++++++++++
Clinic
++++++++++
Elia was not expected to attend negotiations the following morning, and they agreed that she should just sleep in and concentrate on healing. Although she agreed, she also planned on being ready early in the morning to meet them. And it was odd of her to be on time for anything. Rising an hour early, so she might delay the alarm with the snooze feature, she hopped in the fresher, and got dressed.
As she was changing, a chill came over her, urging her to listen closely. Residing in the cell closest to the rear exit, she sensed movement, perhaps a rustling of selves or other native beast. Tiptoe-ing in her own room, pressed her ear against the inside of the exterior wall. Extending her hearing with the Force, she wracked her brain trying to categorize the sound.
Suddenly, armed guards burst in her room. Her first inclination was to cover up before scream, and taking advantage of this situation, she was easily confiscated. In her last minutes of consciousness, she saw a bundled Kiana squirming for freedom. Kicking with all her might, she finally succumbed to the drug, and was dragged outside the building.
++++++++++
Walkar
Governor's Palace
++++++++++
What the hell is this supposed to mean? Kiltma threw a disk onto the central conference table towards Trafalgar. Unmoved, Tlaska's representative finished his drag on his expensive spiced cigar, then casually inquired of it.
Play it, you son of a bitch. Chlak roared observing Trafalgar dot out his cigar temporarily and reach for the holodisk. Aware of the many eyes staring him down, he prepared himself for what the holo would reveal.
No. Tlaska will not support you... the bluish image of Trafalgar wavered and was soon blocked by Healer Amelia as the holocam made its rounds across the room. Mention this to no one, Trafalgar.
Obi-Wan's picture perfect composure wanted to shout out in defense, but his eyes betrayed him. A nausea settled into his belly at the thought of such a deception. Though he wouldn't have put it past Trafalgar to devise such a plan. Qui-Gon's own surprise was supressed, donning patience while the others around him burst with fits of emotion.
I think you have some explaining to do, M'ztka began with what had been diminished to a controlled rage, having seen the holo just hours before. As we can all see, this only goes to prove-
Yes, so I was approached by the Healer, but the meeting did little good. He remained just as calm and cool as ever, almost as if he expected it. He was not even amazed to learn his quarters were being tapped.
How do we know you didn't set up the meeting? Chlak accused in his tone.
Oh, don't be ridiculous. What could that ineffective little organization of witch doctors ever have to offer me? She came to me-
That's impossible! Obi-Wan interrupted to the chagrin of his master.
Qui-Gon did not admonish him, or move to silence him as the crowd snickered at his naiveté. Burgeoning red, the realization that Elia may not have been entirely honest with him came as a terrifying shock. Qui-Gon knew how unsettling this was to his padawan's vision, and wondered himself if he had not been played the same way.
What's the defense for, Jedi? M'ztka jumped in again after having been cut off. There's no other reason for the Healers to be meeting with Tlaska unless to undermine me. Trafalgar doesn't deny the meeting, do you?
Obi-Wan was speechless, pressing his lips together and exhaling harshly. Intervening, Qui-Gon offered, Before further accusations are made, I should like to view the rest of the holo. From what we have seen thus far, we cannot be certain of what exactly took place. The image and recording are not fully imprinted; their heads are turned away and there's no way to confirm what's being stated.
Chlak turned to Trafalgar, Well, you were there, man. What was said?
I tell you the the Healer approached me en route to my suite and I invited her in. A beautiful women... The pause was met with icy glares by the Jedi in his vulgar attempt at humor. In response, he neatly summed up. They asked for our support in some ridiculous movement for freedom, I assume.
What do you mean, I assume? Qui-Gon pressed for clarification trying to read through his manipulative skill. He now kicked himself for not having pursued the discussion about Elia's run in with Trafalgar the other day. Obviously it was far more serious than the girl let on.
She didn't mention any details.
Obi-Wan's cheeks flamed red with anger and embarrassment at the allegation. Accusations made against the Healers nearly assumed the Jedi's involvement. The critical nature of the situation urged him to keep in tune with the Force, and he fought to set aside the debilitating emotions to focus. Although he wanted to jump in with his opinion of the matter, Obi-Wan withdrew from the conversation to observe, and in this action, determine the truth from these surreptitious politicians.
Feigning fury, Kiltma and Chlak avoided each others glances, fear building should they too be accused of resisting M'ztka's leadership.
By the way, Kiltma. Where ever did you come in contact with the holodisk? The cigar was lit again, as if satisfied he'd journeyed the gauntlet unscathed.
It was sent to me by comlink- anonymously. I copied it, and was unable to track the sender.
That's a likely story. Deliberately shifting the focus of the conversation away from himself, Trafalgar's tone of voice questioned the validity of the Republic's representative.
You don't have to believe me. I've done nothing wrong.
Who issued the stealth cam to follow me then? While Trafalgar tried to make it a personal concern to keep Kiltma on the defensive, he didn't seem to care who issued it, and carried his weight as if one should ever assume an ounce of privacy as stupidity.
Chuckling, Chlak turned to M'ztka. It's perfectly obvious who issued the order. He's been waiting for one of us to slip up and expose our so-called plan to dethrone him. You're paranoid, M'ztka.
The midnight robe of the governor whooshed behind him as he darted in to attack the quick words. Jabbing a knuckly finger, he asserted, Upon agreeing to participate in these pitiful negotiations, each of you signed a contract to be recorded.
During negotiations, not to our suites. Kiltma defended, rising from his chair with flailing arms. A pause ensued, as if digesting this information. Well, if you did it, why didn't you come out and say it?
I didn't send the holo. M'ztka seemed reluctant to offer this information sighing and sitting momentarily. I didn't find out until you forwarded the draft this morning, he admitted. The governor slumped back in his chair, mocking Trafalgar, while Kiltma and Chlak still stood angry, accusatory, and suspicious.
Having calmed his breathing, Kiltma sighed a conclusion. Well in any event, the Healers should be called in to resolve this matter.
Or to see if someone is lying, Chlak hissed, eyes drilling Trafalgar.
Healer Elia is in custody as we speak.
Obi-Wan released his grip on the arms of the chair, his knuckles white, and made to depart, not waiting for his partner.
++++++++++
Walkar
Qui-Gon and Obi-Wan's Private Quarters
++++++++++
Well, that explains the poor transmissions; we can be fairly certain that our room is being tapped. Obi-Wan picked up his robe he had just moments ago torn off and made for his room. Stopping in the doorway, he turned back. He was lying, Qui-Gon. I am certain of it.
His master sighed and met him in the hallway. They are serious allegations. Are you certain you do not suspend your belief because you do not want to see otherwise?
Obi-Wan's eyes stayed focused on the muted swirling colors of the carpet. Moments passed and Qui-Gon left him there to reflect leaning in the door frame. He'd felt from the beginning that his padawan's feelings in the matter were somewhat distracted, and he sighed, regretting his choice not to interfere earlier. And while he was not swayed to believe Trafalgar, he couldn't help but to question truth in the accusations.
We don't even know if it was her, Obi-Wan mumbled to himself, still in a state of denial.
Reappearing outside his door once more, Qui-Gon countered, Did you notice the stains?
He was silent.
Alongside the bottom of her robe? It was her, his master confirmed gently.
Seconds later, he heard Obi-Wan announce, I'm going out- and before he had a chance to suggest otherwise, the door whooshed closed.
++++++++++
Walkar, Bonadan
Indescript Bar
++++++++++
I still don't understand why you had to come all the way out here. You could have just called, Trafalgar haughtily sucked down his drink and lazily flipped his wrist towards the bartender to order another.
I've got some very delicate information I need to share with you.
Don't you want to hear about this morning?
Oh,yes, yes.
Did it work?
Like a charm. M'ztka's more nervous than ever, and is now whole heartedly convinced the healers are plotting a coup.
That's just the place we want him, Leopold's eyes glazed over in contemplation. Beginning again, the anxious twitch returned. Alright, now what I've got to tell you... After glancing left and right, and satisfied that the bar was empty enough to proceed, he pressed out his hands slowly, stressing the importance of his loyalty. I'm not sure where to begin.
Another long pause followed. Leaning towards his father, the boy raised his eyebrows and stuck out his chin. he barked impatiently.
The father patted down his shirt and rubbed his palms over his face before drilling him intensely. This is serious, boy, and I'll have your attention.
Backing off, the youth hunched over the bar and gave the old man a reluctant look followed by a softer reply. What is it, then?
Remember the investor I told you about?
Which one?
The Sith. He's ready to bargain. Here's the irony. He wants you to take over Bonadan after its fall. The last words chortled out his mouth.
Utterly taken aback, he ran his fingers through his hair and breathed in jagged gulps. With elbow on the bar's edge, turned to face his father straight on, fingering his collar bone delicately. You can't be serious. His interest now sparked, he listened more intently at the impossible prospect. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed the drink set beside him, but dismissed it. Who does this guy think he is? The minute M'ztka is removed, the Republic is going to move on in and take over.
I've also got 25,000 troops out on Byss and Eleandor to support a take over. Now, Mandalor will donate half the troops to the new interstellar army. The rest will remain on reserve until called upon.
We can't go to war, father. I'll be the first to say it, M'ztka is an idiot. He doesn't deserve that place anymore than I do. What does Mandalor's government say to this, much less Bonadan's?
Mandalor is still debating whether or not to support Bonadan, based primarily on the suggestions of the CSA- to which you are supposedly representing. And Bonadan. Well, let's say that those who are left on the planet won't be posing much of a threat.
Trafalgar squinted his eyes for clarity and scratched at his sideburns looking terribly confused.
a testy plump finger wavered in the air, I know Tlaska has never meant anything to you. But I'll be damned if you are downfall of this legacy. As much as I've wanted you to follow in my footsteps, I've let you take your own course.
The young man took a deep breath, unable to resist the old man's plea. I'll do it.
The old man sat up taller and tucked his hands across his chest. After a few seconds, the old man grinned and nodded his head.
The two men picked up their drinks, both unsure of the future. To thine own self be true.
The old man laughed and patted his son on his shoulder, while the boy choked out a curse. Fuck. What did I just agree to?
Softening his deep throated laughter, Leopold continued, Listen, this is strictly between you and I. Your sister will be furious when she finds out, so we won't tell her until we must. The Sith said very specifically, he wants you. He rolled his eyes at what a challenge that would be.
But what's the catch? Why not assume power for himself? He doesn't even know me.
He's watched the holonet, Leopold surmised. How else would he know so much about his son? That's not the point.
So whats he want me to do? Force all the investors to give up their slaving rights? Or better yet? Turn over all revenue to him, right?
No, no, no. You would be a figure head, so you could maintain whatever lifestyle you wish.
Trafalgar leaned back on the bar stool moaning with pleasure. Although he vaguely understood that the ground might fall out from under him at any given moment, he generally trusted his father's judgment.
But what about Aklina?
I'll get to that in just a minute. For now, let's savor the moment.
++++++++++
Southeast II
Tower at Tamalpais
Maximum Security Prison
++++++++++
Swallowing back the bile of anticipation, the Jedi marched poignantly to the interview room where he could confront the truth. Although certain Trafalgar lied about what actually took place during that meeting, he nonetheless found himself questioning the Healer's role. All were quite aware of their personal commitment to the Simmian's which in turn only supported the growing assumption that they were amassing an underground rebellion. Yet perhaps that which unsettled him most was his feeling of vulnerability. It was unwise to have grown so fond her, for it may now affect the outcome of the negotiations and all that relied on them.
Then, rising out of his past wriggled a piece of advice Yoda had once given him in his youth. Judge not until all sides you have heard. Clearing his thoughts, he let go of this personal feelings and sought to find the truth, whatever that may be.
The scruffy voice and inflated chest of this Mandalorian guard meant to be intimidating, repelling unwelcome and friendly visitors alike. However, upon seeing the Jedi approach from down the long hall, the guard mysteriously deferred hegemony and stepped out of the visitors way. Obi-Wan passed four guards in the like manner until he reached a Reception Desk whose primary duty seemed to ward people away.
Without bothering a glance upward, the guard snorted at the presence of the foreigner from behind the array of viewing panels. Assuming the guest dumbfounded and lost, he began issuing orders to take the lift back down the lower level.
You will take me to the Healer.
No visitor's allowed- but Obi-Wan was already on top of him, using the Force the shock the guard into a catatonic state. Buying his time, Obi-Wan scanned the monitors, locating Elia surrounded by pacing guards in a small conference room.
The panel read 1002A.
*****
*****************************************
Governor M'ztka and his men put down a rebellion today in the Valdez District of Walkar thought to be incited by the Republic's Jedi Healers. Sympathetic to the Simmian slave race since their establishment here over five centuries ago, the Healer's clinic will remain temporarily closed until the trial. Although they deny any involvement, one member of the organization has been detained for questioning. Estimates of damages are well over $12 million Mandalorian ducats as the Governor placed the Benzoic Mechanism into effect. 1500 new slaves will be shipped in tomorrow. claims Relvaire and Tlaska, the two companies most severely hit, and business should continue as usual...
*****************************************
The holo flashed bloated Gammorean guards outfitted in riot gear indiscriminately blasting Simmian out of house and home even as they convulsed, the Benzene poisoning their blood. There were faces she knew, graced with terror in wide eyes and wide mouths and while one couldn't hear the screaming over the impersonal narrative, their voices reverberated through her.
Fight compassion with guilt and tell her she made the wrong decision. The pit of horror bounced with surreal beings suggesting improbable actions. The clean shiny suit pressed stiff onto the body of the Bonadan Interrogator, Captain Viit, left him wobbling on the uneven ground. Imagine what your Healer companions must be thinking of you.
Dizziness flooded her vision such that she detached from her body and viewed herself spinning, physically steady and unmoved by the wailing images. Ethereal arms flailing, the floating unmass of herself backhanded Viit and wrung the fat necks of the tanto guards, then flew out of the plexiglass sheeting and hung in the balance over the hundred and some floor. Looking in at the still life, a tear hung in the balance of the numb body, but she claimed no ownership and gathered the courage to drop.
Obi-Wan burst in and caught his breath at the image of her in the glass, yet at that moment, she was sucked back into her body like a vacuum and he turned to view her seated passively before the disturbing holo.
Crossing the room, the three Mandalorian thugs formed a physical barrier, gripping their pitiful blasters in an obvious threat to use them. Get him out of here. You are breaking the terms of the negotiations, Jedi. Step down! The words fell upon a brick wall, and with a simple nod of Viit's blackened head, the guards fired away.
Expecting the rash reaction, Obi-Wan's weapon was out, deflecting the close range shots back into the guards and the room around him. Two obese bodies absorbed the shots as if into a sack of flour and fell writhing while the last blasted away, aiming for anything in front of him. Through the fire, Obi-Wan charged, his saber his shield, until he was close enough the slice the weapon right out of the guard's unwitting hand. At throat, the Jedi spared his life but with the blunt end of his sword pummeled his adversary with a heavy blow to the head.
...Leaving Captain Viit, hiding behind the circular table with what little dignity he had left for fear. Weapon extinguished, Obi-Wan slipped from his aggressive stance to one of ease and focusing on the weak mind of the Interrogator, commanded him to release the Healer. A blank look washed over Viit's pale complexion, repeating the order and left the room to heed the bidding.
Kiana. He's going to get Kiana.
Shifting focus, Obi-Wan marched to Elia who stared at the newscast still humming in the center of the conference table. The recording played over and over, the Simmians torn down in a vision of Purgatorio.
He was blunt. Did you do what they say you did?
Hypnotized by the muted screaming, it took much will on his part not to violently shake her back in the moment. He called her name, but found no response forthcoming, and therefore reached out with the Force, gently swaying her to give him his attention.
Turning into the soft hands, her rigid composure collapsed like a tidal wave bending in on itself. The blue green salty tousled Fear and Degradation jumbling faces of horror. Body parts exploded opening wounds made jagged by jutting collar bones or soft tissue innards oozing from an unnatural hole. Drowning, her lungs tried to open, but were drenched in the frothing stickiness. Choking through uncontrollable sobs, she felt as if she just might die, the piano crushing her chest down into the depths of guilt.
The Living Force centered around her ki like a thick fog dripping dew off her limbs into a puddle of empathy. The back of his throat burned hot and his nostrils flared with a sudden intake of air. Kneeling at her side, Obi-Wan pried her arms and buried head off the table in attempt to focus her. Elia. Look at me. Her energy dispersing into a mental chaos, she tried to swim back to the surface, but he couldn't see her way down in the depths and became frustrated. So, lifting her head, he used the Force to meld with her and in the process shared the horrific images and feelings that scattered throughout her mind. Undaunted, he called to her again and again barely whispering her name, yet when she heard him, far away, she felt she didn't deserve him, and began pleading her case.
Listening closely for an answer, he soon realized she was showing him the event as if he had been there, a voyeur examining each minute detail of the room and its characters- right through her very eyes. He felt the humiliation of that morning when Qui-Gon reprimanded her; he felt the rage when the front of clean tunic was bespattered with sticky wine; he felt her debate whether or not to to seek him out; and then the elation when she learned that what LeTauktch had mentioned about Aklina was true. Aklina was transiting to droid labor behind M'ztka's back, he concluded logically. And Trafalgar probably set this up to distract M'ztka from the truth....
As if purged, her heaving ceased and the sobs transformed to an eerie silence as if death had washed her up on the shore. And when the vision faded, he didn't want to open his eyes lest the pale cast of grief manifest themselves in her face.
Assuring him he could let go, she reached to his forearms and gently pressed. As if waking from a dreamy tempest, he nodded his head in understanding, and hands still clasping her face, pulled her to him asking forgiveness for ever having doubted. And she, undone, melted off the chair, thanking him for not abandoning them.
Obi-Wan breathed in with surprise.
I knew you'd be here, his deep baritone was calming, drowning the words of the stoic reporters.
An intense stare was shared between the two Jedi until Elia interrupted, They have Kiana.
Stepping out of the room, Qui-Gon did not have to use his Force abilities to get the Gammorean thug to lead him to where Kiana was bring held. Her slight, shimmering form, crumpled in corner concerned him, but upon closer inspection, she was found physically uninjured. Qui-Gon's commanding nature easily persuaded Viit to stay out of the way as he lifted her out of the corner. Her tear stained face snuggled into his shoulder, gripping his heart with anger for M'ztka.
Shaking off the sentiment, he brusquely gave the order to escape and the four of them flew down the hallway.
Like a living shield, a defensive line of three bulky boars crammed in the hall, weapons exposed. Elia immediately sought out Kiana, who hopped out of Qui-Gon's arms and they ducked into an open room. The two Jedi stepped forward, ready to challenge those who stood in their path. Igniting their sabers, they waited until the guards dare strike. Reeking of fear, they fidgeted where the Jedi remained firm and prepared. Finally, when the Jedi did not stand down, the leader ordered his men to charge, blasting away. They were received with much skill, and effortlessly repelled all blaster fire shuffling their way closer to the guards.
As they moved forward, the two girls darted across the hall to the nook of a lift. Punching the button over and over to open the doors, she waited in expectation for the Jedi to cut down the imposing guards.
Unexpectedly, as the lift doors separated, three more guards materialized. And while she maintained no weapon, she tossed Kiana to the side, and kicked at the first victim relinquishing his blaster. Dodging the stray fire of the other two, she bound out of the way, scrambling to her feet just outside the door.
Turning to their aid, Obi-Wan deflected the random fire, then efficiently hacked the guards to pieces. Pulling, nearly dragging the two girls into the lift, he made room for Qui-Gon, before punching in the Ground Floor and heading down.
Immediately checking on the girls, Qui-Gon confirmed that they were alright. Now let's work on getting you two out of here.
Since they were nearly a hundred floors up, a very long way from the bottom, Qui-Gon wasn't surprised when they were stopped at floor 52.
We'll have to crawl out.
They'll be waiting for us, Kiana screeched nervously.
So we'll climb a couple of floors lower, Obi-Wan asserted, just as the lift began moving downwards again. Wrenching open the doors with the aid of their lightsabers, they spied the ladder nearly a foot out in the spidery darkness, bisected by the floor level openings. Qui-Gon ordered the moment they could squeeze through. The lift will increase in speed after three floors. With Obi-Wan's arm about her waist, Elia reached out her hand, and clasped a rung, throwing herself against the chill ladder as the elevator slipped on down. Finding hold with her feet, she blindly climbed down into the inner workings of skyscraper.
Meanwhile, the lift picked up speed. Obi-Wan was out efficiently, but as Kiana looked out into the spinning black, she shrieked for fear.
Calming any such intrepedation, Qui-Gon took her in his arms and announced they'd jump together. Moving fearfully fast now, his timed himself with the Force and pushed her out in front of him just as the elevator slipped below another floor exit. Finding a strong hold with his right hand, he held up the dangling Elfin as she fumbled for a rung in the darkness.
Qui-Gon called upwards; he was down three or four floors below.
Yes, master, Obi-Wan was looking down when the blaster fire rang out from above. The only light now filling the bottomless shaft flooded in between Elia and Obi-Wan.
Brandishing his lightsaber, Obi-Wan yelled out for Qui-Gon to go ahead and they were swallowed up in the inky black. Elia immediately started climbing up while Obi-Wan, hanging out from his left hand, solidly deflected a barrage of brilliant blaster fire.
They were stuck. I'll meet you on the upper floor, she shouted, inadvertently attracting blaster fire her direction.
he bantered back. She pressed herself flat against the rungs, thankful the guards didn't have a clean shot from that angle.
He fastened a grappling hook on the first rung, and slacked some cord as she screamed back to him. Jump?! What if an elevator comes?
On the count of three! He tested the line and its attachments as two guards began to climb out into the shaft.
She breathed in deeply weighted with thick darkness that pounded her overhead.
Obi-Wan moved down a few steps as the boar grew closer, and readied his free hand to catch her.
A knobby hand grabbed her by the ankle just as she let go, flinging her upper body ahead of her feet. The open shaft whizzed by, and she scarce realized when Obi-Wan leaped off the ladder and caught her by the waist as they tumbled down into the pit.
Hang on! was not enough warning as the threaded wire abruptly yanked them to a stop, bouncing them up and ramming them against the sides of the shaft.
At the end of the rope, he blindly reached out for the ladder side with his free hand. Once they were both firmly attached to it, he disconnected the line and climbed below her to open a set of doors. The lightsaber's blue was belittled in the immense darkness, and its echoing humm was swallowed up as he slashed through the nearest double doors. Hanging upside down from his knees, he pried one side open, and finding the hallway empty, flipped down inside. After helping Elia swing in, they bolted down the hall for an alternate route downstairs. Weaving their way to a commuter elevator, they slowed their sprint and joined a group of businessmen to the ground level.
Ingenious, Obi-Wan thought to himself, as they walked inconspicuously towards the exit.
++++++++++
Clinic
++++++++++
Pushing their way through the media, Obi-Wan and Elia dashed up the steps and through the front door, anxious to see their compatriots. Kiana shouted, running to her friend.
I'm so sorry I got you into this, the healer admitted, petting the girl's hair and swinging her around.
Qui-Gon hugged his padawan.
You weren't waiting long, were you?
His master replied in the negative. Now that you're back, I think we need to discuss a few matters.
Obi-Wan observed the healers whisk Elia away in a shroud of comforting words and followed his master into Treatment Room B.
M'ztka will not allow this matter to go unavenged. I've contacted the Council, and they are sending reinforcements, including Master Li'sarrow, and the Healers have been commanded to evacuate within three days.
I can assume that didn't go over well.
No, but Ruebyn seems to whole heartedly agree, and they should follow her. What did Healer Amelia tell you about the meeting with Trafalgar?
I thought you knew when you arrived.
No. But I wanted to support you no matter what the outcome.
Surprise softened to a frown. But it could have compromised negotiations, he rationalized.
You are more important to me than that. Now tell me what happened.
Obi-Wan nodded, closing his eyes in appreciation. I saw everything, Qui-Gon, as if I were there. I was simply touching her shoulders, like this, he displayed. And I could see through her eyes. The wine splashing all over her tunic, what she felt as she waited in the hall outside his room, and then exactly what was said. There was this big deal about Aklina. I didn't understand, though, because they were so vague.
You saw all this just from touching her?
He raised his eyes for an answer, but was met with silence.
Aklina will have to wait, as Kiltma has informed me of a meeting with yet another Tlaska representative for may agree to the Chancellor's proposal. I have a strong feeling she'll be able to tell us more. Let's hit the Vending Station as its local. It seems those centrefuge disks are getting picked up right here, illegally.
Do you think it's alright to leave them here? Obi-Wan interrupted with concern.
We'll wait until Li'sarrow arrives tomorrow morning, then head out.
You're not concerned that M'ztka may send more guards to take them into custody?
I think he would have already tried by now if that was his intention. He's now more worried about the repercussions of his decision to inflict the Benzoic Mechanism on the Simmians. Mon Mothma mentioned they've gained an incredible amount of support over this tragedy, and they are trying to call for a special meeting of the Senate to vote now.
With no response other than a simple nod, Qui-Gon changed the subject. In the meantime, let's get rid of these reporters.
++++++++++
Coruscant
++++++++++
The Republic will not stand for this, Governor, Mon Mothma stammered to herself, shaking with fury as the holocast replayed clips of the atrocity. Although Mon Mothma felt the Valdez massacre was far more than just a whimsical misunderstanding of a Hitleresque madman, she refused to view anymore of the slaughter.
The OASR had been contacted immediately by Chlak, giving the whole scene intergalactic coverage, its bloody bouts igniting abolitionist fury. Gathering in Coruscant to plan their next move, the OASR's stronghold, Cato Antilles, boomed from the head of the conference table. An idiotic move on the governor's part that must be played upon. Sympathies are high; we must draw together our forces. The executive council had convened to discuss the appropriate measures to take, and as no one dared opposed Antille's opinion, the members spouted off systems that could be called upon for support.
Create a petition then, and we'll make the proposal at the earliest possible time. This cannot be allowed to continue.
++++++++++
Coruscant
Din's Office
++++++++++
What could you have possibly been thinking, you idiot?! Din paced around the holo, his secretary packing his things as they spoke. You shouldn't have done it. You've gone too far this time. The Senate's discussing the new course of action now and planning to amass an interstellar army against you.
You seem somewhat disturbed old friend, the governor frowned feigning innocence.
They are serious this time, fool. Back down while you still can!
Your not planning on leaving town, are you? He stretched his eyes over the Senator's shoulder.
Sweat poured from Din's forehead. I'll call you when I'm safely relocated. But mark me, M'ztka, Bonadan is nothing without Corporate support, and they're more than concerned.
M'ztka ended the transmission before he heard the last words, sinking back into his plush chair. Tapping his chin, his reverie was interrupted by his aid informing of a visitor.
Even before the name could be announced, Trafalgar ambled in.
Not surprised to see who ambled in, or if he was, M'ztka didn't let on. I assume you've come to demand a monetary reimbursement for the little episode today, the Governor smirked from behind his broad desk, not bothering to rise and greet his guest. Their restrained mistrust of one another had now blossomed into an outright hatred of the other since the holo had been revealed.
He'd ordered the Benzoic Mechanism put into effect not just to make an example to the Simmians, but to warn dissenster's- like Trafalgar- to keep in line. Betrayal was not taken lightly. If Bonadan falls, they are going down with him.
No, as a matter of fact. And you had better listen to what I have to say because it may just save your neck.
Shuffling slowly to M'ztka's desk, the Mandalorian deliberately made his nemesis wait in anticipation as he lit his cigar. Then, towering over the seated governor, he began. You will offer the Simmians freedom.
The governor did not buy into Trafalgar's pretentious airs. You tell Leopold-
Just shut up and listen! Unknowingly, M'ztka found himself at the edge of his seat and had to force himself back into his chair. Opening his arms, he haughtily invited his counterpart to continue.
Mandalor has more sway in this operation than you know, Governor. I've been instructed to offer you a certain piece of information of the highest security. Another long pause tortured the now curious diplomat.
Consider this. Replace the slave population with clones.
Chandrila will never give up their research.
What if we already had the knowledge and the resources to produce them? An undisputed slave race genetically fashioned to withstand extreme conditions. A workforce forever in its prime...
If its true, why are you offering it to me? Suspicion dwindled at such a grand opportunity.
Tlaska had intended the switch over for some time and currently had been refining the process in-
M'ztka took pleasure in finishing that sentence, chuckling with glee. Your operation in Aklina, then, was supporting clones, not droids. How could I have been so blind? Tlaska would never support the expenses of droids.
No, but you do understand now, how I could not respond to your inquiries in negotiations.
That is also why you did not oppose the Benzoic Mechanism for your slaves.
Yes, the rumors must have started somewhere and we weren't ready for that kind of attention.
Of course not. The governor was on the edge of his seat again, his fingers tapping together to a steady rhythm. Everybody's happy. The corners of his mouth jutted upwards in satisfaction.
