Valru takes the computer spike and examines it for a moment before pressing the button. It seems he has greater technical know-how than you do, for he relatively quickly cracks the encoded commands that the spike was used to issue.
A holographic display of what can only be the Senator's vessel- in true Corellian style, it is a gunship. The hologram then zooms in and examines different systems in the ship and gives readings.
"I think I figured out what happened to the Senator's ship," Valru says, grimly. "This computer spike overrode safety measures that prevent starships from jumping into hyperspace within the gravitational wells of planets."
You recall hearing a tremendous whooshing noise just before this all happened, Roan. Now, you hope to never hear it again. It was the sound of a starship activating its hyperdrive in an atmosphere. If that is what happened, then the starship tore itself to pieces when it moved.
The gashes along the ground were caused by the landing gear. The walls were ripped open by the Corellian gunship leaping through it at lightspeed. The fuel tanker just happened to be in the way...
...but you have a feeling that this was not a coincidence. This was an assassination! The spike proves it, as do the Cultists skulking around the control tower.
But what an unusual way to kill someone! It would have been easier for the Cultists to simply blow up the gunship, you think. You have a very bad feeling about it.
Valru will take custody of the computer spike, bagging it as evidence of a conspiracy to murder.
Gabe declares the crime scene cleared after the Cultist you spared is arrested and taken off the scene in a landspeeder, back to headquarters for interrogation. Gabe and Sky go with him. The fire crews move in to douse the flames, men and droids rushing past you as you leave the starport.
They provide a landspeeder for you to take back to headquarters. Sunda glances back at the pillars of smoke billowing into the sky, then climbs into the speeder.
-
It takes an hour to get back to headquarters. Traffic has been stalled by the terrorist attack on the starport and you have to drive on the walk zone to get anywhere. Sunda nods off a bit; it is getting late.
When you get there, you can hear raised voices within.
Valru and Gabriel are arguing in the reception of CorSec headquarters.
"Are you honestly satisified?" Valru asks, incredulous.
"What more do you want, Officer Valru?" Gabriel asks. "I cannot simply send out my officers to bring in suspected members of the Red Rain. It is against the laws of our world and the Republic to do so without evidence."
"Then thrash that Cultist around harder!"
"Again, inhumane and cruel treatment of prisoners is forbidden. I cannot press him further, not without bypassing what has been deemed lawful."
"Fine!" Valru says. "We won't get anywhere. You know the Diktat is next, what are you going to do? Just form a wall of officers in front of her and hope her killers miss?"
Gabriel is quiet.
They are actually in the reception area, outside of the offices.
Gabriel acknowledges your arrival.
"Welcome back," he says. "We have already begun interrogation procedures on that 'Cultist' you brought us at the starport. We've got his name, one Reffield Dosk, but not much else..."
"If you would press him harder, maybe break him a bit..."
Gabriel shoots Valru a firm look, then returns to you.
"Also... the Diktat has declared an emergency meeting of the government officials. I intend to be there with Valru, and I'm leaving Bren in charge of the interrogation, to see if he talks."
He pauses.
"What is your standpoint on interrogation procedures?"
Before shipping out, Gabriel remembers that the three of you need security chips implanted to gain access to the Capital Building. It is a simply procedure using a needle-like device. They press it to your neck and the security chip is inserted under your skin. Bacta is applied to prevent irritation or infection, and you're good to go!
Gabriel secures another landspeeder and the five of you speed out of CorSec Plaza and onto the city streets. Soon the landspeeder meets the blockade that CorSec has set up around the Capital Building. Gabe simply flashes his identification and the landspeeder is allowed through.
Gabe parks in front of the entrance, on the sidewalk.
"Welcome to the Capital Building," Gabriel says. "Little known fact; the entire building is covered in starship-quality plate armor. Interesting, isn't it?"
The main entrance into the government structure is lavishing decorated with various Corellian flags. A statue stands in the center of the reception hall of the first ruler of Corellia, hewn from jade-like material.
A scanner passes a green light over you and beeps in confirmation that your security chip has been installed and that you are in the security system.
Even so, with the raised terrorist level, CorSec guards request to see your identification as you near the lifts. Gabriel shows his identification, Sunda flashes his lightsaber. Both seem to work equally.
"Tell me," Gabriel says as you enter the lift. "Do you have any experience with bodyguard work? Forgive me, but I'm not too familiar with your career..."
Gabriel nods.
"One more thing... there has been a lot of clamor about CorSec requesting Jedi assistance. Don't take it to heart."
The lift comes to a halt and a pair of CorSec guards escort you into the main chambers of the Corellian government. It is a dimly-lit room with dark walls, square in shape, but all the seats are set in a circular pattern so that all officials can face each other.
Currently, a plethora of older men are taking their seats, all wearing green caubeen hats (cocked to the right) and green chlamyses (pinned at right shoulder) over their attire.
There is only one woman in the room, wearing a black dress under her chlamys but foregoing the caubeen. She stands as you enter and approaches Officer Trilanger and yourself, with Sunda and Sky trailing behind.
"Roan, this is Diktat Shyla Merricope," Gabriel introduces her.
"Welcome to Corellia, Master Jedi," she greets.
She does not bow, but she smiles.
"I am honored that the Jedi Order has sent their distinguished Knights to assist our problem," she says.
"They are only here to protect you, Diktat," Gabriel says.
"I understand, but it will take strain off of CorSec."
He nods.
"Master Jedi, what is your name?" she asks.