On His Minister's Secret Service (complete)

[Kay-Larr]

She ground her teeth a bit as she didn't think that she was a crooked politician. As for fighting the fight alone, the less people that she knew were in danger, the better.

At his last statement she dropped her jaw a bit. What did he say? As he walked away she slid out of the booth and threw her satchel over her shoulder as she hurried after him. "Wait! What are you going to tell them? I am not a liability. Are you trying to get me to lose my job?"

[member="Fixx Kearney"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

Reaching into his breast pocket, Fixx pulled out his sunglasses against the low sun which warmed the city, hearing the protest behind him but not slowing his pace. He wasn't rushing, but he wasn't hanging around.

”Like you said. Lives are at risk because of what you. My job is to protect those lives, and if you're standing in our way then I guess our time is up.”

He turned.

”You've been most helpful, but next time, ask to see credentials from reporters who come asking for you.”

He continued to walk.

[member="Lady Kay"]

 

[Kay-Larr]

She grabbed his arm by elbow. This was all blowing up in her face and going all wrong.

"I am not standing in your way! You've misunderstood. The lives of the Republic aren't in danger. I don't have much contact with them. I am just a low level Senator so there's hardly any reason for me to just stay here and hide behind my desk."

It was clear that he had her all flustered now. Gotta love reverse psychology.

[member="Fixx Kearney"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

When [member="Lady Kay"] grabbed him, he turned to face her, and shot out his hand in turn to hold her arm and bring her closer to him, eyes fixed behind those sunglasses so she was looking into a dark void.

”Listen, wheter you know it or not, every action you take outside the Senate makes a thousand more enemies for the Republic to deal with. Bombings, attacks, whatever you want. They'll find you, or those you work with, and make sure you know what you've done has big repercussions.”

He paused for a second and let her go.

”You can't sit behind a desk and then decide to go fighting a war when it suits. It's one or the other.”

 

[Kay-Larr]

She let go of [member="Fixx Kearney"] as soon as he pulled her in. It was most uncomfortable to not see his eyes, even though she knew that the stare would be piercing. His words resonated though and she just stared at nothing in particular after he let her go.

"The Minister didn't tell me that. She didn't say to stop, either." But would she even stop if she was told to? Who knows? "I am slowing down, okay? I'm not even as active at it. I even have another plan going where no one is attacked, but slaves still get rescued. It's a win-win" Maybe that would help her situation.

 

[Connor Harrison]

Glancing around once more, a precautionary measure, he took [member="Lady Kay"] gently by the arm and moved her to the side of the plaza, away from the shops, but under some cover opposite a central water feature and plaque.

”Listen, if you think that then you’re a bloody idiot. No-one is attacked and slaves get rescued? Do you really under estimate who you’re up against if you think nobody will be attacked, on either side? Slaves are rescued and then another 100 are brought in to replace them either before or after they’ve retaliated. You can’t do this and not leave a trace. You’re not that good, Senator.”

He looked at her for a second.

”I need to inform the Minister of this. You’re a loose cannon on deck and you’re going to bring the war back here if you’re not careful.”

 

[Kay-Larr]

She of course followed and listened, but [member="Fixx Kearney"] wasn't understanding. Or maybe they both weren't understanding eachother.

"I have actors buying the slaves, then the money gets stolen back later to buy more. No attacks. And I know that more people are caught for the slave trade; but that doesn't make their lives any less valuable..."

She sighed. "There isn't any war and there won't be...okay?"

 

[Connor Harrison]

Walking to the transport station, he tightened the satchel over his shoulder and looked at [member="Lady Kay"] with a small smile.

”Actors. Buying slaves. Then stealing money back to do it again. Let’s hope as and when the slavers realise what is happened, these actors are trained not to crack under pressure and drop your name, because trust me, they will.”

He fixed his wrist com onto his left arm and looked to the sky, seeing the skylane in motion.

”I’m in no place to detain you at the moment, Senator, so wherever you were going you can go. Or think twice about it and stay here, because if I’m not mistaken you’re going to be a wanted woman within the walls of G.R.I.M and I will come and find you again if that’s the case.”

Then Fixx sighed contently.

”Were you going anywhere nice at all?”

[member="Lady Kay"]

 

[Kay-Larr]

She was sure that her actors weren't going to get caught. If suspicions were raised, they were to stop and disappear. That was the deal. It gave them less risk.

The idea of being wanted by both the Cartel and the Republic didn't sit well with her either. She was under the assumption or rather she was told by the Minister herself that an agent would always be with her to offer advice and report on her activities. But this was something else entirely. And it wasn't something that she was comfortable with.

"....What if I resign? I could make it a big public announcement and Commenor could elect a new Senator. Then you won't have to worry about my actions anymore as I won't be tied to the Republic. I won't even go into Republic space..." Kay wasn't quite sure of who she would work for, but there had at least been offers made in the past.

[member="Fixx Kearney"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

Tensing his jaw slightly, Fixx wasn’t in the position to give career advice to one such as [member="Lady Kay"]. He didn’t care what she did after this; he had a job to do. A duty to act for the Republic, and if one Senator was posing a risk to thousands, then the one Senator was a small casualty than thousands.

Fixx looked at her.

”Come with me to the Minister. Face up to what you’re doing and confirm or deny her suspicions. I’m simply the trigger she has pulled to get the job done. If you feel you need to resign, then resign. However this could all be sorted away from prying eyes and you may even get to keep your job.”

He stepped up to the landing platform as one broke down from the skyline above and came in at a gentle angle towards the bay.

”May even get to keep your head, too.”

Fixx kept his eyes on her behind the sunglasses, waiting for her choice.

Run from him, or accompany him

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay just stood there are she mulled over her options, not really looking at anything in particular. She could run. She could wait. Or she could face this head on and go with [member="Fixx Kearney"]. Each had their pros and cons. Each one had parts that weren't to her liking. And the thought of being executed wasn't pleasant either.

"I will go with you..." The transport vessel had arrived and as she waited for some of the passengers to get off, her grip tightened on the strap of her satchel. Should things look really bad for her, she'd run. There was no good that she could do while she was dead. She didn't want to go to prison and she could contact one of her hired bodyguards to help her if she needed it. None of them were under the Republic banner or any banner really.

Once it was clear to do so, Kay stepped onto the transport, trying to push down her feelings of dread.

 

[Connor Harrison]

Nodding, he held the door back from closing automatically and gestured for [member="Lady Kay"] to enter first. He noted her satchel was as just as closer to her body as anything else could get. For a moment he wanted to take precautions and check her belongings, but not wasn’t the time or place. And he himself wasn’t a lawman, just an agent.

Fixx brought up his wrist com and held down a transmission button wired directly to the PA of [member="Faith Balor-Organa"].

”Hello there my dear. Kearney requesting an audience with the Minister immediately. I’ll be arriving very soon.” He glanced up at Kay. ”Plus one.”

The transport doors closed and it rocked as it took off again. If the PA was efficient she’d have a Republic escort waiting at the main bay that the transport landed at to take the agent and the Senator to the headquarters of the Minister. Fixx stood against the locked door and folded his arms as the planet started to move behind him with the transport heading off.

”Just cooperate and you’ll be fine. But I warn you they’ll take your bag so if there’s anything important in there best tell me now.”

 

[Kay-Larr]

Maybe this wasn't such a good idea after all. "I didn't have to hand over my bag the last time that I visited her office. I don't see why I would have to now. Unless I was....under arrest?"

She shifted on her feet, growing more and more uncomfortable. "I'll hand over my blaster. It's always set to stun. But I fail to see what could be so dangerous about spare clothes and my kettle, cup and tea." And her commlinks. She had a few of those in there too. It was a good thing that her lightsaber was stolen, or that'd be something else that she'd have to explain.

[member="Fixx Kearney"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

”No. It's fine.”

Maybe he was acting like some rough police officer or state security. He wasn't any of those. He was an intelligence operative and he was here to bring [member="Lady Kay"] in for her, and the Republics, safety. Weapons needed to be handed over, everything wouldn't. However, he couldn't answer for what the Minister wanted. If she suspected Kay of anything, then all precautions would need to be taken.

The journey to the main starport didn't take long, and it was there he stuck with here until they were flagged by the Ministers transport speeder. Blaster proof shell and one of the fastest in the galaxy - not that there had been a reason to use it yet.

Fixx was quiet most of the way until they arrived finally at the base of the large headquarters of [member="Faith Balor-Organa"] and the intelligence arm Fixx worked for.

”This way, Senator.”

He nodded his head for her to follow him. The guards didn't follow, but they were armed and stood stationary as instructed.

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay remained quiet as well. More so because she was deep in her own thoughts. If need be, she'd have to contact her lawyer. Hopefully he was available.

She followed [member="Fixx Kearney"], having no real reason to run yet. She didn't feel like a criminal as he had insinuated. Many Senators were known to be corrupted, at least in the eyes of the general public. But she wasn't. No one told her what to do or where to go. She had full control over the direction her life had gone. But how long will that last? She hated to have disappointed [member="Faith Balor-Organa"], who was about the only other Senator among thousands that she could consider a friend.

As they arrived at the doors of the building she would seem to hesitate, but only long enough to dig out her blaster and hand it over as well as offering the security a quick look inside of her satchel.

"Here goes nothing....."

 

[Faith Organa]

Faith waited in her office her back to the door she had sent [member="Fixx Kearney"] out to find out if Kay was in league with those against the Republic, or a puppet to someone making her do things she did not want to do.

The idea that he was returning and bringing [member="Lady Kay"] with him made her uneasy. What had he discovered, and how had Kay explained it. That terrible sick feeling was back in the pit of her stomach she wished it would go away, far away. But this was the road her life had taken, and she had to stick with it see it through. No matter how much of a friend Kay was part of Faith's duty was to protect it.

Ana came in, "they've arrived" Faith nodded, "will you have two of my royal guard and two of the republic soldiers at the doors, one set in the entry, one set in here" Faith's voice was calm, quiet, even though inside her emotions churned away.

 

[Connor Harrison]

”Thank you,” Fixx said, as Ana granted them permission to enter.

All the checks had been carried out, and with any outsider not working for the Minster direct, armed guard was necessary. He noted how uncomfortable [member="Lady Kay"] looked, but if this got the answers that [member="Faith Balor-Organa"] wanted then it was worth it.

”Senator,” he said as he opened the large doors that led to the Ministers private office.

It was just like he left, except no tea this time. And the Minster was stood behind her desk, waiting for them. Sunglasses were well and truly off now, and his cover satchel had been left with the admins, its purpose served. He left Kay pass him before shutting the door and he stayed behind her at all times.

”Minister, I believe you already know Senator Kay of Commenor. Senator Kay,” he turned his head slightly, ”the Minister of Intelligence.” Fixx said

 

[Kay-Larr]

Well if they wanted her to feel intimidated, this surely did the trick. She could've just held her head up high and walked in all snob-like, but instead she just clutched her satchel as she wasn't quite sure what would happen next. The fact that [member="Fixx Kearney"] addressed her and [member="Faith Balor-Organa"] so formally, it made Kay wonder who else was listening beside the guards.

"This isn't really necessary....The guards, the tight security. I'm not a threat to anyone here."

She kept on her feet, not at all sure if she should sit down or what. "I'm not under arrest, I came here willingly instead of being hunted."

 

[Faith Organa]

[SIZE=12pt]“I have to have the guards, it is protocol and since the incident with Cecily it was insisted by my mother that the royal guard be present.” Faith turned finally to look at [member="Fixx Kearney"] and [member="Lady Kay"] .[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Faith walked around her desk towards Lady Kay, “You told me you weren’t doing anything that would hurt the Republic. “ Faith stopped a few feet from Kay , “Should you be under arrest?” Faith’s gaze turned to Fixx.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]“Do you wish to provide a report on what you found out in front of Lady Kay and is what you found out the reason you are both here?” Faith wanted to know what he found out was it so terrible that he felt the need to bring Kay back. Was there more than rumor to what was heard.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Was she going to have to do something that would leave that terrible sour feeling in her stomach forever.[/SIZE]

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay wasn't sure of what incident that [member="Faith Balor-Organa"] was talking about. But it must've been really bad.

She clenched her jaw as Faith asked her if she should be arrested. But before Kay could respond, the Minister had asked [member="Fixx Kearney"] for his report. She wasn't sure if she had wanted to hear it. She had heard enough earlier.

Kay glanced over her shoulder to Fixx as he stood there behind her, like an intimidating shadow that just wouldn't go away. No doubt he was just there to make sure that she didn't run. But instead of letting him speak, Kay spoke up first. "No, I should not be under arrest. My actions have been against the Cartel and not the Republic. I came here on my own accord to set the record straight and if resigning from the Senate and banishing myself from Republic space is what I have to do to not cause any fallout, then I will do that. But I have done much for Commenor as well as for the Republic. If it weren't for you, me and a few others, those Trandoshan Elders would all be dead. We were lucky to have gotten out of there alive. Did you hear the screams of the captured Wookies? That is what I am fighting against when I go against the Cartel." She sighed a little. "You said that you'd have an agent work with me, but that hadn't happened. Instead I get this one here pretending to be a reporter, fail that most likely on purpose, and then he threatened to come after me later. So why wait when I can just come here on my own."

No doubt Fixx would want to put in his own observations.