Trouble: A Knights of the Old Republic Fan-fiction
by: Sam Lincoln
Bastila walked into the council chambers and found Yoda and Windu waiting for her. "You wanted to see me?" She asked.
"We've discovered what Captain Brecktan was doing when he found you," Windu said. "Our intelligence sources say that the Intrepid is currently in orbit around Kashyyyk."
"Kashyyyk, why would..." Bastila started to ask.
"Know you not why someone would be interested in Kashyyyk?" Yoda asked. "History you do have with the home of the Wookies."
"The Star Map?" Bastila asked incredulously. "But the Star Forge was destroyed."
"True, but the secrets of the Star Forge remain locked on Rakata. The Sith know this as well as anyone and desire that information."
"So why don't they just go to Rakata?"
"Rakata disappeared shortly after the Star Forge battle. The Rakatan elders requested the Republic quarantine the planet until they were ready to rejoin the galactic community," Windu explained. "We never heard from them again."
"So that means the only people who know the location of Rakata are myself and Revan," Bastila concluded. "And you obviously require that knowledge."
"Need to know we do not," Yoda said. Protect that information you should."
"Then you want me to go to Kashyyyk? To make sure they don't find the Star Map."
"Of course not, if you were spotted by Brecktan's people it would cause problems," Windu said. "All we need from you is the location of the Kashyyyk Star Map. I will travel to Kashyyyk and investigate the matter. With that knowledge and a fast ship I should be able to find the Star Map before the Sith agents do."
"Oh," Bastila said, her face coloring slightly. "Well the precise data is stored in T3-M4's memory. I will have to get it from him."
"That's alright, just get me the data in an hour's time," Windu told Bastila.
"I will get right on it," Bastila promised. "By your leave?"
"Go, and may the Force be with you," Yoda said to Bastila. After Bastila left the Council chambers Yoda looked up at Windu. "Planted the seed do you think?"
Windu looked thoughtful for a moment. "Yes, I believe we did."
Onboard the scout ship Revan activated the ship's com system. "Obi-Wan, we've arrived."
Obi-Wan walked into the cockpit as Revan was bringing the ship out of hyperspace. "I have some contacts on Coronet we can use to locate Behl," he told Revan.
"Good, the quicker we can find him the better chance we have of finding him alive."
"How can you be sure of that?"
"They killed Pardu didn't they?"
"Couldn't that have been the work of a rival gang?"
Revan shook his head, "Do you know any crime lord who can afford three Mandalorians? Besides it's too big a coincidence that they attacked so soon after we learned about Pardu's involvement with the Sith."
"And if the Sith knew we found Pardu then they would move quickly to remove Pardu's point of contact with them." Obi-Wan mused. "It certainly is a compelling theory. I will start on my contacts right away."
Revan negotiated with the orbital traffic control while Obi-Wan ran through his list of contacts on the planet. Revan encountered no difficulties in securing landing clearance and he directed the ship to a spaceport on the outskirts of Coronet.
They were met on the landing pad by a shifty-looking human. "Hello there spacers can I interest you in some of my fine products?"
"We're not interested," Revan said curtly.
Obi-Wan caught Revan by the arm. "Not so fast Aarn, let's hear this man out. Tell me sir, what are you selling today?"
"I can show you, but not here. There's a cantina down the street, meet me there." The peddler shuffled off.
"Let me guess, that was your contact?" Revan asked Obi-Wan as they walked to the cantina.
"Yes, he likes to play these cloak and dagger games."
The cantina was the standard sort of place that existed near spaceports across the galaxy. Obi-Wan and Revan found themselves an empty table and waited.
They did not wait long. The peddler slid into the booth next to Obi-Wan. "Master Kenobi, it is good to see you again."
"It is good to see you too Tals," Obi-Wan said to the man.
"My apologies for the greeting at the spaceport, but you can never be too careful. Who's your friend?" Tals asked.
"This Aarn Delwynn, a fellow Jedi Master. Aarn Delwynn meet Tals Stropets."
"Nice to meet you Jedi," Tals said. "Your message was a little vague Obi-Wan, you said you were looking for someone?"
"A man named Alton Behl. All I know about him is that he's a Corellian."
"Just because he's Corellian doesn't mean he actually lives in the Corellian system," Tals pointed out.
"We know that," Obi-Wan said. "but we have no other leads at this point."
"And it must be sensitive if you weren't willing to tell me is name over the coms," Tals noted.
"The person who directed us to this man was killed shortly after doing so," Obi-Wan admitted. "We are looking for someone who can be circumspect in his inquiries."
"Can I ask what makes this man so deadly?"
"No you cannot," Revan flatly answered.
Tals shrugged, "Simple curiosity, nothing more. I will see what I can do."
"Thank-you Tals, and be careful. This man is tied up with people powerful enough to order a hit on a Hutt crime lord."
Tals's eyebrows rose, "So you were the mysterious pair who killed Pardu. I knew therew as more to that story. Don't worry yourself Obi-Wan. If I am anything it is discrete. Wait for me on your ship." Tals then stood up and left the cantina.
"Are you sure he can come through for us?" Revan asked.
"Tals is the best data collector in the Corellian system," Obi-Want allowed. "If anyone can find Behl he can."
"If you say so." Revan stood up. "I'm going for a walk. It's been a while since I last visited Corellia and I'm curious how things have changed."
"Want some company?" Obi-Wan asked.
Revan shook his head. "Not really, besides someone has to wait up for Tals."
"Tals will only deal with people he knows," Obi-Wan noted. "Very well, if you get a chance go to a market and pick up some fresh food. I'm tired of the rations on the ship."
Revan chuckled. "I'll see what I can do," he told Obi-Wan before talking out of the cantina.
Revan had no clear destination in mind as he wandered through the streets of Coronet. He simply wanted a chance to see the ebb and flow of life. He had gotten a sense of how the galaxy now worked, but he had not been able to see how ordinary people live their lives. He stopped in little shops and ordered food and other supplies for the ship. For a few extra credits the shop owners were more than happy to deliver Revan's purchases to the ship.
As Revan shopped he inquired about the state of affairs. "It's getting harder," One of the shopkeepers allowed. "It's not that times are rough, but the cost of business keeps rising, if you know what I mean."
"Off the books insurances payments?" Revan guessed.
"Right you are. I'm getting by, but if business ever slows down I'll be in trouble."
"Can't you go to the police, or the Jedi?"
The shopkeeper laughed derisively, "The Jedi, I know the Jedi mean well, but they are ineffective. Some Jedi came through Coronet last year. They cleaned up all the crime bosses and corrupt local officials and turned them over to the Republic. What happened? The rich ones bought their way out and the replacements of the poor ones turned out to be just as corrupt! Don't get me wrong, I respect the Jedi, but they're antiquated. When the biggest criminals in the Republic are the very intuitions that hold the Republic up what chance does anyone, even a Jedi have of changing things?"
"The potential to change the galaxy rests in everyone," Revan said. "Never forget that."
"The only person that even remotely applies to is Chancellor Palpatine. He's the only person who's actually done something about the corruption. The way he went after the Trade Federation, that gives you hope he can clean up the Republic." The shopkeeper shook his head, "But that's just a fool's dream."
"The only fools are those who do not follow their dreams," Revan counseled the shopkeeper.
The shopkeeper bowed his head, "Thank-you Master Jedi..." he paused, it was as if he was debating with himself about something. "May the Force be with you," he finally said.
"And may the Force bless your shop with prosperity for years to come," Revan replied as he walked out of the shop.
Revan decided that he should return to the ship to see if Obi-Wan had received word from his contact. As he walked back to the spaceport Revan reflected on his conversation with the shopkeeper. He was troubled by what he had heard. IN his own time corruption was no uncommon, Czerka certainly proved that point. However the systemic graft that allegedly existed was something Revan expected to hear about on Sleyheyron or Taris, not Corellia. Revan could see how the Sith could use that to their advantage. Their promise of power and order would be all the more seductive when presented to people used to weak and corrupt leaders. Revan was so lost in thought that he almost walked past the spaceport. He chided himself for not paying more attention to his surroundings and walked up to the scout ship.
He was about to enter the ship when the boarding ramp descended and Obi-Wan walked out. "Oh there you are, good," Obi-Wan said. "Tals contacted me, he found Behl."
"Where is he?" Revan asked, his concerns about the Republic temporarily forgotten.
"On the other side of Coronet," Obi-Wan replied. "Apparently he is a Republic bureaucrat. I was about to go secure us a speeder."
"Let's go get him."
They flew their rented speeder to the other side of Coronet. It turned out that Behl was a minor functionary at the Chancellor's regional office. "To think that such scum could be working for the Chancellor," Obi-Wan fumed as they approached Behl's office.
"The Sith have very persuasive ways of getting people to work for them," Revan pointed out.
They walked up to the secretary sitting outside Behl's office. "Can I help you?" The secretary, a vapid-looking human female, asked.
"Yes, is Alton Behl in?" Obi-Wan asked. "We have some questions about the import/export business."
"Mr. Behl is in, but he's not seeing visitors at the moment."
"That's ok, we have an appointment," Revan said. He pulled open his robe slightly to reveal the hilt of his lightsaber, stilling the secretary's impending complaints.
After Obi-Wan and Revan entered the office the secretary took a com out of her desk. "Yeah, you wanted to know if a Jedi ever came looking for Mr. Behl? Well two of them just walked into his office." She switched off the com. The secretary did not know why she'd been asked to do this, just that she was getting paid handsomely to do so. She put it out of her mind and returned to work.
Behl's office was small with space for just a desk and some chairs. Behl was a slight man with a receding hairline and wore a well-tailored suit. "Who are you?" Behl demanded in a high-pitched voice. "What's the meaning of this?"
Revan ignited his lightsaber. "I think you know who we are, and why we're here. Now talk."
"If I talk to you I'm a dean man," Behl retorted.
"You're a dead man if you don't." Revan replied, his voice cold. "Do you really think your masters will believe you if you say you didn't tell us anything."
"You can't make me talk," Behl said defiantly.
"Here's what's going to happen," Obi-Wan told Behl. "We're taking you into our custody. What happens after that is up to you." Obi-Wan walked around the desk and pulled Behl out of his chair.
They quickly hustled Behl out of his office and out of the building. "Where are we taking him?" Revan asked.
"The Jedi Council maintains a safe house in Coronet," Obi-Wan replied as he pushed Behl into their speeder. "We can interrogate him there then turn him over to the Republic authorities."
The safe house was a small building in a quiet neighborhood on the outskirts of Coronet. The interior of the house was sparsely appointed, there was enough furniture to look like someone lived there, but not enough for anyone to actually do so. Obi-Wan tied Behl to one of the few chairs in the house.
"Alright, now tell us about the Sith," Obi-Wan ordered Behl.
"I don't know what you're talking about," Behl replied.
"We know about the cargo runs you organized to Korriban through Pardu the Hutt. We know about the Sith on Korriban. The only thing we need from you is the identity of the Sith."
"You don't know jack," Behl sneered. "Where's your proof?"
"That's where you're wrong," Revan said. "You're the proof. You will tell us everything you know about the Sith," Revan said, putting as much Force persuasion as he could behind his words.
"You can ask all you want, I'm not telling you anything."
"Oh but Alton, you already did," Revan said cheerily. "See I happen to know for a fact that the Sith condition their agents to be resistant to Jedi mind tricks. Now as Master Kenobi can attest I just threw a hell of a lot of Force power at you. There's no way someone as weak-willed as you would be able to resist that. Therefore you are a Sith agent, and that will stand up in court, and you know what happens in you go on trial."
Behl realized he'd been caught and hung his head. "Look, I'll talk, but you've got to protect me. I wasn't kidding before. If they find out about this my lift isn't worth a mynock dropping."
"The Jedi Council can protect you," Obi-Wan assured Behl. "Now tell us everything you know about the Sith."
"I don't know much, everything is kept compartmentalized. My handler, and no I don't know his name, told me to set up the cargo runs with Pardu."
"And that's all you know?" Revan asked.
"That's all they told me."
"But why do it at all?" Obi-Wan asked. "You know what the Sith represent."
"Yes I do, power. You Jedi are so blind, a new order is coming, and you're powerless to stop it."
"I do not fear the Sith," Revan said. "They have risen before and the Jedi have beaten them back."
"Not this time Jedi. Look, I might not officially know things, but I'm not stupid, I keep my eyes open. The Sith have more influence than you can imagine. It wouldn't surprise me if there was a Sith Agent in Palpatine's office."
Obi-Wan glanced at Revan. "If he is correct a Sith agent placed that highly in the Republic could be catastrophic."
"If you were trying to take over the galaxy where you start?" Revan asked Obi-Wan rhetorically. "How do you know all of this?" He asked Behl.
"Like I said, I keep my eyes open. If you know where to look you can find things, hints, clues, the outlines of the full scope of the Sith's plan."
"But why tell us now?"
"That's easy, information is power. I tell you, you give me something."
"AS I said, you will be taken into the protective custody of the Jedi Council," Obi-Wan said.
"That's what I wanted to hear, and I've got something better, just to sweeten the pot for you. I don't know the name of the Sith Lord, but I know where you find start looking. Tell me, where did the Sith threat begin?"
"Korriban, but we've been there already," Revan quickly answered.
"You're thinking far too broadly," Behl replied. "Master Kenobi knows the answer."
"Naboo, the Sith first revealed themselves during the crises on Naboo."
"Yep, I heard that Naboo is connected with the Sith somehow."
"Alright, I will contact the Jedi Council and they will see to your safety," Obi-Wan told Behl.
"What happens until then?" Behl asked as Obi-Wan and Revan headed for the door.
"Be very quiet," Revan advised. "Don't worry, a Jedi will be here shortly to escort you to Coruscant."
"Are you sure this is wise?" Obi-Wan asked Revan as they headed for the spaceport. "What if the Sith find him before the representatives from the council arrive?"
"You said it was a safe hour right?" Revan asked. "That means the Jedi are the only ones who know where he is. And besides, what other choice do we have? We need to get to Naboo quickly and we can't afford to have a Sith agent tagging along."
"You're right, but I don't like it."
"Neither do I, but finding the Sith is our top priority, nothing else matters," Revan said with such zeal that it startled Obi-Wan.
Later that day Alton Behl was foraging for food in the safe house when he heard the door open. "About time the Jedi showed up," he muttered to himself as he walked into the living area. "What to you guys so..." Behl's complaint died in his throat when he saw the figure standing in front of him.
"Alton," Darth Tyrannus said. "it's time for you to pay for your treachery."
"My Lord Tyrannus," Behl stuttered. "It's not what it looks like."
"It looks to me like you were talking to the Jedi."
"But I haven't told them anything important. I didn't tell them about you or your plans."
"You told them the Sith existed, that is treason all on its own." Tyrannus raised a hand and began to choke Behl using the Force.
"But they already knew that!" Behl pleaded as he clawed at the invisible hand around his throat. "They even knew about the conditioning!"
Tyrannus released his grip on Behl, "Where did you send the Jedi?" he asked.
"To Naboo," Behl gasped.
"I take it back, you have done well Alton, all things considered. I will spare you."
"Oh thank-you Lord Tyrannus..." Behl began to say. His gratitude turned to terror when Tryannus activated his lightsaber. "You said you were going to spare me!" Behl protested as he backed away from Tyrannus.
"Trust me Alton, the death I originally planned for you was much more painful. This is a mercy." Tryannus rammed his lightsaber through Behl's chest, obliterating the man's heart. Behl coughed up a mouthful of blood and fell backwards. He was dead before he hit the ground. "Such is the fate of all who betray the Sith," Tyrannus said to Behl's corpse before walking out of the Jedi safe house.
-to be continued-
Author's Notes: And we keep rolling along. Thanks for the kind words folks, check back in two weeks for Chapter Nine.
by: Sam Lincoln
Rating: PG
Summary: Will Trouble ever let a pair of Jedi Knights be?
Spoilers: If you haven't finished the game you'll be damn lost.
Trouble: Chapter EightBastila walked into the council chambers and found Yoda and Windu waiting for her. "You wanted to see me?" She asked.
"We've discovered what Captain Brecktan was doing when he found you," Windu said. "Our intelligence sources say that the Intrepid is currently in orbit around Kashyyyk."
"Kashyyyk, why would..." Bastila started to ask.
"Know you not why someone would be interested in Kashyyyk?" Yoda asked. "History you do have with the home of the Wookies."
"The Star Map?" Bastila asked incredulously. "But the Star Forge was destroyed."
"True, but the secrets of the Star Forge remain locked on Rakata. The Sith know this as well as anyone and desire that information."
"So why don't they just go to Rakata?"
"Rakata disappeared shortly after the Star Forge battle. The Rakatan elders requested the Republic quarantine the planet until they were ready to rejoin the galactic community," Windu explained. "We never heard from them again."
"So that means the only people who know the location of Rakata are myself and Revan," Bastila concluded. "And you obviously require that knowledge."
"Need to know we do not," Yoda said. Protect that information you should."
"Then you want me to go to Kashyyyk? To make sure they don't find the Star Map."
"Of course not, if you were spotted by Brecktan's people it would cause problems," Windu said. "All we need from you is the location of the Kashyyyk Star Map. I will travel to Kashyyyk and investigate the matter. With that knowledge and a fast ship I should be able to find the Star Map before the Sith agents do."
"Oh," Bastila said, her face coloring slightly. "Well the precise data is stored in T3-M4's memory. I will have to get it from him."
"That's alright, just get me the data in an hour's time," Windu told Bastila.
"I will get right on it," Bastila promised. "By your leave?"
"Go, and may the Force be with you," Yoda said to Bastila. After Bastila left the Council chambers Yoda looked up at Windu. "Planted the seed do you think?"
Windu looked thoughtful for a moment. "Yes, I believe we did."
Onboard the scout ship Revan activated the ship's com system. "Obi-Wan, we've arrived."
Obi-Wan walked into the cockpit as Revan was bringing the ship out of hyperspace. "I have some contacts on Coronet we can use to locate Behl," he told Revan.
"Good, the quicker we can find him the better chance we have of finding him alive."
"How can you be sure of that?"
"They killed Pardu didn't they?"
"Couldn't that have been the work of a rival gang?"
Revan shook his head, "Do you know any crime lord who can afford three Mandalorians? Besides it's too big a coincidence that they attacked so soon after we learned about Pardu's involvement with the Sith."
"And if the Sith knew we found Pardu then they would move quickly to remove Pardu's point of contact with them." Obi-Wan mused. "It certainly is a compelling theory. I will start on my contacts right away."
Revan negotiated with the orbital traffic control while Obi-Wan ran through his list of contacts on the planet. Revan encountered no difficulties in securing landing clearance and he directed the ship to a spaceport on the outskirts of Coronet.
They were met on the landing pad by a shifty-looking human. "Hello there spacers can I interest you in some of my fine products?"
"We're not interested," Revan said curtly.
Obi-Wan caught Revan by the arm. "Not so fast Aarn, let's hear this man out. Tell me sir, what are you selling today?"
"I can show you, but not here. There's a cantina down the street, meet me there." The peddler shuffled off.
"Let me guess, that was your contact?" Revan asked Obi-Wan as they walked to the cantina.
"Yes, he likes to play these cloak and dagger games."
The cantina was the standard sort of place that existed near spaceports across the galaxy. Obi-Wan and Revan found themselves an empty table and waited.
They did not wait long. The peddler slid into the booth next to Obi-Wan. "Master Kenobi, it is good to see you again."
"It is good to see you too Tals," Obi-Wan said to the man.
"My apologies for the greeting at the spaceport, but you can never be too careful. Who's your friend?" Tals asked.
"This Aarn Delwynn, a fellow Jedi Master. Aarn Delwynn meet Tals Stropets."
"Nice to meet you Jedi," Tals said. "Your message was a little vague Obi-Wan, you said you were looking for someone?"
"A man named Alton Behl. All I know about him is that he's a Corellian."
"Just because he's Corellian doesn't mean he actually lives in the Corellian system," Tals pointed out.
"We know that," Obi-Wan said. "but we have no other leads at this point."
"And it must be sensitive if you weren't willing to tell me is name over the coms," Tals noted.
"The person who directed us to this man was killed shortly after doing so," Obi-Wan admitted. "We are looking for someone who can be circumspect in his inquiries."
"Can I ask what makes this man so deadly?"
"No you cannot," Revan flatly answered.
Tals shrugged, "Simple curiosity, nothing more. I will see what I can do."
"Thank-you Tals, and be careful. This man is tied up with people powerful enough to order a hit on a Hutt crime lord."
Tals's eyebrows rose, "So you were the mysterious pair who killed Pardu. I knew therew as more to that story. Don't worry yourself Obi-Wan. If I am anything it is discrete. Wait for me on your ship." Tals then stood up and left the cantina.
"Are you sure he can come through for us?" Revan asked.
"Tals is the best data collector in the Corellian system," Obi-Want allowed. "If anyone can find Behl he can."
"If you say so." Revan stood up. "I'm going for a walk. It's been a while since I last visited Corellia and I'm curious how things have changed."
"Want some company?" Obi-Wan asked.
Revan shook his head. "Not really, besides someone has to wait up for Tals."
"Tals will only deal with people he knows," Obi-Wan noted. "Very well, if you get a chance go to a market and pick up some fresh food. I'm tired of the rations on the ship."
Revan chuckled. "I'll see what I can do," he told Obi-Wan before talking out of the cantina.
Revan had no clear destination in mind as he wandered through the streets of Coronet. He simply wanted a chance to see the ebb and flow of life. He had gotten a sense of how the galaxy now worked, but he had not been able to see how ordinary people live their lives. He stopped in little shops and ordered food and other supplies for the ship. For a few extra credits the shop owners were more than happy to deliver Revan's purchases to the ship.
As Revan shopped he inquired about the state of affairs. "It's getting harder," One of the shopkeepers allowed. "It's not that times are rough, but the cost of business keeps rising, if you know what I mean."
"Off the books insurances payments?" Revan guessed.
"Right you are. I'm getting by, but if business ever slows down I'll be in trouble."
"Can't you go to the police, or the Jedi?"
The shopkeeper laughed derisively, "The Jedi, I know the Jedi mean well, but they are ineffective. Some Jedi came through Coronet last year. They cleaned up all the crime bosses and corrupt local officials and turned them over to the Republic. What happened? The rich ones bought their way out and the replacements of the poor ones turned out to be just as corrupt! Don't get me wrong, I respect the Jedi, but they're antiquated. When the biggest criminals in the Republic are the very intuitions that hold the Republic up what chance does anyone, even a Jedi have of changing things?"
"The potential to change the galaxy rests in everyone," Revan said. "Never forget that."
"The only person that even remotely applies to is Chancellor Palpatine. He's the only person who's actually done something about the corruption. The way he went after the Trade Federation, that gives you hope he can clean up the Republic." The shopkeeper shook his head, "But that's just a fool's dream."
"The only fools are those who do not follow their dreams," Revan counseled the shopkeeper.
The shopkeeper bowed his head, "Thank-you Master Jedi..." he paused, it was as if he was debating with himself about something. "May the Force be with you," he finally said.
"And may the Force bless your shop with prosperity for years to come," Revan replied as he walked out of the shop.
Revan decided that he should return to the ship to see if Obi-Wan had received word from his contact. As he walked back to the spaceport Revan reflected on his conversation with the shopkeeper. He was troubled by what he had heard. IN his own time corruption was no uncommon, Czerka certainly proved that point. However the systemic graft that allegedly existed was something Revan expected to hear about on Sleyheyron or Taris, not Corellia. Revan could see how the Sith could use that to their advantage. Their promise of power and order would be all the more seductive when presented to people used to weak and corrupt leaders. Revan was so lost in thought that he almost walked past the spaceport. He chided himself for not paying more attention to his surroundings and walked up to the scout ship.
He was about to enter the ship when the boarding ramp descended and Obi-Wan walked out. "Oh there you are, good," Obi-Wan said. "Tals contacted me, he found Behl."
"Where is he?" Revan asked, his concerns about the Republic temporarily forgotten.
"On the other side of Coronet," Obi-Wan replied. "Apparently he is a Republic bureaucrat. I was about to go secure us a speeder."
"Let's go get him."
They flew their rented speeder to the other side of Coronet. It turned out that Behl was a minor functionary at the Chancellor's regional office. "To think that such scum could be working for the Chancellor," Obi-Wan fumed as they approached Behl's office.
"The Sith have very persuasive ways of getting people to work for them," Revan pointed out.
They walked up to the secretary sitting outside Behl's office. "Can I help you?" The secretary, a vapid-looking human female, asked.
"Yes, is Alton Behl in?" Obi-Wan asked. "We have some questions about the import/export business."
"Mr. Behl is in, but he's not seeing visitors at the moment."
"That's ok, we have an appointment," Revan said. He pulled open his robe slightly to reveal the hilt of his lightsaber, stilling the secretary's impending complaints.
After Obi-Wan and Revan entered the office the secretary took a com out of her desk. "Yeah, you wanted to know if a Jedi ever came looking for Mr. Behl? Well two of them just walked into his office." She switched off the com. The secretary did not know why she'd been asked to do this, just that she was getting paid handsomely to do so. She put it out of her mind and returned to work.
Behl's office was small with space for just a desk and some chairs. Behl was a slight man with a receding hairline and wore a well-tailored suit. "Who are you?" Behl demanded in a high-pitched voice. "What's the meaning of this?"
Revan ignited his lightsaber. "I think you know who we are, and why we're here. Now talk."
"If I talk to you I'm a dean man," Behl retorted.
"You're a dead man if you don't." Revan replied, his voice cold. "Do you really think your masters will believe you if you say you didn't tell us anything."
"You can't make me talk," Behl said defiantly.
"Here's what's going to happen," Obi-Wan told Behl. "We're taking you into our custody. What happens after that is up to you." Obi-Wan walked around the desk and pulled Behl out of his chair.
They quickly hustled Behl out of his office and out of the building. "Where are we taking him?" Revan asked.
"The Jedi Council maintains a safe house in Coronet," Obi-Wan replied as he pushed Behl into their speeder. "We can interrogate him there then turn him over to the Republic authorities."
The safe house was a small building in a quiet neighborhood on the outskirts of Coronet. The interior of the house was sparsely appointed, there was enough furniture to look like someone lived there, but not enough for anyone to actually do so. Obi-Wan tied Behl to one of the few chairs in the house.
"Alright, now tell us about the Sith," Obi-Wan ordered Behl.
"I don't know what you're talking about," Behl replied.
"We know about the cargo runs you organized to Korriban through Pardu the Hutt. We know about the Sith on Korriban. The only thing we need from you is the identity of the Sith."
"You don't know jack," Behl sneered. "Where's your proof?"
"That's where you're wrong," Revan said. "You're the proof. You will tell us everything you know about the Sith," Revan said, putting as much Force persuasion as he could behind his words.
"You can ask all you want, I'm not telling you anything."
"Oh but Alton, you already did," Revan said cheerily. "See I happen to know for a fact that the Sith condition their agents to be resistant to Jedi mind tricks. Now as Master Kenobi can attest I just threw a hell of a lot of Force power at you. There's no way someone as weak-willed as you would be able to resist that. Therefore you are a Sith agent, and that will stand up in court, and you know what happens in you go on trial."
Behl realized he'd been caught and hung his head. "Look, I'll talk, but you've got to protect me. I wasn't kidding before. If they find out about this my lift isn't worth a mynock dropping."
"The Jedi Council can protect you," Obi-Wan assured Behl. "Now tell us everything you know about the Sith."
"I don't know much, everything is kept compartmentalized. My handler, and no I don't know his name, told me to set up the cargo runs with Pardu."
"And that's all you know?" Revan asked.
"That's all they told me."
"But why do it at all?" Obi-Wan asked. "You know what the Sith represent."
"Yes I do, power. You Jedi are so blind, a new order is coming, and you're powerless to stop it."
"I do not fear the Sith," Revan said. "They have risen before and the Jedi have beaten them back."
"Not this time Jedi. Look, I might not officially know things, but I'm not stupid, I keep my eyes open. The Sith have more influence than you can imagine. It wouldn't surprise me if there was a Sith Agent in Palpatine's office."
Obi-Wan glanced at Revan. "If he is correct a Sith agent placed that highly in the Republic could be catastrophic."
"If you were trying to take over the galaxy where you start?" Revan asked Obi-Wan rhetorically. "How do you know all of this?" He asked Behl.
"Like I said, I keep my eyes open. If you know where to look you can find things, hints, clues, the outlines of the full scope of the Sith's plan."
"But why tell us now?"
"That's easy, information is power. I tell you, you give me something."
"AS I said, you will be taken into the protective custody of the Jedi Council," Obi-Wan said.
"That's what I wanted to hear, and I've got something better, just to sweeten the pot for you. I don't know the name of the Sith Lord, but I know where you find start looking. Tell me, where did the Sith threat begin?"
"Korriban, but we've been there already," Revan quickly answered.
"You're thinking far too broadly," Behl replied. "Master Kenobi knows the answer."
"Naboo, the Sith first revealed themselves during the crises on Naboo."
"Yep, I heard that Naboo is connected with the Sith somehow."
"Alright, I will contact the Jedi Council and they will see to your safety," Obi-Wan told Behl.
"What happens until then?" Behl asked as Obi-Wan and Revan headed for the door.
"Be very quiet," Revan advised. "Don't worry, a Jedi will be here shortly to escort you to Coruscant."
"Are you sure this is wise?" Obi-Wan asked Revan as they headed for the spaceport. "What if the Sith find him before the representatives from the council arrive?"
"You said it was a safe hour right?" Revan asked. "That means the Jedi are the only ones who know where he is. And besides, what other choice do we have? We need to get to Naboo quickly and we can't afford to have a Sith agent tagging along."
"You're right, but I don't like it."
"Neither do I, but finding the Sith is our top priority, nothing else matters," Revan said with such zeal that it startled Obi-Wan.
Later that day Alton Behl was foraging for food in the safe house when he heard the door open. "About time the Jedi showed up," he muttered to himself as he walked into the living area. "What to you guys so..." Behl's complaint died in his throat when he saw the figure standing in front of him.
"Alton," Darth Tyrannus said. "it's time for you to pay for your treachery."
"My Lord Tyrannus," Behl stuttered. "It's not what it looks like."
"It looks to me like you were talking to the Jedi."
"But I haven't told them anything important. I didn't tell them about you or your plans."
"You told them the Sith existed, that is treason all on its own." Tyrannus raised a hand and began to choke Behl using the Force.
"But they already knew that!" Behl pleaded as he clawed at the invisible hand around his throat. "They even knew about the conditioning!"
Tyrannus released his grip on Behl, "Where did you send the Jedi?" he asked.
"To Naboo," Behl gasped.
"I take it back, you have done well Alton, all things considered. I will spare you."
"Oh thank-you Lord Tyrannus..." Behl began to say. His gratitude turned to terror when Tryannus activated his lightsaber. "You said you were going to spare me!" Behl protested as he backed away from Tyrannus.
"Trust me Alton, the death I originally planned for you was much more painful. This is a mercy." Tryannus rammed his lightsaber through Behl's chest, obliterating the man's heart. Behl coughed up a mouthful of blood and fell backwards. He was dead before he hit the ground. "Such is the fate of all who betray the Sith," Tyrannus said to Behl's corpse before walking out of the Jedi safe house.
-to be continued-
Author's Notes: And we keep rolling along. Thanks for the kind words folks, check back in two weeks for Chapter Nine.