And the Saga continues. Writing this is relatively hard because Annabeth is a workaholic so I can't really get sidetracked by characters doing random shit in the story. Don't worry, things will settle down soon. Going to put this story through a maintenance cycle now so suffer with me. I have been very fixated on the story itself, and everything else needs a polish.
Annabeth Chase
Annabeth slowly opened her eyes, squinting against the bright light filtering into the room. She groaned softly, attempting to force herself to rise from the hard bed, but a wave of pain surged through her head, making her wince. Even her vision was bleary.
"Morning," Silena's voice greeted her. Once her vision had cleared somewhat she found Silena approching her bed, holding two cups of steaming coffee in her hands.
Despite her very best efforts, all she could muster was a grim "Humpf," and accepted the cup with a pained smile.
"You look horrible," Silena commented, looking a lot more cheerful than her lack of sleep should allow.
"Thanks, Silena," she managed to say, her voice still strained.
"What's wrong with you?" Silena asked.
"Migraine," was all Annabeth replied. She took a deep sip from the boiling hot liquid and forced herself to rise to her feet.
"You just turned green, maybe I should bring you home. You've had a rough week..." Silena offered but fell silent when Annabeth glared at her. "Percy Jackson isn't going to arrest himself. I'll take a pain pill or something..."
"Fine, suit yourself," Silena conceded, not bothering to hide what she thought of Annabeth's stubbornness.
Annabeth forced herself through a lukewarm shower, put on the fresh set of clothes she had stashed on her locker, and made her way over to her desk. So far, the office was almost empty.
Scowling, she got to work. She had decided that for the time being, she would put off delving into Senator Dare for a short while until she had run down the Sally Jackson lead. That or Malcolm and Luke could take it over, maybe they would get more results there than with their missing prisoners.
Tracking down Sally Jackson was the easy part. She had done that last night. These days the woman ran under the name Sally Blofis. Within an hour she had secured herself her current address. Within two she knew the woman's occupation. She was an aspiring novelist, who she was married to, what he did for work, and where her teenage daughter went to school. Incidentally at the same place, the father went to work. She knew that Sally Blofis's speeder license had been suspended for two months half a year ago for a piloting whoopsie. She knew from records provided by the Ministry of Finance that the woman had spent the early years of her adult life working small jobs here and there.
Today Sally Blofis paid her bills on time and even volunteered at a local charity. As Annabeth could tell Sally Blofis was squeaky clean. That of course instantly made Annabeth suspicious.
"So, what is the plan here?" Silena asked.
"Probably put her under observation for a few days. Going to start off myself. Do we know where she is right now?"
Sally grinned at her. "As a fact, I do," she announced, looking very pleased with herself. "Sally Jackson has recently released a novel and has a book reading. After that, there is a meet and greet with her readers. A coming of age story about a young Jedi,..." Silena grinned at her.
"Well, that is an odd coincidence," Annabeth muttered, rubbing her temples with a grimace, and then glanced over at Silena. "Hey, isn't that up your alley?" Annabeth asked pointedly.
"Yeah, I actually have the book in my locker right now. Had I known she changed her last name to Blofis, I would have made the connection," Silena admitted.
"Go grab your book," Annabeth finally decided grimly and began to pull on her coat.
"What? You want to read it?" Silena inquired. "No," Annabeth replied. "We are going to get your book signed."
Going to a book signing on the other side of the city was easier said than done if the city spanned the entire planet. It was a three-hour round trip, and she had to requisition the shuttle again.
Annabeth and Silena boarded the shuttle, the hum of the engines filling the cabin as they strapped themselves in. The flight was relatively quiet, and Annabeth used the two hours to sleep some more.
By the time they landed, the migraine had all but faded. They landed at the local Republic Security precinct.
Finally, though they were hurrying through the surface-level streets, past small shops, restaurants, and street vendors. There was no traffic, and the pedestrian street was decorated with fountains and trees. It seemed like Annabeth had actually found something that could be described as a quiet part of the city. She actually got that small-town vibe that she knew from many places on her homeworld. The only large crowd was one gathering outside a large bookstore.
"Looks like we found it," Silena said, looking far too excited for Annabeth's taste. They were here for work, not to indulge in Silena's obsession with teen romance novels.
"Come on, let us check out this Sally Jackson," Annabeth decided and they headed inside.
The bookstore stretched across two floors and was of an old rustic interior design. with old-school wooden furniture, a fancy crystal chandelier hung from the window, and endless rows of good old-fashioned books. "Don't embarrass us, please!" Annabeth added, not even wanting to imagine having to explain in a report that another op had gone belly-up because her partner had gone overboard fangirling.
"Pull yourself together, woman. You are wearing a badge and gun!" Annabeth hissed at her.
"But the Jedi's eyes are so dreamy, Annabeth," Silena gushed. "He really loves her!"
Of course, Annabeth knew that Silena was fucking on her. It didn't help with her optimism though. Not much had been going her way in the past few days, and every time it seemed like she was getting somewhere in her case, the goalpost kept being pushed back further and further. The sad part was that she knew this case might drag on for years. It now already felt like an age had passed.
Now that she thought about it, it did strike her as somewhat odd that the investigation had been downsized rather quickly, with the Senate Guard downsizing its commitment mainly to her case so soon. That and the growing list of inconsistencies in her Government's response to what had admittedly been a disaster.
"Nothing you can do," Annabeth told herself. "Just work the case."
They entered the bookstore in silence, Annabeth painfully aware that they were easily the oldest customers around.
For the sake of the role she was playing, she picked up a copy though and quickly scanned over the summary. It was much what she expected, the kind of novel written for naive little girls that considered the contents of a Jedi robe quite irresistible. Then, they probably had never had to humor the Order's more annoying quirks. Which begged the question of why Silena read them. And what kind of title was "Torn" supposed to be?
Finally, they spotted the person they had come for. Blofis was an attractive though an aging woman, with bright blue eyes, and brunette hair.
They sat down on cushions, already guessing that the assortment of seating arrangements around a chair was where the public reading would be. Fortunately, they were right, and over the next few minutes, the crowd of mostly teenage girls sat down around them, and Sally Blowfis.
"Good afternoon," Sally greeted the crowd and earned some playful cheers.
"So, my new book has been out for two months now, and I could not have imagined it taking off the way it has," Sally admitted and earned himself some adoring laughter.
"So, shall we?" she asked and opened the first page and was cheered up more. Smiling, Sally took a deep breath.
"It was on the first day of term that her life irrevocably changed," she began to read the first line. "and had she known, she would certainly have never sat down next to the boy with the dark eyes."
It wasn't as bad as she had feared. Sally Blofis seemed to be quite the master at putting words on paper, and it didn't need a top-of-the-line investigator like herself to guess that the dark eyes boy was the Jedi. Still, it was a lot more bearable than she had feared. Finally, the first chapter was concluded and she shut the door to a round of general applause.
"So?" Any questions?" she asked.
For a few minutes Sally answered questions that Annabeth clearly lacked the context to understand until to her surprise Silena raised her hand. "Excuse me, Ma'am," Silena said pleasantly. "You seem to include a lot of lore about the Jedi Order. Do you anyone from that crowd..."
Annabeth bit back a smile. It wasn't a bad try. Annabeth studied Sally closely as she answered.
"Oh, no!" Sally said hastily. "I just researched what information is available within the public forum which is quite a lot. Sadly the Jedi Order never answered my requests for additional information, but fortunately, they don't make their philosophy a secret. Past that, I fear I have taken quite a bit of creative license in some parts. I hope that answers the question."
"It does," Silena said and glanced over at Annabeth. As far as Annabeth could tell, she had been honest. That made it less likely that Sally Blofis could actually provide a fruitful avenue of inquiry. While she ran down this one, her mind began exploring other, more direct options, and most importantly a lot less popular options. At least, options that would make her a lot less popular with her higher-ups. She wasn't quite there yet though.
They stayed until the end of the event and only left after Silena had gotten her book signed. Once back at the Senate, they hit the gym. It had been days since Annabeth had gotten any real exercise. One and a half hours of working weights, one on the treadmill, another twenty minutes on the shooting range, and finally some hand-to-hand with one of the Senate Commandoes.
"So," Silena finally reasoned, as Annabeh pummeled the targeting pads the Commando was holding for her. He was tall for a human, with brown hair, serious blue eyes, and an amazing physique. If Annabeth hadn't known Julien quite well by now, she would have never guessed what a goofball he was.
"Huh," Annabeth asked and ducked under a swipe before answering with a left hook.
"What's the plan now?" she asked.
"We will talk about it when Luke and Malcolm come back, but I want to put Sally Blofis and her family under observation," she said and was rewarded with a tap to the side of the head with one of the pads.
"Huh," Silena said and Annabeth let her fists fly, ignoring the burning complaint of her muscles as she did. Two straights, a left hook, and a right high kick, only to have the other leg kicked out from her.
"Ouch," Annabeth complained.
"Ladies, can you talk later," Julien announced. "I am happy to help you guys sharp, even when I have other shit to do. But when I do take the time, please pay attention."
"Sorry," Silena said and gave him her best, tongue-tying smile.
"We'll talk more later," Annabeth panted as she clambered back to her feet. "But yeah, everything from her bank accounts, holo terminal, and set up a surveillance net around them. If Sally Blofis has contact with her son, I want to know."
"Ladies, attention please," the Commando growled and raised his pads again.
"Sorry," Silena said, shooting the soldier another brilliant smile to placate him.
Just then something started beeping and Annabeth, who had about to force her tired muscles into another round of blows, paused. "What is that?" she asked and wiped the sweat from her brow.
"Uh," Silena said and reached into Annabeth's towel and pulled out a holo disk.
"Someone wants to talk to you," Silena announced the obvious.
"Sorry," Annabeth said to their coach and hurried to grab the disk.
After composing herself for a moment she took the call and the projection of a man in the armor of a member of the Senate Guard appeared over her hand.
"Corporal," she greeted him.
"Agent," he said back. "We just apprehended one of the media types trying to enter the Senate proper," he announced and Annabeth sighed. Just because they had a case, obviously didn't mean the day-to-day bullshit stopped coming her way.
"Does she have an appointment?" Annabeth asked.
"No, Ma'am," the Senat Guard trooper replied.
"Does she know the Senate is not in session today?" Annabeth continued.
"Yes, she does," he said. "Ma'am," he said before Annabeth could vent her annoyance any further. "She asked for you specifically."
Annabeth paused for a long moment. "Freckled ginger?" Annabeth asked.
"Yes Ma'am, kinda cute too," the Coperal replied.
Annabeth sighed. "On my way. Give me a few minutes."
"Sorry guys," Annabeth said. "Gotta go."
"Oh," Silena said, grinning over at their trainer. "I think we will be fine."
Annabeth took a shower in record speed and got dressed again. As high in the building as Senate Guard's HQ was, it did not take too long to make the quarter way around the dome. From there, she took the lift down to the main promenade level and over to the security checkpoint. Even after working there for a few years now, Annabeth still loved the building's interior design with its large wall-sized windows lining one side, the pail indirect lighting scheme, and the republic insignia imprinted on the carpet in front of every single opening in the wall that led out into one the countless repulsor pods.
"Hey Chase," the poor bloke manning the front desk greeted her.
"You have some ginger for me?" she asked.
"Yup, Sarge has her in a room," he confirmed and buzzed Annabeth through the security checkpoint.
She found Rachel Elisabeth Dare waiting in one of the conference rooms, leaning against the table, and looking rather distressed.
"Excuse me, Agent, I hope I didn't come at a bad time," Rachel began.
"You didn't," Annabeth lied, putting on the patient smile of a public servant. "What can I do for you?"
Rachel took a deep breath. "It's my dad," Rachel began.
"The investigation is still ongoing," Annabeth said firmly, but gently. "Be assured that at the moment we are prosecuting multiple avenues of inquiry."
"I know, that's not what I am here for. It's my father, he is worrying me," Rachel explained.
"How so?" Annabeth asked, pulling back a chair for Rachel to sit down in, and then finally sitting down herself.
"You were there, how he just stonewalled you at the hospital?" Rachel asked.
"Ms Dare," Annabeth said. "Though frustrating, he has every right not to answer. I fear it is all too common that in this honorable institution, the representatives of the people aren't quite as forthcoming as I might wish for."
"You don't understand," Rachel argued.
"Don't I?" Annabeth countered. "Ms Dare, I hate to say it but your father is a politician, and one of the more corrupt ones at that."
"I know," Rachel said. "I grew up around shady deals. It is why I became an investigative journalist."
Rachel sighed deeply and Annabeth cocked an eyebrow. "This is more, it is like someone flicked a switch. He doesn't talk to me anymore, he doesn't talk to Mum. This is more than usual, I don't know. He seems scared."
"Perhaps because someone tried to kill him?" Annabeth asked gently.
"Even so, I can't find anything out. My usual sources are stonewalling me when I try to ask questions aswell,..." Rachel sighed deeply. "You seemed quite candid when we first talked..."
Annabeth actually smiled. "Ms. Dare, you are not the only one who has noticed the peculiarity around this case. I am working on it. What I need you to do is back off, and maybe take a vacation. It would not help my case if I had to investigate your murder next."
Rachel blinked and stared at her, and Annabeth realized she had said more than she probably should have. "Is that supposed to be a threat?" Rachel asked.
"Certainly not," Annabeth assured her.
"Oh, okay," Rachel said, and visibly relaxed. "It is just... . Listen, I know my father isn't a good man. But this is different..."
"Ms Dare," Annabeth said gently, deciding that a dose of openness would serve her best here. "I am working the case. Now, I need you to sit tight and back off. Let me do my job."
Rachel nodded slowly. "Have you found Satin? You know, the maid that got away?"
Annabeth smiled drily. "You already know the answer to that, Ms Investigative journalist. Now, I know you will keep digging, regardless of what I advise you. So if you find something while turning over stones, do let me know. And again, do be careful."
Rachel too cracked a smile. "Isn't my first rodeo either, Agent. And of course."
Annabeth escorted the journalist to the front door, already looking forward to making some progress. Rachel being spooked down did add foundation to their suspicion that something fishy was going on with Senator Dare.
"Agent," a cheerful voice greeted her from behind as she made her way down long hallways, lost in her thoughts.
Annabeth froze around to see a tall, olive-skinned man, in gold and blue robes hurrying to catch up with her from behind, dragging along a heavy-looking briefcase.
"Lord Organa," she greeted the Senator from her world.
He paused once he had caught up with her to catch his breath.
"Senator, how can I help you?" she asked her world's representative.
"Remember when you sent that memo out that any potentially sensitive materials found in the Senate unsupervised were to be handed over to the Senate Guard without delay?" he asked cheerfully.
"Uh, yeah," Annabeth said. It had become a problem of late. People were lugging around at times highly sensitive documents, and then forgetting them.
"Found this briefcase standing in the hallway outside my office," he explained brightly.
Annabeth's blood turned cold, but she kept the mask of a light smile on. "Did you know? Why didn't your security bring it by?" she asked, already accepting that she wasn't likely to get work done that day. Also, who thought it was a good idea to allow Senators to do things without being surrounded by a security detail? The Organas were already notorious in the Senate Guard for causing a disproportionate amount of headaches. "Oh, left them at home. Thought it best to handle a few things with a low profile and just found it here. I saw you in the distance and thought that you might have an interest in it."
"Thank you, Lord Organa," Annabeth said with a pained smile. "Did you just drag this here all the way from your office? I will take that now," she said, and gently took over the suitcase's grip and gently set it down. Then she promptly grabbed the much taller man by his wrist and began to drag him down the hallway. "Come on now!" she ordered sharply, her free hand drawing her blaster.
"Agent Chase," he laughed. "I am sure we can find the unfortunate owner of this...-"
She hissed at him between her teeth to silence him. "Agent Chase to Inner Sanctum," she hailed the Senate Guard's operations center.
"Sanctum reading you, what can we do for you? We have an unidentified suitcase on the Promenade level, C section twenty-four. Senator Organa has just brought it to my attention.
There was a long moment of silence as the dispatcher on the other side realized that his day too, was about to become a lot less quiet. "Copy that Agent Chase, ensure no one approaches the package. Reinforcements and a supervisor are being sent now. All units, be advised. The Senate Building is now on lockdown. Confirm locations of VIPs and escort them to the Evac points."