Thu Dec 27, 2012 9:02 pm by Soren Kai
"There are some toys the Chief thought you could use back there," Mickey suggested. "You might want to take a look."
There were a few, Soren conceded. A fully charged datapad, several heat sinks for a blaster pistol, a rather nasty-looking collapsible asp-sword, a number of documents and what appeared to be a full-length mesh body glove. Mickey politely averted her eyes while Soren slid into the body glove and dressed over it.
Mickey maneuvered through the metropolitan skyscape with practiced ease as Soren explained the situation from the troop pod.
"You seriously think there's a Sith running around Corellia? Right under the Temple's nose?" Mickey snorted. "I thought the Sith were supposed to be gone. Something about a big mop-up operation out on the Rim."
Soren nodded grimly. "Under the Grand Master's nose, specifically. I saw her on Tython at the Conclave. Human female. A hundred and sixty centimeters, forty-five kilos or so. Blond, big blue eyes."
"Sounds like you've got a crush."
A flash of anger surged through Soren's aura, but he kept it contained. "Not my type, and not old enough. Then again, they don't need to be. What do you know about the Sith?"
"Not much, but then again most people don't." Spotting a nearby CorSec hover sled, Mickey slowed the dropship a hair. "They're like Jedi, right?"
"Basically, though it goes a bit deeper than that. The Sith want power, and lots of it. They'll stop at nothing to make sure that the Jedi and anyone who stand in their way are wiped out so they can achieve their goals. They use the Force as a weapon."
"Still not sounding all that different from Jedi."
Kriff that. "It's not that simple, Mickey." Soren thought for a moment. "The Jedi don't fight unless they're pushed to. They don't take power unless it's given to them."
"That's always how it starts, kid. Emergency powers, interim governments; I've seen it happen before. Not many people remember the Diktat, but I do. He always made speeches about how regrettable it was that the Corellian Council couldn't convene that year, because of the 'ongoing crisis.'" Mickey chuckled. "Shows you what happens. Politicians and Jedi may wear different robes and answer to different councils, but they're still men, and men and power go together like kittens and cream."
Soren sighed, unconvinced. Then, consulting the readout behind the pilot's seat, pointed out the canopy. "There. Northwest. We'll be on the Academy in a moment."
Mickey looked at the flight pattern, her yellow eyes flashing across holographic screens. "If I land at the Academy I'll have to register a passenger manifest. The assassin will know you're coming."
"Drop me off by the entrance, then."
"Going undercover, spy boy?"
"Something like it." Soren gave her a weak but reassuring smile. "Pick me up in half an hour - with or without the assassin." He thought for a moment, then: "Spy boy?"
"Would you prefer 'indecisive ninny?'"
"Point taken."
The dropship eased around the castle-like Academy and finally found a landing spot within the shadow of the surrounding forest. The dropship's door opened and Soren slipped out, carrying the collapsed asp inside his body glove. He adjusted himself, making sure that none of the catsuit showed from under his clothing, then walked towards the Academy.
The grounds were well lit, and Soren spotted several active vid cams on the walls of the building. There were a few students and Knights walking to and from classes, but none within talking distance. Soren drew few curious glances as he approached the steps, clutching his datapad with whitened knuckles.
Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little-death that brings total obliteration. You will face your fear. You will let it pass over you and through you. And when it has gone past you will turn the inner eye to see its path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only the Force will remain.
It was a good, comforting thought. Soren soothed himself as he walked, doing his best to quiet the voices of anxiety and hatred in his mind. He let memories of Marko and the coiled asp in his body glove slip out of his head with his fear, and by the time the guardian Jedi Knight at the door came into view Soren was in a state of complete peace.
"Welcome, traveler." The Knight, an older woman with a hatchet for a face, inclined her head. "Do you seek guidance or sanctuary?"
Soren returned the bow, feeling especially self-conscious. He let the Coruscanti accent slip in as he spoke - just a hint, as if he had spent decades on Corellia and had just gotten the grasp of pronouncing his Reshes. "Actually, I'm looking for a student here by the name of Terra Kiros. She's a... friend of mine." He allowed his face to redden slightly. "Oh, sorry, I forgot. I'm Kyp Vella. I'm her, ah..." He fumbled for the words, letting the Knight step in.
"I understand," the Knight replied, a hint of a smile playing on her lips. "What is this concerning?"
So far so good. "We had dinner the other night in Coronet and she left her datapad." A lie, and a rather unconvincing one at that, but Soren drew on the trickle of Force he had to give the lie weight. "She said that I could find her at the Academy, so here I am. Do you know where I could find her? I'm sure she'll need it for classes."
"If truth be told I thought she would be with you," the Knight said, skepticism creeping into her voice.
"Why do you say that?"
"It's not unknown for students here to venture into Coronet to relieve stress. Uncommon, but not unknown. The Academy is always here for them when they return. I am not surprised Apprentice Kiros found the need for companionship. She is and always has been a lonely girl."
I imagine. "Do you know where she is right now?"
"Apprentice Kiros has not been seen for three days now," the Knight said disapprovingly. "Our surveillance cameras recorded her departure around dinnertime. Her cred-card was used at the tram station leading to Tyrena, and was last used at station Besh-7. A thoroughly disreputable area of the city." She sniffed. "The Academy will be here for when she returns."
Soren's mind raced. If Kiros wasn't here, then that meant she was already at work. "Ah... Thank you for your time, ma'am."
The Knight inclined her head. "May the Force be with you, young man. I pray you find her."
Strange that they wouldn't look for her, Soren thought as he left the grounds. But then again, I wouldn't want a Sith assassin at my school either. He reached the dropship and silently strapped himself into one of the seats in the troop pod.
"No luck?" Mickey asked.
"I think I know where to find her," Soren answered. He brought up his datapad and raised the map function. Sure enough, there it was, right in the middle of everything. "Crystal Plaza, right by the Horst Larr Memorial Hospital. Home to every crystal peddler and gang-banger in Tyrena." He allowed himself a smile.
I'm coming for you.