o:o:o
The room was silent as the people contemplated what they had just heard. Cammi's message had obviously been meant to put Phaelon in an embarrassing situation.
Finally, she felt a hand on her shoulder as she stared at the now blank screen, debating what to do next.
"That's horrible," came her sister's whisper. "We've got to do something."
Phaelon shook her head. "Yes, I do. I can't ask for your help though. It's me she really wants." – She turned to one of the communications people. – "Do we know where that transmission came from."
The woman smiled and nodded. "Yes, ma'am. Approximately eight kilometers northwest of here – a special, portable unit, I believe."
She turned to leave, but Ilyra blocked her way. "We'll help you. You may not want it or need it, but you're one of us, and we help our own."
"All right," Phaelon sighed. "But nothing extraordinary. Any grand displays or searches will send her scurrying for another hiding spot."
Her sister nodded, her face deathly serious. "We're at your command."
o:o:o
An hour later, they had assembled a small strike team of four Guardians. Arrayed in battle armor, Phaelon looked oddly out of place in the center of them wearing only her dark Jedi robes.
"Our main goal is to get Jysella," she said. It sounded odd to be commanding troops, even such a small number as her strike team. "We don't have time for a negotiator, so we're on our own. We also have to try for a live capture. All blasters set on stun only."
She hit a button, activating a small holoprojection in the middle of the table. "This is the objective. We've narrowed down our search radius to a three kilometer area. Anything smaller and she'll know we're on to her. Stealth and speed will be our allies. Any questions?"
No one spoke up, so she continued. "Good. It's a fairly simple mission, but we've got to be careful. Now go get ready. We've got less than eleven hours."
As they filed out of the room, Phaelon reflected on what she had just said. Eleven hours to find Jysella and hope Cammi didn't hurt her. The slaver seemed unstable enough to do someone serious injury just for the fun of it.
At least you know she's still alive, said a little part of her brain, you'd feel it just like you felt the rest of them if she wasn't.
Disgusted at herself for even entertaining the idea, she shoved the thought far out of her mind. Jysella's a survivor. She'll be fine.
o:o:o