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| - Walking down the port-side boarding ramp, Evening Delwynn brushed the hair out of her eyes. The wind had suddenly picked up and it appeared that a nighttime storm was stirring around the naval base. She glanced at the sky as she walked, peering at the towering clouds which were glowing from the moonlight. She continued her steady stride, however, traversing the landing pad and walking into the sterile white corridor of the building. Seeing the storm arrive gave the agent a sense of urgency. She did not want to leave in a storm. Danstari did not have enough experience with this kind of ship, she thought, and the agent definitely did not want to let on that she could fly it. After all, it was her vessel. Delwynn grabbed her comlink and depressed a button. "Asana," she said. "Can you spare a minute?" "Yeah, Delwynn," the Twi'lek cheerfully said through the device. "I need you to get Shalli and unload all the equipment from the naval base that we brought. We are leaving shortly." "On it," Asana replied. Delwynn took a deep breath and thought about what needed to be done. Once the Palt Bimwera was on his way to the main GIN office she could depart. The ship needed to be prepped first. Clicking another button, the agent continued. "Danstari?" There was no response. She waited a moment and clicked again. "Lieutenant Danstari?" the agent asked with a hint of agitation. "Sorry, boss," the lieutenant said through the comlink. "I was in the refresher. I don't think the food quite agreed with me." "Did not need to know that, Danstari." "Sorry, boss." "Prep the ship for departure. Wait until I get back before we leave, though. I will be the last one aboard." "Of course." "Did Master Greystone tell you where we are going?" "Denon." "Good. Do you think you can handle this girl in a storm?" "What do you mean, boss?" Delwynn shook her head and paused, quelling the frustration. Of course, it was not really Danstari's fault. The timing of the situation was what made it annoying. "Lieutenant, look out the transparisteel when you get to the cockpit. Tell me what you think of the weather. Be honest, Danstari. If you can't handle her we'll wait." "I'll let you know as we get closer to leaving." Delwynn put her comlink away and continued around some corners and into the makeshift autopsy lab. The bodies were in bags on top of repulsorcarts with force fields holding them steady. Next to the bodies, Palt Bimwera was typing something into his datapad. "All set, Palt?" she asked, looking at the medical examiner. "Of course, Agent Delwynn," he replied without looking up. "Need help moving them?" she queried. "Sure," the medical examiner replied, putting away his datapad and smiling at the agent. "Just grab the legs." Delwynn walked over to the corpse of Senator Regueny and started pushing it from the legs. "Agent Delwynn," Bimwera interjected, gesturing toward the partial corpse. "I meant, the legs." "I have the legs!" she retorted with a broad grin. The medical examiner just shook his head and laughed. Delwynn knew exactly what he had meant, but decided to have some fun with the man. Still pushing Regueny's lifeless corpse, she followed the medical examiner down the hall toward the landing pad. On her way to the shuttle, the agent began to think once again about how a company such as Eriadu Interstellar Enterprises could keep the information of its owner and CEO so secretive. All it said on the reports and HoloNet information as to be announced. Of course, she could subpoena those reports with a court order, but that could take weeks in this part of the galaxy. As soon as a name is found, however, could the connection even be confirmed? Would that name be a lie? Even with the questions, doubt was not entering the agent's mind. She knew that ultimately something would be exposed. The fear, however, was that the 'something' would be too much further down the road and come at the expense of innocent lives. Regueny may have been an accessory, knowingly or unknowingly, but his life should not have been lost in a perfect galaxy. Then again, in a perfect galaxy, she thought, the crimes would have never been committed and her employment would not be needed. "Okay, Delwynn," the medical examiner interrupted. "Let's load him onto the ship." Delwynn nodded and positioned the cart in front of the loading ramp. "Let me help," Palt added, coming around the cart. "These things do not always like the ramp." "Don't think I can handle it, Palt?" "Agent Delwynn, if anyone could, you could." The pair laughed as they pushed the repulsorcart that carried Regueny's corpse up the loading ramp. On the ship, they maneuvered it around a corner, and into a frigid room. The medical examiner went back down the boarding ramp to grab the other cart while Evening scoured the cold room. She checked behind every bag, cart, and storage bin. Satisfied, she began walking through the other three cabins on the small craft, checking each nook for a stowaway or some other unwanted device. Having checked everything but the cockpit, Delwynn drew her blaster. At that moment, Palt exited the chilled storage room and froze in place. A look of shock was on his face; although, the agent thought, he probably understood what was going on. Delwynn reached for the controls to the cockpit and opened the door. Jumping into the doorframe as it opened, Delwynn pointed her blaster at the pilot's chair. If anyone was against the back wall, however, she could not see them. Cautiously, she slid into the cockpit, ready for anything. "Clear," she said, taking a deep breath. The cockpit was completely empty. "Good," Palt confessed. "You had me scared." "Never take any chances," she replied. "This is supposed to be a secure facility… oh, never mind. I'll wait for your signal to take off." "We'll follow you out of the system. Once you make the jump to hyperspace, we'll head to Denon." "Denon?" "Unfortunately." "Delwynn, that planet smells worse than my cooler with the corpses in it." Delwynn laughed and nodded. She shook the medical examiner's hand and left the ship, allowing him to seal his small transport vessel. Walking backwardly, she entered the building, viewing the ship along the way to make certain everything was satisfactory. Inside, she ran through the halls and to her modified Traverser-class vessel, at which she arrived a couple minutes later. Upon re-exiting the building, Delwynn looked up at the sky. Concern flooded her mind. The swirling clouds had significantly darkened and it was beginning to rain. "Asana?" Delwynn said, activating her comlink. "Delwynn," the Twi'lek cheerfully chirped. "All set with the equipment?" the agent asked. "Right behind you," Asana shouted, walking out on the landing pad. The Twi'lek was carrying a bag and two black cases. "That's the last of it?" "Yeah." "And Shalli?" "She should be on the ship already." "She did help you, right?" "Of course! She just used that Force trick to carry the other three bags all at once." Asana smiled and trotted onto the ship. Delwynn glanced at the sky once again and shook her head, wondering if Shalli really understood what she was involved in. Turning her attention back toward the weather, she watched as lightning began to crackle on the horizon. She hoped Danstari could navigate this weather. Still, she needed to hurry. She did not want to miss meeting with Tordana. So far, that could be their best lead. She shrugged at the sky and walked onto the Mally. Once on the ship, she raised the boarding ramp and sealed the vessel. The agent then walked through the corridor and into the cockpit where Danstari was waiting. It was time for departure. "Can you handle this ship?" Delwynn asked straightly. "Boss," Danstari replied with a mile-long grin. "Fine. We'll go, but take it easy," Delwynn ordered. "I don't want this girl to come apart in the atmosphere." "Yes, boss," Danstari replied, unlocking the docking controls. "I understand." "Good," she replied, sitting in the other cockpit seat, next to Danstari. "Just wait for the medical examiner to take off first. I want him in front of us." Danstari nodded and began to lift the ship off of the pad, but he did not accelerate forward. Delwynn then pressed a button on the control panel and activated the com device. "Palt, go ahead. We will be right behind you." "Sounds good, Agent Delwynn," he replied through the radio. Delwynn disengaged the communicator and sat back. Relaxing for a brief moment, she took a deep breath while Danstari gently scooted the ship forward to prevent idling. Looking out the transparisteel window, she saw the medical examiner's white and red ship fly overhead and gestured Danstari to follow after it. "I have the coordinates for Denon in the navicomputer already, boss," Danstari commented. "Good," she replied. "Do not make the jump until after Bimwera does. I want to see him leave for Alsakan before I take any chances with our trip to Denon." "Nervous, boss?" "Danstari, when you've been in this business as long as I have, you never take anything for granted." "Always in the details?" "Always. Details like leaving this planet can't be overlooked. By the way, you never answered my question." "What question, boss?" "Can you handle this girl in the storm?" "I believe I can. If I can't manage it, I'll put her right back down. Faster than…" "Danstari! Not fast. Easily." "Sorry, boss." Danstari shifted in his seat and looked stoically ahead. Slowly, he began moving the ship forward and into the path of the swirling clouds. Lightning began striking as they approached. Delwynn watched the lieutenant as he casually took a forty-five degree angle with the ship, powering through the clouds as fast as possible. Delwynn gripped the padding of the chair as the vessel accelerated. The turbulence was minor, but noticeable. Too noticeable. Lightning was flashing across the window in a frantic array while the clouds kept swirling in all directions. Thankfully, the shields were up, so damage would be minimal if any. Palt's ship, however, was not in sight and she had nothing on the scanner to go with. The storm was causing too much interference. Within one eternally long minute he was above the storm, but condensation had collected on the cockpit transparisteel window. Free from the storm, the scanner reactivated and a blip on the screen showed the agent where the other craft was at. More relaxed, Delwynn chuckled as the lieutenant began hitting controls to regulate the humidity and temperature. After a minute of fruitless of searching, the natural course of leaving the atmosphere removed the liquid. Danstari looked noticeably relieved. Delwynn watched as the medical examiner's vessel, which remained directly in view, skipped above the Eriaduan atmosphere and jumped into hyperspace. Now other work needed to begin. There was so much to do in preparation for meeting with Tordana. Sitting back, she anxiously began brushing her hair back with her left hand, only to ruffle it again. Her nervous habit. Resisting the urge to continue, she slapped the top of the control panel and stood. As soon as Danstari made the jump to hyperspace she retreated to her quarters for rest and to refocus. There was plenty of time to do more work while traveling to Denon. First, she needed to shower and sleep. Walking back to her quarters, she spotted Master Greystone. He was sitting in the lounge area relaxing and having a drink. Listening carefully, Delwynn could hear Shalli saying something, although it was intelligible at that distance and angle. Shalli must have been around the corner in another part of the small lounge area. Stalling for a moment, she waited for a break in the conversation. Then, she motioned for the Jedi Master to join her and unlocked the office door. Having caught his attention, she walked over to her desk and sat at it. A moment later, the Jedi took his common spot under the mantle. "Sorry to pull you aside if you were busy," Delwynn confessed. "No," Master Greystone replied. "I was just sitting with Shalli and listening to her talk about what has happened so far." "Enjoyable?" she asked. "Somewhat. More interesting than anything else. She's an interesting being." "Tell me about it." "How is it that she is on your team?" "As opposed to another Jedi?" "No, what I mean is, why did you request a Jedi?" "Master, consider it self-preservation," Delwynn replied as reclined and folded her hands behind her head before continuing. "but I didn't want to request a Jedi. Director Aiden figured this would get become a larger issue than what we were investigating, and you and I both know how much the Jedi Council loves getting their hands in these things. I requested a Jedi at his very strong recommendation so that we could appease any power-grabbing they might try for just in case this got a lot bigger." "I suppose you think the Council really would?" "Absolutely. Grand Master m'Ord-Vinka wants the Council to have significantly more power." Master Greystone sat forward and put his elbows on his knees while rubbing his face. He sighed and allowed Delwynn to continue. "I believe you know what I mean, Master." "I do, Evening. The politicking of that one Jedi is wearing on all of us who are trying to take the high road. Still, what about Shalli?" Delwynn sighed and allowed her hands to fall onto the arms of the chair. "Well, Master," she spoke. "Shalli had been with Senator Valorum for about three weeks while he was touring the Mid Rim as part of this diplomatic relations thing he has been doing. She was assigned by the Jedi Council to protect him. The protection request, however, came from the chancellor. He wanted Servius to have a Jedi around just to be safe. So, after two of the three weeks were up, he recommended that she be the Jedi placed on my team as a liaison, if that was ever needed. He figured since she was quiet and stayed out of his way, it would work out well for me." "And, what do you figure?" "It's been fine. Nothing to write home about, if you ask me. She stays out of everyone's way, but she is quite uncooperative at times and either somewhat dense… or something. I don't think she's stupid. She's just… I can't even think of words to describe her." "Interesting you say that." "Why?" "Evening, she's different. Not the type of being I would have put with you on this mission." "Master, I postponed the promotion of a very promising young Ithorian to take her on. Please tell me you approve of her being here." "I do, to a point. I understand your need to save face with the Jedi Order." Delwynn sat forward and leaned on the desk. Master Greystone gently eased back and reclined in his chair. "She said she was warned," the Jedi recounted. "She was warned to be skeptical of you. She was told not to fully trust you unless you proved it. The good news is that you've earned her trust through your competence. She does not fully approve of your tactics, but she does trust you. That is a good sign." "I'm not surprised," Delwynn replied, sitting back in her chair. "Most of the Jedi Council doesn't trust non–Force users." "Well, Shalli is an interesting case. She shows so much skill and promise, but equally lacks on social and interpersonal matters. She is a tremendously flawed individual. Well suited for combat and dealing with conflict, she does not have the aptitude to be an investigator at this point. She has learned a lot even over the last few days. But, her flaw is deeper than a lack of knowledge. You see, Evening, it is almost as if she has no soul. Other than being mischievous with Danstari, the only other emotion I ever sense from her is fear. Aside from that, it is like talking to a droid." "Surely she isn't devoid of a soul, although that would explain a lot of it." "No, she has one. Somewhere in there. She works way too hard to bury it instead of simply controlling it. She definitely is following in the new trend within the Jedi Order." "That explains why she seems so distant." "It should, Evening. Maybe this case will be good for her." "How so?" "Something within her is beginning to unravel. She mentioned that you greeted her like a traditional Omwati when you first met. Interestingly, she doesn't eat traditional Omwati cuisine, or hold to any customs or habits of her species. She's also a bit of a brute and not graceful. That's probably why that greeting has stuck with her. She doesn't know what to do with it. She intellectually knows about it but hasn't experienced it otherwise." "So, she's been culturally neutered." "Interesting choice of words… but, in effect, yes. She just doesn't understand life outside of the Jedi Order. That's why her being here is so odd." "That explains some of our conflicts." "It should." Delwynn sat in silence with the Jedi Master across from her for a few minutes. In a sudden motion, he rose and walked toward the door. "Get some sleep, Evening. You need it." Delwynn did need sleep. As Master Greystone exited the office, she walked over to the door and locked it. As was her custom, she caught a quick glance at each of the holoimages on the mantle before walking into her quarters. There, she tossed her grey overcoat onto a chair and began to change her apparel to something more comfortable to sleep in. Satisfied, she fluffed her hair and laid on the bed. Within moments, she was asleep.
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