Chapter 69
Tomb Raiding for prestige and profit.
Part 1
Juhani glared at Melissa as she stepped out of the decontamination shower that had been set up at the door leading to Dreshdae. Her fur and skin itching from the antiseptics she had been sprayed with, the damp smell not helping her mood either.
Looking around her for clothing she found none in site, looking behind her she noticed a figure in a hazchem suit dropping three piles of clothing into a portable incinerator. Another figure pulled three gunbelts out of a UV steriliser and brought it closer to where the three stood waiting to have blood samples taken before being allowed to go further.
Being given the all clear the inner door to the Academy was opened and they made their way to their room as behind them the next three were allowed into the Academy for decontamination. Terri turned a teasing grin onto Melissa
"Have you reached a hundred percent yet or do we need to revisit a planet or two?" She asked
"I can't believe you dragged me into this habit of getting naked in public on every planet of yours." Juhani remarked, keeping her glare up
"It just happens. And no I have not maintained a hundred percent rate." Melissa replied sighing
"So you had nothing to do with causing a planetary lockdown because of a case of flu?" Terri countered
They made it to their room without encountering anyone all the doors they passed being closed and access pads showing as locked. After dressing Terri turned to the terminal in the room and opened the flashing icon indicating an internal message. She read it out to the other two
"All students are confined to quarters pending mandatory testing for Andoran Flu." She said
"Yeah, more blood tests." Melissa mock cheered from her bed
Juhani jumped up to the open hatch to the ventilation shaft checking on the camera mounted in front of where the cover was, the camera was still pointing to the side where it had shifted too. Closing the terminal Terri draped a blanket over the terminal screen to block any active camera system in the terminal form recording them in the room
Melissa opened her lightsaber and took out the red crystals in the housing before slipping her true crystals back into the weapon. The feeling of wrongness every time she armed the weapon faded as the familiar blue silver blade thrummed with power after being brought to life. Closing the blade down she pushed it under her pillow before lying down and looked up at the ceiling lights.
"Good thing we stopped for dinner before coming back, I somehow do not think we will be getting room service." Terri remarked as she too swapped her crystals out
"But we lost the chocolate we bought." Melissa pointed out
"One day without chocolate will not kill you. In fact you should thank the troopers, I saw some flab as we were walking here." Juhani said, testing her blades
"Like you can talk, Miss leave the cream alone or be prepared to die." Melissa retorted
"Cream has proven nutritional value, chocolate has none." Juhani replied snootily
"Girls, play nice." Terri stopped the conversation
Canderous was walking along the perimeter created by the sonic barriers, mainly to get out of the cramped hut the republic team has been given when the sudden lockdown was announced, than feeling the need to establish a patrol. He noticed movement coming from the hut allocated to the females and his personal bane making her way from the hut to where he was. Looking out towards the area outside the base he saw some Tukata slinking closer. Pressing the barrel of his weapon through the barrier edge he fired a few shots and the animals scattered
"Got one?" A female voice asked
"No." Canderous growled
The woman not taking the hint stayed by his side. Her blonde hair whipping in the rising wind, shivering she pulled her jacket closer over her full figure.
"Is there something you need miss Carter?" Canderous asked
"That would be Doctor Carter, mister Ganim, but you can call me Alorei." She replied cheerily
"The question still stands, Doctor." Canderous replied
She leaned closer to him, speaking softly
"The better question would be how is the Jedi infiltration of the Sith Academy going, Mister Canderous Aliit Ordo. I thought I would ask seeing as you made contact with Wren and Cazor today."
Canderous gave her a deadpan look
"You have a vivid imagination doctor." He replied dryly
"Are we really playing this game?" She asked as dryly
"You go first." Canderous invited
"I am but a lowly student of archaeology and anthropology." Alorei stated with a simpering smile
"So Republic Intelligence or would the be Corsec judging from that accent." Canderous replied
"My, My. Seeing spies are we?" Alorei grinned, thrusting her ample chest out
"And you are trying to distract me." Canderous said, ignoring the offered bait
" That means either you are gay or happily under the thumb of a Mandalorian wife." Alorei responded
"Still not working." Canderous replied
Alorei turned to face out into the darkness, playfull flirting gone in seconds
"Let us just say I look good in a fleet uniform if you want to play a game of dress up before getting down and dirty." She said idly
"So that arrant prick is family to someone important then." Canderous remarked
"You have to be more specific there are a lot of arrant pricks around here." Alorei chuckled throatily
"The question then is are you here for protection or using him as a distraction to snoop around." Canderous replied
"A little of A and a lot of B." Alorei stated
Canderous shouldered his weapon before turning to move on with his self imposed patrol
"I would suggest having a family emergency necessitating you leaving immediately when we finally get back to town. The timer has been armed and is ticking away. Things are likely to get explosive and complicated. You might also want to let the "university" know that their "patrons" contractor has been made and is being kept in the dark, they might as well recall him back to head office once he is of planet." He said lighting a nicotine stick
"And what of my charge?" She asked
"What of him? This is a dangerous place, accidents happen and people die." Canderous shrugged
"A little harsh don't you think?"
That is the difference between us and you aurretti. No true mandoade would place his family and people in a position to be compromised for the sake of personal advancement and his ego."
He walked away leaving the blonde spy looking out in the darkness. Moments later she turned around and made her way back to the female hut. Canderous finished his smoke and flicked the stub into the darkness, if the spy had any sense she would take his advice, if not, not his problem anyway. Once again cursing the necessity of having to wear cheap armour, his true armours night vision and enviromemtal packages would really have been helpful right about now
Carth stepped into the darkened hallway of the hawk and nearly crashed into a stationary T3, only a flickering diode on the droids dome warning him of its presence. He was about to berate the droid for blocking the passageway when he saw what the droid was observing and recording. A sliver of light was visible from the communications room. Shifting to one side he spotted Jolee trying to insert a data spike into the holocom relay.
A flash of light ran along the spike as it was rejected and Jolee had to pull his hand back to avoid being shocked. A blackened data spike joined the pile on the floor as it was ejected from the dataport. Judging from the pile on the floor Carth would have to give the old man points for persistence then subtract it from intelligence as by now it should have been clear that trying to spike the terminal was doomed to failure
Then again the old man must be desperate to try and contact his superiors. Trying to force persuade him and Canderous for the password bringing him no closer to his goals either. Logically his next step would be to try and slip from the ship and try to find a way to communicate. Time to stop that before it even began, with the refugees they had taken on pretending that it was one of them would be easy and difficult to disprove should hie exit be discovered
Carth knelt down close to the droid
"Lock all hatches, from now you are the gate keeper. Erase all passcodes except Canderous and the girls and wipe those the moment they are on board." He instructed
The droid flashed a diode to indicate that the order had been received. Carth got to his feet and made his way to the galley. He had initially gotten up to go fetch a bottle of water but thinking about it he was now in the mood for a sandwich and a beer or two while stargazing from the cockpit, trapping Jolee in the com room while doing so was just pure coincidence.
It was lunch time when the internal lockdown was lifted in the academy and the trio joined a very disgruntled line for the first meal being served. Breakfast having consisted of chalk like energy bar rations that Juhani had found at the very bottom of her backpack, al three swearing to go and find the producer of said items and expose his company for the fraud it perpetuated with its false advertising. Tasty? Hell no! Soft? Decade old permacrete was softer. Easily digestible? Terri was certain constipation from those bars were in their immediate future. All the nutrients you need? The jury was still out on that one, but the odd were not in their favour.
Judging from the smell coming from the front of the line skipping lunch to go get a shower might be a better idea. Unfortunately all had received a message to be present for lunch and to await an announcement from Wynn at this time
Trays in hand they made their way to a table in the back that allowed them to place their backs against a wall and give them a clear view of the room. With absolutely no enthusiasm they dug into the food after observing the ones who had started eating immediately to see if they had any strange or deadly reactions to the food
What little chatter there had been present died as Wynn swept into the room and approached the podium set next to the faculty table, followed by the full roster of the faculty. Cooks rushed from the kitchen bearing covered dishes and chilled bottles of wine and hastily set them down on the table.
Wynn looked over the now silent and attentive dining hall
"Another day was lost in your training schedules." He stated
Hise glare slithered over the room as if the fault for that laid with the students, though to be fair three of them did have a hand in that.
"I will not allow any more delays in the semester, to that end I have decided to stop the formal classes and decided that the testing will begin in a week. If you have not been diligent in your studies be prepared to face the consequences of your laxness. The instructors will also not be available for training. You may only approach any of the faculty if you have something that you believe will earn you prestige. Only those with sufficient prestige may leave for the Valley. Visits to Dreshdae are suspended."
Wynn stepped from the podium and sat down at the head of the table. Lifting the cover from his meal, the stark contrast to what the students had been served and the faculty meal could not be more pronounced
Terri dropped her eating implement in the half eaten mess they had been served
"Well I am done, I would rather eat another of those ration bars than whatever this slop is."
"If it all the same I would skip that as well." Juhani replied, pushing her plate away
As the three rose Wynn motioned them to come closer. They made their way to the table and got in line in parade rest waiting on Wynn to speak, said man making a point to cut a piece of medium done nerf steak and slowly chewing and swallowing before speaking
"Did the three of you settle your matters in Dreshdea before being recalled?" He asked, slicing another piece of meat
"Not quite, Master. We were delayed quite a bit while trying to resolve an issue with Czerka , one that could impact the academy, to the extent that we could not tend to our other matters." Melissa replied
Wynn looked up and fixed Melissa with a look
"And that matter would be what?" He demanded
"That the local branch first tried to pay of a bounty in store credit and when that failed tried to pay in what they call Czerka credits." Melissa answered
"And why would either impact the Academy?" Barlor grunted out
"Bounty hunting guild laws prohibits payment in any other means than registered currency and mandates that any contractor or its representative attempting to do so be reported to the nearest guild master. That usually results in the client being blacklisted and no contracts will be honoured. So any bounty posted by the Academy will not be persued." Melissa replied
"As for the credit scheme. By doing that they are undermining the Empire currency which could result in the banking guilds dropping the value of the Empire credit or declining it in severe circumstances. Not mentioning Czerka upsetting said guilds by trying to step into their territory, who could refuse to honour any financial transactions in this sector." Terri added
Wynn shot a look at an older Kel Dor male, who nodded back
"I will take care of it." The male replied
Wynn turned his attention back to the three patiently waiting on him
"What other matters were you trying to complete in the settlement?" He asked
"Munitions replacement. We used a lot sealing a tukata cave leading to the Valley of the Sith, plus dealing with the tukata matriarch and her nest while retrieving the holocrons." Terri answered
"And yet you were at a trading station." Barlor pointed out
Melissa gave an inelegant snort
"Whoever uses the poor quality munitions Czerka has available deserves to have it blow up in their faces. You would be better of trying to reload tibana cartridges yourself, at least your chances of having a terminal misfire is a lot less." She stated
"Not mentioning that the rest of their stock is also sub par." Juhani added
"And why would you need so much equipment?" The Kel Dor asked
Terri nodded her head towards Melissa
"Young had an idea as to how to deal with the droid that has taken over the one tomb. It is heavily dependant on explosives and equipment not found in the student store, not mentioning the fact that a shaped charge allows one easier access to the grave sites on the west cliff than trying to figure out the locking mechanisms the ancients used on the doors."
Wynn placidly took another bite of food before leaning back in his chair and played with his wine glass.
"You are familiar with the academy support services work shops. You may access that to create the equipment you need. As for munitions you may access the room of our infiltrator and help yourselves to what you find." He said, waving them of
The three nodded in thanks. Melissa paused before speaking
"Master. Has anybody searched Mekel's room yet? It just came to me that he could very well have the same protections in his room that his conspirator friend had, and thinking of that just how did they manage to have single quarters when the student rooms are set up for multi being use."
Wynn looked to Barlor for that answer and the Zabrak just shrugged his shoulders. Wynn returned his gaze onto them
"You are to search Mekels room as well and report what you find, again anything you find useful you may keep."
The three stepped back and made their way to the room exit, fully aware of the all the eyes following their every move.
Three hours later had them waiting outside Mekel's room after having contacted Wynn for an on site inspection. The trio of Wynn, Yuthara and Barlor preceded a six man troop detachment as they moved down the hallway to where the three stood waiting. They gave Wynn bows as he stopped before them
"What did you find?" Yuthara said
Terri pointed through the open door to where the bed was, before handing a datapad over to Yuthara
"Young disabled another bio weapon. It seems Mekel was available to any who would pay him. And he was not the only one." Terri said
"Explain." Barlor snapped
"From what we found is that the Exchange has been granted a foothold here and Mekel was just the latest in their peddlers. The datapad has all Mekel's communication with them, we also have found their main stash."
"Show me." Wynn ordered
Terri led the way into the room, Wynn barely spared a glance at the now familiar trapped bed set up. Terri lifted a Cupboard with the force and moved it to the side to reveal a hewn square behind it. Stepping through the gap she led the way into what once had been an ancient service passage, now turned into a store room. Wynn barely glanced at the disabled charges that was above the entrance to the excavated room.
Terri picked up a datapad lying on container and handed it over.
"The current inventory and Mekel's client list." She explained
She waved a hand across the containers and shelves lining the room, lit by bare bulbs hanging from the roof, poorly connected wiring led to a sealed wall and through it. A refresher station had been set up against the wall as well and connected to the utilities beyond the wall
"From the spice inventory alone we conclude that the Exchange has several people here in their employ. Once again it would be impossible for Mekel or his predecessors to have smuggled everything in by themselves." She said
"And looking at the client list we should see several cases of spice withdrawal soon. Especialy with testing having been moved up." Juhani stated
Yuthara looked around the store room, a glare on her face as she spotted the specialised containers for the spice next to a table loaded with weighing and sealing equipment, a respirator and visor carelessly lying close to spice residue.
"That the fool has not managed to poison himself." She muttered
Wynn strolled along the wall and every once in a while lifted items from the shelves before placing it back. Placing his hands behind his back he turned to the trio
"Again you three have exceeded my expectations. And yet again I have to acknowledge that Academy security has failed dismally at their appointed tasks. I believe it would be easier for the three of you to move into the room here than to have to carry your spoils to your rooms. Obviously the spice,the other narcotics and alcohol will be seized." He said
Wynn turned to the troops standing by the entrance
"Have that bed removed to the armoury for disposal and have three beds brought into this room." He ordered
"Sergeant Mercer has been contacted and he is en route with a full platoon and a demolitions team, Master Wynn." The troop leader replied
"At least there is still some with efficiency and common sense left in this facility." Wynn remarked.
Terri was towelling her hair dry as she stepped back into the room through the enlarged opening leading from the store room and refresher finding Juhani counting the contents of the strongbox found in the room, several piles of credit chips formed the different types of credits
"Are we finally rich enough to retire?" She asked
"Not even close. But we will have enough to eat well for a few years and pay fuel and docking costs." Juhani replied.
"And here I was hoping to be able to just relax in comfort." Terri said, snapping her fingers in disappointment.
The door to the room opened and Melissa stepped in followed by four troopers carrying two crates for her.
"You can put it in that corner." She said pointing
Terri nudged Juhani and pointed discreetly at the troopers. Catching the hint she scooped up several Empire credits and approached the troops as they lowered the crates down
"For services rendered and discretion." Juhani said pressing credits onto all the troopers
The four took the credits and threw salutes at the rooms occupants before stepping out. Terri pointed to the crates.
"You managed to build everything we will need?" She asked
"I did or I managed to barter for it with the senior stores clerk. The case of Corelian Reserve we hid proved to be quite useful. Melissa replied
"How many bottles did it cost you?'" Terri asked
"Half the case, but since I got equipment reserved for the officers only I would consider it well spent. How did things go here?" Melissa said sitting down and pulling her boots off
"We are on schedule." Terri replied
"Time for me to go take a shower then. Tomorrow is going to be a long day." Melissa said getting up from the bed
"You will need to wait for a bit. The water heater attached to the shower is small and I used it all after crawling through the vents." Terri cautioned
"Great." Melissa replied dropping to the bed
Canderous was lighting his first smoke of the day when he spotted movement at the edge of the barrier. Making a stopping motion he approached the figures that stepped through the sonic barrier. Keeping his back to the huts he addressed them
"What's news? The academics are in an uproar about being pulled out of here, something about a contagion." He asked
"The Sith believe there has been an outbreak of Andoran Flu and is locking down the settlement and stopping all traffic. So I am afraid you are out of a job" Terri replied
"That might be problematic, one of the civilians needs to get of planet, claims to be part of the ads old affiliation." Canderous said, nodding to Melissa
"Tell the civilian to get to the Hawk it should not take more than two or three days before we need to extract. Just so you know Carth's family will be joining us and there are seven others we need to get of planet on the ship already, though if what you are hinting is true we can make six of them the civilians problem." Terri said, sighing
Canderous nodded as he took in the information
"Carth's family already aboard?" He asked
"HK should have them aboard tonight at the earliest. He will need to create an extraction route that would not trigger any alarms the Sith may have in place." Melissa answered.
"So in the meantime we all sit tight and ready to go at a moments notice." Canderous stated
"Not forgetting to keep the weapons hot we will either extract to the ship or we will need pick up here. And in all likeliness be hunted either way." Terri said
"Tell T3 to unlock your holocom access I will update via dadita." Melissa instructed
"You got a transmitter for that?" Canderous asked
"Built one last night, transmission only I am afraid otherwise it would have been bigger than what it is now." Melissa replied
"Jahaal'got Adika." Canderous praised her
"Thanks buir." Melissa smiled at him
"See you on the other side then." Canderous replied stepping back
Melissa threw Canderous a sloppy salute as she passed
"Ad, remember ib'tuur jatne tuur ash'ad kyr'amur" Canderous told her
"Oya buir." Melissa replied
Canderous stood watching as they made their way to the east where the major tombs were situated. He was fully aware of the sith and republic academic leaders having rushed up to him once the girls have stepped away through the barrier
"Well?" An obnoxious voice demanded, Creevy from the entitled and petulant tone
"Well what?" Canderous snarled, without turning
"Did you find out why we are being withdrawn?" Creevy demanded,
"And I should indulge your curiosity why?" Canderous replied
"Because you work for me, you barbarian." Creevy snapped
Canderous turned and grabbed the pathetic little man by his throat and squeezed
"No longer, hut'uun. The contract ended when the Sith pulled the cable on your little academic expedition. So the only thing I am beholden to is getting you back to the settlement alive, nothing more, nothing less. And don't even think of getting any ideas of trying to short pay me, you will not survive it and no one will do a thing to stop me if you try."
Creevy was up on his toes and turning purple making gasping noises
"Nod if you understand your instructions, researcher Creevy." Canderous said in a conversational tone
Alorei stepped closer as if to intervene, Canderous pushed the man back and wiped his gloved hand on his cheap armour after Creevy frantically nodded. Said man was down on his knees taking deep and frantic breaths. Alorei stood slightly in front of him as if to produce cover for him, a hand in her jacket pocket. Canderous would guess said hand was probably on a holdout blaster.
"Mister Ganim, could you please share any information you have obtained." She asked politely
"There has an outbreak of Andoran flu, the planet is in quarantine till the outbreak dies out." Canderous replied with a grunt
"Surely the Empire will send help." The Sith administrator started
"For a planet with one settlement, no way that is going to happen. Any resources being send will go directly to the academies." Canderous burst the man's optimistic bubble
"So they want us to sit around and wait in what passes for accommodation in that settlement." Creevy demanded
"It would seem so." Alorei replied
Creevy's eyes lit up with barely controlled lust as he stared at the woman who had stepped up to cover for him. Canderous thought he could not despise the pathetic creature any more at that point. Canderous turned to Alorei
"If you need a place to wait for the to quarantine to lift, you can join me on my ship for as long as the outbreak lasts. It will be safer as well if the Sith decide on rougher quarantine measures pr the natives get restless, you never know what might get kicked off when people get bored." He offered
Catching the implied message Alorei gave him a smile and nod of appreciation
"I believe I will take you up on that offer." She smiled at him, running a hand across her bust
"I will give you my ships details once we step from the shuttle, give you a chance to sort your affairs while I go buy extra food and supplies." Canderous returned with a smirk and a wink
The republic lead researcher stormed off in a huff, face bright red as he waddled away. Alorei gave Canderous another flirty smile before she strolled back to the female hut, a definite sway in her step
The air filled with the whine of engines and the cries of scattering shyracks as they fled before the approaching shuttles. Canderous shouldered his weapon and made his way to where he had placed his pack. Looking over the valley he noticed several tukata packs sitting down a distance from the sonic barriers in line in essence surrounding the encampment, not one making a move to where several murders of shyracks had set down on the ground. Said Shyracks joining the tukata in staring at where the beings were scrambling to gather their equipment.
He gave a sharp whistle to draw the researchers attention. He unshouldered his blaster and started the barrels spinning
"Forget your junk, get on the shuttles now." He ordered
The other hired security joined him weapons held ready facing the eerily immobile packs. Creevy wanted to start blustering again. Alorei grabbed his face and turned his head to face the packs before pushing him roughly to the shuttles
"What is up with these critters?" One of the guards muttered
"Don't know, I sure as hell am not waiting around to find out." Another replied
"Probably some force shit." A third suggested
"Fall back two by two, keep a clear line of fire." Canderous ordered
Four sandpiles burst open disgorging streams of Pelko bugs that advanced on the sonic emitters protecting the camp. Canderous armed a thermal detonator and threw it into the stream before scything low with his rotary blaster stepping back slowly to the shuttle. As his feet touched deck the pilot lifted of, grabbing onto a handrail he finally lifted his finger of the trigger. As the shuttle gained height four flashes marked where the sonic emitters finally overloaded and a mass moved towards the huts. He pressed the controls and the hatch slid down. Sitting down he ejected the power cell and slotted a new one in before replacing the tibana gas cartridge as well.
"I am telling you that is not normal that sure was some force shit." One guard spoke
"There is no need for superstitious rambling." Creevy remarked
Canderous scoffed and lit a nicotine stick
"What is your take Ganim?" Another guard asked Canderous
"As the Jetti would say there is no death there is the force. You dig around the graves of some of the most arrogant bastards in history and do not expect some pushback from them." Canderous replied, blowing a smoke circle
"I though a mandalorian would be more cynical. Seeing as your kind nearly wiped them out while you were warmongering" Creevy retorted
Canderous glared at the man till he looked down and away. The first guard spoke again
"I am so getting of this rock the first chance I get, screwing around with all this Sith and Jedi junk is just asking for trouble."
The trio looked towards where the camp had been, all three shivering slightly as they felt the heavy presence in the valley before it receded, a sensation of tiredness flooded their senses. Melissa pulled her canteen out and rapidly drank to get moisture back in her mouth
"Do we really need to mess around with these tombs?" She asked
"As much as I want to say no, we do." Terri said
"Just so you know I may have peed a little." Melissa stated
"You are not the only one." Juhani added
"Then we are all on the same boat. Now let us get this done and get the map and get of this rock before whoever that was decides to make an appearance." Terri concluded