Open Raxus Murder Mystery on Raxus

[The Storyteller]

MURDER MYSTERY ON RAXUS
Imperial investigators stumble upon a mysterious death at the barracks​

NARRATIVE THEME

"It was the facial scars that Peacekeeper-Lieutenant Lorso just wasn't able to figure out. Many had doubted his investigative prowess as he owed his promotion to a deal he had made with the Imperial Security Bureau to rat out his former Peacekeeper Commander. He had a lot riding on this case. Yet, try as he might, he couldn't figure out how Lieutenant Kara Senyn's brain had disappeared from her skull.

Yes, you heard that right. The victim wasn't just someone that had outperformed every single one of her fellow Cadets at the Peacekeeper Academy. She was rumored to be entering an arranged 'relationship' with none other than the Emperor's heir-apparent, Lieutenant Pierre Drast, and ever worse for the idiot that wouldn't be able to find her killer: She was the beloved only child of Director Senyn.

So, who could really blame Peacekeeper-Lieutenant Lorso for daydrinking?"​

The patchy three-day beard, faint sweat-stains under his armpits and a broken collar. It really wasn't hard to identify the exhausted Imperial investigator even if you decided to ignore the half-empty bottle of cheap bottom-shelf Corellian that stood in front of him, right there in the middle of the officer's mess.

"Victim was a highly-desired woman, both because of her looks and her status," he mumbled as he read his own notes from his datapad, "Highly intelligent, Highest Piloting scores of any Peacekeeper, Accolades received from renowned fencing instructor on Serenno and the mussle-tussler on Boonta." he sighed as he was once again convinced that there was no way that someone like her good be overpowered without at least having her killer's skin underneath her fingernails.

He paused to take a large sip of his longdrink glass of Corellian whiskey and pressed his eyes closed. He was tired as kriff, but if he decided to freshen up and get some sleep then Director Senyn would do worse to him than he did to Commander Karn. There was no rest for the wicked, so he opened his eyes again and read the next part of his notes; "Victim shows no signs of struggle. No signs of intercourse. Victim was, however, found naked in her shower. Strange bruising below her nostrils."

---

OOC INFORMATION

This thread is open to Imperials who want to investigate a mysterious murder in the Raxus barracks. Multiple avenues can be explored to find out what has happened and who the killer is in time to maybe avoid whenever they strike next. You can start this by helping Peacekeeper-Lieutenant Lorso, or start a parallel investigation to further your own ambitious ISB career. This thread will have DM post every 48-72 hours.​

 

[Kellan Solari]

Its final approach secured, the Kaba-Class Shuttle’s struts made contact with the landing pad and the ship settled to rest. Inside, the shuttle’s pilots impulsively set about their post-touchdown routine and from the passenger bay, Lieutenant Kellan Solari could hear them jettison the exhaust valves. He sat peering out the viewports, where the urban cityscape vanished behind a shroud of the shuttle's broiling gasses. The boarding ramp lowered and the shuttle’s occupants debarked onto planet Raxus.

“Sure you won’t join us, Kell?” Brinks asked, pulling one arm through his Corellian Flight Jacket. The jacket itself was nothing spectacular, but was well-known as Brinks’ favorite piece of ‘civvie’ attire, a fact that had led to its repeated theft and subsequent ransom by his squadmates.

“Next time Brinks.” Kellan replied.

“Suit yourself. It’s your shore leave.” the younger pilot said. “But me and Geel are gonna drink ‘till we’re somebody else's problems.”

From behind, Lieutenant Kael Brax draped his massive arms over Brinks and Kellan’s shoulders, pulling the pilots tightly into his meaty flanks.

“Nah, not Solari here.” Brax crowed. “Never on Raxus. He prefers to spend leave with his liberty acquaintance and I hear she's a looker. Fills his little Imperial Love Tank™!”

The pilots stepped off of the landing pad and entered the sprawling interior of one of Raxus’ countless megabuildings. Kellan ducked out of Brax’s grip and veered off towards the turbolifts, offering his squadmates a departing wave over one shoulder. Kriff! Those fellows were good for a dogfight, but not for much else.

 

[Merian Sere]

The man was easily recognized: a wreck in the making, tired yet barrelling on fumes, just waiting to crash. Merian walked into the mess like the perfect contrast, black dress pants and white tunic of the Imperial Knights all clean and pressed, though she’d omitted the cape for the occasion. A subtle smell of island breeze and sunfruit followed the freshly-showered knight, like she’d done everything in her power to put the Peacekeeper to shame.

“Peacekeeper-Lieutenant Lorso,” she said, approaching him. “Knight Merian Sere, reporting on orders from the ISB as a representative of our mission to Anzat. All of which Imperial Knights, I’m afraid, though I was Intelligence for nearly seven years prior,” she added. A preemptive apology. Merian was all too used to unease from coworkers. She wondered if Lieutenant Lorso was one to harbor such feelings—right now he seemed like he’d have to welcome help from anyone.

“I imagine Anzat involvement is a lead being considered?”

 

[Kellan Solari]

Lieutenant Solari stepped out of a speeder taxi and craned his neck upward at the towering apartment spire stretching overhead. Rhys Taris had called the building home for a number of years, at least as long as he’d known her. It was her first ‘real home’ upon graduating the Academy and joining the Imperial Security Bureau. They had met one lucky shore leave, at one of the various identical canteens catering to the officer class found scattered across Raxus. He would classify their relationship as ‘an informal dalliance’. She might’ve amended that to ‘a passing distraction’.

Solari took the turbolife up, buzzed her unit’s console and waited patiently. The door slid open and the young woman standing there regarded him with an expression of mild surprise. In the crisp, starched linens of her ISB uniform, Rhys might’ve bordered on intimidating were it not for her easy smile and depthless eyes.

“In uniform, Officer Taris?” A vulpine smile hit his lips. “That’s a twist.”

“Kellan?” she asked. “Was your leave this weekend? Blast! I’ve completely lost track of the days. I-I’m sorry. Come in, come in.”

He trailed her into the apartment. Inside, datapad and holosheet printouts were haphazardly strewn over every conceivable surface and emptied mugs full of caf residue peppered the landscape. Rhys disappeared into the kitchen module and he heard the clink of glassware.

“Been taking your work home with you again?” he called from the living area, glancing down at the nearest stack of holosheets. It appeared to be an ISB personnel file of some woman Kellan didn’t recognize.

Rhys reappeared out of the kitchenette carrying two glasses. She handed him what he guessed was a Spiced Ryll Whiskey. He noted, with some disappointment, that her glass appeared to contain simple water. She tracked his gaze and gave a rueful shake of her head.

“Sorry ace.” she sighed. A wan smile of regret. “I’ve been assigned secondary detail on a pretty heavy case. Homicide. Victim’s next-of-kin are up. Like up, up. And if we don’t catch a break soon, they’re gonna nail Lorso’s ass to the wall. And mine will be hanging there right next to it.”

She took off her cap and ran a pair of trembling hands over her amber hair. Kellan sipped his drink and allowed her to catch him tracing her figure with his eyes. Another wolfish grin.

“I mean it’s a work of art, but I can think of better things than hanging it on a wall.” he chuckled. He gestured towards the nearest stack of holos. “Maybe I can help?”

 

[The Storyteller]

NARRATIVE THEME

"Strangely enough, despite the many hours that peacekeeper-lieutenant Lorso had been awake thinking about the many things that puzzled him about this case, it was an Imperial Knight (@Volene) who casually provided one of the puzzle pieces he had been missing all this time.

Lopik Lorso rubbed his chin, sending dandruff from his short beard down onto his once-pristine black uniform as he slowly looked up towards the Imperial Knight. "Say what?" he asked as his words carried the smell of cheap Corellian straight up to Merian Sere's nose. He had never been on the planet Anzat, or indeed ever knowingly met someone of that species, so his blank stare was for a moment all the intelligence he could muster.

"Merian Sere, as in the Imperial Knight who witnessed Levik's execution?" without averting his gaze he took the half-empty bottle from the table and took a defiant swig from it, disregarding any sort of formality the Empire was so damningly strict about. Then his gaze wandered slowly down, over her white tunic and all the way to her hips. Was he checking her out, or looking for a lightsaber to end his own misery with? "Don't answer that, just tell me what a kriffing Anzat is."

---

Meanwhile Lieutenant Solari (@Tic) got his first taste of gruesomely detailed reports and high quality pictures of a dead and naked Kara Senyn. Time of death; between 2200 and 0300 hours. Unable to narrow it down further. Scrubbed clean. Clean fingernails, clipped, makeup removed before she was undressed and placed in the shower, presumably. No sign of intercourse, pictures and details provided of administered tests. natural haircolor was amber, much like that of Rhys Taris, actually.

The only thing that really pointed to murder was the bruising under her nose and the rather simple fact that her entire brain was missing from her skull. "Kriff, all Lopik has ever done was accepting bribes and make deals with gangs," Rhys let out a frustrated sigh just before she tossed Kellan one of the holos, "Check this one out. She could outfly every Ace instructor. Probably would've given you a run for your credits, too-" that the brightest and highest scoring cadet in a decade had met such a weird end was too weird not to stink. Something must've been seriously off, but Rhys.. she clearly didn't have a clue. "It just doesn't make any sense. There's camera's all over the barracks, too, yet never filmed any sign of an altercation."

 

[Merian Sere]

Merian’s nose wrinkled slightly at the smell, easily missed and the extent of her reaction of disgust. She judged him. Harshly. It wasn’t even about protocols or formality, though that certainly played a part—but Merian knew pressure, she knew how it felt to be tasked with the impossible. She could understand the need to escape. But if the man’s life truly depended on solving this case, why partake in the one thing that guaranteed he wouldn’t?

The Force helps those who help themselves, Lieutenant. She fought the urge to shake her head. Or to snap at him.

“Among others. All surviving members of our team were present, including both pilots as well as Lord Commander Atrix.” Merian wasn’t aware the fact had brought her notoriety. She’d rather forget about the whole ordeal.

“Now, Anzat.” At those simple words, it was like Merian’s demeanor changed entirely. She transformed, became a teacher, or some pretentious honor student delighted to recite all she knew. More the former, though she’d likely been the latter not so long ago. She had studied the subject matter extensively prior to embarking on the mission she’d mentioned.

“Dwellers of the planet of the same name. Sentient, humanoid, almost indistinguishable from humans in appearance though with important particularities. Notably for this case, a pair of fully retractable tendrils in their cheeks which they use to consume what they call ‘soup’ through the target’s nose. The exact meaning of ‘soup’ being open to interpretation, but by all accounts including life energy, mental essence, vitality and, more concretely, brain matter. Compatible with the injuries in this case, as I’m sure you guessed by now. Bruising included. Any questions?”

She paused. “Oh, and one more thing. Ill-defined though the concept is, Anzat have been noted to exhibit a marked preference for the soup of Force-sensitives. As you remarked, Lieutenant Senyn seemed more than proficient in most fields. Eerily so. There are multiple possibilities, of course, but...”

“Is it possible the daughter of Director Senyn was Force-sensitive? Unbeknownst to even her, perhaps.” Or hushed. What a terrible look for the Director. But those thoughts she wouldn’t voice aloud.

 

[Edo Keer]

The Achates was an unmodified ETA shuttle, unremarkable, unassuming. It dropped out of hyperspace, the faint change in acceleration prompting the sleeping passenger to awaken. Immediately the figure sat up from the chaise lounge, straightening his clothing and smoothing the neatly trimmed goatee beard on his face before standing. He continued to straighten his tunic, an extravagant looking affair quite different from standard imperial attire, but it was important to look presentable. Satisfied, he walked to the wall of his meagre quarters and pressed the intercom, his voice considered and as poised as his appearance.

“Have we arrived, Pilot?”

“Jeffers, Sir.”

“Sorry?”

“Umm never mind, sorry. I mean yes, Knight Keer. We’re on final approach. Would you care to join me at the helm?”

The figure smiled, but declined.

“No, that is gracious of you but unnecessary. Communicate with the tower that we’re about to land.” Edo released the intercom button as the pilot started to reply, “Yessir, of cou-.”

He collected his things, fastened his belt, saber swinging gently with the motion and made for the door. Stood there, soundless, still. Counting down the minutes before they would land. He considered the scenario he was facing, eyes closed as he went over the few details he had. Victim was female, no sign of sexual activity. Unusual contusions on her face, person of significant status…only daughter of a Director Senyn? Hmmm I’ll look into that one. Oh and she was naked, in her shower. The shuttle rumbled as retros fired and it landed with a soft but not unnoticeable jolt. He opened his eyes as the heavy door hissed open and the debarkation ramp descended. The various vapours from the landing jets shrouding him, his head hooded by it as he stepped down.

“Knight Keer?” He looked up, the vaporous shroud dissipating either through his manipulation or the air current across the landing bay it wasn’t clear.

“Yes. And you are?” He bristled slightly, he knew they knew he was coming but…

“Peacekeeper Ixs, I’m your designated driver. They are expecting you at the barracks, Sir.”

“Hmmhmm of course.”

“Driver?”

“Ixs.”

“Ixs.”

“Sir?”

“Unusual name, Ixs. Pennetar District, Tamwith. Correct?”

“Sir. How?”

“Your accent if I’m honest. Ixs…” He paused, his lips lingering on the sss. “Especially unusual for a man, is it not?”

“Yessir. My parents–I was supposed to be a girl. The name, well I guess they liked it too much to change.”

“Quite. Shall we?”

“Of course, Sir. Please.” Ixs gestured to the rear of the airspeeder, he opened and held the door as Edo stepped in. As the small craft lifted off, Edo looked down at the shuttle and then turned his attention to his driver.”

“Ixs?”

“Sir?”

“Have you seen the victim?”

“No, Sir.”

“No?”

“No, Sir. Why do you ask?”

“Questions, Ixs. Nothing more.”

He sat back, watching the city below.

At the barracks Ixs led Edo to the officer’s mess. He stepped almost too eagerly in the wake of his driver, as much as he tried to maintain composure, the thought of a mystery to be solved proved nigh insurmountable.

He looked ahead, Ixs nodding to him. “That’s the investigating officer, Lorso.” He then looked at the second figure then at Edo quizzically. “Her? I don’t know.” Edo nodded, his mouth tense with the exertion of resisting a boyish grin. Such an expression would be considered ghoulish, but…

“Forgive me?" He twisted the rictus grin into something less unnerving. He failed. His face smirked.

“Knight Edo Keer. I’ve been requested to help. And you are?” He looked at the two figures. Straightened his tunic once again and raised his eyebrows. “Hmm?”

@Tic
@Volene
@Eccles

 

[Kellan Solari]

Kellan studied the images of the dead cadet, the pale flesh of her curled figure stark and out of place against the showers tiled flooring. He gave a rueful nod.

“Wasn’t bad looking, was she?” he remarked. Rhys regarded him with a reproachful expression perilously bordering on disgust.

“Kellan…” she said, “...what a ghoulish thing to say! The woman is dead. Murdered!”

He glanced up at her wearing an expression of stricken virtue.

“I’ve been told my gallows humor is part of my roguish charm.” he said. Rhys shook her head and returned to pouring over her own datapad.

“It’s part of what’s kept you single on the verge of thirty, more likely.” she remarked.

He winced and let out a mirthless chuckle at the wounding remark. Setting the crime scene imagery aside, he picked up her personnel file once more. The handsome face of Lieutenant Kara Senyn regarded him blankly from the page. Hair immaculately pulled back from her even, symmetrical features even from the page she seemed to radiate a natural competency and self-assuredness. The numerous accolades and commendations peppering her accompanying record only drove the impression home.

Kellan sipped his whiskey thoughtfully.

“Have you or Lorso spoken to the other cadets in her squadron?” he asked at length.

“Lorso may have made a few inquiries at the Academy but nothing so formal that he bothered to add it to the files.” she replied.

“Kriff’s sake, Rhys.” he said. “Are you two working this case together or having a contest to see who can solve it the slowest? Who knows a cadet better than their fellow cadets? That’d be where I’d start.”

She stood abruptly, gathering her cap and the datapad under the crook of her arm and proceeded towards the door. She paused at its console and glanced back at him, one eyebrow inquisitively arched.

“Well, you coming?” she asked.

“Where?”

“To get some answers from Lorso.” she said. “If we’re going to start interviewing her peers, I'd like to know where to start.”

“He doesn’t have a commlink?” Kellan asked. But he was already on his feet and guzzling down the remains of his drink. Officer Rhys Taris was many things, but a slouch was not one of them.

“He hasn’t answered his comm in twelve standard hours.” she said, opening the door and stepping into the hall. He followed. “That means he's sauced. So if we want answers, we’re going to have to drag him from whatever bottle he’s decided to climb into.”

Kellan gave an approving nod as they started down the apartment spire's hall.

“He doesn’t sound half bad.”

–

A standard hour later found Officer Taris leading him through the maze of corridors and hallways of the Imperial Peacekeepers HQ. The facilities bore all the hallmarks of classical Imperial design. Polished, pristine, utterly sterile. All around him was abuzz with the trademark bureaucracy that accompanied any true endeavor of the Empire. Still, despite its familiarity, Kellan was glad he had declined to follow Rhys advice to wait outside. She had protested and leveled all manner of reasonable arguments against him, but he had insisted. Truth be told, he was interested in seeing just how far his newly acquired membership in Blackout Fleet could get him. Sure enough when the guard had run his creds, he had paused and then granted access to the happily surprised Imperial pilot.

Solari quickened his step, nimbly avoiding an underfoot mouse droid, to keep pace with Rhys. He was about to inquire about the quality and affordability of the facility’s cafeteria when they suddenly turned into the Officer’s Mess Hall.

Rhys looked around, issued an exasperated sigh, and then beelined towards one of the long rows of tables where several figures gathered. Two of them, a rather bedraggled man Solari assumed was Lorso and a rigid looking Imperial Knight, were unfamiliar to him. The third, however, saw his expression slacken with surprise.

“Merian?” he whispered to himself as they approached.

Rhys glanced at him over his shoulder, her eyes full of…something…before apparently thinking better of it and continuing on. The pair joined the group already at the table.

“Peacekeeper-Lieutenant.” she said perhaps a bit too sharply. “This is Lieutenant Solari of the Imperial Navy. I’ve requested his assistance in our investigation. Given the deceased’s piloting ability, I thought his insights may prove valuable when conducting interviews with her fellow cadets.”

“Peacekeeper-Lieutenant.” Kellan said affably. He turned and smiled warmly at the familiar face. “Knight Sere. Pleasure as always. Never a dull moment when you're around.”

“Ahem, to that point sir,” she pressed on. “Just who have you interviewed at the Academy?”

@Eccles @Volene @Vek

 

[Merian Sere]

The new arrival took Merian out of the moment, and not in the best way. Barely here and already so demanding. Hmm? That smirk in those circumstances was a terrible look.

“Requested by whom, exactly? Why would they send a Knight?” she asked without a shred of self-awareness. “You weren’t on Anzat.” It sounded like a challenge.

Before it could go any further, two more people made their way to them. Merian wasn’t a fan of the newfound crowd that seemingly kept growing and growing. Oh, but she knew that one!

“Lieutenant Solari. Quite the surprise.” In truth, she wasn’t entirely sure what he brought to this investigation, either. His piloting ability, impressive as it was—Merian knew firsthand—wouldn’t help him question witnesses. Presumably they’d ask about the victim’s relationships with others, her schedule, her whereabouts prior to her death, and not about the best way to perform a pitchback without losing altitude. At least the other officer was ISB. She could lead the interrogations.

At least they weren’t drunk.

@Tic @Vek

 

[The Storyteller]

NARRATIVE THEME

Peacekeeper-Lieutenant Lorso's eyes slowly widened as Merian explained her theory regarding the Anzat connection and Kara Senyn's sensitivity to the Force. Although it was obvious that his mind was racing despite the copious amount of alcohol he had consumed, he didn't actually say a word to the Imperial knight before they were interupted by the multiple arrivals.

A second Imperial Knight. If anything about this investigation made it clear that Lorso's head was on the chopping block it was definitely the apparent involvement of the Emperor himself. After all, the Imperial Knights answered to Emperor Emer-Drast directly so their assignment to the case could not be anything other than the big guy marking his interest in solving the case.

It wasn't until Rhys Taris introduced her boyfriend as being 'useful to the investigation' on account of his piloting skills that Lieutenant Lorso seemed to snap out of something. "He 'now thingss ah-bout theese Anzet, toos?" he unknowingly butchered the name, but what he didn't butcher was lining his words with both disdain and a clear sign that he had looked way too deep into his cups -or bottle- to be able to think straight.

Rhys Taris sighed. She'd seen this before. This case would have to be solved fast and Lopik Lorso wasn't going to do it. Although he did find enough clarity of mind to answer her question; "Sstate-ments on data'ad, did not seeeh the ned to interview." if Rhys, the imperial knights or the pilot considered one of the victim's fellow cadets as the perpetrator of this heinous crime, then they'd have to investigate that angle all by themselves.

@Tic @Volene @Vek

 

[Kellan Solari]

He managed to stifle the laughter that had been bubbling up his throat but couldn’t help flashing an expression of distinct amusement. If anything, Rhys had managed to undersell the situation. Peacekeeper-Lieutenant Lorso was in remarkably poor shape. The man sat pinned to the table, bleary eyes rolling back and forth between the two parties. Kellan was impressed the man could manage to speak at all, embalmed as he was.

Lorso’s words rolled out of his mouth in an unpunctuated sluice.

“Anzet?” Rhy’s face was drawn. She turned her attention toward the pair of Imperial Knights, apparently content to leave the inspector to his self-pickling.“Does he mean Anzat? I suppose that could explain the injuries.”

“A snot sucker?” Kellan furrowed his brow. “What would an Anzat be doing on Raxus out of all places? And why would they be hunting a cadet?”

“Difficult to say.” Rhys replied. “It’s only a theory in any case. I’d like to take a closer look at the crime scene and speak to her Squadron Leader directly. Possibly her fellow bunkmates.”

Kellan sighed. The case file had been an unadulterated mess. Lorso’s wits, if he had ever been in possession of them to begin with, were utterly stewed. The notes had been a disorganized tangle of half-thoughts, dead end logic and conjecture. Even to an procedural layman such as Kellan, a few moments review had been sufficient to convince him that they would effectively be starting from scratch.

“And maybe another review with their security detail. No footage of anyone coming in or out of the barracks? More than strange.” Kellan said. He smiled at the knights. “Have either of you ever been to the Imperial Peacekeeper Academy? It’s worth seeing while you’re on Raxus, if for no other reason than seeing where the lionshare of your credits go when you pay your taxes. It’s a sight. Right out of the holodramas.”

@Eccles @Vek @Volene

 

[Merian Sere]

Merian turned to Lorso as he spoke, then back to the group, her brow furrowed with concern.

“That’s odd. I promise he wasn’t that drunk even a minute ago,” she like apologized for him. How embarrassing. Had he understood a single word she said? “We were having a conversation.”

In any case, Merian doubted her conclusion was ‘only a theory’. Unless the inspectors had a better explanation after a day of drawing blank after blank?

“Regardless, I think the lead is significant enough to warrant reassessing the evidence in this new light. Mainly I wish to know if the murder happened in the shower or if the victim was moved there after the fact. Easy enough to tell through lividity, I believe, Officer? Then, though there was no altercation, surely some footage could prove useful. Did Lieutenant Senyn bring someone home that night, or are there signs of forced entry? Perhaps those statements will let us know what she was up to, just before she died.”

@Vek @Tic @Eccles

 

[Kellan Solari]

Officer Taris nodded curtly and then held the datapad up.

“It would be easy enough to determine, yes. That is, if the autopsy findings in the case file were complete…” Kellan thought he spied her eyes shooting reproachfully towards Peacekeeper-Lieutenant Lorso. Kellan vaguely thought he heard the man pass wind in response.

“How do we go about getting our hands on the full report?” Kellan asked. Rhys shrugged.

“Would probably be just as fast to speak directly to the person who performed the autopsy.” she jerked a thumb up towards the mess hall’s ceiling. “Forensic Investigation Department is on the thirty-second floor. I think we at least got the performing officer’s name…”

She scrolled through the datapad for a moment.

“Dr. Jared Malis.” she announced. Another moment’s scrolling. “Security footage has not been taken into evidence, so that will likely require a trip to the Academy.”

“I'm detecting a theme.” Kellan said, shooting Lorso a glance. “Ok, so forensics and security. Maybe setup a few impromptu interviews with the victim's fellow cadets and instructors? Should we pair off or tackle this together? Oh, I suppose introductions are in order to begin. Officer Taris? This is Knight Sere. Knight Merian Sere, Officer Rhys Taris.”

He turned towards the knight on Merian’s left.

“I didn’t catch your name?” he said, extending a hand. “Lieutenant Kellan Solari of the 81st TIE Wing.”

@Eccles @Vek @Volene

 

[Merian Sere]

“Pleased to meet you, Officer.” Merian realized the amber-haired woman would be in charge of the investigation if anyone. Had Lorso really left nothing useful in the file at all?

“Let’s split up,” she agreed. “Forensics is far outside my expertise, I must admit. I imagine the same can be said for Lieutenant Solari. Perhaps it would be best if Officer Taris handled meeting with the doctor? I can review security footage and find out about the victim’s schedule. Lieutenant Solari can interview cadets. And—Knight Keer, was it?—can stay here, look for signs of forced entry as well as anything we might have missed on the crime scene. If we’re all in agreement.”

@Vek @Tic @Eccles

 

[Edo Keer]

Edo listened intently. As expected his appearance had ruffled a few, and probably irritated the other Knight. He watched each face in turn, noting tics, flexes in features, body language and emotional tells as it were.

Finally, after the party had decided upon forward action he spoke.

First, to the fellow Knight.

“Apologies, I was just listening to you all. And if I’m honest, watching you. I am Knight ‘Thain’ Edo Keer. And yes I was requested by the Emperor, after all as his Knights aren’t we duty bound to investigate and intervene when one of his loyal subjects is evidently killed before their time? Isn’t that why you’re here, also?” He tried the smile again, but stopped as the reaction quickly looked like disgust or distrust rather than reassurance. Bowing his head a little, perhaps in deference to the primary Knight. “Of course, this is your investigation. You seem to already have deduced a plausible suspect, I am here just to help ensure that the Emperor’s justice is met.

He turned to the pilot.

“TIE pilot, eh? Impressive little machine, TIEs. I’d very much enjoy flying in one. But, I’m not sure the ability to outrun and outgun an enemy fighter squadron brings much in the hunt for a potential murderer. Solari, was it? But then, perhaps our quarry will attempt to flee offworld, and we might have need of your, without doubt, exceptional flying skill.”

He smiled, badly, but chose not to refrain.

“Actually, the crime scene can be sealed. I would suggest armed guard on the entrance until such times we decide otherwise. I would really rather enjoy…no like…I would have an audience with forensics, perhaps some fresh eyes might see something they missed.”

@Tic
@Volene
@Eccles