Private Wits

[Auteme]

“When all princes practice deceit it soon fails to get results for any of them.”
DARKCOM | Allyson Locke ​

“Thank you, Bernard,” she said, giving a kind smile to her friend and fellow councilor. Though she had never felt unsafe in the Senate Building -- even despite recent revelations -- it was comforting to have a friend nearby. Plus, an escort never failed to make her feel a little more important.

The Senator of Epoch’s office in the Senate Building was much the same as most others, the reception outside with his staff being the first point of contact. Auteme did wonder about Kaigann’s staff, but they seemed genuine enough on the surface, the receptionist’s eyes sparking with recognition as Auteme approached.

“I have a meeting scheduled with Senator Fossk- ah, at four. I’m a bit late.” Only a minute or two -- the Circle meeting had run a bit long, and she’d needed time to get dressed and ready. Finding a dress that matched the hue of gold in the earrings Allyson had provided hadn’t been too difficult; she’d initially chosen a slim white dress, but eventually opted for a darker, cooler black. It looked more opulent, yet with a few choice touches of makeup she hoped to look more defeated than extravagant.

A few keystrokes and the receptionist went to inform the Senator. With a short window, she brushed her hair behind her ear -- touching the commlink.

“Are you ready?” she whispered, hoping the spy could hear.

 

[Allyson Locke]

"Allyson, you're the most experienced in matters of stealth, I agree that it would be best if you undertook this mission, but you cannot under any circumstances share any information with the SIA. Can you use an analogue recording method instead and share that data with only the council?"

Allyson didn’t hesitate to answer the Marshal. “Yes, I can interrupt the connection between the SIA and the cybernetic’s network. It’s quite simple.” In reality, Allyson wasn’t wholly confident that the SIA didn’t have a counter to her abilities. Hiding something from M made her nervous. The director had her ways of finding out, and Allyson didn’t desire to be on her bad side. “I’ll get everything prepared.” She continued out of the room and headed towards her office.

Current

“Are you ready?” Auteme’s voice chimed in her earpiece, and Allyson fingered the datapad quickly. Her movements were influenced by the Force as she commanded the tiny invisible slicer spiders through the openings in the building. Having had a hand in the security allowed Allyson access to several backdoors in the system. The SIA wanted it this way, probably for situations such as this. The spiders moved, and Allyson puppeted them with mechu deru, and then it was her turn.

Her form shimmered, fading into the fold of the Force, her presence visually gone along with her presence. Before she slipped herself into position, she answered the young woman. “Yes. I got your back.” The connection silenced, and Allyson stood a few feet away from the Shield - waiting for her chance to slip in.​

//: Auteme //: DARKCOM //:​

 

[DARKCOM]

Kaigann Fossk's Senatorial Office
Coruscant

The doors to the Senator of Epoch's office screamed as they parted open, the whooshing air drew in from the pressure differential between chambers as Auteme 's path was made clear. A clear view of the Senator and his office was seen before any that entered, the Elder was seated at his desk overlooking holodocs of some varying form and beside him was a guest, his personal mediator for interactions between himself and the New Jedi Order, Saan'an Gaelor . He had elected to find a non-biased member of the New Jedi Order to help sooth interactions, to help temper the damaged relations, and possibly keep the record straight on a neutral ground as they strove to mend that broken relationship.

Kaigann's eyes lifted as the holodocs vanished, fading from view. Opening his arms in gesture he bade welcome to the Jedi as she entered, "As I live and breathe, the Shield of the New Jedi Order! Welcome welcome, please take a seat I have been looking forward to his meeting." He chuckled heartily like a kind old man, so full of warmth, so full of kindness. The office was arrayed in lavish architectural works ranging from his time as a Jedi in the Ession Reformation to his travels in the Unknown Regions and various small trinkets from his homeworld of Epoch. To the untrained eye it would appear as any ordinary office of a high profile Senator, as Auteme neared the desk the smell of incense would likely catch her attention. The Elder Jedi had burned incense from a nearby chalice that gave a soothing feeling to the chamber, near it were two black urns with flowers laid at their bases left in honor of the dearly departed.

"I hope you've been well, I'd like to introduce you to padawan Saan'an Gaelor , he will be sitting in on our conversation as a mediator and a neutral perspective. With all the turmoil in the senate and attempts on my life, I thought you might understand my.. concerns."

His hands clasped together, "Now ah yes, let's talk, you look well. What can I do for you?"

Auteme | Saan'an Gaelor | Allyson Locke​

 

[Saan'an Gaelor]

Rising to his feet as the door opened, Saan'an gave the Councilor her due reverence. He offered a slight bow, waiting for a break in the Senator's introduction before greeting her, "Councilor Auteme." A small smile and modest nod accompanied the greeting. It was a better mask than he could usually manifest, hiding the cataclysmic wracking of his nerves. The weight of this responsibility became immensely more apparent once the Auteme walked in the door.

It had taken seeing the Councilor for it all to finally hit him.

With the formalities out of the way, Saan'an sat back down. Furtively, he focused on his breathing, keeping his composure in check. There was an unspoken tension in the room as Auteme entered. Thick like Coruscant smog, making the self-calming all the more difficult. He could do this, he told himself. It was just a simple mediation. A quiet deep breath begot a forced serenity. Certainty followed. Saan'an produced a blank datapad and a stylus. No harm in taking notes.

Patiently, his gaze fell to Auteme, anticipating an opener.

 

[Auteme]

DARKCOM Saan'an Gaelor | Allyson Locke
​

"A pleasure as always, Senator. Good to see you, Saan’an," she said. It was not.

Saan'an was... unexpected, and in the worst of ways.

Auteme had met Padawan Gaelor briefly a few times, long enough to assign him as Aeris's padawan. Given the librarian's well-known disdain for the relationship between the New Jedi Order and the Galactic Alliance, it was a surprise to see her apprentice neck-deep in Senate affairs, especially alongside someone who was so bent on locking the Jedi up.

Of course, it was nothing to worry about. Saan'an was a smart young man. Only, he didn't know what he was getting into. Kaigann had Sith artifacts sitting in the open and a Jedi imprisoned in his office.

A hostage would make everything more complicated. They needed to get Saan'an away from Kaigann. Maybe it'd be easy, just pull him away after the meeting; she doubted Solipsis would make it so easy.

Her mind began to work -- her introduction, therefore, felt almost lackluster. "Of course, I understand. Politics can be such a muddy affair, and having a trustworthy observer to keep us true is important, even when the doors are closed. And," she smiled, "it's an excellent way to show, even in this time of turmoil, that members of the New Jedi Order can be trusted, particularly by someone in your position. I appreciate that, Senator."

 

[DARKCOM]

“Of course.”

His hands clasped together, “I’m most grateful for this visit and the time you’ve been willing to share.”

His eyes glistened in the sunlight, an unnatural warmth radiated from him with all the charm of a wizened elder to back it up. His charismatic demeanor was in full effect, “So, let’s get to it then. What can I do for the Shield of the Jedi? How may I be of service?”

Auteme | Saan'an Gaelor | Allyson Locke​

 

[Auteme]

DARKCOM Saan'an Gaelor | Allyson Locke ​

Straight to the point.

"I was hoping to build on that goodwill. This sort of political stress is enough to damage public perception of the Jedi and Alliance both. As you know, myself and the rest of the New Jedi Order are willing to cooperate with the ongoing inquest and any regulation put forth by the Alliance, but the atmosphere in the Senate often feels antagonistic -- so much so that said cooperation could wane." She smiled, but her gaze hardened ever so slightly.

"I suppose the purpose for this meeting is the opposite, in fact. I wanted to better understand your intentions, to make sure things proceed as smoothly as possible, with as much transparency as possible. So, I should be the one asking -- how may I be of service?" If it wasn't clear enough before by her very arrival, it was now. Having even an inkling into Solipsis's true intentions would be monumental. If not, she hoped Kaigann's answer would dissatisfy Saan'an enough that the padawan would leave of his own accord.