A long time ago in a galaxy far far away
MULTIPLICITY
Season 1, Episode 10
40 years passed since
Emperor Palpatine was defeated.
For years and years chaos remained as
the remnants of the Empire tried to maintain control
of the galaxy and the leaders of the Rebel Alliance tried to unite
the people in an organized democracy. Such attempts failed on both sides,
and the galaxy fell back to the political structure it had known before the creation of
the Old Republic. Small systems, bigger systems, coalition of planets, yet some planets are still
divided and self-regulated countries. Democracies, monarchies, empires, warlords, anarchies, even
the Hutts control a few systems, and still some parts of the universe have not been explored or heard of.
As tensions between Ambulia and the planets they are occupying are rising, Brett and Neeah have gone to Coruscant to discuss possible assistance from the Relian's, the dominant presence in the galaxy right now… But little do they know, Drika is also on Coruscant.
##
Tantrum was sitting at a desk in front of two older Relian men. Behind him was a window that showed the night skyline of Coruscant. Behind them was Drika, guarding the door.
– So, will you help us?
Tantrum did his best to make it sound like a question. But the underlying threat was real.
The men looked at each other. The younger one, less afraid, swallowed then said:
- under no circumstances. The Dzeta project was not put together to serve belligerent purposes.
– That your answer as well, Doctor?
Tantrum asked the other.
He cleared his throat and sighed
– yes.
Tantrum lifted his chin and swallowed. In an instant, Drika's red blade had pierced through the younger man's chair and chest, and his face fell on the desk in front of Tantrum. He turned to the other man. She
– Perhaps you would like to reconsider your position, Doctor?
The older man looked back, his gaze going from Drika to the lightsaber to Tantrum back to his esteemed colleague's dead body.
– A… Lightsaber? You're… Yes, I will go with you.
– Good, we leave now.
They left the room, leaving the corpse behind.
##
Neeah and Brett approached the meeting room.
– I have a bizarre feeling master…
– So do I. I was expecting a warmer welcome.
– How is tactical Aurelius Fracus?
– He is the one who supervised the Relian's rise to military superpower including their taking control of the chaos that had been Coruscant for so long. He is very highly regarded from the outside and I know that Hocus spoke very highly of him to Amirah.
The door opened and two aides greeted them.
– Greetings master Ho-Xin, let me introduce you to security sub-Aurelius Rotsus.
A younger Relian in uniform stood by. He wasn't the one they were expecting to meet, maybe this was why they had mixed feelings.
– I know we were expecting tactical Aurelius Fracus, I apologize. I will explain in a few minutes if you will follow me.
Brett glanced at Neeah and back at Rotsus. There was something wrong, but no reason not to proceed. As they did, the officer continued the conversation.
– The log shows you arrived last night. How was your evening?
Somehow, Brett knew that this wasn't a casual question.
– We took some time to visit the old Jedi Temple and its library. It is a fascinating source of information and comfort to us. May I ask where we are going?
– As I said, I will explain in a few minutes.
He showed them the door to turbo lift which they entered. When it stopped, they reached a door guarded by four heavily armed men. Neeah looked at Brett, puzzled. She had control of her fear, but still…
– I will explain, as I said, but first you need to explain this.
He opened the door and they saw a Relian sitting his back turned to them, with his face lying on the desk in front of him. He had a hole in this chest coming all the way through the back of his chair, dead.
– He was found this morning. Our ballistic experts offer only one explanation for the lack of blood and the closing of the wound: a lightsaber.
##
– So, Dr. Aexeb, how do you suggest we incorporate the findings of the Dzeta project in our combat fleet?
Drika asked as she was walking around him, clearly intimidating him. He was shaking, as was the chair he was sitting on. Through the windows he could see the long stars of hyperspace. He kept on thinking about his colleague, and about getting stabbed as well if he didn't provide a satisfactory answer.
– I was hoping you had a plan for this before kidnapping me.
– You agreed to help us, remember? You're not kidnapped.
She smiled, he swallowed.
– We've made scientific breakthrough, but how to make it into a weapon is not my expertise.
– We can help you with that. What do you need?
– To be honest, having my partner alive would help a whole lot.
– You can't say we didn't try. He chose not to collaborate. However, we've known all along that you were the brain trust in this discovery. When we reach Ambulia, I'll get you to work with our best ship designers. They will be at your disposal. With your discovery, our army and my strength, we'll bring back order in this galaxy, Doctor.
##
– Do you know this man?
Rotsus was asking the questions and Brett felt suspicion.
– No. Should I?
– Depends on if you killed him!
Brett inhaled, and to Neeah's surprise he lost his cool a little bit.
– You have a lot to learn about Jedi. We don't murder people.
– Pardon me, but we have a victim, killed by a weapon only a few people in the galaxy carry it just happens that two of these people were on this planet at the time it happened. It's more than a coincidence, isn't it?
– Why would I kill this man? And if I did, why would I still be here? And why him?
– He is Dr. Xebus, an eminent scientist working on a highly classified project. Your motive does not really concern me, but the means point to you.
Brett was really concerned.
– There can only be one explanation for this, and it's a matter of grave danger to Coruscant and the Relian's. I wish to see tactical Aurelius Fracus.
– I'm in charge of this investigation and Fracus will only agree to meet you if I'm convinced, you're not associated with this murder.
Brett had had enough. He waved his hand.
– You will take me to Fracus.
Rotsus looked puzzled. The trick was half working…
– I… I can't. I need a reasonable case before I do. I wish I could. I want to. But I don't think I can.
– Alright I'll give you one. There is only one possible explanation. Drika. Former Jedi turned evil and in league with Ambulia ever since the war has started. She carries a lightsaber, with a red blade. She's very capable of murder, actually she enjoys it. This means that she was on Coruscant last night, and maybe still is, in which case everybody here is in danger. It also means that there is a link between this doctor, his classified project, and something she wants. You must understand, there is a lot more at stake here than a single murder, no matter how brutal and unfortunate it was.
– How do I know you're not making this up?
Brett took out his Comlink and showed him the holo graph that they had used with that Outtemp's, of Drika next to Webell.
– You have the most advanced army in the known universe, and I assume an equally formidable information network. She's in there somewhere.
– And I might add, check your security records. We checked out of the Jedi Temple and checked into our rooms only a few minutes later, it would've been impossible for us to get here.
Neeah had been thinking about this ever since there were accused.
– I know, we've already checked, which made this confusing. I'll see what I can do.
– We don't have much time.
##
Tantrum and Drika were still circling around Dr. Aexeb.
– So according to our latest discussion, with project Dzeta, you could create an electromagnetic presence based on the subspace echo.
– Yes, by using an electromagnetic discharge to re-create an exact duplicate. We've done it in lab with remote operated objects. We were focused on doing it at the very small cellular scale. This can multiply medical stimuli for instance. I don't see how it can be applied to military usage…unless you want to develop biochemical weapons, which would take years, even with my colleague around.
– But doctor you said you've done it at a very small scale. So one object can have two, three electromagnetic signatures, right?
– Yes, we've been successful up to eight signatures. To scanners they're all the same.
– And to the naked eye?
Dr. Aexeb was confused by the question.
– I wouldn't know, but in theory if you were to multiply an item big enough that's visible to the naked eye, perhaps it would be. We just never had that need. Cameras and view screens would definitely convey the illusion… The electromagnetic replica would behave exactly like the original, with a milisecond interval.
– You talked about the really small scale. What about the really big scale?
– It's easier. It just requires a lot of energy. How big?
– How about this ship?
Dr. Aexeb was floored. He had never imagined his discovery could be used this way.
– So you'd like one ship to look like it's eight ships on radars and view screens? That's crazy.
Drika smiled and gazed at him with mesmerizing grace.
– Can you do it?
– I guess so, in theory at the very least. We cannot replicate the firing of weapons however, which means as soon as a ship would fire the other party would easily identify which one is real.
– That's good enough for us. You start working on it right now.
##
Neeah was growing impatient
– I can't believe we're stranded here, waiting while Drika is out there plotting.
– Patience. I'm sure a solution will present itself. There is little we can do right now but I feel if we work with the Relian's it will pay off in the long run. I've already contacted Luke and he has sent Obu and Livan, they are probably already in orbit checking outgoing ships.
They were in a small room next to the one Dr. Xebus was found in.
– I wonder what that secret project was about?
Brett wondered too.
– I know Rotsus did not know either. Whatever it was, it was important enough for Drika to come here, kill for it. What I am asking myself is is it because the technology was a threat to Ambulia, or something she wants to use.
The door opened. A tall, older Relian stepped in.
– I am tactical Aurelius Fracus. Rotsus has presented meet your story, it is plausible. However, for lack of proof, I cannot conclude that it is the situation without a doubt. So, I'm required to keep you here.
He looked at Neeah and added «I'm sorry ».
– Keeping us here is not the worst. Letting her go, if she's still here, would be.
– I just said I was going to keep you two here. It doesn't mean that I won't look for her. It also doesn't mean I won't give you the means to help me. All you have to do is stay here…
He extended his left arm, activated a control panel and a large computer screen appeared.
– From this terminal you will have access to our security database and immediate planetary scans. You can search for her all you want… Or should I say, if you don't mind, because quite frankly we need your help.
Neeah looked at Brett, almost asking for his permission to speak. He nodded
– if I may say so, sir, you know were not guilty, you want us to provide proof of her act and ask for our assistance. Yet you keep us here for some administrative reason?
– Welcome to politics my young friend.
– That's alright Neeah.
Brett turned to Fracus
– you will have our full cooperation. However, there is one more thing… Information that has been withheld from us. The secret project Dr. Xebus was working on. Can you give us a clue what it was about? It would help us anticipate Drika's next move if we understood what her motive was.
Tactical Aurelius Fracus hesitated.
– To be honest I don't really know what project Dzeta was about. They've made some technological breakthrough about electromagnetic multiplication for medical and environmental purposes.
– There must be a link. Besides Xebus, was anyone else familiar with the work? Someone we could talk to… Even if we stayed here.
– Perhaps his partner Dr. Aexeb. I'll get them to contact you as soon as possible.
##
– I see you had planned this abduction for a while.
Dr. Aexeb found the lab on Ambulia all set up for him to work in optimal conditions.
– Must I remind you that you have not been abducted? Besides, what scientist wouldn't want to work with the best equipment and the best data. This way Doctor, you can finish your work. The whole universe will know about you at some point. But get to work, we don't have eternity to waste.
##
Brett was on the comm with Obu.
– I guess were stuck here. What have you got?
– Thousands of ships heading out every hour you know, it's Coruscant!
– I understand. Keep your senses aware it's the only way you will identify Drika. Have any of them felt different?
– Nope. The only thing weird is a strange subspace electromagnetic signal that keeps repeating. Incoherent probably a code, scrambled. But I keep thinking about it.
– Your instincts serve you well Obu, let's stay in contact and see what this signal is about.
Brett turned around towards the computer and the communications terminal lit up. Rotsus's face appeared.
– Mr. Ho-Xin, we have a problem. Dr. Aexeb is missing. No one has seen him since the murder.
Neeah and Brett looked at each other. She spoke first.
– She must've abducted him, perhaps she wanted them both and Xebus resisted.
– Or killing one was meant to convince the other to cooperate. Which means that the Dzeta is not something she wanted to destroy. It's something she wants to use… Mr. Rotsus, that makes understanding her motive our top priority. Is there anyone else who worked on the project who could help us get clarity on what she wants to do with it?
– Well, they had a lab technician. Dorant. I will bring him to you myself.
Minutes later Rotsus entered the room with a young man.
– I am Dorant, how may I help you?
– Dr. Aexeb was kidnapped, Dr. Xebus was killed. We assume Drika was after the technology project Dzeta, quite possibly for military use. We must figure out what she wants out of their findings.
– I… I couldn't tell. I know how to create the electromagnetic replicas, but we had medical applications in mind, not military. I don't see out Dzeta could be helpful to an army.
– Then maybe you can help us with that? We picked up a strange electromagnetic signature, that keeps repeating itself.
Neeah showed him the transmission picked up by Obu. His eyes opened wide.
– That…that is clearly a Dzeta protocol transmission. I'll try to make sense of it but it could be hours of work, in our lab.
Brett turned to Rotsus.
– Under the circumstances, perhaps Mr. Dorant is in danger as well. Would you allow me to provide him with security? There is no one else who could stop Drika if she had attacked herself. Neeah will remain here as a token of my good behavior.
– Very well, proceed.
Brett and Dorant left for the lab as Neeah contacted Obu.
– There going to try to decrypt the transmission. It's definitely a Dzeta sequence.
– Good. I also think we're wasting our time here; shouldn't we just go down and search for her on the surface?
– It's Coruscant...
– You're right, that's a lot of ground to cover. Can you check the records to see if any of the departed ships since the murder match any known Ambulian vessel?
– Good idea, I'll get back to you.
##
– There it is, the signal. Dr. Aexeb is brilliant! It's a homing beacon that only him, Dr. Xebus and I could decipher.
– But he knew Aexeb was dead, so this was intended for you Dorant, well done. Where is she?
– 46, 12, 4. Those aren't coordinates…
– No but I know where it leads: 46th sector, 12th system, fourth planet. Ambulia.
Brett sighed. This meant she was already long gone.
– Let's go to Fracus.
##
Fracus was all ears.
– Who established Dr. Aexeb is on Ambulia. We've also got confirmation that a small Ambulian ship docked near the murder site a few hours before and left less than an hour after the estimated time of death of Dr. Xebus. I believe the evidence is enough to prove our innocence and allow our release.
– Of course it is. My… Question is whether it's enough to back a declaration of war from Coruscant to Ambulia. Murder is one thing, abduction is another, and using our proprietary technology would be another… Grand Aurelius Tribus will not be pleased …
– And you would require going to war to send Relian's to Ambulia?
– Yes. We are quite diligent about that type of thing.
– Then maybe I have a solution. We have a Jedi in orbit. We'll go to Ambulia and free Dr. Aexeb, as a gesture of goodwill towards Coruscant. Neeah will stay here to provide protection for Dorant, because he could be their next target. I don't need a declaration to go.
– Thank you, that would be most helpful. Is there anything I can do to help?
– Inform us if the trace of Dr. Aexeb moved somewhere else. And make sure that the higher-ups of your government understand what is happening and what were doing.
##
Drika entered her room and gazed at Aexeb, who felt the chills down his spine.
– Dr., I hear you're making progress.
Reluctantly, he had to agree and nodded.
– The Ambulian reign will thank you for your cooperation, in time you will be famous amongst your scientist peers. I say it's time to try our new trick, isn't it?
She punched a key on the terminal and the face of an older military commander appeared.
– Admiral, get your feet ready including the Ambulia's Peak. We are headed for the Ord Mantell system.
##
– Livan is waiting for us. We'll be in Ambulia within the hour.
Obu was eager for action. Brett replied,
– I'll check back with Coruscant. Neeah, any news?
– Yes master, the beacon is still working and hasn't moved. But Relian intelligence is reporting that Ambulia has attacked Ord Mantell. A fleet of more than 40 warships. They surrendered immediately.
– 40? Where did she get all that firepower? They attacked Mosester with barely 12… At least we know that Drika is probably out there instead of Ambulia, which will make our mission a lot easier.
##
Drika was on screen as Aexeb watched.
– You'll be glad to hear that it worked to a T, Doctor. Ten ships looked like 40, the illusion was complete, and they panicked as expected. That's all we need. You just need to perfect the visuals a little bit… I'll stay here for a few days to set up the occupation force and then I expect a final product when I get back to Ambulia.
Dr. Aexeb was scared to death. Yet he had known that it would work. The taste in his mouth was awful. He turned to the scientist in charge of the team that helped him.
– What now…what more do you want?
– Perfecting the illusion Doctor, perhaps with a randomized delay between the original and the visual electromagnetic replicas. The ships all moved exactly at the same time in the same way. Ord Mantell didn't bother to react, but if somebody does, we need to keep the illusion as long as possible.
Aexeb didn't feel like contributing to that even more than he already had. He swallowed.
– You should ask a visual artist, not a scientist for that.
– I know you can do it Doctor, and for your own sake, I suggest you do. That's the way I've survived so far.
Before the scientist could turn around, he heard a blaster shot, and felt the pain in his chest before he saw where it came from. He was stunned. As he fell to the ground as the two guards behind them started to fire at someone hidden behind a pile of boxes on the small mezzanine above them. Suddenly a green blade came glowing out of nowhere and deflected the blaster shots. A young woman appeared and jumped, a supernatural jump, and landed behind the guards, disarming them in an instant with both her blade and a nasty kick in the face. Aexeb turned around and saw the rest of the staff in the room, mostly technicians, were backed up to the wall by a tall man with another blade, blue this time. He ordered them to a small adjacent room and locked the door.
Aexeb was scared to death. The last time he had seen one of these laser swords, his colleague had been murdered.
– Dr. Aexeb, I am Jedi Knight Brett Ho-Xin. I'm here to rescue you.
He wasn't sure, and it showed.
– Grand tactical Fracus sent me.
– I suppose I should thank you.
– Is there any way we can prevent them from using your work anymore?
– No, they've transferred most of it to a device that's on board the flagship. However, I have gone a little further… The information is on these computer stations.
At that moment Livan appeared from behind, as if on cue, and as Brett pointed to the computers, she blasted both with her hand blaster.
– Boy, does that feel good! Now we really should go!
They headed out in silence. As they approached the docking bay, Brett distracted the guards with the little noise, then opened the door that led to the Candlebox. However, there were at least a dozen guards surrounding the ship.
– It's a trap!
Aexeb had obviously never seen Jedi operate.
Brett reassured him through the Force.
Blaster shots came from everywhere, but the blades returned most of them with relative ease and tremendous grace. Livan was free to shoot the guards one by one. She advanced with Obu as Brett stayed in the back protecting Aexeb. It only took them a few seconds to clear the way. The four of them boarded the Candlebox, who fled away from the base immediately. The reached the rendezvous point where they had left their X2 wings. Inside the ship, Brett turned to Aexeb
– Will meet you back on Coruscant.
Livan started to yell
– we have eight ships just dropping out of hyperspace, just in front of us.
Dr. Aexeb was the first to speak.
– These aren't eight ships, look with your eyes there are only one or two, the electromagnetic illusion created by our Dzeta technology shows your scanners eight signatures, like duplicates.
– He's right, I can only feel two ships with real people on them, through the Force. Obu, get to your X2 wing. I will stay and use the targeting systems here.
The attacking Ambulian fleet got to them, trying to circle them and present a large net so that they couldn't escape. But six of those ships weren't real .
– Which one is fake, which one is real?
– The ones in the middle are real.
Brett targeted a cannon towards one of them and pounded it. On the radar, four ships showed damage at the same time.
– Incredible, the scanners pickup the damage on all four ships?
Obu's X2 wing was flying between the fake replicas and attacked the other real ship. Again, it seemed like the damage inflicted was to all four ships. Livan pulled the Candlebox straight towards one of the reflections.
– Are you sure Doctor. I can fly through this like a ghost?
– Electromagnetic replica. But yes.
She did, and an instant after she had escaped the little ambush. Brett was free to target the original ship with a torpedo that disabled it. Meanwhile the other real ship moved in on Obu, but not fast enough to prevent her from disappearing in hyperspace. Seconds later, the Candlebox followed her.
They were free.
– Are you taking me home?
– Yes Dr., we're headed for Coruscant.
##
Fracus welcomed the news when Neeah told him that Aexeb had been successfully rescued and would be on Coruscant soon.
– However, Ambulia has used its little trick to take another system, Seroftian prime. A reported invasion fleet of 28 ships. That kind of firepower cannot be taken lightly. We must stop their expansion.
– Well doctor Aexeb will be able to provide you with some valuable information about the size of their fleet… I think you'll be pleased.
##
As they left the Candlebox they headed towards the lab where Dorant and Neeah were waiting. When they entered, they were waived to remain silent as everybody in the room was looking at the grand Aurelius Tribus on a small screen.
« … Have killed one of our most distinguished scientists, kidnapped another one. They also have broken every border established in brash military fashion. Ambulia presents a direct threat to the Relian's sovereignty, economic prosperity and even our security. Therefore, my fellow Relian's, I hereby declare war on Ambulia, chief elect Webell and all their allies. »
Obu whispered in Brett's ear
– Drika's plan might've worked against her. These multiplied invasion forces have scared the Relian's.
Dr. Aexeb turned to Brett and Obu
– well, I guess were at war. I thought these days were over. Now because of my discovery, they're not. Sometimes I almost wish I was in Dr. Xebus' shoes. At least he did not live to see our lifetime discovery used as a weapon of war.
While he couldn't not feel sorry for Aexeb's situation, at least Brett knew he now had the Relians on their side, a powerful ally that could match Ambulia. But he also had two other occupied systems to worry about.
– We'll try to make it a short war, Doctor, I promise.
##