Private The Check-In

[Judah Dashiell]

BASTION

​

Bastion was no longer just a military industrialized world. Nature had been allowed to creep in. Families and everyday citizens were now seen on the streets rather than just factory workers and military personnel. From his scouting about Judah saw there was still a swath of manufacturing and industrial centers on the planet. Greatly cleaned up than what he remembered though.

As he was trying to make it seem this was a trip where he wasn't completely spying on Liin Terallo , Judah was eyeing a large facility to advance salvage refinement in the area. It was wise to keep the costs down rather than haul it further than needed, only to haul it back. Yet that only took up so much of his time. Much could be done later when he was back home or back on the vessel.

Now was the matter of meeting Liin to see how she was settling in. To scope out the planet. Scope out how she was living. Secretly he was worried the woman was somehow shackled to this government, performing experiments in a lab under threat. He would at least be able to decide for himself if something seemed off. Held against her will under threat to her parents. Not so far fetched in these times.

Judah would have hoped his youngest son would have said something if he suspected anything wrong with Liin. Yet Balun Dashiell was quite dense, just like any other Dashiell young man. He couldn't be counted on for information. Hence why he was walking down the street, directions pulled up on his datapad, finding his way to the new digs Liin would be calling her home.

 

[Saul Whesai]

Saul was making lunch when the comm link went off on the counter. He was still getting used to staying here on his part R&R, part self-testing days, but it was nice living with Liin. He didn't have to go all the way through the station for food at the bar; all he had to do was go into the kitchen and grab something. Plus, the guest room's bed was a lot more comfortable than his cot in a crowded bunk room up in orbit.

Picking up the comm link, he saw it was the front desk. The Cyborg had managed to convince the apartment's management that he was part of Liin's "security team" and that, with anyone visiting, the front desk should at least attempt to call him when he was on the planet. Answering the call, he listened as he heard the clerk say, "Hey, a Judah Dashiell wants to come up and has a matching ID with him. Says he is the CEO of a big company and wants to see Liin... Do you want me to send him up?" Saul had heard the name, of course. He sometimes bought parts for his arms and legs or for his various ship repair side jobs from Kesh-Rimma franchises. Whether this was actually the Galactic CEO, though, he had his doubts. Judah would have probably bought a giant entourage with him if he were visiting anyone on offical business. That and Liin hadn't told him anyone was coming over today. He had half a mind that this was some Clawdite Assassin coming after Liin, but that piece of doubt in his mind was enough to entertain this potentianal guest. "Go ahead and send him up; we'll sort it out from here. And thanks for putting up with him. I'll send some credits your way when this is done." The Clerk gave his thanks before signing off, leaving Saul to get ready to "greet" their visitor.

Grabbing his Z-14 off one of the shelves, Saul quickly primed it as he fastwalked towards the entrance. Punching into a panel near the front door, a Ground Buzzer was installed into a cavity in the ceiling by who else but Saul. If Liin wanted to feel secure in her own home, he promised that she would be, and the Cyborg wouldn't let her down. Hell, the scientist was lucky he hadn't started hiding thermal detonators in the fruit basket yet. Pulling a wire down from the ceiling and plugging it into one of the ports in his arm, he started to move it around. The anti-personnel blaster cannon moved with his cybernetic limb, aiming anywhere he held his arm out towards. Buying this thing and setting it up was worth every penny... His last move before the elevator opened up was to punch the penthouse's intercom to get Liin's attention in her private lab space. "Hey, do you know Judah Dashiell, the Kesh-Rimma founder? Supposedly, he is coming up the elevator to see you... You'd better come to the foyer and see who this is before I turn him into Swiss Cheese."

If Liin didn't run out to stop him, the first thing Judah Dashiell would see and hear when he came over the elevator was two guns, one a submachine gun, belonging to a shouting short young man with glowing blue eyes, yelling for him to get on the floor with his hands behind his back. The other would start to glow as it got ready to make Saul's and Liin's potential problem disappear.

Judah Dashiell , Liin Terallo

 

[Liin Terallo]

Working in my laboratory is my favorite thing. This one is slightly larger than the last. For upon my first arrival I was living and working in a small house secluded from everyone. Yet now I have been moved to an apartment block where one of the floors contains my laboratory. Most of the hours of my day are spent inside of it. There I work on my calculations by hand. At times many of those hours are spent copying them. During my breaks I watch and feed the specimen Mr. Usher had given me. I even let him out of his aquarium to wander the laboratory on his own and even to be petted. This specimen had saved my life and so I was doing what I could to ensure that it had a comfortable life within my laboratory.

Only the intercom interrupted me from my research. The mention of Mister Dashiell caused me to smile. However the threat that Saul had given thereafter erased that. Was he joking? I surely hoped so!

Without a word I quickly exited my laboratory and went up the staircase to the foyer. I am certain that they could hear my heels clanking on the steps in a hurried pace before I made my entrance through the hidden doorway in the wall in a bid to get in between them as soon as I could. "Mister Dashiell is a dear friend. Stand down at once!"

Tag: Judah Dashiell Saul Whesai

 

[Saul Whesai]

Hearing Liin's heels before he heard her voice, Saul could tell he had gotten something wrong. Quickly unplugging from the turret and raising it up back up before Liin saw it. When she did reach the scene, Saul was leaning against the wall where the pad was, the submachine strapped into a wearable shoulder rig Saul had been wearing to sell his new duties to any vistors.

Clearly sweating bullets as Liin appeared, the Cyborg had a smile on his face, like only a child who had done a bad thing who had. "I meant I would make him a meat and cheese board with Swiss cheese on it. Yes, that's what I meant..." He still found it hard to believe that Liin had a connection to the CEO of a major salvage corporation when she probably knew nothing about the starship or salvage industry. Something weird must have happened for them to meet... A family connection...? Who knew, but as the elevator dinged as it reached its destination, Saul straightened up, knowing he would need to give a good first impression for Liin's sake if not anything else.

Liin Terallo , Judah Dashiell

 

[Judah Dashiell]

It had taken some time to convince the security who he was. Identification. HoloNet search showing articles about himself. A brief run-down of why he was on Bastion. He was eventually allowed to proceed forward after a few security checks. Last he spoke to Liin Terallo at his home on Joiol she had mentioned security concerns, which meant an increased scrutiny. Maybe next time he could breeze through much easier. Hard to tell with these types, an these governments.

Exiting the turbolift he took a moment to realize the only door on the floor was most likely Liin's. He could hear some conversation inside and the mention of his name. An eyebrow raised, wondering what was going on there as it sounded as if Liin was speaking to someone else. A laboratory assistant? Or was he intruding on something else?

Taking a deep breath, his hand reached up and pressed the doorbell, the chime running throughout the space.

Saul Whesai ​

 

[Liin Terallo]

Do I believe him? Not in the slightest. Not in this instance. But at least he seemed to believe me when I basically told him to stand down. The last thing that I need is for Mister Dashiell to be attacked. He is already under the assumption that I am being held here, so there is little reason to add more fuel to that fire.

I quickly removed my lab coat and set it on the coat hanger as the door chime sounded off. And then with a well practiced smile I opened the door to greet him. "Why Mister Dashiell, what a pleasant surprise. Won't you please come in?" I stepped to the side and allowed him entry. "How was your journey?"

Tags: Saul Whesai Judah Dashiell

 

[Judah Dashiell]

"Liin, always a pleasure to see you."

Entering quickly, the door was shut behind him and now he was face-to-face with a man with a weapon strapped to his arm. Eyebrow raised and he turned his attention back to Liin. He had mentally registered her question of his journey but when a barrel of a weapon was pointed in your general direction one often chose not to answer such pleasantries.

There was concern for himself but also more of an overriding concern for Liin as well. Was this a government minder sent to ensure she was following protocols and procedures of said government? A large gun seemed overkill in such a case when a hold-out blaster would deliver the same message? Perhaps this was one of those governments ran by small phallused individuals who overcompensated with large guns due to their small genitals.

Wouldn't be the first time he had seen something like this.

Concerned, he turned to Liin, speaking low. The man may overhear but Judah suspected if something was going down they would have more than enough time to ensure a get away.

"I have Noghri bodyguards outside. Blink twice and we can get away, they are well trained and loyal to only my family..."

Saul Whesai | Liin Terallo ​

 

[Saul Whesai]

Saul's own eyebrows raised in surprise when Mr. Dashiell family came through the door. So the man really did exisit. He looked the every part of a CEO as he walked into the foyer. And the Cyborg could quickly tell that he did not the look of the harnessed gun he had on in his chest holster. Saul probably was more afraid of Liin's look of annoyance though. "Sorry Mr. Dashiell, Ms. Terrallo didn't tell me you were coming... I'm Saul, one of her security people. Let me get rid of this..." Quickly, he pulled around the corner, dumping the chest rig and the gun in a empty drawer before coming back, trying to hide the need to chuckle at the whisper. If he was right, the turret was a worthwhile investment after all.

Trying to dispeal the awkwardness in the room, he tried to take the lead of the coversation."I have alot of respect and admiration for you. I used to repair starships with your parts so I know you have a really good business first hand. I'll leave you two to catch up for now. I'll be in the guestroom if you need me Liin." Giving her a longer look than he needed to in the eyes than he should have with the hidden message of "I'm sorry", the cyborg walked back to his quarter. What Judah would infer from that connection between them? Who knows...

Liin Terallo , Judah Dashiell

 

[Liin Terallo]

Hearing Mister Dashiell's whispered words, I did my best not to blink at all. For I did not want to give him reason to send his guards in. It would not be the first time that I had been whisked away while under protest, afterall.

But before I could respond; Saul had dispelled the tension by removing both himself as well as his weapon from the situation. I had wanted to breathe a sigh of relief, yet instead I stood there with a bit of indignation.

After a moment's pause I directed him to the sitting room. "I apologize for that, Mister Dashiell. Some people take their jobs very seriously, despite what I say about it. Yet I suppose that the precaution is neccessary, given that the bounty is still active. Outside of that interest in my research seems to have waned. So I can imagine that the bounty will do so as well."

Tags: Saul Whesai Judah Dashiell

 

[Judah Dashiell]

"Oh really? Uh, thanks. You don't have to leave..."

Judah wasn't quite sure what to think. Turret seemed overkill, as if it would bring down the entire building with one lucky shot. Bodyguards in his world were typically discreet and blended into the background. The types a bounty hunter would walk by without a second thought, only to get stabbed in the back. Everyone had their own approaches though. He wasn't going to question something he was unfamiliar with. Especially if Liin was the one giving orders to said guard.

"Yes, I suppose so. Don't be so sure a bounty hunter is off your tail yet. Credits can be hard to come by...although with so many battles going on in the galaxy I imagine bounty hunters and mercs are busy. Perhaps they will look the other way. At least for awhile."

Looking around, Judah was unsure what to do next after a turret was in his face. Tended to make him lose his concentration and go a bit scatterbrained.

"How is this government treating you? Not locked away against your will are you? You can also blink twice for yes on that, just in case you feel are being recorded."

Liin Terallo | Saul Whesai​

 

[Liin Terallo]

I had heard that there were many battles going on. Yet they were elsewhere and that had me relieved. Although there were rumors that Diarchy space will too be invaded in time. I just hope to run away before then.

But at least it has others all distracted. It means that I can work in peace.

Again came the questions of being held against my will, along with blinking my responses. So once more I refrained from blinking at all, just in case I were to give any mixed responses.

"I am not locked away, no. I can come and go as I please. They pay me no mind. With the battles going on as you say; even their attention lays elsewhere. In a lot of ways that puts me at ease."

I direct him towards the sitting room. "Would you like any refreshments? A drink, perhaps? Or I could just show you my laboratory?" I know that Saul could join us, or at least cook for us. Yet I am unsure if Mister Dashiell would figure that that would mean that the Diarchy are keeping tabs on me.

Tags: Saul Whesai Judah Dashiell

 

[Saul Whesai]

This was going to be a longer day than he expected. By the way, Judah was trying to helicopter parent; you would think the Death Star had its sights right on the penthouse. It made him wonder about Judah's and Liin's relationship... Godfather-goddaughter maybe? It's the only one that maybe sense. He was definitely more than a friend to Liin. Fortunately, it didn't seem to be that way between them. He might have thrown up if that were the case.

Thankfully, Liin was doing her best to calm the CEO down, and when she mentioned a drink, Saul was already coming back from the kitchen with a cup of that calming herbal tea that the scientist liked. It had come to his mind during the conversation that he might help the CEO be less like him. That would probably be better for everyone. This move also enabled him to avoid the topic of battles that Diarchy had been apart of. Judah knowing he was a soldier would probably only make things worse.

Liin Terallo Judah Dashiell

 

[Judah Dashiell]

"Then that is excellent news, a little breathing room."

There was some suspicion if Liin Terallo was actually feeling less hunted. Although she did have a point - with so many battles going on, it only created new bounties. A bit of a cycle where her importance would drift down on the list. At least until the bounties dried up and credits were needed. Who knew what would occur then but it was a moment of kicking the can down the road, so to speak.

"I'd love a tour of the laboratory. Although I'm afraid much of it is beyond my knowledge of understanding. Either way, I'm interested in seeing your set up."

Much like a parent who wanted to check a child's schoolwork or see their artwork. Although he wasn't sure what Saul Whesai was up to. Bodyguard? A bodyguard that brought tea? He supposed it was possible but normally such bodyguards - the dual purpose kind - were reserved for children or the elderly. Plus, quite expensive considering the dual role. Was the government paying for this or Liin herself? Last he heard the woman and her parents had a drain on their finances. Didn't mean assets were unfrozen now and things back to normal.

Yet he was suspicious of the man. Part of him wondered if he had even been vetted properly. Or if he was an agent of this Diarchy government.

 

[Liin Terallo]

A little breathing room is one way of putting it. At least I am not being hunted for my research to create some super soldiers as has been suggested. I have yet to gain control of what chaos my research causes. Only a fool would try such a thing. And while I may be naive; I am certainly no fool.

Saul brings me some tea and I bow my head in thanks once I take the cup and saucer in hand. Mister Dashiell seems not to want any drink or refreshments and instead wishes to view my laboratory. I smile in response. "It is nothing like the laboratories on New Cov. I am the only one that uses it; so it is rather small. And I promise that the knowledge will not surpass your intellect. So follow me."

I lead him to a room adjacent to the sitting room. The door gives way to my quaint little office which houses a hidden stair behind a fake wall. It is only opened via pressure put on the right spot. I do not expect Saul to remain behind. Both men do not seem to trust eachother; so I leave them to keep an eye on one another.

I sip my tea as we walk down the small spiral staircase. Beyond the end of the stairs are a few tables. One with a microscope and some instruments. Another with vials of various liquids. While a third is empty for the purpose of being a workspace. Imbedded in one of the walls and hidden behind an energy shield is cannisters of various liquid forms, some giving off their own glow. While adjacent to that is an atrium complete with plants, rocks, dirt, a pool of water and an insect-like creature that seems more of a mix of dozens of species than one of it's own.

"Well here we are. This is where I spend most of my time. My little friend there was gifted to me by Mr. Usher . He is a part of his biomass that has been allowed it's independence while still being connected to the Hive mind. I do not use him as a test subject, mind you. I have other bits of biomass for that. But he is a protective companion." I set down my tea on the empty table and then walk over to the atrium. A small cannister nearby is filled with some small crawly insects which I then empty into atrium. The specimen seems to awaken from his slumber. It's armored plating ripples and changes forms so that it grows multiple sharp points for stabbing it's prey. Then it skuttles off on it's hunt.

"He is not the reason that the bounty was put on me. My research on creating a synthetic Force is. I have been successful; however stabalizing it is another matter entirely."

Tags: Judah Dashiell Saul Whesai

 

[Saul Whesai]

So, this is what Lin's lab looked like... Saul hadn't wanted to see into it, but he guessed he had the chance now. Saul walking in behind Judah and stood to the side, looking on as Liin explained her work. The creature did interest him, and it could see it was even more dangerous than the blaster cannon he had upstairs in a lot of cases. It functioned almost like a Kouhun, except using its sharp points to kill instead of venom. "You got a name for this little deadly guy or girl?" He didn't want to offend such a deadly creature by calling them by the wrong thing. Who knew if it even had a gender.

The Android glanced over at the Gentleman beside him, wondering how he would take this. Saul didn't think Judah would know anything about the science Liin was doing here. So, he tried to help her out by saying "Liin is doing good work. Hopefully her experiments can help in the medical field. Think if every hospital out there had access to force healing on a whim. It would help everyone." It was his attempt to help endorse her work. Hopefully it would carry some weight with Judah and help improve how he viewed the cyborg too. The last thing he needed was Judah accusing him of being some gold digger, only here for Liin's money.

Liin Terallo , Judah Dashiell

 

[Judah Dashiell]

Judah watched the biomass come to life with its feeding. Little insects, which made him wonder how anyone decided what a biomass ate. Trial and error? What if a little piece of nerf steak was tossed in? Or a nuna carcass? Or even a McYoda's Big Force burger. None of these thoughts he was going to mention out loud though. Such thoughts were thoughts of overeager schoolboys, not grown men past the age of fifty.

"Very fascinating." That was an appropriate response, and quite true.

This was the first time he discovered Liin was working with making some synthetic type of the Force. An interesting concept. Also he could now easily see why she had bounty hunters on her tail. Most likely not to kill her - but to capture and then force her against her will to continue experiments for the benefit of the captor. A tale as old as time.

At the mention of Force healing, Judah wanted to argue that bacta seemed just as good as this Force healing nonsense. Yet he didn't voice his concerns. Or thoughts. He was here on a visit, not here to criticize any work Liin was doing. As much as he wasn't in agreement, she stood to become very wealthy and very famous for her work. He definitely wasn't going to stand in the way of progress nor credits.

"Nice to see your research is coming along. The lab is small....but it seems well hidden and you have a little companion, so things could be infinitely worse, I would think. You are happy?"

Liin Terallo | Saul Whesai ​

 

[Liin Terallo]

"I do not have a name for him, no. But he is a brave little friend." I can tell that the little specimen is listening; for it's spikey quills puffed outward as though it was boasting with pride. Afterall it did save me from a Chiss bounty hunter once, at one of my decoy laboratories.

I went back to the table and collected my tea, bringing the cup to my lips for a sip. As Saul mentioned the medical field and Force healing, I rose both of my eyebrows in surprise. That is certainly not my intention.

And just as I was about to give voice to my thoughts, Mister Dashiell chimed in. His assessment about my laboratory was true. However his question gave me pause for there is no right way to answer it. "I am on edge, Mister Dashiell. I gave your son my word that I will not sell my research and I mean to keep that promise. So no; this research will not fall into the hands of any medical fields. The results are not perfect, they are unstable and until I can fix those errors; I cannot risk anyone getting their hands on it." Only Karlo Kyrr knows what I plan to do with my research once it is finished. He is the only one that I have told. And I still plan on keeping my word with him too.

I lost control of my research the moment some of my data had been breached. And I have been struggling to regain it ever since. But I keep that to myself.

Tags: Saul Whesai Judah Dashiell

 

[Saul Whesai]

Saul kept quiet, coming forward to look at this proud little alien creature as Liin rebuffed them both, as this conversation was turning out to be. Saul's idea was that if more people had force healing powers or devices with the same abilities, bacta could be shipped to more distant places at lower prices, allowing settlers to afford better medical care. But he had heard the boss woman loud and clear, no letting anyone else use her research, and that was the way it was going to stay unless Liin changed her mind.

Liin Terallo , Judah Dashiell​

 

[Judah Dashiell]

"I don't think Bale's...request....has any weight, does it? He is just one person."

Which only deepened his suspicion the two had been romantically involved. Judah didn't think the pair still were, given how Liin was here alone - well, with a bodyguard. He would fully expect Balun Dashiell to man up and handle the situation, not outsource it to another person to handle. Yet he wasn't going to question either Bale nor Liin, at least not just yet.

"It seems to me, and this is just me talking, it would be easier to sell the technology. Just because then you would be allowed to control the means of production and the hands it ends up in. Much like how some governments have restrictions on outsourcing technology or various minerals, only this your oversight company would have all the control."

The old salvager turned to the other.

"What do you think Mister Whesai?"

Liin Terallo | Saul Whesai ​

 

[Liin Terallo]

I found it rather odd that Mister Dashiell would diregard his own son's opinion so readily, dismissing the weight of his words as though they hold no value. Yet there was a lot of truth in what he had told me when I was at the start of my research. I was just too naive at the time to believe it.

In a lot of ways I am still naive to this whole situation, for I am still trying to regain the control over it that I had lost the moment that some of my research data was stolen. And now there were too many other hands reaching and grabbing for it; too many pairs of eyes trying to track me down. I am not entirely certain of when that will end.

I slowly shook my head as Mister Dashiell suggested selling my research. There would be zero control if I were to do that. And the consequences would be very chaotic. The Galaxy is experiencing than enough turmoil, as is.

But I kept those thoughts to myself as Mister Dashiell requested to Saul his opinion on the matter. Everyone can have their say; I suppose. Yet I worry all the same. It makes me almost regret conducting this research in the first place. Almost. I just have to remind myself of why I started it to begin with.

Tags: Judah Dashiell Saul Whesai