Chapter: 49 Beauty and the Blast
"More lives have been given to conceal a lie rather than speak a truth."
A city of progress! While the galaxy remains consumed in conflict, the Republic capital of Coruscant continues to inspire its inhabitants. Every day, millions of citizens strive to better their lives through tools of the trade. But amidst war and toil, the citizens of Coruscant have something extravagant to look forward to. Hype for the Miss Coruscant Beauty Pageant has the city entranced in a rose-tinted glow...
Coruscant's city never slept...and neither did Belle O'Har for that matter. Tucked away in her own private office for the Coruscant Rose, Belle labored away for hours on end. If she wasn't scoping out the latest news stories, Belle could be found editing at her computer. Her thousands of viewers would see her magnetic personality and think she was quite the social butterfly. But when the cameras and microphones powered down, Belle was a recluse. She was every aspiring reporter's role model, resigned to her work and finding the juiciest details the city had to offer. Belle's bloodshot eyes and the dark circles encapsulating them were a further testament to her ceaseless dedication. And yet for the amount of hectic spontaneity in her schedule, Belle maintained an orderly office. The neatness was mostly thanks to her host of assisting droids. If it wasn't for them, she might've even forgotten to eat at times. While her fingers pattered against a keyboard, a series of metal footsteps shuffled into the room. Plated with the rarest, electrum metals, this protocol droid was a sight to behold. His golden glint even shined through Belle's darkened office.
"Belle?" the droid inquired. "Madam?" His voice was eloquent and harmonious. Programmed to mimic the exotic accent of the Twi'leks, this droid had a flair to his stride. "You really should remember to blink," he said. "Such prolonged datascreen usage will lead to eyestrain."
"Easy, LM-3R." Belle assured. "I'll rest my eyes when I go to sleep."
"And just when will that be?" LM-3R inquired. "You hardly get any slumber as it is. Tis a miracle that you are still standing!"
"Know why I'm still kicking?" Belle replied. She hooked her C1-P camera droid up to her monitor and uploaded more footage. "Because if this city doesn't stop, I won't either. There will always be more to report on."
"Which is exactly why you must recuperate," LM insisted. "Before one of those headlines reads: 'Coruscant Rose reporter literally works herself to death.' " Belle rolled her tired eyes and kept swiping through the latest records. LM examined her workstation and raised a wrapped package. "You haven't even opened your Life Day present from me! And the occasion is long overdue."
He dangled it in Belle's peripherals until she was forced to stop typing. She huffed and glanced over at him. "I appreciate the gift-" she said. "-but can't I open it later?"
"Of course!" LM-3R jested with profuse sarcasm. "I can add it to everything else on your later itinerary. Like...for example...calling your father back." Belle groaned as her droid continued. "He's only left you seven voice messages."
"If I open your gift-" Belle proposed. "-will you give calling Papa back a rest?"
Rejoicing in her taking a break from the datascreen, LM brought his present closer. "Deal," he computed.
Belle sighed and snatched the package from his sturdy, metal grip. She leaned back and her thick, disheveled locks fell in thick brown knots. Her hazel eyes narrowed on the wrapping paper as she intricately peeled it off. Her droid watched with great anticipation until the final wrappings fell against her desk. "They're...candles," Belle realized.
"Ah but not just any candles, my dear." LM insisted. "They're stress relief candles! If you're going to subject yourself to such harrowing hours, the least I can do is alleviate some pressure."
"Thanks, LM-3R." Belle muttered.
"Well?" the protocol droid blurted. "There'd be no use in those candles collecting dust. Let us light them up!" A set of tripedal wheels rolled into the office as Belle's personal astromech arrived. The unique model chimed and LM-3R waved to him. "CO-G5!" he beckoned. "Care to do the honors?"
The astromech made its way to Belle's desk and ejected its automated lighter. A tranquil aroma emitted once CO-G5 set the candles alight. "Not bad," Belle admitted after whiffing them. "Now can I please get back to work?"
"If you must," LM-3R relented.
Belle huffed and scrolled through her datafiles. She scoured the footage of holiday shoppers until it transitioned to Elsa's argument with Senator Veritaz. "What a joke," Belle murmured. "So much for representing the Ethics Committee."
"You know better than anyone about the hypocrisy thriving in our government," LM said.
"It's not just there, it's everywhere." Belle answered. "And kids like that little Ortolan pay the price. All because adults can't seem to agree on anything." Belle finished uploading the footage and scrolled through city postings. Amidst the traffic stops and weather reports, a particular notice caught her eye. Belle's thin brows furrowed as she leaned closer to the screen.
"My dear-" LM intoned. "Mind your eyes."
"Hold on," Belle gasped. "LM, look!" Her droid strutted over and saw a missing child poster.
"By the maker," LM computed. "Is that not the same little fellow from your report?"
Belle read over the description while muttering it aloud. "Species: Ortolan. Sex: Male. Name: Unknown. Age: Approximately eleven or twelve. Last seen wandering the streets of the Collective Commerce District. If anyone has any information about this child, please contact the Coruscant Security Force immediately." Belle hastily retrieved her recorded interview with Elsa and the Ortolan.
"Where is the nearest homeless shelter?" Elsa asked on camera.
"That would be the Vica Foundation Shelter," Belle had responded. "It's about two blocks north of here."
Belle zoomed in on the Ortolan's face and compared it to the poster. "Do you think it is him?" LM asked.
"It's quite possible," Belle considered. "We need to get a call out to the police. If that Jedi took him to the homeless shelter, at least we have a fixed location. We-"
CO-G5 started to spin and ring. His dome ticked from a built-in alarm clock as Belle gasped. "The ladies!" she blurted and silenced the alarm.
"I hope you didn't snooze it again," her protocol droid intoned.
"No," Belle grumbled and rushed to get ready. "I'm well aware that I'm cutting it close on time. But if I don't hurry now, I'll miss getting coverage of the pageant contestants. Every news outlet will be at the platform for interviews." Belle zipped up a sky blue vest over her pale undershirt. She tamed her tresses into a hastily tied ponytail and made for the door.
LM raised a hand and said, "Don't forget-"
"To call Papa. Got it!"
"I was going to say Chip," LM corrected and gestured to her camera droid. Belle facepalmed and unplugged the C1-P unit. Chip hovered beside her as she rushed to the garage and entered her speeder. Her eyes strained as she emerged from the comforting darkness of her complex. Coruscant's morning sun glared across her windscreen and had her scrambling for a visor. As she glided through the bustling skylanes, Belle dialed an emergency number on her vehicle's calling system and impatiently tapped on her center console.
"Coruscant police," a robotic voice answered. "What is the nature of your emergency?"
"Patch me in to Lieutenant Tan Divo of the Security Force. Tell him it's reporter Belle O'Har."
"One moment," the operator said.
Belle's impatience grew as skylane traffic increased. "Come on," she murmured.
An all-too familiar, nasally voice crackled through her speakers. "Well if it isn't the Coruscant Blossom," Divo groused. "This oughta be good."
"Coruscant Rose," Belle corrected. "And it's always good. I've got a lead for you."
"Like you did about that 'Black Sun dispute' a couple months back? I'm still finding Trandoshan scales in my passenger seat after that close call."
"But you busted that racket, didn't you?" Belle inquired and took his silence for agreement.
Divo huffed. "What've you got, O'Har?"
"The missing Ortolan child," Belle explained. "I believe I have footage of him from Life Day traveling with a Jedi. I directed them to the Vica Foundation homeless shelter and they may still be there if you hurry." The long pause had Belle death-gripping her speeder's controls. "Hello?"
"I'm here," Divo assured. "Just plugging in coordinates. The shelter's on my patrol route so I'll go take a look."
"Excellent," Belle replied. "You-" Divo hung up and she scoffed at the silenced transmission. "Well okay then," she muttered. While thoughts of being ignored crossed her mind, she realized she still had to call her father back. "Better late than never I suppose." She dialed his frequency and lost herself in the skylane ahead.
"Hello!" a cheerful, elderly voice brayed through her speakers. Belle's smile faded as her father's words continued. "This is Maurice! I'm unavailable to take your call right now, so please try again when I'm not so busy."
"Wait a second," Belle muttered. "That doesn't sound like Papa."
"But it does sound like you." Maurice jested after dropping his facade. "That's what it feels like every time you don't answer, Belle."
"Papa...I'm sorry," Belle admitted. "Things have just been so hectic."
"I know, my dear. I know. There's no stopping that brilliant and persistent mind of yours. Coruscant's news just wouldn't be the same without a reporter like you."
There was a long pause as Belle braced herself. "But?" she blurted.
"But don't forget to take breathers!" Maurice exclaimed. "Especially to call the people who love you. How are the droids treating you?"
"Oh, Papa." Belle sighed. "They're wonderful. LM-3R can be a bit of a nag...but he means well. He reminds me of you at times! How's the droid shop?"
"Business is booming," Maurice replied. "Everyone wants a protocol droid these days. My customers are mostly multi-taskers in over their heads. Much like yourself!"
"Oh ha-ha," Belle quipped while flying towards an extravagantly decorated platform. "I'll be interviewing the Miss Coruscant contestants today," she said. "I'll tell them you say hi."
Maurice chuckled. "If any of them need a droid, don't forget to promote the business!" As their laughter simmered down, Maurice's endearing voice rang true. "You have fun out there, Belle. Never forget how brightly you bloom. I love you, dear."
"I love you too, Papa," Belle replied. "Have a nice day." As Belle ended her transmission, she looked to Chip and admired her father's work on him. "Ready?" she asked and the droid beeped in agreement. "Here we go!" Belle landed the ship and stepped out onto the platform. Illustrious, scarlet carpets had been rolled out for the contestants' arrivals. While tiered stands had been set up for patrons and VIPs to spectate, press were already congregating by the carpet. Belle and her C1-P hurried to join them as the sun beat down on them. Chip chimed to signal that he was ready for recording. Belle weaved her way through other reporters and found a spot at the front of the barricade. "Let's go live in three...two..." Chip's antenna flicked upward and his lens zoomed in on Belle.
"Good morning, Coruscant!" Belle greeted while holding her mic close. "Belle O'Har of the Coruscant Rose here for a special treat. Several months ago, thirty-six outstanding women were chosen from our beloved city. Their dedication, beauty, talent, and brilliance have led them on a fantastical journey across the stars. Our contestants have been voyaging through the Core Worlds, winning hearts and learning of places unknown. But as the competition draws ever-closer, it's time for our ladies to return home. As you can see, there's quite the welcoming committee here ready to celebrate our contestants' arrival." As Belle continued her report, she made an intriguing observation. While she didn't speak it aloud, it festered within as it became even more noticeable.
Strange, she thought. You'd think we'd have twice the amount of security given last month's events. But there's only about a dozen police droids and clone troopers here. How quickly some glitz, glamour, and girls have helped everyone forget that threats still exist in our world. Belle shook her head as if scolding herself. Get it together, she asserted. Something bad doesn't always have to happen. Maybe LM-3R was on to something and I need to lighten up.
"Here they come!" an energetic superfan screamed from the stands. His frantic finger looked as though it would fall off with how rigorously he was pointing it. Cameras flashed and spectators applauded as several ships came into view. An upbeat, glorious symphony blared from a live orchestra. This fanfare harmoniously beckoned the elegant ships as they descended upon the platform in waves. Coruscant's reporters lost their minds when the ship's hatches lowered and contestants emerged.
Belle was considered to be one of the best reporters in Galactic City. She let her awards in journalism do the talking for her and was known for being fervently tenacious. But no matter what Belle did to get a good story, she would never sacrifice her dignity. While Chip snapped pictures and filmed the contestants, Belle observed each of them. Unlike the boisterous reporters beside her, she didn't want to come off as desperate. She understood that there was a game to be played with the competitors. Appearing disinterested sometimes warranted a double take, and that's where Belle would make her move. She stared off and watched as a bright red Twi'lek listed towards her. Only then did Belle make eye contact and initiate a conversation.
"Welcome home!" Belle greeted as the Twi'lek struck a pose. She let Chip snap a photo and then carried on without a word. Belle sighed and observed the contestant next to her. This cheerful Mon Calamari enthusiastically spoke in front of dozens of mics.
"Seeing the Core Worlds was super fun!" she lauded. "And I just hope that after the war we can all be one step closer to galactic peace." Her words were applauded while Belle rolled her eyes. Her hazel gaze widened at the sight of who else had arrived.
Oh my goodness, Belle thought. It's-
"CELESTE!" nearly everyone on the platform screamed. Microphones flailed while cameras flashed. Fans of the holodrama star tripped over themselves in the stands and practically flung their datapads for autographs.
Her dark, iconic curls bobbed as she turned towards the audience. The sunlight made her sapphire gown twinkle with each step while Belle bided her time. With everyone screeching her name, she'd have to time things just right. As Belle clenched her mic, she thought about her father's words.
"Never forget how brightly you bloom."
Belle cleared her throat, leaned over the barricade, and called out, "Celeste!"
The actress' dark eyes widened along with her exuberant smile. "Yes?" she inquired.
I can't believe that worked, Belle thought. Wait...no! Focus! She's looking at you. Say something, Belle!
"Belle O'Coruscant. Reporting for the Rose." Belle immediately cringed after recognizing her stutter.
Celeste snickered, yet decided to come over. "O'Coruscant, hm?" she chuckled.
"O'Har," Belle corrected and straightened her posture. "Sorry. I'm not usually this nervous."
Celeste smirked. "When I auditioned for my first holodrama, I fell off the stage. It happens to the best of us." She winked at Belle, who hurriedly regained her composure.
"I understand you'll be hosting Miss Coruscant," Belle said. "How do you feel about accepting this role?"
Celeste pursed her lips and hung her head. "I'll be hosting this pageant with a heavy heart," she admitted. "But nevertheless, I do so honoring my friend. No matter which remarkable woman wins the crown, we must never forget the contributions made by Herv Bobak."
"What can you tell me about him?" Belle asked.
"I think Herv was the kindest Togruta I will ever know. Some people say I'll be a better host, but no one could ever replace Herv. While we both entertained, Herv went above and beyond what you saw onscreen. He always put others first and no cause was ever forgotten. Most men in his position would squander that wealth on luxuries, but not Herv. He gave back where he could and fought back elsewhere. He was this...bright light fighting the darkness around us. He wanted a better future for our children and their children." Celeste sighed. "I can only imagine what he would've accomplished with more time."
"If he were here..." Belle proposed. "If he could somehow listen to your words right now. Is there anything that you'd want to tell him?"
Celeste smiled softly. "I believe Herv will always be with me. Our friends are never really gone, you know. So wherever he is...however he's listening...I'd tell him that his integrity will never be forgotten and that I miss our conversations. But the show will go on in his honor. The pageant will shine brighter than ever and everyone's going to keep living. That's what he would've wanted."
"Beautiful words from a beautiful soul," Belle replied. "Thank you so much for your time, Celeste, and I'll see you at the pageant!" Celeste nodded to Belle and proceeded to sign autographs. Belle could feel the glares of envious reporters fixating on her. All she could do was smirk and look to the approaching ships.
"Not bad," Belle admitted and gave C1-P a nudge. "Maybe we'll luck out with some of these other contestants. Although I think interviewing Celeste will be the highlight of this event."
More ladies departed from their private ships and each was interviewed by the press. A sleek, ship landed in its designated, thirtieth spot. Its cyan coating was a real eye-catcher while its ramp started to lower. "Oh boy," a scruffy reporter jeered next to Belle. "Someone's about to have a bad day." He zoomed his datacam towards the ship as a stray maintenance cart wheeled its way towards it. The cart rammed into one of its wings and scraped against the turbine.
"Oof!" another reporter cringed. "I don't want to know how much that paint job will cost."
"All these contestants are rich," the scruffy man scoffed. "They'll soak up their tears with a stack of credits and pay it off."
Belle squinted towards the maintenance cart as an odd strobe caught her eye. "Wait a second," she uttered. Suddenly, the entire cart flashed with several scarlet lights. Her heart sank and a painful lump formed in her throat. "Bo-" she uttered as others around her caught on. The scruffy reporter went pale and dropped his camera.
"BOMB!" a clone trooper shouted before the cart ignited. Its incendiary contents mixed with the ship's fuselage to create a tremendous explosion. The ensuing, blinding light was like a second sun on the blazing platform. Coupled with an ear-splitting sound, the colossal shockwave rattled barricades and sent people flying. Flaming debris from the spacecraft was hurled through the air. It crashed across the platform in fiery heaps and demolished the stands. The shockwave reached Belle and flung her across the red carpet. Contestants of all species screamed and fled for their lives. Celeste was immediately swarmed by personal bodyguards. They pushed her to the floor and formed a shield with their bodies. Smoke billowed from atop the platform while something clattered across the floor.
The very helmet of the clone who'd warned everyone rolled towards Belle. She was still waking up from her daze when the scorched helm bumped into her shoulder. Chip kept trying to nudge her upward as she recovered the crisped headgear. There was a painful ringing in her ears as she looked into the helmet's cracked visor. "No," she whispered while slowly coming to terms with what'd happened. Blood trickled from her scraped palms and stained the white plastoid. She coughed while silhouettes of citizens fled through the smoke. Her first instinct was to rise alongside those running and get back to her speeder. Despite her initial shock, Belle appeared mostly unscathed. She quickly pat her body to assess for any other wounds. With all of her limbs intact, Belle hobbled towards her ship. Flames spread across the ravaged stands and forced people in the opposite direction.
Chip kept flying until he noticed Belle had stopped running. The camera droid emitted a series of alarming beeps and urged her to catch up. Belle ignored his warnings and focused on the blast zone. Realizing that she was unharmed and the other reporters had fled, Belle saw an opportunity. While others ran away from the chaos, she ran into it. Chip reluctantly hovered after her as she disappeared into the thickening smoke. Belle shielded her face from the flames and pushed onward. She'd reported on destructive incidents before, some of which turned out to be related to arson. In several instances, law enforcement had only found crucial evidence because Belle had discovered it in time.
Every second counts, Belle told herself while frantically scouring the debris. Find something. Anything! There have to be clues regarding what happened. Ask the bigger questions. Remote or automated detonation? Think, Belle. Think!
A metallic ruckus had her ducking for cover behind an array of rods. She moved too quickly and didn't take the rods' stability into account. Belle gasped as the debris collapsed over her. The rods clanged against the platform's surface until Belle found herself pinned down. As the clamor faded, she grunted in an effort to free herself from the debris. Her breaths shortened under the pressure bearing down on her. Chip descended to the ground and tried to liberate her. His puny thrusters sputtered as he nudged the titanic rods.
"It's no use," Belle huffed. "Go get help." The camera droid beeped in protest until Belle snapped. "I'll be fine! Now go!" Chip hesitantly zipped away and left Belle trapped. While she'd told her droid to go for help, that wasn't going to stop her from trying to break free. "Come on," she growled and pushed up on the rods. Each durasteel bar strained her arms while the distant ruckus drew closer. Belle ceased her struggling and observed a bizarre, battered capsule amidst the smoke. Its hatch popped open and a mahogany-cloaked figure emerged. Belle's heart raced as the hooded stranger ran over and knelt beside her. She braced when it thrusted its hands towards her.
"Together," the stranger said and grabbed the rods atop Belle. The reporter's brows raised as the stranger bent her knees. "Ready? Now!" Belle quickly obliged and they heaved the rods off as a team. She breathed what free air she could amidst the smoke and the stranger helped her up. "You alright?" the mysterious woman asked. Years of reporting had trained Belle to search for the smallest details on the job. She noted the stranger's youthful voice and hands. While Belle couldn't fully see her face, she could make out her lavender-skinned chin and violet lips. Dark, intricate speckles lined the stranger's cheeks and shifted when she spoke again. "Are you alright?" she asserted.
"Fine," Belle answered. "I just-"
In that instant, a blue laser blasted the rod closest to their faces. "Get down!" the stranger warned and shoved Belle behind cover.
"Where did that shot come from?" Belle asked.
"No idea," the woman answered. "But we need to get off this platform. We're sitting porgs out here." A second shot skimmed the scrap pile that they were hiding behind. "Those are high-powered rounds," she deduced. Those bolts combined with that accuracy in this smoke?" The stranger sighed. "Sniper's gotta be using an IQA-11." She glanced at a nearby piece of the exploded ship's wing. "Wait for the next shot and then run there," she said. Belle watched as the stranger scavenged the same clone trooper helmet she'd dropped. The woman then cautiously lifted the headgear out from cover as one would a puppet. Their hearts pounded until a third shot blasted straight through the helmet. "Move!" the stranger shouted.
She and Belle dashed for the charred wing as another sniper blast barely missed them. The shuffling of boots caused both women to turn towards a smoke cloud. They braced themselves until a pair of clone troopers came into view.
"Don't move!" Both pairs told each other.
While one clone swept his rifle over the perimeter, the other raised a hand towards Belle and her companion. "Remain calm," the trooper said. "We're here to escort you out."
"Sniper!" Belle blurted and tried to steady her words. "Th-there's a sniper. Take cover!"
The clones looked to each other before continuing to advance. "We have orders to clear this area of survivors, ma'am." he said.
"You won't survive if you don't hide," the stranger insisted.
The lead trooper extended his welcoming palms to them. "I assure you that the situation is under control," he said. "Reinforcements are enroute, so just come with us and-" A sniper bolt zipped through the smoke and struck against his helmet.
"No!" Belle screamed. The trooper's body flailed from the recoil and struck the ground with a thud. A flame crackled from the sizzling blaster hole in his plastoid.
"Lancer!" his fellow trooper called out. No amount of cover could protect him from the dreadful silhouette materializing behind him.
"Look out!" Belle warned, but she was too late. A clawed, furry hand stretched from the smoke and grabbed the clone's wrist. The savage attacker forced his arm upward and pressed a CR-2 heavy blaster to his torso. Belle shuddered as the Zygerrian assailant unloaded a series of lasers into the clone. He then threw the trooper aside as if he was nothing more than discarded trash.
Belle noted the brute's reddish-brown furs and recalled her constant coverage. Her heart sank as her deepest fears for the city had come to pass: The 'Coruscant Killers' had returned. The snarling feline's unblinking, yellow eyes focused on the women. He raised his blaster just as the stranger dragged Belle back. "Run!" she told the reporter.
Green, rapid-fire lasers spewed across the wreckage as Belle and the stranger fled for their lives. Jobun fired in controlled bursts to manage his weapon's cooling. Still, he relentlessly pursued those fleeing with an insidious look in his eyes. "Nel," he called in via comlink. "Do you have a visual?"
"Negative," Nel replied. The lanky Umbaran had positioned himself in a speeder garage overlooking the ceremonial platform. He laid atop their pitch black vehicle with a sniper rifle rested against him. He kept his pale finger nestled against the trigger while he peeked through the scope. The IQA-11's dual-zoom feature allowed him to scout the platform ahead. He caught a glimpse of the women emerging from the smoke and called it in. "She's moving to the east side. I'll see if I can get a shot. Looks like she's picked up a friend."
"What's one more body?" Jobun hissed and picked up his pace.
Belle and the stranger took cover behind a speeder just as Nel opened fire. His laser blasted its windscreen to pieces and sent glass raining down on the duo. Jobun emerged from the adjacent side and lit the vehicle up with his lasers. "Now what?" Belle blurted while keeping her head down.
"You hold on tight," the hooded woman said. She reached into her satchel and withdrew a fibercord grappling hook. She hooked one end to the platform's edge and clipped the other to her belt. "Let's hope this holds." Belle embraced the stranger as they quite literally leapt for their lives. They yelled together before plummeting off of the platform and through Coruscant's skyline. Jobun had shot up the speeder enough to cause a fire, which prevented him from advancing on the hook.
"Idiot," Nel muttered. The flames also obscured him from getting a shot from his angle. "I gotta move," he griped. "Standby." Nel threw his rifle into their speeder and drove across the garage.
Meanwhile Belle and her companion dangled amidst bustling skylane traffic. The stranger tried to rappel quicker, but they were mostly at the mercy of speeding vehicles. Belle gasped as a speeder swerved to avoid ramming into them. She death-gripped the stranger's shoulders as they descended towards the street. A cacophony of honks emanated from confused drivers along the way. "Just a little farther," the stranger assured.
Nel brought his speeder to a halt at the opposite end of the garage. He swiftly exited, pressed his rifle against the railing, and zoomed in on the skylane traffic. Rather than aim at the grappling hook, the Umbaran targeted the hooded woman herself. He let the crosshairs rest on her head and then furiously pulled the trigger. A high-powered bolt darted through the garage, across the skyline, and struck a passing speeder. "Damn!" Nel cursed.
While Nel's shot missed, it was enough to startle the driver into veering off course. His speeder spun out and bumped into those beside it. What followed was a monumental, midair pileup which had air traffic control alarms blaring. As vehicles crashed into one another around them, Belle's companion risked it all. "Brace yourself!" she yelled over the honks and collisions. The woman forced her grappling line to drop at an alarming rate. The already-thin fibercord tightened and twanged under pressure. They tumbled onto the duracrete street and Belle felt the woman pull her up.
"Into the alley!" she yelled. "Hurry!" They ran while Jobun attached his own grappling hook to a separate section of the platform.
"They're on the street," Nel called. "You'd better hustle if you want to catch them."
While they ran, Belle noticed the backdoor to an expansive warehouse. "In there," she suggested. "We can hide until the authorities arrive."
"No," the stranger intoned and stood her ground.
Belle's breaths quickened as she struggled to make a decision. While she could've easily fled on her own, it didn't feel right abandoning her rescuer. "Look," Belle asserted while searching their surroundings. "I don't know if you're new to these parts, but the 'Coruscant Killers' are not to be trifled with."
"I'm well aware."
"Then why won't you hide in the-"
"Because it's a sweatshop," the shrouded stranger snapped. "Coruscant's underpaid immigrants toil away for hours on end. Their lives are hell enough and I will not put them in the line of fire because of me."
"Because of you?" Belle inquired. "So the killers are targeting you."
She ignored her comment and advanced towards a corner. "We need to find a way out of here."
Belle looked at the warehouse and sighed. "Well if we aren't going in there, our only other option is forward."
They dashed further into the alley while the stranger activated a comlink. Belle leaned in to try and overhear her conversation. "Thank the stars!" an elderly voice answered her call. "I saw the explosion on the HoloNet."
"Korbi," the stranger panted. "Am I glad to hear your voice, old-timer."
"What in blazes is going on over there?" Korbi asked.
"Exactly what I figured would go down," she admitted. "But I knew the risks. Listen, I'm gonna need a quick getaway by the intersection of Taran and Rylaia. There's an alleyway nearby. Do you think you can meet us there?"
"I'm already on my way," Korbi assured. "Wait...us? Who's with you?"
The stranger bit her dark lip. "I'll fill you in later. Just get here as quickly as you can." She ended the transmission and beckoned Belle closer. "Hurry! We need to be ready for his arrival."
They rounded a corner just as Jobun slid across from them. Time seemed to slow as the Zygerrian's claws scraped across the duracrete. Having utilized Nel's guidance, he'd managed to cut off their means of escape. There wouldn't be time for Belle or the stranger to retreat as Jobun took aim. Belle's widened eyes stared down the barrel of his CR-2. Her body stiffened while her heart thundered away in her chest. In those precious seconds, all she could think to do was raise her hands and hope she'd be spared. But Belle knew better. She'd seen Jobun's type of "gun-for-hire" a hundred times before. She'd reported on shootouts across Coruscant and seen the carnage left behind. People like Jobun had a total disregard for the lives around them. They were either completely insane or their violent histories had numbed them to all horrors. That's what made them the most terrifying. There was no reasoning with a creature bent on destruction. One whose fingers were inseparable from a firearm's trigger. Belle held her breath and considered her own actions. Her persistence had always been a defining quality, yet now it had brought her to the end. As the Zygerrian prepared to fire on them, Belle closed her eyes...and thought of her father.
But the lasers never came. Belle was left perpetually suspended in fear until she forced herself to open her eyes. Some power...some unseen Force pulled the blaster out of Jobun's hands and sent it spiraling across the duracrete. "This can go one of two ways," an obscured voice called. Everyone looked up to see a pair of cyan irises glowing from a helmet. "I can bring you in dead...or alive," Jee said and ignited her green lightsaber. "What's it gonna be, big fella?"
Hold on, Belle squinted and thought back to older headlines. Is that...the Bug?
Jobun bared his fangs and snarled at Jee. "I prefer these options," he growled. "Victory or death!"
"Dead it is then," Jee mumbled. She sprung into action just as Jobun flung a flash grenade. The bright burst of energy disoriented Belle, but her friend's cloak had protected her vision.
The stranger yanked Belle up on her feet and sharply whispered, "Run!"
While they fled, Jee kicked Jobun across the face. "That was a good trick there," the Rodian jeered. "But not good enough." She swung her lightsaber at Jobun's torso and was surprised by the dull impact. "What the?"
Her green blade grinded against an ethereal, red energy shield situated on Jobun's vambrace. He activated a second on his other arm and threw a punch. Jee went on the defensive, yet still tried to cut his arms off. The physically fit Zygerrian was swift and resilient. His shielded wrists met each of Jee's saber strikes as he jabbed his arms forward. Without even realizing it, Jee was being backed into a corner. The engagement was far too fast-paced for her to attempt any concentration with the Force. She focused on keeping his claws away, but still found herself stepping back. It was only a matter of time until she felt her back bump against the wall. Jobun threw a punch as Jee front-flipped over him. His titanic knuckles crashed through the wall and he spun to meet her. Having put some distance between them, Jee was able to Force-push Jobun into a pair of trash cans. Unfortunately for her, that was exactly where she'd discarded his blaster.
Jobun recovered the CR-2 and opened fire. Jee deflected what rapid-fire lasers she could and evaded the rest with acrobatics. She kicked off the alley's walls while Jobun left a trail of destruction in pursuit of her. "Don't be scared, Jedi," Jobun taunted. "Face me!"
"You really think I'm a Jedi?" Jee snarked. "I thought Zygerrians were supposed to be a smart species."
"It matters little what you are. You bleed just the same and that is enough for me." Jobun fired again and overwhelmed Jee with lasers. She wasn't able to deflect all of them and several scorched her armor. "Getting tired?" he chuckled. "I'll end your suffering!"
Enraged by his remarks, Jee sprung forward. Using a burst of Force energy, she hurled trashcans into him. The lids clanged against his body while she rushed him with her saber. Despite the surprise attack, Jobun was able to maintain a steady defense. He kept her lightsaber at bay with his energy shields and fired his blaster in retaliation. Jee batted his shots away as the two remained at a standstill. Little did the Zygerrian realize, it was Jee who was setting him up this time. She intentionally staggered leftward to force him rightward. Once Jobun stumbled into position, Jee sliced the supports to a fire escape. She backed up just as Jobun realized what had occurred. The fire escape's durasteel framework came crashing down as he dove for cover. He landed atop a garbage heap as the metals clanged over him.
Noticing that he was pinned beneath her handiwork, Jee took a moment to catch her breath. She then steadied her lightsaber and moved in to finish off her target. As she raised her blade, a powerful laser struck against her armored back. The impact was enough to send her buckling forward and she felt the warmth nearly reach her skin. The scorching bolt caused her backplate to crack open and she was forced to turn around. Nel dropped in from the broken fire escape and recharged his sniper rifle. The nimble Umbaran kept his pale gaze fixed on Jee as she remained astonished. Having moved to a closer range, Nel swapped to his DL-18 pistol and fired several blasts. Jee rushed to block the shots while she felt her armor crunching. The compromised plates shifted behind her and contributed to her many distractions.
Come on, Jee! The Rodian willed to herself while staring at the Umbaran. You can take this scrawny creep!
Little did she know, Nel never intended to end her himself. He was merely stalling until Jobun recuperated. While he kept Jee occupied, the Zygerrian pried himself out of the debris. Jee had just finished deflecting a laser when a pair of clawed hands seized her by the shoulders. Her first instinct was to elbow her attacker, but that only left her open to getting shot from the front. She deflected Nel's blasts where she could until Jobun hoisted her into the air. Jee braced herself as the titanic Zygerrian slammed her to the ground like a wrestler. Her helmet nearly came off in the process, but a hefty punch from Jobun was sure to send it rolling. The headgear's cyan irises smashed to pieces against the duracrete and Jee's face was left fully exposed. She barely had time to breathe any fresh air before Jobun punched her snout. The strike left her dazed and confused as he furiously punched again. Thinking quickly, Jee threw her hands up and caught his hulking fist. Her forearms strained as he continued to push down. Channeling what energy she could gather, Jee Force-pushed Jobun off of her and into the adjacent wall. She hurriedly stood up, but Nel jumped her from behind and jammed his stun baton into her neck. Electric waves pulsed through the Rodian's violet skin until she lost consciousness.
Nel caught his breath while Jobun trudged back over. The Zygerrian growled at their incapacitated adversary and aimed his blaster. A Republic gunship's engines echoed from the nearby street. "We need to move," Nel said.
"Just a second," Jobun insisted.
"Leave her," Nel asserted and flashed a devious smirk. "Trust me." Jobun caught on to his plan but was still frustrated about sparing her. The killers fled deeper into the alley and returned to their speeder.
A gunship landed and the red armored clones of the Coruscant Guard disembarked. Commander Fox took point and swept a hand across the street. "Fan out!" he ordered. "You two, on me!" Fox slid into the alley and aimed his twin pistols at a potential suspect. Jee had just started to stir when she saw the commander rushing towards her. "You there!" he called. "Freeze!"
"Oh...kriff," Jee groaned.
"Hands in the air! Now!" Fox barked. Jee slowly raised her weakened arms as the clones came to apprehend her.
Is this karma for what I did to Red way back when? Jee thought as Fox snapped a pair of binders on her wrists.
Another trooper recovered her lightsaber while the commander placed a call. "Fox to HQ. We've got a suspect here. Looks like the Bug's back in town." The commander heard another vehicle in the area and remained on guard. "Take her in," he told his troopers. "I'm gonna scout ahead."
Belle followed the stranger until they reached a shadowy, dead end. A rusty, rather blocky airspeeder hovered in from above and opened its doors. Belle could barely make out the orange-skinned Gran in the driver's seat. With three eyes and a goat-like snout, the old man leaned back to acknowledge them. "Law enforcement's swarming the street," Korbi warned. "Hurry up and get in!"
The cloaked woman made her way to the door as Belle asked, "Who are you?" She paused as the reporter's questions kept coming. "Why were you at the platform and why were those men trying to kill you?"
The stranger hung her head while Korbi slowly nodded. They whispered something to each other. "I'm sorry," she finally answered. "But I've waited too long, worked too hard, and lost too much to have my plan ruined now. Soon, you and all of Coruscant will know my name. The injustices will be brought to light."
Belle's brows furrowed. "What injustices?" she queried. "Who-"
Within seconds, the stranger stepped back and revealed Korbi aiming a pistol. The old Gran fired a stun blast into Belle and the duo watched her stumble. The powerful blue ring rendered her unconscious and she struck the ground with a thud. "I really am sorry," the stranger confessed as if Belle could hear her.
"You did the right thing," Korbi told the woman. "We don't know who we can trust."
"Hey!" Commander Fox roared from across the alley. "Stop right there!"
"Get in!" Korbi blurted and the cloaked woman obliged. She slammed the speeder doors shut and Korbi accelerated into the air.
Fox haplessly fired several rounds at the vehicle, but its mysterious passengers had escaped. The commander knelt beside Belle's body and pressed his fingers to her neck. He sighed in relief upon feeling a faint pulse. "Fox to HQ," he called while checking the ID badge on her belt. "I've got a downed civilian here. A reporter by the looks of it. Minor lacerations and bruising to the body. I need immediate transportation to the nearest hospital. And patch me in to Lieutenant Divo." Fox huffed. "We may have another manhunt on our hands."
Author's Note: Thank you so much for reading this week's installment of "The Frozen Force!" The Coruscant Killers have returned! My friends, we're getting closer to the end of the season. Brace. Yourselves. The buildup...the smallest details have been sparking up since the first chapter of this season. Nothing is without purpose and nothing shall be forgotten. Steady yourself as the mystery surrounding Herv Bobak's death starts to come full circle. The Miss Coruscant beauty pageant is upon us, but the world of corruption never sleeps.
It's time to ask yourself these rising questions! Just who exactly are these killers and can they be stopped? Who or what sinister force are they working for? And who is this mysterious, cloaked woman? Venture towards the answers next Friday as "The Frozen Force" adventure continues! It's a pleasure to entertain you all here with a non-stop adventure and new thrills every week. You all make this story so worth it and I'm excited to share everything that I have planned! See you next Friday as we hit a record-breaking 50 chapters!
Long Live Imagination and May the Force Be with You!
~Michael