Chapter 66
Public Relations
Silence reigned supreme in the mess hall as the "nature documentary" was being relayed to the assembled group. Terri noted the slight quiver in Melissa's hand holding her eating utensil as she seemingly unconcerned was calmly eating while Mekel's fate was being broadcast. Having been told of what Mekel had been planning to do she found herself not caring about the harsh death sentence he received. She extended her leg under the table and touched Melissa's relaying her silent support while keeping her expressions neutral
Glances were flickering from the hologram to their table as Wynn had announced the source of the documentary's origin and who to thank for their entertainment. The reason for the execution being kept secret. The expressions ranged between respect and fear. None moved from their seats in the mess hall in fear of being marked as weak, many still struggling from being drugged in the morning to now being subjected to a grisly viewing. The only ones truly enjoying the recording seemed to be Wynn and Barlor, with periodic laughter coming from their table
Terri surveyed the rest of the room and studied the rest of the students, in particular the top ten. Dustill was tiredly eating his meal, not really paying attention to the display. Lashowe was squirming in her seat, a red flush of arousal present on her face, breathing rapidly, her eyes lidded. The lower ranked students dropped their faces in subservience as she made eye contact.
Terri applied herself to her food as the recording started its third repeat loop. The recording switched of as Wynn stood up from his seat to address the gathered recruits
"As of today, the top ten students will have access to the Valley of the Sith. A great honour is being bestowed upon you by being allowed to study in the tombs of the great Masters of old." He grandly announced
Desultory applause followed his announcement. He waited till it has died down before speaking again.
"Tomorrow all of you will be present in the settlement as we display to the populace why insurrection against the Empire is foolish. You will be joined by the residents of the settlement and the officer training academy. Needless to say your behaviour will be impeccable." He stated calmly
Stepping away from his table he led the instructors away from the mess hall. Lashowe made her way over to the table. She leaned over Melissa's shoulder, making sure to press her bust into the girls back
"Come to my room later, I have a proposition for you three." She said sultrily.
She lingered for a long moment against Melissa before pulling back and leaving the mess hall
"Now I need several showers." Melissa remarked, dropping her spoon into her bowl in disgust
"You are not the only one." Juhani replied, pushing her bowl away
"If she is going to suggest what I sense she wanted to suggest I am going to heave." Terri stated
After classed disbanded the three made their way back to their room, Students stepping out of their way as they passed. Melissa made her way to the terminal that had been added to their room in their absence and started accessing the database. She called up all the information available on the Valley of the Sith and the old Sith Masters. Juhani and Terri proceeded to do their customary security sweeps.
"We best get ourselves familiar with this if we are expected to go poking around in there." She suggested
"True but first we need to speak about Mekel." Terri stated
Melissa sat down on her bed and ran her hands through her hair, she sighed deeply. Juhani and Terri sat themselves down opposite her, both keeping silent giving Melissa the chance to speak first.
"I know. I think this place is starting to affect me. Before today I would not have been okay with such an execution never mind creating it." She said softly.
"I agree, I too find myself being affected by this place. We need to secure the information we need rapidly before it affects us even more." Juhani stated
"A good thing only half of our crew is here then. Once we have what we need we will have to extract rapidly and most likely have to fight our way out from here." Terri continued
"So what do we do in regards to Dustil and Lashowe?" Juhani asked
"That is the big question. Melissa do you think Dustill is truly committed to the Sith cause?" Terri asked
Melissa pondered her answer before replying
"He is more grey, like us, though why Wynn is keeping him around apart from his mind games, I don't know. He does not feel like he is very powerfull." Melissa said musingly
"Mid level padawan, at best." Juhani agreed
"He is attached to the woman in the house and the kids, how she fits into the picture is probably a big part in resolving his issue." Melissa pointed out
"So we need to see if we can talk to him again at some point. For now we lean to knocking him out and drag him out of here" Terri said
"Do we take Lashowe up on her offer?" Melissa asked
"We hear what she has to say. However she will likely try to kill us the moment she has what she wants." Terri said
"I propose we go now and get to the refreshers thereafter, we are likely to want a shower after dealing with her." Juhani said
"Plus from this point on no one goes anywhere alone." Melissa added
"We also starting night watches?" Terri asked
"With the amount of attention on us that would be sensible." Juhani replied
Canderous took his helmet of with some relief after the boarding hatch of the hawk closed behind him. HK taking over the watch over the Onasi brats house now that all the excitement has died down. Having to have rushed into the settlement when the droid reported abnormal movement early in the morning. He had spent the last twelve hours on watch over the residence, with the droid moving about the settlement patrolling between the market and four locations Terri had been observed taking part in raids in. HK had reported that stands for some sort of public event had been set up at the edge of the dome that had once been a designated sports field, notices for attendance had sprung up all over the settlement.
The sound of bickering voices reached his ears and for a moment he was tempted to turn around and walk back to the settlement and go to the cantina. The increased levels of security dissuaded him from doing so. With a sigh he moved towards the crew lounge to see what had the old Jetti riled up now.
The old man had not taken it well that he had been benched without warning by the girls. Not that Canderous blamed them for taking that step as the old man clearly was being a hindrance to the mission. Locking up Carth in the ship with the old man was not helping matters either, though Canderous was willing to cut Carth some slack as he was being kept from interacting with his family. Canderous would say that Carth was doing much better than he would have in his circumstances, though binge reading family counselling books was taking things a bit far in his opinion.
Listening from the doorway he could hear the old man running his mouth again about how Onasi's kid would need to be taken to Coruscant to undo the damages the dark side has wrought upon him. Carth was rightly telling the old man to stay out of his business. Canderous decided to make his presence known
"Enough. There is a lot I have to go through before I go and rest and the two of you have a lot of work to get to." He said striding into the room
The argument died abruptly. Canderous sat himself down in his regular chair and the tin can rolled over to him with a food tray held in its manipulator arm.
"That is the last of the pre cooked meals." Carth informed him
"We should have a lot more in stock. Melissa had spent the last days in the blue cooking enough to last us a while." Canderous frowned
"Should have is the right words. Though mister perfect Jedi seems to think that food rationing does not apply to him." Carth replied
"So what you are telling me is we are now going on to MRE's." Canderous said
"You can simply buy food and have it delivered. No need for dramatics" Jolee stated
Canderous carefully put his knife and fork down.
"You are aware of the fact that as far as the port authority knows no I am alone on this ship. Now how would it look to them if deliveries are made to an empty ship with enough food for several people?" He said in a mild scathing tone
Carth tried to derail the brewing argument as he saw Jolee taking umbrage to the question
"What had you moving out so early this morning?" Carth asked
"Early morning raids on the settlement, By HK's count fifteen had been grabbed and moved to the academy. There is some event being planned tomorrow, mandatory presence has been strongly adviced. So all of us will be sitting tight on the ship. On the plus side Carth you are going to have to take some of my shifts watching the residence. The university group was given clearance to the Valley of the Sith, I signed on as a guard to them on alternate days. It might give me a chance to contact the girls if they have to go through the academy to get there."
Canderous gave Carth a stern glance
"The girls probably would not agree with me doing this till they can report back on how they are dealing with your kid so I am taking a huge chance on you here."
"I appreciate it, Canderous. I won't screw it up." Carth said solemnly
"Also you will be taking morph when doing so, I saw a wanted poster with your face on it in the cantina. Have to say the picture was not flattering."
"There is a bounty on me?" Cart asked in surprise
"No, it is one of those that state you are wanted for questioning by the authorities, no price money attached. The chances are slim anyone paid any notice to it but we can not take any chances." Canderous answered, resuming his meal
"What is the work we will be doing?" Carth asked
"We need to make sure the ship is ready to go on a moments notice. The tin can will be needed to go check out some of those deserted ships. The more information we can get the better of we will be." Canderous answered
"You have a reason for wanting check the ships?" Jolee demanded
"The rumour in the cantina was that the Sith was searching them. If it is true we need to know why."
Carth got to his feet
"I'll start doing manual checks on the engines since our mechanic is at school."
Melissa noted HK as it briefly made itself known as the parade column snaked through Dreshdae, all dressed in full Sith uniform. Further back the second column containing the officer school was now clearing the airlock. There was a general movement of civilians to the edge of the dome.
The column came to a halt and detached into their platoons. They turned to face a podium set up. Two squads of troopers were standing in front of the podium their armour buffed to a mirror gleam. A group of being detached themselves and hastened to Wynn as he made his way to the podium. Taking a guess she thought they were what passed as a civilian authority in the settlement, one was wearing the uniform of a Czerka branch manager.
Antique drums were being beaten as the officer school contingent moved to fall in behind the academy students. Melissa noted Wellison detaching from the head of the column with the two captains falling in behind him as he made his way to the seats at the podium. The drums kept pace as a several squads of regular troops were walking to the area. Contrary to the recruits and officers students they were not marching, the reason? Several blindfolded prisoners being pushed, dragged or carried by the troopers.
The prisoners were pushed to their knees in front of the podium, several receiving blows as they resisted. Wynn stepped up onto the podium and looked over the assembly.
"Greetings loyal citizens of our glorious Empire. I thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedules to attend this gathering."
His amplified voice causing all noise from the packed stands to seize.
"It is a pity that we do not gather here like this more frequently and under better circumstances. A suggestion has been made that community days be initiated to foster better relations between us all. Though that is something for a later stage."
Wynn took a deep breath
"We are gathered here today due to grim happenings in our community. And I have to apologise to you all for failing to keep you all safe. For in my failure you were all endangered." He said in a sorrowful tone
He pointed to the prisoners
"These vermin were caught before they could enact their plans to cause death and destruction amongst us. More shamefully some here are guilty of corruption and aiding enemies of the Empire. They all will share the same fate. But by the grace of the force we caught them before they could enact their foul deeds, yet another sign that the cause championed by our beloved leader, Darth Malak, is a just cause. His benevolence is a shining example to us all. Yet were we see benevolence others see weakness and strive to attack what makes us strong, our people under a great ruler. They do not fight with honour like the poor deluded Republic forces do, they wish to unleash terror upon us."
Wynn looked down in remorse
"It is with great distress that I pronounce the sentence of death upon them. Our duty to the Empire dictates that. The safety of the Empire and its people are the foundation of our civilization and none can be allowed to threaten that."
Wynn looked at the assembled recruits
"Before we perform our solemn and unthankful duty, it gladdens my heart to announce that Darth Malak has graciously given permission for one my students to be recognised for her exemplary service to our Empire. Recruit Young step forward."
Melissa got to attention and marched to the podium. Wynn motion ed for her to step up beside him
"This young woman has gained the respect and admiration of our Leader. It is by his order that I bestow the Empire Cross onto Recruit Young. To assuage the curiosity all of you are feeling by now, let me elucidate you. If not for this young woman these prisoners would have unleashed terrorist attacks amongst you in this settlement, and yes also our two premier training facilities. She uncovered their plans and she took the lead in the operation to capture them. Due to her no civilian was endangered and no casualties were sustained by your gallant empire soldiers and officers."
Wynn turned to face her and Wellison stepped closer holding a case. Melissa stayed at attention as Wynn placed the order at her throat. Behind the Academy recruits the officer school students got to attention and presented arms. Melissa stepped back and saluted first Wynn then Wellison. The civilian authority started clapping in applause and the beings gathered in the stands joined in, very few of them doing so with any enthusiasm.
Wynn dismissed Melissa. As she marched back several prisoners tried to spit in her direction. Terri shivered as she felt a large force presence coming from the settlement. None of them had a fraction of light among them
"Our guests of honour arrive." Wynn stated from the podium
Two lines of black cloaked beings made their way to the podium.
"Previous students of our fine academy. When they heard what has almost befallen us, they petitioned Lord Malak for the opportunity to help ease the burdens on our troopers. They will be relieving our brave soldiers of the duty of executing these criminals."
A sea of red blades jumped to live. Wynn motioned the group forward. Cries filled the air, as the red blades rose and fell in grim waves.