-Chapter 88: A New Normal-
Location: Coruscant
"Consistency in life never lasts forever."
Aboard the Dominance, a worried Scipio sat by the empty holotable, something of a nervous wreck ever since news had broken that Wraith had been imprisned by the Republic. The Pau'an could not work, let alone think, knowing that his creation was in Republic hands and that the secrets within him might very well be in the hands of Republic scientists at any moment. As he sat there, dwelling on such negative connotations, Admiral Sereva arrived in the hub with two mugs of caf.
"Cheer up, Doc. The war's not going to end anytime soon." She encouraged him, setting one mug down before him. "We've still got time before they execute Wraith."
"Thank you, Admiral. But I'm afraid no amount of encouragement can assuage my worries." Scipio gloomily responded. "Simply knowing that my boy is locked up and... oh, what am I saying? I do not mean to bore you with such details, my dear Admiral." The Pau'an apologized.
"It's okay, Doctor. I'm worried about him too." Sereva admitted as she sat next to him.
"Even after what transpired on Aliston Nor?" Scipio wondered.
"I'll admit, that didn't go as planned. But I still have hope he'll... come to his senses." Sereva relented, Wraith's clear-as-day response to her actions an obvious indicator. "Not that I'm desperate or anything. I don't need a man."
"But you'd like one." Scipio filled in the blank. Sereva mulled that over.
"Possibly." She simply responded. "It has been a while."
"Well, I'll be sure to do what I can on my end. There's got to be something we can do to rid him of those incessant thoughts about that Tano girl." Scipio was none too pleased about Wraith harbouring feelings for a member of the enemy, and a Jedi at that, and was bound and determined to help him return to due course. This, he viewed, to be the one weakness with his creation... and it resulted from his own individuality.
"Short of brainwashing him, of course." Sereva joked. Scipio couldn't resist a laugh.
"Of course." Just then, the terminal before them beeped a warning and a transmission flickered to life shortly after, revealing Count Dooku to them both.
"Doctor, Admiral, good to see you are both here." The Count greeted as both parties stood.
"My lord, please tell me what is happening. Is Wraith to be rescued soon?" Scipio desperately asked.
"All in good time, Doctor. I am in communication with an agent on Coruscant who is looking into the matter. The Wraith is their most prized possession, it will be no simple feat to free him." Dooku explained.
"I understand, my lord. But is there anything I could do to expedite the process?" Scipio inquired.
"All you can do Doctor is wait and be ready for his return. I have seen to it that the necessary means come together to form a foolproof plan."
"What sort of means, my lord? Are we to assault Coruscant?"
"Hardly, Doctor. We shall take a much less invasive approach to this matter. My Master has commissioned the use of a new special project that will be the key to releasing The Wraith. It is a Techno Union initiative that Emir Tambor assures me will be faultless in the face of such a trial by fire." That was news to Scipio. Being a member of the Techno Union, specifically their advanced research and development division, he was in the know about many things. The fact that a project was underway was something unknown to him.
"Forgive my asking, my lord, but I was unaware the Techno Union had any more special projects underway." He pried.
"There are some things that not even you know about, Doctor. The Techno Union has been very taken with the results of Project Sunstorm and, in collaboration with our allies in the Umbaran Rootai, have produced something new and very advanced." Dooku revealed. His render moved to the side as a new projection appeared beside him, something both Admiral and Doctor regarded with pure astonishment. "We call it Project Nightscream."
"Oh my..." Was all Scipio could muster.
Elsewhere...
"So then they said that I'm not allowed to try and approach you alone anymore, not until you're in a cell and I have someone supervising me."
"Leave it to the Jedi to ruin our fun," Wraith sighed, "guess this means we'll have to do a lot more 'sparring' from now on."
"I'm game for a workout." Ahsoka replied. Thanks to another connection, the Togruta was sitting in the super-soldier's lap as they talked, held hands, and generally basked in another moment of closeness. It had been a few days since Wraith's capture and incarceration and while circumstances had certain been fluctuating, Ahsoka really couldn't complain about the additional time she got to spend with Wraith. "But yeah, they sure know how to get in the way sometimes. They have me scheduled for an escort in a few days."
"Even if it's inadvertent." Wraith agreed. "But that should be no issue, right? I'm stuck in a cell for the foreseeable future."
"They won't let me do so yet, not until my probation is up. And they mentioned something about you getting transferred, so not until after that." The news gave the super-soldier pause and he dwelt on the notion for a moment.
"Either I'm going to the local military base where they can keep a closer eye on me... or I'm off to Oovo Four." He mused.
"I doubt they'd do that." Ahsoka replied, her thumb caressing the back of his hand reassuringly.
"Me too. Especially since Palpatine wants me... you know." He trailed off, losing himself in the notion that he could die very soon. Ahsoka could sense the sudden dip in his mood and sat up, looking into his dulled amber eyes.
"Hey... that's not going to happen." She promised. "I won't let you be executed, okay? You have my word."
"Forgive me... it's just hard to believe sometimes." Wraith quietly muttered.
"Let's talk about something else," Ahsoka suggested, resting her head on his shoulder and hugging him affectionately, "what do you want to do when you get out of here?" She asked. That was easy. Wraith had been working on a list and he knew exactly what his priorities were.
"Have a shower, go for a workout... take you out on a date." He answered. Ahsoka giggled at that last one.
"Really? How would that work out?" She wondered.
"Well, first I'd pick a restaurant that'd be safe for both of us and then pay the staff a shipload of credits to make sure we'd be undisturbed. Then I'd call you and give you the details and then throw on a holographic matrix mesh so that nobody would recognize me." He described, having worked on this plan since well before being captured and put in prison. "Hopefully, everything would go off without a hitch from there."
"Sounds like you've got a lot of thought into this." Ahsoka observed with a smile.
"I only want the best for the love of my life." Wraith responded. The Togruta chuckled.
"You're sweet, you know? Even when you're in prison." She complimented, sitting up to look at him. Wraith breathily laughed and cupped her chin with one hand.
"You've given me a lot to look forward to, my lovely Ahsoka." He warmly told her. Fondly regarding each other for a moment, they soon closed the gap between them to partake in a tender embrace. "I love you." Wraith whispered between kisses.
"I love you too." Ahsoka managed, her hand stroking his jaw. Their kiss escalated ever so slightly, Ahsoka shifting positions so her body was flush against his. She pressed her lips tightly against his own, slightly losing control over her inhibitions as her hips began to rock back and forth almost of their own accord. Wraith held her close as they continued to kiss, eagerly and with much energy. Wraith enjoyed the liplock, but was suddenly struck by an idea. This was good, but maybe he could do more.
He decided to be a little more adventurous.
Gently moving her headtail to the side, Wraith kissed down her jaw, taking a moment to really give the corner of her jaw some attention with his mouth. Unbeknownst to him, that was one of Ahsoka's really sensitive areas. Normally concealed behind her thick headtail, it had quickly become a random place where nerves and receptors had grown quite responsive to even the briefest of touches, given the lack of touch it received. Wraith's kisses, however, were a lot more than just a simple touch. Ahsoka was left whimpering and shuddering, and as soon as Wraith connected her response with his actions, his generous ministrations continued.
Ahsoka was building up a lot of heat and quickly. With Wraith having found one of her sensitive spots, unknown even to her, it wasn't hard for all thoughts of reserved decency to go by the wayside. It was so much... all of a sudden...
She wouldn't mind a little more.
The way he was touching her headtail felt really good too. Just his fingers casually sliding back and forth, making her shiver and whimper with each surge that swept through her. If only he'd squeeze, she assumed that would be really good. His mouth started to move, lips kissing down her neck, nearing the collar of her top. Each one pressed into unexplored territory, the sensation of kisses along the bronze column of her neck both exciting and dangerous. Heat pooled between her legs, the ache settled in her stomach next to the butterflies. She wanted this, she wanted more...
She couldn't.
"Wraith w-wait..." Ahsoka stammered between gasping breaths, "I... I-I don't want to go too f-far." She knew the point of no return wasn't too far off, and she dared not cross it... at least, not yet. Wraith heard her and immediately ceased, pulling back as the haze slowly lifted from his mind.
"Getting worked up?" Wraith wondered, his face almost as flushed as hers. Ahsoka silently nodded in affirmation. "I understand." Ahsoka was glad he did. She hated to tease him like this, but was still far too nervous about doing anything more. Even after everything Shaak had told her the other day, she still didn't feel comfortable with anything beyond these makeout sessions. The good news was, Wraith understood that, seemingly taking what he could get while respecting her boundaries. That was something she really admired in him, as it perfectly revealed how much he cared about her.
If he hadn't cared, he wouldn't have stopped.
"So... is this to be our new normal?" Wraith wondered as they held each other for a moment longer, bodies cooling as the fog of desire wore off.
"If it is... I'm perfectly okay with it." Ahsoka replied. They'd spent the past few days sharing moments like this, and she was just fine with sharing a few more.
In the Senate District...
"Kriffin' finally..." Corsair muttered as he left the Senate and his meeting with Chancellor Palpatine behind him. The Supreme Chancellor had promised the mercenary a full payment once The Wraith had been safely transferred to the Republic Military Headquarters and the cellblock within, ensuring he was securely located and would never escape again. The process was bound to be completed in just a few days and Palpatine implored Corsair and the Titans to simply wait until then.
Corsair wasn't known for waiting, especially when it came to jobs. This one might be wrapping up, but he had another one underway.
Seeing no point in waiting around, and given he was on Coruscant, he could make a few moves now while he waited. Queing his comms, he called up Theris.
"Theris, check wit' Toolie an' see if she's still got tha stuff fo' that 'costume pahty' we nevah went to." He instructed.
"On it." His Mando 2IC affirmed, then asked, "What about you?"
"I'm goin' ta call on some ol' friends, seein' as my membahship hasn't expiahed just yet."
"And these friends would be...?" Theris wondered, trailing off.
"Tha kind that'll help pull off a job." Corsair answered. Ending the call, Corsair made for the nearest cab depot, intending on getting a lift to his first destination.
The Coruscant underworld was big, massive by some standards. There were all kinds of individuals involved in it, those who could run things, those who could participate
Fortunately for Corsair, an old network he once ran with for years happened to be right in Galactic City. It had been a long time since he'd seen or spoken with many of them, but Corsair hoped his charm would be enough to let him take advantage of their services once more...
His first stop was at a seemingly innocent little datapad shop in the thick of Coruscant's downtown area. It was small, sandwhiched between larger buildings and didn't look like much from the outside, apart from the neon blue sign. But Corsair knew better and he stepped inside. There he found a pale-skinned Nimbanel bent over a counter, pouring over a series of paper documents and comparing them to material on a datapad. At the sound of footsteps he looked up, black eyes widening as he trailed up the familiar form until they settled on Corsair's face.
"Mister Corsair!" He greeted in surprise.
"Chiado. Always good ta see ya again." The Titan responded.
"It has been some time, no?" Chiado wondered, shaking his hand.
"Yeah, I'm workin' a different outfit now. But I need some help... some documents." Corsair replied with a slight wiggle of his eyebrows. The Nimbanel understood, having received Corsair's earlier communication.
"Follow me." He stated, fetching a key from under the counter. Turning around, he inserted it into a lock on one of the many shelves and pushed, the entire arrangement swinging inwards to reveal a hidden room behind it. Corsair followed him in and shut the entry behind him, just like old times. "You are planning something big?" Chiado asked.
"So big I needed assistance." Corsair remarked as he followed the Nimbanel over to a holotable surrounding by stacks of datachips and processing equipment.
"Well, it is most certainly a pleasure to work with you again." Chiado warmly replied as he rounded the table. "I would like to show you what I've found, some truly fascinating information." Fetching a chip from the stacks around him, Chiado loaded it into the table and. Toggled a holomap. "Here are the original blueprints." He stated. "There are more than a dozen known entries into the building and each one is protected with a class-five multilayered security system." Corsair studied the program intently as the Nimbanel continued on, pointing out the various locations he was referring to. "The high-security cells are located on the upper levels, behind three separate checkpoint airlocks. Each has an accompaniment of up to five guards, with additional ones guarding the individual cells." Removing the chip, Chiado inserted another one that generated a render of a very different set of plans. "This is the electricians map. The entire system runs off of a central generating system, however it would be possible to create a temporary blackout in a specific section by overloading the secondary grid box with jamming frequency."
"Do ya know what that is?" Corsair asked.
"One-seven point two-eight, charged to a Bek-type channel along a Dorn wavelength." Chiado recited from memory.
"Got it." Corsair went to work committing that to memory as the Nimbanel changed out the datachips once again.
"Now these are the underlevel maintenance access plans. There are one, two, three possible entrances," he explained, pointing to each one, "two of them are covered by secure checkpoints of four guards each, the last one is located in the courtyard where it can be easily watched from multiple angles without a designated guard." Chiado described. "There is a single corridor that leads to a dub-level, and it is also protected by a single guard checkpoint."
"No sewah access?" Corsair wondered. The Nimbanel shook his head.
"It is a closed circuit system, droids only."
"Right... now how 'bout the othah one?" Corsair wondered.
"Ah yes," Chiado mused, swapping datachips one more time, "an equally impressive location." Toggling the table, a new holomap of a totally different building appeared before them. "These are also the original plans for the entire compound. There are six entrances, two of them for civilians. Now each entrance is again protected by class-five multilayer security system as well as patrols of five guards each, this time there is also recording hardware positioned in strategic areas all throughout. They can be accessed via an external circuit panel on the eastern wall, approximately fifteen feet above the nearest roof." Chiado detailed, highlighting the circuitry that appeared on the map as he spoke. "Now there are also defences for this compound, a series of external anti-air and anti-personnel turrets positioned on the walls and roof. Three anti-air turrets and nine anti-personnel turrets, that's not including the nearby garrison as well as the scores of guards within the compound as well, each one armed for the purpose of defence and repulsion."
"Give me a rough estimate. 'Bout how many personnel?" Corsair asked.
"My guess is anywhere from two-hundred to over a thousand." Chiado responded. "It's a very busy place."
"Right. So pick yor day an' hope fo' tha best." Corsair mused, stroking his goatee. This information might impact his next stop. Chiado toggled another map schematic.
"The power system here is two fold. Everything runs off a central system that is four levels underground. This generator cannot be fooled like with the other one and it requires direct interference to adjust. Once the generator is disabled you will have approximately six seconds before the backup power comes on."
"An' how 'bout tha backup generatah?"
"It's hard-locked. The only way to access it is by hand at the central control panel, located here in the lower levels." Chiado directed, pointing to red blip on the map. Corsair nodded in understanding. "Now the electrician's map is under omega-class security access and cannot be obtained, but I would assume that the exterior defences and lighting run off of both generators."
"Good ta know." The Titan affirmed. "How 'bout landin' something. Where would ya go?"
"The central courtyard is most open, but heavily defended. You could try to use one of the upper landing pads, but then you'd have up to twelve guards to worry about and having turrets trained on you." Chiado cautioned. "Neither option will be easy."
"Unless tha powah's been cut... right." Corsair thoughtfully hummed, his tactical brain working hard as he slowly developed a plan. Shutting down the holomap, Chiado passed Corsair a datapad, "Here is a copy of each map, the data will be deleted in forty-eight hours as soon as you leave my shop." He stated, then handing over a small electronic pad, "This device will emit a signal like the normal access keycards used in both places, it should get you in to every level if you have need. As usual, it will erase itself after forty-eight hours." He directed. Corsair nodded a pulled a small stack of coins from his belt which he passed into Chiado's hand. They certainly weren't credits. "Thank you much." The Nimbanel replied.
"Good seein' ya, Chiado." Corsair responded as he made for the door.
"Likewise Mister Corsair. Do enjoy your evening." Chiado replied as he counted a five coins.
"I'll be shor ta try." Corsair said with a grin as he made his way out.
It really felt good to be working with professionals again.
Steeping into the taxi, Corsair offered the driver his next address and glanced out the window as they left Chiado's shop behind...
Striding through the halls of the Jedi Temple, a group of Jedi consisting of Master Yoda, Obi-Wan, Shaak Ti and Plo Koon conversed about a recent topic of discussion among members of the Council.
"It appears Anakin is taking to his archives guard duty role better than I expected." Obi-Wan was saying. "Yes, he may be cross about it, but it's nothing new to him. He's been doing that one since he was a Padawan."
"Perhaps he'll learn something while in there. If other Jedi can, certainly he can as well." A mirthful Plo suggested.
"Naturally. Though the last time Ahsoka was in there, Cad Bane and that Clawdite hunter stole a holocron." Shaak mused. "I would certainly call that a memorable guard duty rotation."
"Learn from each other, every Jedi can. Shared, our knowledge is to be, and not hidden." Yoda agreed. "Much have we learned from Young Skywalker and Padawan Tano already."
"Yes. Some days they seem to bicker like Convors over berries." Koon agreed.
"They are just five years apart, Master Koon, even though Anakin tries to act older." Shaak replied. "It is not surprising that their differences are few and subtle."
"Yet they can be vastly different." Obi-Wan interjected. "Take the subject of Wraith for example; Ahsoka wants to help him while Anakin wants to hurt him. Such a sensitive matter can strain a relationship with ease." He gravely stated.
"Help our enemies, when possible, should we. But present much of a case for help, The Wraith does not often."
"There are times when it seems Lil' 'Soka sees more than all of us do." Plo thoughtfully declared.
"Trust her instincts, she does. More often, should we also?" Yoda wondered.
"Perhaps so. The war seems to have narrowed our vision and sense of purpose at times." Shaak agreed. "There are moments when it seems like Ahsoka is the only one trying to do the right thing even when circumstances dictate otherwise."
"But our circumstances also dictate the necessity of our actions. We can't always help people and in times like these not everyone ought to be helped. To that end, Anakin does have a point." Obi-Wan responded.
"Find the balance, we must." Yoda wisely suggested. "Between these two, where does it lie?"
"Perhaps a bit of both points coming together." Obi-Wan replied. Yoda hummed and nodded.
"At times, to be treated like an enemy, The Wraith is. Others, a man in need, is he." He said. "A fine line balance is. Walk it carefully, we must."
"Have you any more insights into this matter, Master Yoda?" Shaak asked.
"Meditated on my vision, I have. Into the Force, deeply have I sunk. Seen many things, I have."
"What kind of things?"
"Things that could be, Master Plo. Also things that should not be." The Grand Master cryptically responded. "Precarious is the balance between The Wraith and Ahsoka. Mindful of it, even they may not be."
"It still puzzles me... what does Wraith have to do with balance?"
"Wield not the Force to exercise the Dark Side, Master Kenobi." Yoda instructed. "Dark are Wraith's actions, shadowed is his soul as a result. But so intwined is he with Ahsoka, disaster may result if lost the balance is."
"You mean if he dies." Shaak proposed, recalling Yoda's premonition.
"A shroud of darkness I sense in Padawan Tano. At bay, The Wraith keeps it. Unwittingly perhaps." Yoda continued. "Die should he, unleashed her darkness would be." He gravely stated, his three compatriots sharing looks of unease. "Opposites might they be, but something similar draw them it does. Something in both of them."
"What is it?" Plo asked.
"Know, I do not. Cloaked in the Force, the rest is." Yoda declared, much to their misfortune. "Hidden from me, the truth is."
"The Force is said to work in mysertious ways... but I can't imagine why." Obi-Wan
"Limited our scope of the future is. Set in stone always it is not."
"At least now with Wraith behind bars, we might take a moment to examine this matter closer since it is so near at hand." The Togruta theorized.
"Carefully, Master Ti. Carefully should we examine it." Yoda cautioned. "Each of us, cares for Young Ahsoka is some manner." They all nodded, Shaak having taken the girl under her wing when it came to matters of growing up, Plo being her oldest friend since finding her on Shili all those years ago, Obi-Wan another close friend after working alongside her and Anakin many a time. "Learn from Skywalker's example should we. Guide us, our personal stake in this, we must not allow." Yoda instructed.
"But surely we are not to do nothing." The Kel Dor reasoned.
"Of course not." The Grand Master replied. "Trust in the Force, we must. Guide us in every moment, we must let it." The Jedi all nodded and accepted Yoda's teaching, knowing the Force was their greatest ally no matter the situation.
They had no idea that they would need the Force more than ever in the days to come...
On the fringes of the Urscru Entertainment District, Corsair's cab stopped before a tall, narrow building. Unlike Chiado's tiny shop, this one stood tall and towered over the other buildings around it. Ornately designed with a glass front, the Titan leader looked a little out of place in the seemingly pristine environment. But he'd been to this place many times before and, instructing the cabbie to wait, entered without hesitation.
The interior revealed a narrow foyer completed with a raised secretary desk at the far end. Most of the paneling had been done in a kind of dusky rock, not unlike the reddish kind found on Geonosis. Corsair ignored it and strode over to the violet-skinned Twi'lek receptionist.
"Would a Mistah N'mell be in?" He asked, casually sliding a single, rounded coin across the desk. The Twi'lek quietly slipped it under a datapad before regarding him with deep violet eyes.
"He is where he always is." She replied, pressing a hidden tab that revealed a door in the wall to her right. Corsair tilted his head in thanks and moved into the corridor. The door sealed behind him as Corsair took his first right, the path one well-trod by him in days past. As walls, the revealed a special room occupied by an Ovissian, surrounded by a variety of construction tools and droid hardware, as well as a mighty durasteel cabinet behind Said alien's eyes widened a little as the Titan leader approached him.
"Corsair... it has been some time." N'mell greeted, folding his hands before him. Corsair nodded, a trademark grin on his face.
"Yeah, it shor has, N'mell. But I've been itchin' ta work with professionals again." He replied, getting straight to the point. "I'd like ta ordah some tools. Fo' a job." Corsair stated. "Tha kinda stuff that'd be on tha low, widely used an' not necessarily uncommon. Stuff that doesn't make ya look like a professional." He described. N'mell nodded and pondered his query for a moment.
"If I recall correctly, you're quite fond of the BlasTech variety," he replied, that being very true, "but might I recommend Arakyd for this?" The Ovissian wondered as he turned and tapped a single panel that caused the twin doors on the case to slide back, revealing a multitude of various weapons within. Stooping down, N'mell retrieved a single weapon and set it on the counter for Corsair to examine. "The Accelerated Charged Particle Repeater Gun; not necessary foolproof but certainly an option to make someone think you're nothing more than a hired gun." Corsair was familiar with the weapon, considering its wide use among pirates and Trandoshan mercenaries. He'd killed a few lizards in his time and many of them had this exact weapon on hand. "Forty round magazine, iron sights, a cooled-chromium barrel, with optional inlaid grips, coolant jackets or a flare-suppression barrel." N'mell continued, listing the weapon's specifications as Corsair pressed the ACP into his shoulder and tested the weight in his hands. It was even, which was good, even if it was a far cry from his favorite M-45 Roba. "What next?" N'mell asked, seeing Corsair give a satisfied nod while setting the weapon down.
"Somethin' good at wall-ta-wall. Close, accurate." The Titan described. N'mell mulled that over.
"Accurate..." he repeated under his breath, mentally recalling the available weapons on the subject. Returning to the shelf behind him, the Ovissian reached for the upper rack and took hold of a medium-sized pump-action weapon and brought it over for Corsair's inspection. "The Accelerated Charged Particle Array Gun; good for close quarter situations and rather reliable for a slug weapon." He stated as Corsair picked it up. "Eight round magazine capacity, optional vanguard-foregrips, dual hardened-valerium muzzles, and a tritinium-durasteel chassis that prevents breakage even when dropped." Corsair tested the shotgun in a variety of situations, giving it a quick pump before he gave a nod and set it down beside the other ACP.
"Need somethin' else that'll look good at a distance. Tha kind a' thing that'll... draw attention." He described, wondering what N'mell might offer next. The Ovissian nodded in understanding.
"For that, I would suggest the LJ-Fifty Concussion Rifle; good for long distance engagements despite weighing more than a few pounds." He replied, stooping down and pulling out the weapon from under the counter. "A ten round magazine, seven-point-eight power output, a dilithium-lined barrel interior to ensure enhanced accuracy, very destructive in terms of results. Certainly what it takes to make you look like nothing more than a disorganized thug with a thing for... pyrotechnics." Corsair lugged the weapon with both hands, checking over the power-converter panels as well as the examining the smooth lines of the extended barrel. It felt good in his hands, a decent weight paired with an even finish. It would certainly do the job. "Something else you fancy?" N'mell inquired as Corsair set the weapon down.
"Yeah... whaddya got fo' smallah, intricate stuff?" The Titan asked.
"Intricate..." N'mell mused, thoughtfully tapping one of the horns on his chin. "I did just get a fresh shipment in the slug department." He revealed, stepping over to a wall and sliding another, smaller panel open to reveal a series of downsized firearms. He collected one and returned with it. "Striker projectile pistol by Oriolanis Defense Systems. The standard for all slugthrowers, not even Kelvarek and Czerka can match this model." He declared, offering it to Corsair. The Titan took it and examined the weapon before testing it in a variety of aiming poses while N'mell continued, "Sixteen round magazine, compressed air charges offer little recoil in response, it is reliable but not necessarily deadly unless you're aiming for something vital. Includes a durasteel frame, optional holosight, silencer and textured grip in case your hands are... dirty." Corsair understood and smiled a little. He had grown quite fond of this one all of a sudden and was determined to make good use of it.
"I'll take two, with tha grips." He announced, setting it down alongside the others.
"Anything more?" N'mell asked.
"No, thank ya. I'd like ta ordah a dozen, five a' each ACP an' two LJ's, with as many available accessories ya have." Corsair responded.
"Shall I send it to the usual location?" The Ovissian asked. Corsair nodded.
"Yeah, that'd be best."
"Very well then." N'mell agreed with a tilt of his head. Corsair made to leave, but was stopped when N'mell called after him. "Mister Corsair... best of luck with the job."
"Ya know me, N'mell; I don't need luck." Corsair responded over his shoulder.
Elsewhere, in the Senate district...
"I'm sorry Doctor Boll, but I cannot commission any sort of tests until The Wraith's spirit has been properly broken and that requires time." Chancellor Palpatine told Doctor Sionver Boll. "For the moment he is loose and rather unhinged, if the guard report is to be believed. Just the other morning he was banging on the door, demanding to be let out. I cannot, in good conscious, let you take any samples while he is in this state. I'm afraid you'll just have to be patient." The golden eyes of the Bivall fell, understanding but disappointed nevertheless.
"I understand Chancellor. But please, do let me know when the time is right. If we could study his blood, then perhaps we could advance our Clones by unlocking the secrets of the Separatists' Project Sunstorm." She earnestly replied Palpatine nodded.
"A day I hope will hasten itself, Doctor. But for now, patience must be our virtue. We have time, The Wraith is going nowhere at the moment. This is our new normal and we have every right to enjoy it. For now, I am having his weapons and equipment shipped to your facility, perhaps you can learn something from those in the meantime."
"Thank you, Supreme Chancellor. I will do my best to uncover something about his armor."
"Please let me know as soon as you do." He stated in conclusion, ending the call. As he did, a blue-plated Senate Guard arrived in his office. Better known as 'the Blue Guard', this special brand of troopers were charged with the protection and defence of all Republic politicians and could often be seen lining the exterior perimeter and inner halls of the Senate. Palpatine had a few guarding his office, which was the division this particular guard was from.
"Chancellor, this is the latest report from Military Headquarters. They say the cell is almost ready, sir. It should be done within the next few days." He announced, presenting Palpatine with a datapad.
"What is left to be accomplished?" The Chancellor asked as he examined the report.
"Several of the underfloor power units needed to be resized and the central locking system requires a complete resynch. Most of the hardware is finished, it's just a matter of software now. You'll find it all in the report, sir." The guard explained. Palpatine nodded, determined to give this information a thorough look.
"Very good. Dismissed." The guard nodded and left at a brisk pace, duty-bound just like the rest of his colleagues. As the report flashed on, Palpatine scrolled through the developments and setbacks, analyzing the progress of Wraith's cell at Military Headquarters. It was almost finished, but these new obstacles would pushback the transfer by a few days. Everything had to be properly working before the super-soldier could be moved, a fact that resonated with every member of Republic security. Though Palpatine, or Darth Sidious, had to wonder if this would at all affect Dooku's plan to free him. If his spies hadn't already told him, then perhaps he needed to make a call...
The Republic's 'new normal' was about to be turned upside down.
