| Logs |
2003 January 18
| These Shattered Stars |
| Realms |
Retired
| Reality Fault |
General Info
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| Realms: These Shattered Stars Logs |
Chapter Five, Part Seven
The group makes its way back to the Eclipse, somber and quiet after witnessing the fall of the Kreevaki master saber-maker. The existence of the Shadow Devil -- and that it has already been found and claimed -- is a bit of a pall.
Vakkal greets them, however, with nice-smelling food, which helps to improve their spirits, as do a selection of Naboo sweetfruits which Vakkal notes was sent to Freyja et al. about midday from Captain Thorn. While their nectar is rich, they aren't sickly-sweet, and have a vaguely spicy flavor to them.
Dinner, thus, sees a somewhat improved mood for the group. When dinner is over, Vakkal and Fhazil "switch places" for the trip to the fortress: the canid Sith will stay by Freyja while the journeyman will keep watch on the ship -- and also keep a lookout for any random flying Mandalorians.
Freyja hugs Vakkal when they arrive, and apologizes for alarming him with their silence. She is both startled and a bit flattered at the gift, and happily shares with her companions. It's a new and interesting flavor to her, and she has fun nibbling up the juicy slices, and licking her fingers clean, with her crewmates.
On the way to the keep, she wonders aloud who the 'leak' is... and if it was deliberate or inadvertent. She adds thoughtfully, "I hope it's not the toy-boy... that'd be sad."
Almost before they reach the fortress, Orfune is waiting at the gaping entrance. She inclines her head. "Welcome," she says without preamble, "Ameil is waiting for us in the lower levels."
Freyja nods politely, "Thank you, majordomo." At Orfune's terseness, Freyja decides maybe it's best not to ask... she'll find out soon enough. She is quietly gratified the group is no longer asked to surrender its weaponry -- she thinks that's rather gracious of Ameil and her people.
Orfune adds, as she leads the group into the fortress, "Fortunately no, it was not him." Her voice has an unusual note of relief to it. "It was one of the financial counselors, who was in charge of non-Republic trading." She uses the Huttee word, which has intimations of not only legitimate trade, but also smuggling. "He appears to have had plenty of opportunity to contact Thorghul's agents in his travels off Tynnea."
A small look of relief crosses Freyja's face also, for just a second... then she simply nods, listening with interest. "This is... something you are very sure of, then?"
"Not as such, yet. We have awaited interrogating him against your arrival, at your request. If he is indeed the leak, though, then he has had ample opportunity to contact Thorghul's people. I do not intend to let that direct the interrogation, however. Ameil and I are interested in facts, not scapegoats."
Freyja nods again, glad to hear it is facts which are most important here. Thoughtfully she asks, "So your fixer which we met earlier today said the information about the attack was stopped at that other planet... are you saying this person did manage to get the information through, or neh, please?"
"The counselor here did get the information out. It was, however, intercepted by my facilitator on Guryan. While I admit curiosity as to why Aaron Deno would be interested in you, now is not the time to pursue that topic, I don't think."
Freyja grins quietly to herself. In a way, the answer is simple -- Zero and his companions didn't have the 'courtesy' to just lay down and die for Deno -- but she doubts anyone would believe that, weirdly enough. She just smiles a bit ruefully and nods politely again... then asks, "When we're finished here, may we speak for a bit? I confess to some curiosity also on a few lingering issues, if you have a moment?"
Orfune nods. "Of course, Makkaisdottir. Here we are...."
When Syf Rigg was younger she was in a holovid where she played a spunky young girl who with her band of misfit friends snuck into a dark manse to get back their fiercely loyal frehkee from the lord of the manse, who was rumored to be thoroughly unpleasant. A couple of sets were set up, with dark and slimy rock, water dripping from the ceiling, an atmosphere that looked utterly despondent...
Well, it turned out the cranky old man had a heart of gold, and there was some other issue the kids had to save the day about, but the image of a dark and dank dungeon would remain. A Hutt owns this particular dungeon, and while it is made of stone, it's clean -- almost scarily, fastidiously clean -- and dry. In the center is a lean, slender being of a species Freyja does not recognize, in a chair with his neck, wrists, and ankles made fast. Around him are a number of enforcers -- and Ameil. Her expression seems well capable of beating out a lightsaber for boring through the rock walls of the room.
Freyja goes utterly expressionless, in an unwitting attempt to both retain emotional equilibrium and objectivity. She hopes, a little desperately, that the alien truly is guilty, and not just a horribly unlucky innocent bystander. For the first time the really unpleasant reality of the moment has slammed down on her. Freyja nods politely to Ameil, then follows Orfune's directions (if any) as to where they should be.
Ameil looks over to the doorway and nods once to the group. The counselor appears to have had no harm come to him outside of some over-enthusiastic manhandling by the enforcers. Orfune and Ameil exchange a glance, then the Twi'lek looks to the group. "How would you like to proceed?" she asks in Aurabesh.
Freyja blinks, not expecting that, then glances at her friends. At their silence, she thinks a moment, then says cautiously, "Well... sometimes I can tell if someone's lying... would we like to try that first, before, ah... more drastic measures are called for?"
Orfune nods, "Of course." She walks over to the being in the chair; he looks up. While a bit nervous, he attempts to put up a defiant air. "You will be asked a number of questions, Rurak," Orfune almost intones. "Answer them truthfully." With an 'or else' hanging from the mode of her speech, she turns to Freyja.
Freyja takes a deep breath, centering herself. She simply must be very, very focused and Force-aware here. If she can determine guilt now, no further damage need be done to the man to figure out what he's done. She is in no particular hurry. She knows the reputation of the Jedi will (unfortunately) work to her aid here -- and she also knows the man's imagination will be far more terrible than anything she can do.
The alien, Rurak, seems to pale a little when he sees Freyja -- or rather, his grayish skin becomes a little less dusty. But he still tries to be defiant.
Freyja ignores the alien for the moment, letting her awareness of the Force flow through her. Her senses seem to tingle with awareness, as she Enhances them. A moment of thought -- then she decides to try Friendship too. If she can persuade the alien to simply tell, then there won't be any further damage done to him in order to arrive at the truth -- just whatever punishment Ameil metes out if he's truly guilty.
Freyja then steps forward and quietly checks the alien's bonds, running slender fingers along them. She's not doing anything really -- just touching the alien a bit, taking time to let the thought of Friendship slowly percolate through, and allowing the tension of the moment to rise a bit. If the alien wishes to see her as the 'good enforcer' to Orfune's 'bad enforcer'... all the better.
The alien watches Freyja with glittering eyes in which the fires of defiance fade a little, as he starts to think the Jedi isn't immediately going to turn his mind inside-out.
Freyja finally steps back and nods politely to Orfune, then to Ameil... then turns to the alien and says quietly, "Have you accepted money or some other form of recompense from Thorghul, while in Ameil's employ?"
The alien looks up at Freyja, saying with utter calm and certainty, "I don't know what you're talking about." The subtleties, however, are clear to Freyja -- the faint flicker of his eyes, the shifting of his position, the telltale glimmer of falsehood within the Force... he is not being truthful.
Freyja listens attentively and with a sympathetic expression on her face, nodding... then smiles pleasantly and says, "Unfortunately you are lying. Let's try that again, please? If you refuse to tell me the truth, I fear I will not be able to keep you from the righteous anger of those you have wronged. So... once more. Have you accepted creds or some other form of recompense from Thorghul, while in Ameil's employ?" She waits attentively, with the same pleasant, sympathetic expression on her face and her hands clasped behind her back.
Rurak blinks in surprise for a moment, then contorts his face in a glower. "I said I don't know what you're talking about! Great Ameil, I demand to be heard and not with this Jedi witch present -- she'll try to put words in my mouth! I can explain everything!"
Freyja murmurs pleasantly, "Please do. We're all waiting."
Orfune says darkly, "She has proven herself more trustworthy than you have, Rurak. Now, answer her truthfully." Ameil says nothing, simply folds her arms and watches with unsettling eyes.
Rurak swallows and glances up to Orfune. "I don't know what she's intimating. Of course I've had contact with Thorghul's factors on the borders between our territories, and sometimes we exchange favors and creds -- cost of doing business, to keep things healthy and calm."
Freyja nods, "Excellent! A good start. Now... let's have the whole truth, shall we?"
Rurak spits out, "That is the whole truth, blast it! Nothing funny there! It's cost of doing business! Orfune... you know how it is -- sometimes we as factors have to pay off each other, and they pay us off, it's all to keep things from going into full-scale territory wars! It's worked for centuries...."
Orfune says, "Yes, I know. Our factors bribe Thorghul's factors to look the other way once in a while, and they return the favor. That isn't what she means, however, and you know it." Freyja is still waiting patiently, with the same pleasant, attentive expression.
Rurak swallows a little. "What.. you think I had something to do with this attack? You're vacuum-headed! I've worked for Ameil for five years!"
Freyja sighs, "All right, time to be a little more... er, pardon the pun -- forceful." She scans slowly through the Force, Empathically reading the alien's current mood, so she can most accurately try Intimidating him... some of the enforcers glance at each other, and seem to take a step back, away from the center of the room. Freyja hums peacefully to herself as she rummages through a belt pouch, moving to stand behind the alien, so he can't see her. A few seconds later she murmurs happily, "Ah! There you are..." -- then falls utterly silent.
Freyja lets the silence build for a few moments.
Rurak swallows a little. "What... what are you doing?" he asks. His voice carries a bit of a tremor that wasn't there before.
Freyja finally lightly lays a fingernail on the back of the alien's neck. It's not at all scary if you know what it is... but by this point she hopes the alien's imagination is working overtime. Airily she says, "Oh, nothing..." which, of course, is nothing less than the truth -- but Rurak won't know that. She murmurs softly, "Now... for your own sanity, please... tell Ameil of the illicit dealings you had with Thorghul against her."
The alien tenses. "Grk... you... you're lying! Ameil! Great Ameil! I've been faithful for five years! Orfune, please, listen to me...!" Ameil is silent, watching. If anything, she has an intrigued expression as she watches Freyja.
Freyja murmurs softly, "You're running out of time, I'm afraid... I'd speak fast if I were you, or there won't be time for the antidote to take effect..."
He tenses. "An... antidote?! What did you do to me, witch?! Oh, stang, oh, stang...." Freyja doesn't say anything more, letting the alien build his own fears in his own mind. Rurak goes silent, fidgeting and starting to pant. Finally something in him breaks. "ALL RIGHT! All right, I... I passed some information on to Thorghul! But it was nothing big, I swear I didn't know he would attack!"
Freyja tchs quietly, "Still not the whole truth... and I see your emotional equilibrium is slipping." Her tone is gently commiserating as she adds, "That's the first sign of the degeneration, you know..."
He gurgles, twitching slightly. "All right... all right! If... if I come clean, if I tell you who my contact was, just let me live -- I'll go off to the Unknown Regions, you'll never hear from me again!"
Freyja can see some movement in the crowd. It is the Mandragolan facilitator they met that morning, pulling a small holoprojector from his coat. He holds it up, arching an inquisitive eyebrow to Freyja, silently asking for her permission.
Freyja whispers quietly and sibilantly, "Neh, you do not understand... you are going to die now, from the injection, if you do not talk very, very fast." She nods to the Mandragolan, carefully staying out of the field of vision of the alien, and letting the alien's body block her from the holoprojector. She adds almost thoughtfully, "It... is not a pleasant way to go, I fear..."
The Mandragolan steps forward, holding the holoprojector out so Rurak can see it. "Is this your contact?" he asks, flicking it on. A holo of what appears to be a female Rodian appears. Rurak gives a start at the holo, then visibly collapses. "She is no longer your contact," the Mandragolan says simply, tucking the holoprojector away before stepping back.
Freyja murmurs softly, "Thirty seconds..."
"All right!" Rurak shouts, panicked. "All right! I... I gave Thorghul's people approval visas for his ships to approach so close, and the layout of the fortress. I arranged for the theft of the jewelry as a distraction. Just please, let me live!!"
Freyja says approvingly, "Now that is the whole truth. Finally." She touches the back of Rurak's neck with her fingernail again, leaning to blow a soft gust of cool air there as well, then straightens. "Honored Ameil, I hope that answers all your questions."
Ameil says softly, "Yes. It does. Thank you, Makkaisdottir." Her eyes a faintly indigo.
Freyja nods politely, then steps back to stand with her friends. She wonders what punishment will be meted out. She can't imagine letting the alien live for such a horrific betrayal. He tried to have his lord killed, after all -- she has trouble understanding the insane greed that could cause that sort of aberration. She hopes it's at least a relatively quick, clean death... but realizes, with a soft, internal sigh, it probably won't be.
Ameil studies Rurak for a moment, then glances to Orfune; Rurak himself seems to have collapsed in on himself, his breathing slow and steady, eyes closed. Orfune nods to Ameil, then turns to the group and subtly gestures outside. Freyja nods politely again, and leaves with her friends.
Orfune steps out with them, and after the door shuts she looks down a bit. "Even with his offer," she says quietly, "-there is really only one thing that can happen, now. He, at least, knows this."
Freyja says softly, "I understand, majordomo. I think we all do. He betrayed his liege -- tried to have her murdered -- after all, under such circumstances, nothing less will answer."
Orfune nods. "Ameil will be quick. Which is perhaps more than he deserves. It is her way." As soon as she stops speaking there is the ringing sound of a single blaster shot from within the room.
Freyja raises her head, listening... then takes a slow, deep breath, and nods, "I... commend her kindness, then, honored majordomo. She is a Hutt among Hutts, from what I have seen."
Orfune nods quietly to Freyja. Shortly, the door opens and Ameil slips out into the hallway. "Burn the body," she tells Orfune softly. "Except for the hands. Pillage his records and find out what Thorghul paid him. Put that amount in his hands, then send them to Thorghul."
Freyja watches thoughtfully, thinking, Poetic justice. Truly a remarkable and unusual Hutt, from what I have read. She bows politely as Ameil slides silently by.
Orfune nods silently at Ameil's command. The Hutt looks to Freyja. "That was quicker and far more effective than we had expected," she says. "Would that he had not been responsible... but that cannot be helped. Thorghul will get the message. And you, Freyja... we are again, and gladly, in your debt. There is a place for you and your friends in my court if you so wish it."
Freyja smiles, bowing politely again, "Venerable one, I am honored at your offer... but I fear we truly are on a learning quest. Also... I really did not do anything to the man. He did it to himself... therefore I may not rightfully claim credit for his confession." She considers a moment, then adds very carefully, "However, if I might speak to you about my friends at some point when you are not busy, I would be grateful for your time?"
Ameil nods, a slight expression of surprise crossing her face. "Of course. I am not busy at the moment. What may I do for you?"
Freyja says, "Er... well, some time in the near future, some Jed- well..." she considers a moment, then amends, "Some rather quiet and well-centered-seeming people may come and ask if they may examine your ruins, outside of town. Might I ask that you allow them this courtesy? The ruins contain memories linked to the location, which a farseer would find... enlightening." She wonders a bit puzzledly what Ameil is surprised at... hopefully not that Freyja was greedy enough to ask for something?
Ameil picks up on the slip immediately. She considers for a moment. "You would ask me to knowingly allow Jedi onto Tynnea," she says. "Well. If they do not interfere, then I will allow it. The ruins have held little of interest for us, so I will admit it is not a hard thing to grant." She makes an intrigued sound. "Jedi and Hutts together. Is the universe coming to an end?" she asks, jokingly. "I will do as you ask, Freyja. Perhaps it may help things with the Republic."
Freyja grins, relieved. She'd not wanted to blatantly point out it would be Jedi -- but she'd not wanted to lie either. "Thank you, honored Ameil." With quiet happiness she says, "Perhaps it will help things all around, for all of us. That is my hope, at least. After all, it was when I heard you mostly exported, among other things, precious metals that I remembered those are used often in the creation of droid brains on Balmorra. Increased trade, even if initially surreptitious, can surely initiate beneficial cross-cultural ferment."
Freyja cheerfully adds, as she remembers, "There are Jedi Hutts, too, after all!" She pauses, then adds cautiously, "Er... might I inquire as to what surprised you a moment earlier, though?"
Ameil nods wryly. "Yes, we've never been certain what to think of them. They are... not quite outcasts, but they are... unusual. Awareness in the Force is unusual amongst our people." To Freyja's other comment, Ameil nods and says, "Perhaps so, Freyja Makkaisdottir. It will be interesting to see what comes of this." She tilts her head to the side. "I was surprised at your humility. That he did it to himself is a given, but such a thing takes an enabler, an interrogator of some skill."
Freyja's cheeks flush a bit warmer with embarrassment as she clasps her hands behind her back, looking down at one boot toe gently rubbing along the ground, "Ahhh... well, it was the first time I'd ever tried anything like that. I just..." she looks back up, adding a bit sheepishly, "I hope you don't mind. I just thought if I could make it easier for everyone all around... that would be a good thing, you know? So I watched his reactions closely, within the Force... and tried to figure out what would allow him to most effectively confess." She considers a moment, then adds quietly, "My master taught me the fears of the guilty are far greater than anything we could think up for them... which is why mastery of fear is most effective when coupled with honesty."
Ameil nods. "Your master is very wise. That has been my experience, as well." Freyja smiles, looking rather pleased as she bows slightly.
Ameil folds her arms. "We seem to have gotten everything else taken care of, I think. We will be awaiting the Sedraki eagerly, as well as the Jedi who will come to investigate the ruins. What of yourself, Freyja Makkaisdottir?"
Freyja looks up a bit puzzledly, "Pardon? Er... well, as you doubtless know, it does take a month or so to get here from Republic Space, honored Ameil." Her eyes are dancing as she adds, "It's my guess there'll be quite a bit of shouting and hand-waving at both those pieces of news, also!" She grins, reflecting on the (more likely) absolute hysteria that's probably going to occur -- then remembers to answer the Hutt's question, "Myself, I shall be heading onwards in our learning quest, honored Ameil." She looks a bit puzzled again... was that another veiled offer of employment?
Ameil and Orfune exchange a mildly amused look. "That isn't what I meant, actually," Ameil says wryly. "I meant for yourself, Makkaisdottir. Any request you have made for compensation in regards to what you have done for us has been always to benefit someone completely other than yourself. What would you ask for yourself, though?"
Freyja says, "Oh!" and looks startled. "Er... well..." Glancing between the two women, she realizes reciprocal gift-giving might well be quite important here -- she should try to think up something, or risk offense. She thinks for a moment, thoughtfully studying her boot toes again... then brightens, looking up, "Oh! I know... do you know anyone heading to Gyndine who'd be willing to sell passage for one? I have a friend going that way?" She wonders a bit worriedly if that counts as for herself... she's not sure, but maybe it'll do?
Ameil considers for a moment, then looks to Orfune. The Twi'lek nods. "One of our traders takes the route past Gyndine. If your friend can be discrete, we can arrange for passage for him at least that far."
Freyja looks relieved, "That would be wonderful, and thank you! I'm quite sure he can be." She takes out her datapad, "May I ask how much passage is, please?"
Orfune shakes her head. "Do not worry about it. Above and beyond being a favor, it would be hard to keep the trip discrete if there was a transfer of funds regarding it."
Freyja blinks... then nods slowly, "Ah... good point. Might I instead pay yourselves with a credchip then, so there is no linking of our names? You are being very kind to my friend, after all?"
Orfune smiles quietly. "There is no need to, but thank you. You would still have to give an accounting of that money, and I imagine the Order will be highly unamused by where it went to."
Freyja says, "Oh, neh, it wouldn't be their funds -- it'd be my- er..." She glances between the two women, suddenly realizing what she was about to say -- that she can casually afford an interstellar ticket, "-uhh..." A little weakly she finishes, "I... assure you there would not be an issue?"
Orfune does the Twi'lek equivalent of going 'Uh-huh, riiiiight,' arching her brow at Freyja's response. "All the more reason to let us cover it, Freyja," she says easily. "Please, let us do this. Besides, it is the soonest ship leaving for that sector, and the trip will not be entirely easy for your friend."
Freyja looks a little worried, "It... won't? Will he be all right? What's wrong with that route?"
"Nothing is wrong with it, and he will be in good hands. But it is a smuggler's ship. By the time he reaches Gyndine, though, she will have legitimate cargo on board. The contraband is going to be dropped off in a client state, and the ship will be going a bit deeper into the Republic before taking up cargo for her return journey."
Freyja says, "Oh!" She blinks, then covers a small grin, "I understand. Still, I think he'll be fine, thank you. He's a Balmorran bard. They're renown for their discretion." She shakes her head ruefully at herself... she's getting casual about Balmorran space pirates and Tynnean smugglers. She must be getting used to Hutt space!
Orfune nods, smiling. "Very well, then. Please let Reykjasen know to be at Berth 17 tomorrow evening at 17:82. I will tell the ship's captain that she should be expecting him. I imagine a few people will want to buy him farewell drinks at Dholman's tonight."
Freyja laughs softly, her eyes bright with happiness, "Thank you -- he will be quite thrilled, I am sure!"
Ameil says, "Are you sure that there is nothing for you, yourself, that you would wish for?"
Freyja says, "For, uhh... oh. Ummm..." She wrinkles her nose, thinking hard. Surely there's something she wants...? "Er... well, if Zero or Fhazil wanted, could you recommend a good person for information about different planets in this area of space?" Maybe that will count, due to indirectly helping her...? She mentally argh!s to herself as Zero shakes his head once, slightly, a faint smile on his lips. Guess he already has all the information he needs... what is she going to ask for?! She leans with relief towards Vakkal as he flicks an inquiring ear at her -- maybe he has a suggestion!
Freyja listens with interest -- then straightens, giving Vakkal a shocked look, "I can't ask her that! It's... it's unimportant personal stu- uhhh..." She blinks, realizing that's precisely what Ameil's asking to know. Vakkal grins cheerfully and encouragingly as she turns bright red, but asks, "Er... well, if this isn't too stupid sounding, honored Ameil, I, ah... well... I really like..."
She takes a deep breath, then blurts it out quickly, "I, ah, would a big, hot, steamy bath with real water be too much to ask?"
Ameil gets the kind of look that can only mean, 'I know what that feels like.' "I think we can arrange that," Orfune says. "There is such a bath here in the fortress. Let me know when you would like to make use of it, and I will see it is prepared for you."
Freyja gets an enormously relieved look -- no one's offended or laughing! She sighs softly once, smiling, "Oh... that'd be so lovely -- thank you!"
Orfune says, "You're welcome. It is a luxury aboard ship, I know."
Freyja nods once emphatically, her tone deeply sincere, "Hai, it sure is! I miss it more than I realized... just the soaking, you know? And the lovely heat." She beams happily, rather touched.
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