"Perfect Square Act II" Pt. 10
An even longer time ago, in a galaxy just as far away...
"There may be an alternatve" Laesa interjected, "You still have the cryo tube that you took me from. We could in theory transfer her to that and either take her away somewhere or, she could stay here... under my care..."
"You're planning to stay here?" Kelly looked to Laesa. "I'm sure this place has its share of secrets, but there's much more of the galaxy for you to explore and learn from, and trying to uncover the secrets of this temple managed to turn your sister into what she is now. I do like your idea of taking her somewhere and having someone watch over her, though. That does seem to be our best option."
"It's not just this temple" Laesa replied, welcoming a happy looking Keelah to her side, "There is something... unique, to this whole planet. I..." she glanced sideways to Keelah, who nodded lightly with a preemptive response to the question in Laesa's eyes, "We would like to stay here to learn more. Besides, we still have Keelah's ship so are not cut off from the rest of the galaxy, but as it stands I have no home... this seems as good a place as any." Keelah gave a gentle squeeze to Laesa's wrist, calling her attention to it, and she nodded before looking back to Kelly, "As for the corruption; something tells me that it was not this place which corrupted Lizbeth, but rather the other way around..." "She may be right..." Mischa called over, having made her way across the room to the array of consoles in the corner where she had busied herself studying them, "...If I'm reading this correctly, we... may want to look outside. According to this layout there is a hangar on this level... it must right out of the mountainside through some sort of holographic projection of the cliff" "Not a projection" Laesa corrected, making her way over to Mischa, "For all intents and purposes, the cliff /is/ there. It is simply manipulated through the force to protect this place. As for the source of Lizbeth's corruption..." she said looking back to Kelly, "...The insight I gained from our shared connection suggests that the growth on her arm - this 'Darkness' - she spoke of, was the source... or at least what pushed her over the edge, we know she always had an affinity for the dark side of the Force." "Come on!" Mischa waved to the rest of them to follow her as she headed out towards the indicated hangar bay. It was not far from the central room and upon entering, they found an average sized hangar carved into the rock - much like the central chamber - which housed a couple of small vessels, possibly Jedi starfighters and likely Lizbeth's means of coming to and from the planet. Most interestingly however, was the view beyond... Outside the hangar, they appeared to be looking out low over the top of the jungle treeline at the base of the mountain - through a large valley it seemed, and it was... green. No more sign of the corrupted world they had first landed on, it was like an entire new planet - lush and vibrant - Mischa stared out in awe while Laesa shared a satisfied smile with Keelah.
Moving over to observe the view outside the hangar, Kelly looked as amazed as anyone else was, "Wow...so that's what this place looked like before Lizbeth got here? She did quite a lot to it..." She turned to Mischa once she had taken in the scenery, "Agent, Lizbeth has already demonstrated that neither Empire nor Republic can control her. She outsmarted our military might by escaping from an Intelligence Black Site and not only resisted Jedi indoctrination, but manipulated them into believing that she was one of them. I believe she's become more of a danger than an asset to us. Your ex-Jedi friend is right, the best course of action is to keep her here. Laesa is strong enough to face her, and if things really get desperate, she is probably the only one who can release and control her sister. As for how we contain her...there's no one better than Laesa to make that call." Her glance went to Laesa next as she awaited her recommendation.
Laesa smiled back, clearly appreciative of the trust being placed in her, "I would transfer her to the cryotube and keep her here. It will be less risk since my connection with her will be severed. Furthermore, it will make it easier for me to study this affliction that corrupted her so heavily" she turned to Mischa, "Agent I assume that you might benefit from the resources her; if you would allow it, Keelah and I will remain here to operate this facility for you. While here we will continue to study this powerful world and learn what we can of this 'Darkness' that was so interested in it." Mischa considered Laesa for a long moment before smiling softly, "That works for me..." she turned hesitantly to the Knight, "...as for you... I know we fight for opposing forces and see that unlikely to change. However these two are neutral to our politics, are you satisfied for them to remain so in this place under our watch?"
The Knight looked from Mischa to Laesa, then turning back to Mischa he gave the agent a curt nod before finally setting his eyes on Kelly, "You said you would release her if things get 'desperate' enough. Set her on any Sith Lords or Mandalorians if you must, but keep her away from the Republic. I'll have my slicer wipe all record of this world from any databases he can get into, but remember, we already know its location." Kelly glanced to Mischa nervously, wondering how they should answer...
Before Mischa could reply, Laesa interjected, "That will not happen..." Her voice carried an uncharacteristically authoritative tone, "...For all she is and all she may have done, she is still my sister and I have a duty of care to protect her. So she will not be used by anyone as a weapon to wield when they see fit. She is here, under my care; that is how she must remain, for the betterment of both your respective factions." Mischa looked to Laesa a little surprised to hear the decisive tone in her voice, but smiled respectfully and gave a small nod, "Fear not Laesa, she is your responsibility - as you say. We would simply like to stop by on occasion and keep an eye on her, to ensure she remains safe - and the two of you do of course." She looked back to the Knight, "I am glad we can part ways amicably; despite standing for opposing factions, I hope you can see that we do not need to be enemies"
"I do," the Knight replied. "But before I go, I should warn you that the Senator does not see things as we do. He wanted you out of the picture by the end of the mission. I won't do that, of course; you've done nothing but assist despite the...rough start to our cooperation. He doesn't care, he's as ruthless as a Sith and as unwavering as a Jedi. We know Intelligence is planning operations against the Shadow Guard. You're a good person, too good for the Empire. Don't let them send you to your death." "You're assuming we won't beat you," Kelly smirked. "That remains to be seen. The Senator is willing to do anything to safeguard the Republic and his organization. If he goes down, it will be at great cost to your people." "Well, thanks for the warning," Kelly edged towards him, wearing a much more friendly smile now. "If you want anything in return..." The armoured man shook his head, "We're not as easy to corrupt as you think we are." "Why do you have to use such deplorable terms?" she pouted slightly. "It's only a bit of harmless fun, isn't it, agent?"
Mischa chuckled, picturing the awkward expression on the Knight's face behind his mask, "There is nothing wrong with letting onle's hair down on occassion". She looked to the Knight, "The warning is indeed welcome. I only hope that in defending ourselves against his covert assault that we do not cross paths again. Perhaps one day when we do cross paths, it will be as allies once more. May the Force be with you" she spoke sincerely, bowing her slightly as she attempted toshow a mutual respect by using the Jedi's traditional well wish.
"May the Force be with you as well," the Knight replied, though he did not seem to leave just yet. Kelly turned to Mischa again, "I suppose we keep this place as our little secret, then?" She meant the question for the Knight as well, but when she looked back at him, he had disappeared. The armoured man was nowhere to be found in the hangar despite the bright daylight; he was gone entirely from the hangar without even a trace.
Mischa chuckled, "As enigmatic as ever!" she looked to Kelly, her face growing more sentimental, "It has been quite the unexpected adventure hasn't it... and with all the excitement I never got thanking you for coming after me. So; thank you Kelly" she said with a sincere smile before looking over to Laesa and Keelah, who had been stood together watching the others, "Are you sure you two will be ok here? I mean, we will be in constant contact but... are you absolutely sure this is what you want?" Laesa and Keelah turned to each other and both smiled back, "We will do just fine, thank you agent" Laesa replied, "Ta nauva i' lema!" (It will be an adventure!) Keelah grinned. Mischa looked between the two; as happy at finding such strong allies as she was for them finding each other, "And the language barrier won't be an issue for you?" to which Laesa chuckled softly, "Part of the adventure I suppose. I have come a long way in learning Keelah's tongue so far; I'm sure I will pick up more as we go." Mischa simply looked back to Kelly, "You sure do pick them, don't you!" she laughed.
"It was mostly just going on hunches," Kelly chuckled. "Or one hunch with Laesa, really. Once we woke her everything else just fell together. The first place we went to wasn't the right one, but it's where we found Keelah and we've got Laesa to thank for that. She thought the Force led us there for a reason and managed to convince Keelah into joining us because she was that reason. She's very talented, and in more than just using Force powers, too. I suppose she's got you to thank for that."
Mischa could see a slight flush in Laesa's cheeks as she looked over - realising that she had not really paid her genetic offspring the appropriate courtesy - she walked over and took Laesa's hands in her own, "I want you to know Laesa; despite my initial reservations about you - I can think of nobody who I rather see wearing my face. You are a credit to yourself as much as me, you should be proud." Laesa's cheeks flushed further, "If anything I would credit my successful revival to your partner" she said smiling to Kelly over Mischa's shoulder, "It is her example from which I have learned" she finished with an affectionate squeeze of Mischa's hands, "But you are - even if you don't cherish the thought; the closest thing I have to a mother. And that is something I thank the Force for" Mischa's cheeks flushed a similar to shade to Laesa's - a little darker as her natural tone had seen more years of the natural environment, "Suffice to say; all's well that ends well" she smiled back.
Kelly smiled as well, "It's good to have you back, agent. I'm glad this all ended fine." Reaching onto her belt, Kelly took out her holocommunicator and activated it, and after a moment of waiting, the three-dimensional image of her Weequay pilot sitting in the cockpit seat formed, "Hey boss! How's it going?" "Very well, Yatuni, thanks for asking," she replied. "The situation's resolved and Beta is contained, I'm just going to need you to bring the ship to us to save trekking all the way back. There's a hangar at my coordinates." "A hangar?" the Weequay exclaimed. "Why didn't you tell me about this earlier? It would've been sooooo much easier to land." "I believe it was cloaked somehow." "Okay, fair enough, I'll take that," Yatuni leaned forwards, typing on a console that could not be seen through the holographic feed. "But next time I get hazard pay for landing in a jungle." "No." "It's very dangerous, with the big canopies and thick branches and all..." he paused as Kelly stared at him without a word. "Oh well. Was worth a try." Kelly chuckled, "I'd be disappointed if you didn't. See you here." Closing the communicator, Kelly slid it into the belt pouch where it normally resided as she turned back to Mischa, "Mind giving me a hand with the droids? Just need to get them to the ship so I can start powering them back up."
"We'll stay here and make the hangar visible to your pilot" Laesa added. "Thank you Laesa" Mischa smiled before turning away with Kelly and returning to the central chamber. Both returning to the data centre where the droids were sat motionless, they were afforded a more thorough opportunity to take in the magnitude of the asset now claimed.
Mischa glanced around the array of various displays - still predominately showing information about the strange planet on which they stood as part of Lizbeth's ongoing research here - and smiled with satisfaction, "This is quite the boon for us. An information centre this powerful has the potential to rival the Intelligence archives back at HQ. Not to mention having two powerful Force users stationed here as allies. We may not have set ourselves along this path Kelly, and if I were so inclined to view the universe as they do; I might say that the Force has guided us here for a reason!" she chuckled.
As they talked, she helped Kelly retrieve the two droid chassis' and could hear the ship's engines approaching in the distance as they slowly returned to the hangar.
The two agents had to carry the heavier HK-X1 into the ship together, where Kelly retrieved a datachip from the central terminal before heading back down. ADIN's astromech body was easier to handle with the wheels present in the model; though they were locked up, some quick tinkering by Kelly unfroze them, allowing her to push the droid into the hangar on her own. She waved a goodbye to Laesa and Keelah as she passed them. "Have fun you two!" she smiled, pausing for a moment to hand the datachip to Laesa. "This has the comm frequency for my ship if you need to call us, and the contact information for my offices. We'll come by when we can, so we'll see each other again soon." With that, Kelly continued towards her luxury yacht, wheeling the astromech up the boarding ramp. Leaving the body in the lounge for the moment, she ejected ADIN's central chip, plugging it into the terminal. The holographic image of the electronic brain formed above the projector as the familiar voice rang through the halls once again. "It's good to be back home. Shall I instruct Yatuni to prepare for liftoff?" Kelly nodded, "And set course for Imperial space. Once we're far enough away from the system that our signal can't lead anyone to it, send a message to Watcher Nine telling her that the agent is safely on board and the threat is neutralized."
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