Upper Coruscant
Cross Guard Heights
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Cross Guard Heights
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"So, uhm, that's what happened."
Haji could barely see the man's face, this Lieutenant Ghotti, his seated silhouette haloed in sunlight coming in through the glass wall window behind him. His glasses glared silver. The visual portrayed a sense of anonymity, despite having introduced himself, and ambiguity, in terms of his intensions and role here. The sun rays were bothering Haji for some reason. With the distance between them, light reflected off the floor and generally overwhelmed him. It made him feel like he was under a microscope. If it weren't for the man's connection to the Sector Rangers, Haji would've disliked him outright. But because of Bast, Corran, and Falynn, he cooperated. Still, it didn't mean he had to trust him.
"Haji? What brought you to Coruscant?"
"What brought me here? Like, what ship?"
"Haji. I'm going to be crystal clear. Did Ranger Emblai invite you to participate in a mission with her team in the lower sector?"
"..."
"You are completely safe here, Haji. You've done nothing wrong. I'm only interested in Ranger Emblai."
"Why?"
"It's my job."
"To hurt people?"
"Haji. Ha, ha. No. What would give you that idea? It's my job to keep everyone safe. You. Ranger Emblai. Everyone."
"Miss Bast saved me. They all did. I was kidnapped. She saved me. That's all. Can I go now?"
"One last thing. Have you ever made something happen that you couldn't explain? Have you ever seen or done something special?"
"No. There's nothing special about me."
And with that, Haji pushed off of his seat with a frown and a huff and walked toward the door. It slid open, and closed behind him. His fingers clutched at the outline of Corran's personal device that rested in his side pouch underneath his signature cloak. A part of him was worried someone had noticed he'd swiped it in the aftermath of the events in The Narrowlands. He was itching to use it, reciting Corran's badge number in his head ever since. There had to be some information he could use, Sector Ranger resources that could fix the mess he'd made. He just hadn't figured out how. And with the constant presence of personnel in Cross Guard Heights tower, he worried he'd never find a moment alone to make the call.
"Hey did you hear? Grody's here."
"Ew, that guy? You know he tried to get me demoted once?"
"No way. He tried to slap me with criminal charges for using funds in a fake weapons' deal."
"Hate that guy! Who's he here for this time?"
"I don't know, but I'd watch your back."
Haji walked passed the two rangers leisurely chatting in the hall next to two vending machines, focused on his own troubles but catching part of their conversation and taking note. His head lowered, still uncomfortable around others. He'd managed to hide from the team so far, keeping to himself even as he wished to rejoin the others. But today Corran was scheduled to be released. And it felt like a deadline to apologize to him personally, before he forgot about the wounds that Haji had caused. Also, there was something else he needed to say. And if he went now, he might avoid Falynn and Bast, seeing as how they probably wouldn't be there until after he was released at the soonest. At least that's what he was hoping for.
He'd walked these halls many times in the short time he'd been here. He didn't expect to be practicing stealth so much during his recovery, but he didn't want to be probed. He didn't like being seen. He could hear their thoughts. Well, not actually. But he imagined the questions in their heads. Who was he? Why was he here? How did he get into a private area meant for Rangers? But he'd managed to escape attention, slipping away just as soon as someone saw him standing outside Benjamin's room where they kept him sedated or wandering too close to the hallway that supposedly led to Whistler's room where he was being questioned. Hearing that someone had been looking for him only inspired him to stay away from his room even more. It had been difficult. He didn't sleep last night. He just wanted to be left alone, until he could do something that made him feel better.
Haji walked up to the door, Corran's chart taken from the door folder, and he waved his hand. But the door lock chirped, denying him entry with a flickering red light. He frowned at the inconvenience. He had to speak with him. So he waved his hand again, this time applying the Force to the mechanism. Then it clicked and chimed, flashing green, and the door slid open.
Walking into the middle of a question aimed at determining Corran's well being, Haji caught sight of Corran sitting shirtless in front of his interviewer.
"Oh, I uh, I was hoping I could uhm... Hi," he waved to Corran. "Could I talk to you? Can I talk to him, for a minute? It won't take long. Please. In private? It's important."
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