Responding to an Anomaly (closed)

[A®heim]

Sir, have a look at this. These readings are off the charts. The bird hopped aside as an elderly gentleman peered into one of the computer bank's many screens. The data would be a complete mystery to any electronics expert, but this man was no expert. HE was a master with over 100 years of experience to back him up.

Hmmm...these are rather obscure. It's as if all the sensors are picking up something and yet none of them have the capability to identify it in any reliable manner. Curious…

Energy levels are spiking! What is that droid doing?!

Arzahiem peered down at the droid next to him, a calm countenance disguising his concern.. Nothing pleasant for our feathered friend, I would imagine. May I have your take on it?

I've never experienced anything like this in a long time, Arza. There are only a few forces in the galaxy that can bring up a reading like this, and one of them...well...is the Force.

Come now, Phae. You're only 2 years old, a "long time" doesn't really mean much coming from you.

Phae glared up at the gentleman. 2 years, 275 days, 13 hours, 49 minutes, and 8.921238 seconds as of 1.658764 seconds ago thank you. And coming from you "only a moment", as we've so joyfully discovered, means quite the opposite. But I digress-

Naturally-

Shutup. My point is that this is anything but normal, and we may wish to consider an intervention if things are as serious as I calculate.

Aye. Your kind is good at caring for yourselves, but there’s only so much I could give you. Many obstacles can surpass a Familiars ability and Ayer, especially, seems to have a penchant for coming up on these…

The man sighed and turned towards the door to his office. We’ll need an extraction team ready to move a week ago, armed to the teeth.

Armed to the teeth and inconspicuous as well I imagine?

Our specialty...

Done.

Arzahiem nodded solemnly. I don’t wish things to get out of hand. Low profile will be a necessity. You know what to do.

Yes sir.

I’m not going to lose another Familiar.

Nor I a brother.

[A®heim]

The corvette had long since departed. Arzahiem now sat alone in his spacious office with a mind in a snowstorm. Shuffling over to the control console, he tapped at an area map of the facility until the camera feed displayed itself across the screen.

"Familiar REA-12, initiate training procedures."

One of the new droid models fluttered its holographic wings in acknowledgment. This was one of the more interesting programs he had created: The perfect diplomat. Every political tactic coded into its memory banks, things that worked, things that didn't. In depth biographies of beings in high positions of the galaxy of the past, the present, and the likely future. Everything a Republic would drool over from droid...

"Uploading hostage situation: Mandalorian Bounty Hunter/Correlian Diplomat. Running scenario now. We will be monitoring your results, #12."

Understood. Commencing simulation.

There was a moment of silence as the REA looked off into space. Arzahiem gazed intently at the screen. Simulation completed. I am ready for the results to be reviewed.

"Very well."

Another minute of silence.

"Impressive, custody of the hostage was restored to Republic forces. Well done."

Thank you.

"Actually, there is one thing we're curious about. It says you had made a transaction of 14,000,000 galactic credits to a portable credit chip, a chip I can only assume you gave as compensation for the hostage's release?

That is correct.

"You realize how great a sum of money that is?"

I do.

A sigh sounded over the intercom. "#12, you can't just bu-"

The credits were counterfeit. They were in truth a program bug I improvised that will give off a unique tracking signal. If the simulation had continued for several more hours, the bounty hunter would be in Republic custody.

There was a stunned silence that even Arza took part in. A reptilian smile crossed 12's face.

"The Republic would not condone that technique. It's unofficial, underhanded, and-"

Arzahiem switched of the camera feed, a grin stretched across his face. Effective.
It was clear now, he couldn't believe he had allowed it to go on as long as he had. Turning back to the console, he pressed a button on the intercom. Please inform the Assignment Committee that they are to broaden their focus.

"Pardon sir?"

My work must be placed in the capable hands of the galaxy, not to the incompetence of Republic bureaucracy. Expand their searches. Freelancers, smugglers, TAXI DRIVERS, anyone! Anyone has proven themselves capable.

"V...very well sir."

Oh. And make sure 12 receives an exemplary credit on the evaluation.