>>5678135The feeling was mutual. It wasn’t something that any of the Jedi had seen either. And they’d scoured the entirety of the <span class="mu-i">Bantha’s</span> archives for even the barest scrap of information. They had found nothing any more substantive than the MSDF’s hurried inquiries.
But this wasn’t the first time Larid had seen the recording. In the hour leading up to this meeting, he’d watched it several times, even as his arms were elbow-deep in the aliens’ chests during its autopsy. Repeated viewing didn’t get easier. Every time that damned snakehead lunged at Farren made his blood pressure shoot up like a rocket.
His mood was likewise reflected on the faces of the room. Many were faced with impossibilities that had completely pulled the rug from out of their feet. Thankfully, more were looking at the duel with the same intense scrutiny he had. He could see the gears turning in Aure and Kosa’s head, fellow wielders of lightsabers and the Force, thinking how they might have acted if they had been in Farren’s place.
“…suffice to say that we won’t be telling anyone outside this room about…” Sho gestured vaguely with her hands. “…whatever the hell that thing is, right?”
That seemed to be the consensus. The only other one who had been told was Archon of Internal Security, the Arkanian Elma Crane, and via secure tightbeam of the highest order. It had been debated to invite Kituh, the Archon of Foreign Affairs, but that had been ultimately shot down. The Bothan was still in negotiations with the Teladi, and Keimann hadn’t wished to unbalance the diplomat with such alarming news.
“Transparency is a virtue,” opined Kosa, “But in this scenario…discretion would be the better part of valor.”
Aure grimmaced. She paused the recording, right where the alien’s black, plated armor turned away Farren’s lightsabers. “Yeah, because nothing screams ‘subtle’ more than discovering yet more materials that’s resistant to lightsabers…” Her voice trailed off as she turned an expectant look to Larid. “Both of which were alive.”
That was his cue. The Shadow took to the center of the room before confusion could break out in the peanut gallery. Producing a datachip from his pocket, he fed it into the holotank. The recording of the duel receded, yielding to his autopsy report and accompanying images. More than one person blanched at the aliens – the fact that they were naked (save for a modesty cloth) had little to do with their reaction.
“I’ll try not to be too grisly,” he said with a flat inflection, “But if any of you are easily squeamish, I’d recommend getting a bucket before I begin. I had to cut them open to get what I’m about to tell you.”
No-one moved. Good.
(cont.)
