jedimara77 | X-Wing: Knights of Plooma Chapter 10

CHAPTER 10

The oppressive silence in the conference room spoke volumes.

On one side of the table were the Ploomian diplomats. Ambassador Gemar's anxiety was all too visible, the sweat on his brow and his constant fidgeting giving it all away. Director Lissiri's usual icy, expressionless stare had downgraded into a full-on scowl. Murray, seated next to her, had already torn seven sheets of flimsi to pieces in an attempt to calm his nerves. Even the usually affable and outgoing Fiolla was behaving herself in a decidedly reserved manner, perhaps sensing the gravity of the situation.

Opposite them were the Republic delegates, faring no better themselves. Corran had locked himself into a war of glaring with Lissiri while Mara had resorted to directing her anger at anyone who dared glance at her. Luke did his best to keep the tension from escalating further, but there was a harsh edge in his voice that suggested even he was nearing the end of his patience. Hobbie couldn't blame him; after being shot at numerous times and having Imperial starfighters thrown at them, it was becoming all too clear that the usual diplomatic pleasantries weren't going to suffice anymore.

Not to mention that Luke still believed he could flush out Lissiri's misdeeds with a round of harsh interrogation. Even though she had disagreed with him, Mara seemed to be gleefully going along with his plan right now. Perhaps she just enjoyed antagonizing people. That would explain so much, Hobbie thought.

Thanks to Luke's plan, the next round of diplomatic negotiations had barely advanced out of the usual exchange of pleasantries before the atmosphere turned cold. At least we've all established that lunch was halfway decent, Hobbie mused to himself. It had taken nearly an hour, but the three-hundred kilo bantha in the room was finally discussed when Corran casually brought up some unusual ship traffic they had spotted a day earlier. Director Lissiri somehow seemed to grow testier, demanding to know specifically what he was talking about.

When Hobbie revealed that the ships had been Imperial TIE Defenders, the hush seemed to magnify tenfold.

"I do hope you appreciate the severity of this," Luke calmly said, breaking the silence. "Spotting Imperial Remnant ships on-world forces us to ask difficult questions. As much as I may want to trust you, I have to wonder if you're negotiating with the Remnant as well."

"I'd do more than wonder if they're negotiating," Corran added. "We spotted a transport shuttle a few days ago; I think they've already cut a deal with them."

Gemar swallowed and shook his head. "No deals have been made with the Remnant. There are no records of their presence here since your arrival so I'm certain this is just a misunderstanding—"

"You call four TIE Defenders chasing down three of our pilots a 'misunderstanding?'" Mara fired back. "I'd say that falls more under 'hostile intent.'"

Raising his hands, Gemar continued, "I assure you there have been no deals made with the Remnant, this is—"

"I would like to know just what you were doing spying on our mining facilities," Lissiri interrupted. "Your...military escort gallivanting around on their own was not a part of our agreement. I did not even want them here. Certainly three Jedi can care for themselves without needing twelve armed thugs hovering over them."

"Director Lissiri, I—" Luke started.

Hobbie decided it was his turn to interrupt the flow of conversation. "Director, I believe I need to bring you up to speed on Rogue Squadron's function within the Republic," he said, narrowing his eyes. "The Rogues possess some of the sharpest minds in all of the military and, as such, are regularly used as an investigative body by both military high command and the Senate. It is one thing to impress the Jedi—" He nodded towards his associates. "—and you have done an excellent job making your case to them. However, you will also have to prove to the Rogues that everything here is running as smoothly as you claim."

He leaned forward and lowered his voice. "Thus far, you have not done a remotely adequate job addressing our concerns. I will lay this out for you as succinctly as possible. Unless you are able to either explain the presence of a Lambda-class shuttle and four TIE Defenders or prove definitively that your government or your people weren't involved, my commanding officer will report back to the Senate and tell them that we should terminate negotiations."

"And I must warn you," Corran said, "General Antilles carries a tremendous amount of favor with the Senate..." He glanced towards Luke. "Perhaps as much as Master Skywalker does."

The color drained from Gemar's face. "I...I see," he said. "I believe it would be appropriate to adjourn this meeting for today. I wish to begin my own investigation immediately."

"I think that's a very wise decision," Luke said, standing from his seat and offering a small bow of his head. "We should speak with the Rogues as well and see if their investigation has turned anything up. I will personally contact you if anything of note is found."

They stood to leave the room, leaving the Ploomian delegates to reflect over that threat. That should do nicely, Hobbie remarked to himself.

"Klivian, I had no idea you had that in you," Mara said as they entered a lift to the ground floor.

"Excuse me?" Hobbie asked.

"The 'angry interrogator' routine. I swear you about scared the life out of Gemar."

Hobbie merely shrugged. "Wes and I had a good instructor, bad instructor act we used to use on unsuspecting students when we were teaching at the Academy."

"I'm guessing you were the bad instructor?" Luke asked.

Hobbie grinned. "Wes had to give me fifty credits if I managed to make a cadet cry during their verbal exams."

"That's just sadistic," Mara said. "I approve."

The lift finally stopped at the ground level. "So what do we do now?" Corran asked, looking over his shoulder as he stepped out.

"Continue with the plan as Wedge ordered," Hobbie said. "There's something about Lissiri that's not sitting well with me."

"You mean other than the fact she's got a wicked stare that could give old Iceheart a run for her money?"

"Yeah," Luke agreed. "I have a feeling we're heading headfirst for some trouble."

"Now you're starting to sound like Hobbie," Corran said.

Hobbie glared back in response.

It was early evening by the time the delegation got back to the hotel. They were exhausted and still reeling from the confrontation during the negotiations. Lissiri hadn’t let slip anything that they didn’t already know, and had managed to cover her indiscretions by merely acting concerned that the security breaches would affect the outcome of the diplomatic negotiations. Corran had to hand it to the woman; she was a true professional.

But as much as she managed to hide her direct thoughts about any misdeeds on her part, she couldn’t hide her emotions from two (and a half) Jedi who were intently focused on reading them. If Lissiri’s thoughts were muddled, then her emotions were clear—there was definitely something wicked in the Ploomian Security Force, and it all stemmed from the woman at the top.

The four of them decided to eat dinner in their rooms, so they could freely talk about the day’s events and what they’d do next. They were seated at Corran and Hobbie’s large dining table, eating a meal they’d picked up from the downstairs cantina. To his delight, Corran noted that Luke had not only pulled out Mara’s chair before she sat down, but he’d also arranged the food on her plate, cut her meat, and poured her a generous drink. Throughout the meal he acted overwhelmingly polite, and her response was to gape at him as if he had grown a second head.

Corran smiled; he was being treated to dinner and a show.

Unfortunately, Luke’s relentless compliments had to put aside to talk shop. “So,” he began, pausing to swallow the bite of meat he’d been chewing, “would it be safe to assume that the both of you got the same impressions from Lissiri as I did?”

Corran was the first to chime in. “She was definitely good at blocking her thoughts, but her discomfort was obvious. There’s something going on in PloSec, but she’s not gonna slip on her own.”

Luke nodded in agreement. “Mara?” he asked.

She looked up from her meal, her expression unreadable. “I couldn’t get anything either. Which is exactly what I predicted yesterday.”

“Yes, but now we know for sure that she’s hiding something.”

“Oh, and we didn’t already know that yesterday?”

“Mara—”

“Lady, gentleman!” Corran interjected. “Let’s not argue at the dinner table, please? Save that for the bedroom.”

A glob of something orange and creamy hit Corran in the forehead.

“Anyway,” Luke said, “now that we know for sure that Lissiri is up to something, Mara can go ahead with her plan to contact Murray.”

“Thank you for permission, oh wise Jedi Master husband.”

“Mara—”

“Oh will you just call him already?!” Hobbie exclaimed. He grabbed his glass and practically threw the remaining beverage into his mouth, then shoved himself away from the table and stalked toward the liquor bottle on the counter.

Corran smirked and followed him as Mara pulled out her comlink. “So, Hobbie, enjoying the show?”

“Corran, I’m beginning to hate you.”

“What?” Corran feigned offense, holding his hand over his heart. “Come on. The two of them need this.”

“Why, so they can kill each other?”

“I’m disappointed in you, Hobbie.” Corran shook his head. “I thought you were more romantic than this.”

“You think that—” Hobbie gestured to where Luke and Mara had again started bickering, now that she had gotten off the comlink. Luke’s hand came to Mara’s shoulder and she violently pushed it away, practically hissing at him. “—Is romantic?!”

“They just need a little push in the right direction.”

“Maybe they do, but trust me—you are not it.”

Corran grinned, holding up the bottle of Ploomian alcohol. “And that’s where this comes in.”

Once again, Hobbie’s head found the counter. Corran patted his fellow Rogue on the back and rejoined the lovebirds at the table.

“He’s on his way,” Mara announced, not looking at all forward for the enthusiastic PloSec intern to join them.

“Is he bringing you a present?”

Another orange, creamy glob of food landed on Corran’s head.

Hobbie was on his third drink by the time Murray Dyartes rang the door chime. The young man was red and panting, leading Hobbie to wonder if he had forgone the turbolift and ran up the emergency stairwells. He broke into a huge smile and rushed to Mara, kissing her hand. “Captain Jade! You require my assistance? Do you need my speeder again? I would be glad to have you borrow it for another evening!”

Mara put out a hand. “Not exactly, Murray.” She glanced to Luke, who nodded encouragingly. Mara rolled her eyes and gestured for Murray to join them at the table. “We need you to help us with something very important. But first, we need to request that anything we say here remains a secret, do you understand?”

He nodded enthusiastically. “Certainly! Anything for you.”

“Yes, well…right. Here’s the thing, Murray. We need you to spy on your boss.”

Murray’s eyes grew as wide as saucers. “Pardon?!”

“What my wife means to say,” Luke cut in, earning a vicious stare from the redhead, “is that we have some misgivings about Director Lissiri. We feel it would be in our best interest if we had some way to keep tabs on her dealings at all times. You are closest to her, and would be the best to keep us informed of her actions.”

“Thank you, husband,” Mara spat. She turned back to Murray. “So, like I said. We need you to spy on her.”

“Oh…” Murray leaned back in his chair, visibly blanching. “I would certainly love to help you...but I am not sure I can do such a thing.”

From the corner of his eye, Hobbie saw Mara grimace. Then she leaned forward, ever so slightly touching Murray’s arm. “We understand this puts you in a precarious situation,” she told him, her tone of voice deepening ever so slightly. “We would never ask you to do such a thing if it wasn’tvery important.”

During this, Luke had turned to Mara incredulously while Corran was stifling his laughter behind his glass. Murray, of course, took no notice of the other men, only of the woman who was grasping his arm.

Hobbie generously helped himself to his fourth beverage of the evening.

“I…I understand, Captain Jade. It’s just…Director Lissiri is my direct superior. If I do well in these negotiations, I have been promised a higher position. I have been dreaming of becoming a Ploomian Security officer my entire life. This may finally be my chance!”

Across the table, Corran nodded in understanding. “Yes, I understand completely. Being a CorSec officer was a great time in my life.”

“Pardon?”

“Ignore him, he’s delusional,” Mara said. “Murray, answer me a question: how old are you?”

“…Twenty-five, Captain Jade,” Murray replied, looking slightly confused.

“And how long have you been Director Lissiri's intern?”

“Three years. Since I completed university and joined the organization.”

“Are there many Ploomian Security officers who are your age?”

“Yes, I know of several.”

“Did they start working around the same time as you did?”

Luke finally interrupted Mara’s line of questioning. “Dear, is there a point to all this?”

“Of course there is, dear,” she snarled. Her eyes narrowed tightly, then Luke turned away, rolling his own eyes.

Oh, fantastic, Hobbie thought. Now they’re even bickering through the Force. He took a large gulp of his drink.

Again Mara placed her hand on the young man’s arm. “Murray…have you ever considered the fact that perhaps Director Lissiri is deliberately holding you back so that you will remain her intern?”

“What?!” Murray exclaimed, pulling his arm away from Mara’s. “I do not understand. Why would you say such a thing?”

“Because it’s true, Murray,” Luke said. “You have been her intern for many years. You know many of her secrets. She is used to you being there to assist her. Perhaps she does not want to get acclimated to having a new assistant, or perhaps she has more nefarious purposes and is worried about stories you might tell among your fellow officers. Whatever the case, it is obvious—she is holding you back.”

Luke turned to Mara and smiled, as if he expected her to be grateful for having her back. But instead she glared vibroblades at him and looked like she wanted to bite his head off.

Hobbie poured yet another drink.

“Thank you, husband,” she growled. “As much as I hate to say it, he’s right, Murray. I think she’s holding you back. I know it can be very difficult, to learn that the person you serve has bad intentions…but wouldn’t you rather know the truth?”

After a few moments, Murray nodded vigorously. “You are right, Captain Jade. I have been wondering about Director Lissiri’s intentions for a rather long time, but every time I bring up a promotion she changes the subject. She stated that if I do well with these negotiations, she would finally put me in to be an officer…

“And then she started disapproving everything you did?”

“That is correct,” Murray nodded sadly, "even though I have done everything she has asked." He looked up determinedly. “Yes. I will do as you ask, Captain Jade.”

Mara smiled brightly. “Thank you, Murray. We will be eternally grateful for your help.”

“Yes, thank you,” Luke said, smiling just as brightly. Mara ignored him and continued, explaining exactly what they needed Murray to do, and giving him explicit instructions not to get caught. Finally the boy left, eager and determined to prove himself to the delegation…but most of all to Mara.

As soon as the door closed, Mara turned to Luke and slowly advanced on him. “What the hell was that about?”

“What? You mean me backing you up in there?”

“Yes! I had it perfectly under control, you know!”

“Oh yeah you did, practically feeling him up! Real nice Mara, really nice.”

“Excuse me?! You were the one who encouraged me to call him, and now you’re playing jealous?”

“I am not jealous, I just think it was highly unnecessary!”

“Oh please! Maybe you’ve forgotten, but I was a spy! I know how to get people to do what I want! And I was not ‘feeling him up,’ I was touching his arm!”

“I don’t think he really knows the difference when it comes to you! And what was all that career advice about anyway?”

“What the hell, Skywalker?! You backed me up in there!”

“Yeah, so we could get him to go along with our plan! But you didn’t have to dig into the poor boy’s personal life!”

“Well maybe I feel bad for him, okay? Maybe I think he deserves better!”

“Oh, that’s rich coming from you—”

“That’s it, I am going to punch you so hard—!”

“Yeah, you just try it—!”

”ENOUGH!!!”

The room turned silent in a second. Mara and Luke turned to Hobbie incredulously. Corran’s mouth was hanging open. Hobbie glanced at the drink in his hand and sighed. Thank you, liquid courage, he silently whispered. He looked up menacingly. “I have had enough of you two bickering at each other." He turned to Corran. "And I have had enough of you encouraging them! You're adults! You’re Jedi!” Mara opened her mouth to protest but Hobbie didn’t give her a chance. ”I know!” he snapped. “You’re not a Jedi! Well who gives a kriff! Act like adults who can use the Force and stop bickering for just one sweet second so I can finish this drink in peace! Now go to your room!”

Mara and Luke glanced at each other hesitantly, but didn’t move. Hobbie slammed down his glass and pointed at the door. “NOW!”

The two companions hurried away, neither of them saying a word on their way out the door. Hobbie hurriedly crossed toward his bedroom, but unfortunately he wasn’t fast enough. “Hey Hobbie," Corran called, "I’ve never heard you say so many words all at once!”

“Shove it, Horn!”

That night, Hobbie slept more soundly than he’d had in over a week.