CHAPTER TWELVE
"So Senator Moog Ulur is dead, the ruler of Christophsis is either MIA or dead as well, and some masked warrior is behind this all?" Director Belindi Kalenda sighed as she stood up from her desk. "I am sorry, captain, but this just to hard to believe."
Wallen Nix bowed his head. "Trust me, ma'am, I'm a bit disbelieving myself. But both Lieutenant Xemer and I saw this...being throw Senator Ulur's body out of a building before he started killing everyone in the city."
Director Kalenda fixed her face with concern. "No matter how believable it is, I will have to bring this to the Galactic Triumvirate's attention. If this being can take out more than a dozen Kerkoiden and Rodian guards so easily, I'm afraid to think of what else he is capable of."
Wallen nodded in agreement. "Is there anything else you require of me, director?"
Kalenda shook her head. "There is no need, captain. You are dismissed."
Wallen nodded again before walking out of the Intelligence Director's office. In the hallway outside waited Xemer, who stood up from the bench he was sitting on.
Answering the Kel Dor's unspoken question, Wallen said, "The director is going to tell the Triumvirate of what happened on Christophsis. Since we don't have much information other than what we encountered, we can't do anything about it at the moment."
"Too bad," Xemer muttered. "I'm sure Admiral Sovv will want to at least tighten security."
"After what happened to Senator Ulur, he would be mad not to do so," Wallen replied. "And speaking of Ulur, I think I'll pay Senator Versanus a visit..."
* * *
The Echani senator's cold gaze made Wallen feel uneasy standing before him. When Versanus finally spoke, his voice chilled him to the bone.
"Are you insinuating that I lied about my son's abduction?"
Wallen shook his head. "No, senator. It's just that, with Senator Ulur's death, we have no way of knowing if he really did kidnap your son, which I'm beginning to doubt he did."
The Echani's gaze did not waver. "Haven't you tried interrogating his aides?"
"Before coming here, I spoke with Ulur's representative and successor, and she denied your accusations. However, she would have security thoroughly search Ulur's office and living residences on here and Rodia when they go to retrieve the designated belongings in his will."
At first, Versanus did not speak, instead simply glaring at the detective. Finally, his voice filled with contempt, the chalk-skinned senator said, "Very well. I shall simply find a more competent detective. You may leave, captain."
Wallen froze at the Echani's statement. His temper faltering, he almost opened his mouth to retort, but a voice in his head prevented him from doing so.
"As you wish, senator," he said instead, doing his best to keep irritation out of his tone. "I hope you find someone who fulfills their duties to your satisfaction."
With that, Wallen turned on his heels and strode out of the Echani senator's office without a second thought.
* * *
Senator Versanus' gaze followed Captain Wallen as he walked out of the room and would linger at the doorway even as it closed.
For a while, Versanus simply sat in silence, until he reached for a control panel under his desk and activated a small holoprojector on its surface. Soon, a miniature, shimmering replica of his master appeared.
"Agent Deceiver," the Avatar of the Watcher said. "I do hope you have amended for your errors on Corellia."
Versanus hesitated before saying," Somewhat, yes. I sent two GA detectives to Christophsis, as requested. Except..."
The Avatar's gaze darkened at the senator's hesitation. "What is it?"
"They returned alive."
The Avatar crossed his arms. "I thought I wanted them dead."
"Apparently, General Creno failed in fulfilling that duty," Versanus said bitterly. "Now the Alliance is fully aware of 'shape-shifting alien invaders.'"
"A pity," the Avatar muttered. "So much for luring the Alliance with several unexplained 'disappearances.' The Emperor will not be pleased..."
Versanus bowed his head. "I understand that. I hate to think of the punishment General Creno will receive."
"Oh, Creno will not be the only one to be punished." A dark smile crossed the Avatar's face. "Although the Emperor was willing to give you a second chance to amend your previous failure, he will not grant you a third one."
Versanus' eyes widened as he stared at the hologram. "What? But...I had little to do with this, other then directing the two investigators to Christophsis!"
"That may be true," his master noted. "But when a mission or operation of ours fails, the Emperor finds it necessary to punish all of those involved, for it is obvious that, somewhere along the chain of command, someone failed in their designated task.
"And the Emperor does not have the time to find the one responsible."
Before Versanus could protest, he felt a sharp, cold blade dig into his back. As darkness began to engulf his vision, he faintly heard the Avatar's last words to him.
"Two wrongs do not make a right, I am afraid. Luckily, you are expendable, so I hope your replacement will make up for your failures."
Versanus did not say anything in return, instead simply allowing his killer to finish the job.
* * *
The Watcher's liaison ended the connection with Versanus and turned to face the Emperor.
"Agent Deceiver has been eliminated, master," the Avatar said. "Last time I checked, Agent Shadow is still hunting down the two Sith Lumiya and Jax, and Agent Umbra has already finished in his tasks."
Hidden by the shadows of his lair, the Emperor nodded. "And what of the operation on Manaan and Kashyyyk?"
The Avatar frowned. "Reports are coming in that the Manaan operation has failed. All that remains is Kashyyyk."
His master let out a low growl. "If that is true, then we will be forced to abandon our original plan."
The Avatar nodded solemnly. "Indeed..."
"Very well. Inform all generals that the Harvesting has been aborted, and that they are free to commence...the Invasion."
No comments:
Post a Comment