Back, then, to ODC-1- still mostly empty, still mostly grey- almost haunted in its desolate silence, balconies overlooking empty floors, cells waiting for occupants that may never come.
And of course, back to your old friend Dr. Thule.
"Now, I really MUST protest," he says. "You are disturbing my patient again. He's already been severely disrupted by the absurd privileges you have now allowed him."
The doctor doth protest too much...
Jelena will take advantage of the professional rapport she's tried to establish with Dr. Thule, though she knows ultimately he holds little interest in helping them along on their mission.
"We would not have returned to speak with your patient yet again had it not proved absolutely necessary to the continuation of our investigation," Jelena says. "I cannot pretend to fully understand the effect on Saar's mental state- I'm a peacekeeper, not a certified and experienced researcher and scientist like yourself. What has transpired with your patient since our last visit?"
Jelena is indirectly asking about the events on Robine, wondering if Saar responded in any particular way that may have aroused Dr. Thule's anger yet again.
Sorry for the delay!
Well, the Doc has no great choice- partly because your case is active and partly because, you guys not actively having annoyed Sri on Robine, the Bureau is playing ball right now (certainly until they can clear their mess up). But the Doctor is withdrawing all active co-operation. Saar is still refusing to say anything to him, even though he is now more actively involved with life due to his news feed.
Talking of which- this time, when the metal shutters open to reveal Saar's cell, he is not meditating., His back is to you, watching the absurdly small screen that has been installed in one of the upper corners of his cell. He seems to be watching the news- but not any particular news. The channel changes every 30 seconds or so. He has no remote control or any way to alter what is on show- he must have requested the programmes to change like this.
"I could hardly recognise a significant pattern in the news unless I had an objective comparison to make," says Saar, not turning. "If I observe that the news is focussed on separatism, or concerns about famine in the outer regions, or, say, an act of terrorism on Robine, for me to say that various channels are covering it is a pattern is reaching. It merely reflects what is happening right now.*
*Twitches for Andro and Galagher there...
"Inevitably." He finally turns around.
"It would have been very frustrating for Adelmo, finding the knowledge she sought protected in such a way. She works via prediction, farsight and emotional manipulation; her power with the Force to affect people- entire planetary populations, at times- is exceptional. But Kazan's strength with the Dark Side put that which he built beyond even Adelmo's sight and a complex full of robots would be completely immune to her manipulative abilities."
"You knew full well we'd run into a seemingly endless army of battle droids," Rast says, annoyed. "Thanks for the warning, there, buddy. We saw signs of Katai having been in there, I'm sure she had just as much fun with it as we did. Adelmo obviously couldn't have gone in with her. But I'm sure Katai found what we found, too. The possible destination of the other half of the Bandomino Scrolls."
Gallagher probably winces at Saar's commentary on the fledgling separatism movement and the mass famine deaths, but says nothing more on the subject. And the idea of a Sith Lord's power in the Dark Side does little to put Gallagher any more at ease in the company of Saar.
"However, we cannot narrow down our options any further. Which is why we've come."
"Well, you are the mighty Jedi, and in force, too. I was surte you could handle it. This way, you get to experience things just as Adelmo did. Besides, what difference would a warning from me have made? You would still have had to clear it. Oh... and also it amused me. That is, after all, my reward for helping you.
"But Kazan's legacy is to your advantage. Katai did indeed retrieve the information, as I am sure the evidence may well have shown you, but it had to be a hit and run. Without Kuylen, Adelmo did not have the raw combat force needed to overwhelm the complex- and think about what she would have done if she did."