, the two attacking dogs were killed and the gun disappeared from view behind a false side panel on the wagon.

"No high tech weapons on Maridia, right?" Palpatine said to the driver.

"No sir, not a one."

"Senator I think it is now safe for us to proceed to the ship." Palpatine said escorting him to their temporary home.

Once inside the safety of the ship Freey said, "He tipped their hand a little. It isn't only the defensive satellites that enforce their isolation. I suspect, as I think you do, everyone we have met or will meet has be cleared or briefed about contact with off worlders."

"You are right. I've never met a culture like this. We have not seen children of any age. This may hamper our ability to solve their problem." Palpatine added.

"I agree however today the did admit the problem involved a group 'trying to subvert the will of the people' it is more like they want to open up communication with the rest of the Republic including possible tourist trade."

"I think you are close to the truth Senator. We still need to put names to this group and find some of their members to talk to if we are going to settle this." Palpatine added.

"There are a couple of why's I want to pin down first." Senator Freey said.

"As I do." Palpatine said 'In particularly who just tried to kill us.'

They spent the rest of the evening making plans for the next day's meeting. After Freey retired Palpatine started to look for their pilot all he had to go on was a Dark Line of Power leading from him towards city deciding his time would be better spent in other ways Palpatine waited. It wasn't until the next night that the pilot showed up to answer Palpatine's questions "You mean you were with the group that set those dogs on us?" Palpatine said in a quiet roar.

"It was not what you think. I was captured the night before and a knife was held at my throat when they asked which side I was on. Thanks to a smart guess I'm still here."

"It may not have been so smart." Palpatine said in full Sith glower continuing "What are their plans Cayer?"

"Master," Cayer started hoping to curry favor. "They are uncertain. It seems your carriage driver is high up in Duridia's security service, what there is of one. I get the impression it is not a large force."

"It doesn't have to be if they do things right. Continue."

"That is all I know."

"Then tell me where are all the children."

"That I know. They live with their parents until they reach the age of 7. At that age the boys pick a trade and start spending more and more time living away from home in a dormitory run by the trade the apprentice into. Girls go into training to serve the goddess. Same basic setup more and more time away from home until the age of 14 they leave completely. Women in the service of the goddess give all the non-trade training; reading, writing, math. Most of them are wives of the craftsmen in the respective guilds but some are women whose husbands have died."

"Very good Cayer you did learn something. Are all you insurgents from the same guild?"

"No Master. Three guilds."

"Good work. Now what are you going to do?"

After thinking for a moment Cayer said, "Stay with them and report back."

"This time do not take three days before you report."

"Yes master," Cayer replied just before leaving.

The rest of the week passed in total boredom for Palpatine he was either sitting in meeting discussing the insurgents as everyone had taken to calling them or traveling around by horse and carriage inspecting the various sites of insurgent activity. It was during a nightly wrap up meeting on their ship that Senator Freey made the comment "I wish there was a way to contact the insurgents."

"Rank and file or the bosses." Palpatine countered.

"The bosses." Freey said looking a Palpatine questioningly.

"I'll see what can be done."

That evening after Freey had retired to his room for the night. Palpatine donned his Darth cloak along with the rest of his Sith garments and slipped off the ship proceeding to a safe house Cayer had described during their meeting the previous night. Becoming one with the shadows as he approached the house Palpatine stopped every few feet reaching out with the dark force. Something here was not right. The Dark force was trying to tell him something but Palpatine knew his abilities were not sufficiently developed to interpret the information. He switched to viewing the lines of power hoping to find something and what he saw surprised him. The black line linking him to Cayer went straight into the ground no more than 5 meters in front of him. Without moving Palpatine inspected the ground carefully. Although there was no indication of disturbed soil the other fact was there was at least one room that extended out under the ground from the house which was still 18 meters away. While he was examining the rest of the area he watched a couple enter the house and shortly after the dark force came alive with warning as a sensor field surrounding the house was switched on. Palpatine was located in a dead zone between the inner and outer sensor ring. He knew any motion on his part would set the field off. As he looked over his options the dark force revealed a course of action. There was a damaged tree about 7 meters from the house. Palpatine reached out with the dark force and sent it crashing into the house. It had taken a lot of dark force to topple but he was surprised how quickly he recovered. Naturally the fall of the tree had tripped all the sensors and the force of the fall had caused the tree to breach the wall of the house. Palpatine taking the confusion as cover entered the house through the breach then stepped into a shadow while he watched a section of the floor rise revealing stairs to the underground rooms. The people ascending them carried modern weapons. As Cayer was not among them Palpatine descended the stairs after the initial surge was over using the dark force to feed the confusion of the people around him. The underground structure of the house was extensive and Ferro-concrete Palpatine noted this and other facts as he followed the black line of power the short distance to the room holding Cayer. Palpatine opened the door and found Cayer and a female in a comprising position. Luckily Palpatine was able to cloud the female's mind before she noticed him. He grabbed Cayer's shoulder and force threw him across the room into a wall.

"Who..." Cayer started.

"Be quiet." Palpatine said before Cayer could figure out who was under the black cloak. "Get back to you ship." He added before disappearing back into the shadows.

When he arrived back at the ship he spotted a familiar face watching the ship. Sneaking up he knocked them out before carrying him back aboard the ship. Aboard ship he deposited him in the conference room then slipped out of his Darth attire before waking Senator Freey. "Palpatine what is it. It is the middle of the night."

"Sorry Senator, We have a visitor." Palpatine said indicating the conference room.

"Who would be calling on us at this hour?"

"Sir, he is a reluctant visitor. He had our ship under surveillance and I decided he should come inside."

"I don't understand." Freey said.

"You wanted to contact the insurgents. I have reason to suspect he might help us do just that." Palpatine said all the while using the dark force to reinforce feeling of failure and a willingness to help in their visitors mind.

Entering the conference room Senator Freey looked at their guest the at Palpatine saying, "There must be some mistake."

"Not at all. Cavan of Stone could you take a message to the insurgent leaders saying we wish to meet them at any place and time." Palpatine asked.

"Yes I can." Cavan of Stone said looking at Senator Freey.

"Good, please do so." Freey said the to Palpatine, "You are full of surprises."

Palpatine just smiled at Freey then escorted Cavan down the ramp meeting Cayer on the way. Noting the look of recognition on Cayer's face. "I want to see you in the conference room." Palpatine said to Cayer as he nudged Cavan towards city.

Entering the conference room Palpatine noted Freey had gone right back to bed after Cavan left. Putting a force lock on the conference room Palpatine proceeded to have his discussion with Cayer. When he left Cayer had a clearer understanding of what was expected. He was also amazed how one man could cause him so much pain. Without using anything but his hands. He had been hit many times before but never had the pain radiated like it had this time.

It was the next evening when Cavan returned meeting Freey and Palpatine in the conference room. "They are willing to meet with you. I will have someone here tomorrow to direct your pilot to the meeting location. That should give you enough time to make excuses to Fraylac and that bunch."

"Very good, I take it you will not be going with us."

"No, My absence would be noticed."

Palpatine spent much of the time available to him before they left in a learning trance with the Sith Cube. When their guide came on board the next evening Palpatine recognized her as the one who was with Cayer two days before.

Taking care to insure Senator Freey was in his room in a force induced daze Palpatine brought both Cayer and the guide into the conference room. Sealing the door with the dark force as he shut it behind him.

"Where is Senator Freey? I thought we were going over the procedure to meet my leaders." The lady said.

"We are going no where. Cayer, I will deal with you later. Right now I want to here how Black Sum fits into this and you my dear will tell me." Palpatine said firmly.

"I don't know what you are talking about."

"Ok, We will do this the hard way." Palpatine said diving into the dark force and putting seeds of fear in both her and Cayer's mind. Then Palpatine forced her into a seat using the dark force to restrict her movements. "I will ask you again. Black Sun's involvement?"

"I've told you I don't..."

"Unless you are answering the question be silent." Palpatine said quietly interrupting her. Then taking the seat facing her he viewed her lines of power. Finding a line from her to Cayer and little else of note. He then looked deep into her eyes and concentrated on reinforcing her feelings of paranoia. "You are no use to Black Sun now. You are going to tell me the answers I want." He said after a while.

"Yes."

"Why is Black Sun involved here?"

"The mineral wealth on this planet has never been touched and initial surveys show it to be enormous."

"Your role in all of this."

"I am Cayer's handler. I was told to rake off fly over the ocean and dump your three bodies into the middle of it. Then take the ship to orbit where someone would meet me."

Looking over at Cayer to insure he was paying attention to the answer Palpatine asked, "You mentioned three bodies. Who are they?"

"Senator Freey, Palpatine and Cayer."

"Can you get copies of the survey you mentioned."

"Yes they are near by."

"Show me." And with that Palpatine release her from the hold he held her in and followed her off the ship returning later copies in hand but without her.

"Where is she?" Cayer asked when Palpatine returned without her.

"She tried to get cute. Now her body is where she can help our cause the most."

"You killed her!"

"Did you forget our last discussion?" Palpatine asked letting a hard tone enter his voice.

"No Master." Cayer replied noting his body still hurt in places.

"Good that is the last time I will tolerate questioning. You are not Black Sun any longer. You are mine! Never forget that." Palpatine said firmly stating a fact.

At breakfast Palpatine showed Freey the copies of the survey saying he'd found them outside the ship last night.

"I won't ask. Good job, Now it is all starting to make sense. We told our hosts we would be unavailable for a few days. As we have no guide yet let's see if we can fit this puzzle together." Senator Freey said.

"How do you want to start Senator?"

"Use the display in he Conference room Put all the ruling council members up on it and in a separate area the know facts."

Palpatine and Freey worked the rest of the morning on it Cayer was working around the ship.

"You have stated Cavan is one of them if not one of the leaders. It does make sense Cavan of Stone would be interested in mining. What other groups would benefit from mining opening up or more open trade arrangements." Senator Freey asked.

"I have it on good authority that there are three guilds involved in the insurgents. Stone, Metal and Clean sound like the most likely candidates." Palpatine said.

"I agree. Such an interesting title 'Clean' for a guild that deals with the garbage. It does say wonders about this society that they are treated as an equal by the rest." Freey stated.

They spent a considerable amount of time dividing the list of council members into three groups;

Traditionalists, with Fraylac at the top of that list followed by Belant of Carving.

Insurgents, Palpatine put Cavan on that one without comment from Freey.

Unknown's, under this heading were the rest: Ropol of Wood, Kayat of Pottery, Matsic of Vehicles, Krolac of Metals, Vallaron of Roads, Phing of Buildings, Pinay of Clean.

Melian of the Priestess was a special one she was technically a member of the council but she reported straight to the Priestess and every action Melian took was directed by her.

"Now I know why they didn't want Jedi." Palpatine said.

"I believe your are right. Three of the councilors fear being found out. The Black Sun involvement gives us an out. We can leave and call in the Jedi to deal with them."

"What Black Sun involvement?" Palpatine said feinting ignorance.

"Don't tell me you forgot a briefing I gave back when I was a Real Senator." Freey said looking at Palpatine and smiling.

"Truthfully yes. I must have."

"Not a problem my boy The company listed on the surveys you found is a know front for Black Sun."

Palpatine started to suggest lunch only to be interrupted by the intercom. "Sir we have a person approaching," Cayer said.

"Ah, That should be our guide. A bit late but here none the less. Go and greet them Palpatine. After lunch we will be off." Freey said hitting the save then the clean buttons on the display.

Palpatine lowered the ramp and went down to greet their visitor.

"Hi Palpatine." Puric, the gentleman that had been their driver during the tours of insurgent sites, said in greeting.

"Hello I don't believe we are due to go anywhere today."

"Uh, no I'm here in another capacity. I'm Puric of Maridian Security. And I would like to ask you and your companions if you heard anything last night."

"I myself heard nothing. Please come with me and we will ask Senator Freey and our pilot." Palpatine said before turning and heading up the ramp.

When they entered the little area that, among other things, functioned as the dining nook. Palpatine introduced Puric and repeated his question.

"Nice to meet the try you." Freey said continuing, "Unfortunately I heard nothing last night. Should I have?"

Puric glanced a Cayer who said, "No, nothing." Returning his gaze to Freey Puric continued "A young lady was murdered last night. The first murder in over 20 years in City. She was an unusual individual and she was carrying directions to your ship."

"Most peculiar. I was not expecting a young lady to visit." Freey said.

"Nor I." Both Palpatine and Cayer said in unison.

"Do not be worried. We will find the person who did this and punish them. Now if you will excuse me I have other leads I must follow." Puric said as Palpatine rose and lead the way back to the ship's ramp. "Thank you again for your help Palpatine." He said before walking down the ramp.

"Any time Puric." Palpatine replied waiting until the ramp was clear before raising it.

"Most unfortunate." Freey said when Palpatine returned to the nook.

"It may be a blessing in disguise Senator. I think the insurgent leaders are right here in City."

"You might be right. I wonder how far we should proceed. It might be better to turn this all over to the Jedi. Something we started to discuss prior to Puric showing up."

"I think without any direct linkage to severe violence our chances of being replace by the Jedi are slim."

"You are right Palpatine. It must be a subconscious desire to get off this planet and back to Coruscant where there are more civilized accommodations."

"I do understand sir. I might add you are not alone it that regard. Knowing we can't call in the Jedi. Do you have any idea how you wish to proceed?"

"I wish we could add more names to that list of insurgents but I don't want to make any false accusations. I agree with Cavan he did provide us a link to the insurgents. I think we need to get in touch and let him know his guide never showed." Freey said.

"He will know that when we don't leave. I suggest we tell him our departure at this time would cause problems for us and it is best if we stay here. Then we can inquire if there is a way some or all of them or their representatives could meet us here."

Excellent idea Palpatine! Let us follow that course and see where it leads."

Where it led was around in circles for a few days. Cavan remained steadfast in the requirement that Palpatine and Freey had to travel in order to meet with the leaders. They were equally steadfast that they could not travel. Finally Cavan came up with a secure transmission code that would allow a conversation with the leadership without a video component. It was agreed to and a few days latter Freey and Palpatine were in the conference room at the appointed time. When it was apparent the parties they were speaking to were using mechanical voice filters to disguise their voices. Senator Freey quickly ended the call saying, "Without trust nothing good can be obtained. When you are ready to make real progress have Cavan contact us until then good bye."

Palpatine kept silent for a few days he had been trying to remember their initial banquet. It was the only time all the Council members had been present and the Lines of Power had been so jumbled between them that He had deemed it not worth the effort to straighten them out. If he recalled the Lines right there were at least three councilors related to each other. Cavan was not alone in being a terminus of black lines. The problem with relying on the lines for all his information was their were several possible causes for the black lines between the councilors, ranging from long held grievances between the crafts to the reason he and Freey were on planet. It was only with prolonged reading that he would be able to decipher the lines. And that did not seem likely to happen any time soon.

It was the next week as they were back touring recent insurgent sites that Palpatine saw Cavan with another councilor, Vallaron of roads. There were a number of lines joining the two of them. One was the yellow of family lines a bit dark second cousins at the closest. And of course there was one the green of co-workers. That one was so thin and pale he wondered how civil their discussions were. One was the black of wrongdoings. There were several small strands in that one, not one of the strands big enough to be the insurrection. A slight golden colored one lead from Vallaron away in the distance but from Cavan there was no love line running.

Palpatine now felt safe putting Vallaron under Fraylac as a traditionalist. But how to arrive at that decision so Freey would find it reasonable. Freey solved that problem back at the Ship when he looked at Palpatine and said "I didn't see much warmth between those two. If they are on the same side in this I will be surprised."

"I agree." Was all Palpatine said as he called up the chart and moved Vallaron to Fraylac's column. That was the procedure for the next few weeks. Anytime they were in the company of two or more council members they observed and then arranged the display column's based on that. Some members like Ropol of Wood bounced from column to column depending on whom he was observed with. Even viewing the Lines of Power Palpatine was unsure for a while which column he belonged in. Finally settling for Fraylac's. "We are all done Senator."

Looking at the chart Freey smiled saying "Yes we are. Now what do we do with it."

"I can't be fooled on this senator. You have an idea what you wanted to do with this list since we started it."

"True but humor me. What would you do."

Palpatine looked at the chart for a while then said, "I'd call Cavan's bluff. Get him alone and tell him we know about him and Black Sun."

"To what end?"

"To bring our discussions to an end one way or another."

"I was thinking along the same lines. The problem is to insure shooting does not take place. I've been in one shootout recently and was very lucky. I don't want to push my luck." Senator Freey stated.

"If you don't mind I will handle this. I will meet him and confront him off the ship. If I do this right he will suspect I'm trying to shake him down. And that you are out of the loop. That way if I do get shot you can change tactics and call in more help."

"Sounds dangerous for you."

"Not really I will be wearing shielding and if I do it in a semi public place it should reduce his options for violence. Don't forget Puric from Maridian security will be near by waiting to take me back to this ship." Palpatine stated.

"You have thought this out well. Let me know what happens." Senator Freey said concern etched on his face.

"Of course Senator. I will contact Puric tonight and tell him I wish a semi-private meeting with Cavan tomorrow. That way everyone will know and I have time to prepare."