"I want a secretaty as well," Siobhan grumbled a bit, her mind seemed to go straight to the gutter. Surely it was one of those offices!
Regardless with Tegs Siobhan moved into her office. For a moment she just stood there, taking the view in. Though she did not like heights much, the window gave her an impressive view of the city and military installations that lay below. There was also a small minibar located under the table. She then ran her hands over the leather office chair behind her desk before sitting down and giving the plush chair a short spin. In a span of a few short moments the former Jedi Knight decided that she liked the idea of working in private enterprise.
Switching on the computer, she started looking for leads, tracking down news reports and government/corporate sites for official bounty requests. There was always some problem in the Galaxy somewhere that required an explosive and aggressive solution. There were sorts of people who would never be superfluous: hookers and professional killers. Fortunately, whoever had installed the computer had been so obliging to run all the critical updates and anti-virus programming, else this might have taken ages before she got any actual work done - and Siobhan was not a very patient person.
An article on Galactic News Network caught her eye. DAHOMEY STANDOFF CONTINUES - RTF GONE ROGUE?
Siobhan clicked on a link and the face of Khalisal al-Jilani appeared on the screen, Siobhan hated that smug look the tabloid gadfly had on her face as usual. "Dear viewers, the tense standoff on Dahomey continues without delay. As is well-known, a small Republic task force was dispatched to the planet to aid rebel forces in overthrowing a despotic government and facilitating the creation of a stable democracy. With so many of our forces concentrated on the liberation of Anaxes and with securing law and order on Coruscant, it was supposed to be a short campaign.
However, the Triumvirate has miscalculated and now our courageous soldiers and taxpayers are paying the price. We cannot state with certainty whether this ill-thought-out campaign was influenced by the desire of certain corporations to exploit the rich mineral resources of Dahomey...but we understand it is troubling to many viewers that no Jedi volunteered to participate. Reliable sources inform us that recent foreign policy events might precipitate a split in the Triumvirate. We can only hope that someone will rise to the occasion and provide decisive leadership."
Siobhan was getting bored and about to switch off the channel when the the journalist finally came to the point. "Despite our repeated inquiries, the Ministry of Defence refuses to comment on allegations that leading elements of the RTF have gone rogue and refused to obey orders from Central Command. Allegedly, the officer in command has cut all channels to command and reliable sources inform us that when the Triumvirate dispatched investigators to look into alleged crimes committed by the forces, they were detained."
It cut to the image of a Government spokesman, clad in dress uniform. "At this juncture we must take the public interest and the safety of our forces into account. There is no conclusive evidence of rogue elements in the REF dispatched to Dahomey. We understand that our citizens are naturally curious and indeed it's a hallmark of our great society that public servants are accountable to the people. However, this must be balanced by taking a responsible view of what is in the national interest. The media would do to remember that it serves the people as well."
Just say 'Ah, yes. Rogues I dismiss that claim, Siobhan thought to herself, bringing up a holographic galaxy map. Dahomey was located in the inner rim systems, not that far from Omega territory. It was one of the hotly contested border zones that had little actual government beyond the warlord with enough blasters to get everyone to fall in line. The Republic was eager to show that it meant business when it came to unifying the Galaxy and had invested quite a hefty sum of money into starting various initiatives to bring order to them - bribing warlords, attacking those that refused to cooperate, starting "democratic insurgencies".
She then contacted the Cathar. In a span of several minutes, after Siobhan had been suitably stern to Heli's secretary to get the lady on screen, the Cathar's holographic image appeared. She was a white-furred, for her species quite attractive looking Cathar, dressed in black leather and holding a big cigar. "Jedi."
"Heli," Siobhan responded.
"Aren't you a wordsmith?" Heli responded sarcastically. "So what cause does the illustrious, constantly trouble-creating Jedi have to contact me? You do realise I'm pretty busy. So many people want my help these days, so much opportunity. Your Republic is an excellent investment chance. You'd be surprised at how sordid the lives of many senators is."
"Actually, not really. I can imagine," Siobhan responded, propping her combat boots up on the desk.
"And so eager to keep them hidden. There are certain quarters of society that get really whiny when they find out their political boss was having enjoy time in the wrong part of Coruscant. So, scuttlebut is that a certain pirate leader got ganked and a couple Jedi were all heroically foolish. Got a nice lightshow." The Cathar chuckled a bit at that.
"Friend of yours?"
"Aziz? Ha. He's terrible at paying his debts. Why are calling from Fondor?" One expected Heli was trying to ascertain location.
"You don't know? You're slipping badly. I quit the Jedi. As they say, I got an offer I couldn't refuse. Why I'm calling. Got a case I know you have info on."
"Omega...," Heli actually did look impressed, if only for a short moment. "So you finally gave in. I'm surprised the Jedi even kept you that long. No matter, those robes looked positively hideous anyway. I'd recommend a skintight leather catsuit that hugs you in all the right place. It just screams strong and independent. I'm quite certain it would impress your new boss!"
Siobhan laughed a bit. "I'll call if I need fashion advice. What do you know about Dahomey?"
"You know, now that you have an actual job the prices are going up. Fishing creds out of thugs after beating them up won't do it anymore. You see, there's quite a number of gangs that want your head. Or perhaps you just chained up and collared. Information is supply and demand."
"Yeah, and I'm also a long-term, reliable customer who saved your arse a number of times. 'sides, I've got this real nasty habit of surviving any hell-hole I got thrown in," Siobhan said seriously, with a hint of 'screwing me over is a bad idea' in her voice.
Heli shrugged. "Everyone's luck runs out eventually. Anyway, to business. I take it you saw that silly broadcast? Apparently a certain general has taken the whole idea of liberating that poor planet a bit too extreme. Word is one of the Republic investigators was sent back to Coruscant. Or rather, her head. In a fruit basket. Very Mandalorian, if you ask me. But maybe that's just poetic licence."
"And the Republic is being hush-hush. What's stopping the army from just moving and beating the rogues...or dropping a couple bombs on 'em? How good is your info?"
Heli looked a bit offended. "Collateral damage, some of the hostages might still be alive, overstretched forces...blah...blah. And please, I'm a professional. The RTF hired some of the dregs of society down under for the job. I suppose that's to make the criminal statistics look better and show they're being tough on crime, tough on the causes of crime. Besides, the warring factions get their guns from the black market down under. Incidentally, these reports started trickling in after the big merger was announced."
"General wants to go on a power binge and decides the Republic and the Jedi wanting to be a 'shiny happy' family is a good excuse," Siobhan commented cynically, taking a biro and scribbling down a few notes on a piece of paper. In her admittedly rather poor handwriting, but then she could always read it! Usually. Mostly. "What's the Republic Authority doing about it?"
Heli. "I imagine the Jedi are meditating and singing kumbajah," she joked. Siobhan shot her a glare, looking impatient. "You need to loosen up a bit. It's been hush-hush so far, but I imagine they want the mad dog gone before it becomes embarrassing, what with their campaign to liberate every world they can lay eyes on. If they're feeling moralistic this time of the week, maybe captured for a military trial. Now, I have many clients. You owe me."
"And totally legal stuff to do," Siobhan said dryly. "I'll check in at the Blooming Rose when I'm back on Coruscant. Wouldn't want to deprive the girls too long."
