Friends In High Places

A man sat bending over at a table, eyes peering through a microscope and several other science tools set used and messy. Then there was 6 knocks at his apartment's door. They where ignored at first, he continued marking things down in the notebook at his side. 6 more knocks, It's unlocked! Aldric said in his deep voice, though it was not even loud enough to be heard by who was knocking. 6 more knocks, IT'S OPEN! He said this time sure to be heard, instead the only response was 6 more knocks. A grumble came from the man as he turned to the door still in his seat. 6 more knocks, this time sounding more urgent. He stood and walked to the door, I said..., he pulled it open, It's ope... he stopped, no one was there, aside from the strange looks he got from the couple who where kissing across the hall.

Aldric ducked back in and locked the door, it was a hallucination, again. Aldric began pacing. It had only been a few days sense he had returned from Zeltron where he had just solved a crime commented there. Now he was starting to go nuts again, he was still mostly sane, he would have to get something to calm his mind though, and quick.

Aldric had two things on his mind, first was a long term goal of finding a room mate. The second was something that had to be done right away, and that was find something to keep his mind occupied.

Another knock came, this time of different pitch and spaces in between, only 4 knocks at a time now, to Aldric this wasn't his hallucination, someone real this time was at the door.

Aldric opened the door to see a man in a suit. Aldric took a quick look at the man, his posture was that of a trained man, his suit was pressed and black, works for business of high ranking office, he was holding his right hand in front of him with his left, indicating he was left handed. This was within a quick two or three second long glance. Also Aldric could barely make out a badge and a pistol in the mans Jacket. There was a small trace of water on the mans shoe, it had left a slightly murky print, the water was some he had seen before on his own shoes. The man himself was dark skinned an bald, likely Shavian, and not due to hair loss.

"Mr Cibre, we would like to," Aldric interrupted, he already knew where this was going, he grabbed his trench coat scarf and bag while speaking, Yes, I'll take the case. Fill me in on the way. "Good but i can't actually tell you where we are going." Aldric chuckled he, he was now in the hall passing the kissing couple, Well then it's a good thing i already know where we're going! Aldric already knew they where heading to a bar down town, a Bar where he had met the Herglic Senator named Beluga.

At the time though Aldric didn't know he was a senator, it wasn't until just before Beluga left that Aldric pointed put that he had found that out.

Natural light started to pour through the windows in Ysera's apartment, and her eyes began the twitch briefly before they open. Still sore from her training the day before, she started massaging the aches from her muscles as she swivelled her body from under the sheets and out of the bed. Arghh, what to eat for breakfast. She muttered to herself still half asleep.

She took some food from her cupboard and began eating it while getting dressed into her robes. After adjusting the robes so that they sat comfortably on her shoulders took her utility belt from the table, wrapped it around her waist and fastened it in place. Just as the click from her belt was heard, along with it was a sound Ysera did not expect to hear. It was someone patching through to her holo-terminal. Ysera dashed over to the terminal almost tripping over the step and pushed firmly down onto the button. Kccrshh.. The terminal output before a figure appeared as a hologram. Ysera, the council have been asked to investigate the attempted assassination of the senator Beluga Orcta. They would like your assistance as the Inquisitor. The figure said politely. Ysera quickly grabbed her hilt and returned in front of the terminal. Consider it done. I will need some time to get ready. Please can you send me the full details to this location? I will download them onto a datapad shortly. Ysera responded in an eager yet almost panicking manor. It was her first assignment after all. As you wish. The hologram responded before disappearing.

Seconds later the terminal started making noise once more as the data began downloading onto Ysera's datapad. Still rushing around the room she had collected the datapad and swiftly exited the door. As she walked at pace through the corridors her eyes remained fixed to the datapad as she read through the information.

Aldric sat in the white waiting room slightly annoyed. Apparently he was supposed to meet with a Jedi Knight, and with the person who was shot. He sat with his bad neatly on his lap tapping it impatiantly. The brute who came by to pick him up was in the room keeping a fixed eye on Aldric. Aldric on the other hand didn't actually care, instead he could see through a window into the office and noticed several different types of medicens on a single sled going to a ER room, amung them where drugs for pain, enough to releave the pain of being hit by a speeder, Amung them also where drugs ment for large non-humanoids. Aldric raised an eyebrow doing the math, it was obviouse who ever was shot was non-human, but other then that he couldn't tell much about the client; Other then who ever he or she was, the medicen was going to a room number "ER #2." Aldric sighed as the brute stepped into Aldric's line of sight.

Aldric sent a look to him that was saying "really?" Then he actually spoke the words, You are really going to prevent me from knowing who I'm working for, when here in about 30 minutes I'm going to be meeting him or her any way? The bald, Dark skinned guard gave a puzzled look for a second, but remained scilent. A few odd looks came from the people in the room, including a Twi'lek working at the desk. Aldric didn't care though. He simply looked to the clock and noticed that it was extreamly quiet in the room, because he could here the clock which was an old styled clock like many other things in the room, make a "Tick....Tock....Tick....Tock...." Aldric sighed with boredum, When will that Jedi show up? He asked the guard who remainded scilent.

"Tick....Tock....Tick....Tock...."

Lallane Cassandra Novos, donned her usual outfit, a black body suit. Unzipped at the cleavage, black boots and her sleeves somewhat rolled up. A somewhat thick black Jedi cloak covered the rest of her, draping down even too her feet.

She entered into a hospital towards the east of the Jedi Temple, although right now as she rode the elevator too the designated floor; she wondered who in fact had attempted the assassination of a Senator. The details were murky at best. She was supposed to meet up with a certain 'detective' one she'd worked with in the past.

She smiled a little at the thought of seeing him again; just then the 'bing' of the elevator sounded and the clear glass doors slid open. The white halls stretched out in all directions as a waiting desk for the floor stood in front of her. The Mon Calamari attendant took one look up at her, and turned with somewhat swiftness, pointing down the right hallway.

With a short smile, and a slight bow, Cassy walked down the right hallway. Many doors, many pictures of patients who'd made a full recovery here. Cassy smiled too herself...the healing arts had always called to her...it was one of her forte' as a Jedi. The clicking of her high heels resounded down the hall until she broke into a wide open carpeted waiting room.

Immediately, she caught the gaze of a gruff looking man. He gaffed at her briefly, lustfully flicking her over with his eyes before his professional gruffness returned to him. Cassy blinked at him a few times and then nodded, so as not to insult him.

Then in the next moment, three seconds later she turned her eyes towards another. There he was, just as she remembered him. Still attractive, still carrying that look of crazed yet honed lunacy too him.

She strolled over too him, Jedi robes crossed in front of her as her arms were crossed underneath her bosom at the moment.

"Aldric.....it's good to finally see you again." her voice was light, her country accent still thick. "....What do we know?" she asked. Her bright bluish green eyes blazed in start contrast too her black Jedi Robes as her dark curly locks fell all around her round face.

A small smile crept upon her features. But it was a determined one, she'd failed to protect one Senator from a Sith attack out in the stars...in space...but anything she could do to bring this would be killer to justice? She'd attempt it to say the least. If not at least too attain some peace of mind for her last failure. No matter how many Sith she'd slain aboard that Cruiser, her objective...wasn't completed. This time, would be different.

Aldric began to wonder why he always got paired with another Jedi, for him it was a strange accurance, in this case though he supposed it could be accounted for by the fact the spacific hospital they where in, the "East star Hospital" was only a few blocks from the temple. That didn't explain most of the other times though.

Aldric stopped when he heard the "Clack, Clack, Clack" of a female's high hills. Then a rememberable Jedi entered, He remembered her name as Cass, but he knew it was a shortened form of her name, Aldric managed to get a small glimpse of the bruting guard who was "checking her out". Aldric couldn't help but shoot him a look that was saying "Really?!" Aldric returned his attention to Cass, she was a Jedi he didn't mind working with further.

Aldric set his bag off to his side and stood to shake hands with Cass, this time he didn't try to get her pulse, "Aldric.....it's good to finally see you again. ....What do we know?" Aldric's eyes leveled with a vauge bit of annoyance before he began to speak in his quick tone as he was so acustom to. Well no thanks to shiny top over there, I've come to discover we will be meeting with a Sinator, non human and judging from the ammount of anethstecics, rather "Large." We also know that the shooting took place in front of a cantina down town on 92nd street, but shinty top again won't confirm it. Likely a sniper job. Aldric still couldn't pin down the race, but if it actually mattered he would care, but truth was he would be seeing said senator soon enough, and hopefully by that time the would be assassin wouldn't have gotten to much of a head start.

Aldric moved back to his seat removing his trench coat while he walked, then Turned to Cass to ask a question.I take it you have little to know information or else you wouldn't have asked me that question? Aldric asked before a Cathar Doctor opened the door to the ER wing of the hospital, Aldric sat up hopeful, but quickly realized even before the doctor spoke that the visit wouldn't be yet. "He's stable, but it'll be a little bit before he's ready to be questioned." Aldric sat back down and gave a sigh.

Cassy listened too what Aldric knew. It was next too nothing that he could piece together in that mind of his. The assassin had definitely made a clean getaway. No matter how 'easy' it was for one to disappear within Coruscant, there were ways of keeping one here that could provoke an attempt to escape.

Reaching for her com, Cassy flipped through her contacts, as small holoprojections of different individuals standing there, glowing see through blue in the palm of her device rotated upwards as she continued to flip. Eventually she settled on a Republic Officer she'd met years ago when he was just enlisting. Calling him, knowing he was a well received officer on Coruscant, she awaited his answer.

"Cassy darling, has my luck suddenly took a turn for the better for once?" Charles' voice came through crystal as the holo of him shifted into a real time version of him on guard duty, pressing the com on his helmet to speak with her. She could tell he was staring back at the hologram of her probably popping up in his helmet com.

"Maybe...but I need a favor first."[/color] she visibly smiled a little. In truth she was always happy to hear from someone she'd met. Although she wasn't as interested in him as he would've liked, he was cute, he just laid it on too thick at times. 'Anything' he said, predictably. Cassy instructed him too look for incoming into Coruscant that also had an outgoing ticket attached to it. She also asked him too do pat downs of people returning too their private ships incase our assassin had some pocket change and had a ship of his own. She informed him of the calibur of weapon suspected too have been used too cause such round about damage too both the Twi'lek who'd been unfortunate that day, and toot he Senator.

"I'm on it darling. If he tries to leave too soon, we'll catch him." with that his holo shifted stretched and disappeared with a buzz. She stuffed her com back into her black robes.

"Too answer your question Detective...yes, we've surmised that the Senator's dealings from within had too be the cause of such an attack." she locked eyes with him, lips slightly parted. "This happened by his own pen, or by his own words. He hadn't garnered enough hate by the Jedi's conclusion, to provoke an attack from within the Senate or the Republic." she concluded. "I suggest we ask him about his dealings outside of work...although he may be hesitant too comply..." she gave him the 'you know Senators' look with a shake of her dark locks.

He'd barely had time to wake, and already there had been papers to sign. A form several pages long asking him about everything and anything, as well as a performance review with one of those stupid numerical systems. As was his habit when faced with such type of documents he picked one number and stuck to it throughout. Blasted bureaucracy.

After he'd been through with the papers they'd released the doctor, a human male who couldn't be much older than thirty, which didn't exactly put Beluga at ease. But he'd been assured that the young lad was one of the best surgeons of the hospital.

"Well we managed to take care of most of the damage, but I can't recommend that you move around too much sir. You're still sure you don't want us to see to your older injuries?"

"No," the Herglic senator replied dryly. The fact he didn't particularly trust the doctor was besides the point in this matter. He could practically hear Kea's voice in his mind telling him he was a stubborn idiot, that made him smile. The human must have assumed the senator was smiling at the idea of having a pristine body because he pushed on.

"Are you sure sir? Skin grafts would remove all the scarring and fitting you with prosthetics would be a very simple procedure," Beluga sighed deeply before giving his answer.

"You're a doctor, so you must be a bright lad, correct?" the human nodded, a faint smile twisting his lips. "So tell me, how is it a bright boy like you can't seem to understand what no means?" the human's smile faded and he turned beet red, he muttered a string of apologies before backing away and out of the room.

Beluga looked around the room and found his cane propped up against the bed. They'd at least had the common sense to leave it close by. He pushed the be'd sheets off and slid off, grabbing his cane and limping out of the room. As he did he registered a nurse telling him that he shouldn't be up and something about bringing his guests to his room.

"Guests? Where?" Beluga stopped to look at the Twi'lek nurse.

"Yes sir, in the waiting room,"she replied dutifully. "We've been waiting for the doctor to say you were ready for visitors before sending them to your room."

Beluga nodded, looked around and found a panel indicating the way to the waiting room before he limped off. His long strides forced the nurse to jog to keep up with him.

"You should be in bed sir, you're not yet quite fit to be up," she repeated.

"Yes I heard you the first time. You have seen that your duty is done and for that you have the thanks of the entire Republic" he replied, beaming at her. She seemed dazed for a second, taking a few moments to realise he was being sarcastic, and she was about to reply when he held up a finger to her.

"I suggest we ask him about his dealings outside of work...although he may be hesitant to comply..." a voice drifted through the double doors in front of him. the Herglic senator pushed through.

In the room were three people, one of whom he could recognise. He had after all asked for his presence during one of his more lucid moments of consciousness after having been brought to the hospital. The other man looked like a bodyguard of sorts, and the woman was dressed as a Jedi would be. He inwardly groaned at her sight. It was nothing personal, but he had a feeling that Jedi involvement meant the Sith were being suspected. Probably the Senate's idea. They were turning this case into a witch hunt.

"Aldric! I'm glad you came," Beluga called out, limping into the room. The nurse followed him and looked like she was about to speak, but he once again held up a hand to stop her. "Your worries and recommendation that I return to my room have been duly noted but the boy doctor that was attending to me said I was free to go," the lie was a poor one, but it meant that she as now forced to go check with the doctor. The Twi'lek walked away. "Greetings to you as well Jedi," the senator added, giving Cassandra a polite half-bow.

The Herglic was wearing simple hospital pyjamas, and the top was unbuttoned and had short sleeves, which exposed most of his scarred side. His cane was in his hand, and he was leaning on it quite heavily. Truth be told since he'd woken up the crippled limb had bothered him quite a bit.

"Aldric! I'm glad you came," Aldric wasn't looking at the door, his face seemed to go white, How didn't i figure that out?! Aldric thought to himself as he turned to look at the Herglic senator he had met named Beluga. Aldric had learned that Beluga was a senator at the end of their last meeting, Beluga knew this too. The Twi'lic tried to say something to Beluga, but Beluga waved her off and fed her a lie, "Your worries and recommendation that I return to my room have been duly noted but the boy doctor that was attending to me said I was free to go," Aldric gave a flat look at the larger Senator, he knew from the notes that he had taken in the first meeting and the help of his Eidetic memory, that Beluga's words where indeed a lie. Aldric never actually got a chance to tell the Twi'lic though for two reasons, one Aldric was on a case and didn't actually care to greatly about the lie, and two, Beluga spoke to Cass at this point, "Greetings to you as well Jedi."

Aldric stood to talk Beluga, So...you're the employer, well then... Aldric gave a decent smile, ...We should get started. Aldric looked over to Cass and then back to Beluga. I think we all know you shouldn't be out of your room, how about you sit down or at least we all go back to the room, and talk there. Aldric grabbed the bag and his trench coat off the chair. Then we can discuss what details you know....

Cassy waited patiently, listening too the buzzing and far off beeps of noises resounding throughout the hospital. The white floors and pictures framed on the wall merely for distraction of all of the goings on within the hospitals helped pass the time well enough.

Without too long of a wait, Cassy thought she heard some semblance of a disagreement from somewhere. It got louder for a moment but then disappeared before too long; replaced by the sound of heavy footsteps. Soon enough the source of the footsteps revealed itself.

""

Cassy stared upwards...slowly. As her bright green eyes moved from the Herglic's kneecaps, all the way up into his face. His large mouth moved in greeting to Aldric; the two seemed to know each other. How about that...that might help them in their questioning of him. Friend of Aldric's or not, she'd help him as best she could but all the while attempt to not hold anything back. 'WHY' he was the target of such a brazen assassination attempt was more of a concern for her. 'WHO' might've been Aldric's interest.

When he greeted her, she simply gave him a silent tilt of her head downward. Respectfully, and with a small smile on her face in respect of the large being.

"Yes, and if there's any pain during the course of our interview...if you're still sore that is. I'd be more than happy too help alleviate it." she spoke calmly, her abilities in Healing through Force were only surpassed by few of her age, if not exclusively the Masters of this particular field. "I do not want this too be an uncomfortable experience....." she stated again.

Raising her hood above her flowing brown locks, her emerald eyes blazed out even more. Her black cloak draped onto the floor, her arms folded inside of her large black sleeves and her hood shadowed the rest.

She nodded to Aldric and too the Senator signaling that she was ready for the short walk too his room. She had some questions for the Senator that she was sure he would not like. However she would allow Aldric too do his worst before she did hers.

"That is most kind of you Jedi," Beluga replied to Cass as she offered her services as a healer, "but I am accustomed to more pain than this inconvenience can cause," his smile didn't budge or change as he referred to his wound. There was no hint of pride in his voice.

He turned to Aldric next. "We'll hold this little discussion right here in the waiting room. I've grown tired of my room. The stench of medicine is somewhat less present here."

"Now then. I am sure the two of you are just bursting with questions, both personal and tedious, but I think the best place to start would be by a retelling of the attack form my perspective," the Herglic clapped his massive hands together and moved past the detective and the Jedi, off to a couch that stood in the middle of the room, facing several smaller chairs.

"Now, where to begin..." he paused a few seconds, rubbing his chin. "I left my office several hours after sundown after a long and very boring day of going through paperwork. As one does. From there I..." the Herglic paused seemingly without reason and patted down his hospital clothing. He was missing the soothing sensation of his pipe between his lips. He grunted, malcontent, before returning to his tale.

"From there I went off to do what I do most evenings, a round of a selection of cantinas and other establishments," his hands were moving about with no evident purpose, missing the feel of his pipe dearly. "Some of those establishments are more shady than others, but funnily enough it was outside a fairly classy that I was shot down, not very far away from the senate tower, in the upper mid levels. I do hope the owner doesn't lose too much business from this... Anyways, I was hit as I came out, the shot must ave come from a building opposite the bar given the angle of the shot," he shifted his position slightly to be more comfortable. "And that's all I have. You're now both free to go ahead and dissect my life."

"Now then. I am sure the two of you are just bursting with questions, both personal and tedious, but I think the best place to start would be by a retelling of the attack form my perspective," Beluga said, Aldric Sat silently as Beluga moved over to the couch before continuing on starting the story.

"Now, where to begin... I left my office several hours after sundown after a long and very boring day of going through paperwork. As one does. From there I..." Aldric knew the following events rather well, Beluga had Obviously at one point visited the Cantina the two had met in, judging from the mud on the bald guards boots, that was likely where Beluga was shot as well. Aldric let Beluga continue though. "From there I went off to do what I do most evenings, a round of a selection of cantinas and other establishments, Some of those establishments are more shady than others, but funnily enough it was outside a fairly classy that I was shot down, not very far away from the senate tower, in the upper mid levels. I do hope the owner doesn't lose too much business from this... Anyways, I was hit as I came out, the shot must ave come from a building opposite the bar given the angle of the shot," Aldric looked at Beluga's chest, he himself hadn't actually seen the wound yet, he would likely need to at some point though.

"And that's all I have. You're now both free to go ahead and dissect my life." Aldric hadn't expected fine details from someone who hadn't exactly been looking for them, and who had been though the amount of trauma that Beluga had. So he suspected many a detail was missing, details that could likely help. In order to get maximum details, i will need to to confirm that my estimate is correct, the bar you got shot at was the bar where you and i both met, Correct? Aldric said, it made since, other wise, why did the guard have that mud on his boots? Aldric was indeed rather sure he was correct.

However he hadn't actually taken a vary close look at the mud, (that is to say, the guard was more apt to kick Aldric in the face if he had tried.) So there was a small margin of error.

I shall also need to see The blast wound to confirm the angle myself. Perhaps i may also be able to determine the amount of power the sniper rifle had, and therefore narrow down the weapon a bit. Aldric said as he still contemplated what the crime scene looked like, the details that Beluga couldn't provide could possibly be revealed there. However he still had questions for Beluga.

There is one thing i haven't gotten yet, the would be assassin would likely have known how to kill someone from past experience, and unless he was a newcomer to that line of work, how did he miss his target? Aldric said, if his angle was correct, it shouldn't have been hard to his Beluga's heart, why did he miss? Aldric ran though possibilities in his head, a few came to mind, but what Beluga thought could possibly reveal more details, and narrow down his margin of error.

Beluga waited patiently for Aldric's questions to end before he answered them all individually.

"The cantina outside of which I was shot was not the one where we first Aldric. But it was the establishment right next to it, which would explain the mud on the guard's boots. Although Id like to make it clear that he was not with me during the shooting. He only arrived at the scene later. Senate appointed. Can't say I'm terribly fond of him," the herglic grumbled a bit.

"Anyways, of your other questions I shall answer the third before the second. I heard the gunshot a split second before a rather charming Twi'lek lady tripped while she was out on what seemed to be a late night jog," his face grew darker.

"I moved to help her, and that's when the bullet must have hit me. The movement must have been unanticipated by the assassin. Poor guy, unexpected occurrence at work are always such a pain," he looked up at Aldric, sadness in his eyes.

"The Twi'lek, she was completely shredded to bits by the shot. I practically wish I hadn't moved to assist her. She wouldn't have had to die then," he muttered this last sentence under his breath, bowing his head. Before any of the two others could say something though he looked back up.

"As for the weapon it was a slug thrower," Beluga declared. "I don't know quite how powerful it was but I can vouch for it's effectiveness. It felt very much like being smashed into by an interplanetary cruiser," he said all this as he took off the hospital shirt he'd been dressed in, baring his chest and the older scars on his body.

The wound stood out from his black skin and older white scars as it was an angry red splotch. It had begun to scar and the place where the bullet had entered his body has left a small divot in his body. A new scar to add to his collection.

She listened calmly to the grim tale of how someone had tried too take his life. She hated assassins. Cowards, the lot of them. From beginning to end, it was a solid tale. She could tell that he was telling the absolute truth when recounting the tale of how everything had happened.

And one had best believe she was listening for inconsistencies. Through the Force telepathically and through Body language. Not a hint of guilt was felt through her mind connected to his. And so the reasoning was sound that he had no reason to lie about how it had happened. He had been the victim. However, she was more concerned about other aspects of this investigation.

"Thank you for that, Senator." Cassy's expression was pretty icy, but she still looked friendly. "So what we do know. Is that this assassin knew, exactly where you would be. Exactly." she continued "I'd wager only a few people have access too you at all times, or know you well enough too know what spot you'd possibly 'hit' after work."

For a moment she allowed this too set in, before continuing.

"What sort of enemies have you made at work?" Cassy didn't want too outright accuse one of the Senators perhaps from known undercover Sith worlds. Nor did she want too rule out any Republic officials who's views were so partisan in opposed too Beluga's own partisanship, that they'd literally rather see him taken out of the entire picture than put up with another day of him at work with them.

"I'll need you too be completely honest with me. Has anger been exchanged between you and any other Senator's of the Republic?" her tone was that of 'you know of what type of anger I speak'. The kind that made enemies. "If so...I have ways of listening. Certain conversations would be being held....right now perhaps? About a stunning failure and turn of events that prevented the job from being complete?" she smiled for a moment too allow it all too sink in.

"We are missing some crucial eavesdropping time around the Senate at this very moment if you have garnered a particular enemy or two........" for awhile after this statement she drew silent. Her green eyes and dark curly locks falling around her face too her shoulders. The human woman looked up at the colossal Herglic. "Give me a name." effectively asking him, who he wanted her to spy on slash investigate. One name and there would be many "Madam Jedi's" said too her as she roamed the halls of the Senate indifferently. But first, she needed too know which office too be near to use her abilities too the benefit of their good Senator.

"Also...if you could tell us why someone would particularly want too do you in...that would be of immense help. If you can bring yourself to recall such malice directed towards you. Whether it be a simple look you remember someone giving you, or a direct threat. Recount it for us please. Any hostility you've received within the Senate is on the table at this very moment, the Jedi are not willing too rule out a strike from within, so I am going to investigate your co-workers specifically during this investigation. I am sure Aldric will not miss a chance too find out if the threat did come from the outside." she took a long pause and after awhile merely said. "The Jedi have been wrong before. Perhaps it is not an inside threat, but one outside, but what enemies could you have made from the other side of the Galaxy? Whether near or far." this statement showed that she did infact likely agree with her own investigation given too her by her Superiors on the Jedi Council too investigate the Senate. She felt it was far more likely that it happened somewhat as The Order suspected.

Beluga looked at the Jedi with a mild frown as she spoke. He was surprised that she hadn't immediately blamed the Sith. Well at least she hadn't blamed them directly yet. He knew she could read him through the Force, there was no point in lying. But what she didn't know was that he could read her through the subtlest of eye movements, the tone of her voice, the inflections she gave to certain words and the way her body subconsciously moved and twitched. The Sith were definitely not off the tables in her mind, they were in his. But she did seem considerably more worried by his fellow Senators, and as much as it would please him to send her off to pester certain Senators, he couldn't bring himself to think of any of them as capable of killing him. Well actually most were, backstabbing idiots that they were. But the timing wasn't right for it to be political, and the enemies he had made were not the assassinating type.

"No," he told her simply as she finished. "No," he repeated more firmly. "It wasn't from the Senate. I'm fairly sure of that. The timing's all wrong for it to be political for one. There are no votes up my alley currently planed. Actually one such vote just passed a few days ago. Killing me then would have served a much greater purpose. Furthermore what Senators I am in strong disagreement with are either too meek to ever plan an assassination, or too mired in bureaucracy to ever manage to make an assassination attempt be unseen," he explained. He'd given this some thought. Well a lot of thought. He'd thought about this for every one of his waking moments as a matter of fact. but he also knew this Jedi din;t trust his judgement. She saw a politician, and she saw politicians as ultimately untrustworthy, which was a commendable point of view. It was also the reason why he'd asked for Aldric's presence. He and Aldric didn't know each other that well, but he was the only investigator which Beluga had any link to.

"I'll give you a name if you want one, of course. the Senator I disagree with most vehemently is Bahradr. Uranibask Bahradr to be precise. Bureaucratic little man," Beluga sighed deeply. "Investigate him as much as you want. And give me the reports personally. I always wanted to know what he does in his spare time. Probably fondles the red tape like there's no tomorrow."

"Now, as to whom I blame, well I've given this some thought. And I've come up with what I consider to be a somewhat educated opinion. Aldric knows this," he gave the human male a short look, "but I'll reiterate for your benefit Jedi. Before being pressed into becoming a Senator, I was a businessman. the owner and founder of a trading company. We started off by selling bacta to whoever needed and wanted it in the core worlds at much lower prices than usual. Now if you don't know kolto is a rather useful little liquid which has fantastic healing properties," he addressed that phrase to the Jedi. "We branched off into foodstuff and cloth, ferrying goods form the outer rims to the core worlds at record prices. That company is my pride and joy, and while I gave up its direction to a very close friend I have retained ownership of a majority of shares of the company. In this business I've made many enemies, some less scrupulous than others, but all of them far more willing and capable to put a bullet in me than a few cowardly Senators."

"In the days I negotiated the decimation of a Hutt family, any remnants of the Desilijic clan might be interested in seeing my head on a spike. Trading guilds dealin in bacta would also hate my guts. Furthermore any other traders in the entire Galaxy would love to see me dead. My death would throw my company in disarray, and share prices would plummet. My presence is what keeps people interested, I'm fairly trusted. With low share prices any opposing trading group could buy up my company by grabbing a large number of my company's shares for peanuts."

"The cantina outside of which I was shot was not the one where we first Aldric. But it was the establishment right next to it, which would explain the mud on the guard's boots. Although Id like to make it clear that he was not with me during the shooting. He only arrived at the scene later. Senate appointed. Can't say I'm terribly fond of him,"

Aldric nodded, this was a detail Aldric had already uncovered, if the guard had been there, he would have likely responded very differenty to Aldric, and would also likely need questioning, though Aldric still planned to ask him about the crime scene as it remained, but that would wait. No... he didn't strike me as some one who was with you, nor you strike me as one to bring a guard along with you! Aldric pointed out.

"Anyways, of your other questions I shall answer the third before the second. I heard the gunshot a split second before a rather charming Twi'lek lady tripped while she was out on what seemed to be a late night jog, I moved to help her, and that's when the bullet must have hit me. The movement must have been unanticipated by the assassin. Poor guy, unexpected occurrence at work are always such a pain," Aldric nodded, he could understand that, in one of his most recent cases, one with Cassandra in fact, namely the Hound of Coruscant case, as it had become popularly known as; a unexpected occurrence had come up there as well, namely the small Alena named Halc. Aldric let his mind stay in the present though as the conversation continued.

"The Twi'lek, she was completely shredded to bits by the shot. I practically wish I hadn't moved to assist her. She wouldn't have had to die then,"

Aldric, nodded, the power of the weapon matched that discription, yet it was rare for a slug to be used on an assassination job, Then again, a slug thrower may have been a good choice all things considered, after all, a dinky little pistol wouldn't have killed Beluga, The skin of Herglic where far to tough for that. With this fact Aldric added a possible chance that who ever this was, knew who he was dealing with.

From that point, Cassandra and Beluga began a conversation about possible suspects, Aldric simply listend for a long period of time, taking in minor details that the two where exchangeing.

Cass started off with many questions being launched at once,
"Thank you for that, Senator.... So what we do know. Is that this assassin knew, exactly where you would be. Exactly... I'd wager only a few people have access too you at all times, or know you well enough too know what spot you'd possibly 'hit' after work." Alric simply remained quiet paying attention for any small hints that might have been droped and missed by one party or the other.

"What sort of enemies have you made at work?" Aldric wasn't sure it was Sith activity, but he had been paying close attention to the New networks lately, and from what he could Tell there was nothing in the senate at the moment that pointed to another senator. He did however keep the idea open, Senators where after all sometimes unpredictable.

"I'll need you too be completely honest with me. Has anger been exchanged between you and any other Senator's of the Republic?... If so...I have ways of listening. Certain conversations would be being held....right now perhaps? About a stunning failure and turn of events that prevented the job from being complete?" she smiled for a moment too allow it all too sink in.

"We are missing some crucial eavesdropping time around the Senate at this very moment if you have garnered a particular enemy or two........"

"Also...if you could tell us why someone would particularly want too do you in...that would be of immense help. If you can bring yourself to recall such malice directed towards you. Whether it be a simple look you remember someone giving you, or a direct threat. Recount it for us please. Any hostility you've received within the Senate is on the table at this very moment, the Jedi are not willing too rule out a strike from within, so I am going to investigate your co-workers specifically during this investigation. I am sure Aldric will not miss a chance too find out if the threat did come from the outside.....

The Jedi have been wrong before. Perhaps it is not an inside threat, but one outside, but what enemies could you have made from the other side of the Galaxy? Whether near or far."

"It wasn't from the Senate. I'm fairly sure of that. The timing's all wrong for it to be political for one. There are no votes up my alley currently planed. Actually one such vote just passed a few days ago. Killing me then would have served a much greater purpose. Furthermore what Senators I am in strong disagreement with are either too meek to ever plan an assassination, or too mired in bureaucracy to ever manage to make an assassination attempt be unseen," Began Beluga...

"I'll give you a name if you want one, of course. the Senator I disagree with most vehemently is Bahradr. Uranibask Bahradr to be precise. Bureaucratic little man, ... Investigate him as much as you want. And give me the reports personally. I always wanted to know what he does in his spare time. Probably fondles the red tape like there's no tomorrow."


That was a point where Alric would have normally smiled, but being as it had to do with his work it didn't appear humorous to him, not that it was ment to be any way.

Then came the part that sparked Aldric's enterest,

"Now, as to whom I blame, well I've given this some thought. And I've come up with what I consider to be a somewhat educated opinion. Aldric knows this... but I'll reiterate for your benefit Jedi. Before being pressed into becoming a Senator, I was a businessman. the owner and founder of a trading company. We started off by selling bacta to whoever needed and wanted it in the core worlds at much lower prices than usual. Now if you don't know kolto is a rather useful little liquid which has fantastic healing properties ...We branched off into foodstuff and cloth, ferrying goods form the outer rims to the core worlds at record prices. That company is my pride and joy, and while I gave up its direction to a very close friend I have retained ownership of a majority of shares of the company. In this business I've made many enemies, some less scrupulous than others, but all of them far more willing and capable to put a bullet in me than a few cowardly Senators.

In the days I negotiated the decimation of a Hutt family, any remnants of the Desilijic clan might be interested in seeing my head on a spike. Trading guilds dealin in bacta would also hate my guts. Furthermore any other traders in the entire Galaxy would love to see me dead. My death would throw my company in disarray, and share prices would plummet. My presence is what keeps people interested, I'm fairly trusted. With low share prices any opposing trading group could buy up my company by grabbing a large number of my company's shares for peanuts."

Aldric leaned forward in his seat a bit where he spoke for the first time in the last few minutes, Anyone of those that would be particularly interested in killing you? Most likely someone that you might have ripped off, not that i think you would! But perhaps someone who might feel as though you ripped them off? Perhaps selling to them less then they thought they had payed for? Shipment ever get lost? Aldric suspected someone from Beluga's past might be more duited to attempt to kill him then another senator, or even a sith. Aldric loved that thought too, he thought that someone from the past would make it a little bit harder to catch, which would also give Aldric another good break from life...

Cassandra was interested in what the Herglic had too say; it wasn't everyday that someone accused the Hutt Cartel of foul play. Well, it probably was everyday, she just wasn't in all places at all times. For awhile she wondered just how 'dark' this Herglic Senator's past was. A trading company that 'negotiated' the decimation of a large section of one of the more powerful clans, the Desilijic. Didn't seem like the type of trading company you wanted to get on your bad side.

He seemed worried about the overall effects that his death would have on his company; more so than being concerned for his own well being. Although he'd stepped down from his company, something told Cassandra that he was still more involved with the Trading Company than he let on. Still, she was here too help him find out who attempted too assassinate him, not interrogate the Herglic himself.

"So...Bacta Trading Copmanies, or any members of the Desilijic Clan?" she mused over this for awhile. Wondering if her friends at customs had come up with anything for a moment. "Aside from your own company; there's more than one company in the bacta business here on Coruscant; as I'm sure you're aware."

She mused further, a hand going up to her chin by habit.

"As far as the Hutt Cartel goes, they're easier too spot than they think. I've dealt with them before. Their agents usually have some high quality gear on them, although I'm not about too go pointing fingers at every random bounty hunter we encounter..." she finally finished.

"I suggest we lay some sort of trap for our friend; perhaps if we assume he's from the Hutt Cartel, we attempt to pose as his contact." she smirked "If not, and we assume the threat was more local, then surveillance on some nearby Bacta companies would be prudent."

Beluga had patiently and quietly waited for both the Jedi and the detective to ask their questions before responding. He rubbed his chin pensively at Aldric's question. He tried to think of people, but there had been so many, and more importantly it had been quite some time ago since he last directly managed any transactions.

"I'm afraid that if there were any such people I wouldn't be the best person to ask. Firstly there were far too many clients for me to keep track of. Secondly I haven't met any clients in a long time. And lastly I would recommend you go meet with the company's current executive if you want further details on the latest specifics of the company," he looked around, but found only a pen. He ripped the hem of his hospital shirt and scribbled an address down on the cloth and handed it to Aldric. "She lives on Esseles, and her name is Kija. If you could do me a favour, and visit her only if you run out of other options. I'd rather not get her involved in this. And before you ask," his single working eye turned to the Jedi, "I trust her completely," his tone was steely and brooked no argument. The icy harshness left his eye almost immediately though as he turned to answer Cass' queries.

"You speak of the Desilijic as if they were still an organised Hut family. They're not. Any operatives would be private hires. Mercenaries, assassins and other such hired guns. Maybe even official bounty hunters from Huttese Space. But whoever is employing them would be working alone. The Desilijic family is nothing. It's lead members are all dead, I made sure of that. If they are behind this, and my money's not really on them, then it is one of the younger Desilijics lusting for revenge, but without access to the family wealth which was scattered," the cold steel returned to his eye for a second, before disappearing again, replaced by his usual jovial demeanour. "As for rival companies, I am aware there are many, though they all supply en mass directly to armies. I'd suggest starting the surveillance on bacta companies first. The Desilijic are unlikely, as I've mentioned before. It is more wishful thinking on my part than rational thought which leads me to suspect them," the herglic tore another piece of the hospital shirt off and scribbled three names on it. "Those are the top three biggest bacta trading companies which operate on the same trading routes as my own bacta trading ships," he explained as he passed the second piece of cloth to Aldric. "Now, is there anything else I may assist you with?" Beluga asked as he leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms over his chest.