Chapter 8: Quarsh Panaka
Piloting the N1 Starfighter back towards the direction of the Royal Palace with the transports in tow, Valad's head was hanging low. His eyes were partially closed as he was reflecting over his actions. It was something he was used to, reflection, but this was the first time he was looking back on killing people.
It felt like a video game because of this hub which was visible. The announcements that the system made, and the whole idea of having an interface to begin with.
He could plan everything out as there were few courses the world he knew about could take. His eyes drifted off to the side as he stared out of the canopy.
Valad didn't count how many people he killed, he just saw targets willing to kill him, and the compulsion to fight back with his own will. Gore and violence wasn't his to his liking, blood usually made him wheezy, but with all the excitement going on, he barely noticed the smell as the scent of burning ozone overtook that of the blood.
Letting out a sigh, his eyes remained on the ocean which surrounded him at all sides. He could see the little dot in the distance which was Panaka. He was well ahead of him.
"Hey." His voice appeared over the comms, it didn't sound like the normal Valad.
Panaka raised a brow slightly as he glanced over his shoulder as he heard the voice, followed by the red R2 unit on top of his own fighter. "You alright, kiddo?" His tone was more serious, it was back to his old ways.
Valad chuckled halfheartedly hearing his voice, especially at the idea of being called a Kid in such a 'friendly' manner. "No."
Panaka had no way to know that this was his first time killing people. Though from the tone of his voice, he could very much tell that this was his first time.
"But, It'll only get worse," Valad stated as he rationalized it with a sincere tone of foresight. The Separatist movement which would become a Galactic Power, and the Clone Wars that would follow was on his mind.
Was there any way he could steal himself? So he could stand up against this feeling of dread which was coming on such a delayed note? His mind wandered over towards the Queen of Naboo and Valad could only smile faintly.
He would increase his speed, the sudden boost shaking the fighter for a few. The transports would follow suit and began to follow closely behind, their thrusters being pushed to the maximum.
"How did the Last King get taken off the throne again?" He asked curiously, changing the subject.
"Oh right. According to the logs, you were off world at the time of your family's extermination by armed thugs." Panaka said with a light sigh as if he was talking of a light subject. Though he didn't know Valad didn't even remember them. "I followed a suspect which almost hit me with his speeder. He there was information that could get the king impeached. He was right, but he was shot by an aide from Janus Greejatus's familial staff on our way out of the cave network." Shaking his head, "When he asked me why he was down there, I gave him a bogus answer… I used it a few years ago to have him impeached for treason, but he had already abdicated the throne. Few days later, he was dead."
With the summary of what happened, Valad nodded to the details. Many of them were similar with that of what he had read prior to his transmigration to this world. That also made him think that this was also something that linked Greejatus and Darth Plagueis.
"And where is Janus now?" Valad asked curiously, rolling his fingers on the joystick.
Panaka didn't understand this boy's curiosity over this. The investigation came out to make one believe that Janus had nothing to do with this attempted coverup. "Coruscant, he's a senator now."
He generally understood this. Plagueis wasn't using another Sith as his ploy to take over the Republic, instead he was using a regular politician. That was much easier to manipulate than a backstabbing apprentice.
"What's his relationship with Hego Damask the Second?" Valad asked yet another question which made Panaka frustrated as he wracked his brain to figure out if he knew anything about that.
"Er.." Narrowing his eyes forward, he knew that Hego approached the child before and often helped his family with finances despite the xenophobia. "Why are you asking this?"
"It might be the utmost important information that could save the Republic, and our Queen." The man stated in reply with a now tough tone, which sounded absolutely forced.
"How can information on one man save the enti…" He trailed off before he could finish, "What do you mean save our Queen?" Panaka sounded skeptical about a single person being a threat to the Republic and the planet of Naboo, let alone the Queen.
Valad paused for a few moments. He had no valid evidence to pitch forward if he tried to incriminate him. "It's a hunch," he took the most cliché line a person could take, as if he were some sort of master detective.
"A hunch doesn't prove anything." Panaka counter argued before ending the transmissions between the two of them. Which was force them to move in silence towards their objective.
Within a few hours the two of them landed within the hangar of the Royal Palace, built into the side of the cliff. The transports would also land nearby, out of the way, as to not obstruct the flight deck.
R2 freely ejected himself at the same time as the canopy opening. Valad and the droid landed upon the ground around the exact same time. A small grin formed over his lips as he looked down at the Astromech droid.
"Nice flying, R2." Valad snapped his fingers as he pointed to the machine before he looked over at the transports. The doors slid open as the security forces entered and began unloading the illegal contraband and weapons.
On the other hand the two girls were taken into custody, but it turns out the teenager had been a slave working for the Hutt and the Mercenary had political immunity due to having political connections.
The slave was freed and given a name, as well as a place of work amongst the maintenance crew within a few days from this point. On top of that the Mercenary woman turned out to be the paternal ancestor of the Tico sisters who were born sometime after the Battle of Yavin.
He felt rather lucky that he hadn't killed her. He'd regret not only losing her beautiful face, but also losing the promising pair which lead to the survival of the resistance.
If the Empire were to be formed under Lord Plagueis, he had to be the one to fight against it. No matter what, he had to form his own Empire either way. Resolve was all he needed to grow his tough skin. Motivation, incentive, he was beginning to gather the factors that could thrust him forward in his agenda.
Suddenly he felt the arm of Panaka around him and he almost moved out of his grasp with a startle, but decided to stay. At that moment he closed his eyes partially, the man was trying to counsel him, yet without his knowledge he was being Indoctrinated by Valad during their close contact.
Panaka dismissed the odd feeling in the back of his head as a side effect from flying the ship so fast to keep up with Valad after he had passed him several times.
[ Quest Complete: Indoctrinate Panaka. Rewarded. ]
Soon enough they returned to the Queen's side who was wearing a frustrated look on her face, her cheeks looked like they would pop if she were to inflate them anymore. However as soon as they gave their respects, she seemed to relax.
"Welcome back, I assume you have an explanation Panaka?" She put her Head of Security on the spot. It was as if she was making this whole thing about him, as if it had all been his idea.
Panaka was conflicted and he didn't understand why. His eyes traced over to the blankly smiling Valad who had found himself standing beside the Queen.
"…" His eyes moved back towards the Queen as he gave his report. "Valad and I were following up on a rumor follow Borso who has been selling weapons legally. However, we eventually found out he was controlling a hidden facility on an Island." As he was giving his explanation he was given a datapad from another Security officer who was allowed to his side.
"We found large amounts of spice, contraband and military weapons within his warehouses and transports. There is also information here pointing towards a slave smuggling ring on Rori," He'd hand the datapad to a governor who came to collect the inventory list and extended information taken from the logs on board the transports.
[ Hidden Mission Completed: Cripple Borvo's Organization. Scimitar Replica Voucher. ]
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