Wrong Place, Right Time
Ch.39
Shootout at the Dexter's Diner
Pov: Aaron
"Welcome to Dexter's diner how can I-? Skywalker?! It's so good to see you!"
As we entered the door, I was created by the sight of a diner that wouldn't be so dissimilar from home. It had the classic bar stool set up, booths, and tables spread out. But what grabbed my attention was the giant creature before us. It was hard to figure out what to call him. He was a large figure with four arms and a rounded neck that hid his chin, and scale plates on top of his head. His apparel was that of a cook, at least the apron with some food stains on it gave me that impression.
"You too Dex. How have things been?"
The man laughed hardily.
"Good until the end of that race! Everyone left when you won! I didn't even know you were going to race."
"To be honest, neither did I. But certain circumstances led to it."
He nudged the teen in the shoulder in a congratulatory way with one of his four free hands.
"I was about to close up for the night. But I think I can stay open for the winner of the race and his friend!"
Anakin laughed nervously, we were ahead of the crowd and it seemed like we would be the bearers of bad news. Even back home, nobody wants to be made to stay open longer than intended.
Hope this works.
"Really? Then would you mind a few more?"
Dexter was baffled, "Uh, how many is a few?"
"The entire after party for the racers."
A gasp escaped his wide mouth and he rushed to a nearby droid server.
"Tell everyone getting off that I'll pay double- No, Triple time if they stay a few more hours!"
The machine rushed away to do that, "Sure thing, Boss!"
Dex turned to face Anakin, "I've waited for a moment like this for so long. To be able to host the elusive after party! Thanks to you, my boy, this place will be the talk of the city sure enough!"
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Sometime later:
And with that, the place soon became packed. Different crews were striking up conversations with each other, eating, and drinking some light alcoholic drinks. I was unfamiliar with the brands, just as I was back home. When a server came by our table I just asked for some water. But under the table I popped open a can of one of my sodas from the bag I bought.
Four more left.
Now when I say "Our" table, I was referring to myself, Anakin, Artoo, Cal, and the Chancellor. The same set up we had back at the track, Plus one droid.
After everyone finished their orders and the server walked off, I revealed the can I had and took a sip.
Anakin was the first to ask, "What's that?"
"Oh, it's a drink from my world. It's carbonated water with syrup. Soda, specifically, coke… Want to try some?"
The trio looked at each other and shrugged slightly.
Taking it as a yes, I pulled out another can. Making my four cans to three in reserve. I grabbed a few unused cups that had ice from the table behind us and poured the sweet nectar in each of them.
Each one grabbed their own and took their sip. Their reactions were mixed.
The older members' eyes opened up as they tasted it. Only to stop themselves drinking it quickly. Anakin was the only one to thoroughly enjoy it.
"This stuffs amazing! Never tasted anything like it!"
As got his review I turned to the other testers. The chancellor was the first to respond.
"It's… Sweet. Maybe if I was younger I would have enjoyed it."
"I'm on the same page as him. It's good, just too strong for me."
To each their own.
"It's alright, but maybe you know someone who could recreate this? I have a limited amount."
Cal shook his head, "Sorry my boy, but Speeders are my specialty. Perhaps I can figure something out with Maddien, she helps with contacts with different sponsors for the race. The young woman even helps me with charity events. Last week I visited a hospital not far from here for some kids that had a rare progressive disability that affects their movement. And she was there with the kids with me, helping take the time to get to know them."
Sounds like Parkinson
I nodded at his explanation, "Yeah, we have similar situations back home. I'm sure the two of you made their day."
"Yes, and the two of you did as well! The kids weren't able to go to the race due to testing, but they saw your performance, Anakin."
He blushes under the praise while taking another sip of his drink like I was. Then oddly enough, he turned to me.
"And none of that wouldn't have happened had you not helped, Shepherd. And you helped uncover a murder under our noses. For that I thank you."
I cleared my throat of the taste of soda and thanked him the best I could.
"I mean, all I did was look. Anyone could have done that."
"Really? I think everyone else besides the Jedi would ignore it. No, you sought it out till it was done. That is a trait hard to come by in any man. Your parents must be proud."
That stung more than he intended, but I smiled and answered, "I know they are. Just excited to tell them when I get home. If you'll excuse me, a moment. I need to use the restroom."
I sat up without hesitation and nodded my head in their direction before I made a brisk pace to the bathroom. After all the excitement today, everything was setting back into place. My body was catching up as it relieved itself, but my mind was finally catching up to the reality I found myself in. Alone with my sister, wondering as I looked in the bathroom mirror what my parents thought happened to us.
We're we dead to them? Did they hold a service for us? Or are they still looking. Did I deserve to have fun today, when I knew my family was hurting inside?
That last one stuck in my mind at the sink as I stared intently at my reflection. My face was about the same. A stubble beard, a few freckles. Only now I had a frown upon my face.
"Aaron? You alright?"
The voice of Anakin pulled me away from my inner debate to face the teen.
"Yeah, what's up?"
"Listen, you don't need to pretend you're not ok. Not with us anyways."
"I know, it's just that it's finally hitting me… I want to rush home, but can't."
He walked up and placed a reassuring hand
"You'll make it, you and your sister. And I've talked with both Cal and Palpatine. They both have a better grasp of your situation. And Cal wants to apologize-."
He paused for a moment and grabbed his head.
"Anakin? Are you alright?"
"I think so. It's just a little headache."
Guilt followed up in my mind, "Is it that new ability that's got you down like this?"
"No. Maybe. I rushed into it, you know… Obi-wan always put safety first whenever I learned a new ability. This is the first time I ran before I walked."
Another thought ran through my mind, "And maybe I shouldn't have given you that soda out there. It has caffeine in it, but you didn't drink too much of it to really affect you."
I hope.
"Whatever is happening, I feel tired."
He started to lean on a sink to relax. I stopped him with my hand. "Maybe eating some food will help. Let's go get it."
"Yeah."
We made our way back into the diner and close by was the chancellor, "Anakin, I was wondering if you would accompany me in meeting with some of the other racers while we wait for the food."
Skywalker smiled, "Of course. I have some questions about their speeder specs."
The robed official chuckled, "I wouldn't be surprised if they don't know themselves."
As they left, I noticed the chancellor spare a glance towards me. He nodded over to the other side of the restaurant. Looking that way, I saw Cal Bodan sitting at a booth drinking water.
No since beating around the bush…
Before I made my way, I stopped when I nearly bumped into Mr. Nored, still wearing his scarf from the race.
"Pardon me."
"No, it was my bad Mr. Red Baron."
The man was soon agape at whatever I said.
What's wrong? Was that not proper etiquette? All I said was sorry and called Mr. Nored Red-…. Oh.
"I'm sorry Mr. Nored, that's-."
"How did you know I was a Baron?!"
…Huh?
As Nored shouted this, it drew some attention our way for a moment. Soon his posture was off and hunched forward. Good was the charismatic man who was here a moment before. I led the now troubled man away from the crowd and answered his question.
"I didn't."
He mumbled something but stopped when he got my answer.
"But you just said-!"
"I was about to say that you looked like a logo from my world that had a pilot on it with a red scarf. Mentally I was calling you that whenever you were brought up in conversation."
"A logo! ...Oh. Oh no."
"Do you want to talk about it?"
He regained some composure, but still held his head low for only me to hear.
"Ok, but only if you agree to keep quiet about it."
"Fair enough."
He explained then that he was, in fact, a Baron. He inherited the title and estate from his father on a well off world in the mid-rim. Growing up he had lived rather lavishly. Servants, a mansion, and a seat to rule his world… Only he didn't want that. He was rather lonely, and loved the lives the citizens had. Though he loved his father, he was his only family. When it came to social interactions, he was limited by the talks with the servants and his tutor.
He was starving for something more. At the passing of his father, he had decided to go out into the galaxy. Less than a week in, he found he had a knack for driving from the opinion of others.
He found his calling, but it wouldn't be right for a noble to live such a lifestyle. So he needed a company of his own to race under. He sought the best and it paid off in dividends. That's how he found Rac. Rac would take control only to legally allow him to race, and nobody would know who he was. Not putting a stain on his family name.
"And I'd like to keep my identity a secret now more than ever. To think I made a mistake by letting Rac do as he pleases. Some noble I turned out to be."
"Hey, you're not the first person in power to make mistakes like that. Power changes people. Maybe you should talk about it with Sebulba. Anakin said that he used to be different, living off the vanity of winning races."
He chuckled as he sat up from the stool, "Maybe I should. Thank you…?"
"Aaron Shepard."
"Then thank you Aaron. That talk took a lot off my mind."
"Sure thing Mr. Nored."
"Please, Nored is fine."
"Fair enough."
As I looked over to where Cal Bodan was to see him in the same booth. Only now, he was eating the bowl of noodles he had ordered. I sat up to walk over,
"Before I go, Nored. What are you going to call your company now that you merged?"
"I don't know… But I'll work on that with the co-owner. Thank you for that reminder. See you around."
With that, he went into the crowd, and I went to the booth. Cal looked up from his partially eaten bowl and a smile grew on his face. He gestured for me to sit.
"Aaron, thank you again for what you did."
I sat down across from him, "Now Cal, I didn't do too much."
"Are you sure? You seemed to take on a lot for being so far from home."
I let loose a sigh I held the moment I walked up. I said nothing as he continued.
"Here it was a day you tried to take your mind off your situation and I rubbed some salt in a wound still open."
I waved it off, "You didn't know."
"Well sometimes I don't know when to keep my mouth shut. Maddien does that for me."
"You're pretty serious about her then?"
"Oh yes, she's been with me at the start of my current business. She holds a timeless wisdom I have never found in one so young. Maddien is efficient, knowledgeable, and lets nothing slide past her. Safe to say it's love for me."
Cal was starry eyed the more he spoke of her. He was right. In fact he was in love. I couldn't help but voice my own concern. A selfish concern.
"How am I supposed to get a girl out here? I mean who am I kidding, even back home I had no game. The one girl I asked in school was only my girlfriend and left me the next day… Is that all I'm worth?"
Cal gasped and shot out of his seat, "Never say that!"
Thankfully, nobody paid mind to this outburst, he sat down slowly. Regretting his anger.
"Sorry. That was rash of me. What I mean is, you shouldn't talk down on yourself like that. It does more damage than you think. Believe me, I know. You're young, I'm sure you'll find someone like Maddien."
I nodded along until that last bit. Now it was my turn to panic!
"Now hold on, I said nothing about Maddien!"
He laughed, "Oh come now, you're not the first person to develop interest in her. I wasn't born yesterday. Even the Chancellor saw it."
…What?
"Oops perhaps I said too much and should have left that between older men like ourselves."
I slouched to the table completely embarrassed.
"Oh don't feel bad. But you see, this is why I need Maddien's help. I-…"
He paused so suddenly that it made me look up from the table. Cal was looking across the room with a look of terror.
"No…"
I turned to see what had him scared. Almost all of the booths were occupied. But the fourth one down caught my attention. In it were three men. The first one was a man with a helmet on his head, and a data pad in his hands. He was talking across the table to a familiar looking creature. Too familiar.
It was the same one that kicked down Artoo. I just mentally rolled my eyes, wondering how he got in. And next to him was a sight I would soon not forget.
Next to him by the window seat was a man in a trench coat of sorts, in a seat furthest from the light . He had a black stick in his hand that had smoke rising from it. This galaxy's version of tobacco. The man raised the stick to his face to reveal himself. Similar to that of an old man.
He was a Weequay.
As he looked our way, he smiled. He devilishly smiled at the older man and Cal suddenly screamed in rage.
"NO!"
The smile remained on the man's face as he held out a blaster and shot at Cal Bodan in the chest. I could do nothing as the bolt shot across the room. It didn't even register in my mind that someone would do this.
I shot up after the first bolt fired. I crossed my arms in front of me to shield my face and moved in front of the shooter to stop any more fire. Each hit was like a punch, but nothing I hadn't felt before. Things only escalated as more shouting and shooting broke out. I couldn't follow what was happening, people were going down left and right. I rushed to Cal and brought him to cover behind an overturned table. As we made it to cover, I drew my colt from its holster ready for anything.
Screams of agony and laugher drew out any sounds of shouting for help. I was alone it seemed, as Anakin was nowhere to be seen. A grip on my arm grabbed my attention. I saw Cal with a thousand yard stare, blood leaking from his mouth. Even so, he spoke.
"That's not my son…"
I ignored this and tore off my shirt and shorts that were riddled with holes and used them to stop the man's bleeding. Making a mental note to hug Jango the next time we meet for the armor that saved my life this day.
"Ok he's not your son!"
I wasn't yelling out of anger, just that it was almost impossible to hear otherwise over the action.
He turned to me with a look of both mental and physical agony.
"No! He's not my son!"
"Look, I don't think an explanation is smart right now! Just tell me later when we're out of this!"
He coughed, "I don't think I can last!… I can't feel my legs… It's spreading."
If my heart wasn't out of beat before, I was now. In front of me was a man dying, and giving his final words.
"O-ok. Tell me. What do you mean he's not your son?"
He cried with tears streaming down, "It happened after he won… I couldn't find him after he won. He turned up dead three days after the race."
I figured it was something that happened to his son.
"Okay but what else You're making it seem like you're still holding something back."
"There was nothing left, whoever they were… They took everything except his brain…"
Huh?
"Are you saying that figuratively or?"
The dying Man gripped tighter on my arm, "They left his brain in a dumpster!"
There were no words to be said that could explain the evil that was just explained. Something I never expected to be faced with by someone that I know. Questions did run through my mind but I knew deep down I didn't want to know, but I knew I had to.
"W-why?!"
"I don't know. To this day I still don't know! Despite my searching, that is the one thing I could not figure out."
He looked up to me from his stare and asked me a hard question.
"What would you do for someone you love?"
"Almost anything except evil."
"What is evil to you?!"
Personally, this seemed like a useless question at a time like this, but he was dying. He knows what he's doing.
"Murder, stealing, selling your soul-."
"That's the one…"
…
Is all this because of him?!
"What did you do?…"
"I was going to say no, but it was the perfect opportunity to break it all open."
"You're dying! Might as well come clean before you run out of time!"
He paused and took a hard breath, "I became an informant to something!… Something horrible! Something that calls himself a 'Doctor!' But from what I've seen and heard, 'He' is no doctor! My charity events were all a guise. They were a front to gather information from clinics and gather medical information on patients, living or deceased, and equipment. And with other funds, we started up other clinics with the same purpose… Only nothing could stop it."
…
…
…
Cal Bodan was a man who was carrying a heavy burden… More than most.
But…
"Why?!"
He cried, "I had to do something! If I wanted to start again, I wanted to do it right for Maddien! Even if she was left in the dark! At least there would be one less blot in this galaxy!"
He started coughing more blood than before. It leaked along his neck. I would have wiped it had I not been applying pressure to his wound, and checking in case someone got close.
Deep down I knew my efforts were no good. I was sort of listening at this point. This was the first time I experienced something so horrific, his blood was very cold…
"Listen! This is important! Whatever I chose, I didn't expect this… That one of his hit squads… That man is not my son!… Now I know who killed him…"
His body was trembling at this point, perhaps it was setting in. And he started slouching back more in his spot. I had no choice but to let go of putting pressure to keep him up. In my arms, he looked up.
"Before I go, I need you to promise me three things… Even though I don't deserve it… Find Palpatine… He has my evidence… I handed it off after I left…"
His hands weren't moving anymore. I could feel it spreading up his arm
"I need you to kill that thing… Find out more if you can, but promise me you will make sure he's dead!"
His whole body was cold now.
"Please, take care of her…"
"I will."
"Good… Will I see him? Will he hate me?"
He couldn't see anymore, and seemed almost distant. This was it. All I could do was speak the truth.
"I am not the Judge on that, but I think you're going to see him."
Despite everything, he made one last move and smiled before he passed away in my arms…
The man who passed away in my arms…
A man passed away in my arms…
My mind was screaming many things at myself to do something. None of which suited the situation. Regrettably I had to let the man go. Any tears that I had were held back, and any "what if's" were blocked from my mind. The only thing I could think of in this present time was what must I do.
I reached from my bag behind me and shuffled around. As I was searching in it the sounds of the room came rushing back in. I heard screams of agony, people shouting for help. Among that, coughing and a hissing noise.
While trying to wonder what that was I noticed a thing creeping around the table. Something as a wisp along the floor. It was a smoke of some kind, gas?…
Gas!
In the nick of time, I got loose what I wanted from my bag. Quickly putting it on my head. Praying that whatever filter I had on my helmet stopped whatever it was. The gas soon encompassed me, I held my breath just in case. Taking the gamble after a few moments I breathed out to breathe in a clean fresh breath of air.
With that worry out of the way a new one arose. I felt vibrations across the floor and a specific tapping noise as one whose boot walking across the floor. It was getting closer and closer. Not taking any chances, I slowly drew out my colt waiting for the right moment. He was coming behind me on my left.
Wasting no time as the perpetrator rounded the corner of my table, I let off a round dead center. He was armed with a sword and blaster that quickly fell to the ground. Breaking cover after taking care of the surprise. I aimed down to look throughout the room. It looked like most of the perpetrators were walking out the door with people in hand, specifically the Chancellor and AnakinBoth of which were unconscious. Close by were the trio of criminals at the table who killed Cal.
I saw the one who pulled the trigger grin at me as he walked out the door. The remainder of people in the room started barking out orders.
"A Mandalorian?!"
"Blast him!"
"The tables! Use them!"
Taking the initiative, I ducked beside my table cover. Still aimed down, I fired at the table in front of me. Intentions being to just keep them back so I could think of a plan. It didn't seem to be the case, it was more than what was needed.
The sound of bodies echoed in the room for a moment. My gun had pierced through the table. New orders came from the criminals, only this time there was more of panic than before.
"What! I thought the tables were blasterproof?!"
"I didn't sacrifice my life for this! Let's get out of here!"
"Yeah! Let's catch up with the boss!"
"Wait for me!"
Perhaps it was cruel. Perhaps what I did next seemed unnecessary. But the situation I felt called for it. I opened fire on the retreating criminals and took a couple of them out. I quickly ran out of ammo in my magazine, but they didn't know that.
As the last one rushed out the door, I looked down at the man whom I was just having a conversation with. He was now slumped over, blood soaked the clothes that I used in my attempt to save him. His demands ran through my mind over and over again, I looked to the door once more and knew what I had to do. I put my bag on my back. Taking out my last mag of ammo, I loaded it into my gun. Holstering it, I rushed to pick up the blaster and sword nearby.
I was going to chase them! I was going to hunt them down! They weren't going to get away! Lord willing, I would find out the identity of this so-called doctor!
Nothing else to be done, I pursued.
A chirp came up behind me, as I was still running to the door I looked to see a little blue astromech Droid tailing behind me.
"Come on Artoo! Let's keep on their trail!"
A sharp series of whistles was his replay as we rushed out the door. Hopefully the two of us could pull it off.
End Chapter
AN: Chapter updates will be less frequent due to the uptake of homework assigned.
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
Bonus Chapter: Before my Eyes
8 ½ years ago on Coruscant:
Pov: Cal Bodan
"What do you mean he isn't here?"
I was at the garage looking for him. It had been five hours after he had won, and I was getting worried. The two of us had agreed to meet up at the stands, only he never showed up. And now it seemed like even the workers in the garage knew nothing about his whereabouts.
"I mean he isn't here, after the race he handed in his money here and went with some woman. Pretty thing too for a zabak."
I sighed at this reveal, but upset that he was hanging out with some woman that he hadn't bothered to introduce.
"But he did leave a note that his father would take the money. Do you have proof of ID?"
I showed him my driver's license and he handed me the case with the credits.
"If he happens to stop by here, we'll notify your state of residence listed."
Only it never happened. In fact, he never even showed up for two days. It was then I contacted the police. They tried to trace him down where he was last seen. They were successful. Except when the answer came the morning after, I wished I had never opened the door. At it were two officers, each with their helmets off. Something was wrong.
"Is this the Bodan residence?"
"Yes, I'm Mr. Bodan. Did you find my son?"
Neither said anything, both seemed a loss for words. A pit grew in my stomach.
"Did you find him?"
"Yes… We regret to inform you that he was found dead…"
I almost collapsed to the floor, only to be held by the door frame.
"Help him up, Gris!"
Both of the men moved in to support me.
"Lead him to a chair, and take it easy!"
They sat me down, I didn't resist. Nothing seemed real to me. Nothing. Not the room, the people, or even the place I was being. It was all gone before me.
Time was none existent for me. Yet, morning became night. Only then did the leader of the officers speak up.
"Sir, I know it's a lot to take in. Do you have any family? Anyone you can talk to?"
"No."
The man sat up to leave with his partner.
"Then I'll contact Republic services to set you up with some therapy."
He's leaving?!
"And if you need-."
I shot up in protest.
"Wait! My boy! Let me see him!"
"Now look, we'll make arrangements at a later date! Now if you calm down!"
"That boy was my blood! I have the right to see him!"
The two officers shared a look of despair,
"... Please sit down…"
I listened, more closely than before. Something was wrong, they were even more afraid than when they told me of his death. What happened?
"We looked for a woman of the description the men at the garage left. Footage showed that he went with her around a corner and entered a speeder willingly.
"A couple hours later, a different speeder went down that alley and dropped off… What was left of your son."
"W-what was left? What do you mean?!"
The two officers shared a look before the leader continued.
"H-his brain… I'm sorry. But the only thing we have down at the station is your son's brain…"
…His brain…
I felt my eyes leak water, so much that it blurred my vision. The world seemed to cave in on me.
"Sir?... Sir?! Can you hear me?"
The man shook my shoulder. But I still couldn't see the world around me, just darkness.
"Who did this?"
"...We don't know."
DON'T KNOW?!
"Why?! Why don't you know?!"
"There are over a trillion people on this world! So much goes unchecked, so much unseen! You're asking for a miracle at this point!"
I flinched back at his shouting, but the point became clear that it was hopeless. After a sigh, the man continued with less frustration.
"The vehicle was unmarked in the one he left in, same goes for the one that dropped off the remains. For all we know, they're off-world by now.
"They?!"
"This level of abduction couldn't have been managed by an individual. And considering-… I've said too much. Just leave it to us, we'll find something."
He made his way out of the room, his partner followed slowly behind. As the first man left, the second one, Gris, spoke to me for the first time.
"I know I shouldn't tell you this, but this isn't the first case like yours these last couple of years… People still have been taking advantage of the commotion and attention brought about by Chancellor Valorum's removal… Just know that you're not alone…"
He left, despite the irony that I was in fact alone. I felt that darkness for what seemed an eternity. I felt it as I went back to my shop two months later, lost and afraid on a world I thought I had loved. Nothing mattered to me as the months went on.
Soon a year had passed since the incident.
It was then that an unlikely customer changed all of that.
"Excuse me? Are you still open?"
I looked up from my pile of bills to see a woman of whom was quite beautiful, but too young for my taste. She was at least 21, whereas I was 43. I recognized right away by the green hue of her skin, and a couple of tattoo marks that she was a mirialan.
"Yes, how may I help you?"
"Do you think you can look at my speeder? It takes a while before it starts."
"Sure mam. I'll pull it into the garage."
While I worked on it, the woman glanced around the store and noticed my décor. All of it was on the most notable races of the last forty years. About the entirety I had been alive.
"Wow, you even got an autograph of San Marci?"
"Surprise you know about him."
"Who wouldn't know the Speeder Defeater! He won the tenth district five separate times. And his last time was when he was crippled in both legs!"
Not many even know the district these days.
"He may have been a Rodan. But he also had twilek DNA that improved his reflexes!"
Her cheery demeanor was taking hold of me, though I didn't know it at the time.
"I didn't know that."
"Oh I've read up on racing history. It's just so fascinating to watch as well. My… My Boyfriend used to race…"
It was the first time her face frowned. Suffice to say I didn't like that…
"My son was a racer."
"Really?! What circuit?"
"The downtown track of the First District. Won last year too."
"You mean…"
She moved in closer than expected and gave me a hug.
"I'm sorry for your loss…"
"It's alright."
"No, it's not alright. Here I come in and-… Let me make it up to you by making you dinner!"
If the hug was out of nowhere, then the offer for meal was the furthest thought that came to mind.
Now if I didn't know any better. I would think that she had a thing for… Well…
"It's been a long time since I was offered something like that. But I can only agree if I at least know your name."
"It's Maddien. Maddien Opshiar."
"Cal Bodan. And yes… I would like that.."
This was a turning point in my life. Within the following months I had regained confidence in myself and with what I wanted to do moving forward. Now the real problem I found myself facing was "what I was going to do?" Then Maddien gave me a brilliant idea that just clicked.
That I should try to start up a track of my own. Luckily I had learned that an owner of a district nearby was offering to sell at a reasonable price. The only problem was that I would have to take a huge gamble and sell my business to make that purchase. It was now or never and I chose the now and it paid off in dividends.
Apparently what the track lacked was a good announcer. Luckily I was fit for the job and had enough charisma to pull in enough of the audience to return week after week. Soon after that, I had made my money back and more.
Also in that time, I had learned that Maddien was more than just a pretty face and a race history buff. She was also skilled in financing and business. She had agreed to work under my wing and help skyrocket this little racing industry that was growing before our eyes.
After 3 years since the death of my son, I had gained three three different tracks in neighboring districts combining it into what I would make to be the biggest racing event of the year on Coruscant.
But what I didn't know until then was that I had on me we're eyes of one of the darkest corners of the Galaxy.
And one day it made its presence known to me.
A call came in. But it was not a man on the other end. It was a machine. A droid only acting in part as a spokesman for this darkness.
"The Doctor would like to make an arrangement with you."
I have had some shady people come in to make requests and ideas for business partners. This was the most evil by far.
This "Doctor" asked for things that went against everything I built and stood for. He asked for bodies. Bodies of the deceased, but I knew his business didn't end just there from the way it was worded. I would just be another pawn in this scheme of his. Desecrating the remains of loved ones and or killing loved ones for pieces of them. What he promised me in turn would have seemed like everything. They would allow me to push my racing business to a whole new level to a galactic level. This deal was asking for my soul.
Normally I would outright refuse such a thing and turn it over to the authorities. But I was set off by this whole ordeal that yet it seems so familiar. They want bodies and parts from medical facilities and yet it seemed so familiar yet this is the first I was hearing of it. Why?
Then it struck me as memories came rushing in. Memories that I had pushed down. I put the pieces together. This was just like my son. Like the people who took them. This was far from my imagination of who could have done it. But now it was all clear who it was. This doctor whether he was him or not. He was just like the ones who took my son.
It was then I decided to concoct the idea of exposing them. Taking this Doctor down.
So I took the plunge. I agreed.
True to his word, billions of people tuned in to the event once we got the hollow net to record the races. It quickly became a cultural phenomenon that swept across the stars.
Everything was going fast, and not just at the track.
Maddien wanted to take things to another level. But I was still held back by my recent actions. Doing what I was doing behind her back. I had agreed to become what I most hated to destroy it. Even so, I was compliant.
To my surprise, Maddien smiled. She said, "We have all the time in the Galaxy. I'll be ready when you're ready."
I didn't believe her, but she was willing to wait. I wanted to make a galaxy with less darkness in it. At least the one that took my boy. Still, I would be using the girl.
What ended up happening was at charity events and visits to medical centers I would copy medical data and in turn give it to the doctor. But it didn't stop there. I was also given the suggestion but more so of a demand that I provide funds for other medical facilities to start up. And these facilities would also pick from their clientele for anything that they need.
That bit of information I only picked up once I started collecting evidence against this monster. All I could really do is hope that it was worth it. All I could do now was hand this off to someone at the top.
I hope the chancellor can stop this once and for all. I just hope it'll be enough.
And as from Maddien, I hope that Aaron will watch out for you…
End Bonus Chapter