Innocence Lost

[jaydee]

The Dynamic Class freighter known as the "Maggie Ellia" dropped out of lightspeed near the DSC Deadalus. Inside the ship, Kal Verda just awoke from another restless slumber by his R2 unit, R2M2. Kal slowly got out of bed and got dressed and armed himself as he always did. He kissed a teddy bear that was on his desk as he always did. He then went to the cockpit to answer the beeping comm. "Hey Kal", the voice from the comm said. "Thanks for coming as quickly as you did. Usually we're not allowed to bring in outsiders but I figured you'd want to see this." Kal was appreciative to his former colleague from the Corellian Security Force. They had both been CorSec Inspectors and both had successful careers but both left for different reasons. As soon as Kal received his landing instructions, he proceeded to the docking bay.

Kal finished getting geared up and then turned to R2M2. "Stay with the ship buddy. Not sure how long I'll be but I need to see this through." Kal patted R2M2 on the head. Since he left the Corellian Security Force, Kal considered the astromech droid his best friend and trusted him more than he did a lot of real people these days. As the ship landed, Kal had checked his weapons and his gear. Kal then exited the ship where he was greeted by two local security agents. "Thanks for coming Inspector", one of the agents said. Kal smiled and nodded. He wasn't technically a CorSec Inspector anymore even though his captain merely put him on indefinite leave instead of retiring him. "How about showing me what you got", Kal said to the two inspectors. They both nodded and led Kal to the slums on the lower level. As soon as Kal got out of the lift, he could tell they were in the undesirable part of the station. They led Kal to the crime scene. Kal looked around at the condition of the scene and scowled at the two agents. "How the heck are you only finding the body now?" One of the agents looked a bit flustered as he replied that there was only so much they could do and they had only so much manpower to utilize.

Kal looked at the body on the ground. She had to have been no more than 10 years old. From his observation, Kal figured the girl had to have been dead at least two days but an autopsy would confirm it. From the way she was dressed and the dirt on her face, she had to have been homeless or at least from a poverty stricken family. The two agents looked at Kal. "Are you alright inspector?" Kal just glared at them. "How can I be alright staring down at the body of a dead young girl? No. There's nothing alright with this. I want her covered up and brought to your coroner." The two agents nodded at Kal. They got a blanket and covered up the girl. "The coroner will be at the at headquarters in a half an hour." Kal nodded at them. He looked around the area. He felt like they were being watched but couldn't sense anything in particular. It was times like this that he wished he had more time for his jedi training but he had work to do.

 

[Silver Cutlass]

District Three of the DSC Daedelus Station was an unpleasant place to be, no matter who you were or where you came from. It reminded Kara of the Underworld of Coruscant, being just as seedy and perhaps more poverty-stricken. Those few people in the galaxy who were unable to purchase residence on an actual planet, they were forced to live here, where the few who were lucky enough to pay the rent in apartments had little extra credits for such simple necessities as food and clean water.

As she traveled the galaxy, once as a Disciple of Twilight and now as an Imperial Knight, Kara had become accustomed to such places as these. She had lived for several years in much the same conditions as these people back on Mirial, after her parents had died and their estate sold off, leaving Kara an orphan, and a homeless orphan to boot. Too old for an orphanage at the time, Kara had no other choice but to live on the streets. She had become like these people. She lived in the alley ways, warmed herself by a fire in the junk hull of an astromech droid, and had to steal from those more privileged than her, merely to feed herself.

All that had since changed, but every once in a while she found herself amongst these people once more. As a Disciple of Twilight, she had dedicated herself to helping stay the hand of the strong who might oppress the weak, and these people were oft taken advantage of by those wealthier than them. Now as an Imperial Knight, she had dedicated herself to fighting the Sith, and had been traveling the galaxy for the past few days for various reasons. Now, she found herself on the DSC Daedelus, feeling the old urge to wander the streets in search of those who might need help.

A scene was occurring now in the alley way between a couple of buildings, something Kara had taken an interest in. Rumors were going about of the slave trade becoming a problem on the Daedelus, and Kara had taken to the streets to investigate. Apparently, the dead corpse of a young girl had been found in the alley, and the dismal force which was the closest thing the Daedelus had to Law Enforcement had been investigating. At a street corner a couple blocks away, Kara watched the scene, trying to gather what information she could. However, it seemed this night would be interesting further. Her Force-Senses couldn't help but feel the presence of the Force in an individual amongst the investigators, though which one was hard to tell at this distance.

 

[©razy Man]

Wow! Now that was a crazy night! Shenzai pushed open the door of a bar an walked out. He didn't even remember what happened most of it. And this was unlike himself as he usually didn't drink unless he was depressed or celebrating. What was yesterday anyways. He literally almost forgot the most important thing in his life, his mother's birthday. Now he remembered the beginning of it, atleast walking into the Bar. Oh well another mystery to solve later.

He looked across the street and noticed commotion going on. Looking at each individual he looked at Kara. He wasn't surprised to see her just more so curious as to why she was here. He walked over to the circle gathering around a place, no a crime scene. He easily looked over the head's of other's and saw a dead body. A little girl's. Now this just became personal.

He looked at Kara and snarled his anger at what had happened. Why would someone do this to a child of all thing's?

 

[Topher Ridge]

Ralo couldn't help but feel a sense of relief as the DSC Daudalus finally came into view. It had been a trying few days to say the least. After helping rescue several hundred scared refugees from Coruscant, then escaping the hellish war zone in one piece had taken it's toll on the hunter. He manged it though, Ralo always did, relying on his own skill and instincts that never let him down. Ralo gave the docking crew his info and pulled his ship easily into bay and shut her down. The old modified bomber had gotten him through a lot these past few days and deserved a good rest.

He ambled his way through the station, enjoying the down time. That was he until he came upon a small gathering of people. Ralo edged closer to get a better look and noticed a young girl being covered and carried off. Now that got his attention! He pushed through the crowd and noticed a turian in mandalorian armor doing the same. The Turian spoke first, asking an average human if he was in charge. Ralo spoke next saying,

"Yeah I don't know if you're in charge here or not, but I'd like to know what's going on and if I can offer any help."

 

[jaydee]

Kal regarded the individual with the Mandalorian armor. Kal then gave the armored person the greeting of a Mandalorian warrior. Kal turned to the officers who had drawn their weapon. "Lower the guns", he said with a quiet authority. The officers looked at each other for a moment before holstering their guns. "No need for more commotion than we can handle", Kal said. He ordered the officers back to the station and await further orders. They went with the two agents who were carrying the body. Kal nodded to the armored individual. "Name's Kal Verda and for now, I'm in charge of the investigation. I sensing that you got some stake in this murder. Perhaps your being paid by someone. If that's the case, maybe you can clue me in on anything I'm missing. From what I could tell by the body, she had been dead for two days. There's a bruise on her forehead. We'll know more once we do an autopsy and tox screen." Kal wasn't sure what Mandalorian clan this person was from but he was smart enough to know to get in the way of a Mandalorian's objective. Besides, Kal was sure that the armored individual would be an asset.

Still, Kal was still sensing something else. Maybe someone in the force was watching them for some reason. It was then that another man coming towards them wanting to assist. It was unusual for Kal to see so many people wanting to help out on something like this. He was sure the Mandalorian was probably being paid but why was this individual asking to help. Still, if they could assist in this, why would Kal turn him down. He nodded to the man who offered his help. "Always could use another hand", Kal said. He motioned the man and the Mandalorian armored individual to follow him. Kal stopped. He looked around. There was someone else here with the force. He knew it "Weird", Kal said. "I think there might be a jedi or someone with the force", he said out loud for people to hear. He then motioned the two people who offered their assistance to Kal to follow him.

 

[Silver Cutlass]

Kara locked eyes with Shenzai, an Imperial Knight she had just trained in the Force not too long ago. What was he doing here? That question would have to wait for later. As would their meeting. Closing her eyes and reaching out to the feline-like man, Kara spoke telepathically to him. "Not here. We'll talk later." Sighing, she continued to watch the investigation unfold until she heard one of the investigators say something.

Faldus Verrun.

According to the Mandalorian Man, this man was perhaps a suspect in this girls murder. The processing of the girl's body would take time, and the more time Faldus Verrun had, the better his chances of fading into obscurity were. She couldn't let that happen, merely let someone get away with such a horrific crime. Closing her eyes and tapping into the Force, Kara used a rare Force technique known as Shadow Armor, an ability used only by the Disciples of Twilight, which made her appear completely invisible to the naked eye. Now out of sight, Kara continued on down the street. She would need to gather information on this man, and do it quietly, to not attract attention. The invisible woman continued off into the scarcely-lit streets of Sector Three, in pursuit of the man.

 

[Topher Ridge]

Ralo felt a bit more at ease with a Mando helping them out. He knew first hand few things could stop a mandolarian once they had an objective. Ralo listened as Valentinos explained what he had seen and knew about the crime. He shook his head in disgust as the mandolariian finished. .

Here I was thinking I'd get a chance to relax after getting off Coruscant. I'll help in any way I can to bring this bastard down.

Ralo tapped a few buttons on the small datapad on his wrist, pulling up some basic records and a map of the district.

I think this should be his last known address on the station. If we head there I should be able to help us get a lot more information on Faldus using my psychometry.

 

[jaydee]

Kal Verda listened in on what both Valentinos and the other individual had to say. It looked like they were both on the ball when it came to finding out who was behind the killing and finding this Faldus Verrun seemed like the best way to start off this investigation. Kal still couldn't shake that there was some jedi in the area but he couldn't see anyone that would be using the force nearby. However that could have just meant that the force-user was that good in that they could shield themselves from others. This could make things tricky if he or she were looking into this on their own. Kal used his comm to call in the security headquarters from District 3. "This is Inspector Kal Verda. I'm on route to a potential suspect's location. I need an address for a Faldus Verrun. Continue with the autopsy and tox screen. I want to know how that girl died. Call me back with the information as soon as you get it and show it to nobody else." Kal was getting a bit suspicious about everyone but it was also just a habit that Kal had. One that proved useful.

It didn't take long for Kal to receive the location of Faldus Verrun. Along with Valentinos and the other man who he discovered was named Raio quickly went but silently made their way to the man's home. As soon as they came into range, Kal sensed something off and told the other two to duck just as blaster shots began to zip through the air. "DON'T COME ANY CLOSER", a man's voice shout out. "I SWEAR I WON'T GO DOWN FOR SOMETHING I DIDN'T DO!" Kal looked at his two companions before responding. "If you're so innocent, why start shooting as soon as we got near your place?" Kal did a maneuver that Valentinos would have recognized as something a Mandalorian would have done during a training session. He shot two blaster shots into the the window and did a forward roll in order to get himself closer to the house. Kal found cover behind some kind of speeder bike. Kal then shouted to Faldus Varrun. "Listen to me and listen good. I only want to talk. Nobody has to get hurt but I'm telling you now, you will answer my questions." More shots zipped past Kal. "I guess he's not so talkative; he said out loud. He looked over at Valentinos and Raio. "I want him alive. Stun or injure is fine. No killing. He's got answers to questions so for now, he stays in one piece."

 

[Topher Ridge]

Ralo nodded, figuring out the basics of Valentinos' plan in his head. He waited for the Mando to fire his rifle and he sprang over his cover and sprinted for back of the small home. He aimed to his blaster cannon at the door as he approached, ready to kneecap Varrun if he burst out. Once he reached the door though he holstered it and got ready to tackle the suspect if he came out the back.

 

[jaydee]

Kal watched as both Valentinos and Raio did their part to get Faldus Verrun scared and make a mistake and they did their job with professional precision as Faldus panicked so badly that Kal was able to get inside the house without being seen. Before Faldus even realized what was going on, Kal was on him. He disarmed the man without any problems and shoved against the wall. Kal took out his brass knuckles and put them on his right hand. "So, you like to overdoes little girls with death sticks. How about trying that stuff with me", Kal said with an edge to his voice. Faldus began to whimper. "I swear to you. It wasn't me. I would never do that to anyone. You got to believe me. I had no idea this is what happens. I swear to you." Kal wasn't sure why but he knew the man was telling the truth. It was Kal's jedi training that told him that Faldus was telling the truth.

"How does this work", Kal asked Faldus. The man looked down for a moment before looking at Kal. "I give DNA samples. I don't know to who or even why. I have drop-off points. I leave the sample and in return, I get merchandise to sell. I get to keep 80% of the profits. I drop off the other 20% when I leave the DNA samples. Kal's mind raced with theories. "So the reason we found your DNA was that the killer injected himself with your DNA so that even if they get injured, the real guilty person would never be found out because they have idiotic morons like yourself who are willing to give up their own DNA for some profits." Faldus looked down and started to whimper. "I had no idea that this would happen. You got to believe me." Kal looked around. "I want to see the merchandise you're given." Faldus pointed to a large box. "Some of the stuff is in there." Kal opened the box. He looked inside at all of the various objects. Toys, jewelry, guns and other stuff was inside.

Something suddenly grabbed Kal's attention. It was a gold necklace with a locket. The locket had the initials "EV" on them. Kal suddenly had a lump in his throat as he opened the locket to see two pictures. One was of his daughter and the other one was of his wife. Kal turned towards Faldus with murder in his eyes. "Where did you get this", Kal said with a soft edge in his voice. Faldus was insanely scared. "I don't know. I just get the shipment. I don't know where it comes from." Kal took out his gun from it's holster and pressed it against Faldus' forehead. "Start talking or start praying", Kal said. Faldus began to weep. "Please. Don't kill me. All I know is that we get stuff from off-world. That way, nobody can trace it. It happens all over." Kal listened for a moment before putting the gun away. Kal then called in the local authorities who dealt with Faldus. Kal looked over at Raio and Valentinos. "It looks like this just got a bit more complicated", he stated to the two of them

 

[Topher Ridge]

Ralo walked in just as Kal began his interrogation. As Faldus spilled his guts Ralo looked around the small house, seeing nothing of interest. As Kal checked the box that contained the items Faldus received he got an idea. He walked over and listened as Valentinos explained his theory/plan and nodded.

"Seems to be the best plan we've got, but before we go I want to try something. Don't know how much you fellas know about Kiffars but some us have a special skill that could come in handy here. I'm a psychometric, i can read memories and impressions off inanimate objects. I may be able to get a better idea of what we're dealing with if I read some of the items in this box

Ralo stepped forward slowly picking through the box, finally settling on a blaster that wasn't busted. He held it gingerly in his hands and closed his eyes focusing on the memories held within. Ralo furrowed his brow. There were too many memories all flooding together, this blaster had passed through many hands before ending up here. He focused harder trying to find anything concrete. That's when he saw him, he couldn't make out much detail other than it was a male of humanoid shape and stature, clouded in shadow, but he was there in every memory attached to the blaster. Ralo slowly opened his eyes and set the blaster down.

"Damn, it's time like this I wish I was a jedi. I saw the man that's apparently running this operation, but I couldn't get a clear look at him. Either this guy never dealt too directly with his employees, or we're dealing with a force user. Their the only people that could cloud my reading like that. So if we go through with Val's plan, we should be extra careful. Also Val, you're right about one thing. This is apparently a huge operation. This blaster alone was used by at least a dozen people.

Ralo looked at the two making sure that sunk in, ready to go through with they're bait and follow plan.

 

[Silver Cutlass]

Faldus was a dead end. He had no hand in the child's death, aside from giving his DNA as a cover for the actual killer. That meant while these 'law enforcers' looked after dead ends, she could actually get to the bottom of this. Nei, using her Shadow Armor technique, had entered the area just in time to listen to their conversation. So, they would be setting up an ambush at a dead drop, huh? It would be futile. If the operation here was as large as Kara believed, they would be more than a match for the three lawmen. After all, chances were that they were connected to Black Sun or the Hutt Cartel, and neither organization liked to play prey.

These men would go to the dead drop and probably be killed. While Kara did not want them to die, she had to stop the operation here, or else many more children would meet likewise fates as the girl did. Walking down the street, she ended her use of the Shadow Armor, becoming visible once more, sighing with relief as she was glad to have the pressure off her mind. Cloaked in her robes she made her way down the dark streets. She needed to find a lead, and if one was in the business of child slavery, where would they do their business transfers? That's when it hit her: If these guys were actually looking to make money rather than waste resources, they would sell the kids to off-station customers, which meant the kids would have to be at the ports at some point.

With a goal and destination in mind, Kara picked up the pace down the street, heading for the port nearest Sector Three.

 

[©razy Man]

Shenzai had been watching from a window outside of the building. He saw black marks on the street and walls. A battle perhaps? He walked away from the scene and continued following the scent of Kara. Shenzai followed behind Kara not knowing exactly what had happened. He had used his nose to track her and hopefully assist her in whatever way was necessary. He saw her walking down a dark street. "What happened? I only heard slight noises."

He remembered the little girls dead face and qluenched his fists. They would pay for such a horrible crime. Children are innocent and pure. Such a horrible thing will never escape his memory at any point of his life.

((Sorry for a short post. I'm kind of in a hurry and wanted to get this in.))

 

[jaydee]

Kal looked at Raio as he made the jedi remark. "It's not all that it's cracked up to be. Being a jedi I mean. Trust me on that." Kal himself had never been a jedi but he was a youngling for 10 years and knew the ways of the force. He even had his own lightsaber that he still carried with him from time to time. Between his training at the temple and his time with the Mandalorians, he became quite good at using the weapon if not a bit unorthodox. Kal looked over at Valentinos and nodded his head. "Makes sense to me. They will think they have the upper hand until they realize that they don't. Then we take them, find the kids and hopefully be one step closer to closing down these bastards."

Kal waited until he saw Faldus left his house. He had been released soon after he was brought to the precinct. It wasn't the local cops fault. Faldus had connections and now it was time for him to lead Kal, Raio and Valentinos to them. Kal followed Faldus to a nearby port near sector 3. Kal had felt someone around here with force abilities. He wished he knew who it was. Could it have been someone he had known from his days at the temple? Were they here on the same trail? As much as he loathed the thought, Kal sort of wished that he had a jedi on the team. For all the history Kal had with the jedi, Kal respected what they stood for and it would have been another person to help Kal and his new partners against this threat and Kal had the feeling he could use all the help he could get.

Kal continued to follow Faldus to the port. It was crowded but not so that he couldn't sense that there was a trap waiting to be sprung. Kal eyed Raio and Valentinos who were in the shadows but not hidden from Kal's jedi senses. Kal watched as Faldus dropped off the samples and a small cut of the money he had made from the selling of those stolen goods. He then watched as Faldus left. Kal saw that Faldus glanced in his direction and smiled. "Dammit", Kal said to himself. The trap had already sprung. He waited for something to happen but nothing. Then suddenly, there was an explosion in the center of the port. People were screaming and running for safety. As all the commotion was happening, Kal felt the wrong end of a blaster press against the back of his head. "You've been poking around a little too much. My employer doesn't like this kind of snooping around Inspector. He'd like a word with ya if you don't mind." Kal closed his eyes and waited for something to happen. Kal felt his guns being taken away from him. "Now Mr. Inspector man", the mystery man said to Kal. "Why don't we take a walk?"

 

[Silver Cutlass]

Kara turned to face Shenzai as she walked. "I'm not entirely certain. LEO's found a dead kid in an alley way, they're working on tracking down whoever killed her. I've heard whispers that their might be a larger operation than they think here, so I'm working the case for myself. Can't break old habits, I guess." They eventually arrived at the ports. Kara looked around, she saw people going to and from, going about their business. She saw nothing out of the ordinary, but then it happened.

An explosion. People panicking. This was unexpected for Kara's stop at the Daedalus. The second the explosion happened, Kara began using Shadow Armor once more, each use putting more strain on her mind, but she needed the upper hand if some kind of attack happened. Looking around, she felt a slight presence in the Force towards the back, and noticed that it was the Inspector from the past two crime scenes. Kara guessed the drop-off point had to be here, and from the looks of it the Inspector was in trouble.

Leaving Shenzai behind and rushing over, she was about 10 paces away, and could see a tall man standing behind him, pressing a blaster at the back of his head. While she wasn't supposed to draw attention to herself, she wasn't about to let an innocent man die. Sneaking behind the thug, Kara searched her pockets for anything she could use against the man. Lightsaber? It'd draw too much attention. Datapad? She couldn't lose the important information on there. Then she found something she could use, just as she heard the man state "Why don't we take a walk."

Kara drew her light Ion Pistol, and raising it high, pistol-whipped the thug in the back of the head as she relinquished her use of Shadow Armor, easing the strain and revealing herself. "How about a nap instead?" She said as the hired gun fell to the ground, knocked out cold. Coming around so the Inspector could face her, she spoke. "You okay?"

 

[©razy Man]

Shenzai nodded remembering the girls mangled body. It had became personal once he saw that image. Something so pure taken away, violated and killed. That's when he made that decision. "Just don't disappear or run off. We work as a..."

The explosion went off just as he said that. He looked behind him from where the explosion came from and looked back at Kara. Atleast where she'd been. Shenzai growled slightly, se didn't seem to like teamwork.

He ran to where the explosion came from I drawing his sword in case he needed it. Though he didn't. By the time he it there Kara had everything taken care of. He sheathed his sword and put his hands up so the others wouldn't see him as a threat. He nodded toward Kara also.

 

[Topher Ridge]

Ralo was just pulling his cloak around him to better conceal himself, ready to follow Kal and the thug. Then suddenly a woman appeared knocking the thug out cold as another man approached. Ralo swore and approached the new pair.

"Karking hell! What'a doing? You just blew our whole sting! We had everything under control!"

Ralo just swore again and kicked the thug hard in the ribs, knowing now they'd have to interrogate him to get anything useful. Ralo looked at the Mirilian and sighed deeply as he pulled back his hood and ran his hand over his short, buzz cut hair.

"Guess I can't be too mad at you for trying to help a guy in need. Who the hell are you two anyway? I"m going to guess I'm being 'blessed' by the presence of more force users judging from your little entrance just now.

 

[jaydee]

Kal had sensed that Valentinos and Raio had his back as the thug put a gun to his head. He knew he wasn't in danger and that this man was actually going to bring him to one of his bosses. Kal wasn't sure that it was going to be one of the big bosses but it would have been another guy they could have taken down and hopefully squeezed some information out of. These two force-users, while helpful ruined that. It wasn't there fault though. They couldn't have known what was going down and their intentions were good. That meant something to Kal in his book. When the woman asked if Kal was okay, he nodded and tipped his hat to her. "I am thanks to you. I could have used that man a little more conscious. He won't be able to tell us anything knocked out like that but he's still useful to us so listen closely. I need you and your friend to take him to safety. Please. Take him to my ship." Kal gave the woman in the armor a code. "You'll get in using that. Don't touch anything once your in. My associates will meet you there shortly. Please. I need him to give me information." With that, Kal ushered the woman and her friend out of the area as they carried the thug with them.

Once that was all done, he looked at Raio as more thugs came into view. "Take cover. We got more goons. Shots fired out. Kal used his Jedi and Mandalorian training to dodge the blasts until he found some cover of his own. Kal took out his blaster and began firing. He hit one of the thugs in the shoulder and another one in the leg. "Let's make this quick so we can get back to my ship", Kal said to Raio over comm link. "I gave those force users the location of my ship. They are taking our man there. Once we're done here, we make a bee-line to the ship and have a conversation with our knocked out friend."

 

[Silver Cutlass]

Kara nodded to him, taking the incapacitated man by his right arm and lifting him up slightly. "Will do." Right then, she reached out with the Force, looking out for more presences in the nearby area. "Be quick. They have a lot more men than you have power packs. I saved your life, please don't let that be for nothing." She remarked, gesturing for Shenzai to help lift the thug.

The woman hoped she made the right choice rescuing him. Kara knew they had planned an ambush, but judging from the sense she got a moment ago, they wouldn't have stood a chance. Not with the backup they seemed to have in tow.

 

[Topher Ridge]

As the thugs came on Ralo drew his pistol and and vibro hatchet and rolled quickly into cover. He popped out and let off a barrage on full auto, putting down another 2 as Kal dropped 2 of his own. Ralo counted about 4 thugs left and he jumped quickly and rolled under there fire, advancing up, and diving behind more cover. He pulled and primed a concussion grenade and threw it to land between the feet of the the thugs. The loud "wump" sound and screams of pain told Ralo the grenade hit the mark. He peaked out of cover and almost lost his head as 2 more thugs came at them, the blind fired over his cover, hoping Kal could give him some cover so he could move up.

(OCC: He everybody, sorry it took me so long to post, a bunch of dumb stuff just came up in my life, but it's mostly dealt with now.)