A Blessing and a Curse

[Phylis Alince]

This writer does point out that Phylis was probably away for quite a while. One can only nerdgasm for so long. Besides, she rolled a 19 on her Research skill check....

Phylis didn't notice (or acknowledge) Siobhan's grumpiness. She immediately launched into her tale.
"So, the Codex was lost 300 cycles ago, that's 570 standard years. What happened is that an outsider ship arrived, bringing Jedi Knight Malya Helindan back home for the first time in almost a century. She requested an audience with Queen Maelys II on a matter of great urgency. She claimed that she had information that tied into the codex's contents. She had found information elsewhere about the Eldorai which tied into something the Codex said. The Queen's councillors were not happy, but they agreed to let her see it the next day. Now, overnight there was a break in, the Codex was stolen from the vaults and several Angelii and guards killed. Suspicion fell on Malya and a large force stormed the space station. Malya was mortally wounded by the Queen's Champion, but in turn killed her opponent. Their ship took off, and the Eldorai could not stop them. Malya died, and it was assumed the Codex went with her into space and was lost."
"But we know all this already," Lavina said impatiently.
Phylis smiled grimly. "But I don't think that's right at all. I've looked at the reports here from eyewitnesses and reports from investigators. I don't think she did this at all. I think someone else stole the Codex and pinned it on her."
There was silence. Lavina had gone a bit red.

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

Being a fellow "nerdgasmer" this one acknowledges the other writer's point, but posits that Siobhan's grumpiness was probably the result of the fact that so today she had neither gotten laid nor caused property damage.

An uncomfortable silence descended upon the room after Phylis relayed her tale. For her part Siobhan suddenly felt an urge to have a smoke. A six hundred year old crime presented the problem that questioning witnesses would be just a little difficult, even Eldorai did not enjoy such a long life span.

Finally Siobhan decided to break the silence. "Let's assume that's how it went down. Who would've had easy access to the Codex at the time? If this was all a big frame-up, it might not have even left Kaeshana since if everyone thinks it's irretrievably lost in space, no one's gonna look for it," she said thoughtfully.

 

[Phylis Alince]

@[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"]

Phylis looked around. "Well, I don't suspect the Queen or her advisers had knowledge of the plot. I suspect rather that it was someone else who wanted to keep this a secret."

Lavina had finally had enough. "These are slanderous lies! Everyone knows the Yedai stole the Codex! If she didn't, why hasn't it turned up again?"

The Jedi looked at her evenly. "If she delivered her evidence as reported she wouldn't want anyone else making the connection. I have no proof yet. That's what I'm going to find."

"Why?" Lavina asked. "Why are you digging these things up? Maybe we don't want to know this dark secret. Maybe it's not true. Maybe we're just happy with things as they are."

"Why? I'm a historian, we reveal inconvenient truths. Besides, you don't sound so convinced."

"I should report this..." Lavina said softly.

"You must do as you wish, dear, but I think you want to know as well as I do. Wait, what was that?" There was a sound...off to one side, a flicker in the Force, and then it was gone.

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

@[member="Phylis Alince"]

Siobhan had been a bit left out of the conversation as Phylis and Lavina went back and forth in their argument. It once again struck Siobhan as strange that so much ado could be made about ancient history, but then she was of a cynical mind set and in her experience people were awfully eager to find an excuse to sate their killing urge.

The truth is out there. I want to believe, she thought to herself, remembering a holovid series about a terribly whiny Jedi determined to uncover the truth behind a vile conspiracy involving Celestials. The redhead had been cute though!

She tensed when her senses picked up on something, not enough to pinpoint the nature of the disturbance, just a sound, a tug through the Force, before the sensation dissipated.

"I'll make an educated guess and say trouble's imminent," she said quietly. On instinct she wanted to reach for her lightsabre, but then remembered that she had surrendered it along with her blaster and knife.

 

[Phylis Alince]

Lavina looked troubled, but kept hold of their weapons. "I'm sure it's fine. Now, I want you both to come with me to the Palace. I need...I need to consult with the Overseer." She looked shaken, uncertain.

"I understand. Come, Siobhan. Let's go to our quarters." She gave Siobhan a meaningful look which was basically...don't say anything silly. She clearly didn't know @[member="Siobhan Kerrigan"] that well!

 

[Siobhan Kerrigan]

This was ironic considering that it was @[member="Phylis Alince"] who had caused issues due to her iconoclastic zeal! So far Siobhan had gotten on with the natives just fine, whereas the Jedi had been very sociable by looking at tomes.

She nodded at Lavina. "Ok. I understand. Just think about what we said," she said softly before departing along with Phylis, being taken to the quarters that had been assigned to them in a section of the massive ziggurat. Needless to say guards were discreetly posted along the corridor to keep an eye on them and one could assume that more Eldorai were there as well, hidden from sight. Whether the rooms had been bugged as well was anyone's guess.

Siobhan kicked off her boots and removed her socks as she sat down on the bed, stretching a bit after the door had closed behind them. Officially they were guests at the leisure of the Star Queen, but that could easily change. However, Siobhan appeared as nonchalant and sarcastic as ever.
"That went well. Least the stereotypical trap for the foreigners who barge in and claim that what the locals have taken as fact for centuries might be untrue hasn't been sprung. Do you think they've got room service?"

She could certainly ravish a chambermaid at this moment, then her expression turned serious. "Any hint about the revelations Malya claimed to have discovered?"