An Uncommon First

[Neldar Poska]

[member="Callum Calahad"] | [member="Lady Kay"]

"Everyone dies, Callum Calahad," Ailred shrugged, "and while everyone can kill, it isn't out of murder. Before I was forced to abandon my home, I fought alongside my people in a last stand against soldiers wishing to enslave us. So, I am capable of killing. And Eddak was always the cautious type, you could ask the illustrious Queen. He thought his planet was always in peril, the Royal Commenor family was always in danger, or security wasn't tight enough somewhere. I guess he was right about at least one of those things." Ailred was definitely upset over making the Queens office a questioning room, although he understood the convenience. He had no problems with the Queen, as it was her choice, and he was at her service. He was upset mister Calahad had decided to go through with it, ignoring courtesies. Still, he did as the Queen wished, and would be open to the investigators questions. "A vast majority of the Mon Calamarians that work at the company were there, saw me, as I worked alongside them. However, an alibi should not render someone, ahem, 'off the hook' as they say. Not as though I wish to implicate myself, nor would I appreciate you slandering someone Eddak called his only best friend, but a professional investigator wouldn't make any hard decisions without solid evidence."

 

[Kay-Larr]

She lowered her head a little at the thought of security not being tight enough to save Eddak. So was it her fault? Maybe in part. At least she didn't appear to be the target. Still, that didn't make it all better. Her dear friend was murdered under her nose. Not held for ransom or tortured for information. No, he was dead.

Kay was glad that she wasn't a suspect. Or at least so far she didn't seem to be. She nodded to [member="Callum Calahad"] and headed out of her office. More than likely Olivia could get her a copy of the report, so she needed to get it in her hands right away. Perhaps it was a means of getting her out of earshot while Callum asked [member="Ailred Vruumond"] some questions. Or he really wanted the report at that moment. Regardless, she wasn't going to impede in the investigation in any way.

 

[Callum Calahad]

"Never said you were." Callum replied, nodding back to [member="Lady Kay"] as she left the room. "And you never answered my question, did Manod say anything suspicious before his murder?" If he weren't in the office of royalty, Callum would've used much more forceful language, but that was unprofessional, let alone dangerous. Usually when he acted in that way, he'd be talking to low level criminals, street thugs who responded to violence more than kindness, and he could tell that angering [member="Ailred Vruumond"] would only cause him to put up more walls. At times like this, he wished he could use the force, probe the persons mind and dig out the evidence he needed, unfortunately that wasn't the case, so he'd have to rely on words.

"How did you become friends with Manod? From what you've said, it sounds like he mostly kept to himself."

 

[Neldar Poska]

[member="Callum Calahad"]

Ailred shook his head, "I did answer you, I'll repeat myself; Eddak was always worried. The man was on alert every hour of every day, as if he was inside a bunker and waiting to sound the alarm and send his soldiers to battlestations. Did he talk about personal affairs? Did he confide in me his fears? No. He just kept himself intentionally busy, it was like he was waiting for the war to end all wars, or something. He never really talked about himself, either." Ailred was open to the previous questions so far, but the next one made him sigh and tense up. "I happened by Eddaks planet by chance, with the remaining survivors of my people. We were escaping one of the major enemies vying for control of the galaxy at the time. We weren't travelers... our ship wasn't... capable of going much further. I requested, in a nervous tone, if my people may be allowed to find refuge on his planet. A few days later, Eddak came to personally greet me after we had settled in."

 

[Callum Calahad]

"These enemies, have they troubled you since Eddak gave you his aid?" It was possible that the ones chasing [member="Ailred Vruumond"]'s people could be behind the assassination, but judging by how Ailred talked of Eddak, Callum could guess that whatever had happened did so many years ago. Grudges stayed for a long time to be sure, but if the attack had been some kind of retaliation, it would've come sooner, before Ailred and his people could settle in. The fact that Eddak was apparently always on alert was also very interesting, as if he knew that a threat was coming well before anything occurred. But if that were the case, surly he'd have been far more prepared for an assassin, right?

"Do you know what kind of defenses Eddak had in place at his home? Could be someone on the inside who knew the security." Members of staff were being brought in, but Callum would keep an eye out for anyone who had a background in security at Eddak's residence. Maybe [member="Lady Kay"] could shed some light on the security if Ailred couldn't, but without any video evidence to go off of, it would be difficult to place anyone.

 

[Neldar Poska]

[member="Callum Calahad"]


Ailred shook his head in a disappointed manner, sighing as he looked up at Callum. "These feel like very circular questions, or at the very least, questions that are off subject. The enemies I had were going for galactic conquest. They weren't frightened by me and they weren't frightened by Eddak. They attacked because they demanded we become their slaves or leave the planet. Eddak showed no threat to organizations as large as the Commenor Systems Alliance, and they haven't even attempted communications with us since we left our world. Eddak was a soldier, ever since he was born. He fought Gamorreans for half his life, dealt with rogue civil factions on his own world, and was trying to become a military general for the Royal Family. Fighting was in his blood, he was never fearful, just prideful; trying to make sure he could face any threat. Eddaks assassin? Could have easily been killed... by a younger Eddak. But as much as he is my best friend; I don't lie. Eddak had become cocky and old, that means he wasn't thinking in his old age and had become slower. Eddaks private Keep was prepared for war, not assassins. As far as I know, Eddak had no enemies. The only real reason anyone would want to assassinate Eddak is because he self proclaimed himself as the Royal Family Protector. When he was able to, he never left Queen Lady Kays side, and never strayed out of sight. He owed them a life debt... something he would have never admitted to the Queen."

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay walked in quietly with a datapad in hand as [member="Ailred Vruumond"] was mentioning the life debt. It gave her pause. "He what?..." Why would Eddak owe her a life debt? Yes she helped him and his people out, but still...she didn't do it so that he would have to owe her anything.

She headed over to [member="Callum Calahad"] and handed him the datapad. "Here is the report thus far. Toxicology reports aren't completed yet." She didn't look at the report herself, not wanting to see images of Eddaks dead body. Instead she wanted to remember him as he was, vibrant and full of life. He had a keen sense of brotherhood with his fellow soldiers. Yes, that was how she had wanted to remember him.

Kay then headed over to the side table to prepare herself more tea. She had missed some of the conversation. Now she had to wait and see what else was to be discovered today, if anything.