The locker room of Coruscant Security Force headquarters was made on utilitarian lines and could cater for most humanoid species; such was the norm on Coruscant. Still, the hot water was never hot enough, at least according to Tollan Antilles. He wondered for the hundredth time if Captain Vantel has something to do with it, perhaps citing some long-forgotten regulation of the benefits of lukewarm water on personnel.

Tollan hurriedly dried himself and changed to civilian clothes. Sometimes he lingered, but not tonight. Tira Sengel, Jali's long-standing girlfriend, had told him that Jali had just got out of prison. Tollan couldn't wait to see him. He had had an idea that Jali would get out soon, but not the exact date and he had been permitted no contact while Jali was inside.

Inside. That was still something that stung, even after seven years. At the time of Jali's arrest he couldn't believe it, there was something that just was not right about it. His suspicions had increased during Jali's trial yet he had nothing actual to go from. As far as he knew, Tollan was the only one who had stood by Jali during that hard time and his allegiance had not wavered in those seven years.

Yet now there was something, something that could prove his friend's innocence once he got his hands on it. It would take a few days, and a bit of hard currency, but Tollan knew it would be worth it.

"…make sure there's no trouble…he doesn't hinder us at all…" Captain Vantel's voice trickled out of his office through the partially open door. Tollan tried to ignore it, he knew from experience if people tried to overhear conversations they never got the whole story.

"I know Dawler, Sir, and he knows what's good for him," answered another voice.

This time Tollan forgot his scruples, he sauntered closer.

"Just make sure he does," said Vantel. "I know I can count on you, Kian to serve our needs, just make sure my trust isn't misplaced."

"It won't be, Sir," replied Kian. There was the sound of chairs scraping on the floor and Tollan continued to walk, replaying the conversation over in his mind.

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Sorel's was a bar near enough to the Security Force headquarters to be attractive to personnel and far enough not to scare away potential informants. Jali knew that he would see Tollan here tonight, they both used to stop here as a matter of course every evening unless one was staying late. That way you could have a late serve of information before heading home.

Jali had ordered a Salna Spritzer, yet the bright green drink had remained untouched.

He knew Tollan had come in before he saw him, even with the Bith band blaring in the background. Tollan approached the bar, ordered a drink—a lomin ale to be precise—and gave the room a surreptitious glance. Then he saw Jali.

"Jali?" His drink forgotten for the moment, Tollan walked towards him and the two shook hands in a rather loud and rousing greeting. Talking both at once, they sat down at the table together.

"It's just like you to spring on me like that," laughed Tollan.

"I know your life, it used to be mine," shrugged Jali. It was said lightly, yet there was a definite sense of dryness in his tone. Tollan noticed this, so they talked about other things for a while.

After another drink each, and with their tongues loosened, Tollan finally mentioned the conversation he had overheard.

"Do you think there's anything in it?" Tollan asked as he finished.

Jali shook his head. "Vantel's just not that kind, and you know that too."

"Yes, but there's something else," Tollan said. "Remember when we last spoke and I said that something was wrong, that you had been set up."

"I knew I had been set up," Jali argued. "It was just a question of who. Those credits didn't appear in my account by themselves. But as to who put them there…" He ended with a shrug. "Of course I had ideas who did it, still do, but they're nothing more than that. Ideas."

"But that's just it," Tollan said in a whispered tone. "I've been doing a little sniffing around on my own."

Jali grinned. "Vantel won't like that."

Tollan shrugged. "What Vantel don't know won't hurt him." He lowered his voice. "I think I have it… what you need to get clear."

Jali stared. "You mean…you know?"

Tollan nodded. "I don't have the proof, but I will," he said.

"Can't you just tell me right now?" Jali asked.

Tollan looked around cautiously. "I wouldn't like to say," he murmured, "especially if it turns out that I'm wrong. There could be a good explanation."

Jali snorted in annoyance. "There usually is." He downed the rest of his drink. "When can you get it?"

"Soon," Tollan reassured. "Why don't you come up to my place for dinner in about…three days? I should have it by then."

"Fine then, Tira should be back and we can both be there," Jali said.

"That's fine," Tollan agreed, though rather reluctantly. Jali ignored this; Tollan had never particularly liked Tira.

At this moment Tollan's comlink sounded. He picked it up, it was his wife Verda. "Looks like I'm being summoned," he laughed, he polished off the rest of his drink and threw a few credit chips on the table. "So, I'll see you in three days." They shook hands

"Sure," Jali said, then sat down and watched his friend go.

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The trip to Brentaal had been tiring and Tira's head still ached from fatigue when she was working in Senator Stoll's office the following day. It was all to do to keep on task that afternoon, even given the rather sharp looks by those more senior to her.

"Miss Sengel?"

Her arms full of files to deliver to the senator's senior aide, Tira was stopped by one of the many guards.

"Yes?" she replied, trying to make her voice sound as impatient as possible.

"There was a man outside asking what time you finished for the day," the guard said. "I told him that it was none of his business, but he has insisted on waiting in the lobby. We are about to officially remove him from the premises, I thought you should know."

Tira shuddered. Who could it be? "Did he give a name?"

"Says his name's Dawler," replied the guard, "though he refused to give any ID."

Tira smiled. "There's nothing to worry about, I know him," she told the guard. "Tell him I'll be out shortly."

It was about forty-five minutes later that Tira emerged from Senator Stoll's office. Standing beside one of the low couches with a wide smile on his face, was Jali.

He quickly grabbed her wrist. "Let's go," he said, tugging her towards a waiting airtaxi.

"Where are we going?" Tira asked, conscious that she was still wearing the rather revealing gown that Senator Stoll insisted that all his female staff wore.

"To Tollan's, he's invited us to dinner, and we're late," he told her, closing the door behind Tira and giving the driver directions.

"Is that a good idea?" Tira asked. "I'm not changed, I can't go there looking like this!" She gestured to the slashed sections in her crimson dress. "Can't we make a stop so I can get some decent clothes?"

"You look fine," Jali asked, not really looking at her or even listening. "And we're late, he expected us a half-hour ago."

--------------------------------- end of chapter 2

Verda Menyan Antilles carefully arranged a vase of Alderaanian lilies for the middle of the table. Beside her, her husband started to open a bottle of wine. She looked at him.

"Isn't it a bit soon for that?"

Tollan shrugged, pouring himself a glass. "They'll be here soon, anyway."

As if on cue, the doorchime sounded. "I'll get it!" Tollan's son Sarwan ran towards the door and opened it. "Uncle Jali!"

"Hey!" Jali tousled the boy's red hair as he and Tira came through the door. On the other side of the room was Sarwan's sister Kreia, she smiled shyly as Jali greeted her.

"They're here!" Tollan called, walking into the room with the bottle and glasses so he couldn't shake hands. He nodded to the children. "It's time you two were off to bed, say good night nicely."

When the three adults were alone Tollan started pouring out the wine. Jali was silent for a moment. While it might have been possible to deceive himself at his own place, that wasn't the case here. Tollan's kids had been five and six when he had gone inside, now they looked completely different from what he remembered. Sarwan with his father's red hair and long, thin, pale face; Kreia with the dark hair and eyes like her mother.

Verda came in at that point. "Dinner's just about ready," she said after greeting Jali and Tira. She eyed Tira's dress with interest. "Is that what the senator makes you wear?"

Tira nodded. "We all do, well all the females."

Jali looked at her in surprise. "What? You didn't tell me that!"

Verda and Tira only laughed. "You men," Verda said, looking between her husband and Jali with a smile. "You're all alike."

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The meal over and done with, Jali and Tollan were alone while the women were in the kitchen. Jali had a cigarette. The two shared the last bottle of wine between them, chatting of inconsequential matters until Jali broached the subject that was the point of the whole evening.

"Yes, I have it," Tollan answered when Jali asked. "I looked though it several times, it's pretty conclusive but…"

"But what?"

"I don't like to say," said Tollan. "I'll give it to you before you leave, you can then see for yourself what it's all about."

"And after this?" Jali prompted, blowing smoke.

"After this we hand it over," Tollan continued. "I wanted to do it sooner, but I knew you'd want to take a look at it first."

"To Vantel?" Jali asked.

Tollan shook his head. "No, I'm pretty sure that Vantel won't like it," he said. "He may even try to stop it if he finds out too soon."

"I see," Jali nodded, drawing his own deductions. Does this mean that Vantel was behind my arrest? Jali thought. It was entirely possible, yet he couldn't be sure until he saw the evidence himself. He stubbed out the cigarette.

Verda came in from the kitchen; she was holding Tollan's comlink. "It's Vantel," she said.

"Does he even have a home?" murmured Tollan as he took the 'link. "Antilles here… Yes?... What… now? But I'm…yes…yes, sir…I'll be right there." He closed down the comlink and looked depreciatingly at Verda and Jali. "Have to go now, no arguments," he said, getting to his feet.

"What's going on?" Tira asked, coming in to the room.

"Got my marching orders," Tollan explained.

Jali drained his glass and stood. "We'd better get going too." He turned to Verda. "It was a lovely dinner, thanks." He gave Tollan a nod.

Tollan recognised the nod. "I'll just be a moment."

But for some reason, Tira was just made aware of the late hour. "Jali, I think we need to be going," she said, she sounded rather worried.

"Just one moment," Jali reassured her.

"Jali, it's getting late," she reminded him.

"Yes, it is," Verda agreed, she ushered them towards the door.

Defeated, Jali gave in to the women's demands. "I'll come around tomorrow," he told Verda. "There's something I still need to talk about with Tollan."

"That'll be fine," Verda said with a nod. "I'll see you then. Good night Jali, good night Tira."

A few minutes later Tollan ran through the door and tried to find Jali, but they had gone.

---------------------------------

He had asked Tira to stay but she had declined, explaining she had another early morning. So Jali went back to his apartment alone. It was still dark, and still dusty. He hadn't gotten around to buying a new cleaning droid yet.

Still in his clothes, Jali collapsed on his bed and was woken up hours later by the comm unit blaring in his ear.

He fumbled several times on the bedside table until he finally found the right button. "Yeah?" It wasn't the way to answer a call, but he was still half-asleep.

"Jali, it's me, Verda," answered a voice. "Have you seen Tollan?"

"No," answered Jali, his eyes still closed. "Last time I saw him was at your place. Is there something wrong?"

"He didn't come home last night," Verda answered.

Jali was wide awake; that wasn't like Tollan. He sat up and tried to reassure her. "Did he call?"

"Yes," she answered, "he said he had to go somewhere else first but he would be home."

"Did he say where?" Jali asked.

"Something about a gas processing factory," Verda said. "See-oh… something or other"

"Stars and moons, a CO2 plant," Jali murmured. He thought quickly. Did someone else find about the information? Did Vantel? Was Tollan trapped there…or somewhere else?

"Jali?" asked Verda's worried voice. "Did I say something wrong?"

"No, no," he answered quickly, pulling on his boots. "There's nothing wrong, I just think it's something that I should check out. Don't worry, and try not to let anyone into your apartment."

He ran out the door.

"But Jali, why are you telling me this?" Verda asked. "Should I be worried? Jali? JALI?"