Eventually, air speeder reached a spot where the walls receded, as though someone had carved out a semicircle from the actual building and replaced it with a vibrantly colored flagstone plaza with a commanding view of the city around it.
No guessing where we landed.
...
Though as impressive as the synchronized landing was, this reception committee was more to my liking. Fewer people, fewer hidden meanings to sus out, and most importantly, a lot faster. Granted, much of that was entirely due to who was receiving us: local staff. At least, that was my term. The official term was a local word combining the meanings of guide, servant, and guard, and this much had been in the briefing I had slowly and tediously gotten through my head.
I dutifully took up my position with the other Sith, once again the three-by-two formation we had adopted when we disembarked from the shuttle. With us came the most senior officials, as well as a significant number of people wearing the uniform of the Imperial Diplomatic Service.
Some of them were even part of that service.
As expected, our guide quickly led us through the structure. We passed the outer layer of hallways quickly, heading deeper into the building. Almost immediately, the atmosphere of the building changed.
Despite the wide-open hallways, the beautifully painted ceilings, and a design that led it be flooded with light, I started to pick up on some… interesting design quirks. Like the columns that were wide enough to hide a person. Or the alcoves just barely deep enough to do the same. Or the floor mosaics composed of pieces matching the shape of the seven most commonly used antipersonnel mines in the sector.
Yes, the further we went, it became more and more obvious that the interior of the building had been designed with defensibility in mind. Before I had a chance to ponder if the power outlets had the voltage necessary to power a weapon emplacement, we were ushered into a surprisingly large suite of rooms.
One big room, clearly a sitting room of some sort, dominated by a large half-circle of couches arranged around a holoprojector. A waiting area of some kind? I saw a pair of hallways stretch out on either side of the room, leading… somewhere.
"Your suite, honorable lords," our guide declared. "The hallway leads to sleeping quarters and a lounge with a stunning view of the palace gardens."
Palace gardens? For these rooms to reach the inner wall of this place, they would have needed to span nearly half the width of this wing of the building. There weren't all that many of us in this party; How big was this suite?
"You have our thanks," Darth Thur spoke, his tone needlessly solemn. "I trust we shall be called when His Majesty the Regent is prepared to receive us?"
"Only the most senior of your party is required for this meeting, honorable lord," the guide explained patiently. "The full reception will not be until nightfall; Until then, your party is free to follow the plans approved by the vicars."
Right, they were vicars on this world, not ministers or representatives or senators or what-have-you.
With a few more words of farewell, the guide took his leave. As door whispered shut behind him, the Non-Sith members of our delegation moved with single-minded purpose. At least, those in the red-accented uniform of the Imperial Diplomatic Service did. They moved through the suite with commendable haste, setting small silvery pucks on just about every surface they could find. The senior ministers who had been kept with us moved to the side, staying out of the way with practiced ease. Several members of the Imperial Diplomatic Service were among their number.
A few minutes later – minutes that had been spent in silence, mind you – and a woman wearing the diplomat's uniform tapped a few buttons on a datapad. Immediately, a burst of white noise filled the room. It lingered for no more than a second before dissipating, but it still felt like someone had given me a free trial of tinnitus. She gave a nod to an older woman in an identical uniform, who helpfully translated what had just happened.
"The room is clean of electronic listening devices, my lords," she announced, before gesturing to yet another subordinate. Yet another datapad, another combination of buttons to push, and another assault on my innocent ears. Less intense, more like listening to an untuned television, but constant. "White noise is being used to muffle analog devices."
"We shall use the standard precautions," Darth Thur promised in a needlessly solemn tone of voice. "Please proceed."
"Of course, my lord." The woman wearing the uniform of the diplomatic service pulled out a portable holoprojector, actively ignoring the one provided with the room. It came alive with a gentle buzz and a soft blue glow as the rest of the team moved into position around her, forming a ring that meant anybody watching through a peephole would not be able to see anything. "Tourism spots in the west of the city have an excellent view. Unsurprisingly, the ads were completely right."
Translation: we have footage of something important to the west, and it matches what we expected.
The projector came into focus, revealing a series of still shots of a Republic shuttle disgorging a few figures from its aft ramp. A party of locals awaited them from some distance while guards and barricades kept the cheering crowds at bay. Were it not for the completely different shuttle, it could have been mistaken for our own arrival.
Which had almost certainly been intentional.
Images of the notable began to flicker past. First was, presumably, a Jedi Master, old and bearded. The next Jedi was younger, possibly a knight, with a heavier beard. Another Jedi, this one a middle-aged woman. Presumably, again. The Force made guessing ages difficult. Still, they seemed competent enough…
And then came someone I did recognize.
The Little Jedi, giving a studying glance to something off screen.
Two more Jedi flicked past, but I barely noticed them. The Little Jedi was here. The Jedi Shadow who tagged along with the real diplomats. Which meant that this whole operation was almost certainly going to end poorly for at least one Empire-aligned person on this world. And potentially me, too.
Wait a minute. Given an entire galaxy, why was on the same world as the only Jedi I had personally met? No, with all the media attention I had gotten the last time I had been seen with the Little Jedi, this reeked of a set-up.
"Got any good sightseeing spots for me?" I asked. They had known the Little Jedi would be here, but for how long had they known? Depending on when they had received their initial information, then my inclusion could have been a direct response to that. In other words, they would have planned a specific role for me related to the highly compact murder machine.
"The Ascension Week Fair is being hosted in the city center," she said evenly. No hint of being taken off guard or drawing from a list of prepared responses. And with a rather specific task. "We did find something you would enjoy more, but we don't know when it opens quite yet."
Translation: We have a specific job tailored to you. Until then, here is something else you can do.
I flicked a glance at my master, making sure not to turn my head as I did so. He was unreadable, of course, but he still seemed pleased. Then again, that was one of his default expressions.
"Hibal knows the way," Darth Thur mentioned. "He and Elcho can help point Nestor in the right direction."
And now I had the name for the other apprentice. His master looked a bit chagrined at the comparatively minor role his apprentice had been given, but that was not something to address right this very moment. By contrast, Hibal seemed pleased with the turn of events. Either it was the brain damage, or her was perfectly happy to help.
"It would give them less time to get to know the Salvation Promenade, but our itinerary is a bit flexible," the woman holding the small projector allowed. "Just keep an eye on your commlinks and be back here before sundown."
"Never fear, we'll be back on time for dinner," Hibal said genially before giving me a reassuring clap on the shoulder. "And we'll get our friend where he needs to go."
Yeah. Where I need to go. To find and distract a Jedi Shadow. Or maybe I was just overanalyzing things and was being sent to make nice with the locals. That much I could do fairly easily.
Now if only I had a functional commlink…
...
Hey guys I would really appreciate it if you could throw some power stones to help elevate the ranking.
...
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