Private An Eye for an Eye Leaves the Galaxy Blind

[Maou]

Coruscant - Senate District
Senator Kaito Kiyoshi's Office
Sometime After "A Grave Mistake"
Corala Gethsverg

Kaito was deep in meditation when the vision assaulted him. It came to him in a flash. The cold wind of the carefully calculated Coruscanti rainstorm, the expensive Corellian carpets, soaked with a mixture of bodily and mechanical fluids squelching beneath his boots. Those eyes, or rather the shadow of darkness that had fallen over them. A lightning bolt thundered in the distance, illuminating the room as the Jedi Knight Lannik Dawnstar, the true sword of the Jedi, brought his blade to end his life. Someone shouted his name, a young voice attached to the only slightly familiar and pale face with snow-white hair equally as pristine and blinding as Lannik's. But in this version, the voice came too late and even as his head fell to the floor he could hear the young man calling...calling...

"Senator Kiyoshi..."

"Senator Kiyoshi!" He inhaled sharply through his nose, fear rushing through every synapse in his brain and down every nerve of his body, causing him to tense sharply. It hurt to do so. As his eyes opened to the vast expanse of Coruscant, one of the Galaxy's greatest ecumenopoli. Trillions of lives sped this way and that along its crowded flight lanes. Here in the Senate District one mostly saw high-end couriers or the latest repulsor car designs, maybe even the occasional 'vintage' like a Daw Motors Speedster. Off in the distance, though he could see the large bulk freighters flying over the Works or some military transport headed towards one of the massive battlecruisers floating above Coruscant. Even farther he saw the Jedi Temple, its towers recently rebuilt in all of their pristine glory. They were an eyesore now. And to think that he'd voted to fund their little escapades, hoping that they'd kill themselves off in this war with the Sith Empire. Alas, they seemed to be thriving better than ever before. He cursed them quietly to himself, pressing a button on the remote he held in his pocket. The transparisteel turned reflective allowing the Senator to see what had become of him since that night in this very office. An ornate Atrisian mask over his face, his burned scalp and head covered in a fitted sterile cap, hood drawn over to hide the technology and cybernetics. He focused on every imperfection of his body as he slowly pulled himself from his meditations before his cold grey eyes fell on the reflection of the aid who stood on the other side of his desk, facing his back.

"Miss Gethsveg is here to see you," she said nervously, her eyes flicking back and forth from the pair of Corellian Hunter Killers and the strange Atrisian nurse bots that shuffled about the office, cleaning, and scanning seemingly endlessly. Kaito turned to face the young Devaronian aide and nodded.

"Send her in," he ordered, his voice modulated by the mask and connected cybernetics buried deep inside his throat and voicebox. She flinched. Kaito sighed and inclined his head non-threateningly, the mask had stolen his ability to disarm with a charming smile. "Please, I'm sure she has been waiting for some time," he added gently. The aide, still apprehensive but feeling more confident nodded and sighed in relief before heading back out to relay the message. As the door closed behind her Kaito turned back to the transparisteel and depressed the button on the remote again, shifting the metal back to its transparent state so he could gaze upon the people of Corusant again.

 

[Corala Gethsverg]

Given how things devolved within the Senate building not long ago, Corala was not exactly pleased about the situation she found herself in. One passing comment from the Staff Aid to the Chancellor and she had to stop all her work and tend to overseeing Senator Kiyoshi. That was bureaucracy alright, clogging up the wheels of progress with business work and repetition. Sure, it kept things nice and orderly, but it festered to the point of crippling one from taking action.

She had questions for Senator Kiyoshi, very pointed ones that centered on two jedi and an assassination plot gone array. Sadly, she couldn't ask those questions, as it had nothing to do with her assignment, and one slip of the tongue could get her slammed for breach of protocol; not to mention the possibility of being limited in her political maneuverings down the road.

Senators always had the plush fancy offices, though she felt rather exposed looking out at the sky-ways that were practically a calling card for Coruscant. Despite the array of chairs and couches spread across the reception room, Corala elected to stand; it wasn't like her cybernetic legs got tired anyways.

Though it looked like the SIA Director was admiring the scenery, the truth was she was reading holo-messages via her optical implant. She was so damn busy now that even going to get some coffee was at risk of putting her behind schedule. If nothing else, this meeting could prove to be an opportunity. Get in touch with Senator Kiyoshi, sort out this political mess he had found himself in, and maybe earn a favor along the way; heavens knew she was going to need it. Her stance against the jedi wasn't going to garner her many friends, and with how close she was going to have to cooperate with said jedi, she was less than pleased to say the least.

Why couldn't they see the bigger picture?

It was because they had their heads inside that box of dogma they so adored, that's why.

One Loske Treicolt had greatly displeased her, suggesting that the latest turn coat in the SIA be given therapy over a death sentence. In what galaxy was that sort of thinking not some sort of mental disorder? All over some nonsense about the power of friendship. This was exactly why they needed to be brought to heel, willing to put aside a real and present danger for the sake of morals. Honestly, it made her feel like she was the only sane person in the room.

A dull throb at the front of her head indicated she was thinking too much, and perhaps it was time to stop reading her work emails; even cutting edge tech had its limits after all. She pulled herself out of the holonet, only to find a rather concerned aide standing before her. "Miss Gethsverg? Are you okay?" The woman asked, her voice a mix of concern with just a touch of annoyance. The cyborg only smiled, the same plastic smile she gave her assistant when the coffee order was put in wrong. "I'm terrific, is the Senator ready to receive me now?" She responded, as the secretary gave a small nod. "Yes ma'am, he's waiting for you now."

Maybe things would start going her way once more.

"Thank you, have a pleasant rest of you day." She retorted, turning on her heel and moving towards the entrance for the man's office. As the door slide open, Corala was a tad surprised to find combat droids flanking the man, as well as the medical droids that seemed to be looking for something.

It seemed reasonable given the latest developments, but it wasn't exactly the first image that crossed her mind when meeting a politician. "Senator Kiyoshi, I've been looking forward to meeting you sir." She started, taking a few steps into the room as the door 'whooshed' behind her. She took a gander around the office, her eyes glancing over at the decor he had arranged upon it's confines. Such things were telling of a man, especially one of great influence such as Kiyoshi. "I do hope I'm not intruding on your recovery sir, but the Office of the Chancellor wanted me to evaluate your security situation, personally." She looked to the two combat droids, as a small smile spread across her face.

It was understandable why people would accuse him of being a crime-lord, not many senators got access to hard grade military combat droids such as this; though how many senators were targeted by jedi assassins? "Seems you are taking the proper precautions." She would stand at attention for now, as he seemed to be admiring the view from his office. For all she knew, he could just dismiss her and make this assignment short, but the Balmorian would wait for his signal before taking a seat; this was his domain after all, and she merely a guest.

Maou

 

[Maou]

He sensed her at the door before he heard them open. She was an...Interesting presence in the Force to be sure. Her mind was clouded, or rather guarded as he expected of someone in her standing. The Galactic Alliance truly would have been a gaggle of clowns if someone so weak-willed had taken the head of their intelligence. She reminded him a little of Director Basali in the way she walked and talked and he had the feeling that maybe she could be an unwitting ally in his new mission.

"Director," he said jovially as he turned to face her. His eyes were closed in a smile but behind the mask nothing he did looked comforting. "I'm sure they did," he said, a grumble in his voice. "Kick a man while he's down will they? All this talk about accusations and crime syndicates is absolutely infuriating when they have a real crime right here and Jedi doing nothing but getting in the way. But are they being watched? Checked up on?" His excitement caused the caretaker droids to perk up. One spoke, its voice soft and feminine.

"Kiyoshi-sama, please keep your voice down and your emotions in check. Dr-"

"I know what the Doctor said!" He cut off the droid. As if on cue he began a coughing fit, forcing him to lean on his desk. When he could stand on his own again and looked up he noticed the Director's gaze lingering on his warbots. "Do you like them?" He waved a hand offering her a seat at one of the plush chairs that were waiting enticingly for someone to sit in them. "The Diktat wouldn't let me leave Corellia without them. Apparently something about Jedi assault simulations and percentages of victory." He shrugged, continuing to play the fool, "I think they lack the elegance of my Atrisian droids but there is only so much I can deny my Diktat." He sat at his own desk and coughed.


"Despite my outburst, I do appreciate you coming to see about me, Director. Especially with the war going on and Agents to wrangle." The emphasis in his voice hinted at a greater knowledge than what he led on, but the frail man before her retained his harmless, if not a little creepy, aura. "I understand you have questions for me? About the Jedi and that night?"

Corala Gethsverg

 

[Corala Gethsverg]

He was ever bit of pleasant as she imagined. For a man who nearly died, he seemed in good spirits; well, given how her spirits were after her injuries, he seemed pretty well off. She stood there, listening as he grumbled, sounding a bit like a bitter old man as a result. "If it is of any consolation, the holonet has several amusing theories about the news. The Trandoshan Conspiracy is coming back strong apparently." The Director commented, adding a bit of humor into the exchange after his outburst to his droid. It was probably just going to annoy him even more, but she didn't exactly care. This was as much learning about the man as getting her security report done.

She tried to offer one of those 'Politically Correct' statements that she had prepared, though her tone lacked the humor as her past statement. "I don't think your fellows in the Senate seek to prod you sir, rather ensure you are safe. You reminded them that they are mortal, and that scares them." Truth be told, she was more curious than concerned in her dealings here. He gestured to the droids, remarking on why they were there, but Corala felt that was a lie. Politicians loved themselves too much to be naive, Kaito was trying to appear more beloved than he truly was. "They are quite remarkable. I'm familiar with their design, PMCs are starting to take to them, so I imagine their creators are quite pleased with the pay out."

She would just have to play to whatever he was talking at. She played the game before, she would do it again; seemed that those gala infiltrations ended up paying off after all. As much as she might have agreed about the jedi situation, she didn't need word getting out of this office; she was on thin ice with the order as is.

"I do hope the Diktat knows that the Alliance is willing to provide it's own security in the wake of the attacks, but that matter is between the two of you." She didn't exactly care after all. Just meant less work for her if Corellia denied the protections they were offering.

Kaito would sense Corala's mind shift. Initially as a dense cloud, it turned into a strange haze of randomness. The reason was quite simple, as her Hydra implant began to warm up, making it seem as several minds were occupying the one; though he could still sense make out her emotional state if he wished. This was just her standard work protocol, as she took the seat offered to her, her mood took a curious note as the man inquired about her questions.

Corala's eyebrow raised ever so slightly at the mention of agents being wrangled in, wondering if he was aware of the latest security leak. She certainly hoped not, that information shouldn't have been released to the Senate yet, they were still removing sensitive date from the reports. She cleared her throat, not taking the bait he was laying out for her, rather twisting the questions to a line of thought she wished to traverse down. "I was looking to understand what occurred that night. What security did you have accompanying you the day of the attack, and what neutralized the padawan? You are an awfully lucky man Senator, surviving an attack of two jedi? You are quite the survivor." Corala stated, her slightly discolored eyes looked to the Senator. He probably was as fond of jedi as herself, and as tempting as it was, she didn't want to discuss that just yet. Were the jedi a security risk? Absolutely, but unfortunately she needed them on her payroll. If only there was a better alternative.

Maou

 

[Maou]

"Corellia has lost faith in the processes of the Alliance in the dealing of this particular matter," Kaito said flatly. That had been the easy part, removing the influence of Galactic Alliance security from his offices. Their utter incompetence during that ordeal had sent Yularen Nova into a heated tirade. In his anger, he'd even tossed around the idea of withdrawing from the Senate, though that conversation was not for others to know about. Not yet at least and definitely not to her. "Though your offer is appreciated I have to decline." He was curious what that bit about the Trandoshans was about but honestly those conspiracies mattered little to him. What did intrigue him was her pivot. He smirked behind his mask before answering. He waved to the droids present in the room.

"Droids were my only protection that night. Well, and myself of course. I have an excellent personal defense sensei. One of the few masters who were able to escape the Atrisian Black Wing plague. As I said in my report, I was also saved by my apparent latent Force abilities. I've always known my count of midichlorians was high but I think that was enough to throw the Jedi off guard long enough for young Bernard to come to my rescue, for which I will forever be grateful." He clasped his hands together, fingers interlocking.

"I hear the Padawan of Lannik is still within your custody, comatose, though the body of Lannik has been found missing. I have...information on the whereabouts of that particular piece of evidence if you didn't have it yourself already, though I'm sure a woman of your intelligence could guess." His voice became quite serious again, shifting from that conversational tone common to politicians trying to make friends. "The Jedi are doing everything in their power to shift suspicion away from their own goals...But what they want is clear in their actions. Instability and war." He cleared his throat, staving off another coughing fit. "I'm sorry. My personal situation clouds my perception of the Jedi. I know not all of them are terrible people but...When the many protect the one or two...well things begin to look bleak."

Corala Gethsverg

 

[Corala Gethsverg]

Corala clasped her hands together, her eyes narrowing at the senator as he told his tale. It was one she had heard before, back when she needed to step in for Balmorra's Senator, but it all seemed so....convenient. Of course, there were such things as coincidences, but that typically suggested at something far grander than mere chance. A slight smile stretched across her face, her fingertips drumming together. "That's quite a bit of luck on your part, Senator." She commented, leaning back as she crossed her legs, hands settling in her lap. She would need to talk to this Bernard at some point, see if he noticed anything out of the ordinary; though if history was correct, he and Lannik hated one another.

"I've worked out the details. Though I am curious as to who's call it was on where that evidence was taken." It was just one of several acts by the Order that unnerved Corala, taking the body of a criminal to dispose of before any further investigation could be done? Of course, the jedi cited their religious practices, but it infringed upon the will of the Alliance. "We are hoping that the padawan recovers, if not, well, we will cross that bridge when we get to it." She had ideas on what to do with the padawan if she remained unconscious, but the jedi certainly wouldn't like what it entail; even the Director grimaced at what it would do to the poor girl. Then next topic threw her for a loop, as while she was distrustful of the order, what the Senator was implying seemed rather far fetched; though, there were glimmering tidbits that the Director could agree with. "It's understandable Senator, I'm sure others can sympathize with your thoughts. This attack has driven a wedge between us, though at times it feels like the Order wishes to shrug off responsibility." The solution seemed so simple, and yet so few wished to pursue it.

Her gaze went to the windows behind the Senator, her eyes looking to the denizens about outside. At times she longed to be ignorant of the world, like she had been in her youth; but those days were long since past. "In the end, we can only trust that their 'wisdom' will help them see the bigger picture." Her eyes looked back to the man, forcing another one of those plastic smiles. She didn't believe a word of what she said, but that was the 'Politically Correct' way of saying it. "Surely, the young Jedi Bernard is proof of this, perhaps he might be willing to take up your case to the order?" She suggested, her hand moving to push back a lock of hair that had fallen out of place.

Maou